Work Text:
Ganyu rubbed her eyes as she left the Ministry of Civil Affairs building, the sky already shifting into evening blues. Another overtime day. Another overtime week.
Her shoulders were stiff. Her temples pulsed. Even her breath felt tired — shallow and thin, like her lungs had forgotten how to fill completely. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten a full meal, or slept more than four hours, or thought about anything other than tax reports and land permits.
When did everything start hurting?
Ningguang's voice echoed in her mind from earlier that week:
"A new women-only spa opened near Chihu Rock. Sophisticated, discreet, and exceptionally rated. You should treat yourself, Ganyu. Even Qixing secretaries need rest."
Normally, Ganyu would've researched every detail—reviews, menu, atmosphere, price range, even what oils they used. But she was too exhausted to think. A spa for women sounded safe. And right now, it sounded like the only thing keeping her upright.
So she went.
The moment she stepped through the doors, she paused.
Warm lighting. Soft guzheng melodies. The scent of lotus, mint, and something cool like fresh snow. It washed over her senses in an instant.
This alone is healing… she thought with a sigh.
"Welcome," the receptionist greeted with a polite bow. "Do you have a reservation?"
"I... no, actually. Lady Ningguang recommended this place."
The receptionist's eyes brightened. "Ah, Lady Ningguang is one of our valued patrons. We have a VIP package available — full body treatment, aromatherapy, and our signature relaxation session. Would you like to book it?"
Ganyu barely processed the words. Full body. Relaxation. Yes. That sounded right.
"Please," she nodded.
"Wonderful. One of our newest therapists will attend to you — she only completed her training yesterday, but her instructor said her precision was..." the receptionist paused, searching for the word, "...unnerving. In a good way, of course."
Ganyu followed an attendant down a tranquil hallway. The door slid open.
And she stopped.
Standing inside, in a pale-blue spa uniform, silver hair cascading over her shoulder, was Shenhe.
"Shenhe?" Ganyu stared. "You… work here?"
Shenhe turned, serene as ever, though something gentle flickered in her eyes.
"Mm. I wanted to try something new," she said quietly. "The work at Wanmin Restaurant was becoming repetitive. Someone suggested this profession suits those with... precise hands."
Ganyu's heart skipped.
Shenhe. A therapist. Trained just yesterday. And now—
"You'll be my...?"
"Your therapist for today," Shenhe confirmed with a small nod. "Please don't worry. I practiced every technique until my instructor told me to stop. She said I was making her nervous."
That doesn't make ME less nervous.
Ganyu stepped inside slowly, almost shyly, as the door slid shut behind her. The room was warm, lit by soft amber lamps. Steam curled faintly from a diffuser in the corner—cool lotus and something crisp that reminded her of mountain air.
Fitting, she thought. It smells like her.
Shenhe gestured toward the cushioned table. "Please make yourself comfortable. I'll step outside for a moment. Knock when you're ready."
Ganyu changed, folded her clothes neatly out of habit, and lay face-down on the warm table. The sheet draped over her modestly. The heat sank instantly into her muscles.
When she finally knocked lightly, the door opened with a soft slide.
Shenhe's footsteps were soundless.
"I'll begin with your shoulders," she said, voice calm and even. "The receptionist mentioned you work at the Yuehai Pavilion. You must carry much tension."
You have no idea.
Shenhe placed her hands on Ganyu's shoulders, and—
Ganyu inhaled sharply.
Her touch was cool, but not cold—soothing, like morning frost brushing against tired skin. But there was something else. Something that made Ganyu's breath hitch in a way that had nothing to do with the temperature.
This isn't just a massage.
Shenhe's fingers pressed slowly, finding the knots with unsettling accuracy. Textbook-perfect, probably exactly as she'd learned yesterday.
But on Ganyu's skin, it felt like more.
"You're very tense," Shenhe observed. "Your muscles are knotted deeply. I'll apply more pressure."
"O-okay—"
Shenhe's thumbs dug in, tracing along her shoulder blades, and Ganyu had to bite her lip to keep quiet.
She just trained yesterday. How is she this good?
But it wasn't just technique. Ganyu had received massages before — forgettable hands on forgettable days.
This was different.
Every glide of Shenhe's palms felt intentional. Every press of her fingers seemed to find exactly where Ganyu was holding her stress. It was like Shenhe could read her body like a map she'd already memorized.
"Ah—" A small sound escaped before Ganyu could stop it.
Shenhe paused. "Too much pressure?"
"N-no," Ganyu whispered into the cushion. "It's good. Really good."
"I see."
Shenhe continued, hands moving down her back with slow, deliberate strokes. Ganyu felt herself melting — not just her muscles, but something deeper. Her mind grew hazy. Warm. Unfocused.
Is this what relaxation feels like? Or is it because it's... her?
She didn't want to answer that question.
Shenhe worked down her spine, her lower back, the sides of her ribs. Every touch sent small shivers through Ganyu's body. She tried to stay still. Tried to breathe normally.
Failed at both.
"Your body is very responsive," Shenhe remarked, voice mild. "More than the training materials suggested clients would be."
Please don't say it like that.
"I'm just... sensitive," Ganyu managed.
"Mm. I'll keep that in mind."
Shenhe's hands moved to her lower back, pressing in slow circles. Ganyu gripped the edge of the table, trying not to squirm.
This is fine. She's just doing her job.
But every touch felt electric. Every stroke left warmth blooming under her skin. Ganyu was starting to lose track of where the massage ended and something else began.
Then Shenhe spoke:
"The VIP package includes a chest massage for lymphatic drainage and muscle relaxation. May I proceed?"
Ganyu's brain short-circuited.
Chest.
Massage.
Shenhe.
"I—" Her voice came out strangled. "That's— is that—"
"It's part of the treatment you booked," Shenhe explained patiently. "But you may decline if you're uncomfortable. There's no obligation."
Ganyu's heart pounded.
She should say no. This was already too much. She was already too affected. If Shenhe touched her there, she might actually—
"...Yes," she heard herself whisper. "You can... proceed."
Why did I say that.
"Understood. Please turn over when you're ready."
Ganyu turned slowly, keeping her eyes fixed on the ceiling. The sheet still covered her, but she felt exposed in a different way. Vulnerable.
Shenhe's hands moved to her upper chest first — collarbone, shoulders, the space above her sternum. Calm. Methodical.
But then her hands drifted lower, and Ganyu stopped breathing.
Shenhe's touch was gentle. Careful. Thorough.
And absolutely devastating.
"Breathe," Shenhe reminded her softly.
Ganyu exhaled shakily, but it came out closer to a whimper.
Shenhe paused, tilting her head slightly.
"Your breathing changed," she observed. "Does it hurt?"
No. That's the problem.
"I-it doesn't hurt," Ganyu managed. "It's just... intense."
"I see. I'll be gentler."
That might make it worse.
But Ganyu didn't say that. She just nodded, and Shenhe continued — softer now, but somehow even more overwhelming. Every brush of her fingers sent heat pooling in Ganyu's stomach. She was trembling. She knew she was trembling. She couldn't stop.
"You're very flushed," Shenhe observed. "Should I adjust the room temperature?"
"N-no, I'm— it's fine—"
"Your heart rate seems elevated as well."
Because of YOU.
"I'm okay," Ganyu breathed. "Please... continue."
Shenhe nodded and finished the treatment with the same steady hands.
Ganyu felt like she was floating. Dissolving. Losing pieces of herself with every touch.
"Please sit up," Shenhe instructed. "I'll finish with your neck and shoulders."
Ganyu obeyed on autopilot, barely aware of her own movements. She sat at the edge of the table, sheet wrapped around her loosely, head bowed.
Shenhe moved behind her.
Her hands settled on Ganyu's shoulders — warm now, from all the work. Her thumbs pressed into the muscles at the base of Ganyu's neck, slow and firm.
Ganyu shuddered.
Then Shenhe leaned closer.
Her breath ghosted against Ganyu's ear, cool and soft.
"Do you feel good?"
Ganyu jolted, a small gasp escaping her lips.
The question was innocent. Shenhe was simply checking on her client.
But whispered that close, with those hands on her shoulders, it felt like something else entirely.
"Mmh..." Ganyu nodded weakly, not trusting her voice.
Shenhe hummed in acknowledgment, fingers continuing their work on her neck, her shoulders, the knots she'd been carrying for weeks.
Ganyu closed her eyes and let herself drift.
This is dangerous, some distant part of her mind whispered.
But the rest of her didn't care anymore.
A soft chime echoed through the room.
The session was over.
Ganyu didn't move. Couldn't move. Her body felt like warm water — loose, heavy, utterly undone.
"Take your time," Shenhe murmured behind her. A warm towel draped gently over her shoulders. "I'll wait outside."
Footsteps. The soft slide of the door.
Silence.
Ganyu sat there for a long moment, staring at nothing.
Then, very slowly, she lowered herself back onto the table, pressed her face into the cushion, and screamed silently into the fabric.
Her heart was still racing.
Her skin still tingled everywhere Shenhe had touched.
And her mind kept replaying that whisper — "Do you feel good?" — over and over like a curse.
Twenty minutes later, Ganyu emerged into the lounge, dressed and composed. Outwardly, at least.
Shenhe was waiting by the door, back in her usual attire.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
Like I need to lie down for three days. Like I'll never recover. Like I want to book another session immediately and also never see you again.
"...Refreshed," Ganyu said. "Thank you, Shenhe. You were... very skilled."
Shenhe tilted her head. "You seem different."
"Different?"
"Mm. Your face is still flushed. And you won't meet my eyes."
Ganyu's composure cracked.
"I—I'm just tired. The massage was very... thorough."
Shenhe studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"If you wish to return, you may request me specifically. I've already memorized your muscle patterns." A pause. "Your body is... easy to read."
Ganyu made a sound that was not quite a word.
"I'll— I'll consider it," she managed.
Shenhe's lips curved — just barely, just enough to notice.
"Take care of yourself, Ganyu. You work too hard."
She turned to leave, then paused.
Her gaze lingered on her own hand — just for a moment. Then she walked away without another word.
Ganyu stood frozen in the lounge, heart pounding, watching her go.
And in that moment, she knew with devastating certainty:
She was absolutely going to come back.