#piamon

The afternoon sun spilled warm, golden light across the rolling hills outside Mondstadt. A gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers through the air as birds chirped lazily overhead. It was one of those rare days where there wasn't a dragon to calm, a nation to save, or a mysterious ruin demanding the Traveler's attention.

For once, Aether was actually trying to relax.

He leaned comfortably against the sturdy trunk of a large oak tree, his sword resting within arm's reach in the soft grass. His eyes drifted shut as he listened to the rustling leaves overhead, allowing himself a rare moment of peace.

Nearby, Paimon floated in slow, lazy circles, quietly observing him. After a long moment, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Paimon frowned.

"…You're smiling."

Aether cracked one eye open, his expression calm.

Aether: "I am?"

Paimon pointed dramatically at him.

Paimon: "You are! That's suspicious! The great Traveler is actually taking a break!"

Aether let out a soft chuckle.

Aether: "I didn't know relaxing was against the rules."

Paimon crossed her tiny arms with a dramatic huff.

Paimon: "It usually is! Every time we try to rest, somebody needs help with monsters, treasure, commissions, or collecting fifty-seven mushrooms."

Aether smiled.

Aether: "I think you're exaggerating."

Paimon puffed out her cheeks.

Paimon: "Paimon never exaggerates!"

Aether gave her an amused, knowing look.

Aether: "…Really?"

She hesitated before sheepishly grinning.

Paimon: "…Okay. Maybe a little."

The two laughed together, the sound blending naturally with the peaceful atmosphere surrounding them. Moments like these had become precious throughout their journey quiet afternoons where they could simply enjoy each other's company without worrying about the next crisis waiting around the corner.

After another comfortable silence, Paimon drifted a little closer.

Paimon: "You look sleepy."

Aether: "I might be."

Paimon's eyes sparkled with unmistakable mischief.

Paimon: "You know… Paimon bet she could wake you up."

Aether immediately recognized that expression.

Aether: "I don't think that'll be necessary."

Paimon tilted her head innocently.

Paimon: "Oh?"

Aether smiled knowingly.

Aether: "I recognize that look."

Paimon blinked.

Paimon: "What look?"

Aether chuckled.

Aether: "The one that says you're about to do something ridiculous."

Paimon looked thoroughly offended.

Paimon: "Paimon has no idea what you're talking about."

Aether couldn't help smiling.

Aether: "You've got the exact same expression you had before convincing me that Windrise apples tasted different upside down."

Paimon nodded confidently.

Paimon: "They did!"

Aether laughed.

Aether: "They absolutely did not."

Paimon folded her arms.

Paimon: "Hmph."

Puffing out her cheeks, she floated behind him as quietly as she could.

After a moment…

Paimon: "So…"

Aether didn't even turn around.

Aether: "So?"

Paimon tried her best to sound innocent.

Paimon: "…You're really not worried?"

Aether: "Should I be?"

Paimon smiled to herself.

Paimon: "No reason."

Aether sighed with theatrical patience.

Aether: "Paimon…"

She froze.

Paimon: "What?"

Aether smirked.

Aether: "I can hear you sneaking."

Paimon threw up her tiny hands.

Paimon: "I'm floating!"

Aether laughed quietly.

Aether: "I can still hear you."

Paimon blinked.

Paimon: "…Oh."

She paused.

Then, ever so slowly, a grin spread across her face.

Without another word, Paimon darted forward and lightly wiggled her fingers against Aether's sides.

"Eep—!"

The surprised sound escaped him before he could stop it.

He immediately jumped and stumbled forward with a burst of startled laughter.

Aether: "P-Paimon!"

Paimon floated upward triumphantly.

Paimon: "There it is! Paimon knew it!"

Still laughing, Aether looked over at her.

Aether: "You knew what?"

Paimon beamed.

Paimon: "You're ticklish!"

Aether quickly shook his head.

Aether: "I am not."

Paimon grinned wider.

Paimon: "You absolutely are!"

Aether: "I'm not."

Paimon pointed at him with a smug smile.

Paimon: "Then why are you laughing already?"

Aether tried to regain his composure.

Aether: "I'm laughing because you startled me."

Paimon floated around until she was directly in front of him.

Paimon: "Oh? So if Paimon does…this…"

She gently wiggled her fingers along his ribs again.

Aether burst into another fit of laughter.

Aether: "H-Hey!"

Paimon giggled.

Paimon: "Paimon's right!"

Aether shook his head between laughs.

Aether: "No, you're just persistent!"

Paimon proudly placed her hands on her hips.

Paimon: "And you're definitely ticklish!"

Trying to maintain the calm composure he carried through every battle, Aether instead found himself laughing as Paimon treated the entire encounter like an elaborate game.

She would dart in for a few quick tickles before immediately floating out of reach, giggling all the while.

Paimon: "There!"

She zipped away.

Paimon: "And there!"

Back again.

Paimon: "Ooooh! Paimon found another spot!"

Aether doubled over slightly, trying and completely failing to hide the laughter bubbling out of him.

Aether: "P-Paimon…"

Paimon smiled innocently.

Paimon: "Yes?"

Aether: "…You're impossible."

Paimon proudly puffed out her chest.

Paimon: "Paimon prefers 'adorably unstoppable.'"

Aether laughed.

Aether: "Nobody says that."

Paimon smiled confidently.

Paimon: "Paimon does."

She grinned proudly before swooping around him once more, her feather-light fingers dancing briefly against his sides before she floated safely backward again.

Aether reached toward her.

She zipped away effortlessly.

Paimon: "Missed!"

Aether sighed dramatically.

Aether: "You planned this."

Paimon nodded proudly.

Paimon: "Of course!"

Aether: "You've been planning this all afternoon."

Paimon scratched her cheek.

Paimon: "…Maybe."

Aether smiled knowingly.

Aether: "I knew it."

Paimon laughed.

Paimon: "But Paimon still won!"

Aether: "You only won because you fly."

Paimon stuck out her tongue.

Paimon: "Exactly!"

Despite himself, Aether laughed again, shaking his head.

Aether: "You know… for someone so small…"

Paimon tilted her head.

Paimon: "Mhm?"

Aether: "…You're surprisingly troublesome."

Paimon smiled proudly.

Paimon: "Paimon prefers 'surprisingly effective.'"

Before he could answer, she gently poked beneath his arms.

That did it.

Aether laughed louder than before, instinctively pulling his arms closer as he twisted away.

Aether: "P-Paimon!"

Paimon looked completely innocent.

Paimon: "What?"

Aether laughed helplessly.

Aether: "N-Not there!"

Paimon's eyes lit up.

Paimon: "Aha! That's your weakest spot!"

Aether protested through laughter.

Aether: "It is not!"

Paimon giggled.

Paimon: "Paimon literally just proved it!"

Aether smiled.

Aether: "You got lucky."

Paimon grinned mischievously.

Paimon: "So if Paimon tries again…"

Aether immediately realized her plan.

Aether: "No—"

She did.

Aether's bright laughter echoed through the quiet meadow, filling the peaceful afternoon with warmth.

Eventually, Paimon floated back, allowing him a chance to catch his breath.

She proudly folded her arms.

Paimon: "There. Paimon declares victory."

Still smiling, Aether rested his hands on his knees.

Aether: "…You planned that far too well."

Paimon nodded confidently.

Paimon: "Paimon always has a strategy."

Aether smiled knowingly.

Aether: "I thought your strategy was usually 'ask Aether to handle it.'"

Paimon giggled.

Paimon: "…That is a good strategy."

He laughed once more.

Aether: "I walked right into that."

Paimon nodded proudly.

Paimon: "You sure did."

For a while, they simply enjoyed the gentle breeze together.

Finally, Aether glanced over at his tiny companion.

Aether: "…Thanks."

Paimon blinked.

Paimon: "For what?"

Aether smiled warmly.

Aether: "For reminding me to laugh."

Paimon's confident grin softened.

Paimon: "…Well… someone has to make sure the Traveler doesn't become all serious and boring."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

Aether: "Boring?"

Paimon nodded.

Paimon: "Yep."

Aether chuckled.

Aether: "I think I'd survive."

Paimon pretended to think for a moment before shaking her head.

Paimon: "Mmm… Paimon isn't taking that risk."

Aether smiled warmly.

Aether: "Fair enough."

With that, the pair gathered their belongings and resumed walking along the winding path toward Mondstadt.

Paimon floated happily beside him, chatting excitedly about what they should have for dinner, whether they should stop for treasure along the way, and what adventure tomorrow might bring.

Aether listened with the same patient smile he always wore whenever she rambled.

For all the dangers they had faced together throughout Teyvat, it was afternoons like this filled with harmless teasing, easy laughter, and quiet companionship that reminded them both why the journey was worth taking.

And although Paimon would never admit it aloud…

I mean, does this really look like a terrible father? To me, it looks like a confused father who is trying. Sure he says his son's crying is an ugly noise and to cease the bitch crying, but maybe he is socially inept, or autistic, or maybe just uncomfortable and not good with children. But what most people brush over is he calls him his little, he uses a cheery babyish voice, he offers physical comfort to his crying son, he tries to cheer him up.

Sure, there is this quote, but hear me out. He's royalty; his schedule is BEYOND packed. He doesn't seem like an abusive or neglectful dad; he seems like an overworked dad. Not to mention, parents of multiple children AND overworked parents often forget their child's name momentarily, or may also call them by the wrong name. As royalty, mistakes are HEAVILY frowned upon so you really think Paimon is going to risk such a stupid mistake of calling his kid by the wrong name? I've also seen the take that Paimon doesn't even know Stolas, which could be the case, but that doesn't mean it's by choice. Many parents even in the real world barely know their children because they're so overworked trying to provide and build a name for their child, that they don't have the time to KNOW their child.

And let's not forget, while he may not have physically taken Stolas to the circus, he DID take the time out of his day to sit there and watch through the whole thing with his son and he DID keep his promise to his son.

Not to mention, he NOTICED EXACTLY what Stolas liked,. What made him happy. What cheered him up. He was PAYING ATTENTION. And, he CARED enough about his son's happiness (and probably knew his son was lonely as he mentions his son has no friends) enough that he tried to buy him whatever made him happy (even though it was a person 😑 but we're not hear to argue if he's a good person, we're hear to argue if he's a bad dad or not). Paimon knew he couldn't be there to fill the emptiness in his son's life, so he hired someone to do just that so his son wouldn't have to feel lonely and unloved.

And without Paimon taking Stolas to this circus and buying Blitz for him, Stolas and Blitz may have never met. Even as adults, the only reason Blitz tries to steal from Stolas is because he knows where Stolas lives and he knows he has this book and what it can do, all because Paimon bought him. And, had Blitz found out about the book through other means, do you really think Stolas would've been so chummy about it if he didn't already know Blitz?

*the bus drives off*

Mr Butler: Sir, I believe that was the bus to Attica Prison.

Piamon: Oh. Well Stolas can be their little mascot.

Kid!Stolas: *watches from the window*

Okay so most of us can agree that Piamon is annoying because she’s always talking for the traveler and over simplifying things when she’s speaks. But I have a theory/headcanon.