The life of an adventurer is one that is full of unexpected happenings, Keqing understood that much. Having a plan fully nestled for the week means nothing to the myriad of commissions and emergencies that are waiting to snatch at them – given the chance. Her life as a Qixing member gave her more of a perspective that garners her more appreciation to those who willingly spare their time to service others.

Though at the present, one could probably forgive her for holding a more begrudging stance towards that facet of the profession.

"I'm so sorry, Keqing…"

Yet, there wasn't much that she can do to hold on that grudge when she has a desolate blonde almost folding himself in half in attempt to gain her forgiveness.

"I should have told Katheryne to remove me from the task list when I got back here."

She could only sigh. Her hand autonomously running her digits through his frazzled hair while he kept his head buried within his hands on her lap. All while he muttered gibberish complaints in lieu of their misfortune.

It was a rare turn of events in their relationship. Any other time where their activities were interrupted had been due to things that have been pertaining to her own line of work. For once, it was his duties that had been the one to throw a wrench within their plans.

"It's alright. It's bound to happen one of these days." Despite her acceptance, she was powerless to prevent the weary sigh that slipped by her breath, "Still… for it to happen during the one time we're on a proper holiday…"

In moments like this, Aether had no way of fighting the ache that speared his heart. Though her words had been encouraging, he knew that the disappointment still lingered through her eyes.

He quickly rose out of his position on the floor and made his way out of their teapot bedroom, "You know what? I think I can still inform the commissioner-,"

"No, no, Aether… it's fine!" Keqing rushed right in between him and the door. A gentle hand on his chest, "You said that the guild has been holding this commission for a long while and they've been growing desperate."

His hand found her own, "But, I'm sure that they'll be able to find someone else…"

Keqing shot him an inquisitive gaze.

"Can they really?"

His brief pause was all Keqing needed to know her answer, but she waited, nonetheless.

Momentarily picking at his nape, he grimaced.

"Probably…-,"

"-Not?" Keqing finished for him.

A weak and meagre nod accompanied his sigh which further affirmed her answer.

Her sigh came with finality, "Then it's non-negotiable. You go on ahead with the commission." She clicked her tongue at the reminder of the stubbornly placed task, "I would come with you, but I don't exactly hold any power here that would allow me to interfere with the tasks from a commissioner as particular as the one you have."

Aether kept his curses to himself. He absolutely would have brought her along, but the ridiculously strict Akademiyan professor who had tasked the Guild with the commission wasn't taking any new variables to his project. Though he would have talked to Alhaitham or Nahida about this matter, he knew that he simply didn't have the time to make an enquiry to either of those characters. Even his present hesitancy to leave her and the teapot bedroom was costing him more brownie points within the eyes of the pretentious academic.

A nudge of his forehead brought his attention back to her. Her gaze filled with nothing but and understanding hue.

"I'll be fine. I won't do anything reckless if that's what you're worried about." Keqing poked his nose, "I'm still under doctor's orders, remember?"

The uncertainty was palpable on Aether's expression, "Like that ever stopped you before!"

"Hey, I've behaved for this whole trip!"

His rebuttals faded the way Paimon would whenever he found out that she used his Mora, "That's true…"

She knew that this was nothing but pointless bickering, "Look, I'll be alright. I'll just find some quiet place to look at the scenery, there's still plenty to look at anyways." Looking out of the window, she took notice of the ever-emerging sun, "You better get going. Didn't you say that you'll be meeting the professor before lunch?"

For whatever reason, the blonde decided that a pout would the more sufficient answer to her statement.

"Aether… don't give me that."

"I'm sorry…"

It was Keqing's turn to ruffle his hair, "You don't need to apologize. It wasn't your fault."

"It kind of is…"

"Are you trying to make me blame you?"

A sheepish smile was all that she got as a reply.

"Look, just focus on your job." She tried to shift his focus away from her, "The sooner you get it done the faster we can meet for something at the end of the day, correct?"

He was still hesitant. But, that small plan of hers was enough for him to gain some sort of idea to keep her company for the day.

Humming to himself, he began to materialize an object, "If that's the plan then I got something for you."

Looking on curiously, Keqing waited for the item to materialize to see that it had been some sort of a talisman.

"Bring this with you and head to the outskirts of Vissudha Field." He began explaining, pulling up a nearby by map they had on the desk, "You see this area of giant lily trees?"

He waited for her nod before continuing, "Just walk around and enjoy the scenery, and I think you'll like the place." He chuckled mischievously, "Let's just say that you'd probably find a few surprises along the way."

If there ever was a way for him to immediately put her senses tingling, then the way he had suddenly shifted his attitude and demeanour was one of the most telltale signs of his random machinations. She wasn't about to let him get the upper hand on her just like that.

"You know I don't like surprises."

Aether guffawed, "Now that's a bold-faced lie!"

"What is this artifact anyways?" She eyed the hexagonal object with trepidation, veering away from the fact he managed to call her bluff, "Please, by the Archons, don't tell me that it's a lucky charm…"

Fiddling with the loose strands of her hair, Aether grinned, "More like a simple elemental tool. You'll find out what it does soon enough." Ruffling the rest of her lilac hair afterwards, he summoned another object, "Not sure if you know how to play one of these but bring this along with you just in case."

Her eyes widened at the sight of what she can tell to be a lyre. Though it's been a while, she knew for a fact that she can still play the instrument.

The question is just…

"Yes but…why?"

When she looked up from the zither, he was already busy scribbling away on a piece of paper. Tearing it off the notebook, he presented the piece of parchments with notes that she could read to be notes that can be played on the zither, alongside a picture of an incredibly obscure rock.

"Just… play along with me for now."

Hesitantly, she took the note with a degree of confusion. Her amusement further elevated when he ruffled her hair with a grin instead.

"I promise it'll all make sense."

She still wasn't convinced nor was her bewilderment reduced in any sort of capacity. But there wasn't really any time for her to doubt him further, seeing as he was already far past late to the meeting with the commissioner.

"Alright, fine." She decided to relent, casting her gaze away from his searching one, "Why am I the one who's worried all of a sudden?"

Aether could only smile apologetically, before he brought her close and gave her a light peck on her cheek.

"I love you too, hehe."

Cheeky, as he had always been.

"Alright, quit wasting time. You're late as it is." She playfully pushed him towards the door, "I'll see you later?" She couldn't help but sound hopeful. Though at this point, anyone would be hard-pressed to blame her for it.

Making his way out the door, he shot her one final smile.

"I'll see you later. I promise you that."

With a smile of her own, she waved him goodbye as he made his way out of their room. Leaving her to gather her thoughts to herself. Taking one look at the map, she took solace in the fact that she had somewhat of a plan to get through for the day. Yet, a part of her still admonishes the fact that she was going to have to do it all alone.

Well, nothing is ever truly perfect.

The vacation was shaping up to be one of those things, but she knew that there was no way that her entire off period was to be spent without a hitch somewhere along the way.

She shook her head. No point in contemplating over the things that had been done.

"Right, let's get going then."

After a bout of lunch, Keqing leisurely made her towards Aether's suggested viewing spot. With the heat of the day on the mild side and the breeze cooly abreast through the lands, Keqing knew that the day had been most suited to take a stroll the plains of the land of Dendro.

That small part of her still half-heartedly cursed at the misfortune that the Adventure's Guild placed upon their plans, but she quickly shook that nagging feeling from within her. If there was nothing else that she could have done about it, then there's no point in dwelling upon the what ifs and what nots.

If anything, it would be a waste for her to remain stuck on such a train of thought when the nature of Sumeru languidly called out to her senses. The rainforest making for quite the view as she took it all in. It was rare enough for her to find a view that would allow her mind to be devoid of anything work-related, much less when a certain blonde maniac wasn't around to keep her wanderings in check.

Checking her map once more, she realized that the path towards Aether's suggested location wasn't all that far. Considering the fact that it was still directly connected to one of the main path's leading to the city, she found it somewhat strange that he'd be the one to suggest going to such a location to relax. Knowing him, Keqing had expected someplace far more secluded.

Well, she'd reserve her judgement for now. Maybe whatever this place is had its own sort of charm to it. If the drawings on the map was anything to go by, then it would at the very least look unique to its rainforest surroundings.

She took the liberty of cutting down all the monsters that had gone far too close to the road, and also used her stilettos to scare away any Rishbolan tigers that looked a bit too aggressive for her liking.

"Life of an adventurer, huh?" Keqing scoffed humorously to herself. It's been a long while since she's been able to take upon mundane adventurer tasks such as the ones she had just done. Then again, she'd be lying to herself if she were to say that she hadn't enjoyed it. Though risky to most, clearing light threats from the public road was once an activity that she'd thoroughly enjoy.

Eventually, the winding road led her through a chain of cavern openings. She couldn't help but to let her infrastructural brain kick in. Her lips uttering silent grumbles about how inefficiently structured the road had been. Not to mention, the surrounding areas have fallen to such a state of disrepair that hilichurls and monsters have begun occupying the traditional buildings littered beside the roads.

Her mind had been complaining so much that it didn't even compute the fact that those huts have been made with incredibly small doorways. Or even, the lack of sign that it had doors on them in the first place.

Monsters abound, she knew that it wasn't exactly imperative for her to clear off the road. With no signs of the path ever really being used, she chose to simply evade notice of the monsters and made her merry way past the chain of caverns that awaited her.

She went by the rock formations the cave had held with relative nonchalance. Thinking that there wasn't much for her to really look at.

Until she made her way towards the cavern mouth and was greeted to a serene cove-like area that she couldn't help but to halt her steps for.

At the centre of the lilytree forest, lay the dormant area that she figured Aether must have been referring to. More of the traditional huts found its way to her line of sight, circling around the magnificent wooden structure like village houses would circle around their centre plaza.

The huts had been in a far better state than the ones she had saw before, but it remains to be seen if it had been inhabited during recent times. She was quick to realize that even with all these structures surrounding her, there was no sign of life at all.

She shook her head for now. Maybe she just hadn't walked in far enough?

Making her way down to the centre of the area, she took in the glow of the elusive crystalflies and fireflies that flew about around the pond. Their brilliant wings dancing about around the cove.

The area was beautiful, Keqing would outright say that.

But there wasn't any part of it that she could really describe to be surprising.

Apart from the strangely vacant huts and village-like centre, it had been a spectacle that Keqing can associate with Sumeru in general. The green lilytrees, the myriad of lily pads that's strewn across the small puddles around the cove, the lush winds that caressed her face. It had been everything that she'd experience and expected from the Sumeru rainforest.

So, what part of this had been a surprise?

Humming to herself, her peripheral vision suddenly took notice of more green lights floating about the winded path that she had just went through. Her eyes immediately drawn towards the sight of a rock that had a familiar look to her memory.

"Right, the note!"

Materializing the piece of paper, she took quick note of all the things Aether had written and drawn. His instruction was simple; close your eyes and use the vintage lyre to play these notes in front of the rock that is apparently called a Silapna. It didn't take long for her to notice that the rock did indeed have some elemental residue in the shape of musical notes pulsating off its body.

She took one last look at her surroundings. Sure, one can't probably blame her if she ends up butchering this simple line of notes considering how long it has been since she last held a lyre; but it doesn't that she wouldn't feel embarrassed all the same if she messed up.

"Okay…" She took a deep breath, placing her fingers on the string section where she thought the scale to have started, "Here goes nothing."

Slowly, she began to pluck the strings to the soft melody that Aether had charted.

Sol – Fa – La – Sol – Re – Fa – Sol – Fa – Do – Sol – Do – Fa…

The melody resonated soundly throughout the cove. The walls of the cliffs and the curves of all the traditional structures forming together as a natural amplifier for the melody to fly into the skies and the nature around her.

It was short and simple, yet it left a lingering sense of peace that Keqing could recognize. Peppering the air with its light touches of serenity.

The realm was silent only but for a moment, before the same melody was sounded back towards her through the gleams of the Silapna. Only this time, it truly did feel like nature was playing alongside her. The serene flow of a flute floated through the air while the ambiance around the cove forms together a natural orchestra that filled the air once more.

It was just as short yet just as sweet as she had played it.

The moment the choir of ambiance ended; she opened her eyes to the sight of the Silapna. Now glowing with much more elemental resonance than she had saw before.

It wasn't about the only difference that she noticed. Her gaze trailed upon the skies of the lilytree forest to see that the sky had turned into a soothing, yet vibrant shade of violet. The light of the fireflies and crystalflies flying about becoming much more visible to the air around them. The atmosphere that was already serene in her books somehow grew in its serendipity.

She was content with just admiring the scenery, but a peculiar sight that awaited behind her made it impossible to refrain herself from being taken aback.

As she was greeted with a group of creatures that were staring at her with curious eyes.

A small squeak escaped her lips as the little creatures began eyeing her closer. Though they had come in many different colours, they all shared similar yet distinct features on their appearances. While identical in size and their form is relatively conforming of one another, each of them seemed to have their own signature wardrobe at the top of their heads.

For once in her life, Keqing was left completely flabbergasted. What was she supposed to do? Say hello and hope that these creatures have a semblance of understanding for her language?

It remains to be seen if they even know how to interact with humans.

She figured that it was something that she should test out for now.

Timidly, she raised a hand in greeting, "H-Hello there…" She eyed them all cautiously, "I didn't mean to intrude-,"

One of the creatures who had been at the forefront of their group suddenly jumped – to her surprise – closer towards her. If she hadn't been so careful of how she was proceeding with the encounter, she would even consider the glint in their eyes to have been one made out of excitement.

The way it suddenly spoke served as nothing but to bolster her assumption.

"N-Nara can see us?"

Well, it can at least understand her. That's a start if there ever was one. Though she'd be lying if she understood what they have meant by referring to a certain 'Nara'.

"I'm not sure who you are referring to as 'Nara' in this case…" She gestured towards herself, kneeling to get a closer look of the tiny creatures, "But I can definitely see you all."

Another one of the little being jumped towards the one she had just been talking to, "The Nara said they can see all of us!"

Their voices began to pitter amongst one another. Excited mutterings of a discovery that Keqing couldn't entirely find the grandiose sense of achievement in. She merely played a few notes on a lyre and that's about it.

"Don't be too confused. They're just excited!"

A voice suddenly calls out throughout the expanse. Her head tilted up to the source of the voice to find a childlike figure sitting upon a nearby hillside. Their verdant green eyes immediately striking a presence within Keqing's mind.

She trailed the new figure as they walked upon elemental steps that mirrored that of a staircase. Keqing knew that this was by no means an ordinary person that just graced their presence.

"Humans aren't normally able to see their physical figure. So, to have someone come to their abode and find a way to interact with them is enough to make their day!"

The little creatures began jumping around with more vigour, "Oh, and we are also blessed with the presence of the lord of Dendro herself!"

It didn't take long for Keqing to put two and two together.

"The lord of Dendro…?"

A light, giddy nod from the newly arrived individual was all she needed to confirm her deductions.

"Lesser Lord Kusanali." Keqing bowed ever so slightly. Her recollection of the Dendro Archon through Aether's story had thankfully been one of the more enlightening ones, "It's an honour to have the chance to meet you. I'm-,"

"Lady Keqing, of the Liyue Qixing; and please, call me Nahida." The Archon mirrored the exuberance shown by the little creatures by giddily grabbing one of Keqing's hand to shake, "The Traveller have told me so much about you!"

Right, it's Inazuma all over again in Keqing's mind.

"Ah, I see that my reputation precedes me." Keqing couldn't help but to chuckle, "I can only hope that you've heard good things about me."

It was Nahida's turn to chuckle gleefully, "Of course, he cares about you to a greater extent. He's never one to shy away from telling stories about his beautiful partner." Unaware of how red Keqing's ears had become, Nahida continued on with a knowing wink, "My powers can occasionally allow me to veer into some people's leaking thoughts; and his own mind rarely finds itself thinking about anything else but you."

Keqing can only release the shaky breath she'd been holding onto. Burying her face into the confines of her hand.

Archons, now what!? Am I'm supposed to tell that blonde numbskull to watch his thoughts from here on out?

For the sake of her heart and sanity, that would have been a charitable option. But it is by no means a rational form of request for her to ask of him. Even if they are in such extent of a relationship.

While she had been mulling over her own thoughts of embarrassment, Nahida's voice resounded once more.

"He also told me that you would be traversing through the Aranara's abode today, and asked if I could possibly find someone to accompany you before he is done with his business." Placing her hands by her hips, Nahida pointed to herself with grin, "I was considerably free for the evening, so I decided to pay you a visit myself!"

"You really didn't have to. I was quite fine in going through the day on my own." Keqing gestured towards all the little creatures, "And I wouldn't have gone through this area if I knew I'd be disturbing the local… uhm, populace?"

Nahida waved off her concern, "Oh, it's alright. They're more than happy to have a new guest to entertain for the day. The Traveller might have told you about them before, but these Aranara have lived for a long time." Greeting one of the jolly Aranaras, Nahida began explaining, "People normally see them when they are still children and gradually forget about them as they grow up. So, to see an adult recognize their existence will always be such a foreign occasion for them."

"I see…"

Keqing knelt down to greet one of the bounding Aranara. Though their faces were barely capable of physically expressing much, she could still tell that they were genuinely enamoured by the simple fact that she's able to see them. One of them extended a limb for her to hold, and though hesitant, Keqing gently took them up on the offer.

"We haven't talked to another Nara ever since the Golden Nara came visiting!"

Looking back towards Nahida, Keqing tilted her head inquisitively, "I was about to ask… it seems like they are referring to me as a Nara?" She paused to smile at the Aranara holding her hand before shifting back towards the archon, "If you don't mind me asking, what does it mean?"

"Yes, Nara means human in their language! And since they don't exactly have the most potent of memories, they tend to refer to any human with a descriptive term coupled with the word Nara." Urging Keqing to fall in line with her walk, Nahida kept waving at the adorable Vanarana inhabitants, "The Golden Nara that they speak of happens to be the Traveller himself. He helped them establish this place as the new Vanarana, their new home. He was also crucial in assisting the elders of the Aranaras make sure that the power that once took their old home was properly sealed back into the depths of Sumeru."

Well, Keqing knew that Aether got a lot done during his time in land of Wisdom. But she wouldn't have imagined that he'd be part of an effort to ensure that an ancient native species wouldn't disappear out of existence.

Keqing chuckled loosely. If anything, it hadn't really been something that she could rule him out of doing. As much as trouble always finds the man, he's also one that would never walk away from making things that little bit better for anyone. No matter how small of a change he could bring for them, as long as it is for the good, then he'd go for it.

"When it comes to Aether, I guess those actions rather fit the bill." Keqing looked up to the violet skies, "He just can't seem to keep himself out of trouble, can he?"

Nahida shared the same free smile, "He has a heart of gold, and I can only be ever grateful for all the things that he's done for me and my people." Halting her steps, the childlike god began twiddling her thumbs, "And… I also wanted to meet you to deliver my own form of apology."

Pausing by the pond, Keqing looked at her questioningly once more.

"Whatever for?"

"For keeping him here for longer than he had to be. I understand that you two are romantically involved, yet the predicaments of my nation forced him to spend much more time away from your presence." Placing a hand above her heart, Nahida heaved a regretful sigh, "I've also been notified through Akademiyan intelligence that you were involved in a rather unpleasant situation the day the Traveller went back to visit you in Liyue. A situation that would have surely been prevented had he been there by your side."

Evidently, Keqing knew that the statement was one made out of pure logic. As was the sentiment that many of her close companions have had; there was very little chance of the Treasure Hoarders having been able to do what they did if Aether had been by her side as he usually was in his free time.

But she wouldn't warrant it to be a reason for the Dendro Archon to blame herself for a problem that had been created by insignificant crooks that was created by her own nation.

"Please, you have nothing to apologize for. The events that transpired have also come in part due to my own negligence." Keqing quickly replied, "And though I can admit that his… overprotectiveness, would have come in handy for my security; that doesn't mean that its unavailability should be yours to blame."

Keqing waited for the Archon to look up to her. Keeping her gaze strictly on the god's own.

"Besides, I would have been more disappointed in him if he had left someone in need of help to fend for their selves. It wouldn't have been in his nature to do so." Keqing reasoned with a light tone now permeating her voice, "What happened definitely wasn't pleasant, but it may have had to happen in order to expose the evil lurking within our own government. So, in the end, everything ended up turning out for the best."

Her somewhat positive outlook on the matter would have definitely caught anyone off guard, and the lord of Dendro wasn't one to see it any other way.

But Nahida could honestly say that she had been enlightened.

Her giggles came in softly, "Hehe, it seems like what the Traveller has said about you was true…"

Right, Keqing's heard this line a thousand times. Though admittedly, she can't entirely say that she's tired of it just quite yet.

"That I am an interesting person?"

Nahida chuckled louder this time around. A resounding nod accompanied her words.

"To put it rather simply that is." Nahida placed a finger on her chin, "Though his vocabulary had been far more expressive in terms of how he had described you."

Placing a hand up, Keqing could feel her cheek heating up, "For my sake, it's best if you keep those words to yourself."

This time, it was Nahida's turn to gaze upon her inquisitively.

"But aren't words of endearment a form of love that any young woman would be glad to be showered with?"

Keqing scratched her head profusely, "W-Well… yes, but to hear it from the mouths of someone else instead of your partner can be somewhat embarrassing."

"What can be embarrassing?"

Just like that, a different – yet all too familiar voice had decided to enter the fray. Keqing didn't even need to look up the cliff to see how he had been bounding over the walls. His figure effortlessly sliding itself beside her while his hand swiftly half-hugged her close as her amethyst orbs met his golden ones.

He spared her no time for reaction before he delivered a light peck on her cheek. His shit-eating grin caused her to roll her eyes in a feint of exasperation before his lips curved into a giddy smirk.

"Good afternoon, my fair lady."

Keqing merely flicked his nose.

"Good afternoon, my careless prince." Keqing said with a mock degree of sharpness, nodding her head towards the Dendro Archon, "Care to explain just what it is that you have told the lord of Dendro about me?"

The blonde shot her a look of confusion before turning towards Nahida, who had a fairly mischievous look on her face.

And that was Aether need to know that Nahida hadn't exactly been playing a fair game with him.

"Nahidaaa… I thought we agreed to let the things that were in my mind stay in my mind."

The aforementioned Archon simply laughed jovially, "Ehe… but you two are really fun to tease – I couldn't help it!"

Much to the chagrin of the couple, Aether willed the conversation away from their mental torture, "In any case… why don't we all just be glad that I was able to get here much earlier than expected?" He then turned towards all the little companions that had been trailing Keqing and Nahida, "It's been a while, you guys. Hopefully my Nara partner here behaved herself during her visit."

Keqing clicked her tongue, "I'm not a child, Aether."

A bout of laughter escaped Aether, before an Aranara bounded over to the blonde. A curious hand pointing towards Keqing.

"Is this Nara your friend too, Golden Nara?"

Sparing a quick glance towards the lilac, Aether's smile softened as he knelt down to the questioning Aranara.

Nahida could already sense her own grin growing in the multitude.

"Not exactly a friend… per se."

He happily grabbed hold of Keqing's hand.

"She's someone who's a bit more special." Nuzzling her hand, he grinned gleefully, "Someone who I care about more than most people in my life."

The Aranaras merely stared at him blankly, clearly puzzled by the concept, until one of them spoke out as they bounded forward to the forefront of the group.

"Aramuhukunda once told us of knowledge bestowed upon him by Nara Varuna. He spoke about having someone precious in your life, the way Nara Varuna was with her own companion." Casting their gaze between the couple, the Aranara asked, "Is that what Golden Nara is talking about?"

Keqing could sense a fleeting gaze of contemplation in Aether's eyes. Though she had an inkling that it hadn't been related to the insinuation of their status between one another, it was still a sense of hesitation that she caught upon.

Nonetheless, Aether kept his smile.

"Precisely that. She's my most precious." He shot the curious creature a wink, "So, if you guys ever see her around, don't be afraid to say hello. Keep an eye out on her for me."

A chorus of cheers and nods erupted from the Aranaras. All while Keqing can only hope that the heat of her face hadn't fully shown on the surface. How it is that he's still able to say and do all those things while managing to keep an unflustered feature will forever be beyond her.

"Aww… you two are adorable."

For a second, they had forgotten about the Archon who had just been watching their interaction with her own knowing look. Yet, in the end, they couldn't really find it within their selves to be flustered by the attention.

Keqing patted Aether's head, walking by his kneeling side. "And he's precious to me too." Nudging his side, she feigned a whisper, "Do me a favour and keep him out of harm if he's being too reckless in his adventures."

"Golden Nara will always be safe so long as the forest have eyes on him." The frontmost Aranara declared proudly, "And we will also protect Golden Nara's most precious person, for the forest remembers and watches over all of us."

"Of course, that includes me too, Keqing." Nahida mirrored her native companion's bravado, walking up to their side, "The Traveller has helped us through many of crises. It wouldn't be right if we didn't repay the favour by at the very least, protecting him and the ones that he love – whenever required."

It was a simple promise, but one that Keqing thoroughly appreciated. In any case of her capabilities, she is still one but a mere mortal. Teyvat is massive and there is only so much she can do to readily be by his side in the times where he needed it. To have the assurance of an Archon speaks volumes to the statement of his security, and just as the adeptus had promised his safety to her; Nahida's own declaration can serve as a method to calm her heart in times of Sumeru's unknown.

Her reverie was broken by the feeling of his arm gently snaking around her shoulders. His warmth slowly brushing past her thoughts as he spared her a searching gaze.

"See, no need to be so worried when I'm out and about." He gestured towards the surrounding group, "I've got good people watching my six."

She scoffed humorously, nudging his temple with her own in amusement.

"I'd still worry regardless."

Aether hummed for moment, before grinning sheepishly.

"Yeah, I'd worry about you too."

He left a sweet peck on the side of hair.

"Guess that's what it means to be precious, huh?"