Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino.

Dark Beginnings

By Lola Presents

Chapter 6 - Revelations

Lincoln slept a bit late that morning, partially due to not wanting to face his parents again but mostly because he felt safe, nestled in his warm bedding. But, there comes a time when one can't sleep anymore, regardless of how much one tries. Hearing one of his sisters' doors open and close, he rose and got dressed, ready to head for the bathroom.

The extra rest did his body good but cost him an early place in line. Not all was glum, however. Lucy stood last in the queue. Taking his place behind her, he wondered if she had just as difficult a time sleeping last night as himself. Their parents and siblings had become aware of their unusual affection the previous evening, which had stressed them both.

Neither knew how their family would react to the news of their love. Nor had they any inkling of how their parents would handle the situation. But one thing was clear, at least for Lucy. She was in love with her brother, and nobody would rain on her parade after winning his heart. When she noticed Lincoln had joined the line behind her, she stepped back and leaned against him, prompting him to wrap his arms around her.

"Good morning, you," Lucy cooed, tilting her head back to gaze up at him.

"Good morning to you, too," Lincoln whispered before kissing her forehead.

"Do you mind?" snapped Luan, who stood in front of the love-struck goth. "It's bad enough that you two are playing house. But we don't need to see that."

"Oh, shut up," declared Lucy, glaring at Luan. "You're only jealous!"

"I am not!" barked the girl in the plaid skirt. "It's downright icky. The only reason nobody else is saying anything is that you're family!" Luan scolded, folding her arms and turning away.

"Give it a rest, Luan," demanded Lana, who stood before Luan. "Mom and Dad will fix it."

"One can only hope," Lynn muttered under her breath. "I hope they get separate penalty boxes!"

"Okay!" barked Lincoln, having heard all he wanted. "That's enough. If you don't like it, fine, but keep your thoughts to yourselves."

As Leni left the restroom, Luna entered, advancing the line. Choosing to remain quiet, those left in line eventually got their turn, and soon enough, everyone finished, heading downstairs for breakfast. Similarly, the morning meal passed with little conversation. Instead, Lincoln's and Lucy's siblings merely glared at them as they sat beside each other, eating from each other's plates or feeding each other.

Even their mother, who had prepared the meal, remained silent as she served them before retiring to the living room. Having ignored her children's affectionate displays, Rita remained conflicted. Her husband had suggested that they allow their seeming love for one another under the assumption that it was a phase and wanting to avert further problems, should they rebel, regardless of punishment.

While there was merit to his argument, she didn't like the idea. Allowing such behavior was equivalent to permission. Though Lucy was safe, being younger, Lincoln stood the chance of getting arrested should the wrong person discover what was going on. Furthermore, she and her husband were also at risk for permitting it in the first place.

However, Rita knew that the key to parenting resided in being united when facing challenges. So, for the time being, she relented. But should her children show any signs of risky indiscretion, she would have to put her foot down. Hopefully, Lynn would get proven correct, and Lucy would lose interest in her brother.

Eventually, as people finished eating, they placed their things in the sink and silently left the kitchen, leaving only Lucy and Lincoln. After getting abandoned, things remained silent for a few moments. It seemed that nobody supported them. One would think that in a family as large as theirs, at least one person would have their back, but that didn't seem the case.

"Lincoln?" inquired Lucy, picking at her food.

"Yeah?" her brother responded solemnly.

"Why can't they see how happy we are together?" the macabre girl asked.

"They do, and that's the problem," Lincoln muttered, finishing his meal. "They're afraid," he said.

Lucy pursed her lips, then sighed, abandoning what remained of her food. She had gotten the man she wanted and should be happy. However, the isolation Lucy was beginning to feel from her family heavily weighed her down. She loved Lincoln with everything she had, but at what cost?

Lincoln had sensed it too. While he was sure that he and Lucy could find happiness together, how substantial would it be when everyone around them was miserable? It turned out that the risks of getting arrested and societal backlash weren't the only things they had to consider.

After finishing his meal, Lincoln lightly kissed his sister on the cheek and left the table. Once he placed his things in the sink, he headed upstairs to put on his socks and shoes. Then, waiting until the coast was clear, Lincoln slipped from the house and headed downtown, something he wasn't supposed to do alone. However, there was something he had to do.

Almost an hour later, he stood in a sterile hall, facing a large wooden door. Lincoln knocked, gathering his resolve to face his assailant, figuring he couldn't do any harm at present. His feelings were mixed. On the one hand, the boy beyond has hit his sister and gotten him beaten up. On the other hand, he'd surprisingly admitted to instigating the entire affair, absolving Lucy of her actions, and he had to know why.

"Come in," Lincoln heard Chandler call with some difficulty.

Tentatively, Lincoln pushed open the door and quietly walked in, unsure what to expect. What he saw shocked him. Bearing several large gashes on and around his head that had gotten stitched up, the young bully looked like a rabid canine had savagely attacked him. Most of his hair had gotten shaved around the wounds, making him look like someone with a mental health condition.

"Oh..." complained Chandler, unwilling to move his head due to the pain. "I hoped it would be my parents or friends," he muttered. "What do you want? Did you come to gloat? Is that it?"

"No," offered Lincoln, hesitantly walking closer and sitting in the only available chair in the room. "I only want to talk."

"About what?" griped the prone boy. "I already confessed to everything," he reminded Lincoln. "What more do you want?"

"Actually..." began Lincoln, furrowing his brows. "That's what I want to talk about," he told Chandler. "While we're thankful you did admit your involvement, I have to wonder why. It's not like you."

"Why do you care?" spat the injured young man. "It's not like anyone else does."

"That's not true," Lincoln offered, feeling nothing but pity for Chandler. "I'm sure your parents..."

"My parents?" laughed Chandler, interrupting Lincoln's consolation. "My parents have visited once since I got admitted here!" barked the enraged boy. "And neither have my friends..." he said, seemingly calming down, "...nobody has."

Lincoln looked at the boy's battered body and saw him in an entirely new light. Chandler had been a pain in everyone's side since first grade, and though he deserved what he got, maybe he wasn't as bad as Lincoln had thought. In light of the new information, Lincoln began to wonder.

"That's unfortunate," Lincoln said, acknowledging Chandler's forced confession. "Maybe you need different friends?" he then suggested.

"Like who? "griped Chandler, wishing Lincoln would go away. "You?" he quipped, cutting his eyes toward him.

Lincoln pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment. His rage had not yet abated, but Chandler seemed to be struggling, and, being who he was, Lincoln couldn't let that go unanswered.

"How about you start with the truth," Lincoln suggested. "And we'll go from there."

Chandler took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Of all the people who could've come to see him but didn't, why did it have to be Lincoln? Not only had Chandler hit his little sister, but he'd assaulted him too. Still, he was there and seemed open enough.

"My parents and I don't exactly see eye to eye," Chandler murmured, closing his eyes to avoid emotional entanglements. "I'm a huge disappointment to them," he confided. "They're pretty well off and expected me to be some smart, overachieving trophy they could point to and say, 'we made that.' But when that didn't happen, everything started to suck."

"I see," sighed Lincoln, staring at his lap. "That has to be difficult to live with," he acknowledged. "But why harass people? Why Lucy? She's never done anything to you?"

"Yes, she did," Chandler whispered after a few moments of awkward silence. "But, you wouldn't understand," he added, regaining some of his defensive sensibilities.

"Try me," Lincoln requested. "I have ten sisters, you know. I'm pretty good at listening."

For the first time, Chandler moved, turning his head to face his rival. Then, after studying him for a few moments, the young man unexpectedly decided to trust him. Chandler closed his eyes again, silently beginning to weep, unable to contain his sorrow and desperation any longer.

"I'm so sorry..." he wept. "Please, tell Lucy that for me. Alright?" he sobbed. "I never meant to hurt her, but I couldn't..." he stammered. "I couldn't..." he tried again.

"Couldn't do what?" prompted Lincoln softly. "It's alright," he offered. "I'll keep whatever you say confidential. I promise."

Opening his weary eyes, Chandler stared at Lincoln.

"I couldn't tell her how I felt about her," he admitted quietly. "Lincoln, I love Lucy, but I had a reputation to uphold, and..." whimpered Chandler. "Please, don't think badly of me."

Thinking badly of him is precisely what Lincoln did. However, he now understood Chandler's motivations and reasoning. A real man would've told his friends to fuck off and professed his love openly. Then again, Lincoln was sure his parents would've disapproved. And though Lincoln felt mostly pity, a modicum of empathy surfaced.

"Chandler..." Lincoln muttered. "Lucy is smart, beautiful, friendly, and mysterious. I understand what you see in her," he offered. "But..."

"I know..." cried the boy lying on the gurney. "I hurt her," he reminded himself. "She probably hates me now."

"Yeah..." muttered Lincoln, lowering his gaze.

Part of Lincoln wished things had gone differently for Chandler and his sister. If the boy hadn't had such a depressing life, maybe Lucy would be with him instead, and none of this would've ever happened. The other part cried out for Lincoln to leave and avoid further discussion with Chandler.

After Chandler's initial confession, Lincoln had conditionally offered him friendship. But now, the conflicted young man didn't see how that was possible. Chandler was in love with his sister. And should he ever discover their relationship, it would devastate him, making things worse.

"Anyway," choked Chandler. "I'm sorry. That's why I confessed to everything," he offered mournfully. "I didn't want to hurt her any further."

"Alright," Lincoln sighed as he stood, preparing to leave. "I appreciate your honesty," he said. "But, I have to go home now. I didn't tell anyone where I was going, so they're probably worried."

Chandler gave a slight, painful nod as he watched Lincoln head for the door.

"Hey, Lincoln?" he called before the boy could make his escape. "Thank you."

Returning Chandler's nod, Lincoln smiled before leaving and quietly closing the door behind him.

"Has anyone seen Lincoln?" inquired Lucy as she wandered into the living room. "I can't seem to find him."

"Hopefully, he ran away and left your nasty ass," griped Lola, grimacing at her sister. "Honestly, what's wrong with you?"

"That's enough, Lola," snapped their mother, putting down the magazine she was reading as she sat quietly in the recliner. "Leave your sister alone," she ordered.

In shock, Lola stared at her mother wide-eyed. Even at seven, Lola realized that incest was wrong, though not precisely why. It was something she'd unconsciously picked up over time. The subject never came up in conversation, and she'd never once seen siblings together.

Now that Lola thought about it, she realized how ignorant she was. Could she have been wrong about incest? As the little girl contemplated the concept, her brows wrinkled in consternation. Couples of all races, religions, and genders were allowed to love one another. Why should familial relationships be any different? After all, love was what made the world go around. Right? Who was she to deny her siblings such a wonderful gift?

"Thanks, Mom," replied Lucy, quite relieved at her reaction.

"Don't thank me yet," Rita told her daughter. "We need to discuss this with you and Lincoln once your father gets home from work."

"Alright..." sighed the deflated youngster. Then turning, she headed for the door. "I'll be back," she quietly informed her mother. "I'm going to look for Lincoln."

Believing her brother might have gone for a Flippee, Lucy headed off toward Flip's overpriced gas station, looking for him, only to have him stroll around the corner once she'd reached the intersection at the end of Franklin Avenue.

"Lincoln!" she chirped, running toward him, her long silky black hair billowing behind her.

"Lucy?" Lincoln stammered, looking up from the segmented pavement underfoot.

Taking in her beauty as she approached, it was as if time stood still. Momentarily forgetting about the encounter with Chandler, Lincoln only saw the love of his life as she flowed flawlessly toward him. Her grace was as sublime as she was mysterious, and Lincoln wouldn't have her any other way. Opening his arms, he accepted her, oblivious to their public surroundings.

"I was wondering where you went," cooed Lucy, nuzzling his chest. Then, gazing up at him, she pressed him on the subject, realizing he hadn't gotten a Flippee. "Where did you go, anyway?"

"Well..." he stammered, holding Lucy's head tenderly. "Something about Chandler's unlikely confession was nagging at me," he informed her. "So, I went to see him just now."

"And?" prodded his sister.

"I'm sorry, sweetie," Lincoln sighed. "But, that's between him and me," he said firmly. "As much as I'd like to, I can't betray his confidence."

"What?" gasped Lucy, surprised at her brother's reply. "He hit me and beat you up! He doesn't deserve such confidence!"

"Normally, I'd agree with you," responded her brother, kissing her on the head. "But this time, it's warranted. Trust me," he added, "you don't want to know, anyway."

Lucy stared at her lover for a moment. Weren't couples supposed to share everything and be honest with each other? What was so crucial that Lincoln couldn't tell her? Regardless, one thing she did understand was the need to keep a promise, especially one of confidentiality.

"I understand," Lucy sighed, squeezing him warmly. "I trust you."

"Thanks, sweetie," cooed Lincoln, kissing her on the head again as an older couple passed by them, giving them odd looks. "Let's go home."

After entering their house while lovingly holding hands, their arms swaying as they walked, they headed for the kitchen, where Lincoln fetched two cups from the cabinet and poured them servings of tea to cool off.

"Here you go, sweetie," Lincoln chirped, handing over Lucy's cup. "It sure is hot out today. Maybe we should go to the park."

"Or the cemetery," suggested Lucy, grinning as she tested her lover's resolve.

"Uh, yeah," acknowledged her brother. "Sure. Why not?" he chirped a moment later.

As the young couple chatted, Lola peered at them from under her bangs. They certainly did seem to love each other, yet she couldn't help but feel disgusted. After all, that's what her social programming dictated. But with her earlier realizations, she marshaled her feelings.

"Hey, Lucy," Lola quietly interjected, idly holding her juice box with both hands, slowly turning it in circles.

"Oh! Hey, Lola," replied Lucy. "What's up?"

"Listen..." began their admonished sibling. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier," she admitted. "Though I still don't it. Lincoln's our brother. He's smelly and annoying. But you truly seem to love each other. Who am I to say it's wrong."

"Thanks, Lola," sighed Lucy, taking a seat at the table. "That means a lot."

"Well!" interjected Lincoln, feeling ignored by Lola, considering she had discussed him while he was present. "I'll leave you two to chat. I have a video game calling me."

"Okay, honey," chirped Lucy, lifting her head to accept a kiss before her brother left.

"Lucy..." sighed Lola once their brother had left. "I don't know if you know it, but you're changing. You're not the sister I once knew, and it scares me."

"What do you mean?" inquired Lucy, propping her head up with one arm.

"Honey? Sweetie?" Lola repeated. "What's with the cheeriness? And, look at your hair!" she declared, reaching over and pulling a sizeable strand out for display. "You're almost back to your natural color!"

"I suppose I am changing," Lucy admitted, letting her guard down. "I can't help it. I feel so alive now," she told Lola. "But people change all the time. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"That's what I'm afraid of," answered the pageantry queen. "If someone like you can change after falling in love, I have to wonder what will happen when I find that special someone. Will I change?" she wondered out loud. "Will I still be me?"

"Lola..." cooed the young goth. "I'm still me," she said. "I still like all the things I used to. Only now, my relationship with Lincoln is more important. You'll still be you. Don't worry!"

Lola was about to reply with further concerns when their mother waltzed into the kitchen. Going silent, she returned to her juice box.

"Lucy?" said Rita, getting her daughter's attention.

"Yes, mother?" she replied, turning to face her.

"Your father's home," Rita informed her. "Please, go get your brother so we can talk."

"Yes, ma'am," Lucy sullenly replied as she prepared to head upstairs.

"Good luck," offered Lola, much to her mother's surprise.