No need to apologize, we all have those days where the creative juice just disappears, just rest and enjoy yourself.
Honestly the question is hard to answer without a biased opinion, so I'll say it like this.
It all depends on what Qiu wants in a partner. Do they want someone to be playful with? Do they want someone that challenges them? Do they want someone where they can just be together without any expectations? Do they want someone where they can comfort eachother?
It's hard to say since we don't have Qiu here as of now for reasons I'm not fully aware of, but let me put it like this.
I suppose it depends on who's the most versatile when it comes to loving you know? I feel like both Liam and Maeve certainly can be a lot of things for Qiu (depending on what he wants in a partner). If it weren't for my biased opinion I would say they're both suitable and compatible with Qiu personality wise, they cover different aspects in what Qiu could potentially want in a partner.
For my reasons I will say Maeve however, more because she's silent but put together and playful, and gives back to the community (However I think if I read your post about finally fleshing our Liam's personality correctly they are very similar in step 3). Maeve can be a flexible lover, whether it's just being bored together, playful together, or just together.
Just to reinstate this is obviously a biased opinion so we might need outside input to make it a solid statement.
Also since we have no idea what Step 4 Qiu is going to be like we can't officially say anything because that's around the time if they do choose, they'll get married. But that's just my opinion on who would fit better personality wise.
(Sorry for the rant i feel like i have to much creative juice and I need to burn in somehow. Anywhoozies I apologize for the most likely existing grammar mistakes)