Mymble House when Snufkin was little*

It had been 2 days since he left The Mymble's overcrowded home. Snufkin was able to forage but there was only so much he could do while trying not to be food himself.

Waiting till nightfall wasn't the smartest plan for the youngling, but he had a natural nocturnal side to him as well.

He knew he was odd for a Mymble child. Snufkin's body tensed like a bow as a blood curdling cry was let out and the sound of water was near.

"H-help!" A woman's voice cried.

Against his instincts, Snufkin was kind, so he slowly approached, trying to assess what was happening from afar.

He heard of Sirens from many creatures he came across. The woman had a pale under belly and teal scales along her back. She was gasping as blood poured from her side, mixing with the water and mud. She groaned in pain and began to cry. "My…my babies…" she began to sob.

Snufkin took out some thread from his rucksack. "U-um…can-can I help?" He asked meekly.

She startled, crying out as she moved her body too much. "What?" She saw him and looked confused. "What's a Mymble child…?" She whined out, trying not to touch her wound.

He didn't respond as he ran up, digging through his sack for a needle to go with his thread. "Hold on." He spoke softly.

"Wait, child. Please…" she reached out, touching his hand. She looked at him. Actually looked. Something he didn't think he'd ever have. "Can I ask you for a favor? I'm afraid I don't have much to trade-" she stopped, an anguished look on her features. "-actually. I do. My scales can be sold for quite a lot. Swallow this-", she held up a cats eye marble. Colors swirled inside, round and around, as if the ocean itself was placed within. Snufkin swore it felt alive, "-and in turn, you maybe harvest my scales. I don't have long, sweet child." She began to breath shallow.

"Why do I have to swallow it?" He knew it was a silly question, but one he felt he had to ask.

She smiled weakly, as if she would've laughed. "It won't dissolve, but inside a host would be safest…until it's needed again." Her body became limp, but she still held on, possibly waiting for Snufkin to do as she asked.

A weird feeling he didn't know grew like a knot in his belly. He nodded, making sure she could see him and he swallowed it.

Her lip wobbled, tears filling her black eyes and she used one finger to hold onto his hand. "Thank you, youngling. I'm so sorry…I had to burden you with it. Thank you…" she took one last shuddering breath, closed her eyes, and her grip on his hand loosened.

He didn't even know the Siren, but he felt he'd witnessed a great loss. He couldn't bring himself to take her scales, feeling it would be wrong.

It took him a little long, but he managed to find and push a large rock, aiming to tie it to her fin and have her sink in her habitat. At least…it made sense to him.

Except, when he got close enough to take a breather, he gasped in horror when he saw slit blue eyes turn to him, a long tail swishing and a large amount of the Siren's scales in its arms, even chunks of flesh missing. Snufkin felt sick.

"Sorry bout that, kid. I thought you ran off. Snooze you lose." He said and the moon shone, showing a black cat Mumrik.

"She…why?" Snufkin hunched his shoulders, on guard.

The Mumrik shrugged. "Money's money. Sore luck, by the way. Dammit, now that I saw you I can't really leave you. Here, I'll find you a place."

When Snufkin didn't follow, the Mumrik cursed more and after stuffing his own bag with the scales, he grabbed Snufkin by the back of his tunic, carrying him easily. "Come on, kitten."

Dawn was approaching and the Mumrik had him trapped. Snufkin wouldn't have even begun to explain why he was being looked after like a stray. "I'm The Joxter by the way. You?" He yawned big, obviously about to fall asleep while they both were on a branch high above.

"Just a Mymble child." Snufkin said, on guard but too exhausted himself to fight.

The Joxter didn't reply.

Luckily everyone ignored Little My and Moominpapa decided it wasn't his business. It had been a couple days since and Snufkin was fishing, having let everyone share in the fish since it was Moomintroll who showed him the new technique.

"Snufkin!"

Snufkin looked over his shoulder, seeing Snorkmaiden approach. He smiled. "Yes? What can I do for you?"

She stopped, standing next to him. "What are you going to wear to the party tomorrow?"

He rose a brow but shrugged. "What I always wear. Why should I dress nice to impress people who's opinions I don't care for?"

Snorkmaiden didn't like that answer. She sighed dramatically. "Snufkiiiiin! Come on! I already convinced Moomin to dress a bit. Please? I want a nice painting of all us friends that I can keep forever." She pleaded, unknowing that her pleas had no effect on Snufkin.

"I'm not dressing up because you want me to." Snufkin replied, recasting his line.

She huffed, thinking. "Oh well, and here I thought if Moomin was going to dress up to impress you, I thought you'd be willing to put in the same sacrifice. It's okay, I'll go tell him."

Never mind.

She knew what to SAY to get him to do it. Didn't mean he'd let her know he caved so easily with the mention of Moomintroll. "If you want to, Snorkmaiden, I won't stop you." He smoked his pipe, trying to think of a plan while Snorkmaiden threw her hands in the air, grumbling about Mumriks and laziness. It made Snufkin chuckle.

"Everyone needs a Snorkmaiden in their lives, hahaha." He smiled as the sun warmed his face, deciding to fish a little longer before seeing if he had anything at least clean.

Turned out he had nothing both clean or smelling nice. Ask Moominmama for something to wash his clothes with it was.

Said Moomin was making pies, setting one in the oven. She hummed a light tune.

His arms were full of the clothes he needed clean. "Um, Moominmama, could I borrow some clothes cleaner?"

Moominmama didn't even jump, she turned and smiled. "Snufkin, what a surprise. Let me guess, you haven't washed them since before Winter?" She laughed.

He blushed a bit but nodded, placing his hat back on his head. "If you wouldn't mind. Snorkmaiden was making a fuss about dressing nice. Is it true or was she exaggerating?" He asked as Moominmama showed him the cleaner and let him wash them there.

Moominmama sighed. "That lady. She's just excited, Snufkin. All of you are getting older and she wants these memories to look back on. I'm glad you're at least humoring her. It is odd for our Snufkin though." She smiled almost knowingly at him.

"Could you show me more recipes?" He asked instead, choosing to not answer her, though it seemed she got whatever answer she wanted anyway.

"Of course. I could even send Moomin with you this year to help gather herbs and the like for different ones." As she left him to wash his clothes, she went upstairs, no doubt to check on her baking.

Moominmama was the only one who knew of Snufkin's plans. It was the eve of the Spring party and there were more than just those who lived in the valley there. Snufkin had spent most of the day helping, even as everyone else got ready.

Moominmama stayed behind to assist Snufkin in getting cleaned up. Helping brush his unruly hair and even finding a fur brush for his new dark brown patches.

He hadn't seen Moomintroll since they all were setting up either.

Moominmama stood back admire her work before she reached a paw out and ruffled Snufkin's hair. "There. All freshened up."

He smiled. "Thank you, Moominmama." He dusted off his hat and put it back on his head, Moominmama putting some fresh flowers in it.

"Of course, dear. Now, you're not too much of a Snufkin to escort a lady to a party are you?" She smiled. Moominmama was dressed in a Spring dress and had put at least some work into looking nice lot than she usually did everyday.

He tipped his hat to her and held his elbow out for her to take. "Moominmama."

They both laughed as they went to join everyone. He couldn't wait to show Moomintroll that he could get out of his comfort zone if he tried.

Snufkin played some songs on his mouth organ and enjoyed as everyone danced and sang to songs that had no lyrics. Snorkmaiden had been right. Moomintroll had cleaned up and even wore a vest and bow tie. Snorkmaiden told him it was "too much", but Moomintroll brushed it off and even went as far as to play waiter for awhile.

Braver than Snufkin, that was for sure. He probably would've bolted by that comment alone.

He smiled fondly to Moomintroll even as he felt that overwhelmed feeling crawl up his back.

Moomintroll must've caught on to something, since the young troll came to him, smile wide and large. "Hello, Snufkin."

Snufkin smiled, unaware his eyes lidded. "Moomin-troll. I'm going to sneak away for a bit. You do look quite nice. Snorkmaiden guilt trip?"

Moomintroll blushed. "Yeah. You wouldn't mind if I come looking for you in awhile?"

Snufkin was again surprised. "Mmhm. I'll make sure you can find me."

They stood a bit awkwardly until they both heard Little My making some ruckus, biting mostly everyone's ankles.

Snufkin took his chance and ran off, also wanting to piece together the jumbled feelings he was experiencing.

He sat on a fallen log near the creek, using a stick to doodle as he thought. He admitted he wasn't the best at acknowledging certain emotions. That was more of Moomintroll's specialty.

He couldn't just admit he was stumped either. He felt around for his mouth organ, not able to find it. "Must've left it back with my smock." 'Oh, well.'

Even just being alone, listening to the forest was soothing.

His hackles raised suddenly as someone cleared their throat, only to turn and see Moomintroll, one paw held out, looking Snufkin in the eyes.

"Snufkin, the One and Only, I can hear music from the party yonder, would you care for a dance?"

Snufkin laughed lightly, but wouldn't leave his Moomintroll hanging. He stood and bowed to Moomin. "Sir Moomintroll of Moominhouse in Moominvalley, I would be honored. Though, you must forgive me if I'm not a well partner." He placed his hand in Moomintroll's, unsure if that was the right move.

"Good thing no one can see us then." Moomintroll spoke so softly, it felt like a whisper.

Snufkin used the hand not being held onto by Moomintroll to pull the brim of his hat down.

Moomintroll laughed. "Don't hide from me, Snufkin. Please?" Moomintroll gently lifted the brim and as Snufkin opened his eyes, his breath stopped.

His nose was almost touching Moomintroll's! He felt his face heat. He wasn't sure why Moomintroll needed to be so close to lift his hat, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He felt Moomintroll's breath against his face and after one glance to Moomintroll's eyes, the blue gems both bright from the moonlight and dark from the shadows, he fought his own shuddering breath and closed his eyes.

"Snuf…" Moomintroll breathed out and Snufkin flinched, his eyes squeezing tighter as Moomintroll ran his soft knuckles against his cheek, a shiver running down Snufkin's spine, his tail fluffing.

"I knew I would find you, Snufkin! And look where you were…hidden in a small, backwoods valley." A sickly sweet voice cooed.

Snufkin froze, eyes widening so fast he felt dizzy. Moomintroll was already looking at the stranger, but to Snufkin, it was no stranger.

Walking towards them was a lanky albino Mumrik with long ears, long legs, pink eyes and a familiar grin that made Snufkin sick.

He hadn't meant for his voice to quiver.

"Faeden…"