Catching Cold

Ayaka is a kind-hearted girl with a pleasant temperament who treats others with politeness and courtesy. She often goes out of her way to help the people of Inazuma, to no benefit of her own. She was happy to do so, after all, she only saw it fit to help those if you had the power to do so.

She's a person with a penchant for perfection, often to her own detriment. No problem was too big for her to handle, to complete with ease.

So then why...

Why did seeing the Traveler struggle make her ache with a feeling akin to anguish?

It had started when the Traveler visited Inazuma for the first time, Ayaka had heard much of the Traveler's feats, who hadn't? She was so strong that she made every problem seem easy in comparison. So much so that it made her feel that if she had been in that position...

'It would not have ended well.'

But seeing the Traveler in person (albeit after some difficulties), changed everything.

Her eyes betrayed her strong posture, a rolling sea of emotions, fear, guilt, rage, and something else she couldn't quite make sense of.

Regardless, Ayaka could feel a deep-seated weight sat upon the Travelers shoulders, Something she too could relate to.

And it scared her.

It scared her to know that someone regarded so highly also carried with them tremendous pain, it also saddened her, that she could do nothing to ease that pain. They were barely acquaintances, and they definitely weren't friends. Any attempt at playful chatter had been shut down by the Travelers stony exterior. It was like she was talking to a brick wall, but somehow with even less interaction.

It was only after multiple refusals on the Travelers part, and a slight amount of begging and an offer to introduce her to the Raiden shogun that they made any headway in terms of their 'relationship.' Three small wishes to fulfill, that was the arrangement they agreed upon, and it was only a short time later that the Traveler returned with the requests as close to solved as they could be.

In the time between the two visits, however, Ayaka had come to a conclusion. Simply, now that the Traveler had agreed to fulfill her wishes, they could now be considered friends. Ayaka only had Thoma as her friend up until that point in her life, so the prospect of gaining another friend sent her heart soaring.

Upon the return of the Traveler, she had come out to meet them face-to-face. The thing she had only done for those she considered a friend.

When she finally met the Travelers eyes, it was not just the weight she saw, no. She was captivated, almost entirely, but the look of... perfection, that was the Traveler. Her hair was a particular shade of golden blonde that reminded her of the color of nectar. Her body was slim, and her skin was fair, standing a smidgen taller than herself. Though it was really unnoticeable if you weren't looking close enough for it. Her face held an almost regal look to it, hardened in nature but a certain softness still escaped it.

Her cheeks flushed and she diverted her head slightly, just enough so she couldn't see the Traveler do something similar.

And if they both thought the other was an incomparable beauty, well...

No one had to know.

3 Months Later...

It had been months since the Traveler had clashed with the Raiden Shogun, and much had returned to normalcy. Which Ayaka was indeed grateful for, most especially after the event that had been the festival.

It had all gone so well too, up until her dance, and they had gotten a bit close and...

Ayaka still became flustered thinking about it, they had fallen on top of each other. It was embarrassing, to say the least, and she had immediately left, leaving behind a blushing and stuttering Traveler.

The next time Ayaka saw Lumine, was after her final showdown with the Raiden Shogun, and she had shown up at her estate asking for a place to rest until her injuries healed. Of course, being her friend, she quickly brought her inside and set her up in one of her many, many, empty rooms. Ayaka was still a busy person, less so after the ordeal with the shogun, but still busy. So the two rarely saw each other, something that pained Ayaka for a reason she couldn't really understand.

When they had time to be in each other's company a week later, it was in a hot spring, and Ayaka learned something about Lumine.

She was a HUGE flirt.

The first time Ayaka found out had been in that very hot spring when Lumine said, "Apart from being sexy, what do you do for a living?" With the biggest grin on her face, Ayaka had become flustered and red, only sinking further into the hot water as Lumine laughed, a sound akin to morning bells.

A sound Ayaka wanted to keep for herself.

It dawned on her that she may be slightly jealous of the roguish blonde. Every time she saw them with someone else, she grew a bit angry to see them hanging out with someone other than her.

Ayaka did not notice that Lumine would only flirt with her. To the point that Lumine would return to her room and throw her face into her pillow complaining about, "Dense bluenettes."

The flirting continued, and Ayaka, surprisingly, had yet to grow tired of the words. Just soaking in the Travelers presence while they were together. Sometimes enjoying the silence, and other times with small conversations.

Another week later, the Traveler announced her decision to leave.

It pained Ayaka, so much so that she missed the sorrowful look in the Traveler's eyes, as they parted ways. Ayaka had spent the next few days not getting much of her duties done. Keeping to herself in her room, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, even to herself.

It hurt, seeing the Traveler leave, having one of her only two friends leave her life, and in Ayaka's opinion, never to return. The Traveler was often known for her exploits, and she had her own quest to return to, finding her brother. In Ayaka's eyes, this was much more important than her petty wishes.

But for the first time that Ayaka had felt, she wanted to be selfish. She wanted to keep the Traveler by her side, she wants to see the splitting grin every day, those beautiful golden eyes focused upon her.

It was selfish she knew, but her heart burned with a feeling Ayaka had never felt before. A feeling that made Ayaka burn up just thinking about it.

She wanted to feel like this forever.

She needs her so bad, enough so that she knows how silly it is.

When she had finally asked her one other friend, Thoma, about what she was feeling he had only laughed and given her a pat on the head. Laughing again at the pout Ayaka wore on her face, before walking away talking under his breath, something about 'Lovebirds'.

The second time she saw the Traveler, was on her way to meet Thoma at a local shop for some tea, he had suggested she needed to get out of the house for a while. She had agreed after much persuasion and a pleading look. She hadn't been out much since the Traveler had left, mostly focusing on her duties and other work.

It had only been when she arrived at the shop and saw the Traveler that she realized she had been set up by her friend. With a quick vow to deliver vengeance in the form of dying all his clothes blue, she made her way over to her. Clearing her throat and watching as the Traveler startled before showing a wide grin.

"Traveler, it's good to see you again." Ayaka smiled a small smile, holding back the strong urge to reach forward and hug her.

"Lumine, you really should be calling me Lumine by now, Ayaka." The Trave- Lumine, sighed.

"Of course, Lumine." Ayaka offered a small smile, and they went about their conversation.

Lumine had returned to Inazuma for a break from her mission, or at least that was what she said. Ayaka suspected it was more than Lumine would let on, due to the look of sadness that entered her eyes during the conversation. But as quick as it appeared, it was gone, the once flirtatious Lumine back again to tease Ayaka relentlessly. They chatted at the small shop for hours, basking in each other's warmth. Both realized how much they had missed it.

It was nearing the end of the day when the conversation took a more serious turn, with Lumine looking her directly in the eyes with those golden orbs of hers.

"Ayaka, I was hoping... that you might let me stay at your place for a while? I don't mean to bother you!" She waved her hands frantically, "I just figured you have the space, and-"

Ayaka couldn't believe her ears and practically jumped up at the question, "Of course! You're free to stay as long as you like!"

It was only then she realized her sudden outburst and hung her head in shame, Lumine just laughing at her antics. God, she missed that laugh, how she could ever have gone without it was a mystery to her.

Something dawned on Ayaka as they walked back to her estate, something that had been looking her in the face the entire time, but something she had been too unwilling to acknowledge.

'I'm in love with Lumine.'

She almost stopped completely in her tracks, getting a quizzical look from Lumine, and quickly waving her curiosity away she turned back to her thoughts.

It was inconceivable, she had felt this way before, and especially not towards those of the same sex. Yet here she was, falling fast for Lumine.

Honestly, it wasn't even her fault, Lumine was just too hot, it was quite unfair if one thought about it.

But the real question was what she would do with these feelings now?

Surely, Lumine was too busy and important to simply... hook up with her. God, the thought itself made her excited, but the odds of her staying for long, and even returning her feelings were astronomical.

Ayaka just wasn't worth her time after all.

When she had repeated these words to Thoma, he groaned and put his head in his hands. "Ayaka, I love you dearly, but you are oh so dense."

"I- What?" Ayaka was confused, she wasn't dense, she-

"Lumine has been following you around like a lovesick puppy whenever she's here, she has a pet name for you, and flirts with you daily!"

The mention of the pet name made Ayaka flush, Lumine had taken to calling her flower since she claimed she was just as pretty as one.

"Don't tell me you thought she was just being nice?" He lifted his head from his hands and peered over at her.

"Uh-"

"Oh, Ayaka, my wonderful friend, you are indeed as dense as stone."

"Thoma!"

It was another few days when Ayaka and Lumine were in the kitchen, Ayaka simply working on some documents, with Lumine cooking some form of breakfast.

But not before she dropped a pan on herself trying to reach for the top shelf.

Lumine did not appreciate the snort at her attempt, sticking her tongue out at the bluenette

'Ah, I'm falling for an idiot.'

They had been sitting around a table, playing a game of Shogi, when Ayaka had gotten up to get some tea for them and tripped on the mat surrounding the table.

Really, she had lived here her entire life and was just now tripping on a floor mat, surely there was some god out there screwing with her. And of course, she had fallen directly onto Lumine, their faces mere inches from each other as Lumine girn mischievously, "Well Ayaka, I never expected you to be so forward. Shouldn't you take me out for dinner first?"

Ayaka stumbled trying to get up, muttering apology after apology. Lumine had gotten up after her, the two staring at each other. Ayaka couldn't help but think how perfect this moment would be, to finally tell Lumine how she felt, if Thoma was to be believed, she shouldn't have any trouble doing so. Yet she could only stand there, watching as Lumine's grin turned into something much more sincere.

"Well Ayaka, if you're gonna take so long..."

Something unexpected happened.

Lumine leaned forward and cupped her hands around Ayaka's chin, closing her eyes and kissing her.

!

So many alarm bells went off in her head all at once.

Her lips.

Against hers.

It was happening.

After a moment of thought, Ayaka shut her eyes and disregarded her thoughts.

She returned the kiss.

Her lips were soft. They moved slightly against her. Lumine's slender hand caressed her neck and slid down the front of her chest. Ayaka felt like she had died and gone to the afterlife during this time.

They separated slowly, and reluctantly, after a moment. Both did not want to end what was surely the best thing they had ever experienced. Ayaka stared back into her eyes again, breathless. She wasn't sure what to do or say. Completely lost, and broken. Lumine's actions had broken her. "Well," Lumine commented slyly. "That cat's out of the bag."

"I-"

She could no longer suppress the panic ringing through her mind, that had been... everything she had wanted, it was amazing. Yet, she couldn't help but think how it would all turn out if Lumine would simply leave once it was all over if she would get bored of her and move on to something else. So her brain, still foggy from the kiss, supplied her with only one thing to say.

"I love you."

Ayaka became even more embarrassed than before, but at least it was out there now, and surely Lumine would not reject her after... whatever that was.

"I think I owe Paimon 20 mora."

'What?'

"What?" Ayaka was thoroughly confused.

Lumine smiled nervously, "Well I may have made a bet that it would take a week for us to do anything? Paimon said it would happen in the first few days." She chuckled lightly, twirling her hair around her finger.

That... made an odd amount of sense when she thought about the two. She just shook her head, "Only you Lumine, only you."

The two just smiled at each other, with Ayaka being the one who brought forth the next question that was on both of their minds.

"So…"

"Uh…"

"Are we...?"

"...Yes."

"Ok."

With a shaky confession and a smile from the two that could melt ice, they felt like maybe something they had been missing had finally fallen into place. Ayaka grabbed Lumine, dragging her out of the room and to her own. If they were together, you can bet she was going to continue what Lumine had started. They'd take it slow, they had an eternity after all.

Fin~

TBC...

Author's Notes:

Well, there's another story told. I would really like to hear your thoughts!

These one-shots are a bit of a project brought on by two friends of mine, I've always loved AyakaxLumine, or SnowStorm, as I like to call their ship. So I decided to finally write a 'one-shot' to captivate what I felt their relationship could look like.

I'll definitely be adding more chapters to this story, in the form of one-shot-Esque chapters that jump around to different points in time.

As for how the chapter is written, it definitely isn't my best work, but I feel like it works extremely well.

Fluff is something I write often, and I've been told I write it well in other contexts, this is the first time I'm applying like this, however. I picture Lumine and Ayaka as two very shy people in a relationship, Lumine being the flirt, and Ayaka being the voice of reason. Thus, their relationship will start slow, but they still love each other very much. I don't write lemon, and I don't feel it would fit here or in any of my works.

Things may be implied from time to time, but nothing of that sort would happen between these two right now.

I hope you all enjoyed this work, like I said, I'll be adding more to it in the future. I also have plans to write a couple of other Genshin Impact ships as well.

Now, as for story updates, Falling in Reverse should be updated to chapter 3 later this evening. I will also be announcing some other stories in the works over there in the Author's notes since I feel it will be better explained there.

Well, that's everything, I hope you enjoyed it! :)