Chapter Text
Outlanders do not belong in this world.
That’s what the Traveler told Paimon on that very beach they fished her out from. Though Paimon and the Traveler haven’t gotten to know each other well in the beginning, once they left that beach that they’ve stayed on along with the little conversations they had, Paimon can’t help but feel this sort of bond she has with the Traveler.
Sure Paimon still gets a little riled up whenever the Traveler jokingly, but fondly, refers to Paimon as emergency food, she still thinks the two of them are close friends! (At this point it’s become an inside joke between the two, still doesn’t deter Paimon from giving the Traveler an earful for even mentioning it.)
It’s hard to not not like them. The Traveler’s friendly personality combined with their willingness to help others and throw themselves into whatever battle they come across is something that apparently catches a lot of people’s attention.
A lot of people’s attention. Paimon can't help the pout from appearing on her face when some random Knight of Favonius approaches them with a stutter and admiration in his eyes. Now Paimon may not be the best at social cues or reading the room sometimes, but Paimon thinks she has a good telling in her gut when someone likes the Traveler!
And a lot of people like the Traveler, especially in Mondstadt currently.
Paimon likes her traveling companion just fine! Paimon considers herself their bestie if anything, and as their self-designated bestie Paimon has to look out for them!
Especially when it comes to all the Traveler's admirers. Because as witty as the Traveler can be, romantic cues can fly over their heads. Paimon would rather have her bestie be with someone that they know and equally be as interested as well!
(Though there are some people Paimon can think on the top of her head that would be a good match for Traveler.)
"W-Well if you're not busy um," the other knight started, flushed and nervous. Oh no! Paimon silently gasped. This knight was going to ask her bestie out on a date! The nerve! He didn’t even woe them! "I was w-wondering if you’d like to—"
"Ah! Traveler!"
“It's Amber!” Paimon pointed out. Amber waves at them enthusiastically before bouncing over to them (to the Traveler more likely-) with a smile on her face. The Traveler returns her enthusiasm with their own gentle smile, their full attention now on the outrider.
Paimon can’t help but feel relieved that Amber showed up. Because knowing her traveling companion, they would have agreed to go out with this guy without even being aware it was going to be a date.
“Hey guys!” Amber greeted them once she got close. “I see you guys are back in Mondstadt again. So how was your travels and Liyue?” Her eyes always on them until the other knight shuffled awkwardly at the corner of her eye. “Oh! Was I interrupting something?”
“Well, actually Thomas was about to ask me something,” The Traveler said before turning to said knight. “What was it that you were going to say again?”
“Oh I’m sorry! Please don’t mind me and ask away!” Amber encourages, at least that is what Paimon thinks. Despite having a smile on her face, there was nothing friendly about Amber’s smile this time. If anything it felt more intimidating. Luckily for her, the Traveler didn't notice since they were looking at the knight.
“Oh, uh…” The knight’s eyes shifted back and forth between the Traveler and to Amber. Paimon thinks she sees the poor guy sweating. She almost feels bad for him.
Almost.
“A-Actually I think I’ll have to ask again another time I just remembered that there's something I h-have to do,” The knight stuttered, sweating bullets now. "I-I hope you enjoy your welcome back to Mondstadt honorary knight!" With that, he stances up and salutes before walking away. (Kinda looks like he was trying to get away.)
"Huh, that's a little weird." The Traveler briefly mentions meanwhile Paimon is glad that her bestie never got asked out by that guy.
"Maybe he forgot he had some important knight tasks to do," Paimon shrugs.
"Ah it could be the case, but since you're here Traveler, how about we go over and have some lunch?" Amber offered. "You can tell me all about your adventures and I can catch you up on what's been happening in Mondstadt! I'll even treat you guys to some Sticky Honey Roast!"
"Sticky Honey Roast!" Paimon cheers, mouth already watering. "What are we waiting for? Come on let's go!" Paimon turns toward the Traveler.
"Alright alright let's go," The Traveler laughs, then looks over at Amber. "But next time we get together, let me be the one that treats you." They smile and Paimon watches curiously as the cheeks on Amber's face turn slightly red before the outrider waves her hands.
"P-Please there's no need! I'm more than happy to treat a fellow friend any day!" Amber nervously chuckles. The young outrider’s face turns even more red when the Traveler reaches out to hold her hand.
“Well let’s get going! I’m sure Paimon can’t wait for some more Sticky Honey Roast,” Paimon perks up, temporarily pushing the image of steam coming out of Amber’s ears and brightens up with the memory of food.
“Paimon’s starving! Liyue’s food is good, but Sticky Honey Roast is just as good!”
“You say that about every other food,” The Traveler huffs in amusement as they walk over to the Cat’s Tail Bar, taking a seat at one of the tables as Amber orders their dish.
“Paimon can’t help it if Paimon thinks food is tasty!” Paimon says before chowing down on the dish Amber brought back. Paimon watches as Amber and the Traveler fall into a conversation, one where the Traveler relays the monsters they’ve encountered and the sights of Liyue. Amber’s full attention was on them and less on her food (which almost led to Paimon wondering if she could sneak a bite from her plate-). What Paimon found interesting was the absolute soft expression Amber was displaying and the looks of adoration to her bestie.
Well isn’t that fascinating?
Paimon’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard her bestie give out a little laugh to Amber’s confessing that she got her gliding license revoked again . But Amber didn’t look offended when the Traveler laughed at her predicament even though she did pout, there was something in Paimon that she suspects that Amber didn’t mind with the Traveler.
(Amber with Paimon’s bestie doesn’t sound like an entirely bad idea…)
Paimon makes it her personal goal to make sure that her traveling companion has the best experience in Teyvat before leaving in the inevitable future. That’s including the people that they interact with! (Especially anyone that’s interested in them-)
Outlanders don’t belong in this world, that’s what the Traveler said to Paimon.
But it sure feels like that they belong here though.