With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 26: The Past Torments No Longer...

(A/N: Quick side note here. As of last chapter this fanfiction has officially hit over 100,000 written words! Quite the bit, don't you think? Just a minor celebration to just how far it's came and how much it has left. That's all I gotta say, enjoy!)

Aether was instantly greeted with a brief hug when he stepped into his home. He should have expected it, but hadn't nonetheless.

He returned the hug, already knowing who it was, without having to look.

"Welcome back, Aether!" Ganyu cheered, before separating herself from him.

He had to admit it was weird seeing Ganyu wearing a yellow construction helmet, but it was also adorable at the same time.

He returned his smile

"Thanks... you've been hard at work I see..." Aether complimented as he observed his surroundings.

The house looked the exact same almost, but he knew that wouldn't be the case at some point in the future. The middle of the living room was stacked with loose ends of paper and materials. A desk laid in the middle with long scrolls of blue schematic paper, signifying that Ganyu had decided to work in the living room rather than her bedroom. Perhaps it was to not get the house papers mixed up with the papers in her room that pertained to her secretary work for Liyue.

"Indeed, I've been working along with Tubby on the project you asked of. When I get a break from my job as secretary of Liyue's Qinxing of course."

"I really appreciate Ganyu, but don't push yourself too hard."

Ganyu shook her head dismissively

"No- I haven't. Don't worry I've gotten better at that... though Paimon might have helped with that dramatically."

Aether quickly smiled at his fairy friend who had been overseeing the health of his best friend from Liyue. Ensuring that Ganyu wasn't pushing herself too hard. Paimon seems to have a heart for more than food afterall...

"Glad to hear it!" Aether cheered before asking "so, if you don't mind me asking how is it coming along?"

"Well... Tubby and I are still having some difficulties admittedly. I've created some mock designs for the new house, but I'm still not quite sure how Inazuma looks. Even a real architect needs to get a feel for culture's style before he or she can actually properly desgin... either way, I've been slowly mapping out the interior design of each room. It's a slow process and probably due to under go many changes..."

Aether nodded his head, seeing the stack of blue papers on her desk. Ganyu had insisted on being the lead role in designing the house, plus she proved to have the skills. With her brains and skills, along with Tubby's labor and magic they might just be able to pull this off...

"Alright... what if I took some pictures of Inazuma in my free time? I could take pictures of landscapes and housing."

Ganyu shook her head

"Yes please, that would be most beneficial. I have been going purely off of old text and rumor when it comes to Inazuman culture. I know little about other than what Ayaka has shared with me, but obviously we can't use her as a resource for this either..."

Ganyu wasn't wrong. Ayaka had her own troubles to handle at the current moment. This would be something they would have to figure without her.

"Alright, I'll make sure to do that then. I could also fetch for some books in Inazuma that could be useful as well."

"Sounds great Aether, we still have two other issues though..."

"Lay it on me, I can handle it."