After they ate lunch at Good Hunter, they went to Aether's apartment to settle down and rest. They deserved to relax after a long journey, after all. Paimon disappeared to wherever she went with permission from Aether so that Keqing and Aether could spend time together.

Keqing looked at the surroundings in Aether's apartment. She thought it would be untidy and messy, but it was the opposite. It was clean and tidy, different from what she expected at first. She was impressed and looked everywhere, looking for something to catch her eye, but unfortunately, there was nothing.

Aether coughed in an attempt to get Keqing's attention. She turned to face Aether with him smiling. Her face went red as soon as she saw that smile. That goddamn smile.

"Hey Keqing, do you um… wanna go stargazing later tonight?" Aether asked.

Keqing's eyes went wide, similar to how a cat would react to something they like. Stargazing was one of her hobbies, and due to her work, she has not had a chance to go out and do it since work kept piling up. She replied, "Sure! I wouldn't let this opportunity pass. After all, I'd get to spend time with you.", to which she smiled genuinely.

Aether's eyes lit up, and his heart was beating faster than ever. His feelings skyrocketed up the roof. He decided that he will confess later to Keqing about his feelings and that hopefully, she will reciprocate his feelings.

"Great! We'll go later after we get enough rest. Why don't you take a shower, Keqing? I'll brew you some tea while you're showering." said Aether as he went to the kitchen and took some tea leaves to brew.

Keqing nodded and went to the shower. Lots of thoughts went through her mind. She was thankful to Ningguang for sending her to go with Aether here to Mondstadt so that she can watch him and take a break from work, although this trip is classified as official business. Still, she enjoyed every second of it. When Aether crossed her thoughts, she remembered how helpless and lonely he was back in Yuehai Pavilion. She wanted to hug him back then and comfort him now and then. She wants him to be hers.

Keqing finished showering and changed to a more casual outfit. She wore black leggings and a purple and white jacket. She let her hair flow freely, her hair reaching near her waist. Her golden hairpin is also visible.

"I'm finished showering, Aether. It's your turn to shower now."

"Okay. I just finished brewing your tea. Here you… go…" Aether's words trailed off as she saw Keqing's appearance. From his perspective, there was this emanating aura of radiance around her that he thought she was a goddess. Aether was so amazed he forgot that Keqing's tea was still in his hands.

'Oh my Archons, why is she so beautiful holy crap, please step on me.' Aether thought.

Aether snapped out of his trance when Keqing went near him and waved her hand around his face.

"I-I'm sorry. I- you just look so beautiful, and I just lost myself in my thoughts. Ehe…" said Aether as his voice was shaking and due to his nervousness. If Paimon were here, she would say her usual 'Ehe te nandayo?!' line.

"I'm glad that's what you think of me, Aether. Thank you." Keqing said, embarrassed by the compliment Aether gave her. She seemed to be looking away to hide her embarrassment, and she looked like she was pouting. Maybe she is the type of girl who wants to be complimented often?

'Venti, please give me the strength to carry on.' Aether silently prayed, hoping Venti would be able to bless him with strength. He needed it so he would not pass out in front of Keqing.

Aether, snapping out of his trance again, gave Keqing her tea and went to take a shower. He cleared his thoughts with the pitter-patter of the water against the ground. He was so flustered that he suppressed screaming so that Keqing would not hear it and not get spooked.

The situation at hand felt like a panic attack. Both of them wanted each other, but they were scared to act first. From an outsider's point of view, they would feel the anticipation and want them to be together.

Aether finished showering and put on casual clothes. He wore a black turtleneck shirt and a white jacket with gold outlines, and black shorts. He kept his hair braided as usual.

"I'm done, Keqing! Do you wanna head out now?" Aether asked Keqing as soon as he was ready.

"Sure! Where are we going to stargaze, though?"

"Starsnatch Cliff. It's a little far from here. Are you okay with that?"

"I'm fine as long as I get to be with you." Keqing giggled. "Shall we go then?"

Aether took Keqing's hand, and they went out of the apartment. They navigated their way towards the city gates and went on their way to Starsnatch Cliff.

While making their way to Starsnatch Cliff, Aether spotted a familiar duo having a picnic underneath the massive oak tree. He saw figures of a red-headed man dressed in noble black clothes and a blonde-haired woman, with her signature Knights of Favonius uniform. He realized that those figures he saw underneath the oak tree were none other than Diluc and Jean.

Aether had a hunch that those two persons were dating, but he figured they could not make it public as Diluc holds different opinions about the Knights themselves. He smiled at the thought that they were spending time together and that Jean took a break from her work.

Keqing looked curiously at Aether as to why he was smiling. She then looked to where Aether was gazing in the distance and saw an unfamiliar person beside Jean. Being the curious person she was, she asked Aether a question.

"Hey, Aether, who is the person beside Jean?"

"Oh, he's the current owner of the Dawn Winery, his name is Diluc Ragnvindr. I believe that he ships his wine throughout Teyvat. Is something the matter?"

"No, not really, but I've been meaning to ask. Are both of them dating?"

"I've often asked that question a lot of times in my head. I guess they are dating. They look like a couple, don't you think, Keqing?"

"Yeah. They do." Keqing smiled and hummed. She thought about what it would be like being Aether's girlfriend and what a couple does.

While walking, Keqing and Aether's hands were always held together, and there was not a single thought of them letting it go. They both felt safe together this way, and they felt connected. They continued like this, going to Starsnatch Cliff.

After some time, they finally arrived at Starsnatch Cliff. They went to the peak of the cliff so that they could see the stars more clearly. Hopefully, there was no one around, so they had the area to themselves. They sat near the edge of the cliff and stargazed together. They spent some time trying to point out some constellations they know. They were laughing heartily and enjoying their company.

Aether lay down on the grass, and Keqing followed. There was a bit of silence, but it did not feel awkward. Instead, it felt warm and comforting. Maybe because it had to do with Keqing being there, but it was nice nevertheless. The silence was broken when Aether first spoke.

"Keqing?"

"Yes, Aether?" she said as she turned her head to see him.

"Thank you." Aether said softly, turning to meet Keqing's face.

"Oh. What for?"

"Well… you've been there for me ever since I came back from my commission. You comforted me, made me smile, and you even accompanied me here to Mondstadt. So, thank you, Keqing. I appreciate it a lot." Aether words at the end trailed off, but Keqing still heard it.

Under the moonlight, Aether's face was so pretty that she wanted to kiss him, but she refrained from doing so. "It's no problem. You're welcome, Aether." said Keqing, blushing softly.

She pats Aether's head so that the negative thoughts that he's thinking about will be gone temporarily and be replaced by this comfort instead. Aether hummed as he was being patted in the head, indicating he's enjoying it that much. Keqing giggled and burned this into her memory. She wanted to stay like this forever, loving, protecting, and comforting the man in front of him. She mustered up all her courage and confessed to him at that moment.

"Hey, Aether, I have something to tell you."

Aether then opened his eyes and looked at Keqing. "Sure, what is it?" Aether asked.

"I know this is a bit sudden, but I feel safe, and I feel comfort whenever I'm with you. When there are times that you're sad, I also get sad, and I want to be there for you, comforting you so that feeling will go away. I also want to protect you and take care of you always. You're not alone anymore, Aether, because I'm here, and I want to be with you by your side from now on. I love you, Aether."

Keqing's words shocked Aether because she confessed to her. Aether was feeling excited, and he felt happy that he could not speak. Keqing, on the other hand, got so embarrassed and pinched Aether's cheeks.

"Ow, ow, okay, stop!" Aether then laughed heartily and spoke as Keqing stopped pinching him.

"To be honest, Keqing. I feel the same way. It started back then when we first met. It was like first love in sight, but hearing those words from you felt that my love for yours is reciprocated. Thank you, Keqing. From the bottom of my heart, I love you."

And at that moment, Aether kissed Keqing, and she kissed him back. They let go for some time and touched their foreheads.

"Does this mean we're a couple now?" Aether asked.

"Of course, my dear Traveler." Keqing smiled.

"Alright, my dear Yuheng." Aether smiled back.

They both sat up and held hands. They looked above the sky, gazing at the stars.

"I know there's a lot to do in the future, but no matter what happens, I'm here for you, okay, Aether?"

"I know." Aether turned around to Keqing and smiled. "Same goes for me, my Yuheng."

They shared a kiss under the moonlight. That moment seemed longer than it was. Seeing that it was late already, they got up and went back to Mondstadt together, hand-in-hand.

Once they got back to their apartment, they changed their clothes to their sleepwear and got on the bed.

"Hey, Keqing?"

"Yes, Aether?"

"I know I said this a lot of times by now, but… thank you for everything."

"You're cute. You know that?" Keqing giggled.

"And you're beautiful." Aether winked as he said that.

Keqing blushed upon hearing his words and seeing him wink. "I really want to punch you in the gut right now, but I'm not gonna hurt you because you're my boyfriend." She seemed to pout.

"Oh, really? Punch me then. I dare you." Aether grinned mischievously.

"No."

"Wha- why not?"

"No means no, dumbass."

"This is so unfair." And with that, Aether kissed Keqing lots of times on her neck and face as payback.

"Now you're being unfair, my sweetheart. Hmph." Keqing pouted, but her lips curled and giggled afterward. She could not resist Aether's charms after all. "I love you, Aether."

Aether touched foreheads with Keqing, feeling her warmth through his skin. "I love you too, my sweetheart."