The Golden Apple Archipelago presented a rare chance for Aether to take things slow and actually enjoy himself for the time that it remained above waters. Though he had some idle curiosities as to how Alice had figured out the machinations of the island's tendencies to reappear every now and then, he figured that it wasn't something that his brain would be willing to entertain when a much more leisurely option is available.

Apart from the whole chain of events where he and his group were forced to gaze upon their life struggles without so much as a warning, and the whole fiasco with those hallucinating Fatuis, he was relieved that the islands had provided ample time for him to thoroughly take a breather after months of constant chaos.

Of course, he wasn't about to go on vacation without spending some quality time with the woman who barely had any time spent on such relaxing events in her lifetime.

"Where did you say our destination was going to be again?"

Keqing sat on their bed whilst Aether shuffled through his wardrobe. Her confusion exacerbated by the fact that Aether had asked her to wear something thinner, hence her change of clothes to her summer outfit. One that Aether had given her no shortage of compliments on.

It had been a similar style to how her everyday wear had looked like, minus the elongated sleeves, and with shorts accompanying her beach-style dress. Her heels sufficiently replaced by a more casual pair of violet sandals. An outfit that she had planned on using a long time ago, only to have never found the time to ever find the occasion, nor the excuse to bring it out of her wardrobe.

Still materializing some supplies into his storage, Aether distractedly answered, "The Golden Apple Archipelago. Basically, a bunch of vacation islands." He placed a hand on his chin in thought, "The mom of the kid that Jean's taking care of, brought us over there to have some fun time with her back then. Now it showed up again with its own twist."

Raising her eyebrow, Keqing focused on the island supposedly showing up again, "So, you're saying that these islands miraculously reappear from time to time again?"

"Something like that. Or, it could just be the tides doing their own thing." He wearily exhaled. The volume of his sigh causing a slight bit of concern for Keqing, "I'm not really in the mood to try and figure something like that out."

Pushing herself off of the bed, she placed a hand on his shoulder, "You sound exhausted." Her eyebrows creased, taking a good look at his face, "Is everything alright?"

Placing his own hand on hers, he smiled freely, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I was just tired from thinking about my next plan." He left a light peck on her knuckles, "I'll take it easy for this small trip."

It was a small trip indeed. Even if she couldn't exactly categorize her schedule as having been busy, it was still somewhat packed. Being able to find a weekend for her to clear off was a miracle in of itself, which she immediately kept empty just so that she can fulfil his sudden request to go on an island trip with him.

"…Alright." She didn't press the matter. Knowing that he would tell her when the time comes, and simply kept her gaze on him whilst he finished up packing and stood up with her hand still in his, "Are you all set?"

"Yup." Aether promptly wrapped an arm around her, with Keqing automatically snuggling close to him, "Hold tight."

Since the start of their relationship, she had found no more reason to remain timid during their teleportation. Where she would normally be bashful keep a steady distance, she's now found comfort in simply sticking close to him, and he had been more than happy to oblige to the change of routine.

In a blink of an eye, Keqing felt the hardwood floor of their room turn into the grainy sensation of sand. The ambient sound of nature that had filled her ears in the teapot now accompanied by the sound of waves gently crashing onto the shore of the small island he had teleported them to. Distant chirping of the cranes now much more audible with the lack of obstructions around them.

Breathing in the air of seawater, she felt the rush of the wind taking away all the stiffness that her work had built up within her, letting her focus stray wayward for a moment as she took in the view of the islands surrounding them. Right when she finally regained her bearings, Aether sidled up to her. His hand gently caressing her back.

"Quite a view, isn't it?"

"It's a nice change of pace." She lightly agreed, leaning into his support, "As much as I love Liyue Harbour, it's tough to beat the appeal of relaxing on a beach. Even more so when its basically a private island of some sort."

The two remained quiet, each revelling in the serenity the islands have provided them with. It was only when a familiar voice called out to Aether did they finally set their sights on the small picnic area that Aether had initially prepared. A figure that Keqing couldn't quite identify waking towards them.

"Oh? And here I thought I wouldn't be seeing your face around here for the rest of our vacation."

Aether called back, "Mona, thought you were still busy on your own island?"

At the sight of the ravenette, Keqing couldn't help but marvel at the way she was dressed while the former conversed with the blonde, "A few of the readings in that place were causing me some headaches, so I decided to check up on what the rest of you are doing. Paimon dozed off on one of the deckchairs after what I presume to be a humongous lunch." After humorously sighing at the fairy's antics, she then addressed the additional guest in hand, "Oh, and it seems like you've brought a new friend with you…"

Motioning towards Keqing, Aether promptly introduced her, "Oh, right. This is Keqing." His grin then grew wider, "She's my girlfriend. We're just looking to spend the weekend round these parts."

Admittedly, Keqing still couldn't quite figure out how to act whenever he would refer to her as his 'girlfriend' without reservation. It's a sense of confidence that she still couldn't quite muster up from within, and it's something that she sorely wished to be able to do when the time comes for her to be the one introducing him that way.

But for now, she'd happily settle for him to be the one happily introducing her as her partner. Though she would still have reservation over who he would be telling that fact to; Mona seemed to be an individual who he trusts to keep hold of such a secret.

Mona's eyes momentarily widened in surprise, before she remarked, "Aha, I suppose you have learned a thing or two, considering you didn't even attempt to hide the fact."

Crossing his arms with a knowing grin, Aether feigned an annoyed gaze, "What's the point of trying to hide it when you're just going to see it through one of your random divinations?"

"Hey, don't call it random! Each and every one of my scrying has its own purpose!" Though straight after she said that with such confidence, she bashfully pulled out a string of her hydro readings, "That being said… you do have a point. The stars did choose to present me this notion out of the blue. I wasn't even trying to…"

Her words petered off. Noticing the smug grin that had now taken over Aether's features.

"You know what?" She feigned a pointed look and a pout, "Sometimes you're no fun."

Aether could only laugh at her realization, while Keqing studied the string of magic that Mona had hovered between them.

"Interesting… so I can assume that you are an astrologer of some kind?"

Clearing her throat to mask the minuscule damage that her pride took, she shifted beside her magic, "A-Ahem, that you are correct." She placed a hand on her chin, studying the lilac all the same, "Keqing, was it? A pleasure to meet you. I'm Mona, an astrologer who specializes in hydromancy."

"The pleasure is all mine. I can't say I'm all that familiar with the works of astrologer, much less one that utilizes hydromancy." Keqing admitted, eyes fixating between Mona and the hydro reading still hovering in front of her, "But, it sounds like an extremely intricate, yet interesting endeavour."

Like she always said, Keqing isn't someone who people would describe to be lenient towards superstitions. She would often categorized those who muck around with the ability of 'seeing into people's future' as nothing as a gimmick that scammers fall into whenever they are desperate for money. But, she recognizes that there are instances of people who are actually well-endowed in their crafts of reading what the nature presents to them. So, hearing about Mona's profession no longer struck any sort of surprise in her bones.

At the praise of her craft, Mona's voice grew with its usual confidence, "It is quite a rare set of arts to delve into. Hence why you won't find that many astrologers who specifically focuses on the readings of hydro like I do." She then dismissed her hydromancy and motioned towards Keqing,"If you don't mind me asking, what sort of profession do you delve into?"

Aether had to try his best to keep his thoughts and giggles to himself. Watching with intent as Keqing begun answering.

"I am a member the Liyue Qixing. I hold the title of Yuheng." Keqing casually presented herself, unaware of how Mona had simply froze in front of her, "My line of work covers the management of land and livelihood in the entirety of Liyue."

Mona merely blinked at her for a few seconds, before noticing Aether's quivering lips. His face trying its utmost to maintain that veil of indifference yet sorely failing to do so.

It dawned on the astrologer that she had indeed been set up for yet another joke towards her financial situation.

She sighed with exasperation, "Aether, for the last time… I'm not utterly and completely broke." Though her insistence did nothing but to allow the blonde to explode with laughter, "I'm just occasionally out of Mora due to a few… spontaneous spending that my wallet hadn't accounted for."

"Oh, yeah. You should totally tell Keqing about that." Aether suggested whilst he leaned on his confused girlfriend's shoulders, "She's a real stickler about that kind of thing."

Mona looked away with a huff of her breath, "I'm not about to expose my poor spending habits in front of someone that I just met! Much less one who is as potentially wealthy as your significant other."

Casting an awkward grin, Keqing gently stated, "In all fairness… the ship has somewhat sailed in that regard."

"Ugh… please forget about everything that you've just heard from the both of us." Mona pleaded, clasping both her hands together before shooting the guffawing Aether a sharp glare, "I swear that I'm much more responsible with my Mora than what our short conversation has portrayed."

Keqing waved off her worries, "I can take your word for it. I can also understand succumbing to the spontaneous urges to purchase something that you are passionate about." She scratched her cheeks in thought, "Though I don't think I can ever quite reach a point where I would be overspending my budget."

"That's only because you have next level financial freedom, even compared to someone like Mona." Aether nudged Keqing's side, his sly gaze returning to his eyes, "I don't think there's any amount of Rex-,"

Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the sound of Keqing summoning her stiletto. Her iron grip now on his shoulder with the look death peering deep into his soul, while her wide smile had been missing any semblance of its usual warmth. Her words as venomous as the deadliest toxins the earth could muster.

"Finish that sentence and this will be an incredibly short trip for you."

Mona's never heard a louder gulp that the one that came out of the blonde just then.

"Yes ma'am. Pardon my indiscretion."

Dematerializing her weapon, Keqing nodded in satisfaction, "Good boy."

Watching Aether's obedient expression, it was Mona's turn to laugh her stomach out.

"My oh my, it looks like you have our dear Traveler wrapped around your fingers." Mona hummed with approval, "I commend you for your efforts."

"It did take a while to finally get this idiot under my control." She absentmindedly ruffled Aether's hair while she kept her eyes on Mona, "But, I suppose it was all somewhat worth it in the end."

Chuckling at the heartfelt joke, Mona could only observe the couple for a while. Ever since she has had contact with the blonde Traveler, there was always something that seems to be plaguing his mind. It's quite a liberating sight to have finally seen him without any weight burdening his shoulders. It was also a gladdening thought to see someone who's able to support him and be an individual that the man can lean on in his time of need.

Mona couldn't help but to let out a genuine smile. She considers the Traveler a good friend in the first place, "It's a good thing to see that he has someone that can at least persuade him to stay within his divinations." She feigned a whisper, "Keep him on a tight leash, if I may say so myself."

Aether waved his hand, though made no move to get out of Keqing's ruffling, "I'm not a dog…"

"Looks can be deceiving." Gesturing towards Keqing's grasp on his hair, Mona jeered at him, "At the moment, you most definitely fit the part."

How the tables have turned, for Aether at the very least.

Eventually, Mona felt as if she had overstayed her welcome, "In any case, I shouldn't take any more of your private time. I was only here to collect on some snacks anyways." Turning to wave goodbye, she flashed them a parting smile, "I shall bid you farewell for now. Let's have another conversation some other time, Keqing."

"I'll look forward to that." Keqing waved in kind, "Take care, Mona."

With a final wink, Mona promptly summoned her hydro teleportation and disappeared without a trace. Presumably returning to her own island, or back to her own domicile.

"Well, aren't you guys best friends already." Aether feigned a pout.

"What's wrong with that?" Not missing a beat, Keqing sidled closer to him, "Are you jealous?"

Holding her close to him, Aether merely shrugged, "Eh, not really." He gave her a light peck on her cheek, "Cause now I get to have you all to myself."

Smooth. Until now, she wonders how he learnt so quickly.

"Alright, I guess that's your victory." She admitted, "Now, what's our plan for today?"

Taking her hand in his, Aether grinned widely.

"Follow my lead…"

Throughout the day, Aether brought Keqing around all the points of interests that were sporadically spread around each of the islands and regaled the tale of how they first experienced the island's chaotic machinations. From showcasing the ruins of the ships and buildings that were left by the islands ancient inhabitants, to the individual mirages that each island is home to, it was a clash of culture and dreams when it comes to Keqing's experience. Though she wasn't quite sure how each island were able to become a manifestation of each people's past, it was still quite an eye opening train of events.

Despite all the realms that they were able to see, there was something that Keqing couldn't quite put past her mind whenever she caught a glimpse of all the pasts that she was able to see in each domain.

If everyone had a domain of their own…

…Where was Aether's?

As they hopped from island to island, resting to admire the scenery with a snack pack that he had prepared prior from the trip, she somewhat dreaded the time where she would be able to see his own mirage come around. Unsure if it was even something that she would be able to go through if she were to experience it.

But to her surprise, even as they finally settled in the large hut that was seemingly prepared for Aether and his friends to spend the night in, no such thing ever cropped up.

She wanted to bring it up, but with how chipper his mood had been throughout the entirety of their trip so far, she couldn't find it within her to bring the topic up.

And with how energetic he had been in the following morning, it further pushed down the topic to the back of her mind. Though it didn't stop her from continuously keeping her attention on any sort of miniscule changes in his expressions.

Still, even though she diligently observed him, he'd shown nothing.

When she sat within his hold as they sat by the beachside, when they enjoy a nice break from travelling on the waverider, or even when he was simply explaining certain parts of the smaller islands that lined out the outskirts of the archipelago.

He showed nothing, and gave her nothing other than a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. Not a twitch in his eyes, not a pained smile that he had grown so expertly in hiding, and not a single involuntary movement of his body language.

Maybe he really hadn't been troubled?

Was what she had really wanted to convince herself.

But, something within her just told her that it hadn't been the case.

So, she kept her cards close to her chest. Rendering her poker face of happiness as she thoroughly enjoyed the downtime that she got to spent with the man she loved.

Little did she know, that she wasn't going to be the one to open the cards herself.

After another long day of using their waverider to hop onto one island to another, they finally settled back onto one of the main islands that had a view which overlooked the rest of the archipelago. With the sun beginning to paint the sky crimson, they settled at the peak of what is to be the last item in their itinerary for their small trip.

Of course, she knew that this would only be the start of a routine that she couldn't help but be excited about. Though taking vacations hadn't really been something that she considered to be worthwhile in the past, she might have to start changing her mind with the changes that this man had brought to her life.

"So, what do you think of the trip?"

They sat on a soft patch of grass and moss. His question brought about her attention to his features. His glistening eyes and shining face highlighted by the sinking sun as he kept his gaze on towards the horizon. The calm breeze around them waving by his locks of gold.

Honestly, Keqing could stare at him for hours.

"It's been fun. Most of all, it was incredibly relaxing." Keqing commented, leaning into the crook of his neck, "It's a shame that it will most likely wash away any semblance of activity that we have had here. Apart from the ones that have been permanently etched into the islands."

She felt his chest rise and fall through a sigh, his voice vibrating through the connection of their leaning bodies, "If only the tides weren't so extreme, then I wouldn't mind coming back here as many times as I want." A wry smile appeared on his lips, "But I guess, it's the experiences that's supposed to be the true prize of it all. At least, that's what Alice had said anyways."

Keqing would admit, that there is some truth to that. Even if the islands wouldn't come back the way that they know it. That wouldn't mean that the memories that they've created in the realm would be gone all the same.

She mulled that thought in silence. Unaware of the searching gaze that was currently trying to find it's through her own orbs.

Her inner monologue only interrupted when he suddenly spoke in a much more thoughtful manner. As if he decided to say something that he had been contemplating in on for quite a while.

"I guess you're probably just wondering, since you've seen everyone else's mirages…"

Realizing what he had begun talking about, she finally met his wondering gaze.

"…Where was mine?"

When she looked in his eyes, it dawned on her that she hadn't been the only to have paid extra attention to the other's expressions. He had also been figuring out her inner thoughts throughout their activities on the islands.

"You knew that I was wondering about it?"

Aether flashed him a soft, seemingly grateful smile as he gently rubbed his temple with hers, "You kind of have this thing where you'd be able to see my worries without me telling you, and worry for me all the same." His fingers begun playing with her own, "It's somewhat scary… but incredibly endearing at the same time."

"You're one to talk…"

Keqing shot back playfully, while Aether could only wholeheartedly accept the humorous jab. His face exuding the muse he descended upon.

"But what were your thoughts on that?" Keqing cautiously asked, prodding at the words that she had chosen carefully, "Isn't it rather odd? Or, maybe it was because the phenomenon somehow detected that you're not of this world?"

Shaking his head at the notion, Aether rested his chin on his hand, "I thought the same thing. But I think it goes deeper than that." He contemplated, eyes searching for the words to string together, "These domains and mirages… they exist as a reminder of their crisis. The times where I think life had tested them the most. All into a series of connecting scenes that they can either chose to replay over and over, or move past."

With that in mind, Keqing could only silently thank her luck that she hadn't been one of the individuals that the mirages had decided to meddle with. It's one thing to replay those painful scenes from her past in her memories; but it's a whole other thing to have it physically manifest right in front of her.

However, it also clued Keqing into a train of thought that she hadn't consider beforehand.

Which just happens to be what Aether had been thinking all the same.

"I think… the reason that I didn't get my own mirages, is because I'm currently going through the crisis of my life." He concluded, "I didn't need one because the life I'm currently living is the representation of that."

"Being separated from your sister…" Keqing surmised. Tightening the hold she had on his hand, "It's quite far along when it comes to being the crisis of your life."

Aether scoffed, his dry laughter to follow suit, "I guess whatever is behind this twisted phenomenon kind of got its points in line." He leant back, eyes almost glistening, "It's funny how we've been over this before. Talking about how this whole separation thing had basically thrown my world off the scales."

She remembered it clear as day. The night where she finally saw a glimpse of the pain this man had been holding in his heart.

"And quite frankly, it doesn't get easier from here on out." Aether admitted, focusing his emotions on her soft touch, "Inazuma was tough, but I get the feeling that Sumeru might be a different challenge altogether."

"Then take your time, no one is telling you to rush." She had initially pushed, but the moment she saw her deflated look, she knew that there was more than meets the eye, "Or did something happen that made you feel the need to do so?"

He nodded in confirmation, "After going through everyone's mirages, someone begun talking in my head."

"In your head?" Keqing questioned, "Like telepathy?"

"Of the kind, I guess. I wasn't too focused on figuring out how her voice managed to get in my head." He mulled over that bit, before continuing, "All I know is that Sumeru is where the voice had been guiding me to. And that the next phase of my search will be there, waiting for me."

Somewhere in her heat, Keqing held a guilty conscience for even thinking about a scenario where he would drop everything and just remain in that moment with her. But she almost chided herself with the pact she had long made with herself in dealing with her wayward wants.

The fact that she had chosen to fall in love with a man who is still in the middle of a mission. A mission that he couldn't afford to give up on, no matter what.

Though if anything, she can be thankful that his next destination doesn't exactly the same suicidal ring as Inazuma had come with. The fact that it had also been a neighbouring country makes the anxiety that the distance had created become practically non-existent. Not that it mattered anyways, considering Aether's capabilities to utilize the ancient waypoints.

So, at the end of it all, she could sigh in acceptance – and leant closer to his body. Presenting him with that connection that he seemed to have sorely needed.

"Well, when you're ready to leave… just be sure to stop by." She nuzzled onto his cheek, "At least that way I can inform everyone else of your whereabouts."

Surprised by her lack of fight, he timidly asked, "…You're not worried?"

"Oh, I'd come with you if I could. Worried is the least of the ways that you could put it at." She confessed plainly, before softly smiling, "But, compared to how daunting Inazuma had sounded like, I can say that my heart hasn't been beating as fast as it had did back then."

The concern she had felt when he made his way to the land of eternity had been second to none, even when compared to all the things that she had gone through in her life.

"That being said, it shouldn't prevent me from maintaining a rational train of thought. Sumeru's not exactly far from Liyue, and we've also managed to retain a healthy line of communication with their governing body." She reasoned, "So, if anything goes wrong, it would be a lot easier to find information in regards to your whereabouts."

There are times where he would be thankful for her logical reasoning. And this had been one of those times.

Where else would he find someone who's been willing to be so understanding of his predicament?

He can only be thankful to have her, in his life.

Hugging her close, he caressed her hair lovingly. Grateful to be able to hold her so near to his heart.

"Thank you…" He softly spoke to her ears, "For understanding."

Keqing feigned a dramatic sigh, "I knew what I signed up for." Holding him close all the same, she turned his head to fully face, "Just remember to come back to me, okay?"

Leaning closer, Aether's breath tickled her nose.

"I will."

Prompted by her soft giggles, they closed the distance and shared a short, but sweet kiss. Pressing their foreheads against one another as the relish each other's presence.

The night sky above them showered their eyes with glistening affection. Following them into the dead of the night before the couple finally retreated back to their teapot, and enjoyed a silent night in each other's arms.