Drama v2. Well now it came near end.

Also honestly I like to see comments in my fanfics, so please give me your opinions :(

It has been a normal, but ironically tough days in this house. The moon was already rising, but their problem didn't seem to be over.

In the house, after her oldest sister and her brother went outside, only one thought lingered through her cold heart.

The girl went into her room, and packed what she was supposed to teach him. The black pearl, skull, rituals book... She couldn't stand the fact how silly she was. Just this made her regret even harder, realizing how she mistreated her brother.

"Dang it."

sighed Lucy Loud, lying down the bed.

One says human is a learning animal. However, Lucy was far from this. She made a huge mistake that she doubted she would ever do. To someone she liked the most, who told her not to do this.

"I'm quite comfortable with who I am."

And that was the boy's last sentence before he fell down. This word was in her brain forever, hitting her more hard over time. She just wanted to bury herself.

She could have prevented it. She could, why she didn't say a word when everyone was killing her best brother's dream? She didn't know he was this fragile, maybe... Although he showed it once he said he was going to meet a new girl...

Lincoln Loud. Her brother who had weird interests like her. It would be endless if she talked about his kindness. She could see people having same interests as her, but it was rare to see people accepting her interests. And she now realized how lucky she was to have brother like Lincoln.

He accepted all her jumpscares, creepy interests, and superstitions. And then her? Just threw it like some kind of joke. Stupid Lucy, it never went off even though she repeated it herself for like thousand times. What if she just said "guys, quiet."? And she couldn't say that one sentence, silly...

Dang it, her mind wasn't getting any progress. She just grabbed her poem book, and started writing anything to relieve herself.

Lincoln

Kinda crooky

who could bear spooky

Yet fragile, while nobody realize

Would you come back?

I've done something bad

Something bad that...

And the poem stuck here. She went out to ask, but to realize there was no one to ask.

Lincoln was quite surprising, since he was good at rhyming out of nowhere. Wnenever she needed help, her older brother was always there to dedicate. She couldn't thank enough then, and she couldn't even thank now.

And this memory started to poke her. That time, when Lincoln was still Lincoln...

It was when she was 6, exactly when she went to school for the first time. The school was not quite different from what she imagined, but that was the problem.

Small Lucy was just sitting in the table, like a black statue. Though it was lunch class, her meal remained uneaten on the tray.

It was because no one was there. Everyone was chattering and eating meals together. But why? She knew there aren't many people that have as same interest as her, and she was used to eating alone. But... this was different. She felt like she shouldn't eat it. Because what called, 'loser's shame"?

Her face never changed a little bit, but her mind was like this. She never felt this isolated, although she thought she likes being isolated. But in reality, she was a person too. And only silence remained around her until...

"Hey Lucy."

"Yikes." Lucy turned around, only to see that white haired boy. "Oh... It's you."

There was Lincoln, who just appeared alone. Strange, Clyde would be always next to him.

"Why aren't you eating your lunch?"

"Uh... it doesn't taste good." Lucy muttered awkwardly.

But then her brother lowered to her face level.

"Is there any problem?"

"...sigh."

Lincoln saw no facial change, but 6 years spent with her made him know it. Lincoln took his seat next to her, as he tapped her shoulders.

"Yeah, the kids are really harsh sometimes. They just want to hang out only with what they like." He said sweetly. "When I first got into school, they bullied me for a week for having white hair."

"They will never like me..." Lucy hardly uttered, almost soundlessly.

"They? Don't care about them. Just make one that you can trust the most." Lincoln replied. "Like I trust you."

But Lucy wasn't saying anything, as if her mouth stuck.

"Right. Let's go to somewhere that might make you feel better." said her older brother. Lucy just felt like following him, as if he had mysterious attraction. They went up the stairs, to where Lucy haven't even visited yet in the school.

She felt little awkward, but her brother was leading. Finally they arrived at a room, with full of strange charts and chemicals and somewhat strange smell.

"Annnd... Here it is!"

Lincoln went in searching several seconds, and shouted. Going back to her immediately, he grabbed her hand and led her inside. And Lucy, just wondered at that place. Seeing that familiar thing, the classic spookiness of her kind.

"This is the skeleton. Sorry, this was all I could find."

She stepped forward, and touched those fake bones carefully. It was kinda refreshing, even more because it was in school. The two just stood in the empty science room, sharing their unique experience. And Lucy started to return to her spookiness, while Lincoln just watched her.

"Hey."

"AHH!" That time, Lincoln jumped off.

And there stood another gothic girl, with only one eye shown. Enough to say, she was like Lucy.

"What are you doing here?"

"We're just... wait, then what are you doing here?" Lucy asked back.

"I just... there wasn't any spooky place that has skeletons, vampires or like that. Until now."

Then Lincoln got up quickly, as an energetic boy.

"Oh really? Lucy's been finding it too! You guys might wanna keep going."

"My name is Lucy, what's yours?"

"I'm Haiku. I like vampires."

"Do you watch vampires of Melancholia?"

"That's my favorite show." And the two high fived, though with little facial change.

"I think my job is done now." said Lincoln, watching the two. "So good luck, Lucy."

"Who's him?"

"He's my older brother, Lincoln. He helps with poem." Lucy said.

"Well, then let's go. We still have a lot of haunted place to get in school."

"Alright." Then Lucy walked along with her. With her last whisper towards him, "Thanks Linc." Lincoln just watched them leaving, satisfied. At his little sister doing well, overcoming her crisis.

"That's my sis." And Lincoln left as well.

And she returned from this really good past to harsh reality.

She had to admit, she had fragile side. But why couldn't she think of Lincoln? Kind men always gives a lesson: be good when they're kind.

Dang it. Now she was a step away from crying. her eyes were already full of tears, though no one will notice. Or maybe, like the past, Lincoln will... No, he changed, because of her.

But then, the door sound was heard.

"...Linc?"

And up came the two Louds. One being boy with the white hair, who had a really small smile on her face. With his white hair, he seemed oddly miserable as if he was in hospital.

However, Lucy, seeing him, immediately lost words. Like all the memory was triggered to be erased by his appearance. She had to say sorry. Or, she won't stand it. But her mouth didn't open, like always.

Lincoln just saw her standing there like a statue, again. As Lori tapped his shoulders and walked away, there left two Louds again. Dang it, she didn't know why the hallway was this silent now.

"Linc, I..."

She was still standing there like she got tazzed. The white haired boy, however, seemed a little different from what she has done.

"You need something?" He asked rather casually. "Oh, you need rhyming words, right?"

"Y... Yeah. Poem." Lucy answered awkwardly. And the two went into her room, much easier than she thought.

Lincoln seemed a lot better. At least, he seemed to do something other than studying. He nervously touched things nearby.

"So, what do you need?"

"Something that rhymes with 'bad'."

"Well, what theme?"

"regret..."

But she immediately realized, she made a mistake. His face immediately changed, that will make Lucy regret even more. She just wanted to bring back her words into her mouth again.

However, Lincoln didn't say anything, and just proceeded to think.

"Well, dead, sad, said and... dread?"

His rhyme machine started working again, thank God. Like everyday, he built up words in seconds with his ability.

"Ah, thanks..." And Lucy immediately started writing, being careful not to be seen by Lincoln.

Not only she wrote it because he gave words, but this scene seemed too awkward for her. It'd be a good distraction, and apologizing should place next, she thought.

Something bad

That no one said to dread

But his inside was dead

As I made him that.

Lucy stumbled. Is she really worth to apologize now? Like spilled water cannot be brought back, it will never change, as she know. Her mind was tangled, while her body stood still like tangled, too.

"Is this all? So, I'm going now." Then Lincoln just stepped to leave the room,

Only to see someone grabbing his hands.

"Can you stay here... for a little more?"

said Lucy.

The two sat on Lucy's bed, with Lincoln fotunately answered her. The two stuck closer, but not completely.

"So, what's it about?" said still practical Lincoln. However, Lucy still remained silent.

"Sigh..."

"Yeah, I guess so." But, Lincoln seemed to have no clue about her. Lucy tumbled like she was doing a life or death mission. But looking around for something to say, she just got something.

"What is it like space?"

The gothic girl just asked, looking through the window.

"Aw, Luce." said her brother. And he also turned her head to her side.

"I... I just wanted to know. Just for my-"

"I know. I'm just... Glad that you asked."

The boy smiled, as he started to return to his original. His eyes focused on the stars.

"The space is a best place. It's full of awesome planets, shiny stars, and giant spaceships."

Lincoln had his arm on her shoulder.

"I know... right? Unfortunately, the universe's too large to go anywhere. And I am too weak to be an astronaut." He said. "But... I think it's still beautiful. Cause Imagination is free."

"That's... good." Lucy muttered, still not catching the timing. However, Lincoln seemed much more comfortable than any other times recently. He just seemed like a real child, for last.

"Oh right. And for you, the universe's full of dark place. Blackholes, UFOs... there are still a lot of things covered in dark vale." He spoke.

As he always did, he exactly knew what she wanted. But contrary to her. She blamed herself, stupid Lucy. It was the time to say, but her mouth didn't open.

"Ah man, I'm recalling too much. Come on Linc..." And Lincoln just wiped out a drop of tear on his eye, which was reflecting starlight.

She couldn't watch anymore.

"Lincoln."

"What's it?"

"...How come did you forgive me?"

Lincoln stood silent. Making Lucy anxious than ever. She already spilt the words, there was no going back. Lucy, wasn't good at accepting, but she had to.

"...Right." he seemed to remember.

"That day... we called your dream useless..."

"Gosh Luce, it's not your fault. You just said truth." Lincoln spoke with half self torture, but he was smiling.

"No Linc, I could have prevented this, if I was more careful like you..."

For the rarest time, Lucy's voice seemed to contain emotion. Desperate.

"Then what's 'this'?"

And all her memories came.

"...You were not Lincoln."

Then Lucy leaned her head towards him, close enough for Lincoln to hear her silent weeping. Silence went though them. Lincoln was still looking at the stars, as if he was trying to forget something. While Lucy kept leaning on his shoulders. The two most silent kids stood there.

"You know... Sorry for being harsh on you. I only thought about studying."

said Lincoln. More about self torturing. She couldn't let him.

"No, it's my fault. I ruined your own life..."

"At least you are better than me."

"For what? You're good at studying, literature, and all good thing that good brother can have." said her. "I am actually... jealous of you."

Lincoln stuck dumb for a moment.

"You may be right, Luce... Because you're a really good sister. But I have to keep going. Or someday, I won't be able to cover..."

"Because we would dump you?"

That struck the little boy's mind.

The dreams started to replay. The painful memories, terrifying future. It was his urge to replay this and punish himself. No, no not this. Not in front of his best sister. He needed to stand still, and be good to her. Lincoln kept looking on the stars, but this time to keep away from her. Not to make her see his miserable eyes.

"Gah..." The boy sighed, as if he was doing an impossible mission. His voice didn't have energy at all.

"Why are you hiding..?" The silent girl, his sister asked once again. To her brother who was hiding real him. The white haired boy stood silent, at these dreams of his past and future.

"Just look at the stars... It's so beautiful." He said aimlessly. "Ancients used the stars to find way. How useful, even they are light years away..."

"Don't distract."

"I don't want to be a burden to you..." He hesitated, with a emotional voice. The dream was already echoing in his body, heating his body like flu virus. "I want to be like star, to do no harm..."

"You're always good to be a boy, Lincoln. Because I can feel you."

"If that ever happens, everyone would notice me... right?"

"Please, Lincoln. What do you want?" She asked rather directly.

His inside was mess with his sister and his dream's thoughts. His emotional wall was collapsing by his closest sister, and his eyes were wet. But one thing, it just pierced all.

"...Don't leave me alone."

A drop of tear just flew on his cheek.

And the riddles were all solved. As Lucy touched Lincoln's shoulder as gratitude, his emotions started to emerge.

Lucy sat aside, handing him tissues. The young boy acted like he released all his childish suppressed in those days. In simple words, he cried. Lying on Lucy's bed, he weeped silently. The gothic girl didn't like someone on her bed, but this time she had to give excuse.

How ironic. That a boy who seemed to care about only himself, actually cared about his family while caring himself for the last. It seemed like everything has switched. Like minutes ago Lincoln was comforting her, but now she was right next to him to comfort him crying.

"My family went well without me... It was too realistic..." Lincoln spoke silently, to be barely distinguishable for Lucy.

All Lucy could do was solacing him with words, with a little touch.

"And then Bun Bun... disappeared, and, and..."

"Everything's just dream, Lincoln. We can't imagine a day without you."

"Really?" He said like a real child.

"Yeah, with all spirits." said Lucy.

"But my family... what if they don't?"

"They always want you." she said. "Like I always need you in poems."

Gradually, the boy's sadness seemed to decrease, and the sound went more silent. Though it wasn't always sure provement for the master of hiding feelings. The white hair did not show his face. Though he was older, for now he seemed like a cute baby brother who was crying for help. Lincoln was crying with his heart, just this scene was the rarest.

Then, someboy opened the door.

"Hey Lucy, you wouldn't believe-"

It was Lynn. But to immediately realize Lincoln next to Lucy, who didn't seem to be normal. The white hair didn't even looked up at her. Lucy gestured "Shhh" at her, and Lynn had brain to realize that it was serious.

"Uh... I'll be in living room. Have a good time." And Lynn left awkwardly, closing the door.

Seeing her leave, Lucy just looked at the stars again. Shiny, she could understand why he had such a fantasy. It would be a good poem to involve universe, she actually thought. Why did Lincoln think this beautiful universe was useless?

"Lucy."

She heard him calling. Then he seemed to murmur something in the pillow.

"I can't understand. Can you please stand up?"

And the 11 year old boy finally got up again. With his eyes rather red, and salty marks on her cheek. Lucy could finally look into his eyes.

"That's a lot better."

"Why didn't you let Lynn in?" He asked.

"Uh... I thought it would be best not to disturb you."

"Don't mind me. I don't want to be a burden of anyone." He started again.

"Oh Linc... But sometimes you have to fight for your right. Everyone has right to do that." "Imagine you stole my spellbook. Then-"

"Why would I steal your spellbook?"

"Of course you won't. But there are some people like that, and like... let's suppose that I accidently stepped on your model. What would you do?"

"I should make it again."

"And for me?"

"You... should pay for that." He carefully said.

"Right, this is real you, and the ideal you. We are all like that. So please... don't sacrifice yourself."

"I know. I was just... uncertain." He spoke silently.

"And don't turn back like that ever again."

Then Lucy hugged into him. Two little children relied on each other, and finally they could change emotions again like 2 years ago.

"Looks like we had a lot of trouble." Lincoln said with relaxed voice, seeing at the stars again. "But... it will be fine as long as you are there, like the stars in the universe."

And he pet her head for the last time, and released her.

"So... you are back again, right?"

"Right. You can come anytime when you need rhyme." He looked a lot more energetic. Wiping out his tears, he stood up.

"If you want us anything, just tell us."

"No, no... I don't want anything, really." He said, trying to be casual. "Good night, Lucy!"

"Good night, my brother." She waved her hands.

And then Lincoln finally left to his room.

The next day...

The sun was almost in the middle. And the little boy was still asleep in his room, which seemed never more peaceful. The boy finally slept with a smile on his face, after like weeks of hardest study. Bun-bun was still hugged in his chest.

He barely opened his eyes. The sun was shining brightly, almost making him hot. He took off the blancket, so that he could feel some better. Ah, what a good sleep.

"Had good night, sweetie?" And a familiar voice was heard. It was good, until he realized he woke up quite lately.

"Ah! mom, what time is it?!"

"Calm down, Linc. Today's Saturday." She said. Oh right, yesterday was Friday. He sighed out of relief.

"You must have been very exhausted."

"Yeah... I guess right." Lincoln said, as his stomach growled. "How long was I asleep?"

"15 hours. And it's 12 a.m. now." She said, as he slowly walked out of bed. Lincoln wasn't fully conscious still, as his brain wanted more rest. He wanted to stay in bed for a little more, but his stomach didn't let it.

"Lunch's ready. You even skipped last dinner." said Rita. "Come to kitchen when you're ready."

And his mother left. Oddly warm feelings surrounded the white haired boy, maybe because his pajamas were too long, he thought. But everything that disturbed him seemed to be gone like snow, that had been stuck inside him. As nothing bad happened, no bad dreams got, he even felt strange about this.

Anyways, Lincoln went to eat his lunch. His sisters were already waiting there. Seeing him, Lucy firstly greeted.

"Hey Lincoln." She spoke silently, but he could still hear it.

He spoke nothing, and just went to his seat. Not intended to ignore her, just he felt so awkward. Lunch was ready, and he started eating it quickly, as he skipped two meals.

"Hey Lincoln, you look... cooler today!" Lynn said a little awkwardly. He spoke nothing again.

"Gah Lynn, Lincoln is always awesome by himself." Lori said.

"What else can we say about this cutie?" added Leni.

"Guys, this is getting too obvious." But Lisa interrupted. "Brother, we geniunely apologize that we aren't talented in-"

"No. That's fine." Lincoln finally responded. "You are... always the best. Lisa you too."

And then just silence went through for a moment. Until the scientist spoke again.

"You know Lincoln... We're officially sorry for what we secretly spoke 3 weeks ago."

"Yeah... right." said all siblings except Lincoln.

"And I accept we made a huge mistake there. I now admit Ace Savvy is one of the best hobby."

"I... appreciate it." He said. "Speaking of which, there are plenty of comics I didn't read, so can someone bring me to comic book store today?"

"Me me me!" Everyone raised their hands, as if it was a competition.

"Guys, only Lori has driver license."

"Oh." and other siblings went silent.

"You don't need to neccessarily do-"

"Sure Linc, follow me after lunch."

said Lori. Lincoln seemed to concern a little bit, but Lori accepted without a doubt.

moments later, Lincoln sat on the sofa, reading his comics. As he wore full clothes for 3 weeks, he didn't feel like wearing only his underwear. It was a new experience to smell any books other than textbook. There were plenty of unread issues, bunches of things to catch up, and time to rebuild his fan's love.

As he surfed through the book peacefully, her mother's voice could be heard.

"You are really giving up? Lincoln is one of the most promising stud-"

"I said we are giving up. We have made him too much burden." Her sound could be clearly heard.

Some moments later, another man's voice could be heard.

"Now? But... if we finish this lesson we can fully prepare for the high school."

"No. Even if my son forgets everything, his life is more important. So I'm quitting."

How good was that, theoretically. Now everyone was respecting his dreams. But why he thought 'theoretically', was because he learned from all of these, look beyond.

He closed his book again, and headed to his room. Everyone seemed to respect him again, but that just seemed... with other purpose. Sure he wished he could go naive again like the past, but this was what he carved in his brain through all of this. This was fact. Reconsider everything...

He walked through the hallway with loads of thoughts like that. But then, something bumped her.

"Hey, Lincoln!"

He barely looked above, to see a brown haired girl.

"Wanna play catchball outside?" said Lynn. "Sure I wish something more extreme, but then I thought nah, you're weaker than I think. Because... you know."

Dang it Lynn. Just... how could she be normal again in a day? Does she have some secret of 'how to forget and reset your emotion'?

But he thought, he had to do something. Or it felt like his childhood would never return.

"Oh... yes I guess." He tried to be energetic.

LINE

He went outside. He had not realized that the backyard was that large before. Or he has been too out of date. Lynn then passed him baseball glove, which he also didn't think it was that large.

"Catch, Lincoln!"

He missed, and the ball almost fell on his head. It seemed that his muscles were out of date too.

"Don't worry, dude. You'll be better." She said from distance. Lincoln grabbed the ball, and threw it to her back.

After several games, Lincoln seemed to reload his happiness. Though his accuracy went up just a bit, his action became more energetic like a plant met with water.

"Right, Lincoln. What I said. Exercise make you feel way better." She said.

"Yeah, I guess right."

"Just in case, this isn't too hard for you, right?"

"No... not at all. I like this. This is actually refreshing!"

He seemed to be much brightened, at least for now. He high fived her, and returned into his house. His childhood, hopefully seemed to return gradually like this.

"Hey Lincoln!" At his house, Lana and Lola greeted him first.

"Hey twins." He welcomed them like before, cheerfully. "What do we get here?"

"We are doing tea party, wanna come?"

"Of course. And don't forget your companions." He spoke, and went along with the two little sisters. Seeing him, the older sisters just smiled.

"Aw, it's becoming much better. Thanks Lucy." said Luna. Lucy just nodded her head without a word next to her.

"Finally we have our little Linky back." added Leni. And it felt like everything has ended, having Lincoln finally back, and Lincoln got their love back.

Just for now.

After such long day, Lincoln was asleep again, with comics lying on his bed. No homeworks, no contests, there was peace. Bun-Bun's fur would be never more satisfying than this moment.

However, the boy's face still seemed down, and drops of sweat appeared on his forehead. He didn't stayed still, as if something was chasing him.

"AH!" He screamed and woke up, with anxiousness shown again. But fortunately, nobody heard it.

Or should he say, unfortunately.

"That nightmare again..."

Then he cleaned up his comics obsessively once again.

What does that mean? Did he fully recovered? Obviously not... Final chapter coming soon, and I'd like it before Christmas.

Hint is the chapter's name. Since there's only one thing left that he's uncertain.