Author's Notes: a little info on the gift that Moomin gives Snufkin in episode 52: Omamori are amulets that grant the wearer a certain blessing, which varies depending on the type. They're based in Shinto and Buddhism, but have become fairly secularized in modern times. Omamori also have an "expiration date" of sorts; their power only lasts a year.

In the sunny south, on a sandy beach next to a sparkling blue sea, Snufkin was screaming into his hat.
"Aaarghmmph!"
His face felt like it was on fire, and his heart threatened to burn right out of his chest. Utterly overwhelmed, the vagabond fell to his knees in the sand. A cool wave lapped comfortingly at his boots, prompting Snufkin to glance shyly over the brim of his hat. Impulsively, he yanked off his boots, scarf, coat, and hat, leaving them in a heap on the beach. Wading into the water, he let the coldness soothe the feelings raging inside him.
In Snufkin's earliest days as a wanderer, back when he was still afraid of the creeps that lurked in the dark, the sound of the sea had lulled him to sleep each night. Perhaps it could comfort him again.
"I...I'm in love with my best friend," he admitted. Saying it aloud was terrifying, but liberating at the same time. The rushing waves held no judgement, giving Snufkin the courage to continue.
"It's ridiculous, I know, that I managed to fall for Moomin without noticing. But I've never felt like this before." He chuckled bitterly. "Pathetic, isn't it? Developing feelings for the first person to ever treat me as a friend instead of a nuisance."
A sickening thought struck Snufkin like a hailstone to the head. "Oh, Groke...and I thought his crush on me was the reason why things felt awkward between us—but it was my fault all this time! His feelings probably faded months ago!" His eyes stung as the notion sunk in. "Maybe Moomin never even liked me that way...maybe I was just fooling myself the whole time."
Snufkin hoped that the salty droplets running down his face were just the ocean spray. "I'm a terrible friend." His old plan to stay away from the valley until Moomin was a married troll leapt to mind. If he waited long enough, perhaps this love of his would fade into numbness, just like so many of his feelings seemed to.
"Or maybe I shouldn't go back at all..." he trailed off. Suddenly, the amulet around Snufkin's neck felt warm; not burning hot, but just pleasantly warm, like the glow from a campfire. He carefully cupped it in the plan of his hand. By accepting this, hadn't he promised he would return to Moomin?
But Moomin didn't make it to trap him. His friend proved that he respected the vagabond's need for space after the guitar incident. No, it was entirely Snufkin's decision whether or not he returned to Moominvalley. He looked out over the glittering sea, so similar in color to Moomin's eyes.
"I don't know if I can hide this, and I don't know what to tell Mumi if he finds out. But I want to go back. So I will."

Patches of snow still littered the grass when Snufkin returned to Moominvalley that spring. He felt the stares of the birds and the little creeps boring into his back as he made his way to Moominhouse; they weren't hostile, per say, but they weren't welcoming, either. It was as if the valley itself was wondering why he was already back. Trying his best to ignore the questioning stares, Snufkin leaned against the bridge, his casual posture at odds with the butterflies in his stomach.
Was he really ready to face Moomin so soon? Swallowing hard, Snufkin picked up his guitar and began strumming the Song of the Lonely Mountain. The tension in his shoulders eased as he played the tune, and despite his anxiety, Snufkin couldn't help but sing along to the guitar.
"Ame ni muretatsu...osabishiyama yo...ware ni katare kimi no namida sono wake wo oo oo~"
A tiny smile appeared on his face. He had been playing this very same song when he first met Moomin almost four years ago. Somehow, the troll hadn't been put off by his rudeness, and the two shared a lunch of freshly caught fish.
"Yuki furi tsumu...osabishiyama yo...ware no katare kimi no tsuyosa no sono wake wo oo oo~"
They braved the Lonely Mountain together that day. The journey had been perilous, and frankly, rather ridiculous, what with all the strange creatures they met on the way to the peak. Not to mention all the trouble they accidentally caused afterward by bringing one of the beasts back with them, which ended up turning all the wine in town into water, and then turning the whole lake into wine. Snufkin had nearly lost his breath laughing at the sight of the drunk Hattifatners.
"Yuhi ni ukabu...osabishiyama yo...ware ni katare kimi no egaou no sono wake wo oo oo~"
Despite only knowing him for a day, Moomin had told Snufkin that he liked him, that he wanted to see him again and go on more adventures. The vagabond still remembered feeling shocked—it had been the first time anyone ever told him they wanted him around.
"Ooo~" Snufkin let the last note fade away, along with the rest of his nervousness. No matter what happened, his friendship with the troll would be fine. He trusted Moomin.
"I've always loved that song," said a voice behind him. Snufkin almost dropped his guitar in the river.
"Mumi!" He fumbled to catch the instrument as the troll laughed behind him.
"Sorry, Snufkin! I didn't think I would scare you—I've never managed to sneak up on you before!"
"Ah well, I suppose I'm a little distracted today." His guitar safe, the vagabond turned to face Moomin. The troll had grown over the winter, he noted; he was only a foot shorter than Snufkin now.
"Is something wrong?" Moomin asked hesitantly. "You are back a lot earlier than anyone expected—most of us thought you wouldn't return for at least another year."
The words weren't meant as a reprimand, but Snufkin felt chagrined just the same. He fished the amulet out from under his scarf. "You gave me this at the beginning of the winter. Its powers would have run out by next year."
"That's true," Moomin said slowly. "But I thought you didn't believe in Omamori."
"I don't." Snufkin willed himself not to blush as he tucked the amulet back underneath his scarf. Moomin considered him for a long moment before giving him a sweet smile.
"Should I start making one for you every year, then?"
"I'd like that, Mumi" whispered Snufkin. The troll's grin somehow grew even brighter.
"Heh. Speaking of Omamori, I've taken to wearing this one." Moomin lifted his tail to show Snufkin the charm tied to the end. "Snorkmaiden gave it to me. It's supposed to bring the person who wears it good luck in, er, romantic endeavors" he finished shyly.
His face remained stoic, but internally, Snufkin desperately tried to smother the hope flickering in his chest. Why had their conversation taken such a dangerous turn?
"Snufkin, I...well, I'm not sure if you noticed, but last spring, I kinda had a crush on you."
The vagabond nodded stiffly, eliciting a nervous chuckle from Moomin. "Yeah, I didn't think I had done a good job of hiding it. I wasn't planning on saying anything, but..." the troll took a deep breath. "It didn't go away, Snufkin. It just grew and grew until I was completely in love with you."
Snufkin's throat tightened. He felt as though he could barely breathe, much less speak. Out of all the ways he had rehearsed their reunion in his head, he hadn't even dared to imagine this scenario. Shouldn't he be happy? Why was he frozen stiff with fear, when this was what he wanted so badly?
"Snufkin?"
His stomach twisted with guilt. He had say something, anything, or Moomin would realize what a wreck he really is and take it all back, but he just couldn't get himself to speak. Hands trembling, Snufkin grabbed his hat and pulled it over his face. His intrusive thoughts sneered at him; you don't deserve his affection, you can't even FEEL correctly, what's wrong with you—
A pair of soft, warm paws covered his own, gently lowering his hat from his face.
"Snufkin, please let me see you."
Hesitantly, he met Moomin's eyes. "That's better," said the troll, giving him a small smile. "You don't need to hide from me, ok? I get that you're a private person, and if you really want me to, I'll back off, but I don't ever want you to feel ashamed of expressing yourself in front of me. Even if you're worry it'll make me think less of you, or that it'll hurt me, I still want to know what you're feeling. You're my best friend." Moomin swallowed hard. "And if you don't want me as a partner, I hope you'll still be my best friend."
The vagabond felt himself tearing up yet again, but for once, he wasn't ashamed. Finally finding his voice, Snufkin mumbled, "I think I express all my feelings backwards. Every time I'm happy, I end up crying."
"Nothing wrong with that," Moomin replied, giggling. Snufkin managed a chuckle as well. He let his hat fall to the ground, repositioning his hands to hold Moomin's paws.
"I-I'm in love with you as well, Mumi, and it scares me, because I don't know how to be in love with someone." He clutched the troll's paws a little tighter, gathering all his courage. "But if you'll have me, I can't think of anyone I'd rather learn with than you."
Moomin beamed like sunlight reflecting off newfallen snow. "When you put it like that, it sounds as though we're starting a new adventure."
Snufkin smiled back, face aglow. An adventure, now that was something he could handle. He was eager to begin.

Author's Notes: the episode I mentioned in which Snufkin and Moomin first meet is the Mūmin (1969) episode "Where is the Wonderful Spring?"

Snufkin's song is called "Osabishiyama no Uta." I recommend giving it a listen; it's very soothing.