Chapter Text
Snufkin sat on the bank of the river and watched his friend dunk his head into the water and out again. He wasn't sure what Moomin was looking for, but the troll seemed determined, whatever it was. Snufkin leaned back against the grass and watched the clouds go by. This was the type of thing that he missed when he was gone. He couldn't believe he'd been coming to Moomin Valley for years now, every spring. He was becoming dependable. He couldn't have that. he was a traveler, an explorer, not to be tied down.
Moomin came up for air and dried his face off with his tail. He looked over at Snufkin, grinned, and put his face right back into the water. Snufkin really didn't see the point of even drying in the first place. He had to smile, though. It was just the sort of thing Moomin always did. Caring about little things that wouldn't matter to anyone else, and might not even have a point. The small things that nobody noticed because they were too wrapped up in their own world. Moomin would see them and he would cherish them. Moomin cared. Moomin cared about him, the vagabond who tried not to care too much about anything.
The grass was light underneath him and there were birds chirping. It was a nice spot, Moomin Valley, but it wasn't why he returned. He was sure that he could find other nice spots.
"Got it!" Moomin cried, falling back onto the grass with great energy.
"What do you have?" Snufkin asked, curious, propping himself up onto his elbows.
The Moomin handed the object to him, and Snufkin looked it over. It was a small wooden box, able to fit in one hand, embellished with golden trimmings. There was a large keyhole in the center.
"Is this a treasure chest?" He asked jokingly.
Moomin stared at him in awe.
"It must be! Oh, Snufkin, I wish we had a key!"
"Perhaps we can open it some other way."
Moomin thought for a moment and then jumped to his feet. "Yes, I'm sure mamma or pappa can think of some way! Let's go, Snufkin!" And he turned and ran towards the Moomin house. Snufkin ran after him.
"Well, it seems to be very tightly locked into place," Moominmamma examined the box again. "I don't think I can get it open."
Little My came striding into the kitchen.
"What have you got there, Moomin?" She asked in her petulant tone.
"Nothing!" Moomin yelped, putting the box behind him.
"Doesn't look like nothing. Moominmamma, what is he hiding?"
"It's mine, I found it, little My!"
Little My ran around him, trying to get a glimpse of the box.
"It's a chest! That's no secret, dummy!" "I found it, and now Snufkin and I are trying to get it open!"
Little My stopped running and glared at him.
"You're not going to get it open without a key, stupid."
Moomin scowled. It was an expression Snufkin didn't see as often as some of his others. Moomin was quite happy most of the time. Snufkin loved his smile. It was light and easy and looked like he didn't have have a worry in the world.
Little My rolled her eyes impatiently.
"I found a key washed up on the beach about a week ago. But maybe you aren't interested in that, Moomin." She started to walk away, and Moomin took the bait.
"Alright, alright, we'll let you help too."
Little My gave one of her evil grins and ran off, presumably to get the key. She returned soon after, brandishing a large golden key that was half as big as her. Moomin took it and the chest opened.
"There you are!" Little my spoke.
Inside the box was a piece of paper. Moomin took it out and unrolled it.
"It's a map!" He exclaimed.
Snufkin's boots made light indentations on the dirt path as he walked behind Moomin, little My, Snorkmaiden, and Sniff, who had all joined them in order to look for treasure. The map had indicated some kind of larger chest somewhere in Moomin Valley. Moomin took the front, ever the leader of their small gang. Snorkmaiden beside him, of course. Of course. Sniff and little my, in some kind of argument. And snufkin trailing behind all of them, watching the wildlife, the flowers, the pebbles, and maybe, occasionally, Moomin. It was hard not to watch him. He lit up when he was excited, and a treasure map was quite an exciting thing. Snufkin watched Moomin Valley disappear behind them as they headed deeper into the forest.
They walked for a long while. Little my rode on different shoulders as the day progressed, for she was too small to keep pace with the others for hours on end. Sniff moaned about how he wanted a ride, too. Snufkin didn't mind it, after all, he walked all the time. He walked miles some days. Snorkmaiden picked flowers and made a crown for everyone as they walked. She lingered on Moomin's when she put it on his head and they giggled at each other. Snufkin looked at the ground and made his tracks harder in the dirt.
They came to the first landmark on the map, a huge rock sticking up out of the ground.
Moomin wanted to climb it with Snufkin, and any envious feelings vanished when Moomin grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the rock eagerly. Snorkmaiden stayed on the ground, waving at the boys as they climbed. Moomin grinned at Snufkin when they finally reached the top. Everything in Snufkin might as well have leapt off the rock.
The sun hung low in the sky when they noticed it was getting dark.
"Uh... guys?" Sniff asked anxiously. "Do we know the way back?"
Moomin nodded, turning in a slow circle.
"Of course, it's..."
In hindsight, they should have planned for getting back. To add to the discomfort, it started to rain.
"We should find some shelter," Snufkin said worriedly. "It looks like a bad storm."
They ran towards a nearby cave.
Lightning flashed behind them just as they made it inside.
"Oh, dear. Mamma and Pappa will be worried sick," Moomin fretted.
"Snork, too," Snorkmaiden added.
Snufkin didn't have anyone that would be worried about him immediately. His anyone was right here, next to him, a ball of rained-on Moomin fluff.
"The only thing we can do is wait 'til morning," Snufkin said. Moomin took his hand absentmindedly. Snufkin wondered if Moomin realized what he was doing, and why he wasn't comforting Snorkmaiden. Snufkin certainly wasn't going to remind him, though.
And so they waited.