Chapter Text
Snorkmaiden ran along the river but stayed a distance where she could see him but not fall in.
Snufkin kept trying to grab on to anything he could, but everything he caught broke or was too slippery to keep a hold on. Snorkmaiden began to run ahead, maybe she could find something to help down the river.
Snufkin tried to stay above the water as much as he could for air. At moments he got pulled under and couldn’t get back up.
Snorkmaiden looked around the area around the bank and to her luck, she found a rope.
She quickly slid near to the bank and tied it to a tree. “Give me your paw!” She shouted.
Snufkin pulled himself above water again and reached out for her. She finished tying the rope around her waist and leaned in as close as she could.
Snufkin grabbed her paw and she pulled on his arm and the rope at the same time. When he was close enough to the bank Snorkmaiden stepped into the shallow area and pulled him the rest of the way.
The two laid there, Snufkin was soaked and Snorkmaiden was out of breath. “Are…. Are you okay?” She looked over to him.
Snufkin nodded slowly in response. “I think I swallowed a rock” his voice was trembling and he sounded like he wanted to scream or cry, but his expression was blank.
Snorkmaiden untied herself and quickly jumped on Snufkin who let out a quiet shriek. She quickly tied the rope around him while using her legs to pin his arms.
“Look, I’m not into this stuff” he mumbled, he would have tried to fight back but after what just happened he didn't feel like it.
Snorkmaiden scowled at him “I’m not trying to attract you I’m trying to capture you.” She tied another knot in the rope.
“You do realize once you get up I can just untie myself?” He coughed.
Snorkmaiden tied another knot “that’s why I’m knotting it so much.” She stated, before standing and walking over to the tree to unknot the other end of the rope.
Once he could see it was no longer knotted around the tree he turned onto his stomach and began running, starting on all fours as if he were hunting. The rope flew out of Snorkmaidens hands and she began chasing it. She jumped to try and grab it but missed. When she sat up again he was gone.
“Rats…”
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Snufkin plopped himself over the log, right next to Moomin who was startled at his sudden appearance. He placed his hand on Snufkin’s shoulder but retracted his hand quickly. “Snuff! You’re soaked!”
Snufkin gave him a look, half because he called him Snuff but also because of his comment. “I fell in the river.” He sat up and took his hat off.
“Are you okay? You aren’t hurt are you?” He grabbed his paw.
Snufkin looked away, probably to hide him blushing “I’m fine, a Snork got me out of the river.” He began tugging at the rope to get it off.
“A Snork? Was it a female?” He helped him
“Yes”
“Did she have golden blonde hair?”
“Yes”
“Did she have a golden anklet!?” He stopped and looked at Snufkin, who had stopped for a moment to think.
“Yes, I think so” He pulled the rope off.
“Snorkmaiden!” He dropped the other end of the rope.
Snufkin looked back at him and frowned slightly “Who?”
Moomin seemed happy, for the most part, “That was Snorkmaiden! That means they’re all out here looking for me…” He looked around.
Snufkin took his bandana off and set it just close enough to the fire so that it could dry. “Moomintroll?” He turned his back to him “Can you unbutton my jacket?”
Moomin walked over and began to unbutton him. After he undid all the buttons Snufkin walked over to his bag, grabbed it, and dragged it into some overly tall flowers. Only the top of his head and occasionally his arms and paws could be seen.
Moomin stared at the fire, not wanting to see anything he didn’t want to. Snufkin came out and sat, putting his jacket and pants at the same distance as his bandana.
“Are you cold?” Moomin was just trying to break the silence. Joxter and Little My had left to catch something since Snufkin was taking too long, so it was only the two left.
“No, especially by the fire I’m not.” Snufkin stared at his paws.
There was another patch of silence.
“So what were you saying earlier?” Moomin looked over at Snufkin.
“You must be more specific than that.” He continued to stare at his paws.
“You were saying you really liked something but you never finished” He continued to gaze at the boy.
Snufkin stared at his paws a bit longer before looking over at him “Later, dear Moomintroll.” He stated. “We can talk tonight after everyone is asleep.”
“Why not now when everyone is gone?” Moomin looked down at his paws.
Snufkin placed his paw on one of Moomins and smiled “it makes it more meaningful than it would right now.” He stood and walked off to the tent.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Little My had gone to sleep after dinner and Joxter just sat by the fire, as for Moomin and Snufkin the two decided to take a stroll and look for more firewood.
“Aren’t the stars beautiful, Moomintroll?” Snufkin stopped and sat in a small patch of Purple Lilacs. Moomin looked to his direction “Yes they are.” He smiled.
Snufkin patted the ground next to him and Moomin took the offer, resting in the Lilac patch with the bandit.
The two sat there and talked for what felt like hours before Moomin brought up their earlier conversation.
“Since it’s night now, and we’re alone… Would you mind telling me what it is that you really like?” Moomin looked over to Snufkin, who rolled over onto his stomach at the question being asked.
“I don’t want you to laugh at me if I tell you…” He rested his head in his arms.
Moomin sat up “Of course I won’t!”
“... Promise?”
“Promise!”
The wind began blowing, Snufkin tilted his head just enough so that his eyes peeked out from under the shade of his hat. He had finally taken off his mask.
Moomin waited for him to answer. His tail was moving around very slowly.
“Also… Don’t run away or scream once I say…” Snufkin added.
Moomin nodded once more.
“What I like very much… Is…” He exhaled and his eyes trailed down to a Lilac.
“You, I like you.”