Chapter: Moment
A moment that decides the end of their relationship
Spring had long been called the season of festivals, and it was time for another year of the Lantern Rite Festival, an important festival in Liyue. This was a chance for them to remember their ancestors, spend time together, give each other best wishes…
For certain people, this festival also had another meaning…
It was a season of happiness, the start of a new period with sweet and loving relationships for a large number of Liyuen citizens. But at this year's festival, it was perhaps the beginning of the end for a relationship between two people.
…
When night fell on Liyue Harbor, the festival began.
The streets of Liyue were glowing in festive cheer. Lanterns hung up all around, making the city shine in the dark night. The people were crowded all around, clustering together with their companions and enjoying the festivities. The stalls provided all sorts of services, and were especially popular points for the citizens to gather. Just standing near a food stall and getting a hint of the irresistible aromas of Liyuen cuisine was enough for many people to spend their mora without hesitation, and the prospect of making a custom lantern at the lantern crafting booths was attractive to everyone. Liyue was the land of commerce and the Lantern Rite showed that more than ever.
Amidst the crowd on the street, there was a figure of a woman waiting for a certain blonde Traveler.
"Am I late? Sorry it took me a while to prepare, Keqing" the blonde Traveler replied, he knew Keqing was someone who was quite strict about time, especially during special festivals like these.
"No, you are right on time, Aether" Keqing was staring at Aether absentmindedly. He wore a yellow and brown suit in the style of a Liyuen Hanfu with golden diamond and star patterns, and a pair of white dress pants that shifted to black at the feet and faded seamlessly with his golden-soled shoes. The handsome looks combined with his outfit caught her eye and she couldn't look away. "You look nice today"
"I can say the same thing to you" Aether smiled while admiring her own attire. She wore the luxurious dress that Aether remembered seeing on his second Lantern Rite in Teyvat. A beautiful dark gown that combined Liyuen and foreign styles to stand out even more. Her hair seemed to be shaped in a way that made her hair-buns look even more like cat ears and her arms were exposed to the open air, revealing her soft hands that Aether had found comfort in time and time again during his journey. The lacing threads intertwined finely through the shimmering purplish-blue and black skirt, and a special pair of Keqing's tights and some black heels along with various ribbons and bows adorning her hair and arms completed her look.
It gave Aether a sense of nostalgia as he recalled the Lantern Rite when she first wore this, he could never forget the memory of her silhouette against the bright fireworks.
"Shall we go?" Aether gave out his hand to her while smiling.
"Of course, let's enjoy the festival atmosphere…Just like before." Keqing tried to make a smile back at him as she took his hand.
They each thought the other looked happy from the outside but deep within, they knew what would happen after the festival. But they silently decided to not mention it, at least for now…They didn't want to spoil the mood on this special occasion but the cold breeze of early spring made them shiver in anxiety.
Yet they still hoped for a miracle. Even if it was just a tiny spark in the endless night.
-Jade Chamber-
The pair quickly went to the balcony of the Jade Chamber, everyone had already gone out into the city to enjoy the festival therefore there wasn't anyone present but them, allowing them to have their own privacy. They both gazed up into the clear night sky filled with tiny little stars in the distance…just how small the chance that they would see each other ever again after this.
"It's almost started" Aether pointed up to the sky where Keqing was looking at
As they counted to zero, fireworks continuously launched upwards lighting up the night sky like shooting stars. Dozens of multicolored explosions of varying shapes, hues and sizes filled the night sky. The sparks and embers of each still being visible by the time another went up, constantly barraging their view with the dazzling lights.
While the show went on, Aether occasionally glanced over at Keqing who was still staring at the sky glowing with colorful fireworks and reflecting on her bright, beautiful face.
"She looks so happy… Maybe I should confess to her now…This is my last chance " He thought excitedly but then he held himself back "But what if she won't accept me?" His heart was racing faster and faster yet he still didn't know where to get started.
The same thing happened to Keqing as she stared at Aether secretly since she didn't know what or how she should confess him if she faced him right now. She didn't want to see his happy smile disappear forever if he didn't feel the same way she did.
Even if they tried to keep their inner feelings to themselves as they didn't want to reveal them. Still, their hands were linked together tightly since the fireworks started and they didn't want to let go without noticing. Only to be realized when they turned to eachother at the same time by accident and they quickly retracted their hands while their faces started to heat up.
"Uhmmm sorry it's cold outside so-" Aether tried to make an excuse but Keqing interrupted him
"No, it's fine, I'm feeling cold too actually…I…I don't mind it" Keqing replied as she grabbed his hand again.
With each minute passed by, their chances of confessing were getting smaller and smaller. They were standing so close to each other yet it was too far away as neither of them had dared to take the first step yet.
"Woah the fireworks are so beautiful!" Both of them exclaimed.
"Yeah, this year is so much better than the rest!" Keqing said, trying to have fun and remain positive yet her smile was weak and fragile…
She knew that after tonight he would disappear from all of Teyvat, from her, she would never see him again. And she thought telling him anything right now was just meaningless and not to mention for a person like Aether, asking him to be with her was such a selfish act. But those unpleasant feelings kept building up as it told Keqing that she had to act now or it would be too late for her.
As for Aether, he didn't want to end his relationship with her like this, he couldn't forgive himself if he actually left without confessing the feelings he had held for her since the beginning of their journey. These pretensive actions were driving him crazy and hurting him inside even more. He needed to make a move.
"Ke-Keqing,..I…I want to tell you something " Aether started to run his mouths but it was too quiet for Keqing to hear.
Seeing Aether spaced out, Keqing thought he was thinking about leaving anytime. At first, she was going to remain silent till the end of the festival and then forget everything about him but she couldn't do it, after all these years it was too hard to let go of those memories and feelings so quickly. She couldn't lie to herself any longer…
She wanted him to stay in this world with her, she needed him more than ever.
"I…I can't take it anymore…I can't keep up this act…" Keqing mumbled a few words, she put her hand on her chest and clenched tightly while looking at Aether "There's…there's…something I want to tell you…If I don't do it right now it will be too late…"
"Me…me too" Aether tried to speak out "I want to say something to you too"
"Oh, so you can go first then" Keqing was surprised.
"No, you go first" He urged…
Unable to agree on who should speak first, both of them decided to speak out at the same time…
"Alright on the count of three" Aether began "Three"
"Two…"
"One…" Both of them started to inhale deeply then
…
…
"I LOVE YOU!" A shout came out on both sides at the same time
…
…
…
Awkward silence formed around them.
"Did you say what I think you just said, Keqing?" Aether asked, still not sure of what he had heard…
"I can ask you the same thing, Aether" The Yuheng was just as confused.
They did it again but the result was the same…they didn't believe what the other was saying.
"How about this…let's just slap each other to see if we are dreaming or not" Keqing suggested.
Aether nodded, agreeing with her odd idea.
And then…
*SLAP!* A quite strong slap came from each side, hurting just enough to bring them to their senses
"Ouch…that hurt" Aether groaned "I thought you would go gentle on me"
"Hmph! I thought you would go easy on me too" Keqing sulked and turned her face away.
"Sorry…" Aether looked away, feeling guilty
"So, we are not dreaming then" Keqing said slowly "That means you really meant that…"
"I want to stay in this world with you, Keqing" Aether spoke softly, looking at her beautiful amethyst eyes "I love you".
Keqing was still surprised by his answer, it was very different than what she had expected. She thought he would leave this world, abandon everything just like what he had done to every other world. She wasn't prepared for that answer from him…It shocked her, she felt like her brain had stopped functioning for a short moment as her face started to turn red.
"Are you alright Keqing ?" Aether waved his hand in front of her face a few times.
"…You're not lying right…?" She was at a loss for words while she shakily took a few steps back. She was so scared and she kept telling herself that her mind was trying to deceive her. She decided to ask Aether "We should do one more thing to check"
Skeptical as always…
"Sooo…what should we do?" Aether innocently asked, confusing Keqing. To be fair he hadn't experienced this feeling before despite being a person who had lived for so many millennia.
Keqing wasn't any better either, she had only learned about romantic feeling from books or some advice from friends like Ganyu or Ningguang (both of whom had no romantic partners yet…). Although she knew she had feelings for him ever since they met at the Guizhong Ballista after the Rite of Descension incident, she had never bothered to really learn more about what to do with those feelings and how to act with the one the feelings were for. Now it was time for her to try and put all of her knowledge into practice.
"We…w…we…should KISS then!" Keqing shouted with her face flared up, gasping "Y-you know what a kiss is, right?"
"Uhhh..alright…of course I know what a kiss is…but how should we… d-do that?" Aether said, his face started to heat up too.
"Let…let's try it like this…" Keqing said as both of them started move in to each other.
With each inch they took, they could feel each other's familiar scents as well as their enticing perfume gradually bringing them closer until they could hear each other's breathing getting heavier.
One more action to decide their fate.
It was now or never.
Just about when Aether and Keqing were within reach of each other, they could feel a strong pull then followed up by a tight embrace while their lips were sealed, deepening the kiss as much as possible as if they didn't want to let each other go. Even with their eyes closed, they could tell the other was enjoying themselves, both of them melting into the kiss as it only broke when they were out of breath.
"Are we still sure this isn't a dream?" Aether whispered to Keqing, making her chuckle in response.
"I think I need some more confirmation as well" she dove in, capturing his lips with her own again.
Aether held her tighter and she placed her hands on his shoulders, rubbing them gently.
As soon as they opened their eyes, they were glad to find that the presence of the person they loved throughout the adventure was still there. The scent, the feeling, those things couldn't be confused for or replicated by anyone else… They had been together for too long, long enough to recognize each other no matter what… Nothing could deny nor stop them from being together again.
That was the moment the joy and happiness they wished for had finally come true.
"We were so silly…We should've done this a long time ago" Keqing giggled while crying in happiness. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"Love does make us like that I guess" Aether smiled while gently stroking her smooth lilac hair which was flowing flowing in the breeze "I think this is a great opportunity for me to do this" Aether knelt on one knee, and materialised something in his hand, it was a small box. He took in a deep breath and opened it, revealing a silver ring with gold lettering engraved on the inside, and a vibrant four-point star shaped amethyst gem on top that matched the color of her gorgeous eyes.
"Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, will you marry me?" Aether spoke slowly but with strength and certainty which showed Keqing that he was taking her very seriously, even though his heart was threatening to get caught on his tongue the whole time.
Surprise after surprise, Keqing felt dizzy, she had to cover her mouth to prevent herself from screaming out loud. But then, without any hesitation, Keqing quickly regained her composure and moved toward Aether as she clasped the box between their hands.
"Stop calling me that" Keqing poked his head while giggling "Just call me Keqing, Aether" she then pulled him up for a tight hug "Of course I do, Aether…I will marry you. What more can I ask…".
Keqing then gave out her hand and asked him "Can you put it on me please?"
"My pleasure" Aether gently took Keqing's hand then slowly put the ring on her finger. Keqing couldn't stop gazing at it.
Although Keqing had seen and bought a lot of jewelry before this one couldn't be compared to. Not only was it special for its exotic and unique appearance but it was also a gift from the person she loves. A gift that told her he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life, and she happily accepted.
"It…it's beautiful…" Keqing admired it while her other hand was trying to wipe away the small tears came out "…Stupid…dust in my eye…"
"It suits you a lot" Aether chuckled "Took me quite a long time for me to craft it"
"I could tell it's made by you, but that just makes it all the more special to me"
"Shall we have a little dance to celebrate our speical day tonight?" Aether held out his hand for her.
The winds flowing atop the Jade Chamber were as gentle as Mondstadt's finest summer breezes. The bright moonlight created a wonderful stage for the couple while the lights below were also radiant enough to reach high in the air, illuminating their faces as Keqing took his hand.
"Of course, I do" Keqing nodded, smiling "Our special dance…"
They had rarely ever danced together and the only practice they had was during a special event in Fontaine, where Aether had to teach Keqing the classic waltz he and Lumine had learned in another world. Even back then they could barely pull off something presentable but now, when they were all alone, none of that mattered. If they were bad then at least they would be bad together, forever. They just let their movements flow with their emotions. Keqing bent backwards and Aether leaned over her. She gave him a smirk and quickly maneuvered themselves to switch their positions, taking the lead in their waltz. With each step they moved, they could feel each other's beat and gradually synchronized. It was smooth and beautiful. A dance to celebrate their engagement.
The performance lasted till the fireworks ended, enough for them to express their love for each other and ending with another kiss which was broken as they heard the (there were) people cheering for them. Aether and Keqing were surprised when they looked around and saw a few familiar faces.
"What an impressive performance!" Paimon suddenly popped up out of nowhere "You two are like a perfect couple!"
"Where did everyone come from?" Aether was surprised to see Paimon, Ningguang and his sister as well.
"We've been here the whole time" Lumine smirked "Well, thanks to Ningguang we have managed to find a place to watch you two all along without being noticed…"
"Ahh you're as sneaky as ever sister…" Aether laughed in embarrassment
Ningguang was just happy to see that Aether and Keqing had made the decision everyone was hoping for. "I see you two choose to be together after all, despite your worries?" She asked
"We are…" Keqing said, looking into Aether's golden eyes affectionately. She didn't even need to notice the people around her anymore since the only person she could look at was Aether, everything faded away as she tried to confirm it with her own words. "Aether is now…my fiancé"
"Time to have some celebrations, shall we? Of course, no tricks this time" Ningguang chuckled at the new couple.
"Hmph finally these blockheads have learnt something…" Lumine said "Congratulations to both of you!"
"Mission completed!" Paimon shouted in excitement "Can't wait for your marriage so I can have more food to enjoy… And I better be allowed to help with the planning!"
It didn't take long for the news about the Traveler and the Yuheng to spread, as rapid as wildfires. It was like the entirety of Teyvat was talking about it for almost four months. Meanwhile all of their friends were surprised and very happy to see Aether not only staying with them but also getting married.
They said that year's Lantern Rite was the start of a new period with a loving relationship between a Teyvat native and the otherworldly hero of Teyvat. Some others said that this year's festival was inspiration for their own happy futures. But for the Yuheng and the Star Traveller, that year marked the end of their relationship…to begin the start of a higher one.
