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It was just a photo album. At least, that was what it appeared to be to anyone who would see it. Often clutched under the arm of the Vigilant Yaksha. Though, often would be an understatement; the Yaksha was never seen without it, and it almost never left his hands. To him, it was not just a photo album. To him, it was a part of his very being.
People rarely asked him about it, and he would never share what was in it. While there were rumors and murmurs about what might be inside – a keepsake from a notable battle, an Adepti charm or amulet - few were alive that would know that the photo album was the Adeptus’ sole keepsake of his one and only beloved, Keqing.
How many thousands of years had it been since she passed? He had stopped counting at some point, it became too painful for him to think about. Day after day, he spent hour after hour reliving the memories – every single one of them – in his photo album. To some degree, it gave him peace.
He sighed one day, thinking about what his life had become after her death. She had always feared this, let him know directly that she feared it. The Yaksha shutting down, effectively putting his life on hold, in a perpetual limbo, following her passing. Keqing had spent the better portion of their relationship together pleading with him to find something to dedicate his life to, a hobby of sorts, to occupy his time outside of his line of duty. Something that he could find comfort in for years to come after she died.
To a certain extent, he felt a sense of guilt. As if his beloved had wasted her years trying to find a hobby for him to partake in, only for him to become nothing more than a shell of a man for the past few thousand years. He did nothing with his time, save for the occasional fight against demonkind. His existence was little more than just…waiting…at this point.
Waiting for what? Xiao himself didn’t really have an answer. For the first few years after Keqing passed, he had thought extensively that he was waiting for nothing more than his own demise so he could reunite with her. If he were being honest, for a while, he attempted to expedite the process. Fighting carelessly in battle, almost as if he weren’t trying to win at times. But…he couldn’t do it. She would never forgive him if he allowed his life to be taken so easily just to see her again. The thought of her spirit rejecting him in the afterlife left him so fearful, that he began to take his duties more seriously than ever.
So, what was he waiting for?
Reincarnation.
~
It wasn’t unheard of by any means, for mortals to be reborn hundreds or thousands of years later, possessing some semblance of their former life. Whether that be in their Vision, their personality, or even their appearance. People were reborn for any number of reasons. Sometimes to right a former wrong. Other times it was simply to live out a different dream. Among the divine, it was much easier to tell a mortal that had been reincarnated, as their memories were timeless, and they could sense even the smallest piece of a person’s soul that lingered from a past life. Despite this, Xiao had a fear that he wouldn’t be able to recognize her. Or worse, that she wouldn’t be able to recognize him. Some may have thought that fear was foolish: his body had hardly physically aged since he last saw the Yuheng. He, in fact, made sure that he looked exactly the same to lessen the chances of her not knowing him if they were to cross paths by chance. His true fear, if he were to admit it, was something different. What Xiao really feared was Keqing not remembering him. Not remembering them .
He told himself that he would be able to accept an unwanted reality. That she would be reborn into a new body, have a new lover, and move on with her new life without him. He told himself he would accept it. But…as time went on, he began to realize that he would be anything but okay with that. A new relationship? He would make that sacrifice if it meant she would be happy. But to watch her day after day, knowing she would never remember him. As he wandered idly, meaninglessly, waiting for a reunion that would never come…he couldn’t bear it. She absolutely must remember him.
“Even if she doesn’t want to be with me…I need her to remember me.” He thought to himself. “If I can have one single…selfish wish…please remember me.”
So, Xiao waited. And waited. For tens, hundreds, thousands of years; he would visit Keqing’s grave, and sit beside it for hours, days, weeks. Only leaving when a nagging feeling in his head told him that she would want him to eat something by now. He would eat a morsel of something and return back to her grave with his photobook. Staring at the pictures, thinking what she might look like. What she might be doing.
This was certainly the hardest part of finding her. Decade after decade, the Qixing shifted and changed, and none of those appointed were ever his beloved. He looked outside of his expectations. Perhaps she’d become the Tianquan? Or did she remain a lower ranked secretary? No, it appeared not. Did she have regrets and find herself reborn again as Yuheng? Throughout the years, he never found anyone who he knew to be Keqing.
An Adpetus known by few besides Xiao at this point as the former emissary of the Qixing found herself sitting beside the Yaksha one day, strolling down memory lane with him. Ganyu had done her best to keep his spirits as high as she could, knowing he missed her deceased friend terribly. Initially, she tried to do what she knew Keqing would have wanted and pushed him to move on with his life. Not forgetting Keqing, but not falling into despair without her. When she came to realize that it was no use, and he expressed his hope that she would be reincarnated, she refocused her efforts into boosting his motivation to searching for Keqing.
“Maybe you’ll find her in a place where you least expect it.” She said before leaving one day.
Her words lingered in Xiao’s mind, right as he’d begun to have doubts. He believed he knew Keqing better than anyone. Surely, he’d know where to find her if she were reborn in a new occupation. Was it just not meant to be? Would the day never come when he would find her? The doubts only grew as time continued to pass without ever finding her.
He was certainly not expecting it when that day finally came.
~
It was unquestionably her.
The same long, lilac-colored hair in twin tails. The same hair buns that resembled cat ears, though they were messier than she used to keep them. The same bright, magenta-colored eyes he had fallen in love with. She looked as young as she did when the pair first met. Her fair skin, her soft-looking lips, even her confident demeanor as she made conversation with a customer. Seeing Keqing again, being so sure that it was her , it was almost as if the wind was knocked out of him when he had caught sight of her.
The choice of clothing was…unusual. A purple plaid jumper-skirt and thick, pink boots. It was…pretty. In a way that the Keqing he knew might have found too girly for her tastes. The only notable thing she was missing was her signature hairpin. Of course, because she’d left it to him before she passed. It rested on his chest like a necklace, hidden under his shirt.
It was almost surreal, seeing her again like this, while he was out for a walk in the Harbor. Though he hated the bustle of the city, he had steadily been taking Ganyu’s advice and looking outside of his comfort-zone for her. It was a sacrifice he would make if it meant he would find her. He happened upon her in a small store that drew his eye for its somewhat mystical air. And yet, despite finding her, he was still uncertain, in a sense.
What confused him was not her appearance, but what she was doing.
She was selling antiques. Remnants or recreations of charms, jewels, and talismans. As he drew closer to her, it was clear upon closer inspection that these had some affiliation with mystical beings. It was…almost comical. Someone as skeptical as she was when he last knew her, selling merchandise and amulets of the divine.
“These are particularly interesting.”
Her voice sent a shiver down his spine. It was so unmistakably the voice of the Keqing he had loved for so many years, it was only through willpower that he prevented himself from showing any emotions upon hearing it.
She seemed to have approached him without him even noticing. His eyes having been lazily looking over some of the merchandise in the store, amulets specifically.
“I don’t know much about them. But…I know they have something to do with the Adepti.” She gave an awkward laugh. “I suppose it doesn’t suit an employee of a place like this to be so ill-informed about the merchandise we carry here, huh?”
Yes…it was Keqing. She would always attempt to laugh off an awkward situation. At least, she would around him. Trying to hide her insecurity about not being as all-knowing regarding every subject. In his mind, he could have hugged her just for that. He really could have, if not for the fact that he knew she’d be calling the authorities immediately after.
“These amulets stave off evil.” He barely registered himself giving a response until he heard himself speak, holding one of them in his hands. “Adepti use them for protection and to ward off malevolent beings.”
She raised an eyebrow, looking at him, then the amulets, then back at him. “Oh? You seem to know a lot about the Adepti.”
“I suppose I do.” Again, he replied without thinking, not even meeting her eyes. He didn’t know why he couldn’t bring himself to face her. She didn’t seem to take offense. Or didn’t say anything if she had.
“Hm…it’s not often someone comes by that knows about these. Most people just want them to try to grant wishes for them.” She spoke, casually, picking an amulet up to examine. “You’re…different.”
Xiao only gave a nod as an indication that he’d heard her, not particularly knowing what to say. He lingered around for a while longer, trying to allow her the ability to get back to her job without him as a distraction. But she lingered beside him. Stocking shelves, answering basic questions customers had…but he always felt her eyes on him.
It was here and there that she posed simple questions to him about other amulets and charms that mounted the walls of the small store and he answered them with ease. Almost with disinterest. It wasn’t as if he was trying to be rude. He was just finding it surreal that he was even speaking to her after so many years. He knew if he even so much as gazed upon her for more than a minute, he would have made more than just a scene at this establishment. He had to take things slowly, he couldn’t ruin this chance.
As more people flooded into the store, Xiao began to make his way out. Though he wished he could stay, if for no other reason than to just watch her, he now had a sense of relief in his heart. He knew it was her, he knew where she was, he would see her again. As the Yaksha exited the store, he had barely taken his foot off the elevated step in front of the door before he heard a voice behind him.
“I hope you’ll…come back again.”
He immediately turned around to see Keqing a few steps away from him, eyes widening in shock and accidentally blurting out a “what?” as she played with her hands.
She blushed. “I…want you to come back again.” A pause. “You must think I say that to everyone, right? I…don’t mean it as a customer. I…want to hear what you have to say. You’re…you just seem…interesting.”
Not even a second passed before had she returned inside, leaving him dumbfounded. And yet filled with hope.
~
So, despite how much he feared it, he managed to find it in himself to return to the shop. He didn’t return right away. He waited a week. For one, he didn’t want to seem too forward. This Keqing didn’t know who he was, after all. It would probably unnerve her for a stranger to seem so interested in her after a single meeting. He needed to give it time. Besides that, he had to better prepare himself for interacting with her. What to say and what not to.
“Hey, you .” She greeted, leaving her spot to join him by a small stand of charms. “I started to get worried that I’d scared you off before.”
“No, I just didn’t think you’d remember me.” Xiao said, honestly.
She tilted her head, looking somewhat surprised at his response. “How could I forget someone like you? Not to be straightforward but, you really stand out.”
Xiao didn’t say anything. Of course, he stood out in a place like this. There were few pure Adepti left roaming Liyue and most of them took to the mountains, away from humans. The rest were usually part-human themselves and had fully integrated into human society, including how they chose to dress. You would never know they were Adepti. It was only Xiao at this point, who could not bring himself to move forward.
“In a good way, I mean.” She continued. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say there’s something…special about you.”
Again, Xiao remained quiet. Though, she didn’t seem to mind. His eyes roamed with genuine intrigue, studying the store before settling on a stack of intricately designed masks. Keqing started to speak as soon as she noticed his focus on them.
“These masks, they’re-”
“Yaksha masks.” He finished. “Or…replicas, to be more accurate.”
She beamed at him. “Right again. You really do know your stuff, Mr…. hmm ?”
“What?” he eventually said, looking at her expression and realizing she was waiting on an answer.
“Your name…what is it?” she asked, curiously. “It’s a bit odd calling you “Mister”, you look around my age.”
“Don’t…concern yourself with it. I’m no one important.” He replied after a few moments of silence.
She frowned. “Then what should I call you? Mr. ‘No One Important’ doesn’t really roll off the tongue, well.”
Xiao sighed. He probably should have thought about this more thoroughly and not rushed into meeting her again so quickly, if a week was even considered “quickly”. Of course, she would ask him his name. But, he couldn’t help himself and how rash he felt he was being. He couldn’t let an opportunity to see and speak to her again escape him.
“Forgive me. I’m just…not used to giving out my name to others.” He said, trying to mask his racing thoughts.
“I’ll tell you my name. It’s Keqing.” She said with a small smile, as if to encourage him to do the same.
I know , was what he wanted to say. And so obviously couldn’t say. Just hearing her say it was enough to make his heart both flutter and ache at how much he longed to tell her who he really was and who she was to him.
“If you must call me something, call me…Demon.” He finally said.
She crossed her arms, a frown on her face. “Now why would I want to call you something like that ?”
“You need not call me anything, but…if you need to refer to me with a name…use that.” He said.
A “hmph” could be heard from under her breath. He figured she wouldn’t be enthusiastic about the name but…what else could he say? It wasn’t even safe enough to use his Yaksha name, nothing that gave any indication of his true identity could be given just yet. Unfortunately, Xiao was never able to think quickly on his feet in social situations.
“So, what do you know about the Yakshas?” she asked, continuing the conversation, much to Xiao’s surprise. She picked up a mask, looking at the ghoulish face. “You speak about these masks being replicas as if you’ve actually seen the real thing.”
He answered in greater detail than he probably should have. But, part of him wanted to be thorough, as if hoping in his heart that doing so would spark something in her own heart. In her memories. Something that would allow her to remember him. While she listened with as much interest and intrigue as she always did, there didn’t seem to be much more than that.
“I really do mean that, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were a Yaksha yourself.” She said after more conversations passed between the two of them. “Or…a divine being if nothing else…”
Xiao only looked at the masks idly for a few more seconds before turning to take his leave, somewhat disappointed that she didn’t end up recognizing him. He was also upset with himself for not pushing harder, for not being brave enough to be more direct.
“Wait!” she called after him.
Again, Xiao turned around to see her a few feet away from him.
“Will you…come back again?” she asked.
Why? Why did she continue to seek him like this? When he seemed so standoffish despite it not even being his intention. Maybe, just maybe, this was what he was asking for. For every chance he felt like he blew, it seemed as though he was getting another opportunity. And it was coming from her directly. This couldn’t just be a coincidence. And if it was, he chose to believe it was more.
“Yes…I will.” He said with a nod.
She smiled, a faint blush on her cheeks before she skipped back inside after a quick bow.
~
And so, it became a habit for Xiao to visit Keqing. Their visits quickly multiplied from a couple of times during the week, to every other day, to daily. Every time Xiao was there, he would talk to her about the merchandise that intrigued her and give the occasional story of his past (unbeknownst to her). She would listen attentively, with glimmering eyes, solely focused on him.
“Why do you have such an interest in the divine?” Xiao asked one day. He couldn’t help it. He didn’t know if it seemed like a rude question considering that they still hadn’t known each other for long. But he would be lying if he wasn’t curious how a skeptic of her level in her past life ended up here.
She hummed. “Doesn’t everyone to some degree? Even snobby nobles who are only interested in deities for what they can get out of them feign interest. It’s funny that you ask that. I…really don’t know why. I just…feel drawn to these little trinkets.”
He could tell she had more to say, so he nodded for her to continue.
“While I was growing up, every time my parents would take me shopping, it was always merchandise like this that I felt drawn to. It…almost felt as if it was calling me, screaming to get my attention. I don’t really know how to explain it.”
Xiao gave no visible indication that he absorbed her words as deeply as he did. His heart pounded in his chest as she spoke. Even more when he noticed what she was looking at so closely.
A mask.
“Maybe I have a special connection with the Adepti and I just haven’t realized it yet.” She said with a laugh. “What do you think?”
He thought for a moment, genuinely considering his answer, before meeting her eyes and replying.
“If that’s true…I hope you figure out what that special connection is.”
A smile stretched across her face; his answer seemed to be more than satisfactory for her. She was right beside him, unboxing a new shipment of merchandise when she picked something up, looking at it with curiosity.
“This teapot…what do you know about it?” Keqing asked, holding it out for him to see. He looked at it, already knowing what it was. But he also noticed something peculiar about it. He took it from her, their hands brushing slightly when he did.
“This…if it’s nothing more than a mere replica…has no more value than standard kitchen equipment.” He began. “However, something like this could be used to allow mortals to visit an Adeptal Realm.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“A place only known to the Adepti. Where they rest, train, live.” He explained. “Places like this are what many Adepti call their homes.”
“Why do you need a teapot to visit these realms?” Keqing asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“It’s not necessary. The Adepti can visit them as they please. Something like this would be used to allow a mortal to visit if granted permission by an Adeptus.” Xiao explained, already far too familiar with the concept.
He had been given permission from Madame Ping and taken Keqing to visit Adeptal Realms in her past life. She had taken a liking to the Floating Abode, saying it made her think of him more than others. While they didn’t visit often due to her workload, she had always expressed interest in visiting when the pair just wanted to get away from everything they had to deal with in their daily lives. Just for the two of them to relax in a place all to themselves.
“Hm…I’d like to visit the Adeptal Realm someday.” Keqing said when he finished his explanation.
“I would, too.” Xiao said, staring blankly at the teapot.
“Why don’t you take that with you?” Keqing asked. Xiao raised an eyebrow at her.
“I have no Mora to afford it.” He admitted, feeling somewhat insecure about having revealed this to her. It wasn’t as if she’d know why he didn’t have any money.
“It’s my treat.” She grinned, wrapping it up for him in a gift bag before he could protest. “Does that sweeten the deal for you?”
Xiao stared at her before slowly accepting the bag from her. “Thank you. I’ll-”
“Don’t mention it. I won’t hear anything of you paying me back, either.” She interrupted before a voice called her from the back of the store. “I’ve got to get back to work. See you tomorrow?”
Xiao nodded almost dumbfoundedly, not even responding until she’d already run off.
“Yes…I’ll be here.”
~
“I can’t help but feel as if I know you from somewhere.”
Her remark came out of nowhere one afternoon, snapping him out of the blank stare he was giving to his food. The two were enjoying a meal under a tree during Keqing’s lunch break, which she’d recently begun inviting him to. He’d been reluctant to accept at first, but Keqing was nothing if not persistent, even now.
“What do you mean by that?” He asked, his heart thumping in his chest.
“I dunno. Just…when I look at you…I feel as if we've met somewhere before.” She said, staring at him with an almost unnerving intensity despite the gentleness in her eyes.
Xiao offered little in terms of a response, awkwardly turning his eyes back to his Almond Tofu. There was no way for him to answer that without saying too much. She seemed to do the same, the pair falling into an awkward silence afterwards.
“Can I tell you something else?” She eventually asked, her voice unusually quiet. He nodded.
“When I look at you…for whatever reason…my heart starts beating faster.” She said, her cheeks red, eyes still locked on her Golden Shrimp Balls.
The pounding of Xiao’s heart sped up tenfold, his eyes slowly making his way over to her. “Keqing…?”
She forced out an awkward laugh. “Don’t…pay me any mind. Haha…I mean…I know we’ve only been friends for a short time but…it just feels as if it’s been so much longer. I don’t really know how to explain it. But I…do find you really…nice-looking…and…”
Xiao’s ears were filled with nothing but the sound of his own heartbeat at her sudden confession. Was this really happening? Were things falling in line for him? Was this the second chance to be with her that he’d been waiting for?
“Maybe we could…go on a date sometime?” she asked, forcing herself to look over at him.
Always the forward one.
Xiao allowed her question to register in his head for only a minute before blurting out his response.
“I want to take you somewhere.” He said, abruptly.
“You do?” she asked, first in surprise before quickly perking up. Xiao nodded.
“Yes…the next time we meet. If that’s okay with you.” He said. Her eyes immediately brightened.
“Of course, it is. I…can’t wait!” she said before quickly collecting her belongings. “I…have to go now. See you later….”
With a small wave, she was running back to the antique store, leaving Xiao to digest what had just happened. He sat there for another fifteen minutes before pushing himself off the ground, a newfound resolve within him in anticipation for his next meeting with Keqing.
~
“So, where did you want to take me?” Keqing asked when the pair met up after the weekend.
Xiao didn’t say anything at first, finding a secluded location to put his plan into action. He revealed the teapot she’d previously gifted to him.
“The teapot from the antique store?” Keqing asked with a raised eyebrow. “What’s so special about it? I thought you said a replica like this is meaningless.”
“Yes, I did.” Xiao answered. “However, this one…is different.”
“Different? How so?” she asked, curiosity in her voice.
The Yaksha reached for her hand with a bravery he hadn’t felt in several millennia. She was initially surprised but quickly let her hand relax in his.
“Do you trust me?” He asked, meeting her eyes. There was a moment of hesitation in her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it had come.
“Yes…I trust you.” She responded.
Xiao nodded. He closed his eyes, channeling all of his energy to allow the pair to enter the teapot, opening their eyes within an Adeptal Realm. But this was not just any Realm, it was the Abode Keqing had loved so much in her past life.
When Keqing collected her bearings, she stood, taking slow steps, almost in disbelief. Her eyes roamed the space in amazement, as if she were in a dream.
“I don’t understand…how is this possible?” She asked. “This place…it seems…so…familiar.”
Xiao allowed her a few moments to take everything in. He was trying not to rush things but couldn’t help the anxiety that was building inside of him. He retrieved something hidden beside a tree and returned to her side.
“Keqing…I…need you to look at something for me.” Xiao said.
She snapped out of her wonder, eying him curiously and expectantly. “What is it?”
He handed her the photo album that he’d kept by his side for so long. Ever since he’d found Keqing, he’d left it in this very Adeptal Realm, not needing to rely on his memories with Keqing back in his life to some extent. Now, he needed it to help him one more time.
Keqing accepted the photo album. Initially, she starts looking through the pictures with curiosity, a silent confusion apparent on her features.
“This is….” She says slowly.
She stops upon a picture of what was clearly the two of them, covered in flour. The question of how such a picture even existed didn’t seem to come to her mind. Instead, her eyes softened, almost as if she recognized it.
“This…this book…” Her voice shakes somewhat as she keeps turning the pages. “These pictures…”
Another picture showed the two at Lantern Rite. Several pictures from several festivals over the years. There was a fondness in her chest at seeing the photos as she ran her fingers across them, trying to blink away the formation of tears in her eyes.
“I…”
Finally, there was the last page, revealing a note.
“Thanks for the adventure – now go have a new one!
Love, Keqing”
It is here that she meets the Yaksha’s eyes, a familiar softness in them.
“…..Xiao?”
Xiao’s eyes widened when he heard his name on her lips. The photo album slowly fell from Keqing’s hands and hit the ground. In that moment, his most valuable possession was cast aside in favor of what was happening right before him.
“Xiao? Is it really you?” Keqing asked, taking a step closer to him.
“Keqing?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, looking at her with an amount of softness he never thought he’d be capable of again.
“Xiao….Xiao….!”
The two embraced each other immediately, gripping each other tightly as if their lives depended on it.
“Keqing…I’ve…missed you so much…” Xiao said, breathing in her scent, trying to hide the shakiness in his voice.
“Xiao…I can’t believe it’s…really you.” Keqing said, tears running down her cheeks. They embraced silently, other than a few sniffles, for what felt like forever.
“Xiao…it’s been…thousands of years….how could you still wait for me?” Keqing asked, clutching his shirt. The Yaksha pulled away, tilting her head to look at him.
“Because…you are my once in a lifetime.” Xiao replied, thumbing away the tears that immediately spawned at the corners of Keqing’s eyes. “If I had to wait another thousand years...I would do it to be with you again.”
“But…Xiao…I’ll…it’ll be the same as before…” Keqing’s tears continued to flow. “My life on this earth will come to an end…how long will you keep waiting and waiting for me like this? I…can’t stand knowing that you’ve waited thousands of years to see me again…fully knowing that…you’ll have to go through this again and again and…”
“No…I don’t think he will. ”
A voice interrupted the pair; both turned around to find a large blue finch, perched inside…a giant teapot.
“Who are you?” Keqing asked.
“I am Rain Calmer.” The bird replied, somewhat slowly. Almost sleepily. “A teapot spirit.”
“Rain Calmer?” Keqing asked again. Xiao eyed the spirit with curiosity, knowing her identity, but having been clueless about her current presence in the realm.
“I am the overseer of this world.” She chirped. Keqing thought the name was certainly fitting. The spirit’s voice was almost eerily calm given what was going on between the pair of lovers before her.
“Rain Calmer…what did you mean before? Xiao…won’t have to wait for me anymore?” Keqing asked, taking a step towards the large finch. The bird’s expression seemed to have brightened, if that was even possible.
“The love between the two of you…it has transcended lifetimes. The hearts of the gods have been touched by the dedication shown to maintaining the love that you two have shared. Thus, they have decided to bless you two with an everlasting love that shall never again be interrupted.” The teapot spirit explained, cheerily, before facing them individually. “Adeptus Xiao…Keqing, former Yuheng…this place is yours. As long as you remain in this Adeptal Realm, you will never again be apart from one another.”
Keqing’s eyes widened, gripping Xiao’s hand. Her voice shook with urgency. “Are you...serious? Are you saying that…by staying here…we can remain together…forever? Please…I need to be sure that-”
“Yes, that is exactly what I mean.” The bird interrupted, as calmly as she had before. “Remain here, and you will never have to worry about being separated for the rest of your lives.”
They were silent, both becoming overwhelmed with that information. Were they still mishearing? Or…would they finally be able to be together without the grip of death coming between them? Surprising both, Xiao spoke first.
“Keqing…”
“Xiao?” she turned to face him.
“I won’t ask you to…give up your life for me.” He said, trying to hide the pain in his heart as he squeezed her hand. “You have a new life now. One that…I am not a part of, at least not as I once was. And one you need not force me into because of our past. So…before you decide, know that-”
“Xiao…I accept without hesitation.”
The Yaksha’s eyes flew from the ground to Keqing’s. “What? Keqing…how can you be so sure that-”
The former Yuheng ran her fingers across his individual digits, almost playing with them as she spoke.
“I’ve dedicated one lifetime to Liyue and I don’t regret a moment of it now that I see what it’s become. I want to dedicate this one to you. I want us…to just…be together…with no worries about anyone or anything else.” She looked up at him, pleading. “Please…Xiao…can we be selfish…for once?”
“But…you have family…you…” Xiao started. He knew he had to be reasonable and couldn't let her decide as quickly as she was. He turned to Rain Calmer. “Staying here would mean…you wouldn’t be able to see them anymore…right?”
The teapot spirit gave a reluctant nod. “While you will always be able to watch over them from here, this place is only for the Adepti and those granted permission by the Adepti. The half-Qilin, for example, may visit whenever she pleases. But, going back and forth is not an option. The gods have been quite generous in their offer already. Our mortal friend here must make a decision. Upon doing so, your current existence in Liyue will be erased. Tales and accounts of the former Keqing and her life will remain. But…the current Keqing must be forgotten so suspicions of her fate won’t arise.”
Xiao started to speak, but Keqing shook her head, speaking in a serious tone. “You don’t have to worry about that, Xiao. My relationship with my parents in this life is…strained, to say the least. So much so that…I don’t think they could care less if I ever returned home or not. And…I don’t care either. They’ve been anything but supportive of me in recent years and the only reason I still lived with them was because I hadn’t yet earned the money I needed to leave home. If I’m being honest, between staying here and going back home…good riddance.”
Even in this life, Keqing had a way of making something so personal and serious sound so…lax. As if she wasn’t agreeing to give up her entire life for him.
“Keqing…” Xiao couldn’t bring himself to say anything else, only able to hug her tightly into his chest. “Are you really sure about this?”
“I couldn’t be more certain. I’m more than satisfied with my accomplishments from my life as Yuheng. I don’t need anything more. But…Xiao…what about you?” she asked, delicately holding his hand in her own. “Ganyu being able to visit us means you won’t be losing someone so close to you. But…your duty. You’re Liyue’s protector. Can you…can you leave them like this?”
“Worry not, mortal.” Rain Calmer chirped. “That has already been taken care of.”
“What do you mean?” Keqing asked, Xiao looking equally confused.
“The work that you have done in your lifetime and that this Adeptus has done in his has been to the benefit of Liyue for the last few thousand years. The demons no longer wage such war on humanity as they had during the age of Rex Lapis. Peace is widespread in Liyue with only the occasional disturbance that humankind is able to combat of their own strength.” The teapot spirit proclaimed before facing Xiao. “As of this moment, Adeptus Xiao, the Vigilant Yaksha…has been released from duty.”
Xiao didn’t move, he was in disbelief. He would have stood motionless for several minutes if not for Keqing immediately leaping into his arms, shedding tears on his behalf.
“Xiao…did you hear that? You’re…free. You’re finally free.” She said, a mixture between laughing and crying.
“I…I am.” He said, still somewhat shaken. “I…no longer have to…”
“You are free to do as you please.” Rain Calmer assured.
“Xiao…Xiao…I’m so…happy for you.” Keqing said, wiping tears from her eyes and ones she saw forming in his. “I…almost can’t believe it. I’m…so…”
Keqing pulled back for a moment to…punch him in the arm.
“You…you idiot…” she said, before embracing him again through tears. “Waiting for me for so long. You could have…just moved on. You’re…so persistent.”
Xiao said nothing, only wrapping his arms around her, his tears flowing freely.
“This realm is for the two of you to live out your days as you desire them. Mortal, your days are no longer numbered as a human’s. Your lifespan will extend beyond the passage of time to match that of your most beloved partner and companion.” Rain Calmer declared. “Go…go and…love each other as you were meant to.”
The two of them wordlessly took each other’s hands, running off into the horizon, only a short distance before tumbling in the endless grassy field in front of them. Keqing with a beaming smile on her face that Xiao matched with a shy one of his own. He no longer felt confined to hide his emotions now that his endless burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Keqing buried her face in his chest as Xiao breathed in the scent of her hair.
They lay there, taking in each other’s warmth for who knows how long. Neither of them were in any rush; they had an eternity ahead of them to make up for lost time and an eternity to simply love each other the way they’d always dreamed of.
As for the photo album, Xiao still kept it; the memories from his and Keqing’s past life were as important to him as any others. He and Keqing would now be able to fill it endlessly with their new favorite moments for as long as they desired.