It didn't take long for the duo to reach the old bridge. It was breaking and in disrepair with boards missing and some with mold and rot. Snufkin played another as Toivo ran around closely to explore the new area and test the stream of flowing water. His heart beat loudly in his chest, he swore it was a drum to his mouth organ and all could hear. He could feel his body shaking with each tune and breath. Nervous.

The door to Moominhouse was swung open, as he was in the middle of a tune he'd play in the calmness of morning, revealing a familiar Moomin with the same white and red apron, her eyes wide as he saw her mouth open and gasp. But like when he was young, she folded her hands in front of herself, smiling gently, her tail swishing happily.

Unlike her though, the moment Snufkin breached the other side of the bridge, he took off bolting towards the older Moomin. He was little again, coming back for the Spring and Moominmama's teas and cookies, hand in paw with Moomin.

He thought he'd be alright being alone again. It seemed that way even when Toivo came into his life. But the scent of Moominvalley, the bridge, river and just beyond, the Ocean, but especially seeing someone he could now admit he cared for like a Mama, his throat closed and he couldn't stop his feet from dashing as fast as he could, even dropping his mouth organ and tossing his sack to the side to go faster, even as his hip throbbed in protest, he almost tripped up the few steps and buried his face in Moominmama's fur, the familiar scent of baking and home. Of gardening and gentle laughter.

"Oh, Snufkin. We were all so worried. Thank Tove you came back." She hugged him back, her voice quivering in relief.

"I'm sorry." His voice cracked, throat tight with held back tears. Tears he never shed, even while he thought Moomintroll was dead and all of Moominvalley would hate him for bringing that danger there.

Moominmama didn't reply, just holding him close.

"Papa, you dropped your hat and mouth organ. Um…is…is it okay to get close?" A little voice said from the edge of the stairs and Snufkin pulled away, still having not allowed the tears to fall.

He smiled, chest tight. "Yes. This is Moominmama. She taught me how to season your favorite fish." 'And more.' He grabbed his mouth organ and hat, feeling suddenly embarrassed at his brash reaction. He gulped, a little blush on his cheeks. "Moominmama, this is Toivotroll, the last Siren that we know of."

He moved so his little one could see the large green eyed troll.

"Hello, dear. You can call me Mummo." Moominmama laughed, especially at Snufkin's shocked expression, his cheeks burning in embarrassment and he tilted his hat down.

Toivo smiled large, revealing Murmrik like teeth. "Okay!"

"Would you both like some tea and treats?" She asked, her ears twitching to behind her, the kettle whistling.

Toivo agreed excitedly and ran passed with her sack, giggling and yelling about every little thing she saw.

"I'll go set up the-" his voice cut off, looking naturally towards where he would've usually put his tent, when he couldn't, memories of that night overlapping and cutting him off. Snufkin bit his lip to stop a sob from crawling up his spine. What was he thinking?! By coming back, he was putting them in danger.

"Why don't you rest and have some coffee first? Maybe help me in the kitchen? Papa can entertain the little beast." She chuckled, though her tone gave was to concern.

Snufkin caught on, even if it was just a bit. He nodded, going to grab his sack and he followed Moominmama into the old house.

Moominpapa had indeed had fun retelling stories and hearing some from Toivo as well while the beast drank the sweet tea and nibbled on sugar cookies.

Snufkin still felt a guilt weighing in his belly. There was no way he was easily accepted after what he brought. After both Moominmama and Moominpapa must've seen their beloved son laying on the sand, blood dyeing his snowy fur.

"Snufkin?"

Snufkin jumped, his hands covered in sticky bread dough he was once kneading. "Sorry." He began picking the dough from his fingers and continue his task.

"We really are happy to see you. What kept you away?" Moominmama asked, putting cloth over one batch to let them rise. There was no scolding in her tone.

He gulped, brow furrowed. "I thought…after I landed on a shore…I thought Moomin…Moomin was…" he took a deep breath, reigning in his emotions, "I was sure for so long that everyone would hate me. I brought a horrible monster to the valley and you both lost-" he cut himself off, shaking his head to refocus. He wouldn't break down in front of Moominmama.

"We were confused. Frazzled. Worried when we saw your tent in tatters and-" she cut off, a plate cracking under her paw as she remembered what he too witnessed, "and Moomintroll laying on the shore. A groan of pain was the only way we knew he was alive." She smiled at him. That same relieved smile. "We couldn't find no trace of you. But…that doesn't matter now." She ruffled his hair gently. "It was obvious you didn't know what was to happen, dear. None of us did."

Snufkin didn't reply, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Spring turned to the beginning of Summer and soon it was the celebration of Moominpapa's and Moominmama's anniversary. It was a big deal that year because they had promised each other on their wedding that after a number of years married, they would renew their vows with a large party of friends and family.

No one knew if Moomin would be able to stop his search and make it back, though he was unknowing of Snufkin being there already. They hadn't seen Moomin in at least 4 years. Snorkmaiden had informed him that Sniff and My went with Moomin on his search after Moomin had healed.

This was all while they had a picnic and Snorkmaiden was spoiling Toivo rotten.

There also wasn't any sign that the albino was still there. Snufkin hoped that meant he got him off their trail.

"You always do find the most lovely flowers, Snufkin." Moominmama complimented the large blossoms on her white cap as she adjusted it just so and Snufkin fixed the bow on her dress.

It was the day of the vow renewals. Snorkmaiden had to help Toivo get ready to be a flower girl and Moominmama wanted his help. Since there was no word on Moomin, Moominmama had asked Snufkin to walk her. He wasn't sure, partly because he didn't feel it was his place. It was Moomin's. But Moominmama had insisted, so he couldn't say no. He had woken to help early and he still wasn't ready for the celebration.

"You really should have Moomin walk you. He wouldn't miss this, you know."

Moominmama hummed. "True. They might be held up by the waves. Now for you. At least change into something not covered in dirt." She asked, still smiling at him.

He nodded, pulling his hat down and leaving Moominmama to change himself.

"Papa! Look at my dress! It has pants and pockets for shells!" Toivo yelled, not bothering to knock as she swung the door open and showed off, twirling in her blue dress with lace and white shorts.

The clean clothes Moominmama had picked out for him were in Moomin's room, so he had decided to change there. Part of him was grateful that his Youngling barged in. His mind had been off in the past and it made his chest tight. He looked to her, a fake smile on his face. "Did Snorkmaiden do that for you? Papa's almost ready, he had to help Mummo. Been a long time since I was at a party." His gut clenched at the reminder, dancing with Moomin and being so close to him. He missed him.

"Parties sound fun! You know, when I was talking to Snorkmaiden, I brought up how lotsa beasts asked you to go to parties but you always said no. She said it was because you like someone else. But I don't understand why you can't party if you like someone?" Toivo asked, playing with Snufkin's hat and chatting aimlessly.

Unlike him, she always felt she needed to talk. He knew it had to be because she was lonely. Hopefully she could make friends there, permanent ones.

He touched his scar, thinking, before putting the clean green shirt and black slacks on. It wasn't the time to be reminiscing. He grabbed her hand and her basket of petals, kissing her head before they went out to get the celebration started.

There were a lot more creatures there than Snufkin anticipated. It was nerving at first, but luckily he was able to sneak off to the back so he was there but also not. He stayed there even as the ceremony was over and everyone began socializing, the men and some women beginning a large bonfire as the sky darkened. Moominmama and Moominpapa had changed, as did some others for a more casual party.

After awhile, Snufkin decided to join in and play his mouth organ merrily. The day was not over, so he wouldn't dwell on Moomin not showing up. Though…even if he did, what would Snufkin do? Or say? His stomach knotted up, unsure how he would react.

As he played a more slow, romantic tune, at the end of the party, his mind wandered back to Moomin. His Moomin.

Maybe it was watching Moominmama and Moominpapa dancing, but he finally let his heart play for him. He allowed himself to indulge the domestic thoughts he'd had before. The relief of knowing he hadn't died. That Moomin was looking for him.

Whistle*

Boom*

Snufkin's eyes flew open, his heart leaping out his chest, as everyone seemed to jump and gasp, some screaming.

Fireworks were being set off and the direction they were coming was getting closer. Snufkin jumped up and gathered Toivo in his arms, especially when he saw pirates coming out of the woods and some beyond the hill.

Moominpapa grabbed a knife, keeping Moominmama behind him, Snorkmaiden had grabbed a thick stick.

Pirates were not known for good things. They were armed and laughing about how scared the partiers were.

Snufkin enjoyed crashing a party if it was deserved, but this was a celebration of a long loved married couple. Not a materialistic Fillyjonk party.

"You bumbling idiots! Do you want to set the woods on fire?!" A familiar voice nagged out, a small Mymble running out to the group who seemed to be making the most damage and biting them.

"What? The Cap'n is busy, so we thought we could have some fun." One of them shrugged.

"Little My?" Moominmama asked, those who knew the tiny Mymble began to relax and breathe again.

Little My startled and looked over, a large, rotten smirk on her mouth. "It is! Sorry about these idi-" she stopped when her eyes met Snufkin's and she made a face he never knew she could.

Shock. Then unease.

She looked behind herself before running to Snufkin, her expression and on edge, making him anxious. "What's-" he began to ask, almost setting Toivo down.

My didn't let him finish as she pulled him by the tail out of sight. She didn't answer as he tried asking again, only for her to pause and tense and his body twitch at the familiar, deep voice he hadn't heard in years, his heart picking up pace and excitement rushing.

"What did I tell you bastards about causing a ruckus in Moominvalley? It's late, so they would most likely be asleep. Who's fucking idea was it to set off damn fireworks?" The voice growled as a white troll came into view, adjusting a captain's hat and shaking his hand to flick blood from his claws. The fur around the troll's chest was off, in the breeze he could make out a scar. "Sorry, Mama and Papa, they still need to learn how to act in areas like this." The white troll lifted his head and smiled at his parents, not having seen Snufkin yet. Moomin went and hugged his parents, apologizing for being so late.

"Come on. Now while he's distracted." Little My hissed, trying to hide Snufkin, though the Murmrik shook his head, not believing he's seeing his dearest Moomin again.

"Why?" Snufkin asked, adjusting Toivo, unsure why My was acting this way.

Little My huffed in frustration, rubbing one hand down her face. She turned her head, only to freeze, looking passed Snufkin.

Feeling a body next to him, Snufkin's tail puffed as he turned his head, being met with large paws grasping his face. His body tensed, his heart hammering against his ribs.

His voice was caught in his throat as he glanced at Moomin's eyes. They were…different. "M-M-Moomin."

"Snu~fkin. I found you." Moomin said lowly, teasingly. He began to crowd Snufkin, something Moomin would've never done before.

Snufkin gulped, letting Toivo go but never breaking eye contact with Moomin, even as Moomin crowded him against the gate to Moominmama's garden. "K-kind of…Where…where have…" he cut off, feeling Moomin's large claws run along his jaw and a large grin appearing on the troll's face. Something pinched in Snufkin's gut at the smile. It wasn't the ones he was used to from Moomin. His face began to heat.

He felt Moomin's breath against his face as his head was tilted up. Snufkin's breath hitched, unsure what to do, when Moomin's other paw pressed into the small of his back and as Snufkin let out a (embarrassing) squeak of surprise, Moomin leaned in, his grip unbearably tight.

Snufkin's whole body tensed as his eyes widened at Moomin's move. His stomach swooned as he felt the underside of Moomin's snout against his burning cheek and Moomin's mouth on his, giving Snufkin a Murmrik kiss.

Everything felt like it was burning against his skin, even as his mind swarmed, unable to process what was taking place.

It was the rough bite to his lower lip, that had Snufkin short circuiting.