(DISCONTINUED) The Realm Chapter || Snufkin X Reader

Chapter Six || Lurking

Moominmamma and Moomin begin to cheer as they see Snufkin and I coming closer to the veranda of the round abode, our fingers intertwined. The plan had went exactly as it was meant to go. The plan was a total success. And man... was it worth it.

However, they were also overly relieved to have us come back with no harm done- as this was the Groke who had been passing by in her eternal search for heat but brings cold wherever she goes.

We apparently were gone longer than we had thought too. It had felt like only an hour had passed, but we were actually gone for two and a half.

I guess time really does fly when you're feeling good about the present.

Like in that root-hole, snuggled up with Snufkin.

I want to do that again and soon.

Moominmamma begins to get slightly antsy for an unknown reason. "Moominmamma, is something troubling you?" Snufkin gently inquires, wanting to help in any way possible.

"Oh, dear..." She trails off, looking up at the ceiling. "It's Moominpappa. He's been in his study since two days ago, before (Y/N) arrived... and he hasn't come out at all. I would assume he's stuck on his memoirs, but something's... not right." The three of us glance in the direction of the stairs. I trot towards the stairwell. "I'll check on him, Moominmamma. I'll call you two if I need help."

"Oh, thank you, (Y/N)! I sure hope he's alright..." Moominmamma calls as I dash up the stairs, then I presume she turns to Snufkin.

Moominpappa's study is on the third floor, and not a sound emerges from behind the door. Not even the friction between parchment and pen, nor the crumples of Moominpappa getting stuck from writer's block and throwing away the page he had been working on.

Knowing that Moominpappa has never met me- and unsure of his knowledge of my arrival- I step back downstairs to fetch Snufkin.

"Is Moominpappa alright?" The male in green says.

"Not sure yet- I just want you to come up with me because I don't know if he's heard of my arrival."

"Alright, I see your point." We go back to the third floor, and I step aside to allow Snufkin knock at the door.

"Moominpappa? It's me, Snufkin. Are you alright?"

A small, short shuffle is heard from inside.

"Moominpappa?" Snufkin knocks again.

"Oh, do come in," a small, raspy voice says behind the door. Moominpappa sounds like a mix of emotions and feelings: tired; scared; depressed. Snufkin opens the door and goes inside the small room, followed by myself.

The study is dimly lit, making it hard to see. The window is covered with a blanket so as to not let the relenting daylight inside; the room instead is lit by a small oil lamp on Moominpappa's desk, which is surrounded by crumpled balls and wads of paper. As for Moominpappa himself, he sits at his desk, tail swishing, head in arms.

"Are you alright, Moominpappa? Moominmamma is worrying about you," Snufkin comforts the elder Moomin.

Moominpappa lifts his head, his eyes surrounded by darkness as if he had not had much sleep. He looks like a total mess. "Good... good gracious, Snufkin, it was terrible, I don't want to see her anymore! Not her!"

"The Groke?"

"Snufkin, no- but it was last night, it was terrible, she wouldn't stop watching me through the window..."

"Who's her?"

"T-the Lost One. She's back."

"No."