Chapter Text
On this particular autumn morning, the only noise to be heard was Snufkin's harmonica, accompanied by the quiet flow of the river beneath the bridge. It was still very early, but Snufkin desperately needed something to distract him. He had been having dreams, very odd dreams, dreams that bothered him, but he ignored them. They are just dreams, after all.
Winter was coming very soon, and he would be off to the south, as always. Every winter, he parts with Moomintroll. It was always such sweet sorrow. It was routine, but in recent years, leaving made Snufkin feel rather guilty. He needed time alone, it was always refreshing, but…
"Snufkin!"
He looked up, a small smile on his face, as Moomin joined him on the bridge.
Snufkin tipped his hat. "Moomintroll."
"What are you doing up so early?" His friend asked, sitting beside him.
"What are you doing up so early?"
"Well, I heard you. I was wondering if you were leaving already."
"I'm not. I just… Woke up early." An obvious lie.
The two sat in silence for a moment before Moomin suddenly stood. He beckoned for Snufkin to follow him.
"Where are we going?" Snufkin asked, following.
Moomin shrugged. "Well, since you'll be leaving soon, I thought we could go on one more adventure… And nobody else is awake, so it's really just us."
With that, the two went on a silent walk through the forest, only stopping to admire the beauty of the fall colors.
"Ohh, Snufkin, Snufkin!" Moomin said, his tail waving in excitement. He picked up a few leaves that had fallen from the trees and placed them on Snufkin's hat, to replace the now-wilted flowers. He stood back, smiling as he admired his work. Snufkin couldn't comprehend the feeling Moomin's excitement made him feel. He hid his face with his newly decorated hat.
"Thanks, Moomee…" He said quietly, his voice cracking.
Moomin laughed, taking Snufkin's hand as they continued to walk. Snufkin's face was getting red. That was a bad sign. He wasn't even paying attention to whatever Moomin was saying.
And then, he tripped.
He wasn't looking, too afraid to let Moomin see how red his face was, and he tripped over a tree root. Moomin caught him.
"Oh, Snufkin! Are you alright?" Snufkin stared at him. "...Snufkin…?"
Snufkin began to laugh. It was an uncontrollable laugh, the kind that made you cry, the kind where you can hardly breathe. Snufkin wasn't sure if he was laughing or crying, actually.
"Oh, you scared me!" Moomin said, laughing as well. He hadn't let go of Snufkin yet.
"Sorry," Snufkin said, his laughter beginning to cease. "I needed a good laugh, anyways."
So, they both stopped laughing, and, with Snufkin still in Moomin's arms, stared at each other.
"...you really have to leave?" Moomin asked. He hadn't given much protest to Snufkin's travels in a long time.
"Yes, Moomin. I always do, I-"
"You need time alone, I know."
Snufkin cupped his face. "I'll be back. I always return in spring. Besides, I'll miss you, too. I always do."
"So, when are you gonna admit it?"
Snufkin screamed and nearly fell over as he heard a voice in what he assumed was his empty tent. Little My was sitting on a tin box, her arms crossed, giving him a very mischievous look.
"Little My! I told you not to-"
"Oh, I know, just answer my question!"
"What? Admit what?"
Little My shook her head. "You are so dumb. Admit it, you like Moomin!"
Snufkin almost fell over again. "I don't like Moomin! Well, yes, yes, I do, he's my best friend, but not like that!"
"Then why'd you get all defensive? Why's your face so red? Did the walk in the forest this morning mean nothing?"
"What?! You saw that?"
"I see everything, Snufkin! You two are so in love, it's disgusting!"
"Get out of my tent."
"Only if you admit it."
"Why are you in my tent, anyways?"
Little My patted the box beneath her. "Moominmamma wanted me to bring this to you. They're cookies. Moomin made them himself."
Snufkin picked her up and placed her outside. "Thank you. Now, shoo."
He opened the tin, looked at the cookies, and quickly shut it again, his face going red.
That was it. He was leaving early this year.
Night had fallen. Snufkin was all packed, and was going to leave without word to anyone. But first, he had something to do.
He gazed up at Moomin's window, holding a letter, debating on whether or not he should really do this. He dropped his bag and began to climb the ladder, hoping Moomin's window wasn't locked. It wasn't.
Carefully, he climbed into his room, placing the letter on the table beside his bed. He would read it in the morning, he hoped.
With that, Snufkin practically dove out the window, grabbing his bag and making a run for it to the south.