Chapter Text
It´s been already a month, Ganyu thinks to herself as she picks up a stack of papers and moves away of her desk. One month has gone by since the passing of Rex Lapis, her inner turmoil still as strong and uncertain as it was the same day it happened. After all, he had been present during her entire lifespan. He was an anchor for her, but what was holding her in place now? Shaking those thoughts out of her mind, the adeptus continues her small journey as she knocks on a door, holding the stack of papers on her arm with utmost care.
“Come in.” Came a slightly irritated voice from inside the office. Ganyu opens the door to find Keqing scrunched over her desk, reading a document intently. Her eyes perk up as she recognizes the secretary entering her space. “Ah, it´s you Ganyu.”
“Good evening Lady Keqing.”
“Evening.” Ganyu moves towards the Yuheng´s desk as the purple haired woman stretches, popping sounds coming from her joints due to the position she was in.
She must have been like that for a while. Ganyu musters to herself as a barely discernable smile tries to plug at her lips. She places the papers on Keqing´s desk, eyeing the Yuheng as she saw the small tower of work she was about to get into. “Miss Ningguang sent this to you.”
“Do you know what it is about?”
“I do not, my apologies. She told me she wanted you to assess this as fast as possible before some kind of…trip?”
“Oh right. This are for the mining settlement then.” Keqing raises from her chair and moves towards the pile, standing next to Ganyu, who turns her eyes towards the Yuheng as she flips some papers of the stack.
“Mining settlement?”
“Yes. We have been thinking about developing a mining settlement around the Wuwang Hill area. She wants me to-“ Keqing turns her gaze towards Ganyu, noticing the adeptus being quite close to her. As her eyes go up, she catches Ganyu staring at her with interest.
Ganyu stares at the Yuheng, confused at why she had stopped talking and had fixed her eyes on her.
“She wants you to do something over there?” Ganyu´s voice seems to take Keqing out of her small trance as she turns her head. Even after this quick movement, Ganyu manages to catch a tiny patch of soft pink on her cheeks but dismisses it as Keqing moves back towards her desk.
“Uhm, yes. Yes, I-I have to check the terrain and verify if its viable for mining. With the village that was there being abandoned, and people seemingly think it´s somehow possessed, I presented the idea to Ningguang. That way, we may at least give some use to the place.” She plopped down her chair, taking a deep breath as she focused her gaze on Ganyu.
Ganyu stares back at her, the tinge of pink now gone as their eyes meet each other. The secretary keeps her eyes on her for a little while, unaware of the fastening breathes of the girl in front of her.
“That sounds like a good idea. Now if you´ll excuse me Lady Keqing, I must continue my work.” As Ganyu turned, she heard the small grumble from Keqing as she addressed her again.
“I´ve told you. Just Keqing. Please drop the formality.”
“I can´t. You are my superior. This is how I must behave in your presence.” The Yuheng sends Ganyu a small glare, making the adeptus nervous. Both of them have always had friction. A woman as strong willed, tenacious and determined as Keqing would always be convinced about her ideas. Ganyu always admired that of her…except when it came to Rex Lapis.
The adeptus had seen everything Rex Lapis had done for Liyue. His hard work, his devoutness to the land and its people, his belief in order and trust. That´s the main reason she had signed her contract. From him she learned to devout herself to Liyue. To dedicate herself for its greater good. Then came Keqing, bearing her open dislike towards one she idolizes so much…confrontations were bound to happen. But now, something was different. Ganyu had noticed a certain change in Keqing´s attitude. It wasn´t that big of a change, she was still as strong willed and open about her thoughts as always, but whenever she was around Ganyu, it just felt that the current events had made Keqing wary of the subject. Nevertheless, Ganyu still dreaded to have an annoyed Keqing pointed at her. And she was hoping now was not one of those times.
“As dutiful as always I see.” Keqing´s factions had softened, her gaze shifted into a solemn one as she observed Ganyu. “I´ll keep you no longer. I´ve wasted enough of your time already.” With a small smirk Keqing waved her hand at Ganyu, the latter waving back with a confused gaze. As she moved towards her desk once again, the adeptus couldn´t comprehend the shifting attitude that Keqing presented. It was as if she was trying to…be nice to her. Not just polite, not for job reasons, but simply nice. A tingly feeling started in Ganyu´s chest, who just scratched herself as she sat down. As she returned to work her gaze moved towards Keqing´s office. The closed door giving her a strange feeling. Something was off. Ganyu just sighed and returned to work, turning some glances at that closed door from time to time.
Time passes as Ganyu keep working, her eyes continued stealing glances for some time. The issue firmly stood in Ganyu´s mind. The only logical conclusion was simple, she is interested in the sudden change of attitude from Keqing. Rubbing her eyes, she looks at the time, a quarter past ten, as she stands from her chair. She tidies her desk up, readying it for tomorrow as she moves towards the exit, stopping as her mind presented her with a thought.
She never left her office today.
Thanks to her unvoluntary glances, she noted that Keqing had never exited the room. Her lunch had been delivered and papers were sent to her, but never did she step out of the door. Worried about the girl, Ganyu moved towards the door, knocking softly as she perked her ears for an answer.
“Who is it?” A long call came from inside, hinting that Keqing was getting tired.
“It´s Ganyu. May I come in?” She held her hand on the doorknob as she listened the hurried shuffling. After a little while, she is signaled to enter. She opens the door and allows herself to go in, her eyes setting quickly in the tired figure in front of her. Her hair was a bit disheveled, some places seemed to be freshly combed and others weren´t. Her eyes were droopy, and she slouched just a tiny bit. Yeah, Keqing was as tired as she could be.
“Going home for the day?”
“I was, until I noticed-“ Ganyu couldn´t tell her what she had noticed. Telling Keqing she had been eyeing her door for a good part of the day? Not a chance. That would definitely bother the Yuheng. A sudden heat rises to her face as she avoids the girl´s gaze, trying to find a better reason for her worries. “I-I noticed the light coming from your office.”
“Light?” Keqing looked to her desk, her lamplight glowing just the necessary amount for her to read. She glances at Ganyu, who seems a bit flustered at her, a small smirk making its way to her face. “You saw this tiny glimmer of light. From outside. In a quick glance.”
The Yuheng´s tone sets Ganyu ablaze. Was she being teased by her superior? She wanted to say yes, but she was so ashamed she just nodded, quite frantically. The small chuckle that comes from Keqing just making her situation worse as she directs her gaze towards the floor.
“Hmm…fine. I´ll take it.” A small, chuckling sigh escapes from Keqing´s lips as she rests on her chair. “I was working on this mining thing. I wanted to finish it today and deliver it to Ningguang first thing in the morning. But it was way more strenuous than I had expected.”
By now Ganyu had collected herself, partially. She stared at Keqing, who was turning on her chair as she stared at the starry sky. Ganyu dared to move a bit closer, catching the attention of the Yuheng, who turned to her with a...soft smile.
“What were you doing at this late hour?”
“I…I was working.”
“As dutiful as ever. It´s already too late Ganyu.” Keqing said through a chuckle as the secretary took a sit on the chair in front of the desk.
“I´ve stayed longer. And I could say the same to you Lady Keqing.”
“I´ve stayed longer as well. But…well I wanted to have this as fast as I could. This project could increase the production of minerals for the city. Vendors would benefit greatly from a larger amount of it.”
Ganyu stared in awe as Keqing went on explaining her project. She was so passionate about it, always remarking the benefits it could bring to Liyue. It puzzled Ganyu, how come such a devoted person to Liyue and its people, be in such crossroads with Rex Lapis´ morals. She shook the thought. Today isn´t a day to bring that topic into conversation with the Yuheng. After all, talking to Keqing today has been-
Pleasant
“…and even if it turns out to not work, at least the idea of a mining project is still relevant. Plus, I ´ll get to go to Mondstadt.”
Ganyu turned to look at her with a questioning look. Why would she go to Mondstadt? She noticed that her previous feelings had been gone. No. They were replaced. The mention of Mondstadt had made her curious as of her reasons of even thinking of leaving Liyue. Keqing notices the change of mood in Ganyu as she studies her questioning gaze, a curious one presenting on her.
“Ganyu? You okay?”
“I-I…yes. I am. Can I…ask you a question?”
“Well of course. Ask away.”
“Why did you say you are going to Mondstadt?” Keqing lifts a brow at the question. All she had told her, and that was the thing that had kept Ganyu´s attention the most.
“Because it´s close by Wuwang Hill.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“No. No it´s…sorry, but why is this bothering you?” Keqing inquired as her brow remained tilted, a small hint of annoyance in her as she was being questioned about her small guilty pleasure for her trip. That part though, was not in the knowledge of the secretary.
“Why do you want to leave Liyue!?” Ganyu spluttered out, quickly. Her voice had a mixture of tones in it. Ire, betrayal, disappointment. Yet the most prominent one was preoccupation. Why would someone that has dedicated so much to Liyue want to leave? Why would someone with such an important position as the Yuheng want to leave her home behind?
Why is Keqing leaving?
Ganyu was grasping at her clothing with her hands, gazing into Keqing with a pleading expression. Then she saw the Yuheng´s shoulders lump and her face constraint. She heard it with confusion, that laugh. Ganyu stared at the laughing figure of the Yuheng, her pleading face still there as she waited for her answer. The laughter died down as Keqing rubbed her eyes, a tender smile shot at Ganyu that confused her even more.
“Oh Ganyu, I am not leaving Liyue. What made you think that?” Ganyu stiffens as she listens Keqing, who keeps chuckling at her. “I will go to an establishment they have there. It´s quite near the border. Then I´ll be coming back.”
Oh no.
Ganyu feels her face heat immediately as she averts her gaze to her side. Her hands press the fabric of her clothing with force as she lingers on the shame she is feeling. What an idiot she must be to think such a thing from Keqing. She expects more laughter, jesting, even teasing as she starts to move her head towards Keqing. She finds herself facing something completely different. The face Keqing has, she had never seen before on the Yuheng. Such caring, sweet and sympathetic factions. She felt…nice. Ganyu liked that face. It was welcoming, warm. It felt as if seeing that faint smile calmed her down. She stared at her for some time until Keqing´s voice takes her out of her trance.
“Don´t you worry. I´m never leaving. NEVER.” The last words last longer on the adeptus´ ears. She still has her gaze directly on Keqing. That comfort, she relished it. She wanted to feel that again. It takes her a moment and a deep breath to compose herself, at least to a certain extent as she speaks to the still smiling Yuheng.
“I-I…I´m sorry. I…that was out of line from me, questioning you in such a way.”
“It´s fine Ganyu. I´m glad to see that you want me to stay here.” The playful tone is back, not as strong as earlier as the smile remains. Ganyu scoffs lightly at the words and lets out a sigh.
“We should be heading out Lady Keqing. It was already late when I arrived, and we have been chatting for too long.” She stands from the chair staring at Keqing, her smile still present on her face. “We can´t have the Yuheng tired and ineffective tomorrow.” Ganyu notices as a small playful tone is present in her. She chastises herself; this is no way to address the Yuheng.
“We can´t have the secretary of the Qixing roaming tiredly either.” Keqing chuckles as she stretches her arms, looking towards a clock on her wall. “And you are right, it´s already too late. I don´t think I could finish this tonight.” As Keqing tidies up her desk, Ganyu takes a glance towards the clock, noticing the time. Dread fills her as she reads the device, eleven thirty being the hour at hand, and she widens her eyes.
“I´m really sorry Lady Keqing.” Ganyu bows her head apologetically, confusing the Yuheng, who was placing her chair correctly in her desk.
“About what?”
“I kept you for more than an hour. That´s not correct from me. My apolo-“
“Ganyu, there´s no need. We were talking.”
“I distracted you from your work. There is no excuse for that.” Ganyu remained bowed through this exchange. Her eyes shut as shame ran over her again. Keeping the Yuheng of all people from working, all with idle chatting. Her own thoughts didn´t let her register the sound of the steps approaching her, until she felt the gloved hand on her shoulder. She turns her head to see Keqing by her side, slowly rising as the glove hand remains on her shoulder. There it is again. That expression, the comfort. Ganyu likes this feeling as she stares into Keqing´s eyes.
“Ganyu. Don´t apologize for talking to me. Please.”
“But I interrupted your work, kept you here even longer.”
“I don´t care. I enjoyed it a lot.” Ganyu flashes a surprised expression as the word enter her ears. Keqing´s smile widens as she gives Ganyu´s shoulder a small squeeze. “Thanks, Ganyu.”
“L-Lady Keqing I…I enjoyed this too.” She barley manages to create that sentence as she fumbles with her hands, her eyes averting those of the Yuheng as she moves her hand away of the adeptus´ shoulder.
“Now, let us go. Otherwise, we might as well sleep here.” Chuckling Keqing extends her arm to signal Ganyu to go first. The adeptus nods as she moves, her gaze on Keqing as she turns out the lamplight. The door closes and both walk towards the exit, a comfortable silence between them. Once outside at the base of the stairs Ganyu sees Keqing stop, and she looks at the Yuheng.
“What is it Lady Keqing?”
“Oh, I´m going this way.”
“Oh.” Ganyu sees at where Keqing points, which is the opposite direction of her own house. She turns to look at Keqing, a faint smile present on the Yuheng´s factions as she returns her hand to her side. “I´ll see you tomorrow then.” The adeptus bows and prepares to move towards her home, until Keqing´s words stop her on her tracks.
“I meant it you know.”
“Huh?”
“What I said earlier. I meant it. It was…really nice talking to you.” Ganyu saw the figure of the Yuheng standing in front of her. She was holding her arm with her other hand; a tinge of pink was coloring her cheeks as her eyes settled on Ganyu´s. The adeptus didn´t comprehend the attitude presenting on her, yet she felt somehow unusual herself. “I enjoyed it.”
Enjoyment. That was something that Ganyu rarely heard addressed to her. Her expression falls to a contented one as she shoots a small, honest smile at the Yuheng.
“Me too. I thank you for the pleasant time, Lady Keqing. Once again, I apologize for keeping you so long.”
“We could do it more.” Ganyu´s eyes widen as she sees Keqing, who now has a pleading expression on her face.
“Huh?”
“You know. Talking. Like this. It feels…nice. We…we should do it more.” Ganyu can´t fully understand where this is coming from. Maybe Keqing felt like her? Wanting these little chats for some kind of comfort would be nice, but their work could be hindered, right? Ganyu musses over it, observing as Keqing´s face is showing her anticipation. She´s excited to hear the answer. And Ganyu feel like this is good. This kind of communication was something she rarely had with anyone except for Beidou, maybe not even the Crux´s Captain managed to have this interaction with her. Another smile presented on her; this time wider than before.
“I would like that very much.” Keqing shines as Ganyu finishes her sentence, gaining a chuckle from the adeptus. Ganyu cannot keep her eyes from her and those everchanging features of her face.
“Then, I will see you tomorrow Ganyu!” Keqing waved energetically at her, Ganyu returning it with a subtler form as they both turned towards their respective homes.
As Ganyu was strolling around a quiet Liyue, she thought Keqing was quite different today from her past form. She had been more amicable. Or maybe it had to do with Rex Lapis´passing? Was she just trying to be nice? She worried that it was just pity, though Keqing didn´t seem like the kind of person to act differently around someone just because of pity. Too many thoughts roamed through her mind as she opened the door to her home. But one thing was certain. Ganyu liked that. She liked having someone to talk to.
A Friend.