The nth rewrite of however many. I've had 2 years to think about this – only thought about it now. Let me cook: WHAT IF: follows Liyue's storyline BUT Keqing managed the rite instead of Ningguang, no Childe to the rescue, Keqing ≠ tsundere, aether ≠ emo, and no Paimon.
Keqing shoots her hand to the sky, a whispered incantation escaping her lips; her motions are swift and precise, honed from hours of practice. Above, the sky trembles, a dark grey settling above Yiyan Temple.
Boom!
Thunder flashes from the heavens; the offering table at the centre breaks in a violent burst – and immediately after, the limp form of a dragon brutally crashes upon it.
"What...!"
The dust settles, and...
"Rex Lapis?" an onlooker calls out. Their eyes waver in disbelief. An eerie silence falls upon the crowd. It's unmistakable; the golden trim of the dragon's mane, its elegant brown scales, its visage – unconscious – that could express the wrath of the earth – it's Rex Lapis.
"All of you, stay calm," Fengyan announces, "Nobody moves until we confirm what's happened." At the exit of Yiyan Temple, the two Millelith soldiers standing guard block the way with their spears; it doesn't help the crowd's nerves.
"Ganyu," Keqing calls out, "come." She kneels by the collapsed form and beckons her. "Is this who I think it is?"
"...Yes, it is."
The Yuheng swallows. "Okay!" she says, addressing the whole temple as she pushes herself up by the knee, "I want everyone to make their way out calmly!" Keqing glances at each person in the crowd, looking for a potential suspect.
A bead of sweat forms on her face.
I don't think-
Her eyes stop to meet a man at a distance. Golden eyes, blond hair. His face betrays any panic, apathetic as he turns to the exit. It sends a chill up her spine – and under the current situation, that's reason enough.
"Halt!" she commands, attracting the people's attention again. A few stifled gasps make their way around as Keqing approaches the man. The crowd parts for her, their expressions as dire as hers, and watches as she stops before him.
"You," she says, "state your name."
1 Week Later
It's a sunny morning in Chihu Rock. The sun is almost at its zenith as Keqing walks through the streets, taking a second to look at every store she sees. A salty breeze rushes past, as swift and skittish as the kids that run past her.
Progress is going well, she smiles.
For the past couple of years, she's been working towards developing the lower sector of the harbour – that is, Chihu Rock; it sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the extravagance of Feiyun Slope and Yujing Terrace.
Keqing purses her lips in thought. They'll need the extra support now that Rex Lapis is gone...
"Ms Yuheng," the chef beside her greets, "did you come here for a snack?"
Brought out of her reverie, Keqing finds herself before Wanmin Restaurant. "Chef Mao," she replies. Her eyes glance at the many foodstuffs behind him. "...I'll have a shrimp ball if you please."
"Of course!"
She sits and watches him work, listening to the comfortable bustle of everyday life. Words overlap – before the sudden hiss of a pan and the sizzling of food interrupts.
"What do you think about Rex Lapis' death?" she blurts out.
Chef Mao utters a quick hum of thought. "That's the second time someone's asked me that. This young lady with a strange headdress said the same thing the other day."
...Ganyu?
"In my opinion, it doesn't change things. I never relied on his prophecies; I trusted the food in this restaurant and the hungry bellies of Liyue." He turns, sliding a plate of shrimp balls to Keqing.
"Um, I only asked for one-"
"On the house," he smiles, "I have lots to thank the Qixing for."
Keqing reluctantly bites in with a shy "thank you," but a second later, pure bliss finds its way on her face, clear as day.
"Haha!"
"Oh my goodness..."
Chef Mao walks to the back and takes out several onions to chop, letting Keqing enjoy her food. He grabs his kitchen knife when– "Oh, I do feel bad for that young man, though."
"Hm?"
"Xiangling's friend. He travelled from Mondstadt – quite the distance – to meet the archon. It was like his life depended on it." The Yuheng's ears perk up. "I heard he got into a bit of trouble, the poor man."
Keqing has a clear picture in her mind of who that person is.
"Oh! Speak of the devil, he's here."
It's about noon when Aether exits the guild. The smell of the sea greets him as he walks down the stairs. His ears meet with the noise of the city as his eyes meet with a familiar face.
"Oh! Speak of the devil, he's here."
Chef Mao gives him a light wave from across the street. A customer of his similarly looks towards him – and their eyes are wide with surprise. So is Aether's. He crosses, slipping through the sea of citizens to grab a seat.
"I was just telling this young lady about you. Terrible luck about last week, I'd say."
Aether looks at the woman beside him. Their eyes lock for a moment, but she averts; from how Chef Mao's eyes narrow, the blond figures he noticed a subtle change in the air.
Aether puts on a smile. "Yeah, that was terrible luck," he replies, "Now that my chance is gone, I'll have to go to the next nation."
The man nods empathetically. "I can pack you something for the road if you'd like?"
"As long as it doesn't involve slimes," he laughs.
"Haha, I'm not my daughter!"
As they joke, Aether watches her from the corner of his eye; she finishes her food silently, listening to their conversation. It's just as good that she maintains a stranger's facade – he doesn't want to bring up their story, either.
"Well," Aether stands, "I'll be off. More posters to put on."
"See ya." Chef Mao watches Aether disappear into the endless stream of people, squinting from the afternoon sunlight. And a minute or so after...
"Thank you for the food," Keqing smiles, similarly standing from her seat. She turns on her heel – but Chef Mao stops her.
"Ms Yuheng."
"Yes?"
His lips curl into a knowing grin. "He went left."
The Yuheng slips past her people as politely as possible, her steps brisk. She turns left to the path that leads out into the wild. At first sight of his distinct blond hair, she sighs in relief and walks faster.
"Wait!" she calls out, "Wait!"
He stops by the wooden bridge separating Chihu Rock from the wild – and as he turns, he sees Keqing slow to a halt before him. The faintest smile plays on his lips, a brow raised to express in a single expression, 'What?'
Keqing closes her eyes, letting out a deep exhale. "I wanted to apologise for last time." She meets his gaze with a strong will – one hell-bent on expressing her shame. "I shouldn't have detained you on such a weak suspicion."
She bows, her hands clutched together. "Please accept my apology!"
Silence dominates the air around them for several seconds.
"I wasn't sure what you'd do," Aether says, "Thankfully, I picked a pretty empty spot." Keqing keeps her head down, but he lays his hand on her shoulder. "It's all right – lift your head, Ms Yuheng."
Slowly, she does as she's told, a glaze of guilt still in her eyes. But not a moment later, her determined will returns as she closes the distance between them eagerly.
"Woah-"
"Is there anything I can do to help?" she asks– no, demands. The Yuheng watches his gaze shift from the stack of papers in his hand to her. And then – much to her success – he gives an offer.
"Well... could you help me put up some missing person posters...?"
If you're wondering – yes, I must be extremely obsessed and hung up over this Aether/Keqing thing to be writing after 2 years.