Chapter Text
“Look Moominpappa,” Moominmamma handed a letter to her husband, “It’s from Joxter.”
“Ah! Splendid!” Moominpappa took it, “I wonder what it’s all about.”
Saffren looked up from his work, peeling potatoes for Moominmamma as she prepared the main dish for dinner.
“He’s coming over!” Moominpappa shouted excitedly, “He’s coming to see how Saffren is doing.”
Saffren blinked. He actually completely forgot the reason why he was brought here. He looked at his hands, remembering that they were half invisible. Now, they were completely solid.
And according to the Moomins, his tail was back, too, which he was completely unaware was gone.
“Is he actually going to stick around this time?” Little My asked from inside her favorite tea pot.
“Why are so interested in the Joxter, Little My?”
“I have a theory I’ve been mulling over for ages and I want answers.”
“Anything I can help you with?” Saffren asked.
“Maybe…” Little My tapped her chin, “How exactly are you related to him?”
“He’s my uncle. Great uncle, actually. He’s the brother of my grandmother.”
“Awfully young, isn’t he?”
“I think he’s actually younger than my mother.”
Suddenly the door swung open, Moomintroll bursting in with tears in his eyes.
“Oh Moomin!” Moominmamma hurried over to him, immediately pulling him close, “Whatever is the matter?”
“Sn-snorkmaiden dumped me!” Moomin sobbed, burying his face into her shoulder.
Even Little My looked shocked.
“Oh I’m sorry, my dear,” Moominmamma held him tightly, “You’ll be alright.”
Moomin sniffed, before pulling away, catching sight of Saffren.
Saffren blinked, “Wait, you’re not actually trying to pin this on me, are you?!”
“Isn’t it obvious?!” He pointed accusingly at Saffren, “You said something to her, didn’t you?!”
“I didn’t even know you two were together!” Saffren snapped, “You certainly didn’t act like you were!”
Saffren slammed the peeler down onto the table and stormed off, muttering to himself in a language that definitely wasn’t English.
—
Saffren slammed the door behind him, his heart pounding in his chest with rage.
He didn’t get it. Why did Moomin hate him so much? What did he do to him?
He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. Maybe he was overthinking? No. No he wasn’t. Saffren racked his entire memory since being here. He said nothing to him, did nothing to him, so why was Moomin acting like this.
He lowered his hands, and he gasped. The tips of his fingers were transparent.
“What? No no no not again! I was getting better! I’m supposed to be better!”
“You always screw everything up!” A voice in his head snapped.
Saffren clutched his chest, breathing heavily.
“Why can’t you just behave normally?”
He collapsed to the floor.
“You are a disappointment, just like your father.”
He started to hyperventilate. He clutched his chest tighter. Was he dying?
“Saffren?” Moominmammas voice sounded from the other side of the door, “Saffren are you alright?”
Saffren tried to make a noise, but nothing came out. It was as if his words were being blocked by a wall in his throat.
“Saffren, I’m coming in,” Momminmamma walked in, “Oh dear!”
She quickly rushed to his side, “Saffren, dear, I need you to look at me, okay?”
Saffren, still hyperventilating, looked at her.
“Good, now, just follow my lead.”
She slowly inhaled for four seconds, then exhaled for eight seconds.
It took him a while, but eventually Saffren followed suit. Taking a deep breath for four seconds, then exhaling for eight. They continued until Saffren eventually settled down.
“There we go,” Moominmamma said gently, “Your okay.”
Saffren nodded, “I’m okay.”
“My son can be very emotional,” Moominmamma stated calmly, “But he had no right taking it out on you,” she gave him a quick hug, “He’ll have enough time to think about what he said to you tonight, I assure you.”
“I’m fine, really,” Saffren smiled weakly, “Thank you, Moominmamma.”
“Well, you still take all the time you need, okay?” She stood up, “Dinner will be ready soon. If you need me to I can bring some up to you.”
“I’ll be down in a little bit,” Saffren said, “Thank you.”
Moominmamma nodded and closed the door behind her.
Saffren took a deep breath, looking at his hands. They were solid again.
He sighed in relief. He was safe here.