With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 18: The Kindness in Desires

(A/N: sorry for taking so long this chapter went the MANY reiterations as I wanted to get this chapter just right. It serves as a crucial plot point in Ayaka's character development later on)

After Paimon and Aether left, both Ganyu and Ayaka had looked up at each other examining each other once more.

Both had stared for a long time, as silence filled the room. The air didn't feel tense or electric, but there was definitely a feeling captured by both women.

They had looked at each other in such a way, that both had began to realize something about the other.

Ayaka was much less aware of the situation than Ganyu. She wasn't even entirely sure what Aether just was to her yet, besides a crush.

Ganyu was however, aware of how Ayaka had felt for the person that she also loved.

But she didn't hold a single drop of hatred, resentment, or jealously.

Infact, she was glad that Aether had found someone else who cared for him as much as Ganyu did. It meant that he would be safe in times that she could not be with him. During his trek in Inazuma, Ganyu knew she could rely on Ayaka to keep him safe.

Even if Aether would chose to love Ayaka, Ganyu could at least find comfort in the fact that he would at least have found love. Even if it wouldn't have been her.

Ganyu still had hope for him, but it was fading much faster than she wanted it to. Ayaka was stellar in many ways, Ganyu could just tell. It would be stupid for him to not eventually feel something for her.

Ayaka did what she knew best and smiled back with kindness.

"I must first and foremost properly thank you."

Ayaka spoke as she poured herself and Ganyu a cup of hot tea.

To which they both lifted their glasses and sipped upon the artful delicacy.

"Oh there's no need to thank me, it's the least I could have done. Besides, my cooking skills aren't particularly renowned. Aether is much better than me" Ganyu said

"Truth be told, your cooking was exemplary. It far surpasses mine..." Ayaka admitted that she wasn't the best of cooks.

She made mistakes often when it came to making food. But she wasn't terrible bad at cooking, just particularly inexperienced.

"Oh?" Ganyu had cleared her throat "perhaps I should entice him to teach you. Have you had his food before?"

Ayaka shook her head no in disappointment.

"No, I'm afraid I have not."

"Oh he's quite the cook, if I do say so myself. His food competes with even the best chefs of Liyue."

Ayaka had forgotten all about Ganyu being from Liyue in the moment. With Aether gone, it would have been a perfect time for the two to chat about each other's nations.

Ayaka had only seen things about Liyue from books. To hear it from an actual person who lived there...

... she just had to know.

She wanted to learn about the other nations, their cultures were surely different.

"Pardon me if I may ask, but you do come from Liyue correct?"

Ganyu nodded her head before taking another sip.

"Indeed, I have served Rex Lapis for at least a thousand years. I'm also the senior secretary for the Tiquian, Lady Ningguang."