Chapter Text
In the middle of a field covered in bright red flowers, Keqing suddenly understood she was dreaming. It was a feeling she'd gotten used to, being able to tell when she slipped into a dream. These dreams were her way out, a place where anything could happen, but it wasn't real. She needed to remind herself that this was just a temporary escape from the everyday.
As she made her way through the field, she caught the gentle sound of laughter, unmistakably Ganyu's. Curious, she followed the sound until she stumbled upon a small clearing, illuminated by the golden rays of sunlight. There sat Ganyu, amidst a display of tempting delicacies, a picture of tranquility amidst the colorful flowers.
Keqing’s heart filled with joy at the sight, remembering how she had fallen for her the moment they met. But underneath her happiness, a feeling of unease stirred. She knew this wasn’t gonna last, and reality would soon come back.
Approaching Ganyu, she began to call out her name, but her voice faltered when she saw tears welling up in her eyes. Ganyu stumbled forward, her sobs echoing across the field, shaking Keqing to her core. Time seemed to slow as she rushed towards her, instinctively reaching out her hand, only to stumble and fall. Looking back, she noticed the red flowers encroaching around her ankles, slowly winding up her legs. Despite her efforts to break free, the flowers tightened their hold, inching higher and higher until they wrapped around her whole body, trapping her in their embrace.
Ganyu collapses in front of Keqing, her cry piercing Keqing's heart. She didn't want her to cry; all she wanted was for her to be happy. She wanted to offer comfort but found herself locked in a gaze with Ganyu's tear-streaked eyes.
"Keqing!" Ganyu's voice broke the silence, a desperate plea. "Please, don't forget me!"
"Why would I forget you, G—" Keqing started to respond, but she hesitated, a feeling of confusion washing over her. She blinked, trying to make sense of the strange sensation enveloping her.
As the world around them began to crumble, the once vibrant red flowers turned to ash, leaving Keqing disoriented and grasping for stability. Panic welled up inside her as she struggled to cling to reality, but it slipped further away with each passing moment.
"Wait... Who are you?"
Ganyu quietly navigated the kitchen, her footsteps barely audible on the polished floor. With a soft sigh, she filled a cup of water, pouring it carefully from a delicate teapot, the gentle trickle of the liquid breaking the silence.
As she turned to leave the kitchen, cup in hand, a faint sound reached her ears, a muffled groan that made her heart skip a beat. Keqing? Is she awake? Instinctively, she followed the noise, her steps quickening as she approached Keqing's bedroom door.
Pushing it open gently, she found Keqing lying on the bed, her face writhed in discomfort.
She quickly went to Keqing's side, putting the cup of water on the bedside table before hugging her tightly. "Keqing! You're awake! Thank Archons," she said, a mix of relief and concern in her voice. But as she held Keqing, she felt something wasn't right—Keqing's arms stayed still at her sides. Slowly, Ganyu let go, looking at Keqing with uncertainty.
"Keqing?" her voice softened, mixed with confusion.
Keqing blinked, looking puzzled. "What happened? Why are you here?" she asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.
Ganyu's confusion grew. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Then it hit her—Keqing had been affected by Dr. Baizhu's spell, wiping out her memories of the Hanahaki disease and what had happened recently. She looked at Keqing, trying to figure out how to explain things. It saddened her to realize that Keqing wouldn't remember her feelings, or even the person she loved.
"Dr. Baizhu! Are you here?" As Ganyu wandered through the pharmacy, a memory flashed—Qiqi had been out when she was with Shenhe. Lantern Rite, she reminded herself. Would he even be here?
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted movement. Ganyu turned, and there, entering the pharmacy, was Baizhu. "Ganyu?" he called out in surprise, then his gaze shifted to Keqing in her arms. "Oh..."
"Dr. Baizhu! Please!" Ganyu's voice was urgent as she approached him. "You need to help Keqing!"
Baizhu paused, his eyes briefly locking onto Keqing's pale face, before he strode past Ganyu, heading for a shelf stocked with herbs. Ganyu's heart sank for a moment, but she followed closely.
"How did you find Keqing?" Baizhu asked calmly as he gathered supplies.
Ganyu's response tumbled out in a rush. "I found her at her house... She was surrounded and covered by blood and petals... I don't understand why or what any of it means, but she wasn't responsive, and her heartbeat was weak. I don't know how much time she has left, so please, do what you can!"
Baizhu nodded thoughtfully. I understand now. It appears that Ganyu is unaware of Keqing's Hanahaki disease.
As Baizhu fetched the necessary items, he laid a blanket on the ground and directed Ganyu to carefully place Keqing there. Ganyu complied, her concern noticeable in her expression.
"Ganyu?" Baizhu's tone was gentle. "Do you know of Keqing's romantic feelings for someone?"
Confusion clouded Ganyu's features. "What? What does that have to do with her condition?"
Baizhu paused, choosing his words carefully. "Keqing is afflicted with the Hanahaki disease."
Ganyu's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Hanahaki disease...?"
"Yes," Baizhu confirmed. "Even if you know who it is, it might be too late for them to intervene. However, I must perform this spell to cure her if we wish to save her life, although it might go against her wishes.”
Thinking over Baizhu's words, she had many questions, but she decided to put them on hold for now, realizing they had more urgent matters at hand.
"Her wishes come second. I just need her to stay alive!"
"I'm not sure how to say this, Keqing, but you were really sick. But now you're better and have been resting since yesterday. I brought you home," Ganyu explained gently.
Keqing's expression changed, showing surprise and confusion. "Oh? Huh…" she murmured, sounding unsure.
"Is everything okay?" Ganyu asked, searching Keqing's face for any sign of recognition.
Keqing paused before speaking again. "Considering all you've done, I feel like I should know you, but I don't. Who are you?"
Ganyu stepped back, feeling shocked. "What...?" she mumbled under her breath, her mind racing. I can’t believe it—Keqing doesn’t remember me?
As Keqing noticed her reaction, she furrowed her brows in confusion. "...Am I supposed to know you?"
Ganyu felt her heart racing and a faint ache forming in her head. She struggled to process the situation, trying to remember what Dr. Baizhu had told her about the spell.
“Listen Ganyu, before I proceed, I need to tell you something important. When I remove the flower from Keqing's lungs, she will lose all memory of the person she loves."
“But... she'll be cured right?"
"Yes, the disease will be cured, but as I mentioned, she'll lose her memories of her loved one too."
"What should I do if... if I suspect something is wrong?"
“If you see her forgetting someone you think she should remember, then you'll have your answer."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Ah... no, sorry," she said, "This is the first time we've really met... I just know you because, well, I help with the Qixing, and since you were sick, they sent me to take care of you."
Despite feeling torn inside, Ganyu offered a soft smile, choosing not to push Keqing to remember their past. She understood that pushing Keqing might stress her out, which was the last thing she wanted after seeing Keqing go through so much pain in the past week. Keqing deserved some peace and rest, even if it meant forgetting about her altogether.
"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you," Keqing responded politely. "It seems you know my name already. So, what's yours?"
Ganyu's heart warmed at Keqing's polite tone. "Oh... it's Ganyu," she replied gently.
Keqing nodded, then noticed the glass of water on the bedside table. "Did you bring this?" she asked softly.
Ganyu nodded, picking up the glass and offering it to her. "Yes, I did," she said softly.
Keqing quietly accepted the glass, murmuring a quiet "thank you" as she took a sip.
She watched Keqing for a moment, a gentle smile on her lips. "Just take it easy... you've done more than enough."
With that, she stepped back, glancing at Keqing one last time. "I'll inform everyone that you're awake, and another person will come to look after you," she reassured before turning and walking out of the room, leaving Keqing to rest.
Ganyu exited Keqing's house, her shoulders drooping and her head down. Each step felt heavy as she walked away, lost in her thoughts.
So, it was me?
She loves... no, she loved me. I was the cause of her suffering.
Struggling to contain the tears welling in her eyes, Ganyu felt a rush of regret washing over her.
She should have told me...I would have said yes,
I would have taken her in my arms and told her how much I loved her.
But... now it's too late.
Far too late.
Since that day, Ganyu had purposefully avoided Keqing. The idea of rebuilding their friendship hurt too much, so she convinced herself that only one of them had to suffer. Most people knew about Keqing's situation and why she had forgotten Ganyu. Every time Ganyu overheard whispers or had to explain, the pain deepened. She found herself repeating a phrase in her head like a chant: It's better this way. She repeated it to herself when she saw Keqing laughing with friends, she repeated it to herself when she saw Keqing moving on without her.
She repeated it to herself when she felt a familiar burning sensation in her chest, the urge to cough growing harder to ignore as she walked away.