Loud House: Flash!
4th Flash: Saved by the Sister
"I recall that this caused nothing but grief the last time you specifically partook in this activity, Lincoln."
"Oh, come on, Lis, what's the worst that could happen now?"
"I agree, Buddy. Besides, I'm kind of interested after hearing Lynn's fortune."
"Eh, nothing I didn't know already!" Lynn shrugged with a smug look before returning to her pre-meal workout.
The house's adult occupants droned on in the kitchen while the Loud and McBride kids all lounged about in the living room.
"Sigh. Shall we get started?"
Lincoln and Clyde both leaned in while the Loud sisters sans Lucy, who sat crossed-legged with her tarot cards before them, and Lisa who was scoffing at the sight before her eyes, each went about their own business, only barely cognizant at what was going on around them.
"Deal me in, Luce!"
Ignoring Lincoln's comment, Lucy began doing her routine just as before.
But, as the cards were lain out, her demeanor grew quiet. Far more so than usual.
Everybody in the living room noticed.
"What's up, Spooky?" Lynn asked, her workout halted.
Lincoln, after noticing how much paler Lucy looked than normal, nervously asked, "Uh, Lucy? I-is something wrong?"
After hastily scooping her cards up, Lucy shook her head furiously and stood up. "No. Nothing. It's really nothing. I mean it-"
"You realize," Lisa lisped, "that saying that will immediately get everyone's attention, correct?"
"Is it bad? It's bad, right? Just lay it on me, Luce, I can take it. I'm man enough. I'm gonna die, right? Or worse, get sent to another universe where all I have are brothers who'll annoy and bully me endlessly?"
As Lucy steadfastly refused, Luan looked at Lincoln askance. "How is that worse than death, Linc?"
"Try ten dutch ovens, not just one."
While Luan stuck her tongue out and wretched, Lynn smirked. "You kidding, Stinkoln? That's freaking heaven!"
But Clyde begged Lucy, "Please, Lucy, please tell us! I gotta know so I can be prepared to help Lincoln through it!"
"Awe, Clyde."
"None of that sappy stuff, Lincoln! Besides, where you go, I go, remember?" Clyde shivered. "And I don't wanna go there yet."
Lincoln groaned. "Agreed."
As both boys pestered Lucy, it got not only the attention of the Loud sisters, but also the adults of the house as well when Lucy was finally cornered by the pleading boys.
"What's up, kids?"
"Literally don't worry, Dad. Just another fortune reading Lucy gave Lincoln."
"Oh, like that time at the park?"
"Yep."
But while Lynn Sr. explained to the McBrides and Albert what that was all about, Lincoln finally clasped his hands before his face and whimpered, "Please, Lucy, tell us! I need to know! Pretty please?"
She finally wavered. "You really don't want to hear it."
"I can take it!" Clyde announced, earning a strange look from Lincoln and several of the sisters.
Lincoln was about to say something, but Lucy sighed and clasped both hands over her brother's shoulders.
"Lincoln," when he looked her in the bangs, Lucy continued. "The cards, they said that… well," her cheeks grew pink and she hesitated for a moment. Then, after some encouragement, she blurted out, "They said you would marry a sister."
Everyone fell deathly silent then.
"I take it back; I can't take it!" Clyde wailed.
"B-but that could m-mean any-"
"And you'll know by tonight which one it will be."
Even the McBrides were slack-jawed and speechless.
While Lincoln stammered and his sisters all stared on in shock, horror, and not the slightest bit of disgust, Clyde looked around in a blind panic. "Air! Air! I need some fresh air!" and with that, he rushed to the window-
"Lincoln!" he practically squealed. "Get to the door! Quick!"
"How's that gonna help, Clyde!"
Before anyone could get a word in, Clyde barked, "Do it! It's your only hope!"
Lincoln shot up like a bullet and fled to the door heedlessly, barely stopping in time so as not to bowl over a new and unexpected arrival.
"Uh, Lincoln? This is your house?" mind frozen, Lincoln nodded dumbly. The girl groaned, then straightened her uniform. "Well, anyways. I'm selling cookies-"
Then it all clicked for Lincoln.
"Joy?"
The girl stopped mid-spiel and gave him a look. "Yeah?"
Shocking everyone, Lincoln threw himself to the ground on one knee, clasped her hand in his and declared, "I'll make you the happiest woman ever if you'll only marry me! Please!"
The house went quiet as Joy, in her scout's uniform, looked at Lincoln in a mixture of horror, shock, and utter terror.
"Uh," Joy began backing away while Lincoln shuffled forward on his one knee. "I think… I'll just leave these here as samples! Bye!" and with that, she abandoned the several boxes of cookies she'd been holding, rushed back to where she'd left her wagon, and began running like her life depended on it.
Lincoln, meanwhile, didn't stop for a moment as he gave chase, declaring all that awaited her were she only to be his bride.
"Well, that was a close one," Clyde sighed with relief while everyone either laughed, sighed in relief or, in the Loud parents' cases, called after Lincoln. "Don't you worry, Lori, you have ol' Clyde looking out for you!"
"Gee, literally my hero," she snarked absently before looking back at her phone.
End of 4th Flash
A/N: I may enjoy those stories but that don't mean I can't poke fun at 'em! Really wish they'd give Joy more focus, though... and Mollie, of course.