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Moomintroll found himself in a predicament.
The day had started off nicely, in fact it had the beginnings of being a perfect Summer day in his opinion.
His beloved best friend had invited him out on a hike, just the two of them and he was positively delighted.
After a lovely breakfast and no nosy sister to follow they went their merry way into the woods.
They walked beneath tall trees, over logs and across rivers to the song of birds and the wind whistling around them.
Snufkin would sometimes hold Moomintroll’s paw whenever the path looked rather precarious so he wouldn’t slip or fall. While grateful for the concern, a small part of him believes he is more than capable.
Moomintroll doesn't complain too much because he doesn't want Snufkin to stop holding his paw, quite the contrary.
They eventually found a tree taller than the ones surrounding it. Snufkin had climbed it before and told Moomintroll the view from the top was breathtaking. It would be perfect for an already perfect day.
“I'll help you dear.” Snufkin held out his paw with a smile as he always did.
Without a ladder, rope or footholds climbing was a feat Moomintroll often struggled with. His claws weren’t like Snufkin’s or Little My’s who could easily grip and latch onto most surfaces with ease.
Not to mention Moomintroll could be pretty clumsy if the times he slipped off his rope ladder had anything to say about it.
Thankfully those falls were short.
Snufkin helped him whenever the occasion called for it and Moomintroll would happily accept.
He looked from the roots, the trunk, past the branches and to the tippy top of the tree.
But maybe today he should do it himself.
“I can do it,” Moomintroll said, filled with a newfound determination.
“Are you sure? It's no trouble.” Snufkin asked though it sounded more like a request.
Moomintroll could hear the worry in his voice yet he remained firm in his decision.
“I won't know unless I try.”
“Moomintroll-” Snufkin began and before he could utter another word, his friend was gone.
In a fit of wild abandon Moomintroll decided he would and could climb up this tree on his own.
And he did.
Which is how he found himself in his current predicament.
Moomintroll wasn't afraid of heights, far from it, he found standing on top of a mountain or tree very exhilarating.
Falling however was an entirely different beast.
Moomintroll noticed that in his scramble to get up the tree he had broken a few, maybe a lot, of branches due to his weight and recklessness. Branches that teetered so dangerously they couldn't support even the smallest leaf.
Let alone him.
Moomintroll held onto the sturdiest branch near him, glancing down at his friend.
“Good job Moomintroll!” Snufkin called out with a wave of his paw.
“T-Thank you!” Moomintroll waved back only to yelp when the branch trembled from his movement.
“Are you alright dear?”
“Yes! Just fine and dandy!” Moomintroll said whether he was comforting Snufkin or himself was up for debate.
“Are you sure?” His best friend looked almost amused, as if he expected such an outcome.
He most likely did.
“I, ahem well…” Moomintroll began his words trailing off not wanting to outright say it.
Snufkin smiled, waiting patiently and would continue to wait until a certain someone admitted his foolish behavior.
Moomintroll had no choice in the matter.
“I-I might be, maybe a little…” Moomintroll’s ears folded back, his embarrassment clearer than the blue sky. “...stuck.”
“My, my.”
Moomintroll practically hears the ‘I told you so’ in his voice.
“If you can climb up then you can climb down, it's quite simple dear!” Snufkin said.
Moomintroll could feel his fear begin to trickle away and be replaced with irritation. He couldn't help it seeping into his voice.
“I can assure you if it were, I would have done so already!”
“Why not use your tail then, like your ancestor?” Snufkin suggested genuinely curious for a brief second.
Moomintroll on the other hand was horrified. “Are you mad!? I can’t do such a thing!”
“Have you ever tried?”
“Well no…” Moomintroll admitted but in his defense just by looking at him one would logically assume he couldn’t.
The thought of even attempting it brought a chill down his spine.
“Then how would you know?” Snufkin asked with an infuriating yet charming grin on his face.
Moomintroll huffed his tail hitting the branch in slow thuds.“I am going to slap you silly when I get down from here!”
Snufkin laughed and Moomintroll tried not to think of how much he adored the sound. He is trying to be angry.
“Alright dear, jump and I’ll catch you!” His friend said with open arms.
Moomintroll must have heard that wrong.
“What?”
“Jump Moomintroll and I'll catch you!”
Oh yes that is exactly what he heard.
“I can't do that!”
“Why not?”
Moomintroll could not believe he was being asked such a ridiculous question. “I would crush you of course!”
“Nonsense you weigh no more than a sack of potatoes!” Snufkin waved a dismissive paw, outstretched arms waiting and ready.
Moomintroll took note to ask Snufkin what kind of potatoes he carried to make such an absurd claim.
“I refuse!” Moomintroll said in a firm voice racking his mind for any other alternative.
“Ah well, shall I tell Mamma and Pappa you’ve decided to take residence in a tree?” Snufkin chuckled in response.
If Moomintroll were raised with any less manners he would have said some choice words at his friend.
At the mention of his parents however, Moomintroll remembered something.
Pappa has a ladder!
Moomintroll’s tail began to sway excitedly.
Except, that would mean his parents learning of what happened and not only would they find out but his friends as well. Moomintroll felt something akin to dread. He has embarrassed himself enough for the Summer. His friends didn't need anymore fuel to tease him into the Winter.
His tail stopped swaying and tapped the branch nervously.
Moomintroll looked down as Snufkin looked up and their eyes met.
Snufkin spoke up first. “Moomintroll!”
“Yes, Snufkin?”
“Do you trust me?”
Moomintroll couldn’t help feeling frustrated by the question because the answer should be obvious. “Of course I do!”
“Then trust me to catch you!” Snufkin smiled at him with a confidence that made his heart flutter. “I’ll be fine Moomintroll!”
Moomintroll’s ears folded back and his tail stilled as he remained quiet in thought. He trusted Snufkin, so everything will be okay. He didn’t need to hesitate.
Maybe his friend might get hurt in the process, but it won’t be so bad. Minimal injuries at most. If he continued thinking he would be on this tree all day.
“Alright!”
Snufkin held out his arms and Moomintroll took in a shaky breath. He acted recklessly before he could do it again.
Moomintroll countdown from three, heart drumming loudly in his ears and eyes shut tight, on one. He let himself fall.
It all happened so fast and slow.
His body weightless in the air, too afraid to look, with heart in his throat. A clear picture of the inevitable impact flickered in his mind.
Suddenly it stopped.
Moomintroll slowly began to hear the rustling of leaves, the smell of dirt and smoke, and his body enveloped in a familiar warmth. He allowed himself to take in these senses for a moment longer before he finally opened his eyes.
“Are you okay?” Moomintroll blurted out a sense of relief washing over him to see his beloved friend unharmed.
“I should be asking you that.” Snufkin laughed, carefully settling Moomintroll on the ground still holding him steady.
“I'm okay, thank you Snufkin.” Moomintroll happily tapped his feet, the grass soft and ground solid, just how it should be.
“As I said before, it's no trouble dear.” Snufkin bumped shoulders with Moomintroll earning himself a laugh.
“Maybe it wasn't the best idea to charge right up there.” Moomintroll sighed, his embarrassment returning in full swing.
“It was still impressive, you just need a little practice.” His friend nodded a smile on his lips. “I'll teach you sometime.”
Moomintroll beamed from sheer delight by both praise and thought.
“You are an excellent climber, Snufkin.” Moomintroll said no short of admiration for his friend.
“Wait.” Moomintroll started, a question popped into mind one he couldn't believe he didn't think of until now.
“Why didn't you…?”
Snufkin shrugged. His sweet smile now looks devious in Moomintroll’s eyes before turning around to walk away.
“It didn't seem as fun.”
Moomintroll paused then remembered he promised to slap a certain someone silly when he got down.