Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino
Tainted Love
By Lola Presents
Chapter 16
Now that Lincoln and Lori had a room of their own, somewhat removed from the rest of the family, things began to settle. However, it wasn't immediate. Over the next two weeks, their siblings constantly wanted to come in for no apparent reason, though they insisted they had one. But by the end of the month, even that stopped. It seemed that the lack of evidence regarding anything interesting left them disappointed.
Interestingly, neither Luna nor Luan visited them much during that time, which raised suspicions in Lincoln and Lori. Their sibling's behavior during the days before getting the room had already proven beyond explanation, often leaning on the devious. However, neither Lincoln nor Lori felt obligated, or even slightly interested, in doing any digging. As with everything in their home, the truth would eventually get revealed.
A soft knock sounded upon their door late one Friday night as if on cue. "Hey, guys?" called a faux English voice. "It's me, Luna. Are you awake? I need to talk to you."
"Now?" mouthed Lincoln as he pulled his head from between Lori's legs and sat up on his knees, much to Lori's amusement. "Hang on..." he called back as the two quickly donned their robes and tied them off.
After letting Luna in, they pulled the covers back and slipped into bed. And as Luna took a seat on the edge of the bed, Lincoln addressed her. "So, what is it, Luna?" he inquired. "We were about to go to bed."
Luna made grimaced awkwardly but brushed it off. "Guys..." she spoke softly. "I hate to bother you this late at night, but it's the only time I could," she announced. "I think we might have a problem."
"Oh?" quipped Lori, adjusting her covers. "Would it have anything to do with how squirrely you and Luan have been acting the past few weeks?"
Luna's eyes narrowed, and she looked her sister up and down. Well, as much of her as she could see, anyway. "You knew?" Luna asked, somewhat surprised.
"We aren't idiots," Lori responded. "We knew something was up, but not what it was. Now, please, go on..."
"It's about Luan," Luna muttered nervously. "Well, not only her, me too, but not in the same way..."
"Luna..." Lincoln sighed, yawning tiredly. "It's late. Can you get to the point? You're not making any sense."
"Okay, fine..." conceded the rocker. "Just before you got this room, I caught Luan diddling herself. I wasn't being nosy or anything, but she was making a lot of noise, and I couldn't sleep. After a brief discussion, she admitted to having a crush on Lincoln, and I confessed to having one on you, Lori. But, I was dead-set on staying out of your way, out of respect. But Luan has other ideas," she explained. "I'm not sure what, though. Or how serious."
Lori blinked twice and shook her head, shaking off the initial shock. "Okay, wait..." she requested. "You're attracted to me?"
Luna tilted her head to one side and blushed. "Yeah, dude," she admitted. "But, given our family history, it's not that surprising, is it?"
"Well, no," sighed Lori, accepting Luna's affection as a compliment. "It's just that I've never thought of you that way. I hope you aren't too disappointed. Besides, I'm with Lincoln."
"Oh, no!" declared Luna, waving off any insinuations. "I didn't mean to suggest anything! I respect your relationship. That's why I'm here. I mean, you go back to college soon. What if Luan tried something with Lincoln while you were away?"
"She can try all she likes," Lincoln interjected, almost feeling neglected. "She won't get very far."
"Okay, then," accepted Luna, rising to leave. "I only wanted you to be aware."
"Thanks, Luna," cooed Lori, snuggling up to Lincoln. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Luna replied, turning the light and closing the door behind her as she left.
Lori thought about the odd interaction for several minutes once her eyes closed. Her brother's response to Luna's questions bothered her, though she wasn't sure why. Of course, Lincoln hadn't gotten much opportunity to say anything, so maybe he would've clarified his position had he been given a chance. Still, it was better to ask than wonder.
"Lincoln?" whispered Lori a few moments after Luna left.
"Yes?" responded Lincoln, rolling to face her. "What is it?"
"Are you attracted to Luan?" Lori asked, point blank, striking Lincoln in the heart.
"I guess?" Lincoln faltered. "I mean, she's attractive. Yes. But I'm not in love with her or anything. Why?"
"I don't know..." Lori whispered insecurely. "It's just that you said she wouldn't get very far instead of she wouldn't get anywhere. There's a difference. How far would you go with her?"
"What?" quipped Lincoln. "Nowhere. You know that. What would you even ask such a question?"
Lori shrugged, exposing her right boob. "When I first realized I was in love with you, I thought I had gone insane. But then, I learned you felt the same way about me. At first, I couldn't handle it. It all seemed so unreal. Then, I learned the truth about our family history."
"Is that what this is about?" inquired Lincoln. "Who cares about our family history? If we're in love, we're in love."
"Yes, but..." replied Lori hesitantly. "Incest runs strong in our family and hearing that Luna and Luan have feelings for us got me wondering if you had any feelings for any of our other sisters. I mean, " she said before pausing to marshall her emotions. "I wouldn't be surprised or even upset. Besides, you'll be alone down here in a few weeks."
"What are you suggesting?" asked Lincoln, surprised at his sister and lover. "I wouldn't do that to you."
"I know," sighed Lori, her heart rate increasing. "I'm only saying I'd understand if something happened while I'm away."
"What?" gasped Lincoln, astounded beyond measure. "Lori, I..." he stammered. "What about you? It would help if you weren't lonely either. On the other hand, I don't want you to screw other guys. I know that sounds selfish, but..."
"It's not that, Lincoln," cooed Lori suggestively.
"What is it then?" Lincoln inquired, looking his lover in the eyes and seeing something he'd never experienced.
"Maybe Luna and Luan have a point," she finally admitted. "What if we opened our relationship up to them?"
Lincoln closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "Lori..." he murmured. "It's too late to be thinking about this. I'll think about it, okay?"
"Okay, Pooky!" Lori chirped. "I love you! Goodnight."
Lincoln returned her affection, kissed her goodnight, and rolled over. When it came to sleeping, however, he failed miserably. Was Luan cute? Sure. Could he have sex with her? Why not? But he also needed an intimate emotional connection, as he felt with Lori, and Lincoln wasn't sure he had that with his other sisters.
In any case, he wasn't even sure he could be with more than one person. When he loved someone, he gave them his entire heart and expected the same in return. Then there were their parents and the outside world to consider. It was already difficult to manage one incestuous relationship, let alone multiple.
What was Lori thinking, anyway? Was she secretly harboring an attraction she hadn't admitted to or was she only being supportive of him and his needs? Could someone love another to that degree? Slowly, he began to consider her proposal. If they extended things to Luan and Luna, how long would it be before they included others, and where would it stop?
Then, his train of thought pulled into the station with the question of what happens when the younger girls begin to show interest or copy their older siblings? Refusing them might split the household in half. Accepting them, well, that made his stomach turn. There was no way in hell that he'd ever sleep with one of his immature sisters.
Finally, as his brain collated and cataloged his thoughts, he found sleep.
When morning broke, Lincoln's and Lori's alarm clock rang, waking them. Not having windows meant an alarm clock was essential. And after they rose, showered, and brushed their teeth free of morning breath, Lincoln caught Lori before she left for breakfast.
"Hang on a minute, Lori," he said, sitting on the bed, patting the covers beside him, indicating he wanted her to stay. "I considered what you said last night, and I'm not opening up our relationship is a good idea," he said before explaining his reasons.
"I see," murmured Lori, seemingly disappointed. "I understand. But, you have to admit that the temptation that curses our family is there. Right?"
"What do you mean?" asked Lincoln. "Do you have feelings for someone else?"
"Maybe..." sighed Lori, unsure of herself. "It's just..."
"Just what?" prodded Lincoln, wanting the truth from her.
"If we're okay with incest, why not polyamory?" she asked pointedly. "And, I have to admit, after Luna's admission last night, I've started seeing her in a new light."
"I see," murmured Lincoln, furrowing his brows as he thought. "So, it isn't other men you're interested in, but our sisters?"
"Mmhm," hummed Lori, batting her eyes at him. "Luna, at least."
Lincoln rose and began pacing. "That's the problem, Lori," he told her. "If this thing grows any more, and others start speaking up, it's going to become one huge mess, especially regarding the younger ones. Surely, you can see that?"
Lori shrugged. "Maybe not all of them will feel the same?"
"Oh, come on, Lori!" Lincoln barked, running out of patience. "You heard Lola the other day. She's already questioning what we do in here when we're alone! What happens we she finds out? What about Lisa and," Lincoln continued before pausing to swallow, "Lily?" he finished, sitting back down, resting his head in his hands. "I have a bad feeling in my gut right now."
"I tell you what," suggested Lori enthusiastically. "Let's wait and see what happens, okay? And we'll go from there."
"Yeah," sighed Lincoln noncommittally. "Sure."
"Good," cooed Lori, kissing him and then rising to fill her belly with breakfast. "Let's go eat."
Lincoln lingered a moment to consider everything that's happened and that they'd discussed. What in the world was going on? It was like something out of a poorly written fan fiction. Sure, their genetics probably played a significant role in things, but that was no excuse for what Lori suggested. Or was it?
Was it indeed in his genes to like his sisters? Or did he have some say in the matter? But for all his musings, he had to admit that Luan did look highly sexy when she got dressed up and let her hair down. And Leni, as untouchably innocent as she was, had some nice knockers. Even Lucy had writhed her way into his dream that night.
Finally, he rubbed his face, sighed, and joined his family upstairs.
Aside from returning everyone's morning greetings, Lincoln remained primarily silent as he ate his pancakes and sausage. As covertly as possible, he scanned his sisters, looking for any hint of attraction to and from them. His search began innocently enough, but proceeding through the ranks caused him to stiffen, forcing him to adjust his positioning under the table.
Maybe there was something to the family history after all. If so, their parents royally screwed up having so many kids. There was no way this would ever work, and after finishing breakfast, Lincoln left the table quickly. All he wanted at that moment was to get away from them, even Lori. And, going to their private bathroom, he sat on the toilet seat, lost in thought and breathing heavily.
He refused to acknowledge his body's response to his younger sisters, assuring himself that it was some trick testosterone might play. However, he wondered about Lori. Was she only attracted to Luna, or were there others? How far down the list did her attractions go, and would he be able to live with it? Still unabated, his erection maintained its firmness.
"Lincoln?" called Lori from beyond the door a moment later. "Are you in there?"
"Yeah," sighed Lincoln, standing and flushing the toilet for cover. "I'll be out in a second."
"Are you feeling alright?" Lori asked as Lincoln stepped from the bathroom. "You left so suddenly that I thought you might be sick."
"No, I'm okay," stated Lincoln, not entirely convincing Lori. "I only have a lot on my mind."
"You mean about what I said?" Lori inquired understandingly.
"Yeah," replied Lincoln. "I kind of wish Luna had never come to us. After everything, I couldn't help but think of our sisters during breakfast, and well, I just had to rub one out," he explained, sitting on his bed in frustration. "You know, I ever hooked up with Lucy in my dream last night?"
"I see," replied Lori, sitting beside him. "And how did that make you feel?"
"Concerned," he said. Then, a moment later, "and a little excited. I'm beginning to wonder if Luan even has a plan. Maybe it's Luna's, and she planted these seeds on purpose."
"Does it matter?" Lori cooed in his ear. "It's got my heart racing. That's for sure."
"Really?" gasped Lincoln incredulously. "Last night, you said maybe, and even then only for Luna."
"You're not the only one who can dream, silly," Lori reminded him. "But, I don't want you to do anything you aren't comfortable with."
"Comfortable?" cried Lincoln. "I'm outright scared!"
"Scared of what?" inquired Lori. "Loving someone?"
"No, not that," sighed Lincoln, resting his elbows on his knees and dangling his hands between his legs. "What if it gets out of control and I hurt one of the little ones?"
Lori stood, then knelt before him, holding his hands. "Pooky," she cooed. "Nobody ever said anything about sex. You can be in love with them and not do anything more than kiss."
"It sounds like you've made your mind up, Lori," Lincoln sighed, nearly out of arguments.
"Maybe I have," she told him. "But again, I will respect your decision and stay by your side. That's how much I love you."
"I'm sorry," Lincoln pleaded. "But, I'll need more time to think about this. I was planning on being with you, and only you, for the rest of my life and having a few kids. If we open things up, well..." he sighed, "I don't want a thousand kids. Anyway, thanks for understanding."
For the next few weeks, things continued as they were, and Lincoln slowly became acclimated to his newfound attraction to his sisters. However, none seemed to indicate any reciprocation, not even Luan. The whole thing was confusing to him, and as the day drew near when Lori would leave for college again, he became increasingly nervous.
Over time, he began avoiding his sisters, other than Lori, to the point where he'd eat in his room. This isolation led to speculation and rumor that he might be falling back into a state of depression at the thought of Lori leaving again. In turn, his sisters began finding excuses to hang out with him, to keep him from falling into despair.
Then, one evening while Lori was at the mall shopping with Leni, someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Lincoln called, setting his comic aside. "It's open."
He wasn't sure who to expect, his parents or a sibling. Regardless, his breath hitched when Lucy entered the room and closed the door. Of all his other sisters, she appeared in his dreams with increased frequency over the past few weeks, and her presence in his and Lori's bedroom unnerved him. It wasn't that he was scared of her, although that would've been understandable given her macabre nature. It was that he was afraid of himself.
"L-Lucy..." he stammered. "Did you need something?"
Lucy shrugged, stared silently for a moment, and then sat on the bed near his waist. "I came to see how you were holding up," she moaned. "With Lori leaving soon, I couldn't help but notice you've been secluding yourself more. I'd understand if you were me, but you aren't."
"I'm fine, Lucy," sighed Lincoln, trying his best to convey assuredness. "Really. You don't have to worry about me. I'm not depressed."
"Then, something else is wrong with you," Lucy stated flatly. "You've been avoiding the rest of us like the plague, and I'd like to know why."
"It's complicated and bizarre," Lincoln told his mournful sister. "I'm not sure discussing it is a good idea."
"Why not?" implored Lucy, not wavering in her determination to get to the root of his problem. "I'm good with complicated and bizarre. I'm also good at keeping secrets. Maybe I can help?"
"Maybe another time," Lincoln suggested, rising and prompting her to leave with a small amount of pressure on one shoulder. "I'm not ready."
Lucy limply fell onto the floor, laying there like a corpse, her arms and legs remaining where they landed, face down on the carpet. Sighing, Lincoln grabbed one arm and tried pulling her toward the door with little progress.
"Geez," cried Lincoln, struggling against his sister's dead weight. "How much can a nine-year-old weight, anyway?" Finally, he gave up and retook his seat on the bed. "You aren't going to leave until you get an answer, are you?"
"Nope," groaned Lucy, still lying on the floor.
"It's this whole family curse thing," he slowly began. "The incest thing. Me and Lori, Mom and Dad, Poppop and Harriet. I just don't know what to think about it. Lori and I recently learned that two other siblings like us and have been considering opening up our relationship to them. But..."
"You mean Luna and Luan," Lucy asked, finally rolling over and sitting up.
"You knew?" Lincoln mumbled. Of course, Lucy would know. She always knew everything about everyone.
"We all know, Lincoln," Lucy informed him flatly. "It's pretty obvious how they make puppy dog faces at you two."
"That figures..." groaned Lincoln, falling over onto his side. "You know everything."
"Not everything," Lucy admitted, folding her arms and resting them on her knees. "I can't see into your head or your heart. But I can tell this is bothering you. If you want to talk about it, we can. Either way, if you decide to give it a try, I'm not opposed."
"What?" gasped Lincoln, astonished at his sister's candor.
"I love you, Lincoln," Lucy moaned, not deviating from her typical monotony. "I thought you'd like to know, in case it helps you decide."
