Hey, so I discovered a pretty cool technique that you might find useful for this fanfiction...and others like it. It's a google extension that lets you change "Y/N" into your own name or any other name you might want, and don't worry, I've used it and haven't had any problems. Here's the link: webstore/detail/interactivefics/pcpjpdomcbnlkbghmchnjgeejpdlonli?hl=en
I found about it a while ago and thought it was really cool, so I wanted to share it on my x reader fic.

Also, my writing is a little rusty right now so I apologize in advance.

The girl had been traveling for what had seemed like at least two hours and she was beginning to be afraid that she had become lost once again. She had seen a few signs along the way that she was getting close (from what the witch had told her), but the trail seemed to go on and on and she was forgetting some of the directions. Naturally, she was becoming quite anxious and became more and more afraid that the witch was making this family up simply so she would leave. It hadn't even crossed her mind until she was already far away from the old witch's cottage.

The forest seemed to become thinner over time, so it was likely she was close to walking out of it, but she was tired. For the first time during the trip, she sat down, laying against a tall tree with a wide trunk with plenty of room for her back. With nothing to do, she listened to the sounds of the forest and the sounds of her thoughts. Oh, what was she doing here? All alone with no sense of direction. All she wanted to do was to make a friend, and now she was far from home, trusting an odd stranger out of desperation. She could have asked more questions, but she didn't want to bother her more than she already was (the one thing she hated worse than nature and the pollen it produced was being a burden). Now she was left with no choice, she had to continue, to maybe, hopefully coming to the house she was looking for. So she did.

Over time, she did become more hopeful as the forest only got thinner, at least she was getting out of this forest. Finally, the first seemed to stop as she came to a place where the area suddenly became much more open and the ground was covered with long, dead grass, and the way forward started to go uphill. Wait. She was going up a mountain! A sign! She was going the right way! She hadn't been lied to after all, and now she was only a few miles away! With her newfound determination, she hurried up the mountain, no longer feeling tired. It didn't take her long at all before she found a clear path on the side of the mountain, and this was her next turning point. Oh, which way did the witch tell her to go? The right seemed to take her closer to where she started, so it was likely not right, so it had to be left. Right. It was left. So she went left.

For at least an hour, it was more of the same. The trail just kept going on and on and she was becoming tired once again, but she kept going. She was close, she knew it, she just had to hold on a little longer. Just like the forest, the trail eventually became thinner too, and the way became more mountainous (full of rocks she had to climb over), it soon got to the point where she started climbing the mountain, being careful not to trip the whole way up.

As she was finally coming to the top of the mountain, she slowly walked to the edge to behold a large valley with a tall, blue house standing about right in the middle of it. That was it. That was what she was looking for, and now, it's insight. All that was standing between her and that house was the rest of the way down the mountain, covered with woods, and a long trail that seemed to lead straight to it. She took this as an opportunity to sit down at the edge of the cliff and breathe the cold mountain air and felt relieved that she had found her way and she was hopeful once again.

The hike down past the mountain woods took her a bit longer than she would have hoped, but ultimately it did not matter much to her; she was so close! Soon enough though, she was walking in the valley, through the grass, and onto the clear trail eventually leading to the house that she spotted on the mountain. She did not stray from that road and did not take time to look at the beautiful scenery all around her, wanting to get to her destination quickly as the weather and the grass littered with flowers started to make her nose run. Fortunately, because of her hastiness, she did make it to the house fast. However, being at the porch steps, seeing it so close now, she started to become nervous. She had no idea who these people were and she couldn't just knock, could she? She couldn't just invite herself in. What could she even say? No sensible person would let a stranger stay at their house.

"Why hello there," came a gentle, mature voice from behind her, completely different than the last voice she encountered. She jumped, completely startled, and turned clumsily to witness the strangest thing she's ever seen. A hippo-like creature, standing on its two legs just like her, with an apron tied securely around it, holding a handbag close to her with both of its hands on the straps. "I don't think I've seen you around, how wonderful to see some new faces!" It strolled past her to walk up the steps, however, it did not fully keep her out of sight. "It must have been a long way, you look very tired, and you must be hungry, come on in." It left the door open for her. She was shocked. What had just happened? Had she been invited in just like that? This hippo-like creature must be very observant to realize she had been on a long walk. Well, this is what she came for, and she was so, so relieved she didn't have to knock or ask permission.

The house smelled amazing, and the girl soon learned that it was a plate of the delicious cherry pie the hippo had cooking in the oven. She hadn't thought of it on the trip, but she was quite hungry and was so excited to get a piece of that pie. Though, she was just as confused. Who was this strange talking hippo and why was she (what could have been assumed) being so inviting? The hippo hadn't even asked her questions about where she came from or what she was doing at the house. When the witch said that this family was friendly, she didn't think she could possibly mean that they were this friendly.

"The pie will be done very soon," the hippo commented. She folded and carefully put back a kitchen cloth on the oven handle that she had previously used to check the pie. "My husband and son left the house a little while ago, hopefully, they will be back in time for it." Oh, that made her a little nervous. Of course, she was told it was a family, but just now it was only her and this nice hippo. What if the others weren't as nice? Hopefully, they won't be back too soon...

Just then, a jumping sound came from an open nearby window and then, "Moominmomma, what's for dinner?" The voice was loud and assertive, and when she turned quickly to see who had said that, she saw a short girl in a red dress and red hair in a short, pointy ponytail with not one strand of hair hanging out. It must have been at least the third strangest thing she's seen today.

"It's the cherry pie I said we would have today, Little My, don't you remember?" the hippo responded with the same gentle tone she always spoke in. The girl thought she had heard the hippo's name, but it couldn't have been what she thought the little girl in the red dress said.

"Well, you could have changed your mind!" the little girl spoke back. Suddenly, she jumped from the window, onto the table, and walked right in front of the girl, looking her in the eyes. "Who are you?"

Of course, the sudden movement and boldness caught her off guard, but she didn't even need to begin to respond because the hippo did it for her. "They seemed to be coming from a long trip through the mountains, so I invited them to eat with us." The hippo looked at the girl and gave her a warm smile.

The little girl hummed thoughtfully, looking straight at her, and she couldn't decide whether it was an expression of judgment or genuine curiosity.

"Well okay, I'll see you then," the little girl finally said. With that, she jumped off the table and sprinted for and out the door.

"That's Little My." The girl turned. "She can be a little much at times but she always means well," the hippo told her.

The girl stayed upstairs in a room the rest of the time waiting for dinner where the hippo told her she could stay after she told her about her situation. Just like with everything else the hippo had done, she was just as willing to let her stay for as long as she needed. So kind.

It wasn't long at all before she started to hear talking from below. She heard Little My (she must not have really left) but she also heard two other unfamiliar voices. One loud like Little My's (though not from bluntness like hers), and the other very feminine and soft. They must have been here to eat dinner just like Little My.

She couldn't hear any of what they were saying, except when she happened to catch Little My say, "where's that girl that was here earlier, did she already run off?" This made her curious, so she slowly came out of the room so as to not make noise so she wouldn't be noticed.

"No, she's upstairs right now, waiting for the pie," the hippo explained quietly. The girl moved out of view of the stairs entry in case any of them looked by habit.

"Who are you talking about? Who is she?" the feminine voice queried, seemingly surprised by this completely new information.

"Well the pie is done now, we ought to ask her to come down, right?" Little My almost interrupted the other voice.

"Yes, of course, I'll go up there now," the hippo confirmed. The girl gasped and scurried as quietly as she could back to the room. Moments later, the door opened and the hippo told her, "the pie is ready, you can come down now if you'd like." She walked further into the room and closed the door a bit more behind her. "Little My and two of her other friends are here and they'd be more than happy to meet you." The girl only awkwardly looked down at her shoes and up at the hippo, not sure how she should respond. "Just come down whenever you'd like, okay?" the hippo encouraged gently, walking out and closing the door shut.

Meeting new people made her awfully nervous, and she was dreading coming downstairs, but she knew she'd eventually have to. So, after fifteen long minutes, she walked down the stairs slowly in anticipation, each step more awkward than the next. When she made it to the last step, her head was down and her eyes wide, being completely self-conscious. She took a few more awkward steps, and stopped, ready for anything to happen. Nothing happened. Confused, she lifted her head to look around the house, only to realize no one was actually there. Instant relief.

She quietly wandered around the house a bit, thinking about how strange it was that it belonged to hippos. She also wondered a bit where everyone went, but she was mostly happy that she didn't have to meet anyone after all. At least for now, she supposed.

Her peace was eventually interrupted when she heard voices coming from right outside the door. It was the same voices that she heard from downstairs plus Little My's. They were having a conversation about something, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.

Her curiosity got the best of her and she shifted from a distance to be able to see out of the glass door window. Although blurry, she could make out the hippo, and one other different figure than what she's seen before. From the way it seemed a table was set up outside that was not there before, it seemed they planned on having dinner outside. Well, she couldn't be a part of that, no way was she going outside unless she had to. No matter, the pie was still cooling on the stove, she would just cut herself a slice and run back upstairs.

That would have worked perfectly except for the fact that when she was just about to cut into the pie, she abruptly heard the door fly open, rattling the skeleton right out of her body. "It's you!" Little My exclaimed. She didn't turn around, frozen from embarrassment. "You can bring the pie with you," Little My informed. "Thank you!" and with that, she closed the door. Well, she'd have to go outside and meet everyone now.

She was nervous she might drop it, especially from the nervousness of meeting new faces, but she did it, brought it outside, and placed it on the table gently, looking down the whole time while doing so. The moment she did it though, she heard someone from her right in the same loud voice she heard upstairs greet her with, "Hello, are you the one staying with the Moomins? You're awfully pretty," and on her left, "We're happy to meet you, what's your name?" the same feminine voice from upstairs. She raised her head just enough to look at who was talking to her, and she saw someone who looked like a kangaroo, and the other was...another hippo? She was certainly taken off guard (part of it being from the random compliment) and forgot for a second what they had asked her, her face turning hot.

"Oh, um...Y/N." She finally answered, dipping her head back down to hide her embarrassment.

"Oh, that's a wonderful name!" the second hippo gushed, collapsing her hands together gleefully.

"Why did you stay upstairs for so long, are you feeling well?" the kangaroo asked genuinely.

"Oh, Sniff, I'm sure she was only nervous, that's all," the hippo remarked.

"Nervous? What for?" quired the kangaroo innocently.

Suddenly, before Y/N could even prepare for it, Little My jumped on the table right in front of her and said, accusingly, "the same reason you still believe the night you forget to close your closet is the night you're going to be attacked by shadow monsters!"

This confused Y/N a little, because she didn't know what Little My was talking about or who she was talking to until she heard the kangaroo, clearly caught off guard and flustered, say, "I never said that!"

"Oh? Really?" Little My ridiculed, clearly not believing it for a second. The kangaroo hesitated for a second, not sure how to take Little My's bluntness.

"It wasn't shadow monsters!" The bickering between the two went on for a little bit more, but it was at this point that Y/N quietly escaped while the three were distracted, and started for the door.

This comforter was so nice, she was sure she could take a nap right here, right now. Of course, she couldn't take a nap now, not when she was so hungry. She had gone back up to the room, and now she needed another plan to get a slice. Truthfully, it wasn't even the strangers that she was worried about, she was sure she could get used to that quickly, but rather being outside in spring, where her allergies were sure to become an issue She didn't want to say anything in fear that she might become a problem, so she had to think of every other solution. She could get a slice and then sneak away like she did last time, but it was unlikely that they wouldn't notice again.

She was so distracted with her thoughts that she didn't notice the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs until her door opened, making her whip her head around, caught off guard. It was the hippo. The bigger one. "Are you hungry?" was all she said.

Y/N hesitated for a moment, wondering if she would think it's weird that she didn't want to go outside if she was hungry. She nodded slowly anyway.

"Is there any reason you don't want to come down to eat?" Oh. The hippo had guessed it anyway.

"I just, um...the outdoors makes me feel a little stuffy." She decided that was the nicer reason out of the two.

"Oh, well, why didn't you say so, we will just have to eat inside for today," the hippo responded happily. She closed the door behind her on the way out.

That was...surprisingly easy. She felt a little conflicted about causing more trouble for them to move everything (she could have just eaten inside herself), but overall happy she no longer felt stressed about trying to get a plate.

After a little while, she began to get a little anxious after not being able to know what was going on downstairs, afraid they'd forgotten her or something like that. Luckily, they did not, because, after about ten minutes, she heard footsteps coming to her room. Though it sounded different from the bigger hippo's calm and steady steps, these were frequent and heavier, almost like they were running. A moment later, the door slowly opened just a little to where she couldn't see who it was from the angle she was at. Then a voice. "Hello?" it sounded like a boy, though it could have easily been mistaken as a girl's as well because it sounded young.

The door opened more, and for a second, she thought it was the hippo, but this one was different. They were shorter and had no apron, which would explain the voice. He must have been the hippo's son, the one that the hippo said left the house, so now they were back. That made her grow nervous again.

"Uh, hi, I was told you were here, and I just want to tell you that we think it's great that you're visiting and we hope that you feel welcome here," he spoke genuinely but apprehensively, not knowing this new visitor. Y/N was surprised by yet another new face (this was more people she's met in one day than people she's met in her whole life), so she wasn't sure how to respond.

With her silence, the hippo announced, "The table is ready, so come down when you're hungry—that is if you aren't already hungry." With that, he closed the door gently behind him, and she heard the same footsteps hopping downstairs. Well, she didn't like her pie lukewarm.

It was likely only this way for her, but Y/N felt incredibly awkward eating in front of a bunch of new faces, especially when all the attention seemed to be going to her. At least her eagerness to get something in her belly after being so hungry distracted her a bit, her eyes being on her plate the whole time (though she was able to catch who the father was, another hippo in a top hat). So, naturally, the most awkward part was when she finished. Should she leave? Would that be too rude?

Just as she was pondering this, the hippo son broke the awkward silence. "Momma, Papa, and I found a large tin can while we were out and we brought it home because we thought it might be useful."

"Yes, I thought it could be used to store firewood or create a mini pool," the hippo father added.

"Could we really do that?" the hippo son gasped.

"I don't see why not, the time for it is almost here," he insisted.

"I suppose summer is just right around the corner," the momma hippo commented. How could you forget it, Y/N thought.

"Oh, that sounds like fun!" the feminine hippo gushed.

Little My hopped off her seat and ran out the house announcing, "I'm using the hose!" Everyone else followed suit, giggling excitedly.

The kangaroo was one of the last to go out, hurryingly calling, "W-wait for me!"

The hippo son was the very last, though, and before he closed the door, he peered out and told Y/N, "you can come too if you want."

She didn't come. To be perfectly honest, she was flattered that he invited her, and maybe she even wanted to go, but she decided there were too many mental obstacles in trying not to be a letdown. He had offered for her to come, but it was entirely possible that they truly didn't want her to be there, with her being a stranger and all. If she had joined in with them, she was almost certain to have fun, but it was all too much pressure and it was so much easier to stay away. Maybe she was being a coward, but for now, no one else knew that except for her.

Regardless, she was still watching them from the window in the room she was staying in, feeling like she missed out on something really fun. But she made her decision, it would be too weird for her to change her mind now. The sound of footsteps at her door made her back away from the window quickly, turn around, and start "fixing" her sheets to pretend like she was doing something important (a possible excuse to why she wasn't outside with the rest of the kids).

She heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in," she said, a little quieter than she intended. No matter, it was heard, because right after, the door opened revealing the momma hippo at the door. Y/N's little sheet show didn't last very long, because she sat down on the bed when the hippo started walking in.

"I've noticed you seem less than thrilled about meeting so many new people today," she said gently, sitting slowly on the bed next to Y/N, but giving her plenty of room to herself. She noticed? Of course, she noticed, it was too obvious. Oh, how embarrassing, she didn't want her to think she didn't like them, they had been nothing but kind to her.

She didn't say anything. She couldn't think of anything.

"I don't want to ask much, I know it may be personal to you, but-" oh no, this was the part where she tries to encourage her to go mingle with everyone else, "-I just hope you can learn to be comfortable here, take as long as you need." Oh. That was a nice surprise.

She watched, stunned, as the hippo got up and walked out of the room, but she stopped when she took hold of the door and turned back and said, "it actually reminds me a little of another one of my son's friends. He wasn't here today, I think he left for a bit. Oh, what was it for?" she stopped and looked at a distance thoughtfully for a second. "Anyway, I'm sure you'll be able to meet him soon." Another new person? She thought. She wasn't so sure she was ready to meet him. The hippo shut the door gently behind her.

She couldn't believe it. Never in her life had she been encouraged to stay indoors. This was almost too kind. The pressure had been taken off of her all in one moment. Ironically enough, it was making her feel more comfortable already.

It didn't take long at all for the sun to dip below the trees. Everyone had gone home, the hippo son and Little My came inside (due to the momma hippo's request), and they were both worn out from the activities from the day (well, Little My was a little). Meanwhile, Y/N decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and get ready for bed. For the first time that night, she came out of the room, she wanted to see if the momma hippo had any new clothes she'd feel comfortable sleeping in the clean bed with. Taking a shower would be a good idea too.

It just so happened that she walked out at the same time Little My and the hippo started to walk up the stairs. She gasped and backed away out of view. She heard a passing conversation between the two.

"You're already going to bed? We just came in!" Little My argued.

"Maybe tomorrow," the hippo said sluggishly.

"It's not even late, come on, Moomin, play it with me, I have the board set up and everything!"

"Moomin," Y/N whispered to herself. Now that she thought about it, she did hear Little My calling the momma hippo something like that, and again when Little My caught her trying to take a slice of pie. Now that she wasn't too nervous to think, she could think about previous conversations from the day. Maybe it was the last name? Well, at least she knew another's name. Good. She didn't want to ask.

"No, Little My, I've done so much today, I happen to carry more than you do!" Moomin snapped, turning to her.

Y/N quietly giggled at the comment which she assumed was referencing their difference in size. That's when they noticed she was there. Oops.

"Hey, you came out!" Little My exclaimed, running to her side. Moomin did as well.

"Hello," he greeted. "You never came out to try the pool, but I supposed it was only because you felt shy, you didn't know anyone." Y/N almost gasped. Not only did his mother understand, but he did as well. She must have really been overthinking everything today.

"But she knows me, I was the first one to meet her!" Little My pointed out. "And that's why she will want to play board games with me!" What?

"Come on, Little My, leave her alone," Moomin pleaded.

"Fine," she pouted, crossing her arms.

"Good," Moomin said, satisfied. "Well, I'm going to bed, good night everyone!"

Y/N lifted her hand hesitantly to awkwardly wave goodbye. "Good night...Moomin."

Moomin happily giggled at the gesture before closing his door for the night. Immediately, Little My put down her arms and looked straight up at Y/N.

"Hey. You wanna play some board games?" she asked.

"Uhh" Y/N hesitated. The obvious answer was no, she was wanting to go to bed, but she didn't want to turn Little My down just like that. Especially since Little My seemed very...determined.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Little My insisted. She started back down the stairs, clearly expecting Y/N to follow.

"Okay..." she said, more to herself than Little My.

They didn't talk at all for most of the game, Y/N being too shy to make conversation and Little My too focused on winning to hold a conversation. That was until Little My finally broke the silence.

"I thought I heard you telling your name to Snorkmaiden and Sniff," she commented.

Snorkmaiden and Sniff? Is that their name? Who is who? Wait, that's right, that hippo did call the kangaroo 'Sniff'. What a...really odd name. For both of them really. Were these nicknames?

"What was it though? I don't remember. You never told me." That's right, she didn't know their names, and they didn't know hers.

"Y/N," she told her. Little My nodded.

Suddenly, Little My looked off and around and up the stairs cautiously before looking back at Y/N. She lowered her voice a little bit, "you know, you're lucky that you came across the Moomins."

There it is again, She thought. It must have been their last name.

"They're helpful to everyone they meet, and more than welcoming when someone needs a place to stay—like me." Y/N raised her head.

"You?"

"Well, I'm obviously not related to them, but they treat me like I am anyway," she explained. Her focus was on the board, but she seemed distracted.

Only a moment later, she seemed to snap out of it. "And I reward them with endless entertainment!" she smirked. She hopped up.

"You know, I think we should finish this tomorrow, I'm starting to feel sleepy," Little My yawned. She didn't need anyone to dismiss her, as she went ahead and started upstairs.

This got Y/N thinking that if Little My was as comfortable as she was staying here, she must have been right about this being a good place to stay.

Well, Little My was off to bed now, and Y/N should have been relieved that she could finally go to bed, but, honestly, she wanted to talk to Little My some more. She wanted to hear more about the Moomins and Little My staying with them, and why she was staying with them. She became surprisingly curious about it all. But, as Little My said, it could all wait until tomorrow.

Once Little My was out of sight, Y/N sighed and got up and walked sluggishly up the stairs. She didn't even bother asking the Moomin momma about clothes, partly because she was simply too tired to, but mostly because it was already so late, she didn't want to wake her over something small like that.

She flopped on the bed, so comfortable, she didn't even feel like taking her shoes off and climbing underneath the sheets. After a little rest, she did have the willpower to do so.

It was unbelievably comfortable under there, even more than the first time she checked it out. It was probably because this was the first time all day she truly got rest and felt relaxed. Finally, she wasn't worried about what everyone else thought about her for the moment. She felt like she was on a cloud, light years away from any problems and she felt safe. She felt as if she could truly feel at home here, in ways her own home couldn't. The witch was telling the truth. This family is very sweet, but it was far from disgusting.

I did make a bit of a fool of myself today but...they didn't seem to mind.

Sorry, it's been so long, I was working on getting another fanfiction from another fandom posted, and that took me a while to get done. Hopefully, from now on, updates will be faster.