Chapter Text
The last time Snufkin was in Moomin Valley was during a sunny day in late summer. It was now getting chillier the further he travelled, which he was used to, but this time he was headed North, which meant the cold nights were much harder to bare than usual.
Snufkin noticed that his tent had accumulated a layer of snow overnight. He quickly ate his breakfast he had prepared the previous day and packed up his tent and supplies. He wanted to maximise the amount of time he travelled each day so he didn't have to spend as many nights sleeping in the cold, and to get to his destination sooner, of course.
Snufkin equipped his gear, adjusted his hat, and made his way down the familiar yet different snowy path.
"No, those go over there," Moomin instructed one of the Woodies he had recently acquired. The creature went to put the decoration he was holding in the right spot.
Suddenly, Moomintroll heard the sound of a slightly distorted harmonica and the crunching of snow outside the house's insulated walls.
He dropped everything he was carrying and turned around sharply. Through the veranda door's window was an approaching silhouette backlit by the bright snow outside. The figure opened the door and ran up to him, and Moomintroll immediately recognised the green-hatted man as his beloved Snufkin.
"Snufkin!!!" Moomintroll didn't expect him to be back so early. Certainly not this early. He had to be thinking that the person was a mirage until he felt the man's tight grip around his body. "It's really you!!" exclaimed Moomintroll.
Snufkin laughed. Oh, how he missed that laugh. "It's me, Moomintroll!"
"I missed you so much!" Moomintroll broke the hug to look at his beloved's face. It was dotted in snowflakes but his gorgeous smile shined through the cold. Immediately the two nuzzled noses. The touch brought a glowing warmth to Moomintroll's chest, despite Snufkin's skin feeling freezing.
A child's voice suddenly came from below.
Moomintroll read the surprised look on Snufkin's face. He smiled nervously, "Oh, yeah, you need to meet the children."
Snufkin then remembered, "Wait, I know these Woodies."
"They like to stay in Moominhouse during the winter." Moomintroll picked up one of the small creatures from the floor. "Do you remember Snufkin?" The Woodie made a sound of excitement and held out its hand.
"Hello!" Snufkin leaned forward and inspected the little guy, but he noticed the child's wide eyes were fixated on something else. "Do you like my hat?" The Woodie giggled in response. "Me too." Snufkin laughed before letting the Woodie touch the worn rim of his famous green hat, which Moomintroll noticed was adorned with a wreath of holly. Moomintroll put the creature down before he could steal the man's precious hat, and he ran off, probably to tell the others about their 'other dad's' arrival.
Now the two adults finally had some alone time. "So, Moomintroll, what's gotten you awake in Moominvalley at this time of year?" asked Snufkin holding his lover's paws.
"I could ask you the same thing." Snufkin laughed, knowing he had a point. "Well, The Mymbles actually came by right before we started hibernating, and they said they were going off somewhere to celebrate something called 'Christmas'. They told us all about it and now we want to celebrate Christmas too!"
"Really, now?" Snufkin smiled intriguingly.
"But the Mymbles had to leave yesterday. Mamma's actually upstairs tidying the house back up after the 'kiddie tornado', and Pappa's gone searching for a perfect fir tree to bring back for us to decorate."
"Sounds lovely." The background caught Snufkin's attention and his eyes began to wander around the inside of Moominhouse. Garlands of holly draped over the shelves and bookcases, and candles were scattered amongst them ready to be lit. All the tablecloths were red with a gorgeous gold trim, and the plates and cutlery in the dining room were hand-painted and most likely very special Moomin antiques. On the ceiling, garlands of paper and lace were strung across its beams. "I see you've been busy."
"Yeah. We've already done most of the work, but I've just been adding the final details here and there just now, actually," Moomin explained. Snufkin noticed the unused decorations dumped on the ground nearby. "But we don't have to worry about that right now. I'm happy to make you comfortable," Moomintroll offered. "Are you cold?"
"It's warmer in here than out there. But I'm okay," said Snufkin. "But how are you only just wearing a scarf?" Snufkin observed.
"It's a nice scarf though."
Snufkin chuckled. "Agreed. It's very cute on you."
Moomintroll blushed shyly but happily in his hand-knitted scarf. "Mamma made it for me."
"Naturally. You know she's good at that."
"She could make you one too if I asked her. Then we could be matching!"
"I wouldn't mind that," Snufkin blushed at the gesture. "You know, the last time I was in the valley was around the end of summer. Now we're in the middle of winter."
"It must be quite a big change then," said Moomintroll. Snufkin had also just come from the South where there was practically no changing of the seasons at all.
"But even in the cold, it's nice to be back." Snufkin looked into Moomintroll's eyes like they were the place he was looking forward to returning to all this time.
"It is," Moomintroll smiled. "Hey, do you wanna sit down and chat? Near the wood stove?"
"I would love to." His feet could use the rest from all that walking he did that morning.
"And don't worry -- the Ancestor has moved to the attic," Moomintroll added with waving paws. The Moomins wouldn't want the creature to be toast!
Snufkin followed Moomintroll to a nice cosy spot in the living room on a round rug in front of the wood stove. The floor was nice and warm for them already when they sat down.
"Snufkin, you never told me you were coming back this early."
"I wanted it to be a surprise," Snufkin smiled. He then turned serious, "Did I come at a bad time, or...?"
"No, No! This is perfect." Moomintroll placed a paw on top of Snufkin's and then nuzzled his cheek as a reminder of his love and appreciation.
Snufkin smiled before leaning into Moomin's shoulder to hug him around the neck. "I missed you," Snufkin whispered. Moomintroll's fur felt so warm and comforting. He might just stay there forever. "You know, I might stay for a bit," he decided.
"Wait, seriously?" said Moomintroll excitedly, breaking the hug to look at his beloved in the eyes.
Snufkin explained, "I left early this year because I was really craving that alone time, but it just meant that I started missing you sooner. I realised I couldn't wait another four months until Spring and so I decided to come back to Moomin Valley early."
Moomintroll thought for a moment. "Wait, how long do you mean by 'for a bit'? Do you mean just for Christmas, or...?"
"I'll stay for Christmas for sure, and maybe until Midwinter, but after the worst of the cold has passed I'll go back to my travels." Moomintroll's ears drooped. "But when Spring eventually comes around again I promise I'll be right back here in Moomin Valley."
Moomintroll hugged Snufkin's side in approval. "That's great, dear! You do what you want to do." He would miss Snufkin when he eventually went, but he was still grateful as ever to have him here at this moment.
Snufkin smiled fondly at his boyfriend. "Thank you, Moomintroll."
"You know, it's been lonely without you, Snuf..." Moomintroll admitted, fiddling with his tail. Snufkin noticed the Moomin's ears drooping back.
"Moomintroll..." Snufkin comforted. "I'm sorry-"
Moomintroll chuckled, "Oh you don't need to say sorry, Snufkin. I understand that you need time to be alone and to go on your travels. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, or anything. I'm sorry if it sounded like that."
How sweet and genuine his Moomintroll was. He couldn't ask for a better boyfriend. "Thank you for understanding."
Moomintroll stared into his lover's eyes. How lovely that he got to spend this time with Snufkin. He was always so grateful when Snufkin chose to be with him. "I'm so glad to see you!" Moomintroll hugged Snufkin again.
"I'm so glad to see you too." Snufkin wrapped his arms around Moomintroll's back and slid his paws through his fur. "I love you."
"I love you too."
The two hugged for a while, soaking in the other's presence.
Together in that moment they were the two warmest creatures in Moomin Valley. Entangled in fur by firelight. Hearts beating with true love.
"You know what?" Snufkin whispered into his lover's ear, "I think I will stay for Midwinter."
"Yes!" Moomintroll cheered and hugged him even tighter. Snufkin giggled before nestling into Moomintroll and into this new plan. Yes, Snufkin was quite happy to make himself at home in his Moomintroll.