(DISCONTINUED) The Realm Chapter || Snufkin X Reader

Chapter Seven || Dear Sister

"Allison."

"It's been way too long, (Y/N)." My sister gives me a subtle smirk as we hug for the first time in two years. 

I have so many questions to ask. I have so many stories to tell. I need to catch up with her. 

But what matters now is not the future, but the present: our reunion.

That is, until Snufkin dramatically coughs.

"So, what exactly is going on here?"

At Moominhouse

Moominmamma serves Allison some warm tea and biscuits while Allison herself apologizes to Moominpappa for scaring the ever-living crap out of him. I explain the situation to Snufkin: how she is my sister, how she disappeared a couple of years ago, how she's been missing from (home town) since, never to be found- until now, in Moomin Valley.

"I see. I guess that explains how she said she knew you."

"What do you mean?"

"She showed up at my tent last night, just before you came."

"So that's what I heard in the trees as I was walking there."

"Hm." Snufkin takes a gulp of the warm coffee that had been served to him, trying his best to take in all this new information as he stares off into space. 

I can't help but stare at his side profile. Just watching him take those large sips is like watching an aesthetically pleasing GIF. I wish I had my phone so that I could take a video or a picture of that, and just edit it to make it more of an aesthetic than it already is. He's absolutely beautiful.

Allison takes a seat across from where we sit, teacup in hand. She notices my attentive gaze on Snufkin, and leers in such a trickster manner that no one would expect what she'll say in that instant. Like now.

"So what were you doing in that tent last night, you two?" She mumbles in a sickeningly sweet, lovey-dovey voice.

The room goes silent. All eyes are on us, Allison still smirking, myself and Snufkin flushing a furious red in the face.

I stand up slowly, resting my palms on the table, trying my hardest not to chuckle. My face is still hot at the suggestive comment.

"We were cuddling. For a sense of security, because you- yes, you, Allison- scared the shit out of all of us, especially Moominpappa, after the Groke came to town. So don't get smart now or jump to conclusions, sissy, because I have so many stories to tell that could make you more embarrassed than I already am just hearing that stupid-ass comment."

A low "oooh" echoes through the room as I sit back down, folding my arms and crossing my legs. Allison remains speechless, her jaw hanging like an ornament from a Christmas tree. Snufkin almost spits out his coffee in disbelief of the sick roast that I just laid.

Allison begins to chortle merrily. "My lord, (Y/N). Two years and your burns got drastically better. I need an ice-pack, now." Her head thumps onto the table as she cackles in laughter, putting her hood over her head to hide her reddening face.

Moominmamma glances at her and then to me. 

"Does she actually need some ice?"

I resist the urge to be in stitches over the innocently delivered query. 

"No, it's just an expression." So I explain what burns and roasts are, and what Allison means by ice in the metaphorical sense. Moominmamma nods, cracking up when she finally understands the situation.

Soon the entire Moomin family is hooting with laughter and Snufkin can't help but join in the cackling craze, as soon as he finishes his coffee of course.

The room cools down eventually, becoming silent once more. Allison lifts her head, crying from laughing and face still red as a tomato.

"Oh good lord. I'm not sure if you've gotten better or worse."

Later, at the bridge

Allison and I lean on the railing of the bridge, staring into the river and bantering about the happenings of the past two years. We're catching up while Snufkin is off somewhere else, catching his daily fish meal. 

"...So Richie went up to me, and he was asking where all the soap went. Little did we know, Lee and Ellsworth took it to make their redneck waterslide even more fun."

"Oh no..."

"Oh no is right. Lee got whacked real good when he crashed into the fence at the bottom of the hill. Didn't touch soap for two good months after that; had to force him to wash his hands."

"Oh jeez." Allison guffaws at the thought of her little brothers screwing up.

"So how is it here in Moomin Valley?"

"So-so. I just hang out in the woods where no one can find me. I know enough to get by, but I avoided the locals for a really long time."

"Why?"

"Was just really insecure. Didn't want to take risks." She removes a pebble from her cloak, tossing into the water. I don't want to ask what risks.

"Anything useful I should know?"

"Beware of a man in a red hat. All I'm saying." She dashes another pebble into the current.

"Oh shit. Murderer? Stalker? What is he?"

"Not sure, but he gives me a really bad gut feeling that I don't trust."

"Ah."

"Oh, (Y/N). My camp is in the woods out that way. I'm going to catch up with you in a moment but if you want to get a head start, go ahead. Find it! Take a challenge."

I hesitate a moment. But in the end, won't hurt to find a little hut, won't it? Easy.

"Alright. See ya there, loser."

"Be there soon, dweeb."

I rush into the woods, ready to find whatever camp she has going on. I expect it to be in the remote brush out where she pointed, but I don't see anything.

"She must have it well-hidden..."

A rustle of leaves sounds behind me. Thinking it's Allison, I don't mind much.

"Hey Allison? Where'd you hide your shelter?"

I turn around, to see that no one is there.

"Allison?"

I hear more rustles to my side. 

Then behind me. 

Then silence. 

No more voices. 

No more sounds.

"Sis, this isn't funny anymore."

I turn back around to meet a pair of icy blue eyes in the trees above.

"Hello, young one."

Before I can scream for help, a strong pain reverberates through my head and puts me into a deep slumber.