Coffee for Two

Chapter 4: Pea Soup

   Everyone was seated at the dinner table and making conversation when Snufkin and Moomin returned downstairs. They began to eat, or rather joined Sniff as he had started eating earlier, and soon everyone bombarded Snufkin with questions. Everyone but Moominmama and Moomin, the latter being quite concerned with his friend's wellbeing. However, Snufkin answered with ease and even told stories of his adventures beyond Moominvalley. At one point Moominmama interrupted them to ask Snufkin if he would have some more soup. The mumrik gladly accepted, in which the conversation slowed to a comfortable pace.
   After dinner, Moominmama laid out a tray of fruit for dessert. She and the three children sat and talked while Snufkin and Moomin stayed in the kitchen. Snufkin had volunteered to do the dishes, causing Mama to protest as, "he was a guest, and shouldn't need to worry about such things". Yet Snufkin insisted, and Moomin offered to help, which had finally won her over.
   "Oh Snufkin, how was dinner? I wish that my friends hadn't bothered you so. You could barely even have enough time for one spoonful of soup." Moomin dried a plate with a pink rag and placed it back into the cupboard. Snufkin simply shook his head as he handed him another plate. "It's alright, with Moominmama being so gracious and being able to step aside like this with you makes it better. " Their paws grazed against each others slightly, but neither of them said a word. Moomin continued to dry plates as Snufkin washed them, both feeling content and at ease.
   Once they finished, the pair left through the backdoor out to the veranda. With much effort, Moomin clambered onto the ladder with Snufkin following close behind. How he wished his tail wouldn't swish so fervently! They reached the roof and laid down on the shingles. The cool night breeze ruffled their fur as a blanket of stars stretched out across the sky, reaching even the farthest of lands. The trees rustled and swayed in the wind, filling up the silence until Moomin spoke.
   "It would be nice if we got to hang out everyday, Snufkin."
   "We can."
   At that Moomin turned away to hide his flushed face, though he doubted Snufkin could see it in the dark. "You mean it, Snufkin? Even with me in the coffee shop?"
   "Well I can always visit. And you're not always working."
   "That would be nice, Snufkin. I'm glad you're my friend."
   The moonlight danced and glimmered on the river as they fell silent again. They watched the stars twinkle a bit more, inching closer as the night air wrapped itself tighter around them. All while Snorkmaiden and Sniff took two familiar paths home as Little My slept soundly in a teapot. There was the clatter of a serving tray of tonights dinner in Moominpapa's study. Mama had decided to let him sleep and take his dinner later as he was exhausted from rebinding and organizing his memoirs.
   Too soon did it become too chilly to stay out, and the two clambered down the ladder. Moomin stopped on the roof of the veranda. Everyone in Moominhouse was sound asleep. "Goodnight Snufkin!"
  He waved back, and turned to trek back towards his tent. He murmured softly as he entered his tent, "I'm glad too, Moomin."