Winter - Snufmin ((DISCONTINUED))

Chapter One

Snufkin woke up from his tent one early morning. That morning would be the last morning he spent in Moominvalley before he left for the winter. He had been thinking a lot about how much he would miss his dearest friend, Moomintroll. He usually missed his friend while on his winter travels, but this year he was especially dreading the months in which he would not be seeing him.

Snufkin thought about the time Moomintroll asked him if he could come along with him on his travels. He had said no despite the horrible feeling it had given him. He knew he needed those months of solitude, even if sometimes he forgot he did. Besides, Moomins hibernate during the winter anyway, so he wouldn't be missing much.

Snufkin grabbed his hat and began to make his way toward Moominhouse. He walked through
the grass he and Moomintroll spent hours lying in, crossed the bridge they sat together on and had many of their conversations, and finally he made it to the front door.

He was halfway through his second knock when the door swung open. "Snufkin! Come on in!" It seemed Moomintroll had been waiting by the front door for him to arrive.

Snufkin sat at the table with Moomintroll, Moominpappa, and Little My. One seat was left open for Moominmamma, who busy brewing tea to make the few hours before Snufkin left well spent ones. "Hello, Snufkin," said her warm, motherly voice.

"Hullo, Moominmamma," he replied, smiling softly at her.

There was another few minutes of silence until Moominmamma turned around giving everyone a cup, pouring tea into each of them. "Thank you, Moominmamma," said Snufkin. Moominmamma smiled.

"Right, thank you Mama!" Moomintroll said quickly, and Moominmamma laughed.

"You're both very welcome," she replied. Little My coughed.

"So, Snufkin, do you have any plans for your travels this year?" Moomin asked, breaking the ice.

"Nope," Snufkin paused, smiling at everyone's confused faces. "I usually just go wherever the wind takes me."

Little My said, "How do you not get lost?"

"Oh, I can always find my way," Snufkin looked at Moomintroll and took a sip of his tea.

"Doesn't surprise me one bit, knowing Snuf-" Moominmamma cut herself off. "Oh my goodness, Snufkin..."

Snufkin had popped a sugar cube in his mouth. "He always does this," Moominmamma seemed distressed by Snufkin's odd behaviour.

"Snufkin, you know you're not supposed to eat those. You're supposed to put them in your tea," Moomintroll informed him.

"I don't like them in my tea," Snufkin shrugged. "Besides, it's not like you're doing much to stop me," He grabbed another. Moominmamma groaned and put her head in her hands. Snufkin sipped his tea as if he was the normal one, and everyone around him was crazy.

"What are you?" Little My asked, half joking. Snufkin stopped and slowly put his cup down.

"Y'know, I'm not really sure. I never really thought about it," Everyone gave him a bewildered look. Moominpappa looked like he wanted to say something, but he kept quiet.

Snufkin finished his tea and excused himself from the table. "I better go triple check that I packed everything and take my tent," He went to the door, but turned around before exiting. "Thank you, again, Moominmamma. Goodbye everyone."

"I'm really going to miss him," Moomintroll sighed.

"Well, you should go talk to him once more before he leaves. I'm sure he would like that," Moominmamma suggested.

Moomintroll decided not to question the smirk on her face. "Good idea, Mamma!" He rushed out the door.
***

Snufkin sat on the bridge he and Moomintroll called their own, his dear friend sitting beside him. The two were talking about nothing in particular, just whatever came to mind. Snufkin paused mid-conversation and Moomintroll looked at him quizzically. The silence between the friends was short-lived, however, as Snufkin asked a question which shocked even himself.

"Would you like to come with me this winter?" Snufkin asked, and Moomintroll's eyes widened and he grinned, hopping up and down. Snufkin smiled softly, his nerves easing.

"Do you really mean it, Snufkin? I can come too?" Moomin asked, and he didn't wait for an answer before hugging Snufkin tightly then running off toward Moominhouse. "Oh, I can't wait to tell Mama and Papa! Little My will be so jealous! I have to start packing immediately!"

Snufkin watched Moomintroll skip happily over to Moominhouse, a smile on both their faces. "You're very obvious, Snufkin," Snufkin turned around quickly to see Little My smiling slyly at him, hands on her hips. "I mean, I'm related to you and you haven't ever invited me to come with you," she continued.

Snufkin turned away, blushing slightly. "It's different with Moomin," he said softly. Little My rolled her eyes. She ran off in the direction of Moominhouse, no doubt to tease Moomin as well. Snufkin suspected it was one of her favorite pastimes, teasing the two.

Snufkin sat back down on the railing of the bridge and played his harmonica. He'd already packed, so he didn't need to do anything besides wait for Moomintroll, who happened to be running back over to Snufkin. "Snufkin!" he called. Snufkin nodded his head in Moomin's direction, still playing his harmonica. Moomin took a moment to catch his breath, leaning on the railing of the bridge.

"So," Moomintroll asked after a minute or two, "why did you ask me to come with you this winter?"

Snufkin stopped playing before answering, "I was thinking about a while ago when you asked me if you could join me," He pocketed his harmonica and turned to Moomintroll. "I know I said that I needed my space after spending the rest of the year here in Moominvalley, but a little company never hurt anyone," Snufkin shrugged as if it was no big deal. He wished he could tell Moomin the real reason why he was letting him come along, but what he didn't know wouldn't kill him.

Moomintroll nodded. The two friends sat together on the bridge for a little while longer before it began to snow. Winter had officially arrived.

Snufkin shivered. "We better be leaving soon," He stood up and motioned for Moomintroll to do the same. He led him up the path that exited Moominvalley.

Right when they were at the very edge, and Moominhouse was no more than a blue rectangle, Moomintroll stopped and stared at it for moment. "Moomin?" Snufkin noticed and asked, "Are you alright?"

Moomintroll smiled, "Never been better."

At last, they were out of Moominvalley. It was just them, and the adventures to come.