#schnitz family

[tangledbea]

Hi Bex!

I was going through your speculation tag a little while ago and saw that one of your headcanons for Tangled is that the royal family's surname is Solaris (which I love love love !!). idk it fits in so well with how sun-centred corona is and all. and it's pretty teehee

I've always been a little bit frustrated by the fact that we don't really have a lot of characters with canonical surnames. to be fair a lot of things about tts annoy me... but we don't need to get into that. i know it's not particularly important to the story but it's important to me LOL, names are a powerful thing !!

So I was wondering if you had any surname headcanons for the other characters? apart from Eugene and Lance, of course (shout out to them though </3 my scrunklies)

love your blog!

Aww, thanks! I've always been fond of using Solaris for them, simply because of that sun connection! (To be fair "der Sonne," which many people use because of the series, is also related to the sun.)

My headcanon name for the Captain is Dominik Collins, which would make Cassandra's last name Collins, too. (Granted, I gave him that name long before the series came out, and I might have made it different if I'd thought it up post-series.)

I don't really have last names for anyone else, but if pressed, I'm sure I could come up with something I was satisfied with. For example, Quirin and Varian would be given a Greek last name, like, Makris or Galanis. Kiera and Catalina would have the same last name, which they chose together (and then later, they obviously both become Schnitz).

Oh! But did you know that Feldspar's last name is canonically Wilipeg, and Old Lady Crowley's first name is Hortense? So there's two more full names for you. Plus, Attila's full name is Attila Buckethead (though I have no personal headcanons as to what his non-ruffian name would be).

In fact, here! Here's a list of all the names that @darkprince-eugene collected. Most of them have been looked up for meaning, but the project kind of fell by the wayside after a point.

[nerdasaurus1200]

All the Schnitz family goodness…plus Varian the bonus Schnitz XD

[shellyseashell]

THE GUILD (DEMON HUNTER AU)

so, i’ve mentioned the guild in overviews of this au, and in character introductions, but i haven’t actually explained who they are yet. so here it is! under a cut because it got long.

the guild started first as magical kingdoms allied with beast, to try to fix his mistakes and rebalance magic. when he began turning on all magic users, they split off for him and began directly fighting him. they ended up losing, and a lot of their armies were either killed, or sent to the isle where most soon died anyway. the monarchs were allowed to remain on the throne so long as they allowed heavy king’s guard presence, and sent at least one kid to be a soldier. they are fully blocked from auradon politics. basically, they’re occupied countries and their kids are political prisoners.

now, well after the war, the guild operates as an underground network. they work on protecting magic users (human or otherwise) from the guard, smuggling supplies to places merchants don’t really go, and figuring out how to yknow, fix gaps between worlds, which is the entire reason the shadow court exists.

they have a very loose hierarchy, with the only clearly defined positions being the council and those in the coalition of the arcane. the council is made up of the leaders of member countries, and are generally in charge of members from their own countries. they make sure disputes between countries are handled smoothly, and punish any rule breakers. the coalition will get their own post, but basically they’re a group of spies who attend the prep and therefore have access to information they wouldn’t otherwise. outside of that, the hierarchy is based on age and experience.

notable rules include:

- no one under 15 is eligible to fight, though they can assist family members in non-combat missions

- don’t mess with magic you don’t understand

- respect the dead. don’t do necromancy.

- never use magic to control others

- punishments can range from exile from the guild (with that person either having memories erased or enchanted to not be able to speak about the guild) or being killed. they don’t like doing either, but at the end of the day it’s our lives or yours.

- additionally, everyone must swear a magical oath that alerts the council to betrayals. there’s no consequences otherwise.

aaaaand last but not least: total member nations and individual members!

member nations: avalor, agrabah, the moorlands, tirulia, corona, and arendelle. during the war, kumandra, prydain, and logres (camelot) were members, but now kumandra is isolated and prydain and logres have their own issues.

the council is made up of queen elena castillo flores (overall leader), phoebus de chateaupers, queen aurora, sultana jasmine, queen ariel, queen rapunzel, and queen anna.

notable members include: naomi turner, gabe nunez, mateo de alva, the genie, lance strongbow, kiera schnitz, catalina schnitz, adira, the spouses of the council, and of course the coalition, as well as a few other ocs. they’re painfully small, but when combined with the isle, they’re a force to be feared.

[subject-2-change]

How do you think everyone in the Tangled gang spends Christmas?

The Schnitz family absolutely spends the morning/afternoon doing volunteer work. They dress up as Santa and two elves. I will die for this headcanon.

Raps spends the day learning about everyone else's Christmas traditions, and listening to their stories. The tries to implement them all a little bit into her celebration (to varying degrees of success).

Eugene spends the day mostly inside (he hates the snow). He's the elf on the shelf guy, and probably tells the kids Santa...and Krampus stories to spook them into being good. He's supposed to be helping Cass set up the tree, but definitely isn't.

Cass is setting up the tree, and getting annoyed by Eugene. She's actually surprisingly into Christmas in a quiet warmth way, not an outwardly cheery way like Raps. When Raps comes back saying "we need to add this, and make sure we do that tonight, and put the other on the activities for tonight," Cass tries to reason with her, but inevitably helps set it all up.

They don't see Varian most of the day. He's in his workshop making everyone's gifts. They'll all be really cool, super personalized, unique inventions for each person....and no one will understand how to use them.

At the end of the day, everyone gets together for cocoa, and a gift exchange, and a hodgepodge of quickly explain other traditions that Raps threw together.

[mlynar-nearl]

idea for black hats: mlynar gets badly injured in an operation and while delirious from treatment mistakes margaret and maria for their parents and calls them by their names (bets up on whether or not this makes maria cry)

little did you know that when people send me things on my tumblr for me to write they get posted here first <:D

margaret didn't flow into it as i wrote nor did i exactly go with the idea that he's delirious but i kept the spirit of maria hearing things he wants to say to her father, ideally in private. featuring good uncle toland, because, well, i like them normal amount.

Maria Nearl got paged from her work station when her uncle had stumbled into a Rhodes Island branch office in outer Kazimierz, bleeding badly.

Specifically, three hours before Maria Nearl was paged, her uncle walked in to a Rhodes Island branch office currently thirty miles from the Grand Knight Territory, said "I'm done with my assignment" and promptly removed one hand from his side to reveal a gushing wound.

In true Młynar fashion, he had then attempted to insist to the office workers that he was fine and just needed to borrow some bandages before passing out with all the timing of a bad joke.

In the intervening time, medical personnel had extracted him to the landship for recovery, at which point, Maria Nearl had been paged and informed, since her older sister was still in the Grand Knight Territory, and she was the closest family member. This was not for purely emotional reasons- truthfully, in addition to sharing hair color, hair type, and eyes, all of the surviving Nearls share a blood type, and are all far too altruistic at heart to say no to giving blood.

So, an hour total after her unconscious uncle arrived at Rhodes Island and she was informed of the situation, Maria Nearl sits at his bedside drinking a Siesta Sun juice pouch after having donated as much blood as physically possible.

Her entire life, her uncle has always looked tired, pale, and worn. To be honest, if you had asked her, she would have thought he was always at close to his worst. But maybe that's the naivete he always tells her she's full of, because he looks even worse now.

Maria pauses halfway through a drink of her juice pouch. By now, it's not the first time she's seen people get hurt- seriously hurt, even some die, no matter what they do and no matter what she does. But this is different. She remembers grandfather's condition deteriorating over time after Margaret left, when he and Młynar argued over him having to move to the hospital, and then that decision was made for them, and then he was gone. She tugs off her other work glove and fits her hand into her uncle's. She feels him stir a little at the touch, and sits up.

"Wujek Młynar?"

He moves again, but Maria can tell that he's still primarily unconscious. "Schnitz..."

Even though she doesn't want to go anywhere, it feels like an intrusion to keep listening. She squeezes her hand. "I'm here, uncle."

"You should see your daughters, Schnitzel," Młynar slurs, half-asleep. "You never got to see Maria grow up. You said in your letters you were guessing her first word...would have learned so much from you..."

Maria knows. She read those letters. "It's okay, uncle. I learned from you, too. You were everything I needed. I promise." She squeezes his hand tighter. "You're going to be alright."

Młynar fidgets as if he's about to wake up. "Schnitz, please, don't go, I can't-"

Maria squeezes him tighter. "It's okay uncle, it's okay, papa's gone, it's just me..." She realizes that she's crying. She wipes her eyes frantically with her free hand, and sets down her juice pouch.

Behind her, there's a knock at the door. She sits up quickly, not letting go of her uncle's hand. "Um-- hello?"

"It's just me, kid," Toland Cash says. "Can I come in?"

"Oh- of course, Mr. Toland..."

Maria hears the door open and close, but doesn't turn around to look at him. So she's startled when a sarkaz hand lands gently on her head, right between her ears. She squeaks.

"Take a deep breath, Maria."

"I- I--" She pauses, then starts crying again.

"Come on, come on," Toland says softly, giving her a soft pat. "I know Młynar better than anyone on this world and he wouldn't want you freaking out. He's going to be fine. He's seen worse."

That almost makes Maria cry harder.

Toland pats her head gently again. "It's alright, it's alright."

Maria wipes her eyes with her free hand. "It's just that-"

"Just that what?"

"You sound just like him!" Maria exclaims, almost a wail.

Toland pauses, then bursts into laughter. "Fuck! I think I do!"

The fact that he's laughing makes Maria start laughing, until she's giggling and crying at the same time. Toland sits down next to her. "Don't worry, okay? It's just blood loss. He'll make it back. I babysat him once while some of my guys did the same treatment."

"I don't remember uncle talking in his sleep."

"Has he been?"

"Mhm."

Toland laughs, leaning back in his chair. "That's because he only talks nonsense when he's on painkillers, little Maria."

"Nonsense?"

Toland shrugs. "Not quite nonsense, but it's talking in your sleep. It doesn't always make sense."

"What did he talk about when you did this before?"

Toland pauses, remembers for a minute, then breaks into a fond grin. "He was reading a picture book to his future niece. This would have been a few weeks after he found out your parents were expecting Margaret."

Maria smiles to herself, and squeezes her uncle's hand again. Młynar whispers something intended for her father that she can't hear.

"What did he talk about this time?" Toland asks. Maria's face falls a little.

"He was talking to papa."

"It's okay." Toland leans over and ruffles her hair. "You can stay, if you want."

"Please."

Maria quickly falls asleep with her head resting on her uncle's chest. When he wakes up several hours later, when the sun is setting, he gently removes his hand from hers and wraps his arm around her. He's interrupted on his path back to sleep by Toland kissing his forehead, which he makes a grumpy noise about. Toland grins at how cute he is, and lets them rest.

[awesomeforever]

Parma’s Schnitz Ale Brewery, located at 5729 Pearl Road, recently opened a new patio. PARMA, Ohio -- After opening up for business last November, Schnitz Ale Brewery recently unveiled its 1,200-square-foot patio that includes a dozen four-seat tables. Schnitz Ale Brewery Operations Manager Igor Djurin said even though the project was delayed, it was well worth the wait. “Obviously, the summertime in Cleveland is so limited, so we wanted to make sure we had a space for people to enjoy the sun,” Djurin said. “This is still only the first phase. By spring of next year, we’re looking to do an overhead awning and add an additional fireplace to the patio. “It’ll be a very traditional-style beer garden with cushioned seats. We’re looking to do some entertainment in the future, acoustic music.” As for the 9,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery, which has ties to Djurin’s family-owned and operated Das Schnitzel Haus located directly across the street, the venue is in the process of expanding. Currently offering a dozen taps, the owner said the number will soon be increasing to 20 craft beers. “We have a company lined up to help us expand our tap room,” Djurin said. “About 80 percent of our beers are German style, from Kolsch to lagers to pilsners to hefeweizens. We have some IPAs as well. “We do throw in some seasonals. We also brewed a pumpkin ale that will be coming out at the beginning of September. We also do Christmas ales.” There’s also a new production facility in Schnitz Ale Brewery’s future. The owner said they just purchased a Progress Drive property in Strongsville. While the Parma venue’s product is currently available in roughly a dozen area stores, the plan is for the new 20-barrel system to allow for Schnitz Ale Brewery beers to be sold in early 2023 throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond. So far, Djurin said Parma’s first microbrewery has been a success. “The reception has been absolutely wonderful,” Djurin said. “It’s a nice place for the whole community to come in and enjoy fresh beer made in-house right here in Parma.” Read more news from the Parma Sun Post. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). Cookie Settings © 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Ad Choices source

[invisible-pink-toast]

What is Tangled the Series about?

[incorrect-schnitz-family]

Kiera: Dad, how long is it until someone starts hallucinating from sleep deprivation?

Lance: I think-

Catalina: Seventy-two hours

Lance:... How do you-

Catalina, staring into empty space over the rim of her coffee cup: There's a clown behind you

[roseworth]

favorite familial relationship -> the schnitz family- requested by anon

[incorrectcoronaquotes]

Rapunzel: I have edge...

Lance: You really don't. You are the most wide-eyed person I've ever seen. You have the face of a cartoon lamb.

[mini-moriarty]

AF x DC Fanfic

https://archiveofourown.org/works/40110768

part one

“At least it isn’t those Fowls,” Alfred laughed after hearing Carmine Falcone was bailed out again, with a slight pinch of nostalgia.

“Fowls? Are they a crime family in England?” Bruce questioned, for all of his knowledge, esoteric knowledge on old English crime families is not his forte.

“Oh lord! Do not let them hear you say that! They’re Irish, they’ve been around since the Norman Conquest,” Alfred laughed, “They’re mainly financial criminals these days.”

“These days? They’re still around after a thousand years?” Bruce questioned, almost impressed, which was made easier by the fact they are generally non-violent.

“They’ve kept their grips on Dublin, I don’t know how far it ranges, but they had a row with the Russian Mafiya a bit back! Perhaps they’ve kept to Europe,” Alfred pondered, while running a damp rag over one of Bruce’s empty mugs.

“Who runs it?” Bruce intently questioned, more out of curiosity than a sense of danger.

“I’d reckon a direct relative, but it’s quite hush-hush,” Alfred frowned, “The last possible boss ship sank, but it’s been quiet over who the successor is,”.

Bruce turned to his computer to do some simple searches on the family, “Maybe he wasn’t in the direct line? That’s a reason to keep it quiet,”.

In his search, the only direct line was Artemis Fowl II, and while he was likely an heir, he was much too young to be managing it all and most likely had a “regent” of sorts.

Alfred leaned over to view the screen, “Wait, is that not the child who has the highest IQ in all of Europe?”

“…intriguing,” Bruce balked, vaguely horrified by a 12 year old running a ten century old crime family.

For all of the Fowl's wealth, they don't appear to mingle with other wealthy European families and remain generally secluded. On the contrary to their quietness recently is their Interpol file, which is filled to the brim like a small library. Under new leadership, the reports mostly died out. For crime families, that doesn't reek of going legitimate but merely getting smarter.

Looking into Fowl II himself is a whole different tale, especially what the child psychologists had to say about him in the past.

DR. Schnitz Utterly disrespectful young man, he felt the need to question my authority and acted with a callous and egotistical demeanor. He told me in our meeting about how much he knew about me, and revealed that he had done in depth research on me beforehand to use against me. My guess is ODD or ASPD, or perhaps a mix of both.

DR. Francis I'm not sure what Dr. Schnitz was talking about. Artemis seems quite normal, but troubled. He told me all about his issues, and we made a plan moving forwards. DR. Francis I see what he was talking about. Artemis revealed that he falsified all the qualms just to see if he could fool a psychologist, I frankly believe he is a pathological liar and agree with the rest of Dr. S' assessment.

DR. Waterford Artemis was sent to me over bring a fellow student to tears over an argument about how to do a maths problem. He maintained that "[the boy] shouldn't have argued if he wasn't willing to back up his points," even though he left him sobbing and needed to be brought home. He seems to find satisfaction in hurting people, and has a sadistic demeanor. Even I'm not sure what to do with him, he needs a specialist.

DR. Po My assessment is that Artemis has a dismissive/avoidant attachment style. He views everyone around him as dolts, especially due to his high intellect. Once he found someone that he respected, he appeared to have calmed down.

Thankfully, the assessments ended after that, but the earlier assessments are concerning, though all but one are from before his teenage years. All of the reports seem more like not respecting authority, and if you are smarter than the authority, it may be hard. The added context of being a crime boss makes the aggression a bit more concerning, but no one seems to note a physically violent demeanor, despite his adversarial persona.

On the other hand is Artemis' bodyguard. Domovoi Butler, a master of many forms of combat and who has worked for the French Secret Service and the FBI, among others. He appears more like a hitman than any other kind of killer, even working for legal organizations due to his skill, only to go on the down-low during 1988 when Artemis Fowl II was born.

Finding current information was impossible, Artemis and co's information was all hidden beneath multiple layers, especially Fowl's financials under Angeline Fowl. From security cameras around Dublin, one could assume that he still resides in the Fowl Manor, but it doesn't say much that Artemis lives in his legal residence.

It would be foolish to try to get information as Batman, as crime families with little information about them are dangerous, especially if you don't want to set them off even more (there is no doubt that Artemis knows someone attempted to access his files), perhaps from businessman to businessman is the best idea.

[tangledbea]

If Eugene and Rapunzel end up having kids, in my mind he’d be as obnoxious about his kid(s) as Peter B is with Mayday LOL — and I say that affectionately of course! Love Peter B and Eugene and the idea of them being obsessed with their kids to the annoyance of everyone around them

The thing is, I can't imagine most people being annoyed by it. As if Rapunzel wouldn't be a doting mother. As if Arianna and Frederic wouldn't be doting grandparents. As if Lance wouldn't be a doting uncle and start telling stories about when Catalina and Kiera were babies, even though he didn't meet them until they were 10. As if Pete wouldn't counter with stories about his cat.

I think maybe the younger generation might get annoyed, like Varian and the Schnitz girls. And possibly the citizens of Corona. "Quick, the Prince Consort is coming, and it looks like he's got new mini-portraits of the young princess. Hide!"

But, on the other hand, can you see a citizen of Corona not being fully engaged with getting to see and hear more about the royal family?

[frozenwolftemplar]

Lol, yes! 🤣🤣🤣

Lance: As 'Supreme Commander Captain General Lieutenant of the First Second and Third Order,' I hereby decree, in honor of the bosom friendship of myself and the King Consort whom I outrank-

Eugene: Hey!

Lance: This forthcoming week as-

Cass: Nothing.

Lance: ...What? No! *jams finger on the mile-long scroll he's reading from* Look, right here, see? National-

Cass: *takes scroll and turns it into confetti*

Lance: GASP!!!! You can't do that! I outrank you! Mutiny!

Cass, with the most smug smile imaginably: Hand of the queen, genius. Only the royal family outranks me.

Lance: ....Really?

Rapunzel, trying very hard not to laugh: Really.

Cass: So unless you can magically become Princess Schnitz- Lance: Okay, that's low.

Cass: -Whatever *that* was is not happening. And don't try making your birthday a national holiday or something. Again, not happening.

Eugene, pulling Lance aside: Okay, I know I'm stuck here, but how sure are you that you don't want to leave the country?

Eugene: I’m King Consort, you can’t tell me what to do.

Varian: Yeah well I’m Lord of Old Corona. I have more power so I outrank you!

Eugene: No you don’t! Rapunzel, does he outrank me?

Lance: *writing up a rank for himself* Soon I’m gonna outrank both of you

[mlynar-nearl]

in review, i realized that these interludes in part of OW are schnitz talking with mlynar, which is excellent, because it tells me so much more about schnitz's voice which i needed for reasons. it has a side effect of proving what is already implied about kirill and mlynar having major differences of opinion and likely having a very tense relationship

and schnitz in the little dialogue he has trying to defuse things a bit by downplaying kirill's position (it's the same as usual, it's not worth arguing again over this, etc)

in addition, there's the rumor that mlynar was disowned (as joked about by toland), which fits with the idea that he and kirill argued frequently

so they argued frequently enough that people outside the family got the idea that mlynar might even be disowned entirely. he really is the, ahem, dark horse. [rimshot]

[kingreywrites]

Sorrow

Fandom: Tangled

Word Count: 1652

Lance Strongbow Appreciation Week Day One: Arnwaldo Schnitz

Summary: Arnie is crying, and he doesn't feel like he will ever be able to stop. The orphanage is new, and scary, and lonely, and he... He only wants his mom to come back.

Note: fair warning this is sad fghshjdf I’m not sure if I’ll be able to participate much but I love that man a lot so I’ll try!! Thank you Bex for organising this!!

Read on ao3

@tangledbea

Arnie's mom was always telling him he was brave. Whenever he came to wake her up because he was afraid of the dark, or thought he saw a spider, she would always smile softly, and boop his nose, and repeat that he was the bravest little boy she knew, because each time he had had the strength to face these fears just long enough to go ask for help. Arnie hadn't been sure about why that made him brave, but he hadn't really questioned it either.

As he was sobbing, curled up on a bed that wasn't his own, he wished he had asked her to explain it. He wished she could tell him again how brave he was, even if it was false, because he certainly didn't feel courageous at all when she wasn't here.

He missed his mom. They- They told him he wouldn't see her again. They told him she was- 

A louder sob broke from his chest, and he didn't feel like he would ever be okay again. His lungs were burning, and his eyes too, and his mom- his mom- he wanted her back. He didn't want to be there without her, where it was dark, and- and smelly, and full of other kids that he didn't know, and it probably had spiders too, and- and- 

"Are you okay?" someone whispered loudly from behind him. Startled, Arnie breathed in with a gasp, before trying to curl up even more. He didn't want to talk. 

He heard rustling sheets, and quiet steps in his direction, and if he could breathe right, Arnie would have told whoever that was that he didn't want anyone here. He had never slept in the same room as so many kids, and he didn't want to be there, he wanted to go back home, with mom, and she- she would know what to do, she always did, she couldn’t- 

"Hey," the voice whispered again - though, given the volume, it could hardly be called a whisper. "You should breathe I think." 

"Sh- Sh- Shut up," Arnie stuttered painfully, tears rolling down his cheeks. Mom wouldn't be happy with him for being mean, but he wanted to be left alone. 

The voice listened to him. For a minute, approximately, but he didn't hear any steps going away from him on the creaking floorboards, so he wasn't exactly surprised to hear it talk again. 

"I would call an adult, but they don't like being woken up during the night," it said - he said, because Arnie was pretty sure it was another boy like him. "Trust me, it's better when they don't come." 

Arnie didn't answer. He didn't want to. He also didn't want any adult anyway, because he had met the matrons today, and he already hated them. They looked mean, they didn't smile, they were... They were not mom. Not even close. 

"You're the new kid right?" the other boy asked, apparently unable to bear being silent for more than thirty seconds. "Most new kids are really sad, so- I mean- yeah," he concluded awkwardly. "Why are you sad?" 

"I- I-" Arnie's teeth were chattering. Sometimes, when he got really scared, he would start stuttering, but it had never been as bad as it was right now. "I m- miss my- my- my mom." 

"Oh." A beat, and then a tiny hand touched his shoulder from behind, patting it clumsily in an obvious attempt at being comforting. "I'm sorry. Do you... Do you want me to go?" 

Arnie sniffled, tears still flowing on his cheeks. He... He didn't know. He didn't know anything right now, except that he wanted his mom, and she wasn't here. She wouldn't- she wouldn't- He was breathing hard again when he answers with a quiet "no", and he wondered if he was heard at all, if the boy would leave him too just because he had been mean and was too noisy and scared and- 

"Okay, I won't go." Arnie felt the bed dip a little, as if a new weight was on it. "I'll stay here, alright?" 

Arnwaldo nodded. He didn't want to be alone anymore. He knew there were a lot of other kids in this very room, all trying to sleep, but- but he felt very lonely anyway on his tiny and unfamiliar bed. At least, until the other boy came to check on him. The next minutes were spent crying more, because mom still wasn't here, but now there was a hand who kindly rested on his arm, and it... He felt better, a little bit. Not much. 

"I'm... Arnwaldo- Arnie," he whispered hoarsely, thinking about the way mom always told him he had to make proper introductions when he met new people. 

"I'm Eugene," the voice - Eugene whispered back, still a little too loud. "Nice to meet you Arnie," he enunciated formally, as if he had learnt the greeting by heart.

Arnie breathed in deeply, and finally turned over towards Eugene. Despite the relative darkness, he could clearly see Eugene's messy and fluffy brown hair as he peered down at him curiously. 

"Do you feel better?" 

"No," Arnie answered harshly. He was exhausted. He could feel his tears slowing down, not because he wanted them to, but because he didn't have the energy to keep them going but- but he would never be fine again. Never. "My- my mom-" 

Eugene grimaced, his eyes full of pity, before he evaded his gaze and looked down on his lap. "I'm sorry your mom left." 

It sounded wrong, somehow. It took a few minutes for Arnie's tired brain to get it, to understand that Eugene didn't know about- he thought mom left him because she wanted to. Eugene thought he was crying because he had been abandoned by a mean mother, and it was like the energy Arnie thought he didn't have anymore came rushing back with a vengeance, burning brightly in his veins. He straightened up quickly, startling Eugene, fresh tears of frustration already falling from his eyes. 

"She's not- She's not- She's dead," he gasped, and he felt like his heart was crumbling all over again, like he was back in the front of his home being unable to enter, with terrifying adults who didn't want to tell him where his mom was. 

He had known she was sick. He had known working was hard for her, and he did his best to make her feel better - he tried to clean their home when she wasn't there, and he made cold sandwiches for them both so she didn't have to cook, and he didn't even bother her at night anymore, because he knew she needed sleep more than he might need a hug. He thought... He thought it would be enough. That she would get better, that they could start living normally again, just the two of them, like it has always been. His dad had died before he was born. Mom... mom was his only family. She couldn't die. She just couldn't, because she was too strong, too brave, too kind, and kind people couldn't die, could they? They didn't deserve it. 

Mom had told him to go into town this morning. To buy milk, like a big boy. He had been so proud that she trusted him like this. 

When he came back, his entire life had changed.

And now he was crying, and Eugene thought that his mom had been mean, but she wasn't and- and he was alone. Arnwaldo Shnitz was alone, and no one in the world cared about him, because the only person who did was dead. Mom was dead. There was a weight pressing on his lungs painfully, and it was worse than everything he had ever experienced - worse than the paralysing fear he felt when he saw a spider, worse than the worry for his mom that had haunted him for months… He felt empty. And he didn't understand, he couldn't, and it hurt-

Arms enveloped him from the side, and he could feel Eugene trying to hug him awkwardly. His hair tickled.

"I'm sorry," he sniffled as Arnie kept shaking. "I didn’t- I'm sorry for your mom. She… She had to love you a lot."

Arnwaldo blubbered affirmatively, crying even harder. Mom had loved him a lot. She had loved everyone a lot, and he- he wanted her back. He wanted to cry and scream and be the most horrible child there was if that meant he could see her again, but he knew- he knew it wouldn't work. Arnie shifted, and hugged Eugene back fully, because he didn't want to be alone, and Eugene was nice, and… His hug wasn't as warm and as comfortable as mom's, but he was trying.

"If you wanna," Eugene said after a while, "I can tell you a story. I know looots of them, and they always make me feel better."

He was still sniffling. Arnie wondered why it sounded like was crying too, but he was too exhausted to say anything. Mom told him stories too. Each night, before sleeping, she tucked him into bed and narrated what she swore to be real stories about her adventures from when she was young - but Arnie wasn't a baby, he knew they had been fake. They would always playfully argue about it, because he just knew mom couldn't have been a pirate, and-

This was the first night of his life mom wouldn't be here for him at bedtime. He gripped Eugene's shoulders tighter, eyes burning again, and nodded silently.

Eugene was still whispering too loudly when he launched himself into his story. It was the tale of a certain Flynnigan Rider, who was about to meet the guy who would become his best friend and partner, Lance Archer. The story was light-hearted, and Eugene seemed to know it by heart. Soon enough, his voice lulled Arnie into an exhausted sleep.

[invisible-pink-toast]

Tangled really be out here giving us the best quality hugs since 2010 huh