CW: mentions of reader drinking a tiny sip of beer
From then on forward, much to your dismay, Beidou and Ningguang frequently made it a habit to visit your restaurant during the days they knew you'd be working - often accompanied by Lumine and Paimon or Kazuha. It's not to say you disliked the two - far from it, actually - it's more like you felt suffocated with them around.
You had always been a person who overthinks, often thinking of the worst in a simple situation. Cooking? You might burn the place down if you're not careful. Walking around Liyue harbour? Watch your step, you might trip and fall into the water. Buying food? Check the prices again, they might be scamming you.
So with two harmless, gorgeous ladies, your brain would often go into overdrive with one of two possible anxious scenarios.
One; you were being set up for some grand scheme you didn't have even the slightest clue about. Beidou was using her charisma to get you to trust her while Ningguang was trying to buy you - when things went downhill, you would be the first pawn they use to sacrifice. However, there were a few things that stopped this theory, like, for one, what play did Kazuha have in this? And if Beidou and Ningguang were really working together then why did they have a fight about who would be helping you get the citizenship?
The second theory was that this was a marketing technique. It wasn't rare to hear about Liyue businesses thriving through giving immigrants rare living opportunities and dream jobs. What this would gain is having those people think Liyue was the place to be if you wanted to make it big in life, therefore introducing friends and families to the idea of also moving into Liyue.
Bigger population means bigger economy after all.
That was probably the best case scenario, - and probably the likeliest one - however, you had never heard about these businesses giving full free citizenships. Regardless, the problem at hand wasn't the citizenship, it was the brunette who excitedly waved her hand under the fairy lights of the small family run restaurant.
"Beidou." You greeted hesitantly. It wasn't the first time she came alone, after all, recently both women seemed to make it a point to visit at least once every other day, sometimes visiting alone. "What can I get for you this time?"
"The usual of course!"
"Flash-fried fillet?" You hummed, writing it down on your notepad as she nodded. "Great. Anything else? Drinks?"
"Just a beer. That's all."
Nodding, you took the menu from her. "Coming right up."
"Ah, y/n before you go!" The woman's hand grasped onto your own, stopping your movements causing you to turn and raise a brow at her. She chuckled and quickly retracted her hand, sitting back down properly. "I was wondering if you still had your break. We could sit and chat for a bit, there's some things I wish to discuss with you."
And there's that same pit in your stomach you grew all too used to, the dread growing as your head spun. Did they truely want something? But by her smile - wide and warm, eyes sparkling under fairy lights and hair flowing in night air - you couldn't find anything to worry for. Could you ignore it again?
"I don't have my break anymore, no, I had it around two hours ago." You spoke, watching as she visibly deflated a bit. Clearing your throat, you rubbed the back of your neck. "But my shift ends soon. Give me an hour and I'll be out, sounds good?"
That brightened her up, her eyes gleaming and her smile returning to her lips. "Perfect. I'll be here."
By the time you finished your shift you had managed to calm your nerves and unwanted fears, grabbing a plate of food to nibble off of while with Beidou and taking your seat opposite to the woman. Her cheeks were painted pink and you had to admit, with her eyes half lidded and the limite lights of fairy lights and lanterns that sparkled in her eyes, you could feel your own skin warm. This time, not due to her intimidation.
"So," she mused, resting her head on her palm as she picked a bit of vegetable off of the plate in front of her. Her (maybe) third glass of beer sat in front of her half finished. "what adventures does this cute little restaurant give you? Any interesting stories to share?"
"No, not really." You shook your head. "I got this job for the pay, not for the thrill."
Her lips pulled into a playful frown. "Well wheres the fun in that? Now that you're a Liyue citizen, wouldn't you rather sign up for an adventurous job? Something that pays even better?"
"I don't think I'd have any in mind. I'm not a very good adventurer after all."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, for starters, I don't have a proper fighting style, and most weapons I find hard to use." She nodded as you continued; "I also don't have a vision, which I know isn't necessary but would help a lot."
"That is true." She noted.
"Plus;" you sighed, picking up her glass of beer and taking a sip - her eyes widened for only a second but returned to her half lidded gaze, lips pulling into a smirk. "I'm strong, but I'm not very smart or agile."
"You're strong?" She questioned, and when you nodded she hummed. "There's lots of jobs that require strength over anything else. If you wish, the blacksmith pays well and looks for people with core strength rather than anything else. I can speak to him, put in a good word for you."
Again, you shook your head. "No, no. I'm quite happy where I am now."
Her hand twitched, fingers jolting slightly as if wanting to reach out for something. "If you say so." She hummed, looking away from you.
For a moment, you both stayed silent - watching people pass by and talk. You sighed. "You said you wanted to speak about something," that caught her attention, face turning back to you with her brows raised in curiosity. "what was it?"
Her mouth opened, no sound coming out, before closing. Instead, she chuckled, shaking her head and looking down at her thighs. She placed her head on the palm of her head again and sighed, a smirk ever still on her lips. "Don't worry about it."
You worried about it. As a matter of fact, you worried about it as you walked away from the restaurant and towards the docks, hands stuffed into the pockets of your black pants. At the bottom of your pocket (the one that didn't have a hole) jingled the golden coins of your workings, the gold cool beneath your fingertips.
Beidou may have left with a carefree smile, her feet tripping over one another after few too many chugs of beer. You had helped her reach a crew member of her ship - someone named Amelie - before bidding her a goodnight. The excitement and warmth of the night left with her, but the anxiousness of her unspoken words stuck to you like glue.
Maybe she just wanted to speak about her ship, you reasoned, your eyes darting from the lantern decorations to the lamps to the stone ground. It was well into the night so only guards and late night merchants were out and about - most cleaning their stalls to leave for the night and return by daylight. Taking a deep breath in, you watched as the reflection of warm orange lights reflected in the water.
Guess tonight will be spent sleeping on a wooden bench again.
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