Chapter Text
Snufkin covered more ground while he was out and about than most thought he would, given he'd tied himself primarily to Moomin Valley and returned there each spring, along with the slow, unhurried pace of his travels.
He'd also met more people than he'd told any of his found family about, and he wondered, sometimes, at how many people wanted to know him and wanted him to stay.
Snufkin had made his choice, long ago. His heart had decided who his family would be, even before he'd realized how deeply he loved them. He'd questioned more than once since then, afraid of being tied down, fear of resenting the place he loved and fear of being unable to leave fighting against that love until he came to terms with and enjoyed having a place to return to, one that let him go freely but wished and hoped for his return and greeted him with joy that he had chosen to come back.
But needing that time away didn't mean that seeing other friends once in awhile while out and about wasn't a pleasant surprise.
Snufkin had been camping on the beach when he was hailed from a passing ship, multiple voices calling out his name enthusiastically. He glanced around, and it took a moment to see the ship sailing past, with people crowding its rails and waving with both arms.
Snufkin stood, peering out at the incoming ship. It took him a moment to recognize the flag it flew, but once he had, he waved back with as much enthusiasm as they had called to him.
The ship anchored a little ways out from the beach and sent a few boats in towards the shoals and Snufkin's campsite.
The pirate captain splashed through the shallow waters to slap Snufkin on the back, energetically enough to nearly send Snufkin to his knees.
“It's been ages! You regretting leaving the boating life yet?”
“I think I'll leave the pirating up to you,” Snufkin said with a soft laugh. “It seems to be treating all of you well,” he added, looking over the pirates who'd come to join them.
“Well, ever since we started doing like you started us on, people have been more accommodatin',” the captain said, grin growing. “Too bad you didn't stick with us, Cap'n. It's a lot more adventure and reward now, a lot less 'o that plunderin' business.”
Snufkin snorted softly. “You know being captain wasn't for me,” he said easily, sitting back down by his fire as the pirates arraigned themselves around it in their own fashion. “I only agreed since you weren't really giving me much choice.”
There was a collective eyeroll at that.
“As if we could really have forced you to be captain if you hadn't been enjoying yourself,” the captain said.
“Maybe I just felt sorry for all of you after that business with the hattifatteners,” Snufkin shot back.
More laughter, and random comments called out, as the captain pounded Snufkin on the shoulder lightly.
It had only been a few months that he'd sailed with them as their captain, but they'd learned quite a few of his boundaries in that time.
“Well, we still miss haven' ya as our cap'n. I'm doing my best, but you were like havin' a good luck charm on board,” he said. “I swear, 'twas the best adventures we ever had. And the most treasure we ever found. And without havin' ta hurt folks what didn't earn it more'n twice over.”
“We're still stickin' ta that,” the first mate said, reclining back in the sand. “Jus' like the Cap'n said. More rewardin' than the old way. But we sure are confusin' people.”
Snufkin covered a giggle. “Well, it isn't exactly proper piratical behavior,” he pointed out. "You're practically just sailors now."
He was met with wide grins. “Oi, you take that back. Sailors don't cause this much mayhem. Besides, there ain't that many pirates left around,” the first mate said, waving a paw in the air. “We get ta do our own thing and warn people off other pirates. It works out in th' end.”
“What about you? Can't imagine life on land is that much more excitin' than life on the high seas,” the captain prompted. He glanced down to where Snufkin's tail was leaving patterns in the sand as the tip twitched happily, eyes sparkling. “Somthin' tells me it's been workin' out pretty good for all that. Got somethin' ta tell th' crew?”
Snufkin felt himself begin to blush and the pirates oohed, as shameless as a group of preteens at a sleepover. One even rolled over onto their stomach, propping their head up on their paws and kicking their feet, to general amusement.
“Well...I might have found a place I return to every spring,” Snufkin said. “And family. And a boyfriend. And girlfriend. We're a trio.” The still somewhat new tail wrapped around Snufkin, who ran his fingers through the fur. “And gotten more visible.”
As if they couldn't tell, from the fact that he had a tail now and no longer was wearing gloves. The gloves weren't as obvious as the tail, but he knew, and the way they were eying his paws, most of them had an idea.
More coos from the pirates, and Snufkin rolled his eyes, if fondly. “You're all terrible.”
The captain patted Snufkin's shoulder again. “Aw, come on, I know ya don't like connections much be we all still care about ya. And it's good ta hear ya found folks ya care about enough ta feel comfortable makin' em your home port. Near everybody needs one o' them somewhere.”
Snufkin softened, snorting a little as the pirates began pulling out food they'd brought from the ship, expanding his little dinner to include all of them.
Most of the time he'd be irritated at the intrusion, but despite himself he did like the crew of the Pride of the Seas, enough that he'd sailed with them before setting off on his own once again (he liked them, but a ship was small, and there were a lot of them, so the privacy he needed was nonexistent and he couldn't live like that for long).
The food and drink and talking lasted long into the night, long enough they could call it morning before they all went to sleep.
---XXX---
“Say, Snufkin,” Captain Ulric drawled the next morning as Snufkin tidied away his campsite and the crew piled their containers back onto the boat to take back to the ship. He waited until Snufkin made a soft noise of acknowledgment, eyes never straying from what he was doing. “So I understand why you don't want to sail with us full time anymore. But, well, if my calculations are correct, this Moomin Valley you're heading to for spring, at your current pace you'll get there about mid spring, am I right?”
Snufkin didn't respond, but Ulric knew him well enough not to be offended by that, knowing Snufkin was waiting for him to get to the point, as patiently as possible.
“What if we gave you a ride? We could get there before that, and still have time for at least one adventure. Cause a bit of a stir, too, you sailin' in on a full pirate ship. Show off a bit for your new partners, eh?” he added with a wink.
“My big sister would probably enjoy it more. Might even try to take over. She bit the last pirate that came to Moomin Valley,” Snufkin said, hefting his pack onto his back which a chuckle. “Of course, he'd just taken Snorkmaiden hostage, but it was a very Little My thing to do.”
“There, see! We need to hear about these folks,” Ulric said, pointing at Snufkin.
Snufkin considered, staring out at the horizon in silence before leveling a look at Ulric. “So long as you don't try and make me captain again.”
That got another full belly laugh. “Co-captains it is then!”
“Not what I meant and you know it.”
---XXX---
Sailing on the Pride of the Seas was very different from sailing with the Moomins. The ship was a lot bigger, for one. It was still small, the way sailing ships were, but compared to the tiny boat the Moomins owned it was huge.
So while it was a bit cramped and Snufkin sort of missed walking, he couldn't deny it felt good to stand at the rail and close his eyes to feel the salt spray coating his face and hair, the feel of the wind rushing through smock and hair, that unique sensation of being on a ship under full sail.
The pirates of the Pride of the Seas, like most pirates, were superstitious, much like Snufkin himself, and stubbornly regarded Snufkin as good luck, which was one reason he was able to take time now to stand motionless at the rail rather than doing one of the many tasks that needed done.
The fact that they'd already managed to have several adventures in the week and a half since they'd found each other, leading to a discovery of gold on one island and more treasures later, including the traditional chest full of gold and jewelry, did nothing to change their minds.
Snufkin didn't want any of the treasure for himself, but there were a few pieces that would suit Snorkmaiden, and Moomin, and Moominmamma, Moominpappa, Little My and Mymble and Mymblemamma, so if he kept a few pieces for each of them, well, there were no complaints, just a few giggles and some lighthearted teasing.
They all knew how Snufkin felt about physical possessions, after all, so he supposed watching him pick out presents was somewhat amusing.
But he wasn't that cute, come on.
And, well, being thought of as good luck was better than the places that seemed to think mumriks were bad luck or worse, so Snufkin figured he could deal with it, so long as it didn't turn into some sort of hero worship deal. He really didn't like it when people started looking at him that way.
It was hard to explain, but he'd encountered it far too often. People heard he was a vagabond and there were expectations, in one direction or another, and they didn't pay attention to who he really was.
Another reason to be grateful for Moomin Valley, where they saw Snufkin for himself.
It had taken about a week of such tight knit living for the crew of the Pride of the Seas to fully let go of that sort of expectation the first time they'd sailed together, and that was aided by already being slightly odd themselves.
The whole 'Snufkin is good luck' thing was the only one they wouldn't drop. They did it with a smile and a wink, though, almost like it was as much a friendly joke as a real superstition.
Sort of like how it felt like everything would turn out all right when Moominmamma was around, Snufkin guessed as he stared out at the waves. There was just something about being around her calm, steady presence that made it feel like one could keep their own calm and that, no matter what was happening right now, at the end of it all Moominmamma would be there, with coffee and pancakes and a hug.
Maybe being a 'good luck charm' wasn't all that bad, if he could help inspire that sort of feeling in others. So long as they didn't come to depend on it.
Captain Ulric came to stand next to Snufkin by the rail. Snufkin didn't turn his head to acknowledge him, but he did flick his tail.
Quite a useful thing, a tail, even if it did sometimes betray him and reveal things he hadn't wanted to. A straight face meant nothing when the tail was going wild behind him.
“Smooth sailing so far, and we've you to thank,” Ulric said. Snufkin snorted, and got an elbow to the side for his trouble. “I know, I know, but we're enjoying it, you might as well too. You're as superstitious as the rest of us. And you can't deny we've had some good times since you rejoined, more than we usually do.” His eyes took on a teasing twinkle, and Snufkin eyed him warily. “It's about time you took your share of the treasure, too. Never thought I'd see the day. Or for you to find someone who likes stuff as a paramour...”
Snufkin blushed faintly but chuckled. “Moomin is a homebody who'll love the story as much as the trinket, and Snorkmaiden loves sparkle. The rest will appreciate the gifts.”
“And Miss Snorkmaiden gets the tiara, I'm thinking?”
“Well, we do call her a princess, so she should have a proper tiara, wouldn't you think?” Snufkin teased back, and Ulric laughed.
“Oh, aye, a proper tiara for a properly adventurous princess. Can't wait to meet them,” he said. “If even half of what you've said about them all is true – and seeing as how you don't exaggerate I know there's things you've left out – then...”
He trailed off, eyes narrowing as he looked at the horizon. “I need a looking glass. Fox!” he called to the first mate, raising his voice to travel over the sounds of a ship in full sail. “Look there, on the horizon, bring me a glass and see what it is!”
The calm ship burst into activity, the crew dashing about to be ready for what the captain would call for.
Snufkin frowned at Ulric. “I thought you didn't attack ships anymore,” he said tightly.
Ulric nodded, just as tightly. “We don't. But there's a lot out there who attack us first, thinking we will. And there's those what get scared when they see us, so we need to be ready to sail away first. And there's not many, but there's other pirates out there. The Calypso's Curse, she's full of pirates that want to know how we've been so successful lately and ain't takin' our answers. So we need ta ready ourselves.”
Snufkin watched him for a moment before nodding. That was reasonable enough.
Fox came running up with the spyglass, and Ulric held it up, staring at the the ship bearing towards them.
The Pride of the Seas was silent, waiting for their captain's pronouncement.
He leaned forward, focusing, before cursing, harsh and furious.
Snufkin reared away from the torrent, eyes gone wide, and Ulric swung around. “It's the Calypso's Curse! Battle stations, everyone! Try to catch the wind, we'll try and outrun her, first!
Snufkin, you'd best get below,” he said, turning to the mumrik clutching the rail. “I know you're decent in a quick fight, but you count on getting away, not winning. These pirates, they fight hard and they fight dirty. We'll try and get away and not engage, but they don't back down. And I don't want them seeing you.”
Snufkin nodded slowly, glancing at the approaching ship.
Ulric was right. He wasn't bad in a fight, per say – he'd learned how to use his claws since his paws had come back, and his father had been teaching him what he knew, but most of what they both knew was to strike fast, strike hard, and run like hell.
Getting away and escape over staying and fighting.
But they were on a ship. There was nowhere to run to.
“Be careful,” Snufkin said. He knew it was a cliché, knew they couldn't, but he found himself saying it anyway.
Ulric nodded at him, understanding what Snufkin really meant.
And for once in his life, Snufkin did as he was told, running down into the ship's hold.
---XXX---
Snufkin huddled down in the hold, clutching his hat in both paws and pulling it down over his ears, his tail wrapped tightly around his legs as he curled into a tight ball.
He hated this. He could hear the sounds of fighting above, the clashing of swords and shouts and thudding of feet against the deck, and he was cowering down here in the hold.
He had to do something.
Yes, Ulric said to hide down here, but there had to be something, anything...
Snufkin lifted his head and scanned the hold, mind going a thousand miles a minute.
There were swords, but he'd never used a sword before. He was as likely to hurt himself as he was anyone else with one. A few pistols, but he hated guns, he couldn't fire one at someone.
His eyes fell on a pack of crates and ropes and lit up. Maybe...
---XXX---
Snufkin peeked up through the hatch leading to the hold. The two crews were still fighting – it wasn't the full crew of the Calypso's Curse, he could still see some of them on her deck, holding ropes to keep the two ships tethered together, but enough of them had managed to board Pride of the Seas to give his friends trouble.
He knew his friends well enough to make them out even in the chaos.
They needed this finished. He couldn't have these real pirates following them to Moomin Valley. They managed the last time pirates landed there, but that was one pirate, and a lucky plan. It wouldn't work against this many.
There was a spark of guilt for coming out of hiding. Ulric ordered him below to protect him.
But his friends were in trouble, and it didn't look as though things were going their way.
His fighting style was all about hitting and running – but Joxter was a master at chaos (and Little My closing in on her mastery quickly) and Snufkin was honing his own skills under their example.
A net, cast out at foot level, tripping people up and giving the crew of the Pride a chance to get a good hit in. The ballast he'd found was as good as marbles underfoot, though he had to be more careful with those lest he get his friends, too. A quick fashioned slingshot was just as useful for those, and the balls weren't enough to cause more than a bruise and a distraction.
It felt like there was more he could do, but he had to keep ducking down, trying to keep from being seen.
He didn't know why Ulric was so against them seeing him, but fine – he'd try, but he had to help. He couldn't stay down below and listen without knowing what was happening up above.
Really, Snufkin thought he was doing pretty well, all things considered. If nothing else, that was quite a lot of chaos he'd created out there with the few things he'd managed to find.
Now time to go hide back in the hold and they could all pretend he'd been down there the whole time. The pirates from the Calypso's Curse were in disarray, his friends could handle it from here.
Snufkin turned and ducked to hide once more and was brought up short as someone caught the back of his smock.
He was dragged out of the hold, hissing and thrashing, a paw grasping onto his arm. His claws dug into the paw and and it let go with a cry of pain, only to latch around his waist, claws useless against the thick cloth of their coat.
“I found him! Cap'n, I got him!” was yelled by the body holding Snufkin tight, the words vibrating against his back as he kicked and yelled.
“Get back to the Curse!” another voice bellowed, and Snufkin felt a rush of wind as he was launched from one ship to another, more arms catching him as he landed.
He struggled, biting and kicking and thrashing, hearing more feet hitting the deck and the sounds of ropes being cut and boards pulled back, and pulled free of his captors just in time for the Calypso's Curse to pull away from the Pride of the Seas. Snufkin launched himself at the rail, arm outstretched, his fingers missing Ulric's by inches, too far to reach and the fall from the deck to far to fall into the water without injury.
The pirates swarmed him again and the last he saw of the Pride of the Seas was Ulric's despairing face, hearing their cries of his name as Calypso's Curse made her retreat.
---XXX---
Snufkin bit and kicked and clawed, knowing he should probably pretend to be subdued to make escape easier – what escape there might be he wasn't sure, he was trapped on a pirate ship in the middle of the ocean – but he was too panicked to think.
Paws forced him to his knees, more holding his arms extended behind him and on his shoulders to keep him down, and he hung in their grip, panting and trying to force himself to calm down.
Think, think, he needed to calm down and think .
The tip of a sword slid along Snufkin's jaw, and he froze as it traced along his jawline, slow and thoughtful, before the flat pressed under his chin, forcing his face up.
The wood of the deck was hard under Snufkin's knees, the paws rough and tight around his arms, and the sun beat down mercilessly as he and the captain of the Calypso's Curse stared at each other.
The silence was growing oppressive, and Snufkin was debating saying something or letting it stretch on. That was one of his father's tricks, to ignore how uncomfortable everyone was and let them fix it.
Yeah, he'd go with that, even if fear was giving way to rare anger, mixing into a sickening mix in his chest.
“A mumrik, eh?” the captain finally said, the tip of his sword still digging into the soft skin of Snufkin's chin, tilting his face one way and the other to examine him. “Knew they were hidin' away a good luck charm of some kind. Looks like ya caught 'im, lads!”
“What are you talking about?” Snufkin hissed, though it was difficult to get the words out with the steel pressed to his chin.
The Captain knelt, though he didn't ease up on the sword. “Just about how the crew of the Pride of the Seas have had a lucky charm that rubbed off on them for the past few years, and it's about time for a proper pirate crew to have a bit of luck, not those weak little do-gooders.”
Snufkin glared. “I'm not a good luck charm.”
The pirate smirked. “It's in your best interest to be one, little mumrik. We all know you are, no matter how much you lie about it.” He patted Snufkin's cheek, the sword pressed against his neck keeping Snufkin from snapping at the offending hand. “We all know mumriks are good luck, so don't go thinking about trying to make us bad luck instead.”
“You kidnapped me, even if I had control of this supposed good luck, what makes you think taking me like that would make it work for you?”
The pirate's smirk turned into a grin, sharp and hungry, a grin that should have had a fin on top of it, and oh, Snufkin did not like having that grin directed at him.
“Because you won't like what happens if you don't.”
---XXX---
The Calypso's Curse disappeared over the horizon faster than she'd appeared, using wind and tide in her favor.
The Pride of the Seas tried to follow, and might have been able to on the open sea, but her crew was injured, too injured to continue the fight when they found the Calypso's Curse, and they couldn't risk bombarding her when Snufkin was on board.
They needed help, but who could they go to? And how would they ever find the Calypso's Curse if they let her get away now?
One of the crew, bracing himself on the rail, let out a cry, pointing.
A shore was in view, one with a long pier coming off the beach ending in a small, round bathhouse.
Just like the one Snufkin had described to them, the one they'd been looking for to make their grand entrance.
There was a crowd on the pier, watching them from afar.
Well, it wasn't the entrance they'd planned, but they were so close...
The Pride of the Seas swung in towards the pier.
“Here now, pirates, there's no plunder for you here!” a voice called, and a blue coated figure waved at them. “We'll aid with your injured so long as you promise not to try anything!”
Captain Ulric limped over to the rail. “Here now yourself, is this Moomin Valley?” he called back.
“It is.”
Ulric's eyes scanned the crowd, picking out the ones Snufkin had spent the most time describing.
“You there, Moomins! Snorks! Joxter and Mymbles and the rest! We were giving Snufkin a ride home, and...”
“Snufkin!” came a cry from half a dozen throats. “You know him?” came from the white furred creature that had to be Moomin, considering Snufkin's stories. “Where is he?”
“On that ship!” the captain pointed in the direction of the fleeing Calypso's Curse. “They attacked us and carried him off! We've wounded, need supplies, but we need to chase them before they get far.”
Several creatures broke away from the crowd and ran off at top speed after a few hurried orders from the larger Moomin in the red and white apron, who came forward.
“I've sent for medical supplies,” she called up, “And food.”
“Why should we believe them?” asked a tiny, angry looking redhead.
“You Little My?” Ulric called down. The redhead crossed her arms, glaring up at him.
“What if I am?”
“Snufkin was telling us stories about you. And his partners. And found family and biological family. You and Joxter are chaos goals, did you know that? Also, you must be Moominmamma, thank you very much, Snufkin was right again about you.”
“I really think they're telling the truth,” the Moomin in the top hat – Moominpappa, the whisper went round the ship as they dragged themselves to the rails to look at the figures Snufkin loved enough to tie himself to this tiny valley for – said softly to Moominmamma.
“Why'd they take Snufkin?” Moomin called up, holding paws with...yes, that had to be Snorkmaiden, and the glowering mumrik with his paws on their shoulders the Joxter.
Captain Ulric glanced the way the group had been sent off. They weren't coming back yet, and they did need help, they had time to answer questions.
“Snufkin helped us out of a tough spot a few years back. Sailed with us for a few months after that. Seemed like every adventure we got into ended well, well enough he got us doing things his way, with the stopping of looting and plundering and doing what we felt like and helping people along the way. Things turned around for us so much we stared calling him a good luck charm, even after he left.
We pirates are a superstitious lot, and word must've got around that we got us good luck, and the Calypso's Curse's been tryin' ta get their hands on whatever our charm was for awhile now. Dunno how they figured out it's Snufkin, but that's why.”
“But Snufkin's not...I mean, he is for us, but...”
“Exactly,” Ulric said, snapping and pointing at her as Snorkmaiden faltered. “He's good luck for us, because we care about him. But they won't get that. So we need to hurry and help him. Now, we don't expect any of you to...”
“Lower that gangplank or I'm coming up there to do it myself,” Joxter snarled, shoving his way through the crowd. “I only just found him, I am not losing him again.”
Ulric paled, and turned to snap for the crew to lower the gangplank.
They already were, not willing to risk the wrath of an angry Joxaren, especially not when it was a parental wrath that was wreathing him already.
To their surprise, he was followed by the Moominparents, Moomin, Snorkmaiden, and Little My.
“Um...”
“What do you think you're doing?” came a call from below, from another Snork, Snorkmaiden's brother if Ulric guessed right.
Snorkmaiden flared a quick red, hurrying over to lean on the rail. “Going to help rescue my boyfriend, of course!” she called back.
“You don't know how to fight!”
“Snufkin's been teaching me, and he and Moominmamma are teaching me about healing. You can't stop me, so I suggest you get ready for when we get back if you aren't coming,” she snapped back. “We'll probably need a lot of things when we do,” she added, softening but not backing down. “You should start getting ready.”
“Snorkmaiden, this is ridiculous! They could catch you too, and you know you aren't ready to fight real pirates! Come down from there!”
“I'm going, Snork.”
The statement was flat and final, and Snork faltered. Slowly he nodded, though everyone could tell he wasn't happy about it.
Snorkmaiden gave a sharp nod and turned back to the ship.
The group that had been sent off to Moomin House returned, passing the supplies up to Moominmamma in a rush.
She and Snorkmaiden set about patching up pirates while those who could set about getting the Pride of the Seas ready to chase the other ship.
There were calls of encouragement and good luck from the pier, and Ulric couldn't blame them for the fear that colored some of the calls, though the confidence that overrode it from the rest surprised him.
This was dangerous, and from what Snufkin had said, this valley was peaceful. The worst things that happened here were generally from some scoundrel called Stinky, and even then it was generally thievery and nasty pranks.
Nothing like what they were going into now.
He wouldn't have blamed any of them for staying behind, really, for thinking that they were going to be in the way.
Still...he eyed the cast iron frying pan hanging on one of the packs that Moominmamma had sent for, his gaze traveling over Moominmamma, over Moominpappa and Joxter, Moomin and Snorkmaiden and Little My.
There was something to be said for roused parental instincts and for those protecting a mate or younger sibling.
He had a feeling that, despite how bleak the situation seemed, they might have a chance at that.