Hello! I know I don't leave author notes in FF that often, but I wanna thank those who reads here for the support you've given through the year in this fic! I hope y'all have good old happy new years! I'm gonna be itching to continue this fic and a couple of others, so thank you for stick around :D
Without further ado, ENJOY!
As for you, Traveler, you're our esteemed guest. Please take the opportunity to stay in Liyue Harbor and enjoy the festivities.
Lantern Rite is once again upon the Liyue populace. Though Aether had already planned on revisiting the festivities, he didn't quite envision to have gone through such a start.
Namely having to watch his girlfriend run around completing tasks that he would have assumed to have been the job of her underlings.
Then again, it's not exactly something of a surprise when it comes to the woman in question. Though it does not mean that he wasn't worried about how hard she seemed to be pushing herself.
After witnessing the intensity of her interactions with one of her associates, Aether could only sigh while he watched her walk away to her next tasks. Ningguang sharing his sentiment beside him, whilst Paimon could only stare with a newfound sense of fear instilled within her.
Thankfully, his concerns weren't his alone.
Even Ningguang thought that the younger woman might have been disregarding her health much more than she usually does.
So much so, that she was willing to make sure that he would be there to keep an eye on her.
"Traveler, given that you are the closest person she has, maybe you can try talking to her?" She gestured towards the direction where Keqing had walked off to, "You're the only person that she would normally be willing to listen to. I'm sure that you'd be able to deal with that impeccable wit of hers."
It's generous to say that she'd always be willing to listen to him. But he could understand her point.
"Right…" He drew a sharp breath in. Mentally preparing for the oncoming battle, "I'll figure something out."
She gave him a knowing smile.
"I trust that you will." She turns away, a confident nod following, "I have other business to attend to at the Jade Chamber. I'll leave Keqing in your capable hands."
Though he had put up a confident front while the Tianquan disappears into the distant city, Paimon only needed one look at her blonde friend to see his hesitation.
"Are you sure about this?" She asked. Her voice wavering with uncertainty, "Paimon can't think of a more terrifying task at the moment."
Aether sighed, "Well, lucky for you… You won't be the one who's doing the talking." He began plotting a plan internally, "I'm going to need a miracle on my side to get her to default on this argument."
"Yeesh… Being in a relationship with the Yuheng sounds like the kind of work that Paimon would avoid."
"…You avoid all kinds of work, Paimon."
"Hey! Do you want Paimon's help or not?"
Paimon has never regretted offering her assistance to her travelling companion ever. A part of her had also been one hundred percent sure that such a scenario would have been unfathomable, given how much they depend each other throughout their journey together.
But with how long her companion's partner had been dragging them all over Liyue – in a time where most people would be settling down to enjoy the festivities, she was tempted to let the thoughts of throwing the towel begin to fester within her mind.
Sure, they managed to get some advice from Zhongli. Yet, no initial plan was successfully hatched between the two of them, since Aether had unsurprisingly offered his assistance to the lilac the moment the opportunity presented itself.
And after a long trip going through all the adepti abodes, she finally thought that they had managed to reach the end of her busy schedule.
Of course, the moment they saw a panic-stricken Pengyi at the forefront of Wangshu Inn, the fairy knew that she would have to eat her words, and her foot.
Thankfully, their task of recovering the stolen fireworks from the Treasure Hoarders had been swiftly assisted by Xingqiu and Chongyun. Though Keqing had not been satisfied, seeing as the ones who masterminded their operations were still lurking around the area.
When she offered the two of them a time of respite in the midst of all the chaos, Paimon immediately jumped on the offer.
But once again, to the lack of her surprise, Aether persisted and stuck close to Keqing. Much to the latter's disapproval.
"Aether, I don't want to take any more of your time…"
"If you think that I'm going to let you investigate this all alone, not a chance." He shot back. Arms crossed in his own bout of disagreement, "Besides, you and I have a lot to talk about."
Anticipating an escalation, Paimon took her get-out-of-jail card and ran away with it.
"Well, Paimon's going to take a quick nap!" She floated away towards the bridge connecting the hill with the village, "Best of luck to both of you. Be careful out there!"
And just like that, they only had each other by their side once more.
Yet, Keqing said nothing. Only huffing the moment she turned to investigate the target area that she had previously marked out in her vision. Ignoring the inquisitive gaze that her boyfriend had held.
"…Keqing."
He began trailing her. No response other than her resolute footsteps.
"Keqing."
Still no response.
This time, he made a move to reach for her hand.
"Ke-,"
Only to come face to face with her as she swiftly turned towards him.
"Look, I know you're upset with me." She admonished with a sigh. "I'm well aware that we've made a deal regarding my working schedule."
"Less upset, but more worried." He interjected. Closing the distance between them, "Keqing, no matter what you say, there's no way that the amount of work that you're doing isn't having some sort of impact on your health."
Her tone immediately changed at the sound of his admission.
"If that's what you're worried about, then don't be. I feel just fine." She jabbed a finger at his chest, "Did Ningguang set you up on this?"
"Regardless of what Ningguang had said to me, you know that I would've come to help." Patience lacing his fingers. Gently taking her hand into his own, he began his reasoning, "And you might say that you're fine, but that might be because you've been ignoring your body for far too long."
She knew that all of the things that he had stated were more than true. But she wasn't just about to let a few persuasive words deviate her from the goal that she had been trying to uphold for the past couple of weeks.
"I've had long nights that were far more taxing than-,"
His exasperated sigh rung through the air.
"That's part of the point, Keqing." His hands waving around animatedly, "What if you exhaust yourself to the point where your legs would just give out under you? You won't know when that kind of a time might hit you."
"Then I can guarantee you that it won't be at a time like this." She reasoned again, "There's too much at stake at the moment. I can't afford to let everyone's hard work go to waste through the wrongdoings of a bunch of criminals."
And here is where Aether had expected to hit a stone wall with her. There are times when his reasonings could be in relation to how much she would overwork herself in the daily matters of Liyue's operation. But he'd be hard-pressed to find a good argument against someone who wants to do nothing but the utter best for the people that they have been working with. Especially for such a momentous occasion in their nation's history.
Ironically enough, for someone who had been going around helping multiple nations of a world that he had no inherent correlations with – it might be a tiny bit hypocritical for him to have been the one to deliver this round of debate to her doorsteps.
Yet, contrarian as he might be, he knew that even she understood that there would have to be a limit to how much she can push the body of a mortal. Even it was one that had been enhanced by a Vision such as hers.
He wasn't about to let her ignore his arguments this time around.
"I get that-,"
"Wait a second. Did you hear that?"
After a few seconds of silence, Aether thought it was simply a small ploy for her to change the subject.
"I don't hear anything." He said, before continuing, "Look, what I wanted to say was-,"
This time, she pressed her finger onto his lips. Her expression changing into that of someone straining their ears to make sure that they hadn't suddenly been imagining random sounds around them.
"There it is again. Someone's nearby…."
Another bout of silence flew by them. Aether made sure to strain his ears all the same. Letting his mind properly isolate the sound of nature away from his senses, and catching on to any abnormalities in their audio space.
Finally, he heard it as well.
The rough and tough voice of a Treasure Hoarder that had been hidden somewhere within their vicinity.
He knew that it was time to put the matter aside.
"We'll get back to that later, okay?"
A silent nod of affirmation all he needed to drop the topic for the time bring.
They were able to pinpoint the source of the voice, and with a simple nod of understanding, they begin their silent advance towards their target. Instantly playing off of the adventure instincts from one another. Eventually reaching a hedge that perfectly overlooks the position of the group.
There were the culprits that they had been looking for. Many of them merely lounging around as if they didn't have stolen goods sat right there in the midst of their pack, whilst their leader had been looking around, as if still expecting to find someone. Their conversations leaking to their awaiting ears.
"Do you think the amount of fireworks that the boys are currently scouting gonna be enough, boss?"
"You kidding me? That ain't nowhere near enough." The 'boss' replied with a menacing laugh, "Once we get to the real jackpots up the city, then it'll be perfect for our plan."
Aether could just see steam coming out of Keqing's ears. Her palms turning white with the force of her grip.
"They think they can just get away with this?" She whispered, her voice seething. "I'm putting an end to this, right now!"
"…Wait, Ke-,"
Before he could do anything about it, the lilac had long jumped out of the hedge that they've been taking cover in, and just about announce herself to the surprise of the Treasure Hoarders, and to his own astonishment.
"Drop your weapons, and surrender immediately!"
Aether can only groan to himself.
Surprisingly enough, the group had recovered rather quickly. Instantly arming their selves with their weapons. Even so, the boss' response had been a rather typical, "Hah! Who the hell do you think you are?"
Of course, after a closer inspection – he recognized who he had been dealing with in an instant.
"Wait a second… You're Lady Keqing, the Yuheng!"
Keqing scoffed. Her own sword in hand, "You're not quite as dim as you look after all." Her stance grew with authority, "Now that you know who your opponent is, I suggest you do as I've said beforehand."
"Wouldn't you know it, boys. The Yuheng wants to play!" He rallied his men to his side, "Seems like she underestimated us by coming alone. There's a dozen of us and only one of her, this should one hell of a short game!"
Evidently, Keqing knew that she probably would've had no problem fighting all twelve of them by herself. But when she felt that strong presence coming up to her side, she knew that this battle was over before it had even begun.
"She's not alone." Aether's voice resounded boldly through the camp; sword drawn parallel to hers. Noticing that some of them had in fact recognized who he was as well, "Looks like I don't need to introduce myself. Still think that this will be a short game?"
All they got in return was a loud grunt of frustration, before the leader waved his machete towards the two of them.
"Get em', boys!"
In a blink of an eye, to the Treasure Hoarders at the very least, they swiftly utilized their respective elements to surge forward. Catching the ones at the backlines off guard, quickly disarming them, and throwing their makeshift formation out of its initial structure. Understanding that they had been looking to utilize their ranged advantage to make the battle that tiny bit more difficult for them.
They systematically tore through their ranks. Both of them having forgotten how much fun it had been to fight alongside one another. Each of their moves complemented by the other, without so much of a word or even an underlying gaze of communication required to execute their combinations.
But Aether did notice something that was out of the ordinary with her combative acumens.
She was most definitely slower than usual.
Sure, she was still out-reacting the Hoarders by a mile. But even he could tell that reacting that quickly had been putting more of a strain on her than it usually does. If they were to spar with the abilities that she had been outputting against those thugs, he would definitely have no issues with getting the upper hand.
Keqing, on the other hand, realized that he had definitely noticed.
Her eyesight was getting blurry. Even more so each time she had to utilize her Vision to either dodge or take advantage of an opening in the opponent's defence. Her movement was sluggish for her standards. Had this been how she was fighting in the battle against the Fatui and Osial, then she would've long joined the list of casualties in that fateful battle.
For now, she was able to keep up. Or at least, maintain a level that was good enough to supress the rowdy fighting styles of these Hoarders.
All she needed now, was to pray to the gods that she'd be able to keep this steady rhythm.
Yet, in some cases, the gods can be so mischievous.
This time, it came in the form of a bulky Treasure Hoarder who just about withstood one of her knockout blows. She hadn't anticipated for the man to just suddenly get back up and began charging straight at her. Swinging his wooden paddle like someone who had completely lost control of their motoric senses.
There was no time for her to dodge.
With a wild swing, the bulky man managed to fling her body onto a nearby stack of crates. Briefly knocking the air out of her lungs.
Though as it is in any battlefield. A brief moment of weakness is all an opponent would need to strike a heavy blow, which is what the Hoarder boss immediately went for.
"Say goodnight, Lady Yuheng!"
There was nothing she could do to soften the impact. Her arms merely froze in that split second.
That is, before she hears him shouting for her.
"Keqing!"
For a heartbeat, her eyes had found his.
His sword aimed at the man from the other side of the camp, he unleashed a small bolt of electricity generated from his blade – and she watched with wide eyes as the bolt struck the side of the attacking boss' body, jolting him with enough amount of electricity to stop of him for a split second.
And as said before, a split second is all an opponent needed to deal a heavy blow.
Realizing the space that he had created for her, she quickly grabbed of her blade. Channelling her Vision through her own blade, and striking the man with the amount of power necessary to knock him off of his feet.
Coincidentally, ending the battle right there and there as Aether had finished dispatching the other members of the group.
She wasted no time in gathering her wits about, and marched up to the shaken Hoard boss. Sword posed threateningly at the base of his throat, while Aether sidled up next to her. A brief gaze of concern in his eyes aimed at her unassuming self, before gazing sharply at the defeated thief.
"Good game. Now, speak up!"
It didn't take long for the boss, eerily named Xingxiu, began to fuss up on everything. Starting from their plans to steal a lot of fireworks, with what they had been planning to do with a large stock of them. Citing that they had been wanting to use the fireworks as a distraction to lure people's attention away from the city and then rob them whilst they were out enjoying the fireworks.
A typical Treasure Hoarder plan nonetheless. One that Keqing could only scoff at in disgust.
Due to the ruckus that the skirmish had made – Jingcheng, the millelith officer that had been stationed in the village brought a squad to see what was going on, and Keqing wasted no time to order the escort of the thieves back towards the village and into the city's custody.
"As you wish, Lady Yuheng." Jingcheng answered firmly, "Are you going to head back as well?"
Keqing looked back towards the camp behind them.
"No. I'm going to stay back to inspect the batch that they stored here." She explained, "I'll be back once I've finished doing so."
Jingcheng was about to suggest an extra escort for her, before the blonde Traveler raised a hand.
"I'll be with her. You don't need to worry about her safety."
With that in mind, Jingcheng saw no reason to quarrel, "Very well. We leave her in your capable hands, Traveler."
After making sure that the group of thieves were restrained appropriately, the millelith left the camp, leaving them in the presence of each other once more.
"You didn't tell me that you've finally learned how to use electro."
He was still observing the departing group, "Have been messing with it for a while now." His mind now set on returning to their conversation before the skirmish, "But with that aside, we need to talk-,"
His words died out when he saw her sat on one of the crates. Trying her best to mask her struggling body by supporting it with her sword.
"…Keqing, are you alright?"
Before he could fully close the gap, she lifted a hand up, "I'm fine… That last hit just knocked a bit of the wind out of my sails. I just need to catch my breath for a little while."
Kneeling down to meet her eyes, he held her hand, "There's no way I'm letting you do any more work after this."
At the sound of his statement, her head immediately shot back up.
"What, no! I'm fine, really!" She began heaving heavy breaths. Trying to acclimate her heart to a more normal pace, "I'll be standing fine in just a second."
A part of him would soon regret letting her attempt to prove that.
She stood up with a confident bravado. Only this time, he could tell that she had been trying harder to prop herself up. The uncertainty that filled her eyes had betrayed her.
And soon, it would be her body's turn to do so.
"See? There's nothing to worry about."
She took a few steps towards the firework stash, only to suddenly see darkness encompassing the fields of her vision.
Which was soon followed by the feeling of her legs completely disappearing from underneath her.
Afterwards, she could feel the pull of gravity suddenly growing ten times stronger than how it normally is, and her whole body began tumbling backwards as if someone had just pulled her by the shoulders and slammed her into the ground.
"KEQING!"
Was the last thing she heard before she felt the familiar warmth of his hold, and the darkness fully encapsulates her mind.
She wasn't entirely sure about what had just happened.
One minute, she could've sworn that she had just been standing next to Aether, ready to make sure that the fireworks that they've successfully recovered were still intact and usable for the people to see.
But now, she wasn't entirely sure where she was.
It was Liyue Harbour for sure. But it's not quite the one that she had come to know like the back of her hand. There were small differences within the details that just made her surroundings feel… off. As if things were no longer where they were supposed to be anymore. The buildings looked younger, the patrolling millelith's are taking routes that she was unfamiliar with, and the people around her had faces that she had not seen for quite some time.
She quickly realized that this was the Liyue Harbour of her childhood.
Funnily enough, the moment she recognized that notion, she found herself transported into a different part of the city.
This time, she was back in the room where she's spent most of her youth in. A quill in hand whilst she observed the study materials that were laid out on her desk. All to be done within the period of the Lantern Rite celebrations.
Even then she was still stuck indoors doing work for archon knows how long.
It was cold. She'd spend so much time just being immersed in her studies that she hadn't quite taken into account the change of temperature that comes with the sun setting. Yet, she couldn't quite find it in herself to just get up and get another layer of cover to warm her up a tiny bit.
Not when she had work left to be done.
"Keqing, are you finished with that document?"
The voice of someone who had never failed to chill her to the bone followed the sound of her door opening.
"Not yet, mother."
A scoff led her mother's response.
"Well then pick up the pace. We're wasting time here." The older woman chided, "The Wang family requires its completion within the next hour. Don't embarrass us."
"Yes, mo-,"
The sound of her door slamming shut prevented her from even finishing a simple reply.
A tired sigh, all that she could conjure.
In all honesty, it hasn't been all that different from the recent Lantern Rites that she had been going through. Every time the festivities come round the corner, her family would always be knee deep in doing errands that involves the requests of other high-profile enemies.
Though her parents would prefer not to call it 'errands'. Rather choosing to describe it as 'currying favours'.
Alas, this meant that she would always have something that forces her to be cooped up in her room. Scribbling away at whatever documents or piece of artifact that other families had requested her parents to check. Of course, having her do it has nothing to do with the fact that her parent's didn't have the ability to do it their selves, but it drives home the whole 'we have a very capable and dependable daughter who might be worth considering for the future of your families' spiel that most Liyuean nobilities always suck up to, whenever a chance presented itself.
This meant that while other kids of her age were out there enjoying the warm delicacies and the celebrations in general, she would still find herself working through most of the night. Unflinching on the surface even as her mother stockpiled more work for her to do.
What made it worse, is the fact that even her…
She dismissed that thought from her mind. That person does not deserve to be held accountable for the resentment that she held for her parents.
Sure, she might not have a lot of friends to begin with, but that doesn't mean that she'd rather stick her nose in someone else's work whilst she had to sacrifice enjoying something that she never quite got to enjoy, even as a child.
Even though she was a 'prodigy', as some might call it, she was still just twelve. Just a kid, like how her grandfather would always reason whenever he managed to get her out of her parent's hold for an outing.
There are certain things a twelve-year-old should be enjoying with the freedom of one.
And as socially inept she was with others of her age, even she could tell that what she should enjoying is not whatever it is that she was doing at the moment.
Another sigh escaped her lips. Her brows furrowed in frustration as she struggles to finish drafting the document ahead of her. Anymore of her brows furrowing, and she might as well have forehead wrinkles by the fifteen years of age rolls by.
She was still cold.
There was nothing within reach that she could use to give herself that little bit of respite from the chilly weather.
Until she noticed that one of her desk drawers had been left slightly open.
Something that she rarely ever did.
She was ready to just about close it and went on with her work, before an item within the drawer that she could observe through the small opening caught her attention. She knew the contents of each and every one of the storages enclosers within her room, so to see something that she couldn't outright recognize immediately piqued her curiosity.
Pulling the drawer open, she could only stare at the item inside in confusion.
A pair of gloves?
She knew for a fact that it wasn't hers. It was some sizes too big, and it's most definitely not in a colour that she would've chosen for herself. Yet, she can't recall if she'd ever place such an item in the drawers of her work desk of all places.
But the more she observed the gloves, the more mind began to think to itself.
It's only about one or two sizes above what she would normally wear. Definitely wouldn't be that much of a discomfort to wear, and it felt like nice material anyways.
So, she hesitated no more – and proceeded to put the gloves over her chilled hands.
And for a brief moment, she felt a tiny bit of relief.
Though it might have just been covering her hands, it was as if someone had given her an embrace that she had sorely needed.
A kind of warmth that she was supposed to find elsewhere.
But for now, she'll make do with what she has.
She spent the rest of the night focusing on the warmth of the gloves. Alleviating the stress that had been plaguing her mind.
However, the more she focused on the warmth, the more she realized that a new kind of light is slowly encapsulating her vision.
Taking over her sight inch by inch, before engulfing it completely.
She closed her eyes, accepting the serene ray of light.
Keqing woke up once more. This time, to the view of a rather modest ceiling overhanding the bed she had laid on.
She instantly noticed the other presence, sat right next to her.
Her hand, holding his own captive.
She'd been dreaming.
Yet, the warmth that the gloves in her dreams had provided her, never left her side. If anything, it had grown in the multitude.
She observed him for a while longer. Either he hadn't noticed that she had woken up, or he was doing this on purpose. His free hand had supported his chin as he looked into the distance. The expressions on his face unreadable form where she had been lying down.
As soon as she got rid of most of the grogginess from her being, she cleared her throat. Hoping to create a veil for her recovering voice to hide under while she placed herself to a sitting position.
"Hey…" she croaked out, clearing her throat for a second time when she realized that it still sounded like she just swallowed a whole brick, "How long was I out for?"
No response.
She could tell that he had heard her from the miniscule flinch of his body. Which dissipated as quickly as it had shown up. His face reverting to its stoic veneer.
"Aether?"
Still nothing.
"…Aether?" She added a squeeze of his hand to further solidify her deduction.
When he still didn't respond, she knew what this was all about.
He was giving her the silent treatment.
Granted, she most definitely deserved it. She did just pass out in front of him. All after telling him throughout the day that she had been fine. Though in all fairness to her, she had actually been feeling just fine, up until that small skirmish against the Treasure Hoarders.
Then again, he did warn her.
"What if you exhaust yourself to the point where your legs would just give out under you?"
Right, right. She knew that he was one hundred percent been in the right this time.
So, she prolonged her silence. Unable to form a sentence that she was able to deem as enough of a response.
"Let me tell you a story."
At the sound of his voice, she could only muster a weak mumble of agreement. Knowing that she was in no place to deprive of saying what he wants to say.
"There was once a chef in Mondstadt. He was well-known throughout the nation for his ability to cook dishes unlike any other." He began, his tone gentle like the wind around them, "Though he was at first simply a chef by hobby, everyone began urging him to open his own restaurant. So, due to everyone's request, he opened one in the bustling streets of the city."
Keqing wasn't entirely sure where he was going with said story, but she remained silent. Listening for all the intent that she had in the world.
"At first, it all went swimmingly. Word got out of his delicious dishes, and people began clamouring to give his menu a try." Aether gazed upwards, his breath now even, "He was an efficient cook and people never had to wait long for to enjoy his food. Soon, more and more people began swarming his restaurant every day."
Keqing knew that there was a catch soon to be revealed.
"Up until the point where it looked like it had begun overwhelming him."
There it is.
"The florist whose stall is right next to his, once asked the chef; Sir, why don't you hire someone to help you in the kitchen?" His voice lowered, "The chef simply brushed it aside. Stating that there is no one around that would be skilful enough to turn ingredients into world-class dishes, the way he does."
From then on, Keqing knew what his point had been.
"But that became his downfall. He forgot that he was only human, and tired himself endless trying to satisfy every single guest by himself. Up to the point where he could barely even taste his own cooking." Aether's tone now turning morose, "It only took half a year before he had to shut his restaurant down for good. All because people no longer thought that he had what it takes to make the dishes that attracted them in the first place."
She didn't know what to say.
"I see…"
"Then, years after said event, a travelling merchant was passing through the hills of Springvale, when he met an old man living out of a small, rundown brick house. The man had been asking the merchant if he had any potatoes and tomatoes left. Wanting to make soup for his small community." Aether continued, a small sigh followed his sombre breath, "The merchant had been hungry, so he offered to give the items for free, if the man was willing to whip up a soup for him. The old man looked accepted with a smile, and began making a soup that had an incredible aroma and an appetizing look."
Aether leaned back. A smile now adorned on his features.
"The soup was amazing; the merchant said. And asked if there was any reason why the old man never opened up his own restaurant."
His expressions grew wistful and contemplative.
"The old man simply replied; he did that once, and lost sight of himself. It almost almost lost the ability to enjoy the hobby that meant the most to him. So, he chose to slow down, and begin cooking for those who can also bring him the little joys in life."
Doing what you love, for and with the people that you love.
Something that Keqing has rarely had the pleasure of doing for the majority of her life.
In essence, she knew that he had been utilizing the story as a huge analogy for her. If anything, she could even chalk it up to him lecturing her in a way that wouldn't tick her off. Though with that in mind, even if it had irked her, she had established that she knew that it had been her time to listen. She's completely denounced her right to do so when she passed out right in front of him.
She could only stare at the white bed sheets and the blanket giving her warmth. Once again, unable to find the words to say. Nor the action to do.
It was almost as if she was thrown back in time once more. To the times where her grandfather would gently tell her off, in the rare occasions where she'd succumb to her childhood intrusive thoughts.
Both are soft-spoken, yet crystal clear in terms of the message that they wanted to deliver. Never resorting to the method of raising their voices, or violence. Remaining patient throughout their entire conversation.
It was her turn to let a smile slip by.
They really are quite similar.
"Don't you have something else to say?"
His sudden question brought her attention back to him. His eyes, though not looking at her, still remained expectant of an answer that he seemed to have been looking for.
She didn't need to dwell on it for long.
"I'm… sorry." She began. Though her mind still wanted to extend a tiny bit of justification, "But really, before the whole skirmish, I was feeling just-,"
He gave her one look.
One look that had pleaded for her to not hide behind her veil of excuses.
And it was enough for her to realize that there was no point in attempting to justify it.
"Right… then, it's just… I'm sorry." She breathed out. "That's it. No excuses. I should be more wary about my health and the strain that my work imposes on my body."
She placed another one of her hands onto the hold that she had on his.
"I'm sorry that I made you worry."
Finally, it was enough to elicit a sigh of acceptance from the blonde. He shifted his body towards her, and pulled her into his ever-familiar embrace.
His breath was hot on the crook of her neck. The tension that he had from having to wait for her to come back to consciousness had been nerve-wracking. But it was all dispelled the moment he felt her warmth against his own.
"You were out for half an hour."
"Huh, that doesn't seem too-,"
"Not the point, Keqing."
"…Right."
He pulled away. Placing a hand on her cheek, before leaving a light peck on her forehead.
"Please, this time I'll be asking you." He said, leaning in as their noses touch, "Never do that again."
It's ironic. Just weeks ago, she had been the one to have requested such a task from him. Now that the tables had been turned, she couldn't help but to laugh to herself. Certainly, due to the fact that she got a taste of her own medicine.
"Seriously though. There would be no point in me saving you from giant sea monsters if overexerting yourself is going to end up being the thing to bring you down."
She giggled fondly.
"Of course. That would be such a waste of your hard work."
They both shared a laugh. She needed that bit of diversion. Giving her heart and mind a chance to properly calm itself down after a harrowing few days of attempting to get everything in order for the festivities.
"By the way…" She looked around the room, "Where are we?"
"We're at Granny Ruoxin's." Aether answered, "When I came back with you unconscious in my arms, she immediately offered up her guest room for you to rest in."
She hummed, "Well then, I should thank her when we make our way out of here."
Aether quickly took to disagreeing, "Keqing…"
"To watch the fireworks back at the city." She finished, patting his hand, "Don't worry. I'm not so reckless in a way where I'd throw myself back to work when I know that I'm nowhere near fit enough to continue working."
He mumbled away from her, "Could've fooled me…"
"I heard that."
"Good. Then you should know by now, that there are other people out there who are willing to lend a hand if you asked them to." He gestured towards the village in general, "When I brought you back here, people in this village were practically racing to offer their assistance. Anything that can help lift that bit of pressure from your shoulders. Jingcheng even made sure that any future changes in the running of this event will be handled by him and other personnel."
"But, what if-,"
"No buts, Keqing." He placed extra emphasis in the motions of his hands, "You've worked harder than anyone else has in the past couple of weeks. I think the least that you can do is to fully enjoy the festivities that you have planned without having to think about work, for at least a whole night."
There he goes again, changing routines that she had held for almost all her life.
And just like any other one of them, it had been for the better.
"Besides, you promised me and Paimon that you would come watch the fireworks with us."
"…Yeah. Isn't that what we're going back to the city to do?"
He huffed, "Just making sure. Don't want you running off to finish another piece of work by yourself."
"I promise I won't be doing that." She solemnly declared, "We'll head straight for the Jade Chamber. No detours."
"No detours?" Aether repeated.
"No detours. Does that sound good to you?"
"Very." He replied instantaneously, "You promise that?"
"I promise."
Aether sighed to himself. There's no fully winning against this lady.
"Fine. But this time, we're teleporting. Alright?"
She nodded. Having no reason to challenge his suggestion.
"By the way, where is Paimon?"
"I sent her to the city with Jingcheng." He answered, shrugging nonchalantly, "She didn't want to risk missing the firework show. So, I just told her to head there first while I wait for you to wake up."
A smile fettered itself on her lips, "Sorry for making your wait."
He replied in kind, standing up with both his hands open. Waiting for her to grab hold of them, "Can you stand?"
On her first attempt, she still couldn't quite get her legs to remain stable for more than a few seconds. Thumping back down on the bed to reduce the head rush that was threatening to take away her balance.
Noticing her struggle, he bent down a little bit more, "Just take your time. I'll be here."
"Thank you."
Once he made sure that she was able to stand without swaying for three seconds, they made their way out of Granny Ruoxin's domicile. The old lady pretty much badgering Keqing the way a grandmother would badger their grandkids about their health, while a few other members of the village wished for her health to remain steady, at least so that she can enjoy the festivities to its fullest.
After a short goodbye with the village people, they found their selves at the centre of Liyue Harbour once more. Coincidentally meeting up with Jingcheng in front of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, who was just about finishing some paperwork.
"Lady Keqing. It's good to have you back." He professed, bowing in respect, "We've just about finished processing the detainment of all twelve criminals. We've also managed to procure an extra round of patrols for the grand event in order to make sure that we can bolster the safety of our citizens."
That was all it took for Keqing to revert to work mode.
"That's good to hear. If you provide me with a copy of the new patrol map-,"
"Ah, we have arranged the map with consultations from Lady Ningguang and Miss Yelan. I would presume that their approval would be enough for you to be assured that the pre-determined routes are quite satisfactory." Jingcheng then gestured towards Aether, "Your Traveler friend here had also informed me that you will be, in his words, 'strictly off limits' for the remainder of the night."
Keqing spared a glare towards the blonde, who just happen to be whistling away from her stare, "Did he now?"
Jingcheng had nothing but an understanding smile, "In fairness to him, all of us here in the millelith were also worried about your health. We hope that in the future you could delegate more of your benign tasks for us to assist you with, and hopefully ease some of that burden from your workload."
She could just feel the smugness swelling from the man who had pretty much made all the points that he could make and successfully turned it into a 'I told you so' moment for her to deal with.
"Okay, stop right there. Any more of that, and you'd just be encouraging him." She said as she pointed a thumb towards the blonde, still feigning blissful ignorance, "But thank you, Jingcheng. To you and to everyone within the Qixing and the millelith. I'll be sure to take your offer into account the next time I have matters in need of a few assisting hands."
Jingcheng placed a hand on his chest, bowing once more, "I am simply doing my part as someone who provides service to the people, Lady Yuheng." He lifted his head to meet her gaze, "We extend our gratitude all the same. May you and the Traveler have a great night, and have a happy Lantern Rite!"
"Happy Lantern Rite." Keqing replied in kind. Grabbing hold of Aether's arm, ushering him forward to fall in line with her.
She pulled his ear close, "You're feeling pretty clever at the moment, huh?"
Aether simply feigned more ignorance. This time, with a dash of dramatism, "Whatever do you mean, Lady Yuheng?"
Oh, if he thinks he can get away with one-upping her with any consequences, she'd make sure that he'd be proven wrong.
She still had that surprise, up her sleeves.
Making their way towards Yiyan Temple, they were ready to make their way up to the Jade Chamber, before Keqing spotted her assistant right next to the Jade Chamber guide, Bu'yun.
"Baishi, is something the matter?"
Baishi perked up the moment she noticed her employer, "Ah, Lady Keqing and the Traveler. I was just about to look for you. I wanted to inform you that the item that Lady Ningguang has prepared for you has arrived."
Keqing nodded, "Perfect timing. You can take both of us up to the Jade Chamber. I'll tend to the item immediately."
"Keqing-," Aether wanted to interject.
"It's not work, I promise you."
"Oh, it most certainly isn't, Traveler." Baishi added. Her tone laced with a smidge of slyness to it.
Aether could only spare a swift look of confusion between the two females. With Keqing remaining silent as they made their way up and into the Jade Chamber, he had merely thought that they were going to take a small detour around the chamber.
Oh, but how wrong could he be.
Had he gotten the chance, he probably would've told his heart to brae itself for the coming barrage that is the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing.
They arrived in front of a room, and just as Aether was about to open the door for Keqing, Baishi beaten him to it.
"Ah, this where we will request for you to wait out here for now, Traveler." Baishi said with a light bow, gesturing towards Keqing, "It's just through here, Lady Keqing. I shall assist you with the matter in hand."
"Excellent." Keqing shortly replied, patting Aether on his chest, "Now, you behave and wait out here. Baishi will inform you when you can come in."
"Oookay…" Aether didn't know what else to say. He could only stand there and be an obedient boyfriend.
"This won't take long, I assure you." Baishi said as she let Keqing into the room.
Deciding that there was nothing better to do, Aether merely leant on the fancy railings of the Chamber, "That's alright, you can take your time."
With another light bow, Baishi disappeared into the room alongside Keqing. The door shutting with a thud. Leaving him alone with his thoughts at the centre of the swirling beauty of Jade.
In the end, he took the time to review the events of the day in his mind.
Overall, he would most definitely call it a huge win in his books.
Though he was still correct in the way where he did require something of a miracle for her to eventually listen to him, he couldn't quite make sure that the miracle alone would enough to get past her wit and her stubborn attitude. He could thank the archons that she recognized that he had a point to be made. Debating her on the topic of work will forever be one of his weaknesses.
But, barring the mini heart attack that he had when she fainted, he could still call it call it as a win in his books.
His inner monologue got interrupted when he heard the door behind him open up once more. Baishi's voice following suit.
"Traveler, you may come in now."
He turns around to see the assistant holding the door from the outside. The first thing Aether noticed from a quick glance being a giant screen partition straight ahead of the entrance. After giving Baishi a brief thanks, he went through the door, only to find it immediately shut tight the moment he fully went through.
Another quick glance through the room made him realize the Keqing had been nowhere near in sight. Clueing him to the notion that she was behind that giant screen partition.
When he heard the click of her heels and she shadow of her figure behind the screen, he called out with idle curiosity.
"Alright… out with it. What's with this whole enigmatic machismo you got going here." He said as he slowly closed the distance, "Makes it look like you're about to give me a…"
Just as quickly as his confusion evaporated, so were the words that he was about to say. His steps coming to a halt the moment he brought his eyes from the floor and onto her figure.
"...Surprise?"
Not that he suddenly lost his ability to speak, but more due to the fact that his mind had decided to forget words in general.
His eyes trailed from the new violet heels that she had now put on, and onto the new, thinner pair of tights that had covered her creamy white legs. A new pattern adorning her ankles and one of her thighs, which coincides with the theme of her new, noticeably shorter, mulberry dress. The dress swayed with her hips as she slowly inched her way towards his direction. Her eyes gazing sharply onto his own, never letting it off of her sights.
Eventually, he began eyeing her top. A beautiful butterfly pattern swirling around her small frame as it hugged her curves elegantly. A mix of black and violet accents bringing much more of a luxurious colour that one might associate with the Yuheng and her signature purple. A few lines of pearl adorning the underside of her chest, before moving onto the blooming butterfly wings that decorated her…
Oh…
He quickly averted his gaze. A bit more of his searching gaze, then it pretty much borderline a kind of stare which would most likely be considered as… lecherous.
There was no doubt that she had noticed. He wasn't exactly doing a great job of keeping a poker face.
"Hmm, what's the matter, dear Aether?" Her voice sultry. A mere whisper as she purposely leaned closer to him, "Cat got your tongue?"
No, he wasn't going to let her win that easily.
"Sounds like a ravishing option." He took advantage of his surge of momentum, and placed a hand on her chin, lifting it ever so slightly, "Don't think that you're the only who can play this game. I've learned a thing or two these past few months."
"Really?" Her eyes laid on his lips. His breath now dangerously close to mingling with her own, "Shall I put you to the test then?"
In an instant, he surged forward. Capturing her lips hungrily within his own. Their tongues connecting through the parting of their mouth. Vigilantly exploring each other.
Soon, she felt his body push against hers. Her feet staggered to maintain her balance as he kept pushing until her a desk stopped her retreat. His hand quickly lifting her up to the table while his hand hovered over the curves of her thigh, before he pulled away for a second with a gaze full of himself.
"Can I touch you?"
Even in the midst of his hungry motion, he still found the time to be courteous all the same.
"Yes."
Without further invitation, his hand began roaming from her thighs to under her knee. Lifting it to allow himself space between her legs. Their mouths once again busy with one another, while her hand travelled from his cheeks and onto the strands of his golden locks.
She could feel the heat from his kisses, and the heat from his touch. His hand on the back of her head constantly pushing for his mouth to prod forward, while his hand on her legs threatening to traverse towards a path none had ever gone through.
If she were to be honest, she had really wanted it herself. There was no other man in the planet that she would ever allow to touch, or even think of touching her the way he had been exploring her.
But the more she felt the heat of his roaming hands traversing under the hem of her dress, the more she realized that her fatigue hadn't fully left her physique. The corners of her vision turning into the darkness that had previously enveloped her back in Qingce Village.
So, much to her internal reluctance, she had to place a hand on his chest. Distancing herself away from his touch that she so desperately wanted.
"W-Wait, stop."
And, unsurprisingly to her, not only did he stop immediately, he was also the first to apologize.
"Sorry." His breathing heavy, and his voice laced with guilt. Forehead now finding support on his own, "Did I go too far?"
"N-No. Honestly, that felt amazing." She confessed, wanting to alleviate his guilt that second. Finding her own support by linking her arms around his neck, "But I think any more of that and I'd be collapsing like I did back in the village."
"Oh…" The guilt now absent from his tone, and a smug smile taking its place, "I'll take that as a compliment then."
Keqing flicked the back of his head playfully, even thought she would secretly agree with him in her mind.
"You're quite chuffed with yourself, aren't you?"
"Can't say I'm not proud." He admitted gleefully. His arms now holding her body in a cage as he leant on the table, "But it's nice to know that I've learned enough to at least get you going, should the rare occasion arise when you need such a service."
She couldn't quite contain her curiosity, "Where did you learn all that stuff anyways? I thought you were too busy adventuring to death out there."
"Let's just say that doing commissions for an extremely suggestive perfume maker teaches you one or two things."
A perfume maker? Not the most unorthodox source of learning that she could think of, but still strange nonetheless.
"But, in all seriousness…"
Aether brushed his thumb across her cheek. Taking the chance to leave a light peck on her lips.
"You look absolutely gorgeous."
A different kind of heat now encompassed her face. But then, she could only take in the love that comes with his words.
"You think so?"
"Positive. In the whole of Teyvat, I'd gander."
"Heh, a bit presumptuous, don't you think?" She replied with a giggle, "But thank you. I thought it might be nice to change it up for once. Might as well do something nice for you for all the same."
Aether smiled fondly at her, "Thank you…"
"And before you go one saying that I didn't need to this." She interjected, anticipating his sense of righteousness kicking him, "I wanted to. We might revel in the fact that we're not an ordinary couple, there's no harm in indulging in the shenanigans of one every now and then, right?"
"No harm indeed." Another smirk appeared on Aether's features, "I was putting today down as a win in my books, but this just turned it into a quite the memorable one."
"Alright flyboy, you win for today…" She playfully pushed him away. Settling down for a few seconds before heaving herself off of the desk, "We should get going. The firework show is about to begin."
If he were to be honest, he almost forgot about that.
"Oh, right." He scratched his head in recollection, "There's also that to look for."
"Don't worry." Closing the distance between them, Keqing left a peck on his cheek, "We'll get back to that one of these days."
That's one thing that Aether can look forward to.
She held his arm close, gesturing towards the door.
"Shall we?"
He hesitated. Unsure if she was implying what he had thought it to be, "There'll be people up there, right?"
"There will be. But I don't mind." She assured him, "One of these days, I think its time for me to be confident about what I have. As long as you're there with me, I'll pay no mind about who would be watching us."
His heart had now been racing from his love of her.
"If that's what you want…" he pressed a light kiss on her hair, "Then I'll walk with you wherever."
They shared a quick smile between the two of them, before making their way out of the Chamber, and onto the front plaza of the floating palace.
Immediately, they were greeted by Ningguang and Beidou, who happened to be keeping Paimon company. The small fairy initially relieved, but went on to chide the blonde over his disappearance.
"Aether, you sure took your time!" Paimon shouted, pointing towards the seafarer and the magnate, "Beidou and Ningguang had to keep Paimon company while you two are off-, Oohhh…. What a nice dress, Lady Keqing!"
"Thank you, Paimon." Keqing said, nodding towards Ningguang and Beidou in acknowledgement.
"What's gotten into you two?" Beidou scratched her head, confused over the appearances of the two Qixing members, "I get Ningguang dressing all fancy with a date that she got. But Keqing as well?"
Ningguang cleared her throat, and smacked her friend with her pipe, "Clearly, Lady Keqing had a similar agenda in her schedule, dear Captain." Ningguang wasted no time in latching on to the fact that Keqing had been stuck to their dear Traveler's side like glue, "Maybe we should see if she could spare us some details?"
Aether looked at Paimon, who had looked at him with a concerned gaze. But with a quick nod and a light smile, he was able to assure his companion that everything is fine and there is no harm in indulging in the banter that they were going through.
Moreso when Keqing had been the one to respond with her own tone filled with relaxation.
"Maybe next time, Lady Ningguang." Keqing gestured towards the sky ahead of them, "It's about time that we witness the fruits of our labour, don't you think?"
"Forgive me, but I can't take credit for the work that you've put forth on this." Ningguang replied earnestly, nodding in kind, "Thank you for your hard work as always, Lady Yuheng."
"It's thanks to everyone's help."
She casted a momentous gaze towards Aether. A beaming smile in tow.
"Without all of them, I wouldn't have been able to do any of this."
He knew what she meant, and he could only grin all the same.
They all walked out to the edge of the platform. Keqing observing the edges of the city before taking in a deep breath, and whispering to his ear.
"Aether, please enjoy the grand finale of this year's Lantern Rite."
With the whistling sound of the fireworks below, she inched closer to his side.
"The fireworks show!"
In a heartbeat, the sky became filled with hues of range and red. Followed by a crackle of blue and purple. Decorating the dark blue skies and filling the hearts of everyone present with the joyous occasions that is a new year to come.
Though after witnessing the first few rounds of the fireworks, Aether found himself staring at the woman right next to time. Her brilliant lilac hair flowing gloriously amongst the lights on the sky, and the colourful hues reflected on her glistening eyes.
It didn't take long before their eyes met once more.
She smiled with a huff. Leaning in closer to his face as she cupped his cheeks.
A soft kiss layered on his lips, accompanied by the beautiful lights painting their background. Creating a work of art under the sparkling night.
Even through the stares of others who have noticed their interaction, the couple paid no mind as Keqing held him close.
"Happy Lantern Rite, Aether."
Aether kissed the top of her hair once more.
"Happy Lantern Rite, Keqing."