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Ganyu looked out upon the tall stones of Huangguang, which stuck up proudly in the sky. She was in the realm of the adepti, their sacred space where no mortal would dare enter. The atmosphere was leisurely and tranquil, with nothing but the brisk morning breeze and bright, cloudless sky to accompany it.
The flowering dogwood tree behind her cast a dramatic shadow, deep red petals rustling softly. Her face was buried in a lavish bouquet of Qingxin, and she happily inhaled their creamy scent. They tickled her skin, their fragrance imprinting on her cheeks. The flowers were their favorites, her and Xiao. She’d picked out the ones she had that day with extreme attention to detail. They were for his lost yaksha comrades, who they’d promised to mourn together. He invited her to accompany him earlier in the week, right when she’d been returning from working with Keqing.
Ganyu would never have refused him. He’d looked so down, felt so timid when he asked her, as though preparing himself for another year of lonely mourning. Of course she couldn’t face him with good conscience and say no. She freed up her schedule as much as she could to spend these important moments with him. She hardly wanted him to face even more grief than he already did daily, let alone in solitude. As he’d done before, when she wasn’t there for him.
While her thoughts were plagued with him, she felt the air grow cooler, paired with the lingering scent of juniper and pinecones. She pulled her face out of the bouquet, knowing what would come next. He appeared like he’d been there all along, right behind her.
“Ganyu.”
Contrary to his chilly entrance, Xiao’s voice was warm, full of fondness. He always managed to put butterflies in her stomach when he called her name. He had a special way of saying it that made her feel so…wanted. He put his head on her shoulder, drawing her into a gentle hug. She smiled, watching the wind rustle his hair. “Xiao.” She whispered his name, like she was telling him a secret no one else could hear. A secret only for the two of them. He nuzzled into her neck a bit more, before letting her go. “I brought the flowers.” She announced as he took a seat beside her. He nodded, saying he could smell them on her. Just from the way he moved, she could tell that he too, had been plagued with his thoughts. For longer than she could ever imagine.
They sat together in silent mourning for the dead, not bothering to make any further conversation. After a while, Ganyu grew tired of staring at his solemn face and decided to busy the both of them with something else. She started separating the flowers into neat little groups. He took notice of her activity, frowning slightly. “What are you doing?” She smiled at him. “Let’s make some flower crowns.” She pushed a couple of qingxin into his hands.
Soon, the two were absorbed in their task of weaving memorial flower crowns. Deep in concentration, he carefully manipulated the stems, and she saw some of his nerves melt away. He’d messed up in crafting the crowns a lot initially, but she had patiently walked him through it. She placed her hands over his, guiding him whenever he couldn’t find a pattern, or whenever he broke a stem. They were cold, and shaky all the while. But after a great show of dedication, and much grumbling, he gained more confidence in his weaving.
Now they sat, visually appraising the 4 flower crowns they’d crafted. She hoped that the sight would ease his pain, at least a little. But Xiao’s previously relaxed face turned stormy once again. Ganyu sighed, and moved over to him, offering him a hug.
He came tentatively, like he was thanking her, and wrapped his body around hers. He squeezed her tight, as though she would slip from his grasp forever the second he let go. He heaved a sigh so deeply, it seemed to shake his entire body. They stayed like that for a long time, cuddling closer to each other.
“I miss them.” He started. Ganyu could feel the reverberations in his chest as he spoke. “That is the truth. And I hate that they weren’t even allowed to have graves. No statues have been erected in honor of them, no walls have their images carved. I …have never understood why I am the only one left. Our creation was dirty, and I know that all that happened was only a matter of time. Or maybe a matter of fate, but…” His voice was breaking, and he was faltering so much. Ganyu rubbed his back in encouragement. She wanted him to tell her how he felt, and was touched that he could be vulnerable with her. “I am their only mourner, every year. The only one willing to remember, because we knew nothing but each other.” It was all she could do to hold him tighter. She felt his slow tears wetting her back, as though he was remorseful of even letting them out. She ran her hands through his hair slowly, combing his soft, sage-colored locks.
Ganyu thought about her next words for a long time, cradling his shaking figure. “I will be here, Xiao. I promise. Every year. Even if nobody else is.” She assured him. “You won’t be alone when you remember them. And look.” She loosened their embrace, motioning to the flower crowns beside them. “Their graves are right here. Won’t it be enough if only we two remember? I believe we can, better than anyone else.” She cupped his cheeks, bringing his forehead to yours. “They are at peace.” She whispered to him. The pads of her thumbs rubbed soothing circles on his cheeks.
He closed his eyes, rimmed with an angry red. She’d never seen him look like that before. So low, so distraught, so miserable. She closed hers too, as though trying to comfort him with her simple presence. Maybe she just couldn’t bear to see him so hurt anymore. Blades of grass buzzed beneath them, and the morning breeze sang sweetly in their ears. “They would have loved you, Ganyu. Maybe even more than I do.” He suddenly muttered.
She opened her eyes to glare at him disapprovingly. “Impossible.” Suddenly remembering her surprise for him, she brought out a flower crown from behind her back. Gently, she placed it onto his emerald locks, causing his eyes to flutter open. It looked more like a halo than a crown at that moment. He frowned, nudging at the creation on his head. “What’s this?” he inquired. Ganyu readjusted it to keep it from falling. “I made one for you.”
“Oh.” His cheeks took on a rosy color, and he too took out a crown from behind his back, placing it on her head. “For me?” She asked. Her cheeks mirrored his. He nodded, hands lingering on her head. “I made one for you too.” He carefully took a lock of her pale turquoise hair, fingers following it down to her cheek. His eyes seemed to pierce straight into the very depths of her soul, like spears carved of gold. She lay her head on his palm, enjoying the warmth of his fingers on her cheek. It felt like he had her locked in his gaze for hours, all in a single minute. He was lost in her eyes, loving their violet-apricot hue. He loved the kindness and understanding that shone in them. And to her, his eyes were full of love, and gratitude. They were captivating pools of amber, shining so easily with emotion.
“Ganyu...” he muttered her name, softly again, just the way she liked it. That way that sent electricity up her spine, making her hyperaware of their every move. Of how he carefully he held her, the way he looked at her, the way she looked at him, everything. Xiao slid his hands around her waist, sending her nerves on end. He brought her face closer, a pressure appearing between them that hadn’t been present before.
She leaned into him, finally connecting their lips. She brought her arms around his neck, caressing his nape. He sighed into the kiss, and she could sense him smiling against her. Their lips molded perfectly together, sparks of passion going off in the air. Reluctantly, they pulled apart, hearts beating much faster than before. They gazed at each other longingly, suspended in a state of hypnosis.
“Ganyu…” He sighed her name, pulling her into him again. “Can’t we stay like this forever?” His head quickly returned to her shoulder. It seemed to be his favourite spot for the morning.
She shook her head, resuming her work on his hair. “We both have work to get back to, Xiao, of course not. Besides, we can always meet again later.”
He frowned, as though appalled by the idea that adepti could not spend their entire existence in one place. She grinned, pecking the corners of his mouth. “Cheer up,” she encouraged him. “Next time we meet, we can do more than just kiss.” That definitely got a better reaction out of him, resulting in him kissing her all over, and her falling into a fit of giggles.
Their flower crowns sat, silent offerings to those whose lives were lost.