bitter exes | beidou x ningguang

chapter xlv

The other night after their breakup...

Beidou turned out to be so unhealthy: there were dark circles and bags under her eyes, the glow on her eyes seemed to look dull, her whole body feel so weak as she dragged her claymore from behind, her faded scars from challenging the great Haishan for the second time... To sum it all up, she looked weak, pained and numb from everything but she still chose to stand up and fight.

Also considering the fact that the pain she is feeling is fresh from the heartbreak.

Right after sailing miles and miles away, she ended up going back to Mondstadt. Thinking that it would be better if she would vent out everything that she had been pulling back. At this rate, her way of escape is also by drinking until she passes out.

She skiddled past the alley, pushing the doors to Angel's Share a bit harsh its hinges shook. People looked over her and started murmuring about Captain Beidou? That infamous captain! or something like The Uncrowned Lord of Ocean but she disregards them and sits on a stool in front of the counter. Leaning her claymore at one side.

Diluc familiarized her face, "You," he started, polishing one of the glass, "I remember you two years ago..." he said on his monotone voice.

Beidou nodded, "Two years ago when..." she dived herself on the table, burying her face, "...when I made her a poem to start our first chapter..." her words came muffled. Diluc rose his eyebrows at her sudden outbreak of emotion.

When she looked up, there were endless tears flowing from her eyes, "...and now... I'm here because it all ended..." she sobbed way too hard some of his customers gazed at her in curiosity.

Diluc is someone you can never rely on in terms of comfort although he is a fine young gentleman in every conceivable respect, "I have known nothing in regards of love and breakups. I'm afraid I could not give you words of comfort but allow me to treat you a drink, besides you may be my brother's friend. Anyway, what kind of drink would you like?" he rested his hands at the table.

Beidou wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks, "That's so generous of you, Master Diluc. Thank you but is it okay that I'll be drinking dozens of bottles for free?"

Diluc shook his head hastily, "Of course not, I'll only be giving your first drink for free." he said sternly.

The captain let out one short chuckle, "Alright," she breathed out, "Give me one drink that could make me forget everything and the pain that I am experiencing."

Diluc rose his eyebrows again, "You want something that could slice up your throat, I suppose?" he turned and grabbed the strong alcohols, "This lady, you want to forget her?" he cocked his head back to Beidou while mixing up the drinks like a pure bartender he is.

She sniffled and shook her head, "It's impossible for me to forget her." she's now having hiccups at crying so hard a while ago, "I— I just wanted to forget the pain but not her..." she sighed heavily, looking down at her fidgetting feet.

Diluc only stared and examined her, judging her appearance but not in a bad way. He noticed the drastic change of her personality compared the last two years he saw her. Shaking his head, knowing that love could turn one jolly and outgoing person to this, he suddenly had no interest in love, "Here, I do hope I met your expectations." he placed the drink in front of her before entertaining some other customers.

She muttered a thanks before gulping it down in one shot, making her whole body shiver as well as her face turning into a grimace, "DAMN!" she exclaimed, slamming the glass down with a thud, "That felt blades!" she pounced her chest with her fist then coughed really hard.