down with the ship - beidou x ningguang (beiguang)

down with the ship

art by anafuu1

Ningguang POV:

I stared out at the vast ocean that was ahead of me. For once I accepted Captain Beidou's offer to take me on her ship, The Crux. So far it has been quite relaxing, it's very much more carefree here than the Jade Chamber. I sigh of relief as the salty sea air fills my lungs. I've always wanted to go on The Crux, unfortunately I have never found the time to. As the leader of the Qixing I never have any time to myself, plus I am always looking for new ways to expand the Jade Chamber! Besides, Beidou is a team player, she'll spend time with me no matter when it is. Beidou is such an amazing person... I don't like to admit it but I aspire to be as free spirited as she is...

"Hey Ningguang!" I turned around to see Beidou waving at me, a big grin on her face.

"Good evening, Captain Beidou." My eyes widened in shock as Beidou put her arm round my shoulder, like you would with old friends.

"No need to be so formal! Just call me Beidou, okay?" I felt my cheeks turning red.

"Alright, Beidou..." I whispered, smiling at the fact she let me call her Beidou.

I looked out at the direction we were heading. Inazuma? Why would we go that way? There's too many storms, plus we don't have a full crew! What was she thinking?

"Beidou... We're headed to Inazuma... I don't think that's where we're supposed to be going." I look up at her, she seems just as shocked as I am! "Beidou?" I ask, she's acting strange now...

"...So we are..." There was a panic in her voice as she turned to go to the steering wheel... but it was too late.

Beidou POV:

The lighting hit the boat faster than I could imagine... right where Ningguang was stood too! Luckily she dodged it, however that didn't stop the damage on the boat. It was sinking... and fast! I had to get everyone off before the ship sank.

"Men! Find a way off the boat! And make sure that Lady Ningguang gets off the boat safely!" I was relieved when some of my crew went to her to help her get off. However, she had a different approach, she went straight to me! She grabbed my hand.

"Come on! You need to get off of this ship too!" She said, looking at me with an angry expression. Why she was mad? I have no idea...

The boat started to tip over and we almost fell!

The storm began to calm and the lightning stopped. Me and Ningguang stared at each other for what felt like forever. I blushed and looked away.

"Captain, are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm fine! Used to this kind of weather by now," I laughed "Are you alright? You almost got hit by lightning."

Ningguang POV:

I blushed.

"You really care about me?" I ask.

"Of course! We're friends after all!"

Friends...

Is that all we'll ever be?

We charted a course back to Liyue. Just as we were about to exit the Inazuman border, lighting crashed on the ship once again. Water was flowing in fast. Beidou tried to steer the ship onwards, but the ship was sinking. And it was sinking fast. Everyone rushed to the life boats attached to the side of the ship. After I had gotten into one, I looked around. I couldn't see Beidou. She was on the ship still, so I got out of the life boat and walked towards her.

"Beidou? You need to get on a life boat..." There's a lump in my throat.

"You've never heard? A Captain always goes down with their ship..." Her voice was shaky

I grab her hand. "I don't care! You need to live!"

"Why?" She looked away

"Because... I love you." My face went red with embarrassment.

She pulled me into a warm embrace. "I love you too" She whispered.

"Does that mean you'll come with me?" I ask.

"Ningguang, I'm sorry. I can't"

"If that's the case," I pull her closer "then I'm going down with you."

The water is up to our chest now. The life boats are starting to leave.

"Are you sure?" She asks.

"I'm sure" She pulls me into a kiss and we keep kissing until we're about to go underwater.

"I love you so much. You know that, right?" Beidou looks at me, her eyes shining.

"I know. I love you too"

We smile and hold hands as we both go under.

Our bodies lost to time.

Trapped in an endless cycle of love.

(AHHHHHHH IM DONE 😩✨)

746 words 🫶