Euphoric

Language is Scary

The two boys made their way up to Moominhouse. It was obvious that Moomin was very eager to help his friend out after learning his secret.
Snufkin, however, was beyond anxious. He begrudgingly followed Moomin to the house, his mind occupied by fears of unacceptance and alienation. Realistically, he knew that wouldn't be the case, but he was still so nervous. What if people saw him differently after they knew?

They arrived at the house and Moominmamma was folding the laundry outside.

"Why hello, boys! Do you need anything?" Moominmamma said, neatly folding a blouse.

"Mamma, we need to measure Snufkin. He needs...." Moomin paused, glancing over at Snufkin. Snufkin nodded. He figured Moominmamma would be fine with it.

"Snufkin needs a binder. For his chest,
you know? Right now he's using bandages and I'm really worried for him."

Mamma gasped. "Bandages? Oh my! We can't have that. Yes, we need to measure your chest right away, Snufkin. Come inside." She quickly finished folding the last shirt and hurried inside.

Mamma handed Snufkin the tape measure and instructed him to go take off the bandages and measure his chest. Snufkin, although hating being told what to do, did as he was told.

36 inches around.

"Alright Moominmamma, I'm done. 36 inches around." Snufkin said, fiddling with the tape measure as he walked into the living room. Moomin was sifting through a basket of fabrics. His eyebrows furrowed as he compared two fabrics. "Which one do you like better, Snufkin? This plaid one or just plain white linen?" Snufkin looked back and forth at the fabrics. "The white linen will do." He couldn't help but smile. Moomin was obviously so eager to help him. How lucky I am to have such loving friends, He thought.

Moominmamma spent the afternoon creating a binder for Snufkin, while the two boys sat idly on the porch.
"The weather is nice, isn't it?" Moomin said quietly. Snufkin nodded. "It sure is." They sat and waited, and waited, and waited, just admiring each other's company. More than once Moomin would quickly glance over at Snufkin before quickly looking back, blushing furiously. Moomin was about ready to break the silence before Moominmamma opened the front door. "I finished the binder, Snufkin. Why don't you come in and try it on?" Snufkin excitedly stood and rushed inside before Moomin could say anything.

It was his greatest fear-- unrequited love. Moomin could hardly stand it. What if his pining went unheard and unseen? Or worse, completely dismissed if Snufkin ever knew? No, he couldn't have that. But there was so much happening today that he decided he must spread out the events.

I will tell Snufkin in a month. Until then, I must not let him know. Moomin thought, interrupted by a sudden cry.

Snufkin burst through the front door without a tunic covering him. In its place was a clean, white binder. It fit him perfectly. Moomin looked up at his face to see he was crying.

"I love it, Moomin! Let's go to my tent and embroider little flowers on it!" He grinned and rushed back inside to grab his green tunic. It made Moomin so happy to see Snufkin so excited about something. He hadn't seen Snufkin so blissful and euphoric ever.

The two made their way to Snufkin's tent where they sat for hours, talking and adding little things to the binder. Roses. Lillies. Butterflies. By the end, nearly the whole thing was decorated beautifully, with dozens of colors.

As happy as Snufkin was, he was terrified. He knew his friends and family loved him. But there was something else on his mind. Something he loved dearly and couldn't bear to disappoint.

Moomin.

"Snufkin? Are you alright?" Moomin was waving his arms around in front of Snufkin's face. Snufkin gasped. "Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about something." He could feel his face turning red. He couldn't possibly let Moomin know how he really felt. That would be too much. Besides, how could anyone love someone like him? Snufkin frowned.

"Hey, do you want to go cloud gazing?" Moomin finally broke the silence. Snufkin's ears instantly perked up. "Yes, that sounds lovely!" After Moomin left the tent, Snufkin quickly put on the binder, threw on his tunic, and grabbed his harmonica. Today was going to be a good day, he decided.

Time flew by as the two of them watched the clouds pass overhead. "That one's shaped like a... dragon!" Moomin smiled, pointing into the sky at a fluffy, white cloud.

"That one looks like a heart." Snufkin blurted. Clearly something was on his mind. "Where? I don't see it." Moomin said. Snufkin rolled over so that he was on top of Moomin. Moomin gasped. "Wh--" Snufkin laid his head down on Moomin's chest. "Shhhh." He closed his eyes and felt Moomin's rapid heartbeat. Was he moving too fast?

"Oh, I see the heart-shaped cloud now. It makes me think of you, Snufkin." Moomin said finally, his heartbeat slowing down to a more normal pace. Snufkin buried his face in Moomin's fur. "I've wanted to do this for a long time, you know." He said in a muffled voice.

"You have?" Moomin said, oblivious.