Archive of Our Own

In the corporate office world, it’s a well-known fact that a typical work week can only either be passably tolerable, or irrevocably awful.

This week is an irrevocably awful one. Coworkers calling out sick, important documents mysteriously disappearing, upper management breathing down everyone’s necks about poor KPIs. And of course it falls on Ganyu to pick up the slack. She’s pulled at least three hours of overtime every day this week just covering everyone. The only saving grace is that it’s Friday and that she gets to go home on time. Her manager had pat her on the shoulder and grinned disingenuously as he told her, as though going home on time is supposed to be a reward.

Whatever. As long as she gets to go home and veg out in front of the TV and watch the latest episode of her new favorite danmei drama.

As Ganyu finally buttons up her leather tote bag, her phone buzzes from the inside pocket. A message notification. She resists the urge to groan. Ugh. It better not be a last-minute assignment again.

Her heart races when she sees who it is—and what the message entails.

Crap. That’s right—she’d made plans with Keqing today to hook up. She’d completely forgotten. Not that it really matters. After spending her overtime hours painstakingly rebuilding the documents that were lost, she had decided resolutely that this week would be a granny panties week. She isn’t even wearing any sexy lingerie today. Her face feels oily. She must look like shit. There’s no way she can show up to Keqing’s place, all ragged and worn.

She’s entering the elevator to the garage floor when she types back her response.

Oh, right. Another thing Ganyu had forgotten. Well, it’s a good thing that they’re not in a relationship.

Ganyu sighs. That sucks. There goes her source of stress relief for who knows how long. But that’s how life goes. She’s not feeling remotely sexy today, and after this hell week she’s just not in the mood.

Her phone pings again just as she exits the elevator. 

Ganyu raises an eyebrow.

Ganyu blinks. Keqing’s making food for them? That’s new. Though unfortunate. All that wasted food…

Well, it was on her for canceling last minute. And it wasn’t like she had any dinner plans set already. Keqing’s apartment was close enough, too. A quick visit to pick up food wouldn’t hurt, would it?

She pauses when she catches her reflection on the long garage lobby mirror. Faded lipstick, smudged eyeliner, unkempt hair. Ugh, she really does look like shit. Then again, it would be a quick run, right? Keqing wouldn’t really see much of her. Does it even matter?

Sighing, Ganyu presses the elevator button to go back to the lobby floor. The restrooms there have the best lighting.

The nice thing about visiting Keqing is that she has an extra parking spot in her apartment garage. There’s no trouble with street parking, and driving into the affluent gate-locked complex means Ganyu doesn’t have to worry about her car getting broken into either.

She pulls up next to Keqing’s purple Porsche Panamera—as sleek and eye-catching as ever. Flashy and proud, just like her. Everything about the woman turns heads wherever she goes.

The apartment is just as luxurious. Despite already visiting a handful of times, Ganyu can never get used to the walk to Keqing’s apartment. She’s accustomed to seeing tall glass windows and smooth marble floors from her own business trips, but it’s another thing visiting a friend who’s wealthy enough to live in a place like this. The elevator lobby is furnished with leather couches and plants, with golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and to top it off there’s a whole koi pond as the centerpiece. It’s not like Ganyu isn’t well off herself with a respectable office job, but it’s crazy thinking about just how wide the gap is between her and someone like Keqing.

Keqing’s apartment is on the eleventh floor. The open windows of the elevator ride grants her a full view of the city below, pedestrians and cars seeming smaller the higher she goes.

Ganyu gives herself a quick glance at the polished elevator mirror before exiting. Hair, check. Makeup, check. She smooths out her red midi skirt, then scowls at herself as she makes her way to Keqing’s door. Nothing’s going to happen anyway! She’s just picking up food! What is she fussing over?

She barely gets three knocks in before the door swings open.

“Ganyu, hi. Hello,” Keqing greets. Her voice sounds out of breath.

Ganyu has to do a double take. Keqing’s hair is pulled up in a bun, tucked away in a plastic cafeteria lady cap. She’s wearing a thick canvas apron that she’s sure is made more for handyman labor than any kitchen work, and her cheeks look smudged with some sort of dark sauce.

“Hi,” Ganyu says. She bites her lip to hold in her laughter. It’s not everyday one finds a hot, up-and-coming CEO looking like a disaster trying to cook.

“Come in.” Keqing steps to the side to make room for Ganyu. “The jade parcels just got done. Sorry I couldn’t finish packing it up before you got here.”

So much for booking it right after picking up food.

Despite that, Ganyu shakes her head. “That’s fine. No need to rush.” She catches a pleasant aroma as soon as she enters—the scent of nutty lotus seeds and cabbage soaked in savory broth. “It smells great, actually.”

“I’d hope so,” Keqing sighs, making her way back to the kitchen. “I’ve been trying to perfect the recipe this past week.”

Ganyu catches Keqing on the shoulder before she tends to the kitchen. “Keqing, wait,” she says, pulling out a handkerchief.

Keqing turns around. “Hm?”

Her face is even funnier up close. Dry flour dusting her jaw, a piece of shredded cabbage sticking on her eyebrow, the splatter of soy sauce on her cheeks.

“You’re a mess,” Ganyu says, laughing. “May I?”

“Oh, sure,” Keqing says.

Gently, Ganyu swipes the handkerchief across her cheeks, wiping clean the soy sauce and flour. “So this is the result of all your hard work?” she teases. 

They have a brief stare-off before Keqing clears her throat, turning back to the kitchen. “Well, I wasn’t about to feed you something inedible. And I’ve been told my culinary skills need work. So I had to practice.” She pulls out the glass tupperware and sets it aside on the kitchen island.

Ganyu feels her cheeks warm. Had Keqing really been preparing this meal for the entire week? With her busy schedule? Why? They could’ve just ordered take out like usual.

Her pondering gets cut short when a familiar voice cuts through on the television screen—a low, pleasant rumble that’s iconic and beloved throughout the nation. Beloved by all except one person she knows, anyway.

Which is why it’s extra shocking that he’s on the television screen of said person.

“That’s Zhongli,” Ganyu says, jaw dropping. “I thought you didn’t like watching anything featuring him. This is the latest episode of String of Pearls, isn’t it?”

Keqing’s back is to her, pouring the jade parcels into the tupperware, but Ganyu smiles at the way her shoulders stiffen like a cat caught doing something naughty.

“I still think that he gets cast in way too many roles, but I can’t argue that his acting is phenomenal. Works that feature him tend to have a higher budget, too, sadly,” Keqing says. “And I quite like his dynamic with the new actor—Ajax. That Snezhnayan guy. Are you also watching?”

“Yeah, I was planning on watching when I got home, actually.”

The clang of kitchenware stops. Ganyu looks back at Keqing curiously.

Keqing shuffles in place, shrugging off her apron to reveal her black crop top and slacks outfit. She pulls off her cap and lets her hair fall back into her usual twintails. “Um, would you like to watch the episode with me, then? You can eat here, too.”

Ganyu stares at her, mesmerized by how easy Keqing makes it, going from nerdy to effortlessly hot. Did Keqing say something? “Sorry?”

Keqing’s eyes widen. “I mean—no pressure or anything. Actually, you probably want to get back home soon, right? Since you had a rough week and all. And I already made you come over. So never mind—”

Ganyu laughs, finally registering what Keqing had asked her. “I’m already here. Why not? Two birds, one stone.”

Keqing lights up immediately. “Right—great! I’ll just set these on some plates, then. We can watch in front of the television on the couch?”

“Yes, thank you.” Ganyu smiles, feeling the weariness of the week ebb away. It’s nice having a friend.

The hour-long episode is over before Ganyu knows it. Halfway through the show, Keqing had complained about wanting to turn the AC down, but Ganyu had offered to sit closer to her instead. By the end of the runtime, Zhongli’s character had finally reconciled with his companion, sealing their relationship with a heated on-screen kiss.

Ganyu doesn’t miss the way Keqing shuffles next to her, thighs brushing against hers.

“Keqing.”

“Yeah?” Keqing turns toward her inquisitively. Her magenta irises catch in the low light, like diamonds, and it takes Ganyu’s breath away. Gosh, she’s so pretty.

They’re close enough that Ganyu tilts her head and presses her lips against Keqing’s without much thought. Keqing gasps in surprise, but she recovers quickly and kisses her back. She tastes faintly of the pinot noir they’d been drinking throughout dinner.

“I thought you were too tired tonight,” Keqing murmurs, breath hot on Ganyu’s mouth.

“I am,” Ganyu says, hand teasing at Keqing’s exposed belly. She kind of isn’t anymore, but it is sort of weird going back on what she’d said now. And it’s already late. If they continue, then Ganyu really would be overstaying her welcome. A whole dinner, cuddle session while watching TV, then sex…? It was almost like…

Keqing stares at her, clearly waiting for further elaboration.

Ganyu shakes her head. “I should go now,” she says, extracting herself from their embrace. “Thank you for the food. And for the company.”

“Yeah,” Keqing says, voice airy and dazed. “Yeah, of course. Let me get your tupperware. You can have leftovers for the weekend.”

The walk to gather her things is tense. As she puts her jacket on, Ganyu catches Keqing staring at her periodically in the corner of her eyes, as though she wants to say more.

Ugh. Ganyu just had to go and kiss her and make things weird.

Finally, at the door, Keqing speaks.

“Ganyu.”

“Yes?”

“I know that this all started off as… a thing for stress relief, but I wanted you to know that I hope you think of me as a friend, too. You’re welcome to come over to hang out or eat here, without feeling like there are any um, other expectations.”

“Thank you, Keqing.” After this evening, Ganyu had already felt as much, but it’s nice hearing Keqing reaffirm it. “I’ll… keep that in mind. Have a good trip next week.”

Keqing smiles. “I’ll try.”