Chapter Text
Ganyu’s hair had been blue ever since Keqing could remember. The girl never went more than a day with her roots showing. Despite knowing Ganyu since they were babies Keqing could never find a single photo of Ganyu with her natural color. She had searched through scrapbooks and photo albums, yet the girl always had her hair either blue or covered by a hat, allowing only small wispy black hairs to be seen from beneath the brim.
The day itself was beautiful, the sky was bright with fluffy white clouds dotting the soft blue. Ganyu sat on a bench near the tall fence illuminated in the sunlight. The blue-haired girl ate her lunch quietly unaware of how the outside world made her seem so otherworldly.
After minutes of comfortable silence between the two, Ganyu spoke, her voice soft and her expression concerned, “Are you sure it’s a good idea to go to the party tonight?” she asked, glancing up from her curry, “there will be lots of people, lots of drunk people, and- and I’m unsure-“ Ganyu trails off with a small sigh before looking back at her food.
“Ganyu,” Keqing begins before taking Ganyu’s hand in hers and rubbing small circles soothingly, “Ganyu, it will be okay. It's at Beidou’s house and I won't leave your side at all. You don't have to though, seriously.”
The blue-haired girl shook her head, “I want to go. It will be my first party and possibly the only chance I’ll get before we graduate.”
Right, graduation.
It had been a topic on everyone's mind now as April blended into May and June grew nearer. Keqing and Ganyu were freshly 18 and soon to graduate. The two had already gotten into their dream colleges, landing them on opposite sides of the country. The mention of graduation caused a pit to form in Keqing’s stomach, knowing it would be a long time before she saw her friend again.
Ganyu had always seemed so calm at the prospect of moving on from high school and when asked about her aspirations, she would explain her ten-year-long plan as if it was simple. Even now, as she spoke about her first and last party of high school, her voice was casual and collected.
Keqing had never voiced her fears to her friend, worried Ganyu may not feel the same sense of dread she does. The idea that her friend may not miss her while on the other side of the country was frightening. In the back of her mind, she knew it was silly that her friend would miss her but she was afraid it wouldn't be as much as she would miss Ganyu.
“There will be drinking there,” she warned, causing Ganyu to glance up from her food once more. Their eyes met momentarily before Ganyu quickly looked away, looking mildly uncomfortable at the eye contact.
“I know, it will be okay. We drank together before,” Ganyu replied, casting Keqing a small smile. A year ago the two had sat atop Keqing’s roof, sharing a bottle of gin they had stolen previously from her parent's liquor cabinet. They had chatted mindlessly into the late hours of the night, passing the bottle back and talking aimlessly about plans for the summer and gossip from the past school week.
A smile spreads warmly across Keqing’s face as she remembers the moment. Shaking the memory away, she clears her throat, “I know but it'll be loud and lots of people will be there. It won't be just us.”
Ganyu hummed thoughtfully, “You've been to a few parties, yet you prefer to stay home and study or work. I think I can handle it if you can.”
With that the conversation ended, shifting to a comfortable silence as they both began to focus on finishing their lunches before the bell rang.
-
“What am I supposed to wear to a party?” Ganyu asked as she rummaged through her closet while Keqing sat on the bed, studying photos and decorations hung on the wall. Despite already being familiar with everything in Ganyu’s room, she couldn't help but look at the memories every time she was over and every time Ganyu went to her closet to change.
“I’d wear something comfortable, you don't have to impress anyone,” she said, glancing at Ganyu before quickly adding, “unless you want to, of course.”
The blue-haired girl shook her head, “I would rather not try and stand out,” she replied as she dug through her closet before turning around with a pair of shorts and a baggy sweater, “I'd rather be comfortable.”
Keqing hums in agreement and adverts her gaze once her friend begins to undress. It was out of respect, she wanted to make sure Ganyu was comfortable and knew she didn't want to intrude. It felt too scandalous to see her change despite Keqing having seen many of her other friends change before but Ganyu was different.
She was always different.
-
The party was loud, music echoed from inside and across the yard as bright colors flashed through the windows. Having been to only two other of Ajax’s parties, this was a typical scene as his family was extremely rich and often decided to take vacations. While the ginger was invited, he always refused and threw massive parties instead.
Tonight’s party was a kickstart to prom week, it allowed the seniors to finalize their decisions on who they wanted to vote for. After all, seeing people drunk and in their natural state gives a good view into their personal life and true personality. In the past, the pre-prom parties had ended up swaying the votes.
Turning to Ganyu, she studied her face trying to find a flicker of distress or discomfort but was instead met with a calm expression. The blue-haired girl glanced back at her before smiling softly, her eyes crinkling up as if she found the whole situation to be funny.
“What?” Keqing asked, raising a brow slightly as they made their way into the large house. The host was nowhere to be seen and was most likely already wasted as the two arrived rather late to the party.
“Nothing,” Ganyu replied simply with a shrug.
The two made their way into the kitchen where the alcohol was kept, moving around people as they walked. Upon entering the kitchen, they were greeted with a drunken smile and hot breath from Ajax as he popped up in front of them.
“Keqing you made it!” He greeted, his drink sloshing in his hand as he leaned towards them. Ajax glanced at Ganyu behind her, his eyes widening slightly, most likely surprised to see the blue-haired girl there. “Ah Ganyu I wasn't expecting you to come but I can't say I'm disappointed.”
Ganyu shifted from behind Keqing, “Yes, hello Ajax. I thought it might be nice to go to one since such a big week is coming up,” she said, stumbling slightly over her words.
Ajax threw his head back, letting out a laugh before reaching past Keqing to give Ganyu a playful shove, “We gotta get some alcohol in you -speaking like you're writing an essay.”
“What?” Ganyu asked, her voice raised in pitch as she spoke.
Keqing glanced over her shoulder, “he's joking with you,” she offered lightly before looking at Ajax, “I don't trust you to mix the drinks. We both know you have a higher alcohol tolerance and neither one of us wants to die.”
The ginger simply shook his head with a laugh, “I get it, don't worry. I have someone I need to find anyway.” And with that, Ajax disappeared into the crowd behind them.
Watching him leave, Keqing shrugged before walking to the fridge and rummaging through it before pulling out two drinks. Turning to Ganyu she tossed one to the blue-haired girl, who fumbled with it in her hands as she caught it.
The night continued as a blur, neither one left the other's side, staying close when one of them would leave the room to grab another drink or use the bathroom. Keeping to themselves, they reminisced and laughed amongst each other occasionally letting themselves be dragged into a conversation with another person.
“Wow, am I shocked to see you,” Rang a voice causing the two to jolt, glancing up immediately. A blonde girl walked up to them with a drink in hand and a drunken smile. She wasn't looking at both Keqing and Ganyu but instead just the blue-haired girl.
“Ganyu,” the girl said, her sing-song voice a high shrill, “I thought you were too good for this.”
Ganyu stiffened, her shoulders tensing as she looked down, “I'm not better than you, I just prefer to stay home and work,” she mumbled.
The girl sighed, bringing her cup up to her lips and taking a swig, “You seriously need to be less boring. I mean the only thing that sets you apart is the hair. Too bad you'll grow out of it someday,” she said, waving off what Ganyu said before rolling her eyes, “it'd be nice if you weren't so stuck up.”
“Hey,” Keqing interrupted the girl, her voice low, “That's enough now.”
“You can't keep protecting her Keqing. Ganyu needs to pull up her big girl panties and fight her own battles.”
Keqing clenched her teeth, prepared to bark back a remark when she felt the soft touch of a hand on her thigh. Glancing over, she saw the gentle face of Ganyu, who looked at her pleadingly, her eyes wide and her brows furrowed. The blue-haired girl leaned in, mumbling in her ear to ignore it and go get fresh air with her.
Keqing agreed.
The cool air brushed against her bare arms as she stepped outside. Ganyu, who had quickly left the house after confirmation, stood outside leaning against the porch railing, her skin glistening under the moonlight. She seemed distant, her back to Keqing and her face pointed towards the stretching woods before them.
“Ganyu,” Keqing murmured, snapping the blue-haired girl back to reality.
Ganyu turned around, to look at Keqing, her eyes somber, “Keqing, I- I'm sorry- I just needed to leave for a bit.”
Keqing nodded, she didn't need Ganyu to explain any further; she hadn't needed her to give a reason at all. It was all too familiar, snide remarks made behind her back or back-handed jokes to the blue-haired girl’s face. It felt elementary how people treated her even though most of the offenders would now be graduating.
Glancing down at the solo cup in her hand, she held it out to Ganyu who took it rather confused. The blue-haired girl furrowed her brows at Keqing before raising the cup to her lips and taking a sip. She watched her swallow the drink, watching as her face scrunched up in mild distaste.
Her reaction was reasonable, considering what was in the cup was room-temperature soda and a brandy mix which wasn't very good to begin with. Whoever had mixed the drink ended up combining the brandy with some unbranded soda they got from the local dollar store. The label on the bottle had quite literally said “soda.” To make it worse, it was grape-flavored.
It's not like Keqing hated grape flavors; she didn't oppose them at all; she just disliked grape sodas the same way she didcherry ones. They all tasted like the same sickly sweet medicine her parents gave her whenever she was sick as a kid.
Ganyu brought the cup down from her lips; a small droplet of purple liquid still left on her lips. Keqing couldn't help but stare at the soft pink of her mouth. Without thinking, her hand reached up to wipe the droplet away.
The blue-haired girl stilled at Keqing’s touch, her lip slightly quivering as she brushed her thumb over it. She glanced up, her eyes wide with confusion and surprise.
Keqing flushed, suddenly aware of what they were doing, and backed away, her hand falling limply to her side. “Uh, sorry you had a bit of your drink on her mouth and-” she cut herself off, a wave of awkwardness and embarrassment falling over her.
“It's alright Keqing,” Ganyu replied, her voice rushed. She brought her hand up touching her lip, the bottom half of her face concealed beneath her fingers. “Thank you. It would be rather childlike to walk around with some of the drink on my face,” she said with a small laugh.
They stood in silence for a moment before Ganyu pressed the solo cup against Keqing’s sternum, her eyes drifting up toward her face. Smiling, she backed away as Keqing grasped onto the cup.
“I feel more relaxed. Let's go back inside.”
Ganyu leaned against her arm as they walked back inside it was clear the alcohol from earlier was beginning to hit her. As they both entered the living room, a still washed over them as the current song hit their ears.
Turning to the blue-haired girl who stood half draped over her, Keqing smiled, studying the expression on her friend’s face. Ganyu seemed content and pleased with the melody and began humming it under her breath as she untangled herself from Keqing.
The song reminded her of childhood, of walking down the street from her apartment to go play with Ganyu, of making rice balls with her mother, of helping her dad in the garden that resided on the balcony. Keqing hadn’t heard it in quite a while and hearing it again while at a party celebrating her last year of being a child with Ganyu, she couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.
“Keqing-”
Keqing glanced up seeing Ganyu’s confused face in front of her. She was awfully close and she could feel the breath on her skin. It felt all overwhelming, the bright lights, the people dancing, the music and she couldn’t think at all.
“Dance with me,” Keqing blurted out as she grabbed Ganyu’s wrist, pulling her closer.
The blue-haired girl looked at her with widened eyes, a shocked expression appearing on her face momentarily. Before she hummed and leaned back in Keqing’s arms. Ganyu’s hand danced its way up her forearm and bicep before reaching her shoulder in which she played with stray strands of hair.
“How could I say no to you?” Ganyu asked with a small giggle her usual social awkwardness and anxiety seemed to vanish. Her free hand grabbed Keqing’s hand and began to sway to the beat, she was always musical and able to hold a rhythm even when drunk.
They swayed to the beat laughing and conversing as their bodies moved together, they’ve danced to songs countless times before and Keqing had listened to the girl sing beneath her breath but this felt much more intimate. Ganyu’s body pressed against hers as she sang softly; it felt all too close too hot.
Despite their clumsy dancing and that what they were doing couldn’t be viewed as anything but drunken friends dancing to a song they liked. They weren’t even the only friends who were dancing together; half of the people dancing were friends. Yet Keqing couldn’t figure out why this felt so intimate.
Glancing down at Ganyu she noticed the blue-haired girl's eyes were closed, seemingly unaware of her surroundings. She seemed almost consumed by the music, by the dancing. A rare sight to see but one Keqing treasured nonetheless.
When the song stopped Ganyu’s eyes fluttered open and she looked up at Keqing with a smile. Letting out a yawn she rested her head against her chest mumbling something unintelligible.
Keqing flushed at the weight added against her chest and reached out gently to tip Ganyu’s chin towards her, “Hm what’d you say?”
“I’m exhausted. I need to lay down.”
Nodding, Keqing pulled away from her friend before humming, “Now?”
“Now.”
Finding an empty room was difficult despite Ajax’s family having a large house. Keqing was about to turn around and risk the drunken drive back to one of their places when the two of them were spotted by a tall girl with tanned skin and long dark hair unmistakably Ninggaung’s girlfriend, Beidou.
Beidou grinned in greeting, “Keqing, Ganyu!” She chirped awfully happy and awfully drunk, “what’r you two doing finding a room?” She asked, wiggling her brows at the two of them.
Keqing blushed and glanced at Ganyu who clung to her, seeming dazed and unaware, “Ganyu’s sleepy,” she replied, averting her gaze from the girl before her.
“Yknow,” the dark-haired girl began shrugging lightly, “Ganyu is always welcome to come to sleep in the room Ninggaung and I found,” she said rubbing the side of her neck as she spoke.
Glancing up at her, Keqing’s eyes drifted up to where her hand moved from, noticing a large hickey. It was her turn to raise her brow skeptically at Beidou as she eyed the mark unsure if she wanted Ganyu to be sleeping on dirty sheets.
Beidou noticed her staring and laughed bringing her hand down to her shorts pockets, “Ah that. That was from earlier I swear. Ninggaung just wanted a smoke and we went somewhere more private. Would’ve gone outside but it’s kinda noisy out there.”
Keqing hummed before nodding and nudging the half-asleep Ganyu by her side. Following Beidou she led her friend into a bedroom at the end of the floor. While still being able to hear through walls and the floor it was still much quieter than anywhere else in the house.
Ninggaung was lounging on the bed when they entered the room, a half-smoked cigarette resting between her two fingers as she gazed at a painting on the wall. Her long white hair was tied up into a messy bun, something she only did when she was tired. She glanced up at the three before smiling and taking a drag.
“Brought company Beidou?” She asked her voice smoothe despite having been smoking since freshman year. She hadn’t developed the roughness of smokers lungs yet.
“Picked 'em up outside. Ganyu’s tired,” Beidou said as Keqing helped Ganyu sit down on the bed. The blue-haired looked up at her with a soft smile before leaning against the pillow and mouthing a small ‘thank you’.
After tucking Ganyu in, Keqing turned around lips pursing as she saw the skeptical expressions on her friend’s face. She sighed, glancing over her shoulder at Ganyu one last time before sitting down at the foot of the bed. The blue-haired girl had fallen asleep the moment her head hit the pillow and wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.
Thank the Archons for deep sleepers.
“So- Keqing,” Ninggaung began slowly. She was now standing at the door, her hand over the lock. There was a shadow in her eyes that was reserved only for when she was about to discipline someone.
Keqing cringed away the back of her legs bumping up against the bed. She glanced at Beidou for help but was met with a shrug and a frown.
“Ganyu seems to be fairly drunk,” Ninggaung said, which was an understatement of the century. “How come she got this drunk?”
“Well-” Keqing began before cutting herself off. Thinking was becoming difficult and she couldn't seem to think of an answer, “Well she drank a lot-” was what she finally managed to sputter out after tripping up on her words.
Ninggaung pinched the bridge of her nose, her brows furrowing in clear annoyance, “clearly, Keqing, why did you let her drink that much?”
Everything felt too overwhelming and she couldn't manage to make herself understand anything Ninggaung was asking. She was confused and frustrated by her own confusion. She had no idea why any of these questions were directed at her.
“I don't know-!”
Her friend sighed before glancing over at Beidou and then back at Keqing, “Did she at least seem to enjoy her time? I know she typically just overworks herself and stays in.”
Keqing nodded before gazing off to stare at the wall. She also wondered why Ganyu had asked to go with her to the party; it felt out of character. Normally Keqing was the one trying to make her have a healthier work-life balance yet here they were.
Ninggaung hummed and walked over to the bed sitting down next to a sleeping Ganyu. She reached out brushing soft blue locs off of her face, “Can't blame her for sleeping. It's been a busy school year. She deserves this rest,” she murmured before pulling the blanket over her lap.
Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, Keqing looked at the white-haired girl, “What are you doing?”
“Getting comfortable so I can sleep,” Ninggaung answered simply as she put her cigarette out in a glass of water that sat on the table, “I assume you'll be sleeping over? Or are you going to leave Ganyu here?”
It suddenly occurred to her that she couldn't go home because Ganyu had fallen asleep. Keqing was her ride home and abandoning her here would be awful. Though it hadn't clicked she would need to sleep over until now.
Curse the Archons for deep sleepers.
“I suppose I will be,” she replied.
Ninggaung let out a hum, before patting the bed beside her. Ajax’s family may be rich but they didn't put California kings in every bedroom, it was a simple full-sized bed something that would uncomfortably fit 3 people but knowing Beidou it would have to fit 4.
Keqing hesitated before crawling in next to Ninggaung, already uncomfortable at the skin-on-skin contact. She pulled the covers up to her chin watching Beidou shut the light off before crawling into the bed next to Keqing.
Pressed between two bodies, and those bodies being two people in a relationship only made her feel like a third wheel. Trying to get comfortable she sighed as she felt Beidou's arm stretch out under her pillow.
It was gonna be an uncomfortable sleep.