So this chapter is coming out a day after the first anniversary of "Home of the Fave," one of the inspirations for this fanfic. I would like to thank DreadedCandiru2 for his continued advice after every chapter thus far. I will continue to write this story whether my base is big or not. I don't own The Loud House, I just think it's really cool.
Luna sat in her chair like a drunkard, completely baffled at how her sweet little brother could act so cold. How did she not predict this would happen? She would have kept stewing in thought if her best friend didn't shake her out of her thoughts.
"Lunes? Luuunes? We need your help in here."
Luna shook her head furiously before responding. "Whuh, how long was I out of it?"
"Not long, but you do seem stressed from that phone call. You want to talk about it?" The brunette stood up and straightened her clothes. "Nah, I just need to keep busy." Sam smiled at her best friend and both walked hand in hand into the kitchen.
A little while later
The dinner that night was chicken thighs in a sweet basil glaze with a vegetable medley and, unbeknownst to the Loud House at the time, mashed potatoes with sparkling grape juice to drink, and for dessert, some cake. Luna and Sam, with help from Lucy, Lana, and Lola, had just finished glazing the many chicken thighs when Rita walked through the door.
"Kids, I'm home," she called before making her way into the dining room to check on dinner. When she saw Sam, she immediately went to speak with her. "Hello Sam, did you help with dinner?"
"Yep, I couldn't leave Luna to do all that work alone, and the twins plus Lucy were more than happy to assist." Rita said "Thank you Sam, why don't you take a couple chicken thighs home with you, we should have enough left over for tonight." Luna then placed the 30 chicken thighs onto two baking sheets and placed both into the oven. "Okay Mom, main course in heating up as we speak."
"That's great honey, just don't forget to cut two of them into small pieces so that Lily can eat hers if she chooses," Rita said with a smile before embracing her younger daughters. She then stepped out of the room, beckoning Luna to follow. "Sam, the veggies are in the freezer, get the big pot's out and let them steam," Luna asked Sam, who simply nodded.
In the living room, mother and daughter sat on the couch. Rita then spoke, "Luna, did you call your brother like I asked?" Luna nodded sadly, catching her mothers concern. "What did he say, did you get through to him?"
Luna sighed. "I got his voicemail, but he didn't sound happy in it. I did leave a message telling him he needs to come home, that it's very important. But that was 45 minutes ago, he still hasn't called or texted me back saying he was on his way."
As if by magic, Luna's phone dinged, indicating a message was sent. Excitedly, Luna pulled her phone out of her pocket to check its content. However, her heart sank almost immediately.
Lori: Hey sis, just picked up Leni from work, heading home now
Luna looked at her mother sadly. "It's only Lori." Rita looked just as downtrodden as her daughter. She thought back to the last few months and how her son had been acting differently. "It's alright sweetie, I'm sure Lincoln still loves you and your sisters, he just needs more time."
At hearing this, Luna looked right into her mothers eyes. "How much? It's like the Lincoln we all know and love doesn't exist anymore," she said in an exasperated tone. Luna then remembered the voicemail message Lincoln had made, and moved to call him again. "Just listen ma."
After several dial tones, the same message from earlier played for Rita, who crossed her arms and said "He does sound mad, but he's still my son, and I'll be damned if he refuses to listen to me." Then Rita fished her own phone out of her pocket and dialed her only boy's number. After the same angry message from Lincoln played for the third time that day, Rita left a message of her own.
Lincoln honey, it's Mom. Pick up the phone and talk to me.
You never said that you'd ignore your mother, so this is concerning.
Dinner is going to be ready in an hour, so you'd better find your way home
Don't let whatever Luna said discourage you, I'M your mother, not her
The anger in Rita's voice was starting to put off the rocker to her left. So a more neutral tone was struck.
Sweetheart, I'm not mad. I just miss you so much. We need to talk.
It'll just be me and your father with you. Your sisters will stay away.
I love you, please call me back or text me when you're leaving
The call ended, and Rita covered her face in grief. "This is all my fault."
Meanwhile, not far away
The McBride household stood still and quiet. In the bedroom of the home's sole child was Clyde McBride and his best friend Lincoln Loud. The two had just finished listening to the voicemails from both Luna and Rita. Throughout both, Lincoln held a look of contempt towards leaving for home.
"They sound genuine Lincoln," the young black kid stated. "I wouldn't want to receive the ire of anybody, not even L-L-L..."
"CLYDE," the other boy shouted. "Now is not the time to be swooning, I need to find an excuse to stay out longer, what ideas do you have for me?" Clyde, a bit shaken by the outburst, was suddenly made more skittish by the entrance of his father Harold.
"What's with the yelling Lincoln? Is everything OK?," he asked. "Everything is fine Mister McBride, just a small disagreement," he responded. Harold smiled at the news, then turned a solemn face. "Lincoln, it's not that we don't like having you, but I'm afraid that you won't be able to eat with us tonight again."
The news sent the deadpan boy into a state of disbelief. "But.. But..?" The grown man held out his palm to shush the boy. "My decision is final, as is my husband's. I'm sorry Lincoln, you'd better get your things together, we're going to eat soon." The man turned away and left for who knows where.
"Guess you have to go after all," Clyde said sadly. "C'mon, I'll help you get your things." Lincoln moved slowly off the floor and towards his overnight bag. The man with the plan was feeling... hopeless.
Back at the Loud House
Vanzilla was pulling into the driveway. Lori and Leni stepped out and walked up to their home. "Remember Leni, let Uncle Avery explain himself to everybody," the eldest sister lightly scolded. "Just go to your happy place, and stay there until he shows up with dad, kay?"
"Like, OK Lori," the bubbly blonde replied. With that assurance, the two stepped through the door. The first thing they saw was their mother and Luna on the couch, the latter comforting the former. "Okaaay, what did we miss?"
Both mother and daughter looked up at the returned blondes. "We're waiting for Lincoln to contact us," Luna explained. "Mom wants him home tonight, and he's playing possum with our feelings." Upon hearing their little brother's name, both blondes couldn't help but grin, Leni more so than Lori. "Linky's coming home? Hooray!" the bubble head shouted, gaining the attention of all those home.
The first down the steps was, unsurprisingly, Lynn Jr. She was followed by Luan, who was holding Lily, and finally Lisa. The tiniest Loud couldn't help but giggle at the mention of her only brother. "Lickin!," she cooed.
"That's what we're hoping for honey," the matriarch said softly to nobody in particular. Just then, a phone went off; but whose? Everybody pulled their phones out, sans Lily, and checked. It was coming from… Leni's phone. "It's Linky," she gasped. The whole room stood still, before the dimmest girl answered the call.
"L-Linky?" she said nervously. "(sigh)I'm coming home Leni, don't send anybody," an exhausted voice that came through the receiver said quickly. "Put it on speaker phone dear," Rita ordered. "We all want to hear his voice." Before she could however, the line went dead.
"Well?," the whole family asked. "Is he coming home?" Leni nodded sadly.
"He'd better not be bullshitting us," Lynn Jr piped up. "LYNN," Luan shouted before covering Lily's ears. "Not cool, or hot." They might have kept on arguing if the sound of a sports car engine hadn't alerted them to the front of the house.
Lynn Sr and Avery pulled into the driveway behind Vanzilla. True to their plans, Lynn had a large cake on his lap with the lettering "To New Beginning's" printed on off-white frosting. "I'll get the passenger door for you, brother." Avery turned off the engine, stepped out of his car, and walked over to let the chef out. "Need a hand?," he offered, taking the monster of a confection into his grasp. "I got this, why don't you grab the other things in the trunk?"
Lynn Sr climbed out, and headed to the now open trunk to retrieve the mashed potatoes and sparkling juice. Avery walked up to the front door, hands full. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar looking figure, but paid it no mind as he had bigger issues to respond to. Just as he reached the door, he was about to bang his head to get a response, but it opened almost immediately. He was greeted by the face he was dreading seeing.
"I'll take this," Rita said. Avery handed the massive treat over to her. She caught a glimpse at the message, before shaking her head in frustration. "We'll see about that," before handing the cake off to one of her older daughters. "Stay inside girls, and that cake had better be in mint condition when I get back" she ordered before closing the door. She then looked at Avery. "We'll talk right here," she demanded angrily. Lynn Sr had the mashed potatoes and bottles in a large cardboard box. "Hey honey," he called out. "Could you open the door for me? There's more to bring in."
"Come up to the porch first, Lynn, I don't want the girls to see him just yet." The patriarch ran up to the stoop with his cardboard box. Rita opened the door again, and grabbed the box from her husband before setting it down inside and closing the door again.
"You know Lynn, I think it's very poor taste to have a garden gnome that looks like Grandma Harriet," Avery said abruptly. The couple looked at the guest with confusion. "We don't have a garden gnome," Lynn said matter of factly. "What are you talking about?" his wife followed. Avery pointed to a nearby bush were he saw the figure just a moment ago, but it was gone.
"Heh, that's queer," he said with a nervous smile. "I'm probably just-"
"You must be the special guest!" a soft, deadpan voice said suddenly. The trio, especially Avery, jumped in surprise. "That's it, that's what I saw," the professionally dressed man exclaimed, pointing to the little girl who just materialized. "LUCY," both of her parents yelled, though Rita might have been a tad quieter than her husband. Lucy ignored her parents and stepped forward to greet Avery, glum face and all.
"Are you a psychiatrist?" she asked. "You must be here to help Lincoln." Avery was still stuck in place. This little girl, no matter how familiar to him, was still off-putting. "Who are you?" he asked as he pulled himself together and got down on one knee. "Sigh, I'm Lucy Loud, I live here, I suppose."
Lynn stepped forward to stand between the two. "Avery, this is your niece." A tear came to Avery's eye as he continued to stare at the little girl. "Lucy," he said as he held out his arms. "You're so beautiful." He then remembered what he'd said just a moment ago and rushed to ease the damage.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to call you a garden gnome, can you forgive me?" Lucy just looked at the well dressed gentleman before her. "Niece?" she thought. "Are you… an uncle?" she asked. Rita didn't want Lucy outside much longer, so she hurried things along. "Yes sweetie, this is your Uncle Avery. You can ask him questions later, go inside with your father and finish making dinner." Her voice was stern, bordering on authoritarian. Lynn and Lucy wasted no time rushing inside, leaving the In-Laws alone.
"Sit!" Rita ordered, pointing to the steps. Avery breathed a heavy sigh, then followed her, sitting inches away. "Why did you do it?" she demanded. Avery knew the time had come, he had already explained himself to his brother, but confessing to Rita was going to be a whole other headache.
"I'll… tell you everything."
The moment Lucy and Lynn Sr entered their home, they were bombarded with questions.
"Who is that?"
"Is that our special guest?"
"Why doesn't he come inside?"
"Where's Mom?"
It was getting to the point that Lynn Sr had no clue who was asking what. In the confusion, Sam stepped out from the kitchen to greet the returning man of the house. "Hey Mr. Loud, dinner is almost ready," the streaked girl said with a grin. "These basil sauce chicken thighs look delicious. Mrs. Loud said I could have a couple to take home." Leni and Lori were not aware that Sam was around, and their first reaction at seeing their potential in-law was the typical…
"EEEEEE SAM," they cheered together, as Luna looked downward in embarrassment. "Did you cook tonight's dinner? That is so romantic!" Luna got up from the couch to break their spirits.
"Look dudes, Sam can't stay because of our other guest; Mom said so." The faces on the blondes changed so quickly you'd swear they were slapped in the face. "Ahhhh man." Sam walked out into the living room to give her piece.
"It's OK guys," she said assuringly. "If it's alright with your pop-star, and my parents, I can come over more often and keep an eye on the munchkins while you're at work." She looked right at Lynn Sr. "Deal?" she asked.
Lynn Sr. pondered for a moment, while his daughters gave him puppy dog eyes. Damn these kids are masters at emotional blackmail, he thought. "Alright, fine, but only if you're not needed at home," he relented. "Speaking of which, you should probably get on your way," he added. "Dinner will be ready soon, won't it?"
Sam nodded, and the room fell into pandemonium with the good news. Sam walked to the couch and gave her best friend a tight hug. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow, pal." The blushing on Luna's cheeks wouldn't go away for anything. Then Sam whispered into Luna's ear. "Good luck with your brother." The blushing remained, but Luna's mood shifted considerably.
"Go out the kitchen door, Sam," Lynn Sr. told the blonde rocker. "Mrs. Loud is having a private conversation with our guest." Sam nodded accordingly. After waving goodbye to everybody, and even giving a few hugs to those who asked, Sam entered the kitchen, the smell of basil filling her nostrils. That reminded her to grab a plastic container from a nearby cupboard, and fill it with two chicken thighs that were cooling on the stove. She exited the fragrant room and into the backyard, before turning to her right and walking around to the garage to get her guitar and amp.
She heard whispers from the front porch, but paid them no mind out of respecting privacy. She power walked to the left side of both vehicles in the driveway to hide her exit. It wasn't long before she was headed directly home, the Loud House shrinking with each step. Directly in front of her in the distance, she could make out the form of a young boy wearing a hoodie, slowly trotting forward, face down. An overnight bag hung over his shoulder.
"Is that who I think it is?" she thought. She hurried up to the figure, calling out to it. "Lincoln? Lincoln, is that you?" The small figure stopped briefly, then quickened its pace out of fear. Sam stepped to the side and stopped as the figure continued to look at the ground. "I thought so," she said with a sad look. When the figure was feet away from her, she grabbed it by the shoulder, refusing to let go.
"NO, let me go," it said weakly in a young male voice. After a few seconds, the boy stopped struggling and looked up at the teenager. "Sam? What do you want?" he demanded as he finally ripped his arm away from her. There were tear streaks on his face, but it wasn't red, so he must not have cried for long. Looking at her best friends' little brother brought back memories of her own brother, Simon.
"Lincoln, were you just heading home?" she asked in a sweet voice. Lincoln didn't say anything, but turned to leave. Sam reached out for him again, pulling him into a hug. The embrace didn't seem to phase him, he just stood there limp. "Look," she whispered into his ear. "If you don't want to talk about what you're going through, at least talk to Luna. She loves you so much." She separated from the boy, looking right into his eyes. "Promise?" she asked sternly. Unconvincingly, Lincoln nodded, and would have walked away immediately if the teen didn't shock him with a kiss on the forehead. It lasted for several seconds, but it was enough to ignite something in Lincoln.
"Thanks, Sam," he said with a smile that vanished as quickly as it appeared. He hurried in the direction he was going previously. Sam stood there a moment longer looking at the shrinking figure, smiled, then continued her journey home.
A/N: Next chapter will be the biggest I've written to date, so I apologize if it takes longer than the one chapter a week standard I've set for myself. I really want to get it right, and when you do see it, you'll understand. To mark its eventual release, I will post the announcement on my Twitter account(My first tweet on said new account), which you can find in my 'lacking' bio page. Until then, be gracious to one another.
