Fandom: genshin impact
Fluff. Pining is implied. Not heavy on romance.
---

Work. Work is a word that can mean many things to people - whether it could be something dull and boring to do, a way to get mora, a nine-to-five desk or a necessary means of living - work, or at least, to me, is dedication.
Some only find it in themselves to get a job because of the necessity. Because of the mora. Some don't do it at all. And although that's a fact of life, a job is a responsibility - one I'll take and fulfill.
...However, everything comes in moderation - a limit - a line - which should not be crossed.
Take Ganyu, for example; who stays up doing all her work because of the sheer quantity of it - though the quality of said work is fantastic, and she is willing to do it, that does not mean she always _should_.
Surely, the way things are going, constant sleepiness and work galore, she'll get burnt out some day or another.
...And unfortunately so, when I thought of all this whilst organising some files and reports for the Qixing, I'd realised that I had fallen victim to the exact same thing - often just having to go through the motions or trying to stay on-track and focused more than what is considered normal, finding it harder to fall asleep, and rarely waking up with a completely clear mind.
It's not like I don't like my job. Quite the contrary, in fact.
But sometimes people need breaks. Even a couple days can make a difference.
...But what made this instance different from any others? All the other times I simply needed to go take a couple walks outside or drink some tea by myself and think about things for a bit.
Wait, no, I can't think like that. That's just self-destructive.
But am I actually overreacting, or...?
Well, if I'm not certain of myself, then we should at least invite a friend - Ganyu. Now how should I plan this...? Tea with a colleague, maybe? I know she likes qinxin. And also, how should I approach...? I'll have to give it some thought.

...

"Hey - one quick thing, before you go."
Ganyu's head slightly perked up as she heard me. She then turned her head to look at me. Her eyes shone a little brighter when she saw me, but they reverted back to normal as she smiled, turning her body to face me.
"Ah- Keqing! What is it?"
There was a slight sense of exhaustion about her.
"Well - I know you're technically not fully human, but, well, everyone gets burnt out sometimes, right? So... I was thinking, what if, someday, just for a day, maybe you'd like if we could organise a small break? We could get tea. I know they have qinxin. Just a little wind-down with a colleague."
I tried not to sound like I'd been lying in my bed at ungodly hours trying to figure out exactly what to say, how and when.
"O-oh! That's..."
She seemed quite surprised, but with a hint of some kind of regret.
"...You know, qinxin is quite expensive and all, and..."
"-I'll pay. Don't worry. It's on me."
I tried to smile reassuringly at her. She looked surprised again, but this time with a more genuine expression.
"Ah, you don't have t-"
"I insist. Really. And mora isn't a problem."
"Oh! Well... I- thank you!"
She sounded quite grateful for it, and nodded once.
"Er... When?"
"When can you?"
She stopped to think for a moment.
"...Saturday?"
"Saturday it is! We'll meet here, at this time."
I held my hands on my hips as I looked at her. She smiled again and nodded, before going back to her workspace. I did the same.
Saturday, then. Three days from now.

...

When Saturday finally came, I saw Ganyu approaching from ten or so metres away. I sat up from the bench I was previously sitting on, and walked towards her. She timidly waved at me, and I waved back.
"Good morning."
"Good morning to you too."
She smiled at me.
"Where are we going?"
"I have a battery-charged kettle. We could walk just about anywhere, and simply sit down and enjoy some tea. By the way - do you prefer if there are fresh qinxin with the tea, or just the tea itself?"
"Some inside it, please. Thank you."
I nodded.
I then sort of nudged my shoulder in a 'let's go?' kind of way. She started walking. I followed.
We simply walked like that for a while, taking everything in, until eventually Ganyu sat down at a bench somewhere. It was peaceful and somewhat secluded.
I took out the kettle, pouring water into it from a water bottle and turning it on.
"So... How's everything been for you?
"Pretty good. Although, if I'm being honest, work's been a bit, well... Exhausting. Staying up, keeping track, you know the gist."
"...One and the same, actually."
She reassured, and I ended up turning my head to look at her, but upon seeing her genuine eyes, I couldn't help but smile back at her.
"Feel better already?"
She nodded in response, eyeing the kettle.
"-The water'll be hot soon, don't worry."
It was indeed quite quick, as just a little bit of comfortable silence, and it was already ready. I took out two cups, one for each of us, and poured hot water into both, setting them down on a small stand, which the kettle was also previously on. After, I took out the qinxin tea bags and some fresh ones, and put a tea bag in each.
I dug around my bag to find the prettiest qinxin, and gently placed it in Ganyu's cup. I picked it up - by the side, even though it slightly burned my fingers, so she could directly use the handle - and when I saw the smile and slight hunger at the smell of the qinxin in her eyes, I had to try not to smile too much at it. I then took my own cup from the stand. When I looked back, She was already sipping hers, though it was still boiling. Satisfaction managed to seep into my expression even when I fought it, and I decided not to. I took a sip from mine too, and froze for a moment at it burning my lip, but then ignored it and let the tea fill my mouth. I savoured it and swallowed. I'd never had qinxin before, admittedly, but it was... Actually quite good. As tea, at least. It was bitter, but with a sweet undertone. I could tell why she liked it so much.
I subconsciously checked the kettle once more to make sure there was enough for seconds and thirds and however more she wished, and after, put my cup down. I'd already downed half of it. I looked at Ganyu again, and she was placing the stalk of the qinxin I'd put in her cup in a near compost bin.
"Should I pour you some more?"
She nodded, and handed over her cup.
"Keqing?"
She piped up again.
"Yes?"
I would've looked up at her, but spilling any tea would be both disrespectful, painful and embarrassing.
"Thank you again. ...For, you know, setting this all up, and inviting me... I appreciate it. Is there any way I can repay you?"
I finished sipping my cup and looked right into her eyes, but not like I would to stuck-up authority figures barging into my office. Note: good quality kettle. I can still feel the slight warmth of the vapour on my cheeks even after putting the cup down.
"Ganyu, always so modest... You being here is enough. Especially with how busy you always are. Good on you for giving yourself a break."
"You're too kind..."
"And you're too modest."
I internally did a double-take when I said that. Unaturally sweet. Did I really sound like that?
Obviously, she heard it too, and looked slightly surprised, but not in a surprised-surprised way, more if you were listening to something and heard something slightly off or different - but not in a bad way.
"...Is this Qinxin any different from the ones you get?"
"Probably the same... this is good. I get mine from bubu pharmacy."
It is the same, then. She must be really experienced...
"...One thing, Keqing?"
"What is it?"
"I, um... I appreciate you. I've already thanked you twice, but... I really mean it. The effort to get me my favourite tea, on top of that make it high-quality, pick a nice spot, make sure I'm free... And on top of that you figured out when I needed a break.... Which, of course, begs the question; how do you do it?"
...
Oh.
Oh no.
Oh no no no no no.
It clicked.
"If you asked me how I do my work, I'd simply say observation and preparation. You can't plan properly if you don't know who the person truly is - and this is business. Impressions matter."
What a mess... Judgement out of my control - really, brain?
That sweet expression...
Steady your breathing, steady your breathing, keep it together, Keqing... Note: we should do more mental training. How could I only notice this now!?
It was right under my nose. And in this situation, in front of me, in my heart, and by technicality my brain.
"...Keqing?"
"Ah- right- sorry, just thinking about how I should answer. You see - it's just how I do things. Observe, overview, plan. In short; -I could tell. In a way. You're overworked. You doze off sometimes, and you just look tired. -not saying you're unattractive, to clarify! It's not in a bad way. -And before you thank me again, don't. It's a pleasure to be here either way. Think of it as a win-win. It's a break for both of us."
She seemed almost speechless at that, which for some reason made me feel some kind of weird variety of anxiety in my stomach for a second. Almost akin to an electrocution. Probably had too much tea.
"...Wow, either I was more obvious than I thought, or your observation skills really are top-tier.... Or both."
"I doubt anyone would doubt you, Ganyu."
Part of me wanted to gently yet dramatically lift her chin up to say that like those cheesy romance novels from Inazuma. Of course, that would be completely uncalled for, and I respect her personal space, so I refrained from doing so.
"I wish I had your confidence...'
"You know what. Want to know a secret?"
I sipped the rest of my tea, but could still tell she was curious.
"Sure?"
"There's a little something called... Crowd control and predictability. When something happens enough, people expect it. Authority means responsibility, so you have to make sure that you say everything with certainty - if you don't believe in what you say, how can anyone else? That's how I think, at least. But when you don't have to do anything, you don't have a big image to uphold. ...Anyway, cryptics aside, what I'm saying is... You've made it this far 'without confidence'. And I'm here for you. You know what - I'll be confident for you. Don't ever forget that, okay?"
"..."
"...Thank you. -I won't, promise! I'm here for you too."
"Then thank you too."
"And, on a tangent; it's getting late. Your call? Should we end it here, go to my place, find some indoor café..."
"Ah, right... I won't take up too much of the night. We go back?"
"Okay! I'll walk you back to your place."
She didn't make any effort to refuse, and I packed my things away, except for one thing.
"-Last one?"
I held a qinxin towards her.
"Mhm."
I nodded as she took the qinxin.
The way back to her house wasn't actually that far from here - I just wanted to keep her company.
I really was lucky to have her, wasn't I?
"...Thanks for today."
"Thanks for coming. I mean it."
She hugged me. Which was... Unusual. But nice.
I hugged back.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight..."

...

What a day.