Tristen: No, not really. Halloween isn't that big of a deal in my hometown. But so I have more than enough time for my Halloween chapter.
Knightoftime: There definitely is something with Lynn. But we'll find out about that later. I would love to know about your thoughts and ideas about Lincoln's harem. I already have ideas on how it all goes, but this always can change.
jasongd: Well, I can tell you that much. It will expand from its current point. But it will remain my secret for now how far it will grow.
I apologize for the delay, but I hadn't good ideas for this chapter. I still have some cool ideas, but they all will take place after the Halloween chapter. So I'll now focus on that chapter, which means there will be no other chapter until Halloween. But for that, that chapter will be larger than the usual 2000 word chapters.
Disclaimer: The Loud House belongs to Nickelodeon.
Chapter 62 More plans
Ellie and Isaac sit at the porch of her home.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Isaac. The last time you have visited me was as you had told us about Benny's death," Ellie says.
"I thought that if I would ever show my face here, your dad will throw every kitchen knife at me that you have," he answers jokingly.
Ellie laughs out loud. "Well, maybe he would have at first. But this all has been over a year. Also, we now know that it was Damien's fault."
"Yeah. But it was still me who had introduced those two to each other."
"No one of us had seen that he is a psychopath. Don't beat yourself up because of that." Ellie lays a hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe I feel better when you finally punch me in the face for that. I rather have that than that look you gave me that day."
"Wow. That sounds like I have actually hurt you. Could it be that the high and mighty Isaac has a soft side?"
"Yeah, and I also am in love with you," he says sarcastically. "Listen, it's just that... I feel responsible for you. Benny isn't there anymore to watch over you, so I'll do it for him. I owe him at least that."
"Oh, please. You owe him nothing, and neither do you owe me."
"Neither does Lincoln. But you can't get away from him."
"That's something else, Isaac."
"And what is it then? Did you fall for the little Don Juan?"
"Stop calling him that. He isn't a womanizer. He is too respectful to be one."
"That's probably the reason that everyone is interested in him."
"Do you know?"
"That he is with his sisters? Yeah. He had told me. I would have guessed that he is telling you about it too, with the truth about Benny out."
"It still is strange to think about it. Benny, in love with me. Why... why haven't I noticed it?"
"Because he was hiding it pretty well."
"But why? I wouldn't have hated him for it."
"He thought he was a monster. He didn't want to make you one too. Benny was too good-natured and selfless to do that to you."
Ellie sighs sadly, "Yeah, that is typical of him."
"So, now tell me. Are you interested in the little dude or not?"
"Since when have you become interested in the love-life of others?"
"I just want to help. It looks like Lincoln is doing you good, and you're doing him."
"He has his sisters. There is no space for me."
"So you want him. One girlfriend more doesn't hurt."
"I don't think his sisters would like that."
"How would you know? Befriend them and then let things happen."
Ellie looks suspicious at Isaac. "Are you planning something?"
"What? Me? Never," he answers sarcastically.
Lucy was sitting on her bed. "It is so quiet when Lynn is not here. Why is she avoiding me?" She hugs herself. "I feel so lonely. I haven't seen her after school today. Or Lincoln."
The little goth was wondering. After her brother had turned back home, he was in his room and hadn't left it. So she decided to look after him.
A knocking at his door took Lincoln out of his stasis.
"Who's there?" he asks listlessly.
The door opens, and Lucy enters his room. "It is me, dear brother. Is something bothering you?"
Lincoln lies on his bed like a lifeless corpse.
He sighs heavily, "I don't know. I feel like having no energy or will to do anything today."
Lincoln lags any kind of emotion in his voice or overall demeanor. And not only on the surface like Lucy. No, she even can't notice any of it at all with him.
The door closes again. "Maybe it is your depression. Sometimes it is like that. I can ask Lisa if she knows something that might help you."
"Thank you, but no. I just lie around until the day is over. Maybe tomorrow is a better day again."
"Okay." Lucy comes closer to his bed. "Would you be so kind, and make some space, kind sir?"
"Sorry, Luce. I don't even feel like cuddling right now," Lincoln says and rolls to the side.
"That is okay." Lucy lies down next to him. "I just do nothing with you together. That way, at least you are not alone."
The young boy turns back to look at his sister and secret lover. A small, barely noticeable smile appears on his face. "Thank you, Lucy."
The days go by, but unfortunately, Lincoln is still no better.
His sisters begin to worry about this, especially Lucy.
"Do you have any idea what we can do for our beloved brother?" asks the goth her science-loving sister, after explaining Lincoln's current behavior.
"Hm, that is not good," mumbles Lisa to herself. "Losing interest in the things he most enjoys. If this continues, he could lose interest in life itself."
"Gasp. We can not let this happen."
"You're right, Lucy. You have to show him something that arouses his interest again."
"But what could it be?"
"That is the problem here. It could be anything. An old hobby he hasn't participate in for a long time, or something completely new."
"Maybe Isaac has an idea. Thank you for your advice."
"No need to. He is my brother too."
Lucy quickly goes back into her room and calls Isaac.
He picks up even though he should be working. Lucy explains the situation to him.
"Sound serious. Bring the little dude to the cafe. I might have an idea."
It wasn't an easy task for Lucy to convince Lincoln to go with her, but when she wants it, she can be very stubborn. Not as much as Lynn or Lola, but enough to make Lincoln move.
Arrived at the Black Coffee, they got greeted by Haiku.
"Hello, you two. It is nice to see you again, Lincoln."
"Hello, Haiku. I can not help to notice that you are here quite often," Lincoln says in such a monotone way that even Haiku was speechless for a second.
"Hm, I see what he was meaning," mumbles the elegant girl to herself.
"What did you say, my dear friend?" asks Lucy, confused.
"Oh, nothing. Come on, sit with me. You see, Lincoln. This place has the best atmosphere and the most delicious tea. So I enjoy it very much to be here," Haiku explains while they sit down at a table.
"Yeah, I understand what you mean. The tea here is pretty good, and the place has something that you can feel around you."
"I hope I do not offend you, but may I ask you what is bothering you?"
"There is nothing. I am just a little down for no reason. It is probably just a phase. It will be over again soon."
Lucy and Haiku notice the way he is talking. Looks like he is full goth mode again.
"My dear friend, would you mind looking after Isaac? I believe he is taking a break."
"Of course," Lucy answers and walks out of the building to where Isaac usually smokes.
After Lucy had passed the door, Haiku was turning her attention to the young boy at her side.
"All right, Lincoln. I know that you go through a hard time, and I can understand that this all is not easy, even with the help of your sisters. But if you let yourself hang like that, there might be no chance of recovering again."
"It is easy to say for you. You never had depression."
"That is true. I do not know how hard this all really is. But I know what it can cost. And I do not want to see you vanish from this world so early."
"Sigh. I understand. It would make Lucy sad."
"It definitively will. But that is not the only reason."
Lincoln looks at her with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Lincoln. We are friends too. But I consider you not just a friend but a very close friend. Someone I would trust without a single doubt. A friend that I know I can count on. A friend... who even might show me some of the more beautiful sides of life."
While Haiku talks to Lincoln, she gets closer and closer to him. And he also is leaning more towards her.
"H-Haiku. Have, have I ever told you how beautiful your eyes are? Eh, I mean, eye."
"Oh, Lincoln. You flatter me. You also are a good looking human."
"Are, are we flirting with each other?"
Haiku smiles at him. "Oh, believe me, Lincoln. You will notice when I flirt with you. Even a blind person would see it when I get flirty. But let me tell you a little 'fun fact' about having covered one eye by the hair. No one is noticing it when I wink at them."
Lincoln gulps and begins to wonder how often she might have done that to him without him noticing it.
"There you are. I thought you have a plan to help Lincoln," Lucy says to the young man who is smoking.
"Hey there. Don't worry, I have already done something. If you want to know what it is, I tell you."
Lucy looks at Isaac with a studying look. "What do you have in mind?"
I'm sorry that this chapter is a bit short again, but as said, I hadn't that many ideas. But with the Halloween chapter itself and everything that comes after, there will be a lot going on. I'm very excited about it all.
Stay tuned and have a great day.
