Chapter Text
As the sun rose above the hills, it melts away the frozen leaves, dripping away its icy coffin.
Snufkin slowly got up from the dusty ground, looking up at the skies and the trees that blocked his vision. It was strange to him how light the sky was this evening…. What time was it?
He looked around a bit more. Taking in the scenery. It was a dense thicket of trees and wildlife. The flowers are all in bloom, as the ice melts away by the sun’s arrival.
Turning around, he finds himself facing the base of the mountain. Its high peaks towering over his small figure. And just below those peaks, was his backpack.
Curious, he picks it up. It’s heavy, and the only thing of note is a tent rolled and strapped upon it. He rummages through his belongings. He doesn’t recognize it too well, but it’s at least some proper essentials for a traveler.
As he checks for anything out of place, a wicked headache suddenly comes flowing in. He was soon reminded that he should be in the valley by now. That he had a best friend named Moomintroll, eagerly waiting for him at the Moominhouse… where was that?
He should be at the bridge, giving his dramatic entrance with his harmonica. But it seems it’s gone missing somewhere… it’s not in the bag or his pockets, so it must’ve gotten lost in the fall.
“oh well. I’ll look for it another time”. He thought.
Though, “thinking” wasn’t going to be easy. As more memories flowed in, Snufkin felt the rush of it all was going to split his head in two. A nice bath would do wonders he believed.
Scooping up his bag, all nice and packed, he trotted along the path. A flash of a spring appears to mind, and that’s where he’ll go first.
Once that was over, it was time to get to wherever moominvalley is. And meet Moomintroll.
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Moomin stares out from his window. It’s been a week since Spring started and Snufkin hasn’t arrived yet. And although Snufkin had his reasons for arriving so late in the past, this time, it felt like something was off. Like he should be out of the house, already off to search for his lost friend. Was he lost?.. goodness no. Snufkin knows the way like the back of his hand. Something must be holding him up.
Yet despite this reassurance, the longer he is forced to wait, the more nervous he feels thinking that he won’t be coming at all.
“Thinking about your precious Snufkin again?”
Startled by the sudden remark, he quickly turns to see the little Mymble, standing tall despite her small stature.
He furrows his eyebrows.
“And what if I am?”
“You know he’ll be here. It’s the same every year.”
“Well, yes… but…”
Little My arches her brow. This little routine of his was something she’s grown accustomed to. And although she finds it foolish, she can admit that she can’t really blame the poor fool.
Especially knowing what happened before he left last winter.
Moomin turns away from her, going back to his brooding. She sighs. “Have you been coming up with a new spring tune for your lovable Snufkin at least?~” she teases.
Moomintroll’s ears perk up. “Oh! Right! I almost forgot!” He lifted himself from the window sill, going through his drawers in desperation. But before he can pull out what he was working on, he heard a familiar voice.
“Moomintroll?”
Moomin’s ears flapped at the sweet sound of his name. He quickly looked out his window, and saw him. His very best friend, right there at the bridge. Where they often meet.
“SNUFKIN!” He cried, and not at a moment’s notice, he clambers down his rope ladder in a frenzy to see his best friend.
Snufkin looks up, seeing his friend make his way down clumsily till he reached the grassy ground.
As Moomintroll ran up, something caught his eye. A bandage, wrapped around Snufkin’s head. His hat almost covered it entirely, but the closer he got, the more clearly it was seen underneath the rim. His pace slowed as he processed it, stopping just an inch away from Snufkin’s face.
“...Snufkin…?”
“Moomintroll”
Snufkin looked as calm and collected as ever, but despite this, Moomin felt a sense of unease by how calm he was. At this point, should he even mention the bandage when he looks so content?
“Is something wrong?” Snufkin asked.
Cut from his thoughts, Moomin shook his head. He may as well be honest. He’s his best friend after all. Not only that, this may be the first time Snufkin ever came back injured on his journey, so a need for concern is even more necessary.
“Y-yeah.. yeah..”
“… that isn’t very assuring, friend”
“Well yes but-.. oh for the love of-… ugh. Why is your head wrapped in a bandage?! What happened?!”
He didn’t mean to shout. But somehow, Snufkin wasn’t phased by the sudden volume shift in his friend. Almost like he expected it.
“Oh! Oh that’s simple to answer. I may have.. been a little careless on my trek back. That’s all.”
Moomin squints. Careless? No way could Snufkin be so careless as to injure himself this badly.
“…did you.. get patched up? At a local village?”
“Why yes. Why not I tell you about it inside? It smells like Moominmamma’s cooking something nice.”
He starts making his way to Moominhouse, only for Moomintroll to promptly stop right in front of him. Blocking him in his tracks.
“You.. don’t want to set up your tent first? Catch some fish?”
“I would but…I think I’d like Moominmamma to check on my injuries before doing anything. Can't leave anything out of place. Right?”
“Oh! Of course! Umm.. let me take your bag. Wouldn’t want you to be weighed down.”
“Thank you Moomintroll.”
Moomin takes Snufkin’s bag, as both of them make their way to Moominhouse. It’s the second time he ever held something for him, so in his heart, he’s a little bit giddy by the thought of being able to assist Snufkin in his belongings. But at the same time, he had to remember he was doing this to take the stress off his shoulders. If his head was injured that badly, there mustn’t be any tension that’ll make his head feel worse.
Nevertheless, Snufkin was back. And Moomintroll couldn’t be happier despite the circumstances.