Work Text:
Papers.
Piles of papers scattered across Ningguang’s desk. Papers that contained secrets that only the brave ones would try to put their hands on. Liyue’s most valuable possessions, all portrayed under the Tianquan’s quill. Ningguang was browsing through the papers whilst sitting on her wooden throne with her legs crossed and her pipe in one hand. She was accustomed to working late into the night at her office, gazing as the moon painted Liyue in blue tints from Mt. Hulao to the dazzling Harbor as the night's dark clouds engulfed the sky. Not that she didn’t long for the soft mattress in her bed and her silk covers, and also Beidou…
Beidou
Beidou had recently returned from a trip a few days ago. Of course, Ningguang decided to take a stroll around the Harbor at that time and oh so accidentally happened to be present when the Alcor anchored to Liyue. Beidou was the same as always. Smiling at the nearby citizens and merchants, walking proudly on the wooden dock as the Crux came back from another prosperous trip.
Ningguang watched from a distance as her crew carried the big loads of goods. She sighed, relieved that she came back safe, home. The day after that, Beidou decided to host a drinking night for her and her crew to celebrate the joyous outcome. Beidou got really drunk that night. She got so drunk that her tongue let loose and she wouldn’t remember a single word once the alcohol’s influence has subsided.
“Ms Beidou! It’s really late, but if you are here for Lady Ningguang, she is still in her office.” , a voice echoed behind the closed doors of Ningguang's office.
Baishi, Ningguang thought.
“Thanks red lady secretary” , another voice, a very familiar one.
In a split second, the door at Ningguang’s office burst open, revealing a clearly drunk Beidou. Messy hair, rosy cheeks; Beidou leaned against the door frame. Ningguang gave her a blank look as she stared at her, as it was not the first time she had beheld such a view. She couldn’t quite tell if she leaned on the doorframe because her legs couldn’t hold her up or just to appear seductive. Either way, Ningguang was intrigued by Beidou’s flirtatious attitude and raised a brow in amusement.
“Since when do gorgeous women frequent here?”, Beidou attempted to take a step closer to Ningguang, but the alcohol was not in her favor. Ningguang observed her as she slammed her hand on her desk, finally gaining her balance. Beidou sure drank like a fish this time.
Ningguang raised her pipe and stared up at her, “Since when do gorgeous women drink like there’s no tomorrow and can’t even walk properly after?”
Beidou acted as if she had something stab her in the heart and was in agony.”Ouch, I must have been struck by Cupid’s gold tipped arrow. Will you not kiss the pain away, my ethereal beauty?”, Beidou blinked aggressively, trying her best to play the wounded and innocent to show her desperation for Ningguang's attention.
Ningguang sighed as she watched Beidou spin a piece of paper in her office with her finger. "Oh my darling captain, just how much did you drink and got you half seas over?"
“Pfft, not much that the Uncrowned lord of the Ocean can’t handle”, she scoffed. Indifferent to the paperwork that was strewn all over Ningguang's office, Beidou laid with her hands on her stomach on top of the desk. Ningguang lowered her gaze to meet Beidou's, who was laying underneath her. She might have never seen her captain in such a state. Beidou had gotten drunk many times before, but this… felt a lot worse.
“Has anyone ever told you that your boobs look very nice from down here?”, Beidou smiled while looking Ningguang dead in the eyes.
This was definitely a lot worse
“Beidou, i think you should get some rest, it’s quite late”, Ningguang turned slightly her head to blow the smoke from her pipe.
“Nah i’m fine, i’d rather stay and talk to you my white haired angel”, Beidou winked at Ningguang. “Besides I ain’t leaving till you promise me a date”
“Your white haired angel has been working since morning and is very exhausted. She would really appreciate it if you both called it a day and retired for the night”
“But i’m not tired and don’t try to change the subject about our date, unless you’re already ‘preoccupied’ ”, Beidou narrowed her eye at Ningguang.
“Beidou we’ve been married for years”, Ningguang stated plainly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Beidou looked at Ningguang wide-eyed in shock. Tears began to spill down her cheek.
“Wait so you are my wife and I'm your wife and we’re married and I am the lucky person that gets to look at your boobs, just how much better can the night go?”, Beidou jumped from the desk and kissed Ningguang, squishing her cheeks and pressing her lips hard. Eventually, Beidou was crying uncontrollably from happiness. Ningguang wrapped Beidou in her arms and helped her walk over to the bed.
Beidou was buried in Ningguang’s arms, while they both laid on the giant bed. Her joyous sobs from before now turning into pained ones and becoming more violent. Ningguang took out Beidou's hairpin and allowed her hair to fall to her shoulders. To calm her down, she stroked her soft hair and traced faint circles on her back.
The sudden outburst of emotion was something Ningguang had witnessed for the first time. Her poor captain was letting all these emotions sink into her, for some time now Ningguang could assume, her thoughts, worries and concerns only brought to the surface under the alcohol’s influence.
“Beidou, it’s alright, I'm here now.”, Ningguang whispered, with a small smile on her face.
“Ningguang, I'm so glad that you are my wife and- I'm so grateful for- you- that you care for- me”,Beidou mumbled between sobs.
“My captain, you are my most prized possession and I'm never going to stop loving you, even if you get so drunk that you won’t even recognise Baishi.”, Ningguang chuckled.
“You really- love- me?”, Beidou turned to meet Ningguang’s gaze, eyes red and shallow from the many tears she shed. Her cheek was damp with some tears drying up. Ningguang wiped the remaining tears with her thumb, cupping Beidou’s cheek with her hand and slowly pulling her in to give her a peck on the lips.
“Of course I do, don’t ever let anything else cross your mind. Besides, I doubt you’d ever get away from me that easily. Those fines aren’t gonna pay themselves. “, Ningguang huffed.
Beidou sighed, “I guess I'm bound to you. Ya know, i don’t care if we’re married, you still owe me that date.”, Beidou began to calm down from her emotional outburst from before.
“Seems I can't escape. Well then do you have anything in mind?”, Ningguang continued to draw circles with her fingers on Beidou’s back. Her soft touch sent shivers down Beidou's spine, and now that the alcohol’s influence had began to subside, her eyelids threatened to close.
“Mmm wherever you want my little glaze lilly…As long as i’m with you i’ll be happy”
“Those pet names you’ve been muttering all night will be the death of me”
“But it’s true! You smell like glaze lillies and your hair is long and beautiful like an angel and you look ethereal with your tall figure and your soft boobs…”
Ningguang slightly blushed from all the compliments Beidou showered her with. Who could have thought that Beidou, even drunk, could have such an impact on her? She sighed and placed a small kiss on Beidou’s forehead. She doubts that Beidou will remember a single thing tomorrow, and oh, she can’t wait to tease her with the stupid pet names she was giving her.
Ningguang’s eyes began to close as she thought about the day’s events. Her poor soul was tired after a day full of work and having to deal with a drunk Beidou. She had been hankering after a restful night's sleep for hours, and now that Beidou was in her arms and curled up beside her on the soft mattress, she had to get the sleep she so much needed.
And just as she was about to drift into deep slumber, a loud sound jolted her awake.
No, this couldn’t be happening, sure she’s hallucinating from the exhaustion
And the sound reached her ears once more.
“Beidou, darling, you’re snoring”, Ningguang murmured and poked Beidou on the shoulder hoping that the captain would understand.
“Mmm, yeah, yeah whatever ya say”, Beidou muttered and trapped Ningguang in her arms, burying her face in the crook of Ningguang’s neck.
Great