"You want to talk about it?" Keqing asked. She had rested her head on Aether's bare chest. His hand pressed on the small of her back while other held her cheek. Now she scootched up his body, so they could look each other in the eyes.
Aether put on a big smile, "About how amazing you are in bed? Seems a little self-indulgent."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into an embrace. Her breasts pressed down on his firm chest and he couldn't stifle a moan. Her body draped into his, she pressed her lips into his neck prizing out another moan.
She cupped his cheek and brought his face back to hers. This time, she was serious.
"Aether, please talk to me… what's wrong?"
She had made love to him for two reasons. First, she wanted him. Really wanted him. Hu Tao would be shocked if she learned half the things Keqing dreamed of doing to this guy. Second, whenever she tried talking about it before Aether changed the subject or ran away. He'd have a much harder time escaping with her naked body atop his, especially post love making when she'd rung out every drop from him. A little sex to open up his heart.
Aether gently removed her hand. Still, he wore that big smile. That fake smile.
"You've been talking with Paimon, haven't you?"
"We're worried about you. We love you." He gave her an appreciative squeeze. She stroked his cheek gently and felt him shift beneath her.
"K, I've been thinking about the people" he said, his voice catching with a tremor. He took a deep breath. She caressed his face, letting him know he wasn't alone, that she'd be here no matter what. "I've been thinking about the people I couldn't save."
He hesitated, pain evident in his expression. Aether rolled away, as though about to get up and leave. Her arms fell around his waist. She held him. Her chin nestled into his broad back, laced with scars and injuries. Her hands ran across his chest, over his weary heart.
"Tell me about them," she suggested.
"Teppei…" he choked, "we were going to have matching uniforms. I have no idea if Zhiqiong and Katarina made it out okay. I never got to say bye to Miitoboru before he…Jebrael gave his life to save me, and I couldn't even protect his daughter. Hanyuuda Chizuru is gone forever. I wasn't there when Melus and Silver…"
Keqing's heart went out to him. Aether was a strong person. More than that though, he was a truly kind-hearted man who put others before himself. He never wanted to burden others with his problems. Admitting all this must've been difficult. It probably was only a drop in the ocean of his sorrows. She stroked his hair, tenderly, with all the love she could give.
"Think of all the people you did save," she said. "Dvalin, Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, the Melusines, Shenhe, Xiao, Thoma, Ei, Rana, Collei, Nahida, Furina…me."
She cupped his chin, directing his gaze towards hers.
"My world has gotten brighter with you in it. I mean that. Now that you're a part of my life, I don't know how I ever managed without you," she said with utter sincerity. "I won't tell you not to grieve those you've lost. You should. But there's something you should never forget."
She hugged him tightly, squeezing her breasts into his chest. Their hearts, separated by paltry ribs and flesh, practically beat as one.
"Teyvat is objectively better because of you, and it will only get better and better, because of you. And I'm better because of you. Whatever the future brings, I know I'll be okay because I have you."
"K," he said breathlessly. Tears filmed his eyes.
She took his beautiful face in her hands, brushing his cheeks between her thumbs, and brought her lips into his. He surrendered a genuine smile. Their kiss deepened. She relished the minty taste of his tongue, the firmness of his chest pressed against hers, the soft locks of hair that fell like golden rays through her fingers. He held the back of her head, gently but with great need. His hand drifted up her thigh, and rested on her rear—not quite lewdly, but rather a loving kind of appreciation.
"Aether, I love you."
"I love you, Keqing."
He planted a trail of kisses along her neck, kissing downwards towards her breasts. She melted into him, offering her very being before her lover. He did no less.
Suddenly she pushed him away. He sat there, completely perplexed, until with a smile she said, "You do so much for others. Time to let someone else do something for you."
She gave his balls a playful squeeze. "Keqing," he moaned with every touch, "Keqing." She loved that she made him feel this way. That she could return all the love he laid upon her tenfold—it brought her more joy than anything else. Grinning, Keqing took Aether's pleasure to a whole new height.
Aether lay heaving on his back, while Keqing lay heaving on his chest. They were spent, utterly spent. And yet, he wanted more of her. He wanted to hold onto her forever. He wanted to dedicate his life to showering her in love. He brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
"Thanks, Keqing," he said. "I needed this."
"Me too, but," she paused. "Well, there was another reason I did all this. I was wondering if maybe we could try…moving in together?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation.
Her face brightened. "You mean it? What a relief. I had actually made a list of reasons why living together could be mutually beneficial in case you need convincing."
"No convincing necessary," he clasped her hands in his. "I want to be with you. I want to wake up every morning with you in my arms. I want to grow old with you. I want to start a family with you."
She blushed. "A family…"
"S-sorry, is that too much?"
"No. I want one too."
They settled into each other's loving embrace. Keqing smiled tenderly at Aether.
"If we're really going to have a family," she said, "how about we get started right now?"
Once more, they surrendered to each other. The night became rife with the sounds of their moans, of hearts drumming in unison, and the night bore witness to their contract. A promise of a life spent together, filled with love.