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Oh.
Keqing wanted to hold her hand.
That was why she had it out to Ganyu with a blush painting her face, barely able to maintain eye contact. Ganyu wished she realized Keqing’s intentions before she misinterpreted it about a hundred times. She gave her mora, tissues, makeup, and countless other items before her own hand.
They stared out into the sea of lights from high up on the Jade Chamber’s platform.
Ganyu had mustered up the courage to ask Keqing to accompany her to the Lantern Rite as her date, and Keqing’s reaction made Ganyu laugh. But now they were both blushing out of their minds from simply holding hands.
Their stomachs were full from the delicious street food down below, but eating so much made them a bit drowsy.
Lady Ningguang and Beidou were chatting not far behind them. They predicted those two were either flirting with each other or laughing at how awkward Ganyu and Keqing looked, resembling kids in their first relationship despite their age.
“You’re outdressing me tonight,” Ganyu said with a small smile and awe in her eyes as her attention drew away from the light show and towards Keqing’s new dress.
“I was-“ Keqing hesitated and looked away. “I was hoping you’d ask me. I thought you would like how I looked in this.”
“I do. You’d think I’ve been alive too long to be so shocked by someone’s beauty anymore.”
Keqing’s stomach did backflips. She couldn’t suppress her smile at the compliment. “You’re too good at flattering me. Y-You also look beautiful tonight.” Purple eyes sparkled as they were finally able to comfortably, fondly, look into Ganyu’s. She pulled her in closer by the hand.
Ganyu laughed softly into her neck, “I don’t look much different than usual, but thank you. And thank you for accompanying me tonight.” She rested her head on Keqing’s shoulder, extra careful not to mess up any details on her dress.
It was then that Keqing noticed how loose her shoulders were.
How refreshing the night air was on her face.
How lively the city was below them.
How relaxed and free Ganyu looked right beside her.
The traveler and Paimon briefly interrupted to give the new couple two lanterns.
“What will you write this year?” Ganyu asked.
“Not telling you.” Keqing was greeted with a pout. But she stood her ground.
They both wrote before releasing the lanterns into the sky.
They watched and watched until they couldn’t see them anymore.
And with that, Ganyu grew sleepy on Keqing’s shoulder. “I can’t fall asleep now… I don’t want this night to end yet.” Though, it was tempting to fall asleep on her. Perhaps Keqing would then carry her to bed and wake up with her in the morning.
“It, uh, doesn’t have- it-“ Keqing groaned at her own inability to form sentences around the other. She reluctantly swallowed her pride. “Would you like to come home with me? I don’t exactly want this date to end either.”
Ganyu took no time to find Keqing’s bedroom and fall into the mattress as soon as she stepped foot into her home. She barely remembered to take her shoes off at the door.
Keqing flopped down next to her. “Don’t fall asleep just yet. We’re going to brush our teeth and change.” Ganyu wasn’t listening. She was already beginning to drift off. From exerting so much energy in preparations for the festival to feeling so relaxed on their date, she couldn’t help it.
But before she could, she was pulled off the bed by force and dragged to the bathroom, much to her demise. She giggled nonetheless. “Alright, alright!”
Keqing got a second toothbrush for Ganyu and they made faces at each other in the mirror while doing their nightly routines.
Now dressed in comfortable clothes (Ganyu looked way too cute in Keqing’s pajamas), they got in bed again. It wasn’t new for them to share a bed as close friends. Tonight was different. Ganyu wanted to slap herself—she was defeated once again by butterflies.
Before Keqing could turn off the lamp on her bedside, Ganyu leaned in to kiss her cheek.
Keqing was startled when she sensed her coming closer and turned her head and—
Oh.
They pulled away from each other in an instant.
Ganyu raised a shaky hand to her own lips. Did she just- Yes, she did.
Keqing had a hand slapped over her mouth.
Their hearts raced so fast, faces so red, they could both easily die on the spot.
“Keqing, I didn’t mean to do that!” Ganyu apologized to her and rambled on and on until Keqing couldn’t take it anymore.
Cupping her cheeks, Keqing kissed Ganyu again.
Ganyu sat in shock for a moment before melting into it. She grasped at Keqing’s bare waist exposed by her crop top. Chills were sent through her entire body. Perhaps it was a bit embarrassing to admit that as an immortal being, Keqing was her first kiss, but it was better than anything she could have imagined.
They were shy when they pulled away again. Keqing turned off the light. Neither of them were going to be able to sleep. Not even Ganyu, who was so eager to.
Hearts beating out of their chests, they were left wide awake.
They wrote about each other on their lanterns. It was obvious. There was no room for discussion.
Finally, Ganyu turned on her side to face Keqing in bed and wrapped her arms around her waist. She cut the silence. “Tonight felt like a ridiculous fairytale. Thank you.”
“I should be thanking you for making the first move,” Keqing mumbled. She pinched her cheek affectionately.
And so they talked and talked until they calmed down from the high of their first kisses, falling asleep in each other’s arms.