Those Willing to Drown | Beiguang x GN! Reader

ARC I-ACT II

Beidou's ship, to say the absolute least, was grand. In more ways than one. Large sails of rich colours and patterns, a long, strong deck with an equally strong looking crew, fancy-looking designs and paint jobs all over the wood. It was truly beyond beautiful.

"Welcome to my home!" The woman beside you laughed, gesturing to it with open arms.

With curious eyes and a rapidly fluttering heart you smiled at the vast group of working pirates and crew mates - each one seeming to play a role in what would, and could be their next mission or wandering stop.

"Come! I wanna introduce you to someone!" Came Beidou's warm voice - an equally warm arm thrown over your shoulders as you were pulled away from marvelling at the members, and instead towards the main steering wheel of the ship.

There stood a man, no older than mid-twenties but no younger than twenty, his attire being that of a nation you once could only read of in books. Inazuma was the nation of eternity, a nation as haunting as it was beautiful.

Pity could only be afforded for those who wished to escape the clutches of their archon and her beliefs.

"This... this is Kazuha, and escapee from Inazuma." Beidou introduced, catching the attention of the male as he turned and gave you both the sweetest smile.

Reaching out a hand towards him, you chuckled. "I knew I recognised those clothes - Inazuma has some of the most beautiful wears I've ever seen."

A chuckle escaped his throat, wrapping his own, smaller, hand around your own to shake. "I wouldn't say I disagree, but Liyue clothing is a lot better in my opinion."

With her hands on her hips, a rumble of laughter vibrated through the chest of Beidou. Introducing you to the boy, she placed a warm hand on your shoulder again. "- just like you, they're an escapee."

"Oh?" That seemed to have piqued the boy's interest. "I'm sorry that's the case.. but if you're worried about your safety you can trust Beidou here. Her ship and crew have kept me safe for months now."

"How relieving..." you snorted. "But wouldn't having two escapees on your ship make you an even bigger target now? I wouldn't want to cause you any more danger than you already have to survive." That was half a truth. Half because you didn't want to be an inconvenience and half because you couldn't help but shift under the warm hand of Beidou - now being conscious of it on your shoulder, you couldn't help but note how hot it felt.

"Nonsense!" She boasted with another rumbling laugh. "The Crux ship has survived through the most dangerous of adventures! I'm certain we can handle you along the way. You know what we say here?"

When seeing you tilt your head at her, the smirk on her lips grew and her fist was thrown in the air - a mighty holler following soon after. "To the power that ended Haishan!"

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Agreeing to joking the Crux ship was both a miracle and a curse - and perhaps having let captain Beidou know that you, as a matter of fact, had never been on a boat would have been a good idea.

For the time being, the Crux ship was stationed in Liyue for an event that would occur. (one that Beidou was persistent on letting you see before you all set sail.) And by the archons above, under and beyond, so far you had yet to be recognised by the wandering fatui members.

"Come on! It'll be a new experience!" The boisterous voice of Beidou chuckled as you smiled, shaking your head. For the past thirty minutes she had continued on her tangent about taking you to visit a chamber to watch some sort of lantern event. She had also mentioned something about introducing you and Kazuha to a close friend -Ningguang, she introduced briefly while explaining - who was notorious on the ship for funding some of their travels and needs.

She's a good woman, from what you've heard coming from the captain. Elegant and almost intimidating, but a wonderful friend to the long haired brunette who watched with amused eyes as you tied down yet another pair of ropes connected to the sails. What was it? Your third day on the ship and you were already getting the hang of it? She couldn't help but chuckle.

"You'll like her. If you're lucky she might favour you too."

"Favour me?" You chuckled, not once looking up at the woman as you continued to knot the rope. "What does that mean exactly?"

She hummed for a second as if in thought, tapping her chin. "It means; rich woman like you? Rich woman give you mora."

"But do I have a need for mora in the first place?"

"Is anyone truly able to live without mora in a world like teyvat?"

"Touché. Then, when am I meeting her?"

A noise of satisfaction rumbled out from her with a laugh - her eyes sparkling in excitement. "The Jade chamber is getting rebuilt and will be opened officially tomorrow - I was invited as a guest and wish to bring you as my plus one, along with Kazuha." She introduced the idea. "She wishes to speak of some business in private, but I can get you two to meet her before I go with her."

You hummed but voiced no confirmation nor rejection to the idea - something the captain only chuckled at before walking away, wishing you good luck on your last few tasks with a chill wave of her hand. With her back turned to you - your eyes trailed after.

It was all until the familiar soothing voice of Kazuha caught your attention. "So, you're meeting this famous Ningguang too, huh?"

Turning to him, you rolled your eyes with a playful smile. "Yeah, you too?"

"Yep. I believe captain Beidou will be taking us together. Suits me though, one less unknown face." He joked.

A laugh left your throat - and you cringed at the fact it almost sounded forced - "What's with all this money talk Beidou was going on about though?" You questioned the boy as he skipped over beside you to rest on the wooden railing of the ship. "Is Ningguang some sort of important business partner to her ship?"

"You could say that." He shrugged, crossing his arms and looking off to the spot where the sun sat high over the horizon's sea. "From my own interpretations though, I'd say they're in more of a relationship if anything."

"Beidou and Ningguang?"

"Mhm." He confirmed with a single slow nod. "I'm not one to speak too strongly on others' personal lives and what not, however, they both seem to have a thing for each other. At least that's what I've deduced from Beidou's ramblings and crew-ship rumours."

"So they're dating?"

"No."

"Huh?"

Snorting at the confused face you wore, he only shook his head. "With all due respect, whatever Beidou and Ningguang choose to do with their personal lives in not of my concern, so I will not disclose of anything. That, and I also don't know for sure." His amused smile grew and at that moment, you couldn't bring yourself to hate the man for leading you on with such juicy gossip.

Beidou was a very interesting woman - she was strong and fierce, barbaric some might even go far enough to say. However, she was still feminine, beautiful and confident; it was no doubt whoever this Ningguang woman was, she had to at least be on par with Beidou's level to have caught the attention of the captain.

Or who knows, maybe Beidou was only in it for the money.

As if sensing your inner turmoil, Kazuha placed a hand on your shoulder and sighed. "Don't overthink it. We're both meeting her soon anyway, if she's really all that we'll get to see for ourselves, right?"

"Right." You smiled.