Chapter Text
Leaves crunched beneath Snufkin's boots as he trekked over the underbrush. Late autumn air bit his nose and reddened his cheeks, blowing a gentle chill through his coat. The sun was slowly inching its way towards the horizon and he knew he'd have to set up camp soon.
Snufkin stopped beneath a tall tree and set down his pack, opening up his tent. Feeling familiar eyes on his back, he called out, “A lovely day it's been, eh, Papa?”
The Joxter leapt down with a quiet whoosh and stood beside him. “Yes, I would certainly say so,” he grabbed a rope and held it taught as Snufkin pegged it to the ground. “I've had the most wonderful nap, you see, so I'm plenty happy. Have you had any fun with that troll friend of yours?”
“Moomin. And yes, I have,” Snufkin fiddled with his gaslamp. “We had the most wonderful time exploring and adventuring. Could you believe that he caught a real life dragon?”
“Oh?” Joxter asked, intrigued.
“Yes. Quite a bothersome little dragon, if you ask me.” Snufkin sighed. “Though, I must admit he was rather cute. Moomin sure loved him an awful lot.”
The Joxter hummed and rifled through his son's pack, pulling out his fishing pole. “Say, what are you doing hiking out this way, anyway? This is different from your usual path, son.”
“I thought that I'd try to get somewhere new, is all. Maybe even get a little lost.” He grabbed his pail and walked down to a nearby river, his father in tow. “I fear that I've lost my freedom, you see, and I'm trying to find it again.”
“You're not bitter, then? Towards your tro- towards Moomin?” He asked. Snufkin shook his head ‘no’ and sat down beside him. “Think you can catch anything, Papa?” he teased.
“Oh, hush. I've been fishing since before you were born.” he said smugly. Snufkin raised his eyebrows. “Put those back down,” Joxter huffed. “Let your dear ol’ dad show you how it's done.”
An hour later with only one fish in the pail, Snufkin found himself trying not to laugh at his father's expense. The Joxter's eyes were narrowed in concentration and his face tinted with frustration. Snufkin’s shoulders shook in amusement and the Joxter's eye twitched.
“Shut up.”
Snufkin’s voice trembled as he failed to hold back a smile. “But I didn't say anything, Papa.”
“Yeah, well,” he pouted. “You were laughing at me. I can see it in your eyes.” Snufkin couldn't help himself as his bubbly laughter filled the night and his father shoved the pole into his hands, stalking back to the campfire. “Let's just share this fish, then. Who needs a whole fish anyway? Not this family.”
After a long day of hiking and sitting in the soft warmth of the fire light, Snufkin's eyes drooped. The sounds of animals and his father's even breathing soothed him. He was leaning against the Joxter when his quieted voice broke the silence.
“Pardon?” Snufkin yawned, rubbing his eyes.
The Joxter rolled his eyes and smiled. “Your freedom. When exactly did you lose it?”
“Oh, I don't know,” he said, his eyes slipping closed. “Maybe...”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe it was when he asked me-”
“-about the secret valley! You went there with Mama, right? What was it like?” Moomin asked excitedly. Moomin held Snufkin's hand in his own, absentmindedly swinging it as they walked.
“That's a secret, Moomin, my friend.” Snufkin smiled mischievously. “We wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, now, would we?” Moomin's eyes seemed to glitter.
“Surprise!?” he gasped. “What surprise!?” Snufkin mocked a look of worry. “Ah! Oh, no, I've ruined the surprise, haven't I? I shan't speak another word of it!”
“Oh, come on, Snufkin! I won't tell anybody!” Moomin begged. Snufkin only shook his head and closed his eyes.. “I just told you, Moomin, that I shan't speak another word of it,” He peeked one eye open to glance at his friend. “However...”
Moomin hung onto his words as if they were something dear. “However?” he asked. Snufkin turned to him fully and squeezed his hand. “However, I've found an exciting place to share with you! Follow me!”
Moomin laughed as Snufkin excitedly pulled him along. It was unusual for the vagabond to show so much energy and Moomin was going to treasure the moment forever. “Where are we going?” he asked, watching as the trees grew thicker and thicker. “A cave?”
“You'll see!” Snufkin smiled, his heart beating faster and faster.
Finally, after running through the wood for so long they came upon an enormous lake. The water was crystal clear and flatter than paper with the sun shining through it. Snufkin bent over to catch his breath and swept an arm out before him. “Ta da! The special place I told you about!” Snufkin didn't think it'd be possible for Moomin’s eyes to get wider.
It was.
“Oh, wow, Snufkin! It's beautiful!” Moomin grabbed his friend's hands and happily spun him around. “Thank you for sharing this with me! You're so- it's so wonderful!” Snufkin blinked owlishly and smiled, suddenly a quiet, shy thing.
“Oh!” Snufkin tugged down the rim of his hat. “Well, I'm certainly glad that you think so, Moomin.”
Moomin bounced away, running around the pool, a ball of happy energy. Small ripples shook the surface as small fish were startled by the noise. “You- this- thank you, Snufkin!”
“You're welcome, Moomin,” he smiled.
“It was strange,” Snufkin murmured. “How I never considered not telling Moomin about that lake.”
The Joxter hummed in agreement, fiddling with his son's harmonica. “Perhaps… perhaps you really have lost your freedom. It is unlike you to be so willing to give up solitude.”
“Yes,” Snufkin agreed quietly, stepping into the tent. “Yes, I had suspected just as much.”
The Joxter was quick to follow, curling up at his son's side. “But is it truly so bad as people say?”
“No,” he whispered, strangely giddy. “It's not so bad. Truly.”