Bubbles and Suds
author's note: this piece was inspired from this artwork on tumblr: post/184234615668/the-first-bath-of-spring-is-always-an-ordeal
It's about a week or so into the spring season, when a heavy knock comes at the door of Moomin House. Moominmamma, who'd been about to ready the table for dinner, paused with one plate resting just above the table. Few people knocked on the Moomin House door, most preferring to just let themselves in. Usually when there came a knock that meant it was the Inspector or some other form of trouble.
"Come in," she calls out softly and to her surprise it is Snufkin that enters the doorway, looking a little worse for wear.
"Hello Moominmamma," he says kindly, a soft smile on his face. He's covered in some sort of soot or dirt from head to toe and she's silently thankful that he had enough sense to stay in the doorway and not track all that mess into her home (not that she would've minded much, however she appreciated being saved the trouble of having to mop the floor for a second time that day).
"Hello Snufkin," she replies, resuming her work of setting the table. "You're back later than usual, Moomintroll's been worried about you." She pauses for a moment before adding, "…actually we all were."
Snufkin laughs in that goodnatured way of his, still remaining in the doorway, "Well yes I lost track of time and then ran into a small problem on my way here."
"Is that how you got so dirty?"
He seems surprised as he looks down at his clothing and hands to inspect the visible dirt that coats them. "Oh!" He chuckles, "I suppose so!" He shakes his head as if the whole thing were absurd, "Well I suppose I should leave you to your dinner. I have to set up my tent anyhow."
He turns to go, but Moominmamma is quicker, catching him by the collar before he can exit the doorway.
"Hold on a moment Snufkin," she says as she gives his collar a gentle yet firm yank, "You can't go around covered in dust and grime like that."
"What do you mean? I'll just bathe in the river."'
Moominmamma shakes her head and gentle nudges Snufkin until he turns back to her face her. Once she has his attention she places both paws on his shoulders, holding him steady. "Your tent can wait. We're about to have dinner soon and you need to wash up."
"Huh?"
"Just stay here, I'll go run the bath. After all that traveling I'm sure a nice warm bath would feel very nice."
Snufkin shakes his head, his facial expression betraying him for a moment as he cringes in disgust. "O-Oh, no thank you Moominmamma, the river is just fine."
"Nonsense. You'll use our bath, the water is very clean and we have some lovely new shampoos that will do wonders for your hair." As she says this, Moominmamma gently tugs Snufkin's hat from his head. He gasps in surprise and goes to reach for it back but Moominmamma gently slaps his outreached hand. The look she gives him is so stern, he knows he better behave.
"Come now, Snufkin it's just a bath. Let me clean your clothes for you while you're in there. You can use the river for the rest of the summer but after such a long journey, wouldn't you want to start the warm months off fresh and clean? Spring is a sign of new beginnings and growth you know!"
Having known Moominmamma for several years now, Snufkin could tell that despite the comment being phrased as a question, it was an order. Knowing he'd been beaten, he sighs and nods in compliance.
"Good!" Moominmamma replies with a smile, her tone returning to it's usual light and cheerfulness. "Now I'll go start the bath ... I know you'll be here when I return, yes?"
"Yes, Moominmamma."
She pats his head gently, "Good boy," before retreating quickly up the stairs, his hat beneath her arm.
"So what exactly were you doing that got you so dirty?" asks Moominmamma as she leads Snufkin up the the stairs of Moomin House several minutes later. "You said there was a problem?"
"As yes," Snufkin replies half-heartedly, his mind still on the bath that awaits him. "I tripped in the woods on my way back over an old root. I wasn't paying attention and rolled down a small hill, picking up some dirt along the way, I suppose."
"Ah! Are you alright?"
"Just a scraped knee, nothing more."
"Well you're very lucky then!"
Moominmamma takes his hand at the top of the stairs, though she's aware of how familiar Snufkin is with Moomin House. She guides him to the bathroom and pushes open the door, showing off a small tub filled to the brim with soap bubbles and rippling with steam.
"There we are, just for you!"
Snufkin gulps audibly, his senses suddenly assaulted by the overly-perfumed soaps and shampoos. If Moominmamma notices this, she chooses to ignore it. Instead she slips behind Snufkin and nudges him further into the bathroom.
"Alright, I'm going to shut the door. If you could undress and then slip your clothing out to me, I'll wash them for you while you're in the bath."
Snufkin just nods, knowing there's no point in arguing with the older woman. Moominmamma carefully shuts the door, leaving a small slit just big enough for Snufkin to slip his arm through. As if on auto-pilot, Snufkin undresses and passes the clothing to her. Once the transaction has occurred, the door close all the way with a soft click.
With a final sigh, Snufkin nears the tub and gently settles himself into the water. The temperature is perfect and he let's out a small noise of contentment as slips deeper into the water. The bubbles however he could do without. The scent is too heavy, making him feel a little ill.
"Well, I suppose this is happening then," he says aloud to himself as he reaches for a bar of soap and begins rubbing the suds into his skin. Though he'd never admit it aloud, it does all feel good.
"I guess a mother is always right."
He chuckles a little when he notices the rubber duck Moominmamma had tossed in among the bubbles. Though he knows it's juvenile, he bats it around a bit anyway.
Snufkin doesn't know how long he sits in the tub, but after a while, once the water has run cold and he's scrubbed his body the best that he can, he pulls out the plug and watches the water swirl down the drain.
Carefully, he lifts himself up and out of the basin, grabbing the towel Moominmamma had left for him on the nearby sink. He wraps himself in the warm cotton, wondering what he should do next. Should he call for her? Were his clothes even done being washed yet? It was strange to rely on someone else and he wasn't completely comfortable with it.
Snufkin opens the bathroom door slightly and peaks out. With relief he spots a small pile of clothing folded neatly outside. His heart sinks a little when he realizes it's not the clothing he'd come in wearing, but slip the items on anyway.
"Not really my style," he mumbles to himself as he slips the long-sleeved button down over his head. It's much too big for him and goes to his knees. There's also a pair of long thick socks and a pair of slippers which he puts on as well. He feels a little silly in the clothing, preferring the basic nature of his usual cloak and hat, but prefers the new items over wearing nothing.
The scent of the clothing is clean - not as perfume-y as the soaps of the bathroom and for that he is thankful.
"Hm?"
There's the sound of chatter downstairs as well as the scent of food - some kind of soup and freshly baked bread. His mouth waters without command and despite the unease (and he if he were being honest - insecurity) he feels in his new outfit, he descends the stairs.
Snorkmaiden sees him first, greeting him with a look of surprise and a smile, "Oh! Snufkin!"
The sound of his name catches Moomin's attention and he's out of his chair and racing towards him before Snufkin can even get off the stairs.
"Snufkin! You're back! I'm so happy to see you!"
"Careful Moomin! You'll knock the poor boy back!" calls Moominmamma from the kitchen, but Moomin's too excited. He plows himself into Snufkin's stomach and thankfully Snufkin's quick to catch himself on the stair's railing. He laughs, feeling momentarily overcome with Moomin's affection.
"Yes. Sorry I'm late. I know you must've been worried."
"I was very worried!" Moomin replies, not even slightly embarrassed to voice the words aloud, "I was so worried you wouldn't come back to Moominvalley this year!"
Snufkin rightens himself and returns Moomin's hug. "I would never leave you without saying goodbye, Moomin."
"Oh, I know that Snufkin, but I can't help but grow nervous when you're late!"
"Well, I suppose I'll have to work on my timing then," Snufkin teases in return.
Moominmamma comes in then and places a large bowl of salad on the table.
"Come eat you two," she says, "Snufkin you're just in time. Your clothes are almost done, they're just drying now."
Snufkin gives a nod of thanks and lets Moomin take his hand to guide him to the table.
"Is that my old sleep shirt?" Moominpappa asks as Moominmamma heaps a large portion of salad onto his plate.
"Yes, I hope you don't mind, Papa."
"No, not at all!" Moominpapa laughs, "The blue stripes look so much better on Snufkin than they ever did on me."
That gets a laugh out of everyone and despite how much he detests the scent of the floral soaps on his skin, or the unease he feels while wearing Moominpappa's old clothing, Snufkin wouldn't choose Moominvalley over anything. Though foreign to the affectionate ways of the Moomins, Snufkin never felt more at home than when he was with them.