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“Stargazing?”
“Yes! You ought to see how beautiful the stars are from my ship, you can hardly see them due to the lights of the harbor!”
At first, Ningguang thought Beidou was kidding. The Tianqian was an early riser if nothing else, and she certainly had n o time to waste staying up all night dilly dallying on a ship with a crew of pirates while getting a neck ache.
The captain of the Crux fleet, however, was not kidding. Beidou was nothing if not persistent, and kept pestering Ningguang about it.
“Come on, Ning! We’ll make a day out of it! We’ll have a drink, you can meet the crew, It’ll be great!”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I am much too busy to make ‘A day out of it’ with you.” Ningguang repeated for the umpteenth time. How the captain even got an audience with her, but now that she had it, she would not leave. Her persistence was admirable yet extremely annoying.
Ningguang paused for a moment and then sighed, not even believing the words she was about to say. “If I agree to.. play along in your little scheme here, will you leave me alone and let me work?” Beidou beamed with her wide grin.
“Aye aye, captain!” She said mocking a salute. “I’ll make everything perfect! See you Friday, seven o’clock! Don’t be late darling!” She yelled, running out of the room. Late. As if. Ningguang thought to herself. She sighed as her assistants walked back into the room.
“How was your meeting with the Captain, Miss Ningguang?” One of them asked. And in spite of herself, Ningguang smiled.
“Baiwen, please rearrange my schedule for Friday.”
-
They met at Luilli Pavilion. Ningguang was there at seven sharp, and to her mild surprise, Beidou was already there. “I knew you’d be exactly on time.” She explained, glaze lilies in hand. She handed them to Ningguang. “For you, my lady.” Ningguang rolled her eyes but smiled as she accepted the flowers. Beidou pulled out a chair and ushered Ningguang to sit there.
“So, I heard you cleared out your schedule today, Ning. Was that my fault?” Beidou asked, sarcasm seeping into her voice.
“I didn’t cancel anything if that’s what you mean. It was just slightly altered, is all.”
“Oh no by all means, not accusing you of anything,” Beidou said, leaning forward. “I get you all to myself today” Beidou grabbed Ningguangs free hand and kissed her knuckles. “I already ordered for you. The chicken and pork bones soup you like so much? I heard that this place makes it really well.”
“My, my you’ve certainly planned this out, haven't you? I can’t remember the last time you actually planned a date and it pan out well, Captain. It’s like you have some ulterior motives for today?” Ningguang arched an eyebrow, but Beidou just laughed some more. Archons, Ningguang loved her smile.
“You’ll just have to see then, won’t you? In the meantime, however,” Beidou said, pulling a chess board out from underneath the table. “I don’t believe I’ve kicked your tail in chess recently.” Ningguang’s competitiveness flared.
“You wish.” They settled into a vicious match that lasted the entire meal. Ningguang won again, but not by much this time. By the time they were done, the sun was far to the west, and so they began to make their way to the Crux.
-
Beidou entered the Crux almost at sunset. The walk had been pleasant, and they talked about many things. The crew immediately stood at attention for their captain, but Beidou just waved them off. “No, No. I’m here on a date, so don’t embarrass me.” She said to her crew. Ningguang smirked.
“My, my, captain, aren’t you large and in charge?” Ninguang flirted, making Beidou extremely flustered. She blushed and chuckled. Her cheeks were a similar color to the sunset behind her. She’s so adorable when she’s flustered. I ought to compliment her more often. Ningguang thought to herself.
Beidou showed Ningguang the way up to the crow’s nest, which was actually very spacious. Beidou sat down, so Ningguang followed. Beidou grabbed her hand and pulled it to her lap. Ningguang put her head on Beidou’s shoulder. They just fit that way, and they always had.
“See that constellation there? That’s my namesake.” Beidou said, pointing at the stars that were finally forming their way into the sky. The stars really were beautiful from out here, Ningguang had to admit.
Beidou pointed out several more stars and constellations. The north star, Orion, Viatrix, Pavo Ocellus, and so many others. Ningguang took what knowledge she had too, and tried to point out the ones she knew. It was mostly her making a fool of herself though.
“That one there, I believe that’s mine.” She said, pointing at something that looked vaguely like it. Beidou sighed, but smiled at her, and took her arm.
“The one you’re trying to find is right there, actually.” Beidou shifted Ningguang’s arm to point at it for a moment, but then continued her hand down and enclosed Ningguang in a tight hug.
Ningguang felt Beidou shift her head and kiss her forehead. Then, Beidou’s fingers were under her chin, leading her up to a kiss. Ningguang always loved the way Beidou kissed, constantly looking for more. Beidou stood on her knees in front of Ningguang and kissed her some more. Beidou pulled away and tenderly put her forehead against Ningguang’s, resting on her lap. Beidou caressed Ningguang’s cheek, pushing some stray hairs back into the flow of the rest of Ningguang’s platinum locks. All the while looking into her deep red eyes. She put a hand behind Ningguang’s head, cushioning it from the hardwood behind her.
Ningguang reached behind Beidou’s back, grabbing her by the shoulders. Beidou bent down a little bit, Ningguang’s lips barely brushing up against Beidou, noses touching. Beidou leaned forward, barely missing Ningguang’s mouth, but almost reaching her ear.
“I have something for you~” Beidou whispered, reaching into a pouch on her belt and pulling away. Ningguang’s hands moved to the front of Beidou’s shoulders. Ningguang looked at Beidou, expectantly, but she hid whatever it was behind her back before Ningguang could see it.
Beidou took a deep breath. “Ningguang. I love you, so, so much. I hope you know that. You’re the smartest, most beautiful, kindest woman I know. I couldn’t be more proud to call you my girlfriend. I can, however, think of something I would rather call you.” Beidou pulled out a simple, yet beautiful ring made of Noctilucous Jade from behind her. “Ningguang, I love you so much, and I think you love me too. So, will you please marry me?”
Ningguang gasped. She felt tears prick at her eyes. “Oh my- Beidou, Beidou, I, Just… Yes! Yes, I love you so much, nothing would make me happier!” Beidou smiled wide. Ningguang pulled Beidou into a tight hug, falling backwards. They both laughed, and they kissed. Though, they were both crying a bit, so it was a little messy, but they couldn’t care less. Ningguang was so happy. She smiled wider than she had in years, laughing and crying in time with her love. On the floor there of the crow’s nest, on a ship in the middle of Liyue, beneath all the stars in the sky, two people were happier than anyone else in the world.