Work Text:
It was a sunny afternoon in Moomin valley. The leaves rustled in the hot summer wind. In the distance over the mountains, dark clouds could be seen. Oh but this was no trouble for Moomin and his friends.
Moomin, Snufkin, Sniff, Snorkmaiden, and little my were all exploring the nearby mountain. Moomin mama said to be back by lunch, but it seemed that wasn’t going to happen.
“Uhm guys. Isn’t anyone concerned about the dark clouds up ahead?”
Sniff said in a shaky grading voice.
“Oh come on, don’t be such a baby Sniff”
Moomin said pressing on into the mountain.
Snufkin looked up. Feeling the breeze in his hair as he watched the clouds come in closer.
“I’m afraid Sniff might be right, those clouds do look quite scary”
Snufkin said sounding sarcastic admitting Sniff might be right.
Moomin sighed and looked back at the group. He looked very disappointed. He was hoping to at least reach the smallest peak before heading back down.
“I guess it would be wise to head back down”
Said Snorkmaiden with no urgency.
She and little my turned around headed back down the mountain. Sniff quickly followed, afraid of being left behind. Only Snufkin and Moomin remained on the path. The wind blew a bit harsher.
“Cmon Moomin troll. We best join the others as well”
Snufkin said extending his hand out to the little troll.
Moomin looking a little pouty, reluctantly grabbed his hand. The two were about to head down the mountain with the rest of the group, when suddenly it started pouring. The rain was very thick, and made it hard to see even three feet in front of them. They couldn’t see the path they had taken up.
“We need to quickly find shelter!”
Yelled Snufkin “There’s a chance of a flash flood!”
“But where?! I can barley see you!”
Moomin yelled being drowned out by the sound of the rain.
Moomin tried taking a step towards Snufkin, but ended up slipping. Snufkin saw this and quickly grabbed onto him. They both slid down the mountain before rolling off a small cliff.
“Ow wow ow”
Moomin said grabbing his ankle.
“Oh no moomin troll, are you hurt?”
Said the little green man racing over to Moomin.
“I think it’s just a slight sprain. I should be fine to walk back.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. At least for now. But hey look!”
Snufkin pointed behind them. The small overhang of the cliff they fell off of was actually the top of a cave. They entered the cave and sat on two large round rocks.
The sound of the rain was now more peaceful. Especially when you’re not in it.
“It should clear up soon, and then we can try and find our way back.”
Snufkin said looking out of the caves entrance.
Moomin nodded and the two sat in silence. The rain was a nice summer rain. Coming at the climax of the heat. It was refreshing and cooling. Washing away stagnant air from the last few weeks. The rain could only wash away so much.
Moomin began thinking. It was halfway through summer, meaning he had only so many days with Snufkin before he left for the winter. This was a devastating thought. He can’t bear it any longer. When Snufkin leaves Moomin valley, it’s as if the valley loses its flowers. It’s sunshine. The water. The ocean. All that makes Moomin valley fun, is gone.
Snufkin notices how hard moomin is thinking. He doesn’t know how to confront it so he simply just doesn’t. He doesn’t say anything. He just lets the little troll stew with his thoughts.
After a little while Snufkin does get bored. So he talks to the stew of thoughts.
“What do you think Moomin mama made for lunch?”
Snufkin suddenly speaking had caught Moomin off guard. He paused for a second to process the question. He began thinking of all the delicious foods that could be awaiting him after the storm.
“Hmm, some sandwiches could be nice”
Moomin said.
“Oh yes with the new cherry jam that Moomin mama made!”
Snufkin said delightfully.
The two chatted for a bit discussing the various foods Moomin mama could have made. Mushroom soup with two slices of toasted bread. Vegetable pot pie with freshly harvested carrots from the garden. Grilled cheese sandwich with nettle and tomato soup.
~growl~
“Wow I guess I’m hungrier than I thought”
Moomin said a little embarrassed that his stomach growled.
Snufkin gave out a soft chuckle.
“Me too Moomin troll, me too”
They both laughed for a bit. The laughter echoing from the cave. It sounded like fairy’s from a distance.
Moomin let out a sad sigh after the laughter died down. Snufkin no longer able to ignore the problem now, gave in.
“What’s the matter Moomin?”
Snufkin said turning slightly towards him.
“Oh Snufkin, you’ll be leaving me again soon”
Moomin said putting his hands in his face out of despair.
Snufkin knew this is what was bothering Moomin. It’s about the only thing that does bother him. Snufkin could only muster some words of comfort.
“It’s ok moomin troll, we still got a long ways to go! And I’ll be back before you even know it.”
Snufkin exclaimed putting a hand on the now sniffling white troll.
Moomin grabbed his hand and now was fully facing Snufkin.
“I know -sniff- it’s just the action of you leaving hurts-sniff- I can’t help but feel sad”
Snufkin’s hands were trapped by moomins. He was also trapped by moomin’s words. Snufkin never wanted to leave moomin, it’s something he needs to do. He never likes to think of how he’s hurting moomin when he leaves. A sour look was beginning to form on the little green man’s face. Unbeknownst to moomin, Snufkin is always tied up when leaving moomin valley. He doesn’t want to hurt moomin. But he just can’t stay. It would hurt him.
Snufkin can’t admit this out loud to moomin. He feels conflicted. He’ll just hurt him more. Moomin is now fully crying into his hands. His sobs echoing louder than the laughter that had filled the cave a second ago.
“Why Snufkin? Why? Why can’t you just stay here with me?”
Moomin said almost choking on his tears.
“I don’t want to, I just-“
Snufkin cut himself off for a second before Moomin interrupted him.
“Do I not matter to you? Am I just something you can have fun with for a little while and then run away?”
Moomin lashed out.
Snufkin was shocked that moomin had yelled so loud. The words still ringing in his ears.
“Of course you matter to me, if not why wouldn’t I come back?”
Snufkin says trying to bring moomin into a hug. But moomin pushed him away slightly.
“But why do you have to leave in the first place?”
The tears felt cool against moomin’s hot cheeks.
“I just want you to be here, with me. I want us to be together! I want to spend all my time with you and more! I want us to go on adventures everyday and have a lot of fun together! I worry about you! What if you never came back? Do you understand?
Moomin yelled. As he continued he wasn’t able to articulate words anymore. It just came out in a jumble of sounds and sobs.
After a minute moomin was huffing. He couldn’t continue on anymore. After that all that yelling Moomin didn’t realize that Snufkin had also started crying. Small tears left his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. This was the first time that moomin had seen Snufkin cry. He didn’t know he could.
Moomin reached out to Snufkin.
“I’m sorry Snufkin, I just- I don’t- I’m very sorry Snufkin, I said too many awful things.”
Silence. Snufkin then took a deep breathe in.
“I understand what you are saying.”
Another deep breathe.
“I really care for you moomin. I-“
A lump had formed in snufkins throat. He took many deep breathes.
“I love you moomin”
Stunned silence.
“I want to spend a lot of time with you too. Going on adventures. Having a lot of fun together as well. But sometimes I need to be apart. I need to do my own thing. I need to have my own adventures. I need to care for myself.”
Snufkin embarrassed, could only stare at the ground. And as he was starring at the ground, some fuzzy white paws grabbed his hands. Snufkin looked up, misty eyed.
Moomin didn’t know what to say, but he wanted Snufkin to know he understood. So he pulled him into a hug.
Moomin was soft and warm. His white fur like a big dog’s. Soft and squishy. Their arms enclosed around eachother. Not wanting to move. Their hearts beating the same rhythm. Chests pressed close together.
“I’m sorry”
Moomin said.
“I’m sorry too”
Said Snufkin.
“Maybe I’ll stay in moomin valley longer than usual”
“Maybe I could come with you, Snufkin”
“Maybe I’ll say a proper good bye to you, moomin”
Moomin pulls them out of their hug, his hands now on snufkins shoulders. Moomin leans in and kisses Snufkin on the lips.
Moomin quickly pulls away. And Snufkin stares at him with stars in his eyes. And leans back into moomin for another. They softly lock lips. Slight fuzz touching the top of snufkins head. Moomin’s lips are surprisingly soft and bouncy. Snufkin’s lips were cold from the rain, but still soft.
After a short while the two gazed into each others eyes. Moomin still feeling awkward about what he said earlier pulled Snufkin into another hug. Tightly squeezing him so that he couldn’t feel the cold air around him. Moomin laid his head upon Snufkin’s shoulders.
“I’m really sorry for all those awful things I said. I can be really selfish sometimes. I didn’t really mean what I said. I just get scared when you leave me.”
Said Moomin still holding on tightly to Snufkin.
“I understand Moomintroll. I also get very sad and scared when I leave you”
Snufkin said squeezing Moomin back before backing up slightly.
“I hope you understand that when I leave it’s not to hurt you.”
Snufkin said putting a hand on Moomin’s cheek. Moomin nodded slightly and leaned on the green man. The sound of rain was all that could be heard now.
~later~
The rain had stopped just like Snufkin said it would. The two exited the cave to see where they were. They quickly found the path that they had originally taken and began to head down the mountain. Hand in hand. They met up with their friends at the base of the mountain.
“Woah, you guys look awful!”
Little my said with a sarcastic undertone.
“Are any of you hurt?”
Snorkmaiden said examining the two for any external injuries.
“I think I sprained my ankle, but other than that I’m ok”
Moomin said kicking out his foot to show everyone.
Snorkmaiden let out a small yelp and immediately began to help Moomin walk the rest of the way back. Moomin and his friends enjoyed a nice meal of tomato soup with grilled cheese. A nice warming meal after a cold wet storm.
The end ✌︎('ω')✌︎