𝑶𝒍𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 || 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑣𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 𝑥 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟

VII

                              •••

<<Perfect. Are we ready, Traveller?>> Paimon asked.

The Traveler nodded and as soon as he saw the young girl looking with such interest at a shop window of traditional clothes, he looked around making sure there was no one nearby.
He came out of his hiding place and walked towards her.

After the event at the Steambird was over and everyone returned to their daily activities, Paimon and the Traveler had made an agreement.
To solve that problem they would have to take Y/n aside and talk to her without alerting her in any way.

And there they were.
Behind a low wall while they observed her gestures and followed her cautiously.

The Traveler approached and tentatively tapped her on the shoulder.
Y/n turned and seeing who she found herself in front of and said:

<<Oh, it's you two! It's nice to see you again.>>

<<Yes, for us too.
Is it possible to exchange a few words with you?>>
Paimon asked.

<<Did something bad happen?>> Y/n asked, putting a hand to her chest, unsure of how to handle the topic.

<<No, nothing happened.
We just wanted to...get to know you better, yes that's right!>> said Paimon.

A terrible liar.

<<Of course.
What do you want to know?>>

The Traveler and Paimon glanced at each other.

<<Who are you?>> Paimon asked.

<<..Y/n?>> she said confused.

<<How old are you, Y/n?>>

<<Don't ask a lady her age.>> Y/n said crossing her arms.

Paimon, now impatient, began to ask too many things at once.

<<Tell us your constellation.>>

<<Favourite food?>>

<<Sea or mountain?>>

<<Blood type?>>

<<Dog or cat?>>

The Traveler stopped her.

<<Uh sorry, Paimon got emotional.>> she said, laughing nervously.

<<Don't worry, I wasn't offended.
But I think I have to go now..>>

<<What? No!>> said Paimon pronouncing that 'no' too loudly.

The Traveler cleared his throat.

<<One last thing. Please.>>

Y/n sighed.
She certainly couldn't say 'no' to the Traveler who had saved so many regions of Teyvat.

<<Okay. Only one though.>>

The Traveler nodded.
He knew that what he was about to say would shock her somehow.
But he didn't care at the time.

<<Do you know the legend of the Hydro Dragon and his first love?>>

A phrase.
thirteen words.
forty-nine letters.

These alone served to make the young girl's eyes widen.
The Traveler tried to decipher the look of the girl in front of him.
She looked...sad.
The world seemed to stop.

<<I...no. I don't know.>>

She was lying.
Why was she lying? For what?

<<Are you sure?>>

<<You had only asked one question.>>

With that she turned on her heel and left in the opposite direction.
Was she trying to hide the tears that were blurring her vision?

The Traveler looked at Paimon.

<<She knows. She knows better than anyone.
I'm one hundred percent sure it's her.>> The Traveler said.

<<Bingo!>> exclaimed Paimon.

The two smiled at each other triumphantly.

The day after.

Paimon and the Traveler strolled through the streets of Fontaine.
As they walked, the citizens, seeing them, greeted them cheerfully.
It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and nothing could affect that cool morning in the Hydro region.

Or at least that's what they initially thought.

They sat down at a bar and ordered their breakfast.
Paimon got an orange juice and two chocolate cream puffs.
The Traveler a simple coffee.

<<What a beautiful day! It's been a long time since we relaxed like this.>> Paimon said.

The Traveler nodded and took a small sip while holding the white cup in his right hand.

<<These days I'm eating too much, Paimon doesn't want to gain weight!>>

The Traveler listened to the complaints of his traveling companion.
But luckily they were interrupted by a figure approaching in their direction.

<<Sorry to bother you, can I sit with you?>>

The Traveler looked up.
How could he say no to Y/n after what happened the previous day?

<<Thank you.>> Y/n said, sitting next to the two.

<<I wanted to apologize to both of you. I shouldn't have left without saying goodbye. It was rude of me.>>

Paimon swallowed the last sweet and said:

<<Don't worry, we owe you an apology too. We won't have to hassle you and ruin your day. We're sorry.>>

There was a moment of silence. Nobody opened their mouths.

<<...What would you like to know about...the legend?>>

                              •••