Chapter Text
Snufkin loved hearing Moomin talk.
It was strange. Not in the sense that Snufkin was more of a listener than a talker, though that was certainly true also. But he usually found himself too unconnected from people to actually be much good at it.
Often he thought it difficult. Most conversations revolved around either connecting with each other by finding some relatable experience (Snufkin quickly discovered that while he had plenty of experiences, not many of them were considered relatable) or sharing some kind of deep emotional feeling (Snufkin had plenty of those as well, but none that he liked sharing with just anyone he met).
With Moomin things were different, a lot easier anyway. He could spend hours just sitting somewhere and listening to Moomintroll tell him things. Sometimes they were about experiences and sometimes they were about emotions and Snufkin really didn't dislike either. But sometimes Moomin just talked about nothing and he liked that more still.
"I think it's beautiful," Moomin sighed, softly. Like maybe he didn't quite want Snufkin to hear him. He moved his head just a bit, but a sharp tug on his hair made it so he couldn't exactly turn around and see what his boyfriend was going on about.
He had a sinking suspicion he already knew though. "It's inconvenient."
"Really?" Moomin stopped braiding abruptly, Snufkin felt the troll's hold on the strands slacken and he could probably turn around now but then he would risk ruining all that hard work, so he kept still instead.
"I meant the length, not the braids," he explained. "It's getting hard to keep tidy. Not to mention it tends to get in my face at times. Very bothersome."
Moomin resumed braiding carefully, trying not to pull too tight. From time to time Snufkin felt him pause and pick another flower to weave into the braid. "You should ask Mamma to cut it for you then."
"I know," Snufkin said, because he did. He didn't add why he was so reluctant to actually do that though. Because it meant they wouldn't be able to do this anymore. Sit together and have him listen while Moomin talked about everything and nothing and all that fell in between. His boyfriend never really expected him to do much talking during these times, and that was also nice.
Moomin's paws moved through his hair carefully. It always had a horrible habit of getting incredibly tangled, especially when it got long like this.
"I think it's done," Moomin mumbled eventually, then stood up and repeated firmer. "Yes, it's definitely done. I'll show you." He held out a paw and Snufkin took it.
They walked the short distance to the river. The weather was calm, not the heat of summer in full swing yet, but getting there. The water was pretty stagnant for this time of year as they stood on the riverbank, hand in hand, staring at their reflection.
Moomin had done an admirable job this time as well, taking the longer stands of either side of his face and braiding them in simple patterns, decorated with the stray flower here and there. At the back, they joined together, where the rest hung loosely onto his shoulders.
"It's really pretty," he said, watching the way the current distorted their image just the tiniest bit. "But you do surprise me. Where did you even learn to do this?"
"Your sister taught me," Moomin admitted. "Your oldest sister," he clarified after a moment, because truly Snufkin had a lot of sisters to choose from. "She lived with us for a while. Maybe she could teach you too?"
"Maybe," Snufkin answered. "Thought that would mean you wouldn't need to do it for me anymore and that would be a misfortune. Thank you, my love."
And then he decided to do something a bit daring and pressed a kiss to the side of Moomin's snout. They had quickly learned kissing in the traditional sense was a cumbersome undertaking for them due to their differences in facial structure. But so far they had made it work.
Moomin seemed to like it too, as he startled just the tiniest bit before squeezing his hand. "S-Sure," he said but it wasn't hard to see how pleased he was. "I think it is about time for lunch. Should we be getting back?"
"Perhaps," Snufkin hadn't let go of his paw though. They were so very soft. He hadn't really noticed that before. "Or perhaps we could stay just a little while longer?"
With a hum in agreement, Moomin turned back to the river, still mirroring them so perfectly. He didn't talk this time, content in the silence.
Snufkin liked that most of all.