Work Text:
Ganyu was warm. Warm and soft.
Keqing was unable to sleep. Work had been tough today, and she still wasn’t happy with the current draft of a trade agreement with the Inazuman Shogunate for a shipment of Amakumo fruit. But looking at her girlfriend, sleeping so peacefully right next to her, made her feel better. Or at least less frustrated.
The two of them used to be extreme workaholics. It was hard not to, helping run the nation that minted currency for the entire continent, as well as hosting the largest trading hub. There were always ships coming into harbor, architects submitting requests for building permits, and Fatui doing whatever sly things they could to gain the upper hand.
Keqing had always been travelling across Liyue, from Blackcliff Forge to Wangshu Inn, as she preferred a more hands-on approach to governance. It was not uncommon for workers to get a surprise visit from the Yuheng, asking for a set of equipment so that she could see what working conditions were like for herself. On top of that, Treasure Hoarders were always a problem throughout Liyue, and it wasn’t uncommon for a group to try and rob her while on the road. Due to this, she rarely got to sleep in her own bed, often finding a tree on the side of the road to rest under and dress her wounds.
As the general secretary for the Liyue Qixing, Ganyu got out less, but by no means was her job any easier. Everything done in Liyue led to paperwork and contracts, and someone had to organize and write it all up. Any complaint, suggestion, or request sent to the Qixing went through Ganyu first, of which there were always many. Ganyu would often forego a regular sleep schedule in favor of naps, usually on a couch somewhere in Yuehai Pavilion. Once, another secretary found her sleeping standing up, holding a stack of reports for Ningguang.
But one day, they caught each other’s eyes, and fell in love. It started simply. Keqing would bring some fresh-cut Qingxin, and Ganyu would sign any papers for Keqing with a little heart. Slowly, they started finding excuses to spend more time together, like looking over renovation plans for the Feiyun Commerce Guild. But one day, they both used their first vacation day ever, and went on a walk around the Harbor.
It was an area they were both deeply familiar with, but it was another thing entirely to experience it at their own pace. The sound of seagulls scrabbling over dropped food, crashing waves against the sturdy stone, and the soft sea breeze. The sound of merchants peddling wares, deckhands climbing rigging, and children playing games. It was all so new to them. At one point, Ganyu put her hand in Keqing’s. Keqing tried to act nonchalant about it, but secretly, she hoped to never let go.
Keqing wondered what Ganyu was dreaming about. Work? The adepti? A past lover?
…Her?
She was still not used to thinking of Ganyu as anything more than a coworker, let alone her girlfriend, but every time she did, she felt her face heat up and her heart skip a beat. And now, she got that feeling every morning. They had bought a simple 2 room apartment above Xinyue Kiosk, and now kept each other to a “reasonable” workday of “only” 18 hours, as well as eating at least one meal a day, usually together. The bed was small, but Keqing didn’t mind. Ganyu always faced towards the center of the bed to sleep, as she worried of accidentally poking Keqing with her horns while she slept, and Keqing faced towards the middle as well, because it gave her a view in the morning to rival any sunrise.
Keqing studied every detail in front of her. The smooth blue hair that waved in the nighttime wind. The small little nose used to smell the glaze lilies around Yujing Terrace. The beautiful supple lips that moved ever so slightly as breath passed through them. And her eyes. Even though they were closed, Keqing could remember every minute detail. The way they went from an ageless amber, to a fresh sweet orange, to a blue deeper than the sea. Keqing got lost in them the very first time she looked at them. It felt like she spent hours studying them, exploring their depths, but it was less than a second.
And now, those beautiful eyes were looking right back.
Ganyu giggled, and Keqing immediately turned bright red. She still felt embarrassed about being caught admiring her girlfriend, despite laying in the same bed as her every night. Ganyu pulled her closer, and the red turned several shades brighter.
They kissed. Keqing never knew how to describe it, as her mind always went blank. Perhaps the kiss of an adeptus was a blessing that mortals were never supposed to receive, a power so potent it overwhelmed the mind. Perhaps this was how all kisses were, mortals and gods alike being stunned to silence. Perhaps Keqing was too busy enjoying it in the moment, that it never occurred to her to try to keep the memory. But one thing was for sure.
It was bliss.