Chapter Text
He was tired.
Aether really was.
The chasm was certainly not very nice to him at all.
Despite it all, somehow they all managed to get out alive, which was a welcome achievement. Though there were some close calls, in the end at least everything was sorted out without too much issue.
Well, there is one issue, and he knew it would come to bite him.
Going back home.
Wait, how is that a problem you ask?
Well, the teapot is not the problem; going in is quite easy. Neither is walking back into his room and sleeping.
No, what was hard was having to deal with the person who was likely to be sleeping in his room.
Yeah. The Yuheng. She’s probably already there and all worried, seeing as how he’s been missing without a word for the better part of a week. It’s quite late at night, and he wishes he wouldn’t have to see her still up and doing work.
So, with Paimon already going into her little room for the night with a rack full of midnight snacks, Aether takes his scarf off as he walks into his room. His body ached positively, his joints and muscles creaking as he stretched himself out. If he were honest, this isn’t the first time he was nearly killed, but then so was everyone else.
As he opens the door to their room, he sighs softly as the sight in front of him registers in his mind.
There, laying in the work desk he had placed across from their king sized bed, her hair in an untangled mess and flowing all over the place, covering her, was Keqing. Her body was illuminated by a small candle on the table that functioned as a light. The table itself was filled with books and paperwork that she had been doing, with various papers, lists, and pictures on the wall in front of it.
She clearly was working here for a while, evident by the large amount of items in front of her. Aether couldn’t help but sigh. Not of pity for her, but of how he felt terrible for leaving without a clue for another few days. The Yuheng was probably worried about him and chose to work here, not really going back to her office.
Still, this isn’t a place to sleep. It would hurt her back if he didn’t do anything about it. He placed some of the papers away in a neat stack at the side of the table, well aware to not mess it up too much else she’d give him an earful about delaying her work by messing it up again.
That said he was going to get an earful about going into the chasm for a few days unannounced again.
Once done, he checks to make sure Keqing is still fast asleep.
He looks between the bed and her sleeping form. The bed wasn’t far, and with her light snoring it showed that she was already in deep sleep.
With a gentle motion, he slipped one arm under her legs and gently lifted her up backwards. His other hand was on her back so as he tilted her backwards into a bridal carry, Keqing’s upper body slumped backwards and into his other arms. She mumbled, but stayed asleep as Aether stood up with her in his arms. He chuckled as he got a good look of her face; still his Keqing despite the tired circles under her eyes.
A pain shot through his arms, reminding him that he himself wasn’t in the best state. Grimacing a bit, he walked over and slowly placed her on the bed carefully, laying her down on the part of the bed where the blankets were open. He sighed as he stretched his arms out, figuring that he’d need to wrap them up; the bruises and small scratches here and there were a sore sight.
He looked down, finding Keqing already silently shifting and getting comfortable, her untied hair making a mess on the pillow. He was silently thankful that she was already in her night outfit, otherwise it would be quite uncomfortable for her to sleep. He chuckled at the sight, sitting beside her on the bed and ruffling the hair on the top of her head. He gently pulled the blankets up all the way to her shoulders with his other arm.
Keqing’s face contorted into a warm and soft smile, leaning to the touch. Though asleep, the all too familiar touch stirred her autonomous senses as she let out a low and barely audible hum of enjoyment at the warm touch. Aether walked over to the wardrobe nearby, taking his armor off and changing into a plain robe for sleeping. Since Keqing was already out of it, he didn’t bother using the bathroom.
Done with that, he takes out some wraps from the medical box and gently tapes it around his arms. After a couple of spins around both arms, he band aids a small cut on the palm of his left hand before placing the items back into the cabinet. That’s probably most of the minor injuries and he’d be fine.
With that settled, he gently got to her side again, making sure that Keqing is nicely tucked in bed and sleeping. She snores lightly, but now her breathing and face shows that she is much more comfortable than being back at the desk. With that in mind, he silently walked over to his side of the bed, burying himself carefully under the sheets so as to not disturb her beauty sleep.
Luckily, Keqing seems truly tired as she did not even budge.
Aether faces her, admiring her soft facial features as her body rises and drops with her breathing. He moved some stray strands of hair from her forehead, landing a soft peck on the empty space. Sensing the touch, Keqing released a small and barely audible giggle in her sleep.
“Goodnight, Keqing.”
—---------------------------------------------
Keqing walked downstairs into the dining room of the teapot mansion. Her sleep felt way better, but she didn’t really know why. Her body felt refreshed as a whole, and not to mention how her bones and limbs felt way more in shape.
Still, she couldn’t think about it too much. She’s going to have to start managing a team for the Chasm’s patrol. Several people had gone missing lately and they were last seen checking the deepest pits of the chasm for abnormal activity. Then, an earthquake occurred and they were gone when an expedition team came to check on the location.
And coincidentally, Aether stopped coming home.
She didn’t want to believe it, but she had to make sure. Thus why she was organizing a trip down there.
She couldn’t lie that she was not worried.
She rubbed her eyes as she got to the sink and washed her face.
“Oh? Keqing, you’re up! Breakfast is almost done, you can wait at the table.” A voice came from behind her.
“Mmmm, Okay Aether. Don’t take too long.” She replied autonomously, wiping her face with a towel.
Wait.
Wait a second.
She paused wiping her face, pulling her head back up.
Aether?
She dashed away from the sink as fast as her slippers can carry. She ran towards the kitchen, pausing at the doorway to take a look at the person inside.
There, wearing a black apron and placing a pot of chicken noodle soup on the counter top, was her golden haired and golden eyed traveler in full.
The same man that had disappeared for several days without warning.
“A……A-Aether?” She asked.
“Oh?” He turned around towards her, shooting her a smile. “Ah, hi K! You shouldn’t really sleep on the desk, it’ll be bad for your bones.”
No sooner had he said that and let go of the bowl of noodles, he was immediately tackled to the wall in a bear hug. All the air in his lungs shot out as Keqing’s arms squeezed him in full force without any remorse. Leave her starved of love and affection for so long, you’d get what’s coming to you.
Aether chuckled a bit when he regained his breath, Keqing literally right on him as she brought her arms around him, burying her face in his torso. Aether brought his own hands around her in a silent comforting manner.
“Hey.” He says after a while.
“Where were you?” She asked, looking up at him.
“Ah….well, about that…..” He starts, not sure where to begin his explanation. Sensing some hesitance from him, Keqing steps back as she releases him from the hug, silently missing the warmth just a tad bit.
Well, there would be more opportunities for that later.
“I got stuck in a particularly nasty place that kind of tortured us.” He admitted.
Keqing raised an eyebrow, crossing her hands. As quickly as the soft side of the Yuheng appeared, her harder side came around.
“Nasty and torture?” She questioned, her eyebrows furrowing. Aether knew that look, and as much as those who did it to him would be in trouble for messing with Liyue’s Yuheng’s lover, he’d be in more deep trouble.
“Shall we talk over some breakfast?”
—-------------------------------------------------
Aether had never felt more uneasy with breakfast before.
He explained to her what happened while they are, and Aether swore the more he talked the more aggressive Keqing was at eating her bowl of noodles; it was as if she wanted to fight someone so bad.
Truth be told, it was probably his fault.
“So, in all essence, you got stuck in a time looping domain, powered by some sort of ancient monster of some sort dating back to the archon wars, and only got out because you got a few breaks with your findings?!” Keqing summarized.
“Yep. Sounds about right.”
“Oh, for Liyue’s sake.” Keqing exclaims, shaking her head at him. “Look Aether, I love you a lot, and I respect your willingness to solve problems like this, but for once. Just for once, when can you stop sending your life into danger so easily?”
“Uh, well to be fair, we had no idea that would happen. Like, we didn’t even think such a place existed before. Not until we found ourselves stuck in one.” He answered.
“And nearly got stuck in one forever! Seriously, can’t you ever tone yourself down, or do I have to slap you again, huh?” She asked, leaning forward. On instinct, Aether retreated in his seat.
“N-no thanks! I don’t need that, I’m fine!” He defends himself.
In all honesty, Keqing really wanted to pummel him, but she reserves that for now. The most important thing is that he’s safe and well off.
Speaking of being well off.
“Alright, fine. But before we do anything, we’re going to fix and properly get those arms of yours back in shape.” Keqing says, standing up and heading for their bedroom. “Come on, I’m sure you dressed that quickly, I’ll replace those and put something to help.”
“K, I’m okay, seriously-”
Aether paused when Keqing shot him a glare that would probably scare archons to death. He was scared in the least.
He sighed, relenting as he walked up the stairs. Keqing nodded as she carefully took his hand into her own, pulling him up and into their room. She closed the door behind them, motioning for Aether to sit on the bed while she gets the medical supply box out.
Within a few seconds, she walks over to him with several antiseptics in hand, pain relievers, medical wraps and medical tape in case it was needed. She took a seat on the bed, tapping the spot beside her.
“Sit here and face me.”
Aether obliges, sitting down on the bed. Carefully, Keqing unwraps his arm, releasing displeased sighs when she looks at the small bruises and cuts lining his arms.
“It might sting a bit, so please bear with me.” She says. Aether nods as Keqing applies the medical materials to him. In truth, it really didn’t sting; her hands were as soft as they were gentle in applying them. Aether noted that she’d make a good practitioner if it comes to it.
Or maybe it’s just because it’s him.
Yeah, probably the second one.
Keqing’s hands applied swiftly and carefully, making sure she gets all the bruises. She runs her hands gently along the line of his arm, noting that it’s well built. The muscles, though not massive, are present and tough, likely as a result from his near nonstop adventures outside of the safety of cities.
Done with that, she takes the wrap and puts it on his arm; much neater than he did last night. She cuts off any excess and gently runs both hands through to make sure that it’s firmly on his arm.
“There. Done.” She says, her arms retreating back.
“Hmm.” Aether observes his arms, moving them slowly. It did feel much better. He smiled at her.
“Thanks, K. Feels better.”
“You're welcome. And with it I would also warn you.” Keqing leans slowly towards him, electro in the air as her eyes drill holes into him. “Don’t ever do that again. And I mean it. Or else.”
“Y-yes. Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good.” She says, placing the box back on the wardrobe. “Now, for the day, I was thinking we can go check the lower markets. We need to stock up on food here.”
Aether blinks, looking at her with a confused face.
Keqing crosses her arms, looking at him. “Yes? You’ve left me for several days without warning, nearly killing yourself in the process. I think it’s only fair that you’re mine for the day, if not for the week.”
“B-but-” He starts, but pauses when her eyes glow just a little bit with the raise of one of her eyebrows.
“But what?” She asks.
“N…nothing.” Aether relents. He does owe her for doing it twice, and he does need a break.
“Excellent!” Keqing clasps both her hands with a smile. “Let’s get going before the shops get too crowded then. Since you’re already back I don’t need to make a new team to go into the chasm again since you’re already here now.” She adds.
“Hehe. Always quick as ever.” Aether says, stretching his arms as they both get up. “Well, lead the way.”
When they were about to teleport however, Keqing paused, turning to Aether.
“Let’s deal with non-food items first, then food items last so they won’t go bad while we go shopping. Don’t think about running off, you’ll end up half dead again.” She says the last part rather sternly to him.
“Eheh, don’t worry about it.” Aether replies, cold sweating a bit.
“Hmm. Good.”
—---------------------------------------------------------
It was slightly past noon when the two were stopping by at Wanmin’s Restaurant for a quick lunch. Aether and Keqing bought some food and were eating when a loud noise attracted their attention.
Keqing raised an eyebrow and looked outside, while Aether sighed. Outside, it became apparent that a rather loud and large person was walking by, with someone in tow as people looked at them with mild confusion and some annoyance at the volume he’s releasing.
“He never changes, even here.” Aether says.
“You know that guy, Ae?” Keqing asks.
“Yeah. He’s from Inazuma. He’s the oni I told you about that helped us get out.” Aether says, watching as Itto makes his way through the streets, passing by Wanmin and probably heading for a restaurant. Shinobu was in tow, inwardly sighing at her boss.
Keqing’s eyebrows furrowed a bit. “He sure is making a lot of noise.”
“That’s just him.” He replies, taking a shrimp ball and eating it.
Keqing nods, but judging by the noise not leaving it seems Itto has settled down somewhere to eat or something. That, and the fact that citizens are starting to talk about their annoyance towards him.
As they finished however, something occurred.
Itto was apparently having a meal at Third-Round knockout, and as Aether and Keqing passed by them towards the other side of Liyue, the pair was suddenly showered with a sudden sprinkle of water.
Both of them reeled back in surprise, drenched from top to bottom.
“Oh shoot.”
Suddenly a certain Shinobu appeared in front of them, bowing.
“I’m sorry! My boss threw that at you without realizing it.” She quickly said. Aethe chuckled as he lent Keqing a spare towel to wipe her hair. “Hey, Shinobu. It’s me.”
She blinked, looking up. “A-ah. Aether. Sorry, Itto’s a bit high after trying some wine earlier, despite it being midday. Do you need a towel or something? I have a few here.”
“Oh, no worries. I-”
He paused, both Shinobu and Aether feeling a tingle of electro coming from behind Aether.
“Talk about public discrepancy. Someone needs to be taught a lesson.”
Before Aether can fully turn around, an Elector Stiletto cuts through between them, heading straight for the table. Aether and Shinobu’s eyes went wide.
“Keqing! Wait!”
Needless to say, Shinobu had at least some relief that all she had to do was sit by a hospital bed for the next few days.