What Is Love?

What Is Love? (Chapter 1)

What Is Love?
Chapter One
"Snuuufkiiiinn!!"
The usual greeting Snufkin heard was an odd one now, it being near midnight. He looked at the sky, just to make sure it was not morning. The mumrik sat there, on the edge of the bridge railing, fishing up some late dinner. He couldn't go to bed on an empty stomach, after all. Not after his trip back from the South.
The eager Moomin ran to Snufkin, panting a little. He wiped some sweat from his forehead, the cold, spring air taking up space through his white fur. "Snufkin!"
"Moomin," Snufkin typically nodded. However, what perked Snufkin a bit was a wonderous, meaty, juice smell along with other scents combined together. Looking down in Moomin's hands was a large basket, almost around two feet wide all around. Moomin put the basket down, Snufkin hopping down from his post. "What's this?"
"Food!" Moomin spat out, almost too excited for his own good. "Moominmama made a huge meal! I mean, huge! We have a ton of leftovers!" He lifted the lid of the basket, showing the contents. Numerous plates of different foods stacked on one another, along with silverware wrapped in a napkin, and a bottle of red liquid.
Snufkin stared at the food in awe. Moominmama's cooking was something he admired. She was the best in MoominValley, for sure. He could feel his stomach coming up with a growl, but what didn't help was Moomin began listing the items within the weaved basket. "There's turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, candied yams, green bean casserole, cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, macaroni and cheese, peas, salad-" He stopped to take a deep breath in, but Snufkin put a hand on the Moomintroll's shoulder, signaling him to stop.
"It's alright, thank you, Moomin," he gave a gentle smile. "I shall explore them when I eat. I was just about to catch dinner, but I guess you saved me the hassle."
Upon hearing that, Moomin beamed with glee.
"The bottle is watermelon lemonade! Moominmama made it for you when I told her I was bringing some leftovers!"
Snufkin smiled once more and then picked up the basket, giving an interested look.
"It's... still warm?"
"I heated it up for you!" Moomin admitted. "So that way, you can eat it right away!!"
"... Moomin, you truly are the sweetest in MoominValley."
This brought a blush to the poor boy's white snout. However, it was still dark, so he was lucky Snufkin couldn't see it.
"Awww!! Thank you, Snufkin! Well, I better get home now. Mama will be cross if I don't head back before my bedtime...!"
"Alright," he chuckled. "Sleep well, Moomin."
"Eat well, Snufkin! And sleep, too!"
The creature ran off, leaving Snufkin with a smile that may haunt his cheeks while he's eating and throughout the night.
Moomin got into bed, Moominmama tucking him in sweetly, putting a glass of water next to his bed. As she tucked the sheets and quilt under Moomin, she gave a smirk and squeeze his side. This made Moomin jump, squealing and giggling. "Maahahamaa...!"
She could only giggle, leaning down to kiss his forehead.
"Are you comfy?" she asked.
"Hold on," Moomin told her. He sat up a little and kissed his mother on the cheek, then got right back under the layers. "Now I am."
She chuckled and tucked him back in snuggly.
"Goodnight, my dearest Moomin," she stepped back. "I love you."
"Goodnight, mama! I love you more...!" he reminded her as he did every night.
"I love you most," she finished the ritual. Moomin smiled and yawned, closing his eyes. Moominmama left the door halfway closed, allowing light to seep in through the room.
The sounds of the thunder rumbled through the air, Moomin smiling at it as it made him drift off to sleep.
"Snufkin!"
Moomin ran up to Snufkin, panting a little. "Wait up! Don't go on without me, please!"
"Oh, very sorry, Moomin," Snufkin replied. "I'm just very excited to show you my favorite spot on my travels."
"Yes, I'm excited too!" he jumped a little, ears wiggling. "So where is it!?"
"Right ahead of you, Moomin...!" Moomin looked ahead, gasping in.
"Oh wow! Wow wow wow!!!"
In front of him, down the grassy hill, were flowers. They were strange types for sure. With rainbow petals, glimmering gold pollen, some petals were squiggly lines and others were puffed. The sight of them made Moomin sigh out, falling forward and rolling down the hill. At the bottom, he could hear Snufkin laughing hysterically and following after him, rolling down on his sides. He met Moomin in the flowers, Moomin also laughing. "Snufkin, you're so silly, hahaha!"
"As are you, my friend," he stood up. "Come on! Let's pick some flowers...!"
Moomin agreed with a nod, then both running towards them. Snufkin worked on something that Moomin couldn't see, but it bothered him little to none.
"Your travels to the South are so beautiful!" Moomin said. "The waterfalls and the fruit trees with those spotted fruits that were very tasty! I wish I could go South with you more!"
"I have to say, Moomin," Snufkin started. "I was wrong for saying no to you earlier about coming South. With you here, it's a lot more fun! We could dance and sing together! Then I can teach you many many things!"
"Oh, that sounds just wonderful, Snufkin! Thank you very much!" Moomin clasped his hands together.
"You should come South with me more often...!" Snufkin decided. "It's too much of a bore to be out here all alone. You make it more amazing, Moomin!"
Moomin looked at Snufkin and then laughed, running to him and hugging Snufkin close. Snufkin wrapped his arms around Moomin tightly, the Moomintroll melting in his arms. Snufkin let off a scent of pine and bark.
"You smell very nice, Snufkin... I don't want to let go."
"Oh my dear Moomin, then don't let go," Snufkin rubbed the back of his head. "I'll hug you forever and ever." Moomin's heart leaped at that, him smiling more and taking a deep breath in through his nose, the tree scent filling his nostrils. He felt calm. He felt happy. He felt like he was having the time of his life. Suddenly, Snufkin pulled out of the hug, both hands on Moomin's shoulders. Moomin was disappointed, but he looked at Snufkin with a smile.
"Is something wrong?" he wondered.
"No, not at all...!" Snufkin reassured him. "I just want to ask you a question."
"Oh, of course, Snufkin! You can ask me, anything at all!" Moomin beamed.
"This is why we're best friends, Moomin," Snufkin reminded him. "You always trust me and I trust you."
"Yes! So... what is your question?"
Snufkin let go of Moomin's shoulders...and put them on Moomin's furry cheeks. Moomin could see the gaze in Snufkin's eyes, them sparkling towards back at the lad. He leaned close to his left ear and whispered.
"Can I kiss you, Moomin?"
Moomintroll shot awake, yelping. His heart was going off the wall, feeling like it was going to pop out of his chest at any second. His throat was strained, his eyes watering. Was that... a dream? It couldn't have been real, he was still in bed...!
He stepped out of bed, rain roaring against his window. He wondered if Snufkin was okay in his tent with this rain. Moomin walked down the stairs, the wood creaking, but he was not silent about it. Moominmama and Moominpapa were deep sleepers and Little My was at Mymble's house. He got a cup of milk and leftover pie, sitting down at the table, enjoying the small snack and daydreaming the rest of his dream. It made him feel guilty to continue it but happy... "Can I kiss you, Moomin?"
Thinking of that line again, Moomin visibly blushed as he drank his milk, his throat tightening again. Why... did he want to say yes? Do best friends kiss? Moominmama and Moominpapa were the only ones he saw kiss, but they were married! This was different. Snufkin was his very very best friend. He's the first to know of Moomin's secrets and the first to know about Moomin's worries.
He finished the glass, frowning and putting his head on the table. So... what were these feelings? His heart was fluttering and he felt sick but in a good way. His head spun and always reverted back to Snufkin. So what was it? What's going on? Did he...






Did he love Snufkin?