Through all the academic hustle and bustle that Sumeru City is ladened with, Aether can only admit that he hasn't really taken the time to find solace between all the noise and commotion, whenever he had to stroll through the city.
That being said, finally being able to take a walk through the nation without an arduous agenda picking at the back of his mind would end up being much more of a therapeutic experience for him. For once, he can look at the sinking sun without having to worry about whether or not he has to ensure the succession of an operation.
Even if he had just been sent into a shopping errand, it bears no weight on his mind. Materializing the list of things he needed to get every now and then, he went through stall after stall. Vendors who had begun to recognize his presence from his time in Sumeru welcomed him back with a smile. The usual bouts of questions asking where he had been for the past couple of days lingering around their mind, while he simply answered that he had been elsewhere. Enough detail for them to understand, and enough to keep more to himself.
It wasn't long before he ran into a familiar face.
"Ah, Traveler. I didn't think I'd see you back in Sumeru so soon."
He would recognize that voice anywhere at this point.
"Was just looking for a time to wind down for a bit." He met her curious gaze, motioning to her own self, "You were always planning on finding me today, weren't you, Nahida?"
The archon giggled, childish innocence on full swing at the thought of being caught, "Hehe, you got me there. It is your birthday after all." She hummed in thought, "I was thinking of throwing a massive celebration for you with the people of Zubayr Theater…"
Pausing to observe him further, she then took a step back with a look of understanding, "But I have a feeling that you already have something special in line for today."
It was a nice change of pace from having to explain things to others constantly, "Yeah, I appreciate the thought. But like you said, I've got a date with the missus." However, it still wasn't such a bad idea to consider, "Though if you're still willing to do something like that some other day, I'll be happy to oblige."
Nahida nodded with a grin, "Then I will take it under advisement. I'm sure the people of Zubayr Theater wouldn't mind putting it up for a different time."
Aether couldn't help but to grimace at the thought, a hesitant chuckle accompanying his words, "Maybe not with so many people, though."
At the sight of his bashful expression, she tittered along, "Hehe, I was just messing with you." She placed her hands behind her back, "I wouldn't want to put you on the spot when you're supposed to be relaxing."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"With that, I shouldn't hold you back here any longer." Nahida lightly bowed, "On behalf of the people Sumeru, I wish you the happiest of birthday. May wisdom and prosperity follow you through every avenue of your journey."
As far as birthday wishes go, there was barely anything that could have topped that.
"Thanks a bunch, Nahida." With a grin on his features, he promptly checked a nearby clock, "Oh, I gotta hurry. I'll see you around, okay?"
With a nod and a smile, Nahida waved him goodbye, "Safe travels, and have fun!"
After a little wave from himself, Aether rushed towards the rest of the stalls that he had to retrieve items from. With the time constraint that he had suddenly palced himself under, he came to the vendors as quickly as he left. Swift and without further conversations adding into the time it took for him to garner his required items.
By the time he was able to check off all the items on his list, the sun had begun hiding its presence behind the horizon. The ever-familiar crimson light of the setting star a reminder to him that he was close to being late.
Thankfully, there was nothing left for him to acquire, and after a brief look over through his items, he made his way towards the teleport waypoint on the hills above Vimara Village. Gone were the incandescent atmosphere the streets of Sumeru City had been rife with, and in comes the gentle wind that never fails to further soothe his soul.
Though, just off to the side of the waypoint, two familiar figures had been waiting for his return. The fairy who waved animatedly next to the sitting woman in purple had looked somewhat peeved.
"With how long you took, Paimon thought you'd be late to your own birthday party!" The fairy pointed towards the lilac sat on the picnic carpet, "Paimon was about to send Keqing to get you!"
Keqing giggled, urging the floating companion to calm her hovering, "Calm down, Paimon. It's hardly a party when its only the three of us." She stood up to help take the load off of Aether's hands, her gaze growing curios as she does so, "Did you get held up somewhere?"
A wry smile on his lips, Aether shrugged, "Not much you can do when the Archon of Sumeru herself stops you to wish you a happy birthday." He handed some of the bags over to her side, Keqing immediately throwing the foodstuff ones open to keep Paimon distracted, "Apparently, she thought of throwing a party for me with the whole of the Zubayr Theater."
"That sounds like quite the festivity." She had her initial doubts about the way he had wanted his birthday to go, and decided to use that notion to ask, "Are you sure that you would rather spend your birthday like this? If it's out of consideration for me, then I don't mind-,"
"I'm sure I'd rather spend it like this." Clasping both of her hands in his own, his grin shone radiantly with the backdrop of the setting sun, "Parties are fun and all, but I wanna take things slow for a bit. And there's nothing like taking it slow by just having you and me together, looking at this beautiful scenery."
Hearing that she had been left out, Paimon shouted amidst her observation of the newly arrived cuisines, "Hey, what about Paimon!?"
Aether chuckled freely, "And you too, Paimon."
With a huff, the fairy went back to her inspection.
In all honesty, Keqing really wouldn't have it any other way either. The last time she had to celebrate his birthday, it was with the fear that he might not enjoy having such an occasion be shoved upon his face. But he had already surprised her with his lone self during her own birthday, and she felt compelled to do something of a similar nature for himself.
If it had been that memorable for her, then she would make sure that he would get to spend his moments the way he had always wanted to. And she would do everything in her power to give it to him.
To her surprise though, he hadn't asked for a celebration that involved a reunion with all the friends that he had found throughout his journey. Unexpected seeing as Keqing would wager that his list of friends would simply be growing exponentially ever since he had travelled through Inazuma and Sumeru, and that a birthday with those people involved would have most definitely been quite the occasion.
Instead, all he had wanted was a quiet getaway on a hill that had overlooked the entire of Sumeru City. The divine tree and the architectural brilliance that surrounded it shown on full display for their eyes to feast upon. Added by the tint that the sinking sun had provided for decoration, it made the sight all the more beautiful and mesmerizing.
Once again, she felt as if he had been the one to be treating her to a wonderful memory. Even though she would've thought of it to be her turn this time around.
Which is why she knew beforehand, to prepare a cake that would suit the words that she had wanted to relay to him. There was no way she was letting this man upend her when it was supposed to be her turn to return the favour.
Settling the rest of the items away on a neat pile, the two of them finally laid on the picnic carpet. A sigh escaping Aether while he kept his eyes on the view ahead of them. Unaware that Keqing had begun sneaking her hands off to the side, blocking whatever she had been doing with her body. Silently urging Paimon to tear her eyes off of all the snacks they had in hand and begin helping her with her sneaky actions.
"Every time I come back here, it's always such a nice sight to look at." He shifted to support his hand on his knee, eyes still scouring the horizon, "What do you think, Keqing?"
He had expected her to answer, but the moment he felt a strange ray of heat emanating from beside him instead, he promptly averted his gaze towards where thought Keqing had been sitting.
"Keqing?"
Though the moment his eyes lay upon the sight ahead of him, he simply froze.
Holding a cake that had been decorated with the sun and the stars, the candles lit atop of the icing provided a golden ray of softness upon Keqing's beaming face. Next to her had been Paimon's giddy features, barely able to keep herself from floating around erratically due to excitement.
He knew that she had planned to give him a cake. But nothing could have prepared him for the words that followed suit.
"To the sun of our days, and to the stars of our night…"
The two of them surged forward. Closing the gap which left nothing but the cake between them and the surprised blonde. Their words coming out in sync as the candles shone ever-brighter.
"…Happy Birthday, Aether."
As far as birthday wishes go, he wouldn't have had it any other way.
It was his turn to beam upon the two individuals who had filled him with so much hope throughout a journey that he wouldn't known to have survived without their unwavering support. The companionship that Paimon had showered him with, only balanced by the love that Keqing had held for him.
If he wasn't sure that he had wanted to spend his birthday the way it had been, then he knew for fact that there was no doubt in his mind left to mull over.
"Thank you, the two of you." Aether's voice barely above a whisper. Gratitude the only thing he can really hope to express at this point of time, "What I am to you, is what you are to me too."
The two girls shared a smile with one another, before Paimon flew to his side and Keqing lifted the cake closer to his face. The fairy shouting out exuberantly, "Now come on, make a wish!"
It was always a prickly topic, making a wish. Anyone who understood his predicament would know that there was really only one wish that could make his world a whole lot better at this point. Yet, it had been something that was irrevocably out of his, or anyone's reach, except for the off chance that a miracle decided to bestow itself upon his presence.
However, he has made a pact with himself, and to those around him; that he will now choose to look at what he has. Sure, his sister will always be where the end of his journey will lead him towards. But it was time for him to look around and cherish those who are there with him now.
The warmth, the happiness, and the memories that he has made, and has yet to create with these people who have grown to be such an integral part of his life.
He knew exactly what to wish for.
And for the lack of superstitious faith, he began voicing his desires.
"I wish, that for whatever might happen in the journey ahead…"
Inching closer to the candles, he heaved a silent breath.
"…That I will get to cherish what I have right now, and on towards the future."
With a soft blow of his breath, he extinguishes the flames of the candles. The fading smoke carrying his hopes high into the sky, before it had been accepted by the breeze that began soothing their souls once more.
Paimon gave a hug to his side, which he happily returned, "Happy birthday, Aether."
"Thank you, emergency food."
"Ugh, so rude!" She feigned a hissy fit, hovering towards the rest of their snacks, "Just for that, Paimon's going to leave nothing for you!"
He chuckled with an added sense of gratefulness. He knew that it had been her way of giving him some space with the woman who simply been staring wondrously at him. His eyes averted back to her gaze when she placed the cake aside and closed the distance between the two of them.
With both their hands hovering towards each other's sides, she left a light peck on his lips. Pausing to showcase him the smile that his heart will always long for.
"Happy birthday, my Qin."
Leaning his forehead onto hers, his breath tickled upon her lips.
"Thank you, for being all that you are." His voice almost watery, his hands roamed her cheeks, before he brought her closer to his hold, "You are my sun and stars."
Her embrace had never felt so peaceful. And his heart had never known such serendipity. His mind never knew that savouring time in such a way would ever lead to such feeling of content.
And now, Keqing herself knew that there was no better way to spend such an occasion.
Just the two of them. Together within each other's arms.
"Hey, Paimon's actually going to finish all the food here!"
Laughter echoed across the expanse of the hills. The couple trudging towards their picnic area with an amused gaze as they joined in on the fairy's culinary escapade.
Certainly, there was no other way he would have had spent his birthday.