After the rocker duo had finished their rock out session, the trio decided to head back inside.
Once inside Lincoln split off to do his own thing. And by 'split off' he went straight to the living room where he sat himself at the coffee table with his notepad. There he worked on drawing up the image of Luna and Sam rocking out on their own guitars.
It was hardly drawn at all, being nothing more than faint trace lines and an image in his mind. He didn't mind though, as that was usually how he drew things. There was never a chance he would have gotten Charles to sit still for long enough.
Luna and Sam had decided to occupy the couch with Luan, content on watching the re-runs that had managed to give them something to do. The two rockers were leaning into each other, their legs intertwining on their own.
Having finally woken up from her sleep, Lori looked up to the two of them from her place on the armchair. Seeing them being so open was really a nice sight. It had taken a lot of convincing to get Luna to bring Sam round for that first time, what with living in a house of ten girls. It was bound to get hectic at least once a day.
It was no wonder Luna had been cautious, not to mention nervous. Lori couldn't help but feel guilty that Luna hasn't felt secure in her own sexuality. So much so that she couldn't come out and outright say it, Lori even still had the note that Luna had given her a while back. She worked hard after that to let both Luna and the rest of the girls know that they could be themselves without repercussions.
She couldn't help but compare the rockers budding relationship with her own relationship with her Boo Boo Bear. It was nice to know that at least one of her siblings was also getting into a relationship, and a nice one at that unlike... that one time.
Although, now it was ten girls and one boy, she supposed. Seeing the brown wool hat bobbing slightly before her. Lori could hear the constant scratches his pencil was making on the paper, and somehow, it irritated her worse than when Luan said a pun or when Lynn got too competitive.
However, she wasn't going to say anything about it, not because it was rude or anything but because she didn't want to have Rita being mad at her. She knew nothing of the woman who her father had taken a fancy to, while she appreciated her doing the school run for her... It was not easy to trust someone you had only just met.
Then again, a lot of the boys around his age tended to be quite loud, Rambunctious and hard to keep in control. Lincoln on the other hand was the opposite, quiet, reserved and seemed to want to be left alone. Even while surrounding himself with people, Lori got the impression that he didn't want to be there.
Eventually Lori managed to distract herself from her thoughts with the use of her phone, managing to occupy herself whilst also keeping an eye on everyone else. The only person that was not with them, and was still in the house, was Leni. Who was working on one of her own designs, as long as she didn't use the curtains from their room, Lori wasn't going to complain.
The sound of the door opening caught the attention of most of those present. Lola strutted in, holding her head up high with a straight back.
"Behold my servants, for your queen has returned." Lola eyes cast onto Sam, seeing the girlfriend of her sister. Quickly putting on a more innocent smile she spoke a bit more regally. "Of course not you Sammy dear, you are our honoured guest."
Sam chuckled slightly as she leaned onto Luna more, finding the six year old's act to be quite adorable. From behind her Lana almost came tumbling through the door, not at all caring about form or eloquence. She let out a large burp right next to Lola before she spotted Sam as well.
"Hey Sam."
Lola herself cast a small glare at her twin before she huffed and walked away.
'Such polar opposites' Lincoln thought as he looked at the two twins, seeing nothing alike but their faces and missing teeth.
Lucy, Lisa and Rita all quickly followed in after them. Lisa went off without a word to her room, Lucy disappeared into the background - like she usually did - While Rita gave a small smile and a wave to her son.
"Hey Lincoln, sorry I wasn't home earlier. Got a little sidetracked." Rita looked up to the two rockers before seeing the closeness of the couple. "Oh, you must be Sam." Rita moved between the couch and coffee table before standing before the duo. She extended her hand out in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, names Rita. I'm Lincoln's mother."
While Luna blushed in embarrassment, Sam extended her free hand to shake Rita's whilst also trying to give Luna a small squeeze of comfort. "It's nice to meet you too Mrs. Loud."
At this Rita blushed a little, her hands coming together to toy with her engagement ring. "Oh it's not Mrs. Loud just yet. Thank you though, anyway it was nice to meet you Sam."
The mother of one moved her way out between the two pieces of furniture, glancing at the drawing Lincoln was working on. She gave a gentle reassuring pat to his shoulder before whispering just loud enough for just him to hear. "That looks great little man."
Lincoln's face flushed red with pride and he ducked his head down so no-one else could see. He didn't mind the praise, he just wished she didn't do it in front of everyone else.
"See." Sam started as she wrapped a single medium length lock of Luna's hair around her finger. "I told you it would be fine, you had nothing to worry about."
Luna snuggled up to Sam as she took her hand into her own. "I know dude, I-I was just nervous is all."
Sam chuckled slightly before planting a small kiss on her cheek. "A reward. For being so brave."
Giving a tut Luna pushed Sam's head to the side. "Oh sod off." Yet the rocker could not stop her cheeks from blazing nor could she stop the smile that graced her lips.
Sam, Luna and Luan all started laughing while Lori grew a joyous smile. Glad to see her sister being so confident with herself, Lori knew from experience that relationships that worked liked friendships were the ones that would last a lifetime.
"What a cheek you got..." Luan laughed, putting her hands up. " Get it? " The girls groaned while Luan basked in the after joke glory. "Although you may want to watch your tongue." Luan discreetly pointed down to Lincoln, indicating that he too had heard Luna say what she said.
Although to be honest, Lincoln had no idea what the word 'sod' meant, so he just let it slide by him.
Luna nodded, a look of mild surprise on her face. It hadn't occurred to her to watch her language around Lincoln, as she had been more focused on him then on her own actions.
Slowly the group returned to their own devices, letting the moment dissolve into memory. It wasn't for a while until another thing came along to disturb them.
That Thing being the four legged friend of Lincoln. Charles the pitbull terrier came bounding into the room, barking as he moved to sniff each object he came across. It wasn't until he saw the eleven year old boy that he truly became a bit of an annoyance to the rest of the girls.
The dog barked and yapped as he bounded over to Lincoln where he jumped up his side and began to lick at the side of the boy's face. Being caught off guard by his friend, Lincoln ended up being pushed down to the ground. Where the dog proceeded to climb atop his chest, licking and pawing his chest and face.
"Charles! Stop!" The boy tried to back peddle away from the dog while laughing as he felt Charles' tongue run up his face consistently.
The three girls on the couch smiled at the sight, finding the scene to be very cute. Made even more cute by Lincoln's own smile.
"Oh, looks like someone's getting dogged!" Luan let out another laugh of her own, throwing her arms up again. "Get it!?"
" Alright! Alright! Enough. " Lincoln pushed Charles off his body, managing to get up before the dog could jump upon him again. "I'll go get your leash." Backing away while he kept an eye on Charles, he watched as he tried to follow him. "No. Charles Sit." Much to the amazement of those present Charles listened by planting his butt right where he stood.
"Good boy, Now stay."
Not wanting to waste a moment before Charles decided to disobey him Lincoln ran up the stairs, after a few minutes the boy returned, having gotten changed for the first time today, with a leash in his hand and a small pack on his back. Charles whined as he saw it, his tail wagged at the prospect of going for a walk and he stood up atop his back legs as he begged to go. Yet he did not move from where he was.
"Stay." Lincoln addressed his best friend before moving into the dining room where his mother was sat at the table, going through sheets of paperwork. "Mom." He waited until she looked up to him. "Where's the doggy bags? I need to take Charles for a walk."
Rita opened her mouth to say something before she looked down. "Honey, you don't know the area yet. And I really don't feel comfortable with you going alone. I'd come with you myself but I need to be here to fill this out." She tapped her pen onto the paper. Lincoln didn't recognise what it was for, as it was upside down to his perspective.
Lincoln's shoulders sagged a little, he wouldn't have minded to be able to just get out the house for a short while. The air was... stifling.
"I'll take him." The mother - son duo turned to the entrance, where Luan -Lincoln still didn't know her name- was standing there. "I've been wanting something to do all day."
There was a tense moment between Lincoln and Rita. Rita watched her son look between Luan, herself and then back to Luan. She could see the conflict in his eyes, the nervousness but at the same time, the small hint that he needed to do it.
She nodded as she looked up to Luan. "If you don't mind then I don't mind. You can even show Lincoln some of the local places if you pass them." She looked to Lincoln as she pointed her pen towards the kitchen. "The doggy bags are in there in the bottom drawer. Please don't be out too long and make sure to take your phone with you."
"Yes Mom."
Luan was about to turn to head to the door while Lincoln went to get the bags, when she was called back by Rita. She looked to the lady of her father's heart.
"Luan, make sure to look after him please. He's... insecure, ok?" Receiving a nod from the comedian Rita looked back down to her paperwork.
When Lincoln returned to the living room Charles began to spin circles on the spot, yapping as he watched Lincoln draw closer. He settled when the boy took a hold of his collar and attached the leash to it. Once secured Charles began to tug on the leash, begging to get going.
Stopping at the door, Lincoln checked to be sure he had everything. Leash, toys, bags, phone. Yep. Seeing that he was ready, Luan opened the door and began to step out...
"Wait!" The two turned to see Lana running up to them with a big grin on her face. She hopped on the balls of her feet as she looked, not at Luan but at Lincoln. "Can I come? Please!"
The boy was taken aback by this, looking between the two girls, trying to come up with the right answer. It certainly didn't help that Lana was giving him the largest puppy dog eyes look that he had ever seen. He was at a loss as to what he should do, subconsciously he pulled Charles closer to him.
"I'll keep an eye on her... if you want. " Lincoln looked to Luan as he thought about it, he really didn't want to disappoint her but he didn't want to upset Mr. Loud by taking his daughter out without him knowing.
Seeing the look in his eyes Lana stood atop the tip of her toes, trying to get closer to his face. "Please! I'll hold his leash, I'll pick up his poop, I'll play with him." Somehow Lana managed to make her eyes look even cuter then before and Lincoln couldn't help but give in.
" Ok, but I uh... "
Instead of letting Lincoln talk Luan leaned back as she raised her own voice. "We're taking Lana with us! Ok!?"
"Alright, I'll let your father know."
Lana let out a squeal as she dove forwards and wrapped her arms around Lincoln's waist. The boy tensed from the sudden touch, not having expected it at all. After a moment she released him before the three of them left the house, closing the door behind them.
Charles kept his head down as they walked. Sniffing at every pavement slab, garden fence and item along the way. He had already stopped to pee on three different spots and they hadn't even walked past six houses yet.
Luan and Lincoln were walking side by side, with Luan on the side of the road. Lana was ahead of them, trying to get Charles to walk between her legs but the dog kept going around her. However, she was not perturbed by this and kept trying.
"So," Luan started as they stopped at a road. "You got any hobbies?"
Luan mentally kicked herself for saying that, it was a stupid thing to ask really but she felt that she needed to say something to him but she didn't feel like she could just start taking to him normally. She needed to warm him up to her first.
Lana stepped back to hold Luan's hand as they crossed, Lincoln made sure to not let Charles try to pull him off in any direction. "Comic books, drawing." He spoke a bit uneasily, he didn't look to her as he said that as he had to try to guide Charles around a split bag of trash in an attempt to stop him from eating it
"Hey, I'm not judging. Just know that you can come talk to me if you feel like getting something off your chest. Laughter is the best medicine after all. " Luan slyly pressed the hidden button on her sleeve, the flower on her shirt squirted out a stream of water that shot forwards enough to land on the back of Lana's neck.
"Hey! Watch it!"
"Oh please, you need a bath Lana."
The six year old pouted as she crossed her arms. "I am so rolling around in the dirt when I see some." Luan chuckled, knowing that Lana never really needed an excuse to roll around in the dirt anyway.
As they walked Luan began to point out a few places of interest as best she could, first she pointed out several general stores but ultimately said you could find more, better stuff at the mall. She pointed out which direction the local movie theatre was but they couldn't see it as they weren't close to it. They even passed a place called Gus' Grubs and Games, that one got Lincoln's attention, apparently it was a large game arcade that also sold pizza.
During the walk Charles had managed to pee half a dozen more times, it was during his fifth time that Lana stated he wasn't actually peeing but marking his territory. It was something that dogs did constantly, especially when they smelt the scent of other dogs. This was only new news to Luan who, admittedly, wasn't as knowledgeable in animals as Lana was.
The trio came to a stop at a large park, where multiple other people were hanging about, playing and just chilling.
"And here is the local park, we come here frequently whenever we all get a day off and have nothing to do. Although... the last time was a while ago. " Luan guided them into the park, which did not restrict access to dogs but did have a sign stating everyone should clean up after them.
"Are we gonna be alright with him off the leash?" Luan pointed down to Charles, who was trying to pull in the leash in an attempt to run off to play.
"Uh, yeah. Hang on." Kneeling down, Lincoln placed the leash's line under his foot and then proceeded to take off the bag on his back. He opened it up and began to go through it, trying to finding what he was looking for.
Lincoln pulled out what looked to be a tennis ball, a very chewed up tennis ball at that, Lincoln gave it a squeeze and a squeaky noise was made from it. Charles, having heard the noise of one of his most favourite toys immediately spun around and rammed right into Lincoln's chest in an attempt to obtain said toy.
Lincoln fell back into his butt, laughing the entire way. Somehow, Charles always managed to get him to laugh, whether he wanted to or not. He couldn't help but feel confident when his friend was around. Using the moment that Charles had brought his collar closer to him he quickly unlatched the leash before throwing the ball off in a random direction.
Much to his own amusement Charles ran off in that direction immediately, barking the whole way. Much to his confusion, so did Lana. Barking and all.
"Uh." Seeing the dumbfounded expression on Lincoln's face Luan could stop a small laugh from escaping her.
"Yeah, that's Lana for you. Just loves to act like an animal, loves to roll in the dirt too." Luan took a seat next to him as they both got comfortable to watch the other two try to find the ball.
After moment Lincoln began to stifle a laugh. Yet the sheer joyous expression on his face gave him away.
"What? what's so funny?" Luan questioned, looking around to see if she had missed a joke or something.
"I feel so bad for this." Slowly Lincoln raised his hand to show the squeaky tennis ball was still in his possession.
At this Luan completely lost it, she guffawed loudly to the point that she had to hold her stomach and lay down on the grass. Still laughing the entire way.
Lincoln squeezed the toy hard. Its loud squeak caused to both Lana and Charles to snap to him before they made a dead sprint in his direction. Knowing that Charles was not going to stop Lincoln threw the ball off to the side before the dog could ram into him.
Charles curved off to chase the ball, ultimately catching it and running off with it. Lana herself had to stop before them as she was out of breath.
"How... How did you do that?" Lana asked, breathing heavily as she leaned against her knees.
With his joy overriding his worries He gave Lana a smile and a shrug. "Magic." At this Lana scoffed.
"Magic isn't real Lincoln."
"Yes it is." Luan sat up, having finally managed to stop laughing, yet she was a little curious. Although she caught Lincoln's hand trying to do... something in his bag.
Lana stepped up closer to Lincoln, well enough in arms reach. "Magic isn't real, if it was dragons would exist."
"Oh? Then what explains this?" Lincoln reached forwards with the same arm that had been in his bag, his bare arms showing off on the light. He put his hand behind Lana's ear, before suddenly pulling a quarter out from behind it.
Not only was Lana surprised but so was Luan, how did he do that? His hand had been open and devoid of everything as he did that.
"What!?" Lana started to scrap her fingers behind her ears, trying to dig out more coins. While she came back with dirt and gunk, there were no more coins.
What followed next was a five minute scene of Lana starting to desperately find money on herself and Luan laughing it up again as she watched. Lincoln would occasionally throw the ball whenever Charles gave it to him, all the while finding amusement in Lana's attempts to find more coins.
Eventually Lana stopped, sagged and then ripped a rope from Lincoln's bag and ran off after Charles. Giving chase to a very hyper dog.
"That was pretty good Dude. Where'd you learn that one?" She looked at Lincoln's hand, questions flying through her head. "And how did you do it?"
"A magician never tells."
The two stayed sat down, with Lana running around chasing Charles there was no reason for them to do the same, this was about wearing Charles down and getting him to go to the bathroom. Lincoln also appreciated being shown around, even if only a little. Perhaps when he was more intimate with the area his mother would let him go out on his own. He didn't mind having the company though.
"You know." Luan started, getting Lincoln's attention. "I think you'd be a great assistant for my birthday parties, give a little something new here and there."
"Birthday parties?"
"Yeah!" Luan dug around in one of the pockets of her skirt, pulling out what looked to be a business card before handing it to him.
On the card was a picture of Luan dressed like a clown with the word funny business written around her. 'Your funny business is my business ' was written in the bottom, there was even a phone number on the card, indicating on how to get her services.
"Birthdays, clown acts you name it. If it's funny it's my business." Luan chuckled. "Get it?" She smiled when Lincoln let out a minor chuckle, seeing it as a massive win on her part. "I was just thinking that maybe you could help out sometime, be a little sideshow while I get the bigger gags and acts ready."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Hearing nothing but silence coming from the boy she looked over to him, whatever confidence or comfort he had was stripped from him. As evident by the look on his face and tensing shoulders. Luan realised that she may have pushed the boundaries too far, causing Lincoln to get out of his comfort zone.
"Hey, it's just a suggestion. I'd never force you to do it. If I did, it wouldn't be fun and funny business is about having fun."
Luan tapped her hand against his shoe, getting his attention. "Hey, don't worry about it. I was just speculating. OK?"
"Yeah, ok."
The trio stayed in the park for an hour longer, where they talked, played with Charles and relaxed. Just like Lana promised she did end up having to clean up after Charles, using a bag of course. She tried not to actually but Luan wasn't having any of it and forced the muck loving girl to do it properly.
In retaliation she ended up being completely covered in mud from head to toe by the time they were about to leave, Luan didn't seem the least bit annoyed or surprised by it but she did force Lana to be hosed down in the garden before she could enter the house. Same went for Charles as well, as his lower half was just as dirty.
Although he enjoyed being hosed down unlike Lana, who complained the entire time. Yet Luan kept it up until she couldn't see any more dirt on the girl or at least... until she couldn't see dirt on her skin, as her clothes were stained brown with past mud diving endeavours.
"Alright, you're done." Luan watched as both Lana and Charles shook off the excess water. "Man, you are as wet as a dog." She cracked up again holding her stomach. "Oh, I am on fire today."
Lana groaned at the pun as she walked in through the back door, Dragging water in all the way with her. Lincoln and Luan were quick to follow with Charles bolting right past them as they stepping through. Due to the now wet floor and Charles having run underfoot, Lincoln ended up slipping backwards.
Luan reacted by shooting her arms out and catching him before he fell the whole way. "Looks like someone's falling for me. Get it?" She slowly guided him back to his feet and then proceeded to help him get off the wet laminate floor. She herself did not worry as she had dealt with this quite a few times before.
Once in the clear, and on the carpet, Lincoln separated from Luan. He slowly headed his way up the stairs while keeping his head down.
Luan grimaced at this, believing she may have made the boy uncomfortable. It was a hard thing to remember that he was only so social when almost all of her sisters were social butterflies. She'd just have to hope that she didn't push him too far out of his personal bubble. For now, there was nothing she could do.
Later that night, when everyone had gone off to bed. A lone figure crept her way down the hallway, trying her hardest to be as silent as possible. She had no idea who could be or who was still awake at this hour.
Coming in contact with the door at the end of the hallway, the figure slowly pushed the door open. The faint light coming in from the circular window was the only source of illumination. The light itself caused the figures blonde hair to stand out among the darker colours of the night.
Rita smiled as she looked on at Lincoln, who was sleeping on his side as his arm draped its way around Charles, who had not wanted to go another night without sleeping with Lincoln. The small dog yawned as he looked to her, disturbed by the door being opened. Yet he did not bark, he simply laid his head back down and leaned against Lincoln's chest as he tried to go back to sleep.
Had it been someone else, the result might have been different.
Rita stepped forwards as she pushed the door slightly closed behind her, in the dim light she took notice that Lincoln did not have his hat on while he slept. His glowing white hair flowed freely and messy, many tangle had formed due to his prolonged use of his hat.
Kneeling down she ran her fingers through his hair, seeing a sleepy smile creep up onto her son's face while he dreamed about sweet nothings. She planted a kiss on her son's forehead while giving Charles a gentle stroke behind the ear.
"Goodnight my little man."
Quietly she closed the door, with Lincoln never knowing she had been there.
A/N: SURPRISE! This story isn't dead, it's just been on the writers block. I had such a large amount of trouble getting this chapter done. Cause I knew how I wanted it to end, I just didn't know how to fill it in.
Luckily I know exactly what I want to do in the next chapter and by the time I'm done writing that I should have a good idea as to where I want the rest of the story to go.
Keep in mind I literally making this shit up as I go, cause I like the level of freedom it grants me.
Happy Halloween everyone