A groaning sound became clear in the room belonging to a certain Liyue Qixing: the Yuheng Keqing.
Laying her head on her desk with a huge load of paperwork, totally exhausted from recent developments in Liyue and still has more work to do, which is preparing for future architecture notes, plans for the next Lantern Rite, etc.
"I'm beat…" Keqing groaned.
Workaholic as she is, Keqing wanted to do more, but is having little strength to get up and start her job.
That is, until a familiar smell in the air caught her attention, quickly lifting her head as Keqing smelled the familiar scent that made her turn to see the source.
It was the wandering Traveler Aether, and in his right hand is a bowl of Keqing's favorite dish, Golden Shrimp Balls.
Without warning, Keqing quickly sped from her desk right up to Aether's face with a hungry expression; the Golden Shrimp Balls instantly cured her exhaustion for a while.
"Figured you could use a break. Plus, it was Ningguang's suggestion since you've been working without rest lately." Aether explained.
"I wish I could take a break. But there's still plenty of work to be done." Keqing explained, starting to think about work again with a deflated face.
"And wait a minute… Ningguang wants me to take a break? Is this some trick?" Keqing questioned, in a skeptical mood.
Aether chuckled, and grabbed Keqing's left hand with his own, still holding onto the plate of Golden Shrimp Balls tight without dropping the food thanks to his unique balance.
"Would I ever lie to you?" Aether asked, being strangely flirty that made Keqing's cheeks blush red.
"D-Dummy…" Keqing muttered.
XXX
Several minutes later, Aether and Keqing were out in the bustling Liyue Harbor to give Keqing a well-deserved break for a few hours before she goes back to work again.
Keqing was starting to enjoy walking the streets, since shopping is mostly her favorite pastime. She managed to buy several new clothes and items with healthcare products. But also some Rex Lapis merchandise, but she lied to being for the children to have. Aether just played dumb to tease her.
They eventually made a quick stop at the Yangshang Teahouse to have some tea. Yelan is currently out at the moment, but she left it open for the two since she's been filled in to help Keqing take a break and wanted to pay with her own Mora early, but she'll want something in return. But that will come another time.
Keqing stretched her arms before taking a sip of her tea. "That sure takes a lot of load off."
"Well, you really needed it." Aether said.
Keqing takes a deep breath and started to show a serious face. A face Aether would consider when she's like that.
"I never tell anyone but you this - am I cut out to be-" Keqing was about to voice her doubts before Aether, who has gotten up from his seat and walked to her side, put a finger on the Yuheng's lips to stop her doubting words, surprising her.
"Before you ever say 'you're cut to be Yuheng of the Qixing, let me say this." Aether explained, being reasonable.
Keqing was peeved she was interrupted, but didn't want to argue when words from the outlander would always help in her times of needing guidance and reassurance.
"You are one of the smartest, bravest, beautiful (which made Keqing blush) people I've ever met." Aether explained.
"The kind of person who follows her own destiny than let anyone set it for you. Even the gods." Aether continued.
"And after everything that Liyue's been through, they're lucky to have you. Heck, some at the Qixing would love to help if you let them." Aether continued explaining all the good qualities to Keqing.
Keqing couldn't find the comeback words to respond but still listen.
"And the most important part…" Aether said, adding one more thing before doing something that caught the Yuheng totally by surprise. He got her up with his right hand on her's and with another arm around her waist, Aether kissed Keqing on the lips, completely shocked with a crimson face.
The kiss was soft and welcoming, and even Keqing couldn't help but give in with her free left hand on his shoulder with doing a leg pop with her right leg, making the kiss all the more passionate for the next 3 minutes before the two let go for fresh air; faces blushing red.
"… that what makes the girl I am in love with." Aether confessed, smiling.
Keqing eventually took everything in and smiled.
"I swear, dummy…" Keqing softly said, hugging Aether without warning, which he returned with love.
"You always are my anchor when I feel down." Keqing commented.
"But in return, you come to me if you're having trouble." Keqing added.
"Or better yet, I'll come running if I hear it from Paimon." Keqing finished, which Arther chuckled.
"Kay. It's a promise." Aether said.
Aether and Keqing soon entered another kiss with now Aether's arms wrapped around her waist and Keqing's arms around his neck with her feet planted on the ground this time, sharing a loving passion at the very teahouse they're enjoying.
XXX
At Wanmin Restaurant, Paimon was enjoy a nice bowl of rice buns served by Xiangling, who is also serving Xinqiu, Chongyun and even Hu Tao for a little get together.
"Man, Xiangling! The food is as good as ever!" Paimon complimented, talking while eating her next rice bun.
"Try not to talk and eat at the same time, Paimon." Chongyun chided.
"You can't blame Paimon for her appetite, my friend." Xingqiu reasoned.
"Don't you guys worry! Pops and I got plenty more where that came from!" Xiangling hollered.
Hu Tao hummed. "I wonder how Aether and the Yuheng's date is going? I really gotta get a kick of seeing her blushing like a cherry."
And that wraps up this nice one-shot of another of my favorite Aether parings! It was nice to even give Keqing some time to be like a normal girl and a break from her workaholic nature, which makes me see her resemble Erina Nakiri from Food Wars: all work with her tsundere attitude, but have a BIG soft spot for someone they love.
Now, I plan to do one, may be two, Genshin Aether one-shot(s) before taking at least taking a break until after the first of week of June and start on the second week of June to get back on track and do the next chapter of one of my five stories so far.