ribbon-ghost

[ribbon-ghost]

That Cloud Retainer x Ningguang thingy? Turned it into a good ol' fic up on ao3 🪄

So yeah just dropping it here just in case.

Still @_maiqo on twitter for the inspiration ✨

[ribbon-ghost]

A Ningguang x Cloud Retainer ramble (continuation)

Just as she was thinking so, Ningguang stirs and didn't seem to register the figure in front of her desk just yet. Blurry, but familiar. Too familiar in fact that she's already started talking to the figure.

"Appearing in my dreams again, Cloud? You should know better, honestly.." says Ningguang lightly, still half-asleep.

".. If you met with one more often perhaps I wouldn't have visited you in.. such circumstances." Cloud Retainer replied trying not to let the embarrassment ring in her voice.

"Mm, I'd love nothing more than to watch the glaze lilies bloom with you, but unfortunately trouble found its way into the heart of Liyue" she said, still in that half-asleep tone as she tried to blink away the sleepiness.

Amidst her sleepy stupor she reaches out for Cloud Retainer's hand and brought it to her lips to press a kiss on top of her knuckles.

"Forgive me.. Liwu." (Gift)

And so she does. Normally the Cloud Retainer of her dreams would have said something by now, laughing for the dream to come to an end. But this time she didn't. Suddenly the warmth in her hand felt a little too real for comfort, her eyes snapped open, and it trailed up the hand close to her lips and sure enough it belonged to the one and only Cloud Retainer. Ningguang was no longer asleep and she was caught breathless, Cloud Retainer's hand in hers against her lips. Cloud Retainer flushed, doing nothing to pull her hand away. If it wasn't for the desk perhaps Cloud Retainer would've been closer and heard the pounding of Ningguang's heart, the way her breath hitched, and notice the way her lips quivered. Had Cloud Retainer been any closer perhaps a kiss to her knuckles wasn't the only thing Ningguang could've done.

She moved to let go of her hand, to say something, anything to clear her name but—

"For how long?"Asked Cloud Retainer simply. She knew. She already made the conclusion. Ningguang visibly stiffened and though she still held the woman's hand, she brought it away from her face, eyes downcast.

".. Since the visit to your abode when you granted me sanctuary. I knew then. I realized then that.. I loved you."

That was almost half a year ago! Had Cloud Retainer been so oblivious all this time!? No matter, it wouldn't take her another half to make this known.And what better way to do that but with a practical demonstration?

She kissed her.

On the cheek :>

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

She kisses her on the cheek after going around the desk, still not pulling away her hand.

"Mortal customs are still unfamiliar to one such as myself. I ask that you be patient and teach me what it means to.. love. For I believe that I too.. share the same feeling."

Ningguang is obviously stunned and could barely process this information. What she thought was completely one sided was reciprocated. It was almost too good to be true and so she needed proof.

"Then.. surely I can teach you one form of affection now?" She looks up at Cloud Retainer, hopeful as her fingers intertwine with hers. Cloud Retainer's flush darkens, but still tries to hold her cool facade.

"B-By all means! Teach one now.." And so Ningguang stands from her seat and Cloud Retainer watches her every move. Both of them hyperaware of each other's presence. It wouldn't be farfetched to assume they looked awkward, but nonetheless Ningguang managed to pull her flush against herself, and Cloud Retainer holding onto the woman's arms. Their height difference was of no interruption as Ningguang tilted her head up at her, completely smitten. Her hand cups the adepti's cheek, leaning in finally for a faint kiss as Cloud Retainer's eyes shuts close at this unfamiliar sensation. Ningguang privy of her inexperience pulls away, but was quick to kiss her again

And again,

And again,

And again,

Until Cloud Retainer was visibly struggling to keep her composure. They stay in each other's arms for a moment with Cloud Retainer flustered if anything and Ningguang absolutely amused. Not only did she earn the love of her life, but she also got to see a new side to her. And those new sides from now and henceforth will be something to look forward to for the both of them ;))

[inspo again from the pic below by @alfaidopasta]

[ribbon-ghost]

A Nigguang x Cloud Retainer ramble

So the adepti after entrusting Liyue to the people watch over them still from their abodes. Cloud Retainer especially visits from time to time to see how her girls are faring, and generally to see if trusting humans was the right choice. It was by this chance that led her to meet Ningguang again. The woman has made an impression on her most especially since she didn't hesitate to sacrifice the jade chamber then. They thrive on mutual respect, and it was easy to strike up a routine you could say where Cloud Retainer would inquire about the current happenings in Liyue whenever she was around. Because duh who else is better to ask than the Tianquan herself??????

They meet by chance when Ningguang was on the ground settling some issues with the inventory of Liyue's biggest companies. It was then she met Cloud Retainer who was chatting with Madame Ping previously. Inquiring about what they were up to would tell Cloud Retainer Ningguang never ceased for one moment in making Liyue great. Their conversation went and rolled until Madame Ping had to excuse herself. At this point they were in the middle of a good debate and it was here that Ningguang invited her to the newly built Jade Chamber. Cloud Retainer muses about the construction, and even asks if all went well. A more personal question compared to their prior discussions. Ningguang doesn't think much of it and answers curtly. Their discussion continues in her office, and the staff had the privilege of seeing Cloud Retainer in the flesh. Well they couldn't really know that she was an adepti, but Cloud Retainer's character and aura, AND THE FACT SHE WAS TALKING SO EASILY TO NINGGUANG, was enough to start gossips, anticipation for their next visit to the chamber.

Cloud Retainer would now come by to the Jade Chamber on a routine. She did that like maybe three times after the first one until she finally cracked and said something about the growing entourage following them around. Ningguang is embarrassed! Of course she would be. It didn't even occur to her that apart from her, everyone else also stared and marvelled at the (adepti) woman she conversed with. Gossips, now that she was listening intently, happened to be around them consistently. And that only drove her embarrassment further. So they switched things up and they took to Liyue again, but this time Cloud Retainer accompanied Ningguang on her errands. It essentially became a business agenda with idle chatter as they went. Without the setting of an office, it was easier to weave personal opinions in and out of their conversation. As such Cloud Retainer often asked about her opinion on certain Liyuen customs, delicacies and the like and Ningguang also asked about the adepti, history, specifically HER history.

This goes on for a long while and Cloud Retainer finds herself looking forward into learning more about Liyue from the perspective of mortal eyes. And perhaps.. learning more about Her 👀, because she treats Liyue as something to protect while also something detached from the Adepti. Now she sees it as a home, an experience, and a lesson. Being with Ningguang taught her invaluable things and because of that she grew to appreciate and value Liyue more than she initially did.

Cloud Retainer mumbling under her breath: "One now understands young Ganyu's desire to remain in human society.."

Ningguang on the other hand understands deeper the history of how Liyue came to be. The degree of trust and value Rex Lapis (former) put on the adepti in managing the land. It only served to make her respect for Cloud Retainer grow, especially when she sees how invested Cloud Retainer is in talking to her about everything. Even mundane things like the weather, glaze lilies, the toys sold by the shore, and the like. They don't realize at first that their appreciation for these things are the direct result of being in each other's company. And that in turn also made them appreciate each other even more, such that business turned casual, their trips to the port no longer to see how trade is going but to simply gaze at the open sea. And as my friend said"She (Cloud Retainer) was the past, and she (Ningguang) was the future."

Adding: "And they were the present to each other."

AND YOU KNOW HOW THEY FESS THEIR FEELINGS?

Imagine this. A commotion erupted in the Chasm that sent tremors throughout Liyue so strong that merchants and consumers alike are having trouble keeping stores open. Because people are advised to stay home to keep safe until further notice. Business is declining and Ningguang is stacked with work more than ever. Not only does she need to solve the crisis in the Chasm, but she also needs to reassure the markets and the people to ensure their morale and safety. This affects their meetings greatly. At first Ningguang had to leave early, escalating to her leaving midway, leaving before it starts, and eventually just never appearing at all and apologizing in the end. Cloud Retainer knew she was taking so much on her plate that she decided to visit the Tianquan in the chamber after a long time. There's been a lot more books, paperwork and less staff since she's laid foot inside. But she supposed it was because it was still before dawn. And she knew Ningguang was still awake.

Call it an adepti's wisdom.

She finds her sprawled over her desk with papers in hand. She must've passed out reading as evident by the dark circles under the woman's eyes. This was a more serious issue than she let on, and she wondered why she's never asked for the adepti's help. Was it pride? Such a mortal concept she couldn't understand fully.

[inspo from this specific image by @alfaidopast]