Archive of Our Own ^beta

As the sun shined through the window, Lisa thought that it was really an honor to be able to live in such a place.

- It would be a shame to sleep in today, wouldn't it?

She yawned, getting up from the bed and stretching a bit to wear off the doziness.

- Mhm, what should I bring today?

She mumbled to herself, checking her collection of tea bags.

- I think... I'm in the mood for something peachy this time.

She chuckled, taking a tea bag with warm colours on the envelope in her hand, putting the rest away before getting ready to go to the library.
Since it was earlier than she expected, she decided to take a stroll through the streets, enjoying the warm wind and the tender smell of flowers, testimonies of a peaceful spring that would soon turn into a joyful summer.

- Good morning miss Lisa!

Flora smiled at her, promptly reciprocated as she passed by her stand.

- Hello miss Lisa, would you like anything to go?

Sara called for her, as she was preparing the tables in front of Good Hunter.

- Oh dear, no need now, but thank you regardless!

Lisa smiled at her as well, before continuing walking.

Finally, she arrived at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, to start her daily occupation as a librarian.

- Good morning Jean!

She said affectionately, peaking from the doorstep of her office.
Jean raised her head from the desk, her eyes lighting up when she saw her.

- Oh good morning Lisa, it's a pleasure to see you this early.

Jean sighed, looking down at the paperwork in front of her.

- Unfortunately I'll be busy for a while, but I'll find some time for you later.

Lisa smirked playfully, sighing dramatically at her words.

- Oh what a shame... don't worry I know better than to distract the Grand Master from her important business, I'll pass by again tonight.

She winked at her, while Jean shook her head, unable to hide the blush that was turning her cheeks a deeper shade of pink.

- So incorrigible...

She mumbled, even though they both knew she wasn't mad in the slightest.
Lisa giggled while closing the door, walking to the library feeling satisfied with herself.

- So adorable...

She thought as she sat down on her chair, checking the list of all the books that needed to be returned.

- Mhm, seems like there shouldn't be anything today... bless Barbatos.

Lisa took a sigh of relief, looking around to find a book to read.

- I'll make myself some tea as well.

She nodded at herself, getting the tea ready while looking through the books she intended to read to approach new subjects.
Even though she had never regretted leaving the Akademiya she had always loved learning, just for the joy of acquiring new knowledge for one's personal growth, interest and pleasure.
When the tea got ready she started reading, so deeply concentrated while sipping her tea she didn't even notice the two familiar faces entering the library.

- Lisa! You're here!

Paimon exclaimed as Lisa lightly gasped, raising her gaze with a stern look on her face, but she immediately relaxed when she saw the Traveler and their trusty companion.

- If it isn't Paimon and my cutie, what honor to have you back!

She chuckled, meeting the two of them with a smile.

- Would you like some tea? Maybe you can tell me all about your travels while we savor it together.

Lisa proposed, looking at them kindly.

- Oh no, we don't have time, we need to go tell everyone else to meet at Angel's Share tonight! Jean said she prepared a welcome back party for us and we can invite whoever we want, eheh.

Paimon exclaimed excitedly, floating around her companion.

- Oh and you thought of me as well? I'm flattered, my darlings.

Lisa answered, getting up to talk to them from up close.

- Of course eheh... hopefully you can help Jean relax as well, she didn't want us to do anything else to make things less burdensome for her.

Paimon pouted while the Traveler snorted seeing her funny expression.

- I'll do my best, but you know how she is, she won't rest until everything is over.

Lisa smiled affectionately, one of her hands playing with her hair while the other was still holding her cup of tea.

- To be perfectly honest, I still wonder if you two are actually in a relationship or– ow! 

She yelped as the Traveler nudged her immediately, glaring at her.

- What? I was just curious... and I wanted to understand more.

Lisa giggled at the scene, taking a sip of tea before answering.

- There's nothing to understand, really. We enjoy each other's company, it's as simple as that.

Paimon looked at her with a confused face.

- But you seem so close, you know, like that...

Lisa smirked, looking at them with a mischievous expression.

- We have our fun, but neither of us is looking for commitment.

Paimon stared at her for a moment before speaking again.

- Paimon is even more confused now...

Lisa pondered for a bit, before giving her answer.

- You see, romance and luscious activities require a lot of effort and I don't have the energy for that. I enjoy taking part in them sometimes, I find it satisfying yes, but that's about it. Too much work is no good for me.

Paimon tilted her head.

- So you're not together just because it would tire you out...?

- It's not that simple, Paimon. I just don't love her in the traditional way, but that doesn't make it any less special. What matters is having a genuine connection, don't you think?

The Traveler nodded, deep in thought, while Paimon looked at her almost sadly.

- But... that means you can't– ow! Stop it!

Paimon pouted at the Traveler who had nudged her again to stop her from saying anything that sounded even remotely offensive.
Lisa chuckled, unbothered by Paimon's curiosity.

- I don't feel like anything is missing from my life, if that's what you're thinking. I made my choices long ago and to this day I have never regretted them, not even once.

Paimon sighed deeply.

- I really don't understand you, sometimes it looks like you're wasted here, sometimes you're too lazy to do anything, Paimon doesn't understand you at all.

Lisa smirked playfully, taking another sip of her tea.

- You're just looking at things from the wrong perspective. Or rather, you believe there is only one right answer, which is not the case at all when it comes to topics like this.

Lisa looked at both of them affectionately.

- I think each one of us has the choice to live the life they feel most fitting for them. It's no use wasting the limited time we have worrying about following some sort of standardized lifestyle. Why doing that, when we have the power to choose what truly makes us happy?
I find enjoyment in taking a nap in the afternoon, drinking my morning tea, reading a good book, making my darling blush, meeting lovely people, eating delicious food, studying a topic I find interesting, this is what feels good for me and makes me feel fulfilled and I wouldn't exchange it for anything.

Paimon fell silent for once, thinking about Lisa's words carefully.

- Besides, you know better than me that love can take many forms. Isn't the bond between you and the Traveler very strong?

Paimon smiles brightly, nodding enthusiastically.

- Yes! We're the bestest companions and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Lisa giggled at her enthusiasm, nodding as well.

- See? You don't need to feel a specific way all of the time, or any time at all for that matter, to be happy, isn't it?

Paimon looked down, shifting in the air a bit.

- Sorry, Paimon says things without thinking sometimes...

The Traveler raised one eyebrow as to say "only sometimes?".

- Hey, no need to act like this, I've apologized! 

Lisa laughed looking at them bickering affectionately, shaking her head.

- It's okay Paimon, love is a complicated matter and I'm glad I don't have to get dragged into a deep chaos of intricated feelings... this allows me to enjoy everything better.

Paimon nodded, giving her a thumbs up.

- Whatever feels good for you is what matters, right?

Lisa chuckled, nodding in return.

- That's right, good job darling.

The Traveler smiled, but then looked troubled when they noticed the light coming from the windows brighter than earlier.

- Oh right, you still need to go invite all your friends, I apologize for holding you back.

- Nono you didn't hold us back, we just haven't noticed the time passing, don't worry!

Lisa accompanied the Traveler and Paimon at the door, holding it open for them.

- Well then, see you tonight at Angel's Share.

- Yeah! See you later!

They waved at her before walking away and Lisa went back to her desk, smiling to herself.
She spent the rest of the day between checking the other visitors who entered the library, reading and just gazing out the window, until it was time to go meet them again.

As she walked inside Angel's Share she was immediately met by the warm atmosphere, as some friends had already arrived.

- What a pleasant surprise.

Kaeya welcomed her, offering her a seat at his table.

- I'm offended if you thought I would miss this, Captain Kaeya.

Lisa joked affectionately, sitting next to him.

- Oh don't worry–

Kaeya stopped as he saw Albedo entering in that moment.

- Oh it seems you need to welcome him as well now.

Lisa winked, tilting her head in Albedo's direction.

Kaeya choked shortly and cleared his throat immediately.

- It would be rude if I didn't, wouldn't it?

He sat up and walked straight to him, as Lisa giggled and shook her head.

- Ah... so entertaining.

She sighed softly, looking around to check who else was there.
At another table Eula was drinking her beer while Amber was talking to her nonstop, while at another one Bennett was listening to Sucrose explaining something with a confused expression on his face.
Lisa could also hear Jean's voice but couldn't understand where it was coming from, so she decided to go upstairs to check.
There she noticed the Traveler and Jean talking to each other, they looked so concentrated Lisa didn't feel like interrupting.

- I'll get some fresh air then.

She thought to herself, so she stepped outside, closing the door behind her and leaning on the balcony to look around.
The city was still very much alive, some Knights of Favonius patrolling the road, a few children running around, a couple of vendors checking their goods for the next day.
Looking at the sky, Lisa took a deep breath, enjoying the sight of the warm colours of the sunset fading away, leaving space for the night to fall and grant the people of Mondstadt some rest.

- We've really come a long way...

Lisa smiled, thinking about the time she was still at the Akademiya.
She was young and confused about her studies, her future, herself, feeling like she had to follow a predetermined path with no say in merit.
Thankfully later on she learned that she actually had a choice and she didn't have to settle down the way people around her made her believe, she didn't have to find a traditional partner if she didn't feel like it, she didn't have to have an impressive job if she didn't care about making work her life, she had always had a choice.

Lisa closed her eyes, letting the light breeze caress her face.
She was living the life she built for herself, the life she felt truer to her, and she couldn't be more proud for choosing her happiness like this.