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Winter was always tough. What is a time supposed to be filled with joy and laughter, time with friends and family, is tainted with the bittersweet feeling of loss.
At least, for Moomin. While the Winter brings festivities and fun, it whisks away Moomin’s closest friend, soulmate, even: Snufkin.
It’s not like Snufkin would never return, and Moomin wasn’t the only one who missed him when he left for his yearly travels. But he definitely missed Snufkin the most.
Those few Winter months were harsh, but Moomin could always look forward to the return of Snufkin in the Spring.
As they got older and started courting (perhaps ‘courting’ is too formal of a word for them, but the label is sufficient enough to their friends and family); it gave Moomin a bit more comfort and stability knowing that his love would always return to him, and perhaps one day Moomin could successfully convince him to tag along.
This Spring, Moomin felt more on edge than usual, Spring had started and Snufkin still was nowhere to be found. Of course, he rarely returned on a specific date every year, but by now he should have arrived. Sometimes the trek took longer, but generally, Snufkin arrived in a timely manner.
His parents and friends tried their best to distract Moomin from worrying too much, but it only worked for a short while. He was a worry-wart so to speak, and the fear of his beloved Snufkin potentially being in danger or lost (unlikely, but still) was far too worrying for his fragile heart.
With each passing day, as March draws to a close, Moomin’s heart feels heavier. It’s been a long day, and as much as he appreciates his family and friends’ efforts to cheer him up today, he’s just tired. Exhausted. And sad. He trudges upstairs to his room, and he settles into bed. He can’t help but nuzzle into his pillow and try to pick up any remains of Snufkin’s scent, but obviously, there’s nothing. Tears prick at his eyes. He misses Snufkin so, so much. He cries silent tears into his pillow, and eventually, sleep overtakes him.
At first, the creak of the door doesn’t faze him, it could’ve been the house settling, or someone walking down the hallway.
Then there’s a quiet click of the door being closed, and Moomin can make out dim light through his squinted eyes.
He thinks he’s dreaming at first, too tired to even care about the person stepping into his room. He rationalizes that it’s probably his mother or father, for some reason, checking up on him, even though they haven’t done that in some time. And he’s sure it must be a dream when a familiar figure approaches his bed and settles on it. They move around a bit before joining Moomin under the covers and that’s when he realizes something isn’t right. His eyes snap open, and he sees Snufkin’s bright, brown eyes staring into his own.
“Huh? Snu-”
“Shh, be quiet my dear, it’s just me,” Snufkin cradles the troll’s cheek and nuzzles Moomin’s snout with his nose.
Moomin gasps and throws his arms around Snufkin, who just laughs.
“You’re back!” He tries his best to keep his voice down but he’s most likely failing. “Oh, you’re finally back! I was so worried!”
He’s rolled onto Snufkin, hugging him tightly. “I didn’t mean to worry you, my love, I’m sorry it took so long.”
“You should be! I was worried sick! Ah, I’m so happy you’re alright, oh how I’ve missed you so!” He nuzzles into Snufkin’s neck and takes a deep breath, inhaling that familiar scent. Snufkin teases him about this all the time but he could care less.
“I’ll always return to you, sorry for worrying you.” He takes Moomin’s face in his hands and gives Moomin a peck on the snout, before kissing him properly.
“You’ll have to make up for worrying me… And everyone else for that matter. Say, do they know you’re here?”
Snufkin nods. “Well, Moominmama and Moominpapa do, they let me in. I tried to be quiet, I didn’t want to disturb you since they said you were asleep. Seems like I failed, though.”
Moomin nudges his snout against Snufkin’s cheek. “I don’t mind at all. I’m so glad you’re back. I love you.”
“I love you too,” He pecks him on the lips once more before maneuvering Moomin off of him and lying down beside him. “Now, I’m rather exhausted, so let’s get some sleep.”
The two huddle together under the covers and embrace each other.
“You’re lucky I’m tired too otherwise you’d be making it up for me tonight,” Moomin teases, pinching Snufkin’s side, not missing how even in the dark, his cute face darkens.
“Whatever you want, my dear, now goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Snufkin.”