#aeqing

Aether:Hello? *walks into office* I was told you wanted to see me?

Keqing:Ah, good. You’ve arrived. *walks up to him* How are you feeling?

Aether:Pretty good. Fit as a fid-

Keqing:*grabs shoulders* Aether…

Aether:*red* Y-Yes…?

Keqing:I…*shakes violently* WILL PERSONALLY END YOU MYSELF IF YOU TRY DYING ON ME AGAIN!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?

Aether:You called me here to yell!?

Keqing:Absolutely! Do you understand how terrifying it was for m- for everyone to see Hu Tao carrying you and calling for help!? You were as pale and cold as Qiqi!

Aether:I’m sooorrrry! Please let gooo! I might pass out again!

Keqing:*lets go*….

Aether:Are you still mad?

Keqing:I’m not mad. I fully understood what and who was at stake. I’m just a bit pissed. If you do something reckless then you have the responsibility to return looking healthy. Conscious at the very least. You’re lucky Yanfei didn’t see you. She might’ve cried or paced around the room until you woke up.

Aether:….*hugs her* I’m sorry I freaked you out.

Keqing:*red* Just to be clear, I didn’t cry.

Aether:But you definitely paced, didn’t you?

Keqing:My thoughts flow better in motion.

Aether:Heh. You…haven’t said you’ve forgiven me yet.

Keqing:I’m thinking about it.

Aether:Then can you think about it over a meal? My treat.

Keqing:….

Aether: Golden Shrimp Balls~🎶

Keqing:*squints*…I guess that can influence my decision this time around. *hugs back* You can’t do this a second time. I won’t let you off so easily.

Aether:Yes ma’am.

Door swings open

Aeqing:!?

Yanfei:So nobody wanted to tell this Adeptus everything she held dear was on the line!? You all let me babysit Yaoyao like nothing was wrong!?

Keqing:Oh wow, she’s…a lot angrier than I gave her credit for.

Aether:It’s okay! Everyone is alive and healthy now.

Yanfei:WERE YOU NOT BEFORE!? sniffles

;;ooc: Silly high school AU for my favorite ships for Lumine & Aether. ;w;

// Hello! First of all, I actually moved blogs recently so if you wish to contact me in the future you can do so on @stelliferousduo! ^^

I'd love to talk there or even on Discord if you're comfortable with adding me -> veebcrry.

// This concludes 7 days of consecutive illustrations! I wish I could have posted 7 fully colored, fully shaded pieces but that wasn't going to happen, haha.

I definitely feel a little burnt out, so I will take a small break from drawing before picking it up again. ;w;

Ningguang:I hope you enjoy yourself. How is dating someone of his renown anyways? It seems pretty relaxed.

Keqing:….

xxxxx

Aether:….Do you think sometimes pyro slimes and cryo slimes fall in love, but don’t know how to make it work?

Keqing:*stops writing*…Aether, have you slept yet today?

Aether:…I don’t see how that is relevant.

xxxxx

Aether:*watching*…..

Keqing:…..!? Yes?

Aether:Oh the things you make me think about sometimes~

Keqing:*bright red* Huh!? Sir, where is this coming from!?

Aether:It’s always a background thought.

Keqing:Always!?

Present day

Keqing:I can never predict his next words.

Ningguang:Sounds exciting.

Down at Liyue Harbor Docks, Aether and Keqing sit and watch the moon over the water after a satisfying dinner.

Keqing:I appreciate you showing up to my birthday dinner.

Aether:You sent an invite and it’s been awhile since I’ve been back. How could I not want to see you?

Keqing:Always the sweet talker. I know you like showing up but I that doesn’t mean it’s always possible. I guess my appreciation was more towards the fact you were free. So, how’s Fontaine?

Aether:Big and wet. Lots of beautiful things to discover but a little tense at times. That’s for sure.

Keqing:Is that so? Are you sure there’s nothing else you want to say?

Aether:Hmm?

Keqing:I can always tell y’know, just how exhausted you are. It’s not as bad as when you retuned from Inazuma, you’re definitely not as vibrant as when you came back from Sumeru. What’s wrong?

Aether:…Sigh, It’s not as if one thing is wrong. Everything got really heavy and intense without much certainty. We made it out alright but…it kinda feels like I was just a cog in it all.

Keqing:Aren’t we all to a certain point? Each of us work and if it all fits together then we create something bigger than ourselves. It’s how we saved Liyue; it’s how you stood against a not one, but two gods.

Aether:I know. You’re right; it’s just this time it felt less cooperative and more…destined. Maybe I’m overthinking things?

Keqing:You should rest. Burnout is the killer of innovation and effort, not the reward. Everyone needs rest.

Aether:Heh, never thought I’d hear you tell me that.

Keqing:That’s…fair. Listen, I know my job is vital to a lot of things but I won’t pretend that consequences of my limitations and yours are the same. My paperwork and plans gets delayed, but you, burnout could take your life in your field of work. Please, don’t over do it.

She rests her hand on top of his. Giving a small smile, Aether puts his head on her shoulders, closing his eyes when she returned the gesture by leaning on him a little.

Aether:You’re extra affectionate tonight.

Keqing:*red* And what’s wrong with that? It’s been ages since we’ve been alone like this. I missed it.

Aether:We should find time to do it more often. Happy Birthday, Keqing.

Keqing:Thank you. Now please, let’s set aside work, and just rest in this moment~

Aether:For how long?

Keqing:Morning of course.

Aether:Sounds to me like you’re keeping me for the rest of the night.

[Teapot, Keqing’s office]

Knock knock knock

Keqing:*writing* Come in.

Nilou:*peeks in* Hello.

Keqing:Something the matter?

Nilou:Uh, maybe? Is there something big planned for us.

Keqing:Not to my knowledge, why?

Nilou:Aether has been really pushing himself lately. Take a look.

Keqing gets up and follows Nilou outside to the golden hair boy asleep under a tree with his arms folded. Closer inspection reveals wear and tear on his clothes from constant fights and the weather. The slightly messy brain and bandages wrapped up to his forearms only added to Nilou’s valid concerns. Keqing however, could only sigh.

Keqing:And he tells me not to overwork? Nilou, nothing major is happening. It’s actually the opposite. Aether likes to do personal projects but he only has the time after dealing more urgent matters. Since the only thing grand happening was the TCG tournament, he’s most likely using his spare time to finish things on his mind. It’s not the first time he’s done this.

Nilou:Finish things like what?

Keqing: Don’t tell anyone but Aether and a couple others have been gathering things for the Sumeru realm inside here to surprise you all. Other than that, he’s no doubt running around gathering resources to help everyone. Extra bosses, material gathering, artifact preparation….

Nilou:Sounds tiring. Why not ask for more help.

Keqing:He claims it helps keeps his edge and he doesn’t want to bother anyone too much. But if he’s gonna work himself to the point of passing out under a tree when his home isn’t far, then that’s worrying. His bandages might need changing too.

Nilou:What should we do? You appear to be used to this sort of thing.

Keqing:When you get the chance, tell Kaveh to grab Yoimiya and Itto for all construction work. They’ll find what they need without him easily. I’ll Yanfei and a few others to remember to collect things while one patrol.

Nilou:Okay. I can go do that now! *runs off*

Keqing:Nilou! I promise he’s fine- and she’s gone….

Aether:Zzzz

Keqing:Look at you, making people worry. At this rate you’re gonna scare someone half to death; even Hu Tao.

She crouched down and put the sleeping boy in her arms. To think someone who lives so dangerously would be such a heavy sleeper? Keqing shook her head at him them carried Aether to his house.

Aether:*nuzzles in*

Aether:Tsk, we really don’t have the time to be chasing it ar-

Keqing:*teleports*

Aether:Iconic. Amazing. Inspiring. I can’t look away. There’s not a day I regret helping you get stronger.

Keqing:*red* Please shut up and stab it.

Kokomi:I think it’s sweet.

Sucrose:I agree.