When I see big beefy hairy men

I. WANT. TO. SNIFF.

Don't know why, but I immediately get the primal horny urge to stick my nose in any area of hair that collects sweat and sniff

I can't-

The absolute murderous look in Eugene's eyes when he sees the Stabbingtons because of what they've done to Rapunzel.

Then literally yanks Sideburns forward demanding to know how they knew.

Xavier

Feldspar

Fernanda Pizzazzo

The Stabbingtons

Cassandra

Chapter 6 - A Dastardly Plan

Were this any other warm summer day, Rapunzel would have found the birds’ songs and the softly swaying wildflowers and grasses of the small meadow enjoyable. She might have even come here with lunch and a quilt to have an impromptu picnic with Pascal if it weren’t for the impending doom of their lives changing forever on the horizon.

She thought of the first time she found it while exploring.

Her mother liked this meadow - well, it was more like a large clearing than a meadow. She had brought Ariana here to show her how beautiful it was, and how quiet it was compared to the town of Corona - which was constant noise with the din of people, carts, and horses hooves clopping along the cobbled streets. The song of the town had been with her for her entire life, and she didn’t know how to live without it. 

Out here, among nothing but the forest, sometimes at night, the silence was just too loud.

Lance

When Edmund first came for Eugene, Lance, the Stabbingtons, and Eugene were already in a quasi gang operating from the orphanage. (somewhere between 10 and 12)

Lance was determined to make Edmund not take Eugene away and ruin everything they’d worked so hard for.

Unfortunately none of his usual scare away tactics worked. If anything, they made Edmund want to take Eugene back even more so he can teach him how to be a ‘proper’ prince.

What they did accomplish was getting Lance noticed by Adira and Hector, the latter of which assumed that Lance was Eugene’s equivalent of the brotherhood, trying to protect him from a ‘dangerous’ stranger. 

He’s seen this behavior in rhinos before, he swears. 

Adira is not convinced about the Rhino thing, but she does notice that there is a bond between Lance and Eugene, and to a lesser extent the Stabbingtons, and if they want to make Eugene accept his heritage they need to win over his friends.

So cue Hector and Adira trying to win over Lance (because he seems the easiest) in order to make Eugene more comfortable  with living with Edmund.

The results are mixed. 

Lance grows to like the brotherhood, especially Adira who he develops a puppy crush on.

But Lance also thinks there way of surviving is to focused on the past and not on the very real needs of the present, like food and shelter and paying off the baron.

Even after the gang breaks up and start doing more jobs as solo operatives, Lance still makes sure to come to family events.

He’s the only friend of Eugene’s that Quirin slightly approves of. 

It probably helps that Lance is so good with little Varian.

All the family refer to him as Lance, because that is what he introduced himself as. The only one who knows that is not his name is Quirin, who heard Lance laughing about Eugene’s real name being Horace to which Eugene replied “its better than Arnwaldo.” 

Quirin does not call him that though, because he understands that its not his secret to tell.

The Stabbingtons

The Stabbingtons were in the same gang as Eugene and Lance

They do not trust the brotherhood or Edmund, and might make several jokes about them

but they also get the whole importance of family thing, and so don’t have to much of a problem with Eugene’s adoption.

They are also surprisingly respectful about Edmund’s talking out loud problem, seeing as one of them never talks.

They just don’t want Edmund told anything about thieving because he literally can’t keep a secret.

They’ve been invited to a few gatherings, but don’t really get along with most of the brotherhood, especially Quirin, and so stopped coming as they got older.

Basically as long as Eugene does his job, they don’t care. 

When the movie happens, they do not think to target Eugene’s family, in part because they aren’t sure where he stashed Edmund, in part because even if Edmund seems a bit crazy he’s still a mountain of a man who wears a bear skin as a hood and they’re not suicidal. 

If anything, they are even more determined to catch him in the movie before he has a chance to hide behind his super scary family.

Staylon

Eugene was never Eugene with Staylon, just Flynn Rider.

He always got the impression she didn’t really want to know more about him besides his skills at thievery.

So he never told her anything about his family. 

Instead he tried to keep the two groups of people as far away as he could. With only Lance really intersecting.

Even when she asked him to marry her, and he accepted, he still didn’t invite them.

His family found out of course because Lance spilled the beans.

Edmund was thrilled and determined to go to his son’s wedding.

Quirin was less thrilled, because even though he understood moving on and settling down, he also new that you don't just leave out the fact that you have a family that you visit to a spouse. He told his wife about the dark kingdom and the brotherhood long before they were married, and he doesn’t think a relationship where one party can’t even trust his name with the other is going to last.

He explains all of this to a very bored Varian to justify why they weren’t going. (Also it was planting season, but he left that bit out)

Adira and Hector on the other hand, were determined to go, if only to keep their King safe. 

Eugene isn’t certain he actually wants to get married, but he’s going along with it because it’s what Staylon wants.

Then he sees his dad at the entrance. He panics and tries to get him out of there, but its to late, Staylon sees him, and makes some joke about not inviting ‘crazy’ over there.

Eugene watches his dad’s face fall, watches him get dragged out, and does nothing. Two parts of his brain at war. The side that is Flynn wants to go on as if nothing happened, the side that is Horace wasn’t to flip a table and demand his dad be let back in. 

And Eugene...Eugene does what he does best and runs away from his problems, leaving Staylon at the altar.

Hector and Adira track him down. Hector congratulates him on leaving someone who didn’t respect his family, but Eugene angrily says that’s not why he did it.

To which Adira says that its fine. He doesn’t need to have a reason. If he wasn’t ready, he wasn’t ready, and no one should force him to do anything he doesn’t want to. If Staylon really loves him, she’ll understand.

She doesn’t, and Eugene knew she wouldn’t, but it makes him feel better.

Rapunzel

Rapunzel is introduced to Edmund very early, before she even goes to the palace. Eugene takes her over in part because he just died and wants to thank his dad, in part to show Rapunzel what a parent is supposed to be like in preparation for meeting her own, and in part to create a backup plan if the whole “meeting the royals” thing goes south.

Edmund and Rapunzel get along great, with a few minor awkward moments with the whole, ‘thinking out loud’ problem. 

For instance, Edmund spends quite a few minutes thinking about how rare it was for Eugene to introduce him to a girl, and how it means he must really like her and so he’d better make a good impression. 

Eugene is horribly embarrassed and Rapunzel finds it hilarious.

When their time together draws to a close, Eugene privately tells Edmund to go to Quirin’s just in case the royals are less receptive than they’d expect, and sends him away.

Edmund does not actually leave, instead lingers to make sure Eugene is alright.

 Rapunzel runs into him in town fairly early on when she is struggling to adjust to the palace, and often asks him for tips on this whole royal act she doesn’t really get.

He tries to be sympathetic, and gives her some tips. He also asks her not to mention to his son he’s still in town, as Eugene isn’t supposed to know he stuck around.

Eugene of course, finds out that very day, because a giant of man in a bear cloak is not subtle. 

Eugene is upset, because he had a plan, and Rapunzel doesn’t understand why, because her dad obviously stuck around because he was worried about him.

Eugene explains its because he was worried about Edmund, and Rapunzel gets to see first hand that even loving families can be dysfunctional when they don’t trust each other. 

We’re getting close to the end, guys. Just few more chapters. I’m happy and sad at the same time, because I really like writing this story.

Anyway, onwards with this chapter.

Summary: The truth about Varian’s family is finally revealed. Hugo must save his newly-earned brother before it’ll be too late.

AO3 link is here.

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Chapter 18: Truth Revealed

Varian didn’t remember the way back to the tower. He felt like in a daze, blindly following Mother, her hand gripping his wrist a little too hard, the fact he was completely oblivious to. His mind was spinning, reliving the events from the past week. 

Meeting Hugo, leaving the tower, the Snuggly Duckling, running from the guards and almost drowning in the cave, wandering through Old Corona, the lanterns, Donella and everything that transpired in her base, escaping with Hugo… and finally those two red-haired brothers and a mad dash through the forest in an attempt to escape. If it wasn’t for Mother… Varian shivered at the thought of what could have happened if they caught him. 

He felt a gentle thug on his hair and blinked, emerging from his thoughts. They were back at the tower, the boy didn’t even register how they got inside. He was sat at the chair, Mother unbraiding his hair. It felt familiar, something they did several times throughout the years. Yet, Varian had this feeling inside, something telling him this wasn’t right, that something was off.

The last of his braids came off and Mother hummed in approval, before standing up and brushing off her dress. 

“Now, let’s start on the dinner, shall we?” She said, making her way towards the kitchen. “I am starving. Don’t you, Flower?”

Varian stared at Mother’s back, still not exactly out of his daze. There was something he was forgetting, a thug at the back of his mind. Something important, he knew. But he couldn’t quite place what it was about. 

“You’re awfully quiet, Flower.” Mother spoke up again, her back turned to him. 

“Just… I think I’m forgetting something.” He replied, biting on the inside of his cheek. 

“How about helping me with the dinner?” She suggested in a tone not quite the one he remembered. “You don’t really expect me to prepare it all by myself?”

“I don’t think that’s it…” Varian muttered under his breath and the woman huffed in annoyance. 

“Varian, how many times should I tell you to speak clearly?” She shot him an angered glare. “You know I hate it when you mumble.”

“I’m sorry…” The word “mother” somehow didn’t sound right and he wondered why. 

“I’m sorry, who, Flower?” The woman prompted and Varian suddenly felt strangely annoyed. 

“I’m not in the mood right.” He shot back through his teeth. “But I guess being kidnapped, tortured and held hostage for a week doesn’t really give me a right to feel tired, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t know what got into you, Flower.” Mother raised one brow and he could see she was getting annoyed too. “Is this the way to speak to your Mother?”

“Maybe I don’t want to speak to you?!” Varian replied, feeling more angry with every second. “Did it ever occur to you?! Or you are so self-absorbed you don’t even care what I feel?!”

“That’s it!!” The woman shouted, face scrunched in anger, its colours almost the same as her dress. “Go to your room, now!!”

“YOU’RE NOT MY MOTHER!!” The blonde cried out, and suddenly, the tower was silent. 

They stared at each other, and Varian could swear, the woman stumbled a little at his wording. But, as fast as it happened, her posture was back to its usual regal-like, as if nothing happened at all. She chuckled and smiled at him. For some reason, Varian felt she was nervous and the smile was fake. 

“What are you talking about, Flower?” She asked and Varian suddenly remembered. 

He remembered the bookstore in Old Corona, the drawing in the history books, all the facts pointing to a single conclusion…

“I am the lost son.” He whispered, eyes widening in shock. 

It all made sense now. How he looked so similar to the small boy on the drawing, the lanterns that were sent out on the day of the lost son’s birthday, HIS birthday, the age, the same as the boy’s…

“Varian, I hate it when you-” The woman said and he cut her off almost immediately, brows furrowing in anger.

“I am the lost son of Old Corona’s village leader, aren’t I?” He repeated, this time louder, his gaze staring into the woman in anger. “You stole me from my real parents! You lied to me! You- you kept me in this tower so you could have my powers for yourself!” He threw his hands apart, trembling with anger. “The people you warned me about, the ones who would use my powers for their own benefit. You are just like them!”

Mother- no, not Mother, his kidnapper, stared at him in shock. It seemed she was weighing her options, now that the cards were on the table. Suddenly, her whole posture changed. 

She pushed her shoulders back, making herself bigger than normal. Her mouth turned into a malicious smile, eyes glaring at him with such power, he instinctively took a step back. 

“Oh.. you think you are so smart, aren’t you?” She sneered, taking a step in his direction, making him move back. “That you figured it out and now you’ll just go back to your parents-” She spat out the word as if it burned her tongue.”-and live happily ever after. With this little friend of yours, what was his name? Henry? Huey? Oh… that’s right…” Her gaze turned malicious and Varian felt a shiver go up his spine. “Hugo…”

“What did you do?!” He cried, trying to not sound terrified. She laughed and he felt another shiver tremble his frame. 

“I wouldn’t worry about him. He’s left on a well-deserved holidays. His own room, who cares if the doors are locked and the window has bars?” She replied nonchalantly. “He won’t leave it for at least few years, knowing his crime record.”

“You sent him to jail?!” Varian shouted and the woman sent him a death glare. 

“Be thankful I didn’t kill him on the spot.” She sneered and in two large strolls she had him pinned to the wall. “Now, be a good boy and sit still. Mother needs to pack.”

~~~~~~

Hugo’s head lowered and he stared at the cracked floor. How stupid of him to forget about The Stabbingtons. He heard a lot about the two brothers over his years as a thief. He knew they were ruthless and didn’t forgive traitors. Still, he was too confident and proud to think he could trick them, escape with the loot and not face any consequences. 

He should be thanking whatever god was up there they only decided to knock him out and give him up to the guards. They could have easily killed him, especially right then, when he was tired from all the running and had no weapons on him. But his fate wasn’t what troubled him, if he was to be honest. 

The Stabbingtons knew about Varian. Somehow, they learned of his existence and, what was even worse, about his powers. Sure, the kid was resourceful and could easily knock a head or two with his frying pan, but The Stabbingtons weren’t regular thugs. Varian wouldn’t stand a chance against the two. His blood froze at the thought of the boy on the brothers’ mercy. And he couldn’t do anything from behind those bars. 

Suddenly, he heard shouts at the end of the corridor. They were barely audible at the beginning, but soon he was able to distinguish words and, what was even more surprising, the familiarity of the voices. Shocked, he approached the bars to his own cell and looked towards the source of the shouting. 

To his surprise, the guards were leading the same two people he was just thinking about. The Stabbingtons were shouting threats and insults at the guards, while trying to somehow escape. All to no avail, and they were quickly shoved inside another cell, directly opposite Hugo’s. 

“What are you doing here?” The bespectacled teen questioned, confused by the whole ordeal. It was hard to imagine Varian beat the brothers up and left them for the guards to find. 

The brothers were silent, so he decided on a different approach, taking up his usual nonchalant tone. 

“What? Did the kid give you a hard time?” He smirked and crossed his arms on his chest. 

“Hah, the kid was scared like a baby of the monster under its bed.” Burnsie replied with a huff of annoyance. “It was the damn lady.”

“Lady? What lady?” Hugo questioned, genuinely interested now. “You mean his mother?”

“Mother? What a joke!” Patchy barked a deep laugh. “Gothel would never have a kid of her own. She hates kids like dogs hate cats.”

“She tricked us. First she told us about the kid and his powers, and when we almost got him, she knocked us unconscious and led the guards to us.” Burnsie explained. “She probably wants the powers all to herself. Wrecked witch.”

Hugo felt the gears turning in his brain. If Mother and Gothel were the same person (and, at this point, it was safe to assume they were) then Varian was in deep, deep trouble. Especially, if he really is the lost son. During the time in Donella’s base Hugo not once heard the kid mumble about it, and it seemed very probable at this point. If Varian somehow let it slip to Gothel, then who knew what the witch would do. Hugo wasn’t stupid, he heard about Gothel several times. And none of the things he knew were good. 

A sudden chitter made all three of the prisoners jump in surprise. Hugo looked down and his eyes widened at the sight of the familiar raccoon. 

“Ruddiger?” He called and the animal chittered in response, coming closer and pushing something inside his cell. He picked it up and noticed it was the key to his cell. The clever raccoon must have stolen it from the guards. But if Ruddiger was here, then that must have meant- “Goggles is in trouble, isn’t he?” 

Ruddiger chittered anxiously and pointed at the key and at the door. Hugo wasted not another minute to open the cell and follow the raccoon. 

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?!” He heard guards calling after him. Crap, he’d have to lose them before he can go after Varian. 

Suddenly he heard a loud war cry and the guards were pinned to the wall by one of the pub thugs, Atilla, if he remembered correctly. He stared in shock at the scene, when he was suddenly grabbed by the shirt. With a hook. 

“Hook Hand?” He questioned, eyes widening. “How did you guys know-?”

“The raccoon led us here. He was pretty persuasive.” The man explained and set the teen roughly on one side of the plank, the other facing up, leaning against the barrel. Ruddiger scrambled up his shoulders and gripped him tightly with his claws. “Now, head down, arms in, knees apart.” Hook Hand instructed. Hugo, baffled, followed the instructions and then he heard another cry and looked up. 

Vladimir was flying through the air, having just jumped down from the second floor, and fell right on the other side of the plank. With a terrified yell, Hugo was shot up and over the prison wall, landing safely on the other side, in the haystack. 

“What was THAT?!” He cried, shaking his head to get rid of the dizziness. 

“Come on, McCoy! Before they open the gates!” Another thug, Toll, called out. Hugo saw he was holding the reins of a horse and he immediately understood the intentions. He jumped up the horse’s back and grabbed the reins, shooting a quick thank you to the man. 

Hmmmmmm