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Chapter Text

It is no secret that the word most people use to describe the current Yuheng is “cat-like”, her titular hairstyle doesn’t do much to circumvent this either.

Even long before she donned the style she had been labeled as such, her reflexes and wit have been as sharp as a feline’s since she was young after all. There even was a rumor amongst the people of Liyue that she was a cat in a previous life. That was untrue of course, but the rumor still persists.

An aspect of Keqing that many revere in awe and others avoid with fear are her keen observational abilities. Her gaze is piercing, capable of discerning a good man from a cruel one in one simple conversation. There was a time when she caught a plan to smuggle antiques worth thousands of mora simply by reading the smuggler’s lips from afar.

She supposes her keen eye for detail and sharp gaze are considered more“cat-like” traits of hers. Not that it bothers her much anymore. Her tendency to observe people and places around her is what’s lead her to her current target today,

Ganyu, the half-adeptus secretary of the Liyue Qixing.

Said secretary currently sat at a desk positioned across from her own, an ordained nameplate adorning her desk that has scrolls and papers strewn across it. Each document holds various different issues the people of Liyue have, each with varying importance. The hall they were currently in was silent, aside from the rustling of papers and the occasional muffled whisper from the blue haired woman as she poured through her work.

If Keqing could describe her with a word like she had done with many others in the past it would be, graceful.

Of course, a level of grace was expected of every member of the Liyue Qixing; Ganyu and herself are no exceptions; however that expected grace is genuine coming from the half-qilin. Additionally that grace and poise carries throughout her every action and even permeates through her at this moment.

From her perfect posture and poise as she sits at her desk to how she treats every document regardless of importance like the most delicate of Glaze Lilies.

From how she holds her brush as she carefully draws out each stroke with precision and mastery while retaining a level of charm in each character to the way each breath she takes manages to have a rhythm so steady one would assume she was a part of Teyvat itself.

How her expression changes from scroll to scroll, reading the various plights of Liyue’s people and expressing how she feels all over her face, her emotions washing over her like a waterfall.

As Keqing gazes at Ganyu the Yuheng tries not to notice how well her bangs frame her face or how smooth her hair looks, seemingly woven out of the finest silk in all of Teyvat. Or how the dim sunlight peering through the window behind her illuminated her silhouette in a way one could only label as divine.

Immediately she hopes Ganyu won’t notice the faint redness of her cheeks as she brushes that thought away. Focusing her gaze once more to continue her observation as she glances up only to meet the object of her ministrations head on.

Wow, I’d never taken the time to notice but her eyes are gorgeous. They’re like mini oceans. I could get lost in them. Wait what?

“—eng?”

“—ady Yuheng?” Ganyu calls from her desk, snapping Keqing out of her own mind.

“Lady Yuheng? Is there something wrong?” She nearly whispers, her words laced with concern.

“N-no, there is nothing wrong, I was merely observing something.” Keqing responds quickly, tearing her gaze from the adeptus before her to the papers arranged on her desk. She did have work to do after all.

“Oh, alright then. Observing what?” She asks, letting out a soft sigh before turning to peer through the window behind her. Wondering what in the scenery had captured the attention of the Yuheng of Liyue so.

The radiance of the horizon at dusk seeped into the room, flowing across the intricate wooden desks and crescendoing across the half-Qilin’s features like a fresh breeze.

The Yuheng merely bit her tongue and allowed the two of them to bask in silence, the answer to her question was something Ganyu couldn’t afford to hear.

She had been observing her after all.

(That thought was odd, it’s not like she hasn’t observed people with their knowledge of it before, what made this instance so unique should couldn’t bear letting her know?)

That being said, the half-adeptus did need an answer, so she resolved to tell her a half truth at most.

“I was merely observing the scenery.” Thankfully that suffices as an answer as Ganyu glances over to look at Keqing from the corner of her eye before smiling softly and returning to her work.

Keqing indulges in her work after that, it is her job after all. She’s halfway through her second stack before Ganyu speaks up again, a low murmur but still decipherable.

“The horizon sure is beautiful at sunset isn’t it?” She comments with her head still deep into her work, her eyelids almost fluttered shut despite her words, as if she can see the sky in the back of her mind.

(Keeping supposes she can, after all she’s seen it many nights before.)

The world seems to slow to a halt as the sunset trickles into the room. Pouring over Ganyu like smooth honey, turning her from gorgeous to ethereal as she basks in the light. It’s radiance only makes her presence more defined. She probably mumbled something about the scrolls she was viewing but Keqing was so captivated at the sight that she didn’t notice.

She ended up staying back in her office a bit later than usual that night.

Chapter Text

Keqing is a lot of things, she is hardworking, attentive, driven, powerful, swift. She is the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, the daughter to a powerful noble family, the (begrudging) bearer of an electro vision. Of all things Keqing is, she is not an errand girl.

Which is why she was baffled when Ningguang asked her of all people to fetch various items for her yesterday.

“My apologies but what did you just ask of me?”

“I asked you to fetch some wares I am to receive from some merchants along the docks, I’ll also need you to stop by Wanmin Restaurant to pick up my order of Mora Meat as well.” The Tianquian decreed from her desk, twirling her pipe at her fingertips as if she didn’t just ask something so incredulous.

“Wouldn’t it be best for Ganyu to do this? Why don’t they just deliver the items to you?”

“Tomorrow is Ganyu’s off day, since they are to be picked up then she’s not available. Besides, don't you enjoy shopping?”

At the time she barely retained composure.

Well, here she is now, amongst the hustle and bustle of Liyue Harbor’s docks. It’s not all that bad, when she doesn’t think about how much this task wounds her pride that is. The crisp and refreshing coolness of ocean air fills the docks as Keqing retrieves Ningguang’s precious items. Fortunately it isn’t much to pick up and eventually all she has left to do is head to Wanmin Restaurant.

Not in a rush however, she opts to relax on a bench for a moment, taking in her surroundings. The excited squeals of children seeing jewels from Fontaine for the first time brings a smile to her face as the pleasant flowery fragrance of perfume from a nearby shop drifts past. She finds herself relaxing among the very people she works tirelessly for. Perhaps she should indulge in this peace for a moment.

“Please ma’am, I’m desperate here!” A man’s voice pleads.

Or not, Keqing sighs, it seems no matter what time of day some people can’t take the hint. She’s about to return to relaxing, trying to drown out the man until she hears a familiar voice.

“My apologies sir, but I’m not available today.” A familiarly soft yet steady voice, firmly holding their ground.

Keqing swiftly turns back towards the voice, and surely enough she spots Ganyu. Familiar striking blue hair flowing along the silhouette of the horned secretary as she attempts to shut down an approaching man.

Despite it being her day off she’s still dressed in the same white bodice and heels she wears at work, it’s a shame really, you can learn a lot about someone just from how they dress at certain times. While her attire may be the same she herself isn’t, she’s far more relaxed even though she’s being heckled by some man. She looks way more lively, her radiance not bogged down by stacks of paperwork.

Keqing wishes she could see her like this all the time.

Of course even now, on her free day, Ganyu embodies grace. From her calm and smooth tone as she effortlessly steers the encounter to its end to her posture and poise which still manages to be elegant despite the situation. It’s truly admirable, if not a bit—

“Keqing! I’m sorry for making you wait, let’s get going shall we?” The half-Qilin exclaims loudly as if she wanted the man to hear before grasping one of Keqing’s hands and dragging her away in a direction far away from the man.

As she’s effortlessly dragged through the crowds of Liyue Harbor all Keqing can think about is the warmth of Ganyu’s hands against hers. That and just how strong she has to be to haul her around so effortlessly.

herhandsaresosoftandwarmandIwishshewasntweatingglovessoicouldfeelthewarmthinfullhowissheevenrunningthisquickitslikeiweighnothingtoherthatsso—

Keqing flushes at her thoughts, the tips of her ears growing red as her cheeks are flooded with heat. The Yuheng attempts to control herself, this is just an observation, calm down. You have work to do, focus.

It only slightly works.

Eventually when they’re finally in a less crowded part of the harbor Ganyu let’s go, catching her breath as she turns to face Keqing with an apologetic look in her eyes.

“I’m deeply sorry Keqing! It’s just that the man from earlier wanted me to sub in for his previous model who had fallen ill! I told him that I was waiting for someone but he wouldn’t buy it and you just happened to be here so..” the Half-Adepis explains, her voice growing softer near the end but her intent being clear.

The Yuheng couldn’t fault the man honestly, Ganyu looked the part.

The adeptus flushed at that, her face from her neck to the base of her horns bloomed in a color similar to Jueyun Chili before clearing her throat.

Oh no she said that aloud didn’t she?

“Ah, well you do look splendid yourself Keqing.” She manages to stammer out, still flustered.

Oh Archons she did.

Now it’s Keqing’s turn to emulate a Jueyun Chili as she covers her face with her hands in an attempt to retain composure. Once again it barely works. She’s just in a simple purple open-shoulder turtleneck alongside a long white dress she picked out for comfort. Nothing worthy of a compliment, especially from Ganyu of all people, honestly does she even see herse— wait.

“Keqing?”

“Oh- oh I’m sorry Lady Yuheng, did I offend you? I just had to convince the man and I wasn’t thinking straight I apologize!”

“No- no it’s fine really, I have no problem with it.” Keqing’s admits, to be honest, she'd prefer Ganyu to call her by her name.

Not for any weird reason, just so that she can observe her off work. That won’t work if she’s still acting like she’s at work when it comes to dealing with her. That’s the only reason.

“Oh, alright Lady Yuheng.” Ganyu says, adjusting back to calling her by her title much to Keqing’s disappointment.

“You don’t have to call me that.”

“Her Eminence the Yuheng?”

“Not that either.”

“Lady Keqing?” Ganyu asks, a bit confused.

“JUST CALL ME KEQING! We’re off work aren’t we? You can just call me Keqing.” Keqing exclaims before immediately quieting down, the end of her statement coming out as slightly above a whisper.

Archons, this is so embarrassing, why does Ganyu have this kind of effect on her? Keqing might as well ask that girl from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to prepare her an early grave before she dies from too much blood circulation in the head.

The skeptic is immediately snapped out of her thoughts by a soft chuckle. Then it slowly builds into laughter, soft cloud-like laughter echoing from the adeptus. Suddenly there’s no one else around. No other voices, no tapping of shoes against pavement or advertisements.

Just Keqing, Ganyu and her laughter.

The sound was sweet like nothing Keqing had ever heard before. She couldn’t help but bask in the moment as Ganyu smiled and laughed heartily. It sounded like dreams solidified and Keqing couldn’t help but drown in it. Like the rarest piece of Noctilocous Jade, it was a priceless masterpiece.

Eventually the laughter slows back into a soft chuckle before it finally ends, leaving only traces of the moment lingering in Keqing’s mind and a smile on Ganyu’s soft cheeks, said cheeks adorned with two endearing dimples.

Shehasdimplesshehasdimplesshehasdimplesshehasdimplesshehasdimples

“Ganyu.” A rough yet almost gentle voice calls out from behind the two. “You’re late.”

Keqing turns around to spot a figure with the appearance of a young man. Of course, even if the appearance and knowledge of the boy adeptus wasn’t common knowledge on Liyue, Keqing can tell wisdom beyond his years rested within his piercing gaze. Said gaze was directed at her, though it was more of a glare than anything.

If this slight uncomfortable dread is what all of the subjects of her observations feel Keqing owes them an apology.

“Oh! Xiao, I nearly forgot, I got kept up by someone I’m coming!” Ganyu explains before walking towards the ever vigilant Yaksha.

That’s right she was waiting for someone. The Yuheng supposed this is the end of her off work observations and begins to glance in the direction of Wanmin Restaurant, prepared to retrieve Ningguang’s order. She waves back at Ganyu as a silent goodbye, with a smile before preparing to walk away.

“Goodbye Keqing, have a splendid day!” The illuminated beast calls out in a voice sweeter than the perfume from earlier and it sends her heart into a flurry.

(Is this some kind of Qilin ability Keqing hasn’t been informed of?)

Soon enough the two adepti fade away, leaving the electro vision holder alone among the people of Liyue.

Just her and her beating heart.

“Oh wait, the Mora Meat!”

Keqing ended up apologizing profusely for being late.

Chapter Text

The Yuheng didn’t always have time to work on her swordsmanship but whenever she did have a few spare moments she would find herself in Guili Plains practicing her swordsmanship and footwork. It has been a rule ever since she was (begrudgingly) granted her vision to never allow her capabilities with the blade falter. Lest her abilities be seen more as a gift from the Divine rather than a product of her own hard work. So she practices, running through every technique from the simplest to the most complex, switching from form to form so seamlessly it’s like a dance.

She can feel her heart thumping and her blood rushing through her body as she pushes forward. Running through the motions again, and again, and again. Every aspect of Yunlai Swordsmanship ingrained in her from years of training, the footwork, strikes, balance and focus, all being tested and pushed to their limits as she aims for perfection. She can feel the wind rush through her purple locks as she frowns in the motions. She can hear it all, the sound of her blade slicing through the air, the rustling of the grass, her calculated breaths and the accelerated beating of her heart.

More than anything she can feel the electricity, surfing thoroughly her body like a bomb about to blow. It aches to be released, for her blessing from the divine to be utilized. Deep inside, her soul thunders and aches at the chance to let loose. So she does, with one last sweep of her blade she completes the final cycle of her swordsmanship and allows the lighting crackling under her touch to pierce through her.

Violet lightning crackling around her as her very body merges with it, her movements becoming faster, so swift the electricity that follows takes her form as she dances with it. Her form mingling with the sparks as she calls out,

“With sword comes shadow!” She shouts, her very core imbued with electro energy as the last of her attack dies down.

She wipes her forehead, allowing herself to catch her breath as she lies down. She almost allows herself to relax, about to drop her sword until she hears the faint rustling of grass. Swiftly in a well practiced motion she throws her hairpiece into the tree besides the figure before instantaneously teleporting to it in a flurry of sparks. She glares at the figure, her sight obscured with adrenaline as she holds the blunt end of her blade along their neck.

“Now tell me why you thought it’d be a bright idea to attempt to sneak up on the Driving Thunder of Yunlai Swordsmanship?.” She asks, her voice dripping with venom and crackling with the very obvious promise that she will attack if deemed necessary.

“Because I’ve stared down tougher foes before, besides you wouldn’t hurt me Keqing.” A familiar voice responds, each word clear and steady as if they didn’t have an electro charged blade resting at their neck.

Startled at the familiarity of the voice Keqing slowly lifts her gaze, eventually amethyst meets purple and Keqing recognizes that the figure is in fact Ganyu. The illuminated beast before her meeting her gaze with a steeled look of someone with years of experience, her pale blue locks trailing along her back pressed against the tree. At this proximity the Yuheng could even spot the faintest hints of red dusting the secretary’s cheeks.

She’s gorgeou— not the time

Keqing immediately steps back, removing her hairpiece from the tree and allowing her blade to dissipate as Ganyu steps away from the tree, running her nimble fingers through her hair before turning to face the Yuheng.

“I’m truly sorry Ganyu, I had just finished practicing my blade work when you appeared so I wasn’t thinking straight.” Keqing explained a bit sheepishly, while being quick to act was beneficial on the battlefield, being blinded by adrenaline would just get her killed, she still has things to improve on it seems.

“No it’s alright, I should’ve made my presence known earlier but I was caught off guard by your swordplay, it was truly splendid.” Ganyu commended, listing off praises as if it were second nature. “I’ve seen Yunlai practitioners before but I’ve never seen anyone able to weave the forms together as seamlessly as you.”

“It’s really not that impressive, I had a few too many steps when I could’ve condensed the movement into just a few.” Keqing responds, trying to ignore how her heartbeat quickens at the praise.

“Oh but just because you could do better doesn’t discredit what you’ve already achieved! Your final cycle that ended with your electro vision was amazing! The way your movements interlaced with the lightning was ethereal!”

“Ah, um— thank you Ganyu.” Keqing manages to sputter out as her cheeks redden.

(It’s not like she’s a stranger to praise, so why do Ganyu’s words affect her so?)

“What were you here for anyway, I doubt you came all the way to Guili Plains to watch me train?”

“Ah yes, I wanted to go over your plans for cultivating resources in Tianqu Valley.” Ganyu explains, unfurling the documents she was holding and beginning to discuss how they would regulate the area.

The Yuheng responded to her enthusiasm the best she could but she couldn’t help but steal a few glances at the half-adeptus. Due to their proximity Keqing could notice details she’d never seen before, from the way her sleeves glittered like glaze lilies in the sunlight to the ornate details of the cowbell ordaining her neck. She noted curvature of her dark crimson horns along her ocean of pale blue hair, and the faint smell of Qingxin and Sweet flowers mending together for a soft yet pleasant aroma.

Of course, her near constant grace was also present. Her posture is still composed and refined despite just being at the Yuheng’s mercy. The fondness in her eyes as she speaks on the lands of Liyue. Her tone of voice as she recounts the valley's scenery, how soft and pleasant it is, almost like clouds in spoken form. The strange warmth in her heart blooms at the sight of it, Keqing makes a mental note to run over all documents they have on the Qilin to find out the nature of this strange warmth.

Unfortunately her observations are cut short as a gloved hand pulls her to her knees, hard enough to get her down but soft enough so it doesn’t hurt. In a blink of an eye Ganyu hands Keqing the documents, materializes her bow and fires frost tipped arrows at some approaching hilichurls.

“You’re still tired from earlier, right? Stand back for now Keqing, let me take care of it.” The half-adeptus declared before moving forward to engage her foes.

If Keqing’s swordsmanship was akin to a dance Ganyu’s archery was a melody. A ballad forged in frost echoing across the rolling hills and striking her enemies with pinpoint precision. Keqing was stunned silent at the sight, having never seen the adeptus in combat she takes a moment to take in the moment.

Frost danced around the adeptus like stars trickling across the night sky, glittering across her as she struck down her foes. The once green meadow turns to blue as a cryo flower blooms amongst her foes. Ganyu leaps and jumps across the fields, gliding along as though the fields were ice, her posture flexible as she pulls back arrows that she sends flying into the Hilichurls.

The long cloth of her white bodice glistening in the frost. Keqing also noticed how well defined the adeptus’ back muscles were from years of practicing archery, the back window of her bodysuit only making this more apparent. She could see her muscles flex along her shoulder blades as the frost around her only accentuates the definition. Not even the chill breeze could stop the skeptic’s cheeks from heating.

they’resowelldefinedand— nonononono

Barely able to tear her gaze away from the woman before her Keqing slaps her cheeks just enough to flush away any of her previous thoughts. Glancing back at the battle she sees Ganyu surround herself in an aura of ice and frost as a sphere forms in her hands. Ganyu sends the sphere, which Keqing recognizes as a Sacred Cryo Pearl, up into the sky.

“For Rex Lapis!” Ganyu cries out, any other time Keqing would’ve been irked by those words but at the moment any anger or other emotion died in her tongue when she watched Ganyu unleash her power.

The Sacred Cryo Pearl rose to the sky, raining down Icicles on her adversaries while basking Ganyu in a glow akin to moonlight. No wonder she was called the Plenilune Gaze. Soon there were no more Hilichurls’ left standing, just Ganyu, the lingering frost and Keqing.

“Are you alright?” She asks, helping Keqing off the ground and placing a gloved hand on her bare shoulder.

In the face of someone so graceful and yet earth shakingly powerful, Keqing couldn’t even formulate a response. As the last of the mist dissipates, Ganyu continues to look ethereal. Not even the skeptic could but view her as anything but divine.

Chapter Text

The Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, in spite of her perfectionist nature and bold decrees of skepticism towards the Archons, is relatively a level headed person. The bluntness she expresses towards others doesn’t stem from anger or distaste, but rather from her unique social tendencies. In her eyes, allowing oneself to dive headfirst into pointless prose or an elaborate monologue meant to tiptoe around the other person's frankly unimportant feelings to the task at hand was the act of a fool. That time would be better spent cultivating their talents or improving their work output.

Thankfully, Keqing is not a fool, which only makes her current situation all the more improbable. One where piles upon piles of documents, books, scrolls and ancient drawings pertaining to the Qilin lay strewn about her office as she’s buried neck deep in them. The smell of aged parchment filling the room as she devours every piece of information. Scouring over every myth, legend and truth in order to get to the bottom of the feelings that have been plaguing her for weeks.

Feelings that are so overwhelming they drown out the flitting of papyrus, the pangs of an upcoming headache and the heat of the office. Feelings directed towards a certain half-adeptus secretary she can’t quite get out of her head.

Keqing was sure those feelings were the result of some kind of Qilin ability she somehow hadn’t been made aware of, but in her search for an answer not only did nothing turn up but it made her problem worse. Every description of the manes of the Qilin— long and light enough to be carried in the wind gently like clouds, would only draw out flashes of Ganyu in her mind. Her hair the color of the sky cascading down her back akin to a waterfall, washing away any of Keqing’s thoughts with it.

Each mention of the Qilin’s relations to the many iterations of the Qixing, rumored to appear at the death and birth of a particularly great member sent images of Ganyu’s hard work and dedication to work alongside them for the betterment of Liyue into her head to plague her thoughts. No matter how much she tried to fight the idea of the divine knowing who is and isn’t a good choice just from birth, it doesn’t stop the fluttering in her heart at the images those words inspire.

Keqing wasn’t foolish of course, she knew the obvious answer to these feelings. She knew what her heart (that beat like a Fontanian engine about to burst at the thought of her) was most likely experiencing. But she refused to believe it, instead she denied her own heart and opted to believe in the unlikely. To lock her feelings away behind the low possibility of them truly being adepti magic.

However, no matter how hard she tried to push them away they continued to linger, causing her face to flush when the half-adeptus would catch her as she observed her. Making her heartbeat quicken whenever she’d catch a glimpse of her. Or taking her breath away at the sight of Ganyu’s pure unrestrained smile as she sings to the Glaze Lilies in the harbor, the sight so beautiful and her voice so enchanting it didn’t leave her mind for weeks.

In spite of all her efforts, if this myriad of affections were an ocean, she’d have drowned in it’s glistening blue colors by now.

————————————

Keqing’s efforts were pointless in the end, not only did nothing show up pertaining to the symptoms she was experiencing, but said efforts left her incredibly tired as she worked the next day. The uphill battle she fought with her brain to stay awake as she worked drained her of most of her strength over the course of the day, leaving her thoroughly exhausted as she trudged home. Half of her debating whether or not the Millelith would carry her home if she were to lie down on the soft, inviting, comfortable, feather-light, grass—

Before that train of thought can continue Keqing picks up on the soft breaths of someone nearby, walking a bit further along she spotted a familiar face. It was Ganyu, her body laid to rest on a large Cuihua tree, it’s leaves swaying in the wind as fireflies danced around the apparent pair as if Ganyu was a part of the tree itself. Even in sleep the half-adeptus was glazed over in grace, and Keqing couldn’t help but watch. She can’t help but gaze at Ganyu’s relaxed yet reverent position she’s taken as she sleeps, the way the half-qilin’s featherlight dress drapes over her frame like a fresh coat of winter snow, the sheer serenity of the scene almost melts all of her exhaustion away just by looking at it. Igniting the bonfire that is her current feelings and turning her fatigue to ash.

The cool evening breeze flows between the two as Keqing steps towards Ganyu, ordering herself to remain calm and to act professionally in her mind as she leans down and gently taps her shoulder. The action warrants no response so she tries again, a bit more forcefully, this time a single eye flutters open, the color resembling the sunset blooming around the two as a small, welcoming smile settles upon Ganyu’s lips.

“Ah, am I still dreaming? I didn’t expect to see you here Keqing.” She murmurs, her voice a faint measure in the glorious melody of her person and this moment.

Wait, I appear in her dreams?

Like many thoughts that came before it, Keqing can’t help but feel her face flush at it. The idea of Ganyu dreaming of her causes the warmth in her chest to blossom once more, in spite of the chill breeze she continues to heat up. The mere idea that she was important enough in Ganyu’s life to appear in her dreams set her heart into a frenzy again for the umpteenth time that week alone. Focus, Keqing, Focus.

Clearing her throat, Keqing continues the conversation.

“No, I’m afraid this isn’t a dream Ganyu. Work hours have passed, it is time for you to head home.” Keqing states in a hushed tone, straightening her posture and returning to her full stature before outstretching a gloved hand to help Ganyu up.

The secretary in question rouses a bit more, blinking away most traces of sleep as she takes in her surroundings. The sky around them had finally blossomed into a glorious sunset, hues of purple, blue, orange and yellow all assimilated and surged across the great blue canvas that blanketed Teyvat. Such a sight practically invited one to stop and look at it, even the ever serious Yuheng wasn’t one to reject such a view. However, with a quick tug on her hand and a cool touch through thin velvet upon her upper cheek, her appreciation was cut short.

Ganyu had pulled Keqing down once more, cupping her cheek in order to inspect her facial features. The chilled touch of the half-adeptus creeping through her gloves and only serving to make Keqing’s face flush more than she already has been from shock, embarrassment and the torch in her chest which had turned into a wildfire in light of their current proximity. Keqing could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she stared hopelessly into Ganyu’s eyes, given the color one could presume she was searching for her own sunset within them. Due to how close they were, Keqing could see the way decades of life had filled the adepti’s eyes with wisdom she could only dream of and a gaze both comforting and paralyzing. She could see every slope and dip in her face, able to grasp every aspect of it, and with each inspection she only grew more tantalizingly perfect.

In spite of just barely escaping the confines of a deep sleep her posture was once again perfect, with her shoulders relaxed in a way that wasn’t completely unprofessional in comparison to how she carries herself at work. Keqing tried not to seem too glad that Ganyu is at least a bit relaxed around her given their situation at the moment.

Her gaze, while laced with worry, still held a steeled resolve as she inspected the Yuheng. Unlike the Yuheng’s own glances and observations that were intermingled with her own raging feelings like a fine melody, the half-adepti’s gaze was almost featherlight in spite of how intensely she was surveying her, if not for Keqing’s strange enhanced awareness of Ganyu she probably wouldn’t have noticed Ganyu was looking at her, well that and their relative proximity at the moment.

Allowing a soft breath to tickle Keqing’s cheeks, Ganyu spoke, as she once again dragged Keqing out of her own thoughts. “You should lie down with me, your face is riddled with fatigue and your cheeks are flushed from exhaustion, you need to rest Keqing.”

Lie down? With Ganyu? The same woman that Keqing can’t get out of her thoughts? That Ganyu? The same woman whose touch and attention is akin to a drug, one she knows she should resist and yet she can’t help but succumb to her addiction? That Ganyu? The rational side of her practically shouts that she needs to rest at home else she’d just spend the whole evening staring into Ganyu’s eyes, but the worry she found in them outweighed her thoughts.

With a soft plop the Yuheng planted herself on the grass next to Ganyu, the frills of her dress melting into the shades of green around them as she sat down. Even slipping off her heels just in an effort to get more comfortable and less overwhelmed. It didn’t work.

“I suppose one hour won’t hurt, that’s all though. Then I’ll just rest in the comforts of my own home alright?” She answers into the open air, earning a soft smile from the woman next to her that took that same air away.

“That’s more than alright, Keqing.” She smiles, it’s a small thing really but even that is enough to send Keqing’s mind spinning.

Archons what is this? Divine punishment or some kind of heavenly reward? The purple haired woman tries her best to relax her overworked body as she leans back, trying not to focus on the lingering scent of glaze lilies and qingxin at her side.

What follows are a few moments of silence Keqing finds strangely comforting. Her muscles relaxed for the first time that day as the cool breeze and gorgeous sunset drowned away any fatigue lingering from her stressful morning. She even cracked a small smile as one or two fireflies sat atop her calloused knuckles. Finding pleasure in how they lit up her gloves and her evening.