Chapter Text
“...I also compensate her in other ways. Lets just say I’ts a little complicated.”
That was what Ningguang said to the Traveler. And that’s what she remembered when she caught Beidou seated in her desk, with a smug on her face. It was night and most of the staff had already went home. Nighttime was indeed the usual time they performed their… dealings, sheltered by the dark.
-Good evening, Lady Tianquan – she said with that teasing smile.
- What are you doing, Beidou? – Ningguang sighed. She wasn’t annoyed one bit though. It was just a front to not give in to that insufferable charming pirate.
-I’ve come for the compensation you promised. – she rose from the chair and turned the table’s corner to be in front of the white-haired woman. She was close enough for her to sense the smell of the sea coming from the other. A salty and warm smell with a tinge of alcohol that somehow feels comforting. The Tianquan felt her heart skip a beat.
-I think I’ve just paid you earlier. – the latter replied, dribbling the seaferer to sit in her chair. Beidou leaned over table top.
-Don’t play dumb, Ningguang. I know you understand what I’m talking about. – she tilted her head slightly to one side, still smirking. Gods, that damned smile. It was so handsome that Ningguang always have to control herself to look composed. This little banter was all part of their dynamic, it was familiar and exciting to her.
She gave the pirate a provoking smile, all aware of what she was talking. She just couldn’t be so easy on her.
-So you was this eager to come meet me? – she tilted her head, resting her chin in intertwined gloved fingers.
-Well – the other shifted in position – It’s not everyone that can see the almighty Tianquan’s beauty beneath this fancy dress. I even dare to say that I’m the only one.
- Don't be so cocky. As much as I like the praise, what makes you think you can just enter my home without notice?
-You gave me permission. – she leaned closer. Ningguang could feel the electric atmosphere around the pirate. She started to feel a little hot.
A moment passed with the two of them just looking at each other; teasing; testing.
-Checkmate – she had to give in after that. Beidou was good to counter her words . She stood up – Come, Beidou.
Her voice all so charming, she made sure to glance at the one behind her. Beidou had a tinge of red on her face that made the Tianquan feel victorious.
She lead the way to her quarters, the Jade Chamber silent as the night. The last of the staff members should probably be all gone by now. It’s better if they’re alone, Beidou thought.
They entered, Beidou closing the door behind her. Ningguang went in behind the screen first, not saying a word. Beidou was at a lost, she didn’t understand what the other was planning but somehow this was exciting.
-Ningguang? – she called, crossing to the other side of the divisory.
- Care to join me, Captain?
The white haired woman’s bare back was facing Beidou while her silk white dress was sliding to the ground. She loosened her hair and the strands fell like a curtain. She looked at Beidou, invitingly. The pirate gulped. She couldn’t get used to the beauty that was that woman. Her pale skin were so even and delicate like porcelain, her amber red eyes so alluring, blazing like a forest fire, piercing her heart. The hair like a curtain of starlight, so soft that put silk to shame. She stood there, blankly staring while Ningguang headed to the bathroom. Without looking back, she rolled her hair in a bun and called.
-You coming?
-Uh… - Beidou stuttered, trying to remember how to speak and move – Yeah, I’m coming!
The captain begun to remove her long boots and tossed them in the floor, as well as the rest of her clothes. Before entering, she tried to even her breathing, with little success.
Ningguang was seated in a big, white pocelain bathtube. The steam was clouding the entire place an it smelled of scented bath oils like lavender or rosemary. The only light sources were the dimly lit candles scattered across the place and the moon shining through the large window, floor to ceiling high. No one could see her in that height, thats why she had asked for windows like that. Beidou remembered when she asked Ningguang about that and she answered “so I can see the stars and sea when I bathe”.
The dark grey tiles highlighted the gold and white details in cabinets and hooks with yellow towels. It was a mesmerizing view, specially for the woman there, glowing like Venus in the sky.
-Get in. – she said. Beidou complied, leaving the towel she grabed to cover herself in a stool. She entered the tub, back facing the white haired woman. The water was warm, no too hot but perfect to soothe sore muscles.
Ningguang started to rub the captain shoulders, loosening her tension and tiredness of a day gathering the Jade Chamber stuff. Her hands traveled from her shoulder to her neck, arms, lowering in her back…Beidou shivered with the touch.
-Are you cold, my captain? – she said, leaning in her ear
Beidou jolted, shivers running down her spine, all of her hairs going up. A breath got caught in her throat.
-Wow wow, Tianquan, where did you learn that? -she said, trying to regain composure. Her face was all red. Ningguang didn’t answer, she just resumed her massage, getting even bolder, running her hands through Beidou’s stomach and up to her chest. It was way too much. She was already hot all over and was feeling her electro powers begin to run down her arms, tingling her skin. She turned to face the other.
-Ningguang – she said, the voice low, uneving breathing, foreheads touching - You’re torturing me.
-Hmm you came for compensation right? So be patient. – her lips found Beidou’s eager ones with a slow, deep kiss. With that, she stood up, taking a towel and walking out of the bathroom.
Beidou tilted her head and smiled, amused by what was happening. They had that arrengementc> for more then half a year by now: friends with benefits. When Beidou was in Liyue they could meet in the Chamber or in the Alcor to enjoy themselves. However, the captain was feeling more and more uneasy with the feelings stiring in her chest. She was always eager to meet with the Tianquan, always with this joyful feeling in basking in her presence, from the games of chess to this kind of encouter. All the admiring and enrapturement with every meeting, every talk, every little thing.
Shit, she would think. The friends thing was going down the drain.
She put on one of the white robes that were hanging by the door and followed. Ningguang was sitting on her bed, smoking her pipe elegantly, her legs were crossed out of her light golden champagne robe, her phoenix tattoo showing. Upon seeing the captain, she smiled and checked her head to toe. With one twirl of her pipe, she sent it away.
Ningguang couldn’t help watching Beidou. The brash captain has no elegance and refinement but that raw power was irritatingly appealing. Her sun kissed skin, her toned muscles, her eyes that could pierce the ocean. Also, she was brilliant and a really good person, kind hearted and so compassionate. Seeing her now and thinking this kind of thing made Ningguang feel stupid. Was the second time this week. The first was when she went to the tailor to make the final touches on a dress she designed specifically to draw Beidou’s attention. Altough she was trying to lie to herself, that was the final reason behind it and the explanation…she couldn’t put it to word yet but she was definitely an undoubtely fond of the captain.
Shit, she would think. The friends thing was going down the drain.
-So – Beidou asked, leaning agaist her, hands on the mattress. – What are your plans?
-If I tell you, where’s the fun?
-Tsc – she smiled, that damned crooked smile. Ningguang held her chin and kissed her again. A deep, passionate kiss. Beidou signaled that she was going to lay her down, but she had other plans. In a swift, fast move, she overthrew Beidou in the bed, and sat above her hips.
-Careful there, Tianquan – she said with that smug on her face. – You don’t want to end up hurt.
Bold she was, to defy her on her own castle. She wouldn’t let it. She held her mandible to keep her still and leaned to speak on the pirate’s ear.
-If you continue like this, you know very well who will end up getting hurt. – she purred, her voice low, comanding and so provoking – Your life is mine, captain.
Beidou was so dumbstrucked by that, her body so hot that her will faltered. The effect was so immediate that she didn’t want to fight, to talk back, to do nothing. She was hers, and she knew it. All she could do was murmur through uneven breathing:
-Yes…my Tianquan.