This one shot is based on the song Dandelions! Lyrics used belong to Ruth B.

(Y/n)'s POV

After straining myself on the tune all winter, I smiled at the handful of papers. It was complete. I felt bad, having stayed cooped up in the room that had been offered to me for winter. It was springtime once more, and the others were outside having fun. Snufkin sat on the bridge playing his harmonica, and occasionally I peered out to see him. But, unlike the others who had greeted the vagabond two days ago, I was still here. Doing the exact opposite, and avoiding him. Dandelions… I kissed the top page and did a small dance before swinging open the bedroom door. "I'll be back, mama, papa!" I yelled at the two as I rushed down the stairs.

"Wait! You haven't been out of the room, are you hungry?" I paused at Moominmama's soft voice, blushing some.

"I'll maybe eat when I get back. If I eat now I might throw up from nerves." I confessed, giving the couple a bright smile. "Wish me luck!" They both bid me good luck, with some hesitation, and off I went out the door, clutching the song. Zooming over the bridge, I called out to Moomin, not bothering to return Snufkin's spring greeting.

"Did you finish what you had been busy with?" He asked, panting as he ran to meet me.

"Yes! Yes I did! And I was curious, do you know of any dandelion fields around here?" The group of slightly younger teens gathered around us and I smiled at them.

"A field? That's boring!"

"Oh, but why not a field of other flowers?"

"Yes, (Y/n), I'm sure there's one this way!" Ignoring the others, I followed Moomin, letting him take my hand to pull me along. I turned my head hearing the copious amount of foot fall behind us, and grinned seeing Snufkin's curiosity had gotten the better of him and he was also behind us.

Upon walking through the wooded area and to an opening, taking about 15 minutes. I felt my nerves spike, suddenly debating on if it was still a good idea. I sat down in the field, the others sitting around me.

"Now that we're here, what's the point?"

"Well… Snufkin?" I looked at him and he finally turned my way, raising a brow. "Would you do me the honors of playing this?" I handed him the sheet music, keeping the lyrics to myself. He studied the pages and we sat quietly.

"Sure, (Y/n)." I grinned, my heart racing in anticipation. The moment he started playing, I picked a dandelion from in front of me.

"I wrote this, because dandelions remind me of a very special person." I had only a couple seconds to take in a deep breath before singing the lyrics on my own stack of papers. "Maybe it's the way you say my name, maybe it's the way you play your game…"

With each lyric, carefully written based on the feelings that came with each hard hit he had on my heart, I was flooded with memories. Like the night he offered me to stay in his tent.

"Hey, while Moominmama patches up your tent, do you want to stay in mine?" I peered a lazy eye open at the male and rolled it closed after a moment.

"I sat myself up plenty far enough away, why don't you leave me alone?"

About 30 minutes later, in the pitch black night, I was bringing him some of my saved mushrooms from earlier, and an extra fish I had caught for dinner. He had been up reading, and the moment he caught sight of me he smiled.

"Cold out? That's why I offered. Spring did only just begin." I huffed and made my way in, sitting in the furthest corner from him.

"Thanks," I muttered. "Don't get too used to me though."

"Wouldn't dream of it." His response had me snorting and I looked away, amazed to have only formally met him that night.

"I feel okay when I see you smile, smile. Wishing on dandelions all of the time."

Or the times he'd fish, read, or just nap, and I'd just be there, enjoying the silence alongside him. My plans to leave Moominvalley a month into spring had been halted by the others around my age. They were much kinder than I had been met with, and slowly over that month, I was laughing and being open with the others.

Normally when I'd sit with Snufkin, it'd always be silent, but this particular time, during midsummer, I couldn't help but cry. I told him all about the day I lost my family. He had listened and gazed at me wordlessly. It was so much nicer than having someone speak about it. And I had fallen asleep afterwards, relieved and feeling like I had made a personal breakthrough.
When he woke me up, he gave me an encouraging smile, and for a brief moment, I felt my heart palpitate. I wanted that smile to be shown to me all the time.

"I see forever in your eyes."
"I think that you are the one for me, 'cause it gets so hard to breathe when you're looking at me."

Snorkmaiden and Little My had been really intrigued in me come early Autumn. I hadn't been quite sure of why they just wanted to be around, but I didn't mind. "I knew it, Snorkmaiden!!" My eyes widened at Little My's outburst and I turned towards them. "You like Snufkin don't you?" I frantically shushed them, waving my hands in front of my face.

"S-Snufkin? Never in a million years!" I argued, yet the moment said male was on his way out of his tent and walking our way, I paused. My dark red face was a dead give away to their observation and I could hear their snickering and giggling.

"What are you ladies talking about?" My vision trailed up to his curious eyes and I blushed more.

"Just that (Y/n) he-"

"Is ready to go fishing! That's why you came over right? To fish???" I cut off, standing up way too fast. The world momentarily spun and I lost my balance. I went to collapse backwards, but an arm was around me in a flash and I was brought forward into a chest. After a second to regain my body, I blinked, looking up at the person who had kept me from hitting the ground, and it was none other than Snufkin.

"You need to be careful." I could feel his breath over my face from how close I was to him. I stared at his eyes speechless, was there always a hint of honey brown mixed with his dark chocolate hues? They seemed endless, worry and care tunneling for miles as he stared back at me. I swore I couldn't breathe, entranced by the proximity and his magnificent eyes.

As if hit by a 10 ton rock, the situation piled itself onto me and I leaped from his hold.

"I am always careful! I'm.. I'm gonna go grab my fishing supplies…" I whispered, backtracking into my tent, catching the knowing gazes of the two females.

"Dandelion, into the wind you go, won't you let my darling know that.... I'm in a field of dandelions, wishing on every one that you'll be mine, mine."

That day, I wasn't sure what I expected, but it wasn't what occurred. "I thought you'd figure that out! He travels like you do!" Moomin's explanation left me even more stunned. I hadn't traveled since stopping in Moominvalley. It was such a great place to be in and around. Maybe I should get back to my own plans… The poem and green scarf I had in my bag grew heavy. I worked all of my time the past couple days making them. And here he was, packing up to leave. But I didn't have any plans anymore. At least none that didn't involve the male I had gotten to know.

"Was there something you needed, (Y/n)?" Snufkin cocked his head over his shoulder, casting me a casual gaze. I shook my head and held the bag closer.

"Nothing at all. Bye I guess…" My brows furrowed and I stalked to my tent, all energy and happiness had drained from me completely. I laid in my tent, looking at the scarf, running the not so neat material through my fingers. All the encouragement I got from the girls had been wasted.

"(Y/n)? Can I come in?" I sat up and continued to fiddle with the knitted item.

"Of course, Moomin." He entered my tent and looked at me with concern.

"Are you okay? Will you be leaving this winter as well?" I shrugged and noticed the lack of breathing I was doing, trying to force my body to work. "Well, if you do, will you come back? We quite like having you here in Moominvalley! I'm sure Snufkin would like you back as well?" At the mention of the brunette's name I couldn't hold back the choppy sob in my throat.

"Back?" I questioned, big, childish tears streaming down my face. "He'll be coming back?" I questioned.

"He leaves every winter, it's so sad isn't it? But I'm sure that's not why you're crying." He reached out and wiped my face. "I really did think you knew this. Were you going to give him this scarf?" I nodded, holding it as relief slowly washed over me.

"I'm sure you can do that later!" I nodded, more enthusiastic as I smiled at Moomin.

"Would it be possible to stay with you guys this winter? I have some thinking to do." Moomin cheered and rushed out of my tent.

"She's gonna stay! Guys! Guys! (Y/n) wants to stay! Oh maybe we could make a small house for her in spring!" Listening to his happy rambling from outside the tent, I sat the scarf back in with the poem. One day I'll tell him how I feel.

Finishing the song, I smiled at Snufkin, wiping the single tear before it fell down my cheek. "What did you think?" He sat his harmonica down and handed me back the music.

"It was nice."

"Just nice, Snufkin? It was such a beautiful song!"

"Maybe I should write a song for Moomin…."

"Why would the girls have to write the songs? I want to see what a boy could come up with." At the jumble of conversations, I blushed intensely, smiling.

"So, you wrote it for someone?" I nodded in response. "I'm sure they'll like it." I blinked and looked down.

"They do…." I said quietly.

"You've already shown them? That's good." It went quiet around us and I swore I heard my heart shatter. He didn't have to ask like that.

"Oh, stop being so stupid!" I quickly looked at Little My and opened my mouth to shut her up, but couldn't get a word out as I started to silently cry. "It's you! She wrote it for you! You can be so dense!" I felt ashamed. There's no way he didn't notice it was for him.

"(Y/n).." A hand placed itself on my shoulder timidly and I looked at Snufkin with a dead look, unable to stop the stream of tears. "How am I like a dandelion?" My eyes widened and I started to laugh.

As my tears slowed, I picked up a dandelion. "When you have a dandelion you close your eyes, make a wish, and then blow, right? You put blind faith that what you want comes true. And then you…" I took a deep breath, blowing the dandelion seeds and watching them get carried by the wind. "Send them on their way. You could empty this entire field. But this time next year, they'll still be here. Dandelions travel. They're free. You put faith in them so easily, and even when you don't think your wish will come true, they're dependable. The truth is… I…" I blushed deeply, looking away.

"Guys, will you give us a moment?" Snufkin stood and offered me his hand, taking it I let him hoist me to my feet. Together we strolled through the forest, with no real destination.

"Snufkin… The day you left I-"

"Was really disappointed you didn't want to travel." I gasped and stopped walking.

"You cut me off!" I yelled playfully, shoving him. His deep chuckle reached my ears and I smiled, unsure of how to carry the conversation.

"I wasn't quite ready to face my feelings, but I had hoped to with you coming along for winter. (Y/n), I really like you. And if you don't mind, I'd like to. I'd like to be your boyfriend." At the determined look in his eye I smiled widely and nodded.

"Snufkin, I spent all winter wishing to hear that." He took his hat off, bowing.

"Then let's get back. I heard you haven't been taking care of yourself." He laced his arm with mine and we walked back happily. Wishes on dandelions really do come true...

2185 words!!