"He didn't even tell any of us!" Lori practically screamed as she paced through Bobby's room. "I thought he was supposed to be a grown fucking adult- but apparently letting other people know that their entire life is about to change because of your decisions isn't part of that!"

Bobby nodded along upon his bed, knowing well better than to interrupt one of Lori's rants. The much-beleaguered teen had spent more time in the position of listener to Lori Loud's frustrations with her family than he'd ever cared to. But Lori had her reasons to rant; her mother had died in childbirth and in the year since then she'd shouldered what responsibilities she could to ease the burden on their father.

Her father who had just decided to marry another woman and bring her son into their family without letting the rest of them know the minor detail of him having 'special needs'.

"-And that's not the worst part, no- the worst fucking part is that somehow I'm the bad guy. Seriously- I just tried to give that stupid beanie a wash and Rita jumped down my throat- and everyone else sided with her! I didn't know- none of them know, but hey! This new kid- that none of us asked for by the way- throws a fit so big bad Lori has to be in the wrong!"

She hissed and heaved, clutching at her arms. "No one even asked me what happened! They literally just sided with the brat that moved in less than a fricking week ago because- I don't know, maybe they like the dog or something!"

Bobby nodded again, not necessarily agreeing but Lori needed to vent.

"And he still won't event tell us what we're supposed to do or- fuck it, not even what's wrong with him! You don't just make up rules and not tell anyone- you- ARGGHH!" She flopped to the side of him on his bed and pinched his pillow to scream in.

Which she did.

For a full minute.

Bobby took the time to mull over the rant, picking through what stood out. While he wasn't the smartest boy in his class (nor the dullest by far), years of acting as practically a second parent to a sharply-tempered sibling and the sounding board of Lori Loud's frustrations had taught him to look behind the obvious bias in a story and seek out the unspoken thread that could solve the problem that inspired so much sour distress.

In this case, it was fairly self evident.

"Hey Babe?" He carefully spoke up, prompting Lori raise her eyes above his now probably-stained pillow. "Sounds like your dad didn't think this through- and that sucks. Totally the wrong call on his part-"

"No shit." She mumbled through the pillow.

He let it slide. "And Rita? Expecting you to follow rules you don't know… yeah, another bad choice. But from the sound of things, the kid didn't actually do anything did he?"

"He literally invaded my house." Lori rolled her eyes and stuffed her face back into his pillow.

"I don't think he really got a choice," Bobby insisted. "Rita is- was a single mom, right? If he doesn't have a dad…"

Lori didn't reply.

Bobby girded himself and continued. "And yeah, your sisters should've listened to your side- but maybe they're just trying to make him feel welcome-"

"At my expense!" Lori threw the pillow aside, revealing smeared makeup and puffy eyes. "I tried so hard to hold everything together after Mom died- and then Rita just moves in and brings her son and suddenly I'm the one who has to prove herself?"

Bobby backpedalled. "That's not what I mean- look; you said he was from Hazeltucky right? Kids from there either get tough, or they get messed up. From the sound of things, he not tough and your sisters probably see that; maybe they just feel like they have to be extra careful around him and if you're treating him like a normal boy…"

"… It literally looks like I'm bullying him," Lori finished.

"Not that I'm saying you are!" Bobby interjected. "It's just that your sisters might see it that way. Once they get your side of the story, I'm sure they'll come around-"

"If they'll even listen," Lori groused. "It's like they forgot who actually-"

The sound of the front door unlocked echoed through the house.

"Looks like Ronnie's home," Bobby sighed. "I should go get her a snack."

"It's fine," Lori stood and glanced at what reflection was in Bobby's window.

Yep, everything was smeared and ruined. "I need to get home and... apologise anyway."

"Sorry Babe, I know you're having a hard time so-"

The teenager found himself silenced by soft lips. Lori drew back with a smile.

"You're literally perfect Bobby, if only my family was half as considerate as you, I wouldn't have to come over and vent all the time," she quickly collected her things.

"I should thank them," Bobby breathed, then panicked. "Uh- I mean-"

"Quit while you're ahead Boo-boo-bear," Lori sighed, then made her to the bathroom. It didn't take long to clean her face with a few wipes from her kit- but the makeup would have to be redone at home. For the next half an hour Lori would just have to deal with a bare face.

Whatever, Lori looked better without her makeup than most girls did with theirs- awkward phase be damned.

"Hey Lori?" A light voice came from the kitchen, "are you in?"

Lori poked her head out, sure enough there was one Ronnie Anne Santiago in her trademark purple hoodie sitting at the kitchen table with a sandwich.

"Yeah, but I'm literally about to leave-" something flickered across Ronnie's faced and triggered Lori's big sister instincts. "- unless you want some girl talk?"

"Um, yeah sure, can we talk in my room?" Ronnie set the sandwich on a plate and motioned to her room, leaving Bobby to start dinner. Lori nodded and followed.

"So," Lori closed the door behind them with a click. "Did Bobby forget-"

"No!" Ronnie blurted, blushing red. "This isn't about that thing from last time!"

"Okay?" Lori wasn't exactly ungrateful to not have to go over that again, "… do you need-"

"It's nothing about puberty okay!" Ronnie sourly declared. "It's about the new kid- Lincoln I think, he lives with you right?"

Lori's mind stopped at the mention of the boy's name, then raced to a conclusion, "what did he do?"

"Nothing- I don't know maybe?" Ronnie flumped down onto her bed. "I was just talking to him to clear up some stuff. Like, he's going to be part of your family now, right?"

Lori's fingers dug into her palms. "… Go on."

Ronnie stared up oblivious, "but a bunch of kids were saying he wasn't a Loud-"

"He's not." Lori affirmed. "Rita hasn't even married Dad yet."

"Yeah well, I was confused so I went up to where he was sitting- and he was with McBride, yeah Mr Bloody Nose- and I asked what was up."

"And what did he say exactly?"

Ronnie looked up to her. "That he was living with you guys, but he wasn't taking the name even if his mom does."

Lori relaxed her hands, then nodded. "Yeah, yeah that sounds right."

At least he knew he wasn't one of them, even if everyone else was going to pretend otherwise.

But even as she was satisfied with this, Ronnie seemed uncomfortable in her presence. In the way that she got when she was building up to saying something, something she didn't want to admit but felt like she needed to.

"There's something else isn't there Ronnie?" Lori sighed. "You can talk to me, it's what I'm here for."

"Yeah…" Ronnie admitted, but averted her eyes as her story went on. "See, Clyde and his buddies were talking about me behind my back, and…. Lincoln kinda raised his voice at me so you know; I had to protect my reputation."

Lori tapped a finger on her arm. Ronnie was meant to try and control her temper, and Lori was supposed to be trying to help her with it (and a few other things since their mom was busy and she needed a girl's advice). But boys were trouble, and this boy in particular…

"… How far did you go?"

"Just a bit of teasing!" Ronnie insisted, sitting up emphatically. "Just the burger down the pants thing- no hitting, not even words I promise!"

"It's okay, I believe you," Lori came over to her and knelt down to her eye level. "But I'm guessing something else happened as well?"

Ronnie's eyes lost focus for a second as she recalled the memory. "He- well he jumped up and tried to pull it out first, but then he just… kind of stood there like he saw a ghost. Then he reached up and touched his head- then just ran away like I was holding a knife or something!"

Lori's ears perked. "Did you say he touched his head?"

"Yeah," Ronnie nodded. "Just touched his hat and ran off."

Lori breathed a sigh, "… relax Ronnie, you didn't do anything wrong." Lori stretched up. "Apparently he has a 'thing', don't ask me what it is because we don't get to know until he feels like telling anything else- Dad and Rita's rule not mine."

"So he's…" Ronnie left the space for Lori to give the awkward answer.

"Special needs? I literally don't know," Lori shook her head. "But you know what, if he wants special treatment, he needs to tell people. It's on him if he doesn't, heck: I just grabbed his hat the other day myself and he literally did the same thing to me.

Just let it go, I-"

BEEP. BEEP.

Lori and Ronnie together jerked as Lori's phone alarm went off- the teen fished it out from her pocket with practiced ease and cursed as she realised she was scheduled to pick up the girls in Vanzilla.

And was at least fifteen minutes away from the house by foot.

"Dang it!"

It didn't take too long to get home; Rita's car was missing so that was a plus- one less conversation to have today. Leni and Luna were in the kitchen downing smoothies and Lola and Lana were slurping down some of their own in front of the TV, stopping to bicker about whichever program was on.

Wait, how were they home? Wasn't she supposed to have driven them back in Vanzilla? A quick look at the clock revealed it was well past the time she should have been there and back.

Which meant that someone else had probably stepped up in her place. Probably a certain interloper looking to solidify her place in the house.

"Dang it!" Lori facepalmed.

"Oh, hi Lori!" Luna waved at her, "did ya have 'fun' over at Bobby's?"

"Not now Luna-"

"What gives Bruv?" Luna teased, but there was a slight edge to her tone. "Must'a been a real good bit of 'together time' if you forgot all about picking up the little guys."

"Look I was just," Lori pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just needed to talk-"

"Talk, suuure." Luna drew out the syllable. "I know I need to clean my face off after 'talking' with Sam sometimes too."

Lori spluttered as her bare cheeks reddened at the implication. "I-you!"

"What did you talk about Lori?" Leni asked innocently, "oh! Did Bobby try and-"

Lori put her hand up to silence the sweetheart sister. "No. Whatever you're going to ask; no. I'm going upstairs- don't bother me."

Luna opened her mouth to counter- but a sharp glare reminded her not to push her luck.

Lori marched over to the stairs, practically stamped up them and made her way towards her room. But on the way she spotted the Linen Closet door and some shuffling could be heard within.

Right, she was supposed to apologise to the boy, wasn't she? Rita was out, probably getting Lynn if she already got the younger girls already, so this was probably the best time to do it if she didn't want the older woman standing over her while she did.

Sighing, Lori girded herself and pushed into the room.

Lincoln swallowed as the eldest Loud girl advanced to him. It was the first time he'd seen her since she'd grabbed his beanie- and his fingers grabbed the edges of his headwear lest she pull at it again.

The near-woman towered over him and her lack of makeup made her seem all the sterner for it. The two locked eyes for a moment, then Lincoln averted his before her cool blues.

"Not going to say anything?"

He tried to think of something, but whatever was going to come out died on his lips as he realised that he had no escape. Lori was already in his 'sanctuary' and Mom wasn't here anymore.

"… That's fine. I've got something to say," Lori folded her arms. "I'm… I didn't know about your thing."

He froze, she knew.

How? Had Mom spilled? She said she wouldn't tell-

"Whatever it is." Lori continued, inadvertently assuaging his fears. "Look, I don't know what's going on with you, and apparently you don't have to tell anyone else about it either.

But if you're going to live here, you're going to have to at least give us something to work with, or last night is just going to happen again- and not just with big nasty Lori either. So, I suggest you keep that in mind."

She stared at him.

Lincoln realised she was waiting for a sign of his attention, so he shakily nodded.

"Good," Lori nodded in turn. "And there's something else;

I don't know if you wanted to come here, but I didn't ask you or Rita to move in either. I didn't ask Dad to start dating again, and he sure as hell didn't ask any of us if we were okay with him bringing in your mom and You to live with us.

And I'm not going to bend over backwards to make you welcome when I didn't want either of you here in the first place.

But you're here now, so you're going to have to fit in. Here's the first and most important thing you need to know;

What I say goes."

Lori leaned down closer to him but he scooted back a bit and she allowed it.

"Dad's always working or doing something, so ninety-nine percent of the time- I'm the one running things in the house. I divide the chores; I decide who gets TV and internet privileges- anything that involves something in the house that Dad doesn't decide on I do. We have a sister meeting once a week to vote on these things, and you can bring up stuff there but once it's been decided it's done and you can bet, I'll make sure it's done."

Lori was about to continue her tirade, but the boy's appearance struck her. He was paler than usual; his lips were tight and he was clearly shaking. In his hazel eyes she could see a distended mirror of herself lurking over him like a monster.

"I…" she backed off a bit. "Look, I'm not- I'm telling you how things go in this house. There's a lot of people in here, so someone has to keep some order in here and for now that's me. I'm not going to just make life hell for you for the sake of it, and I don't know how Rita going to step in, but until I leave for college you have to know how I run things; okay?"

The boy nodded.

"Okay…" Lori breathed out. "One last thing, I don't know what your deal is. I don't know why we didn't get to know what it is before you moved in- or why we're still not allowed to know. But like I said; you need to give me- give us something to work with.

You don't have to talk to me, but at least- I don't know; you've been hanging around Luan and Luna so maybe they would be good? "

He fidgeted again, but managed to open his mouth. "O-okay."

Lori waited to see if he would say anything else, but a full minute passed without him uttering another word.

But when she was just about to leave, that's when she at last heard something- muttered but still there.

The eldest stopped with her hand on the handle. She closed her eyes and breathed out, "what was that?"

"I-is that w-hy-" the boy stuttered.

She turned around and looked at him again, waiting for him to speak up properly

"I-is that why you don't like me?" The boy was looking up, not quite meeting her eyes but verbal. "B-because we moved in? Without you getting a say?"

Lori stood there, seeming to think for a moment. Her clean features settled.

"… Look; not everyone has to like each other. Not everyone can, just keep out of my way and I'll return the favour; okay?"

"… Okay."

So, the rules were set.

Lincoln spent the rest of the afternoon jittery and trying to draw and ease his mind, but his pencils just tore at the paper until Charles snuffled in and tucked his head under Lincoln's shoulder. He still couldn't draw, but the familiar doggy smell and Charles' licky tongue calmed him anyway.

He didn't really remember much after that; he knew he should have gone to see if Lisa was really what she was said to be- but the time ran away from him. Before he knew it Mom popped in with his dinner, waved off his apology and left again to leave him alone with Charles who promptly tried to steal some his meatloaf (he left him have a bit).

The night was long and his sleep poor. He tried to close his eyes and settle in but the bed was unfamiliar, he blearily stretched and startled himself awake as his fingers battered against the enclosed and unfamiliar walls.

Worst of all, what dreams he had were… nasty.

The awaiting pressure of school, the chance of his name being taken from him. Lori, everything merged and swirled together sometime around midnight and became something else.

He couldn't remember it, when he awoke but it left some deep sense of foreboding.

His eyes snapped open to find the Loud House ceiling staring back at him and his stomach lurched.

It was morning.

A knock on the door roused him further;

"Lincoln?" His mother's voice called. "It's time to get ready for school."

"All right, everyone in." Lori groused, annoyed at waking early once again. "No dawdling or I will leave you behind."

She didn't look at him, but Lincoln knew who she was talking to.

"Ah don't mind her, you can come sit next to us!" Lana glibly ignored the sour sister.

Lincoln winced as Lola took her seat behind Lori, they were going to be sitting right behind her and the angle would have him in her rear-view mirror at all times.

"Ahh, no thanks." Lincoln muttered. "I wouldn't want to take Lisa's spot."

"My appreciation, novel newcomer unit." Lisa commented. "There are actually significant pros and cons to each seat within 'Vanzilla' so determining which seat is best to take under the circumstances is a matter of…"

Lincoln let her ramble on, and internally winced as Lana wilted a bit at his rejection. He could tell she was trying to make him feel welcome, and Charles really liked her too.

"Sorry, thanks though."

"Ahh, don't sweat it!" The tomboy perked up. "We can ride together some other time-"

"You won't be riding at all if you don't get a move on!" Lori snapped from the driver's seat.

Quickly, they jumped in. Lincoln fumbling into the row behind them and scooting over to behind Lola's seat. He winced as his hands touched something sticky, then sharp- but the last seat was fine.

Lynn came out carrying his youngest in an infant car seat and raised an eyebrow at the sight of his prospective step-son sitting in the row behind his daughters despite there being an open seat next to Lisa. Nonetheless he promptly opened the door on Lincoln's row and placed the giggling infant next to Lincoln.

"Hi there sport, could you keep an eye on Lily for us?" The man strapped the booster seat in. "She gets restless if someone doesn't keep her company and it's better for her to be in the back anyway."

"Uh, sure" Lincoln eyed the admittedly cute, but often stinky baby as she blew spit bubbles. "I gu-"

"Can we go?" Lori frostily demanded.

"Sure thing Lori," Lynn sighed and pulled himself from the Van, closing the doors behind him.

The ride was quiet, the front row briefly piped up but when Lana turned to get his opinion on something Lori promptly shut the entire conversation down. Lily next to him mostly just made sounds and flapped her arms, but every now and then he would catch her looking at him with some odd expression that seemed that like she almost understood her surroundings.

But the ride didn't last long enough for him to figure out if it was comprehension or curiosity in her little eyes- before long they pulled up to Royal Woods Elementary and Lori curtly ordered them out so she could take Lily to a check-up.

Lincoln walked carefully into the open halls, beanie properly applied and trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. Of course, his orange shirt made him stand out as always and he could feel eyes boring into him.

But he managed to get to class in time anyway and snuck in as best he could to his seat next to Clyde and Stella. The two were already talking, but briefly hushed as he got closer.

"Uh, hi guys." He greeted. "Sorry if I ignored you before, I just get absorbed in my art sometimes."

"It's fine," Clyde shrugged. "I could see how hard you were working on that vase- I guess you like to draw hunh?"

"Yeah!" Lincoln quickly nodded. "It's my hobby."

The other boy got a gleam in his eye, "and you like comics too?"

"Sure do!"

Stella rolled her eyes as Lincoln eagerly agreed, "again Clyde-"

"Ever thought of drawing your own?" Clyde suggested. "Like let's say a fancomic for example?"

A brief image of an Ace Savvy AU he'd read on AlernateArtist popped into his mind- and just how fantastic the art and story had been. Making something like that would be amazing, maybe one day he could be as good as that artist who…

Had deleted their account from harassment.

Memories of the vitriolic comment section surfaced and induced a retreat at the idea of broadcasting himself like that. "Um, a fancomic? I'm not really-"

"Oh, come on man, I bet you'd be awesome at it!" Clyde insisted. "There's a competition coming up next month-"

"Mr McBride, class has begun," Mrs Johnson interrupted with a gentle chide. "Maybe save it for recess?"

Lori waited in The Doctor's office as her youngest sister received her checkup. The older man carefully tapped and prodded the squirming youngster in ways that vaguely reminded Lori of similar movements when she was small and the GP still had more ginger than grey running through his hair.

"Everything checks out," Doctor Greenwich nodded and removed his stethoscope from Lily's chest. The adventurous little baby babbled and eyed the lolly jar on his desk with clear desire. "You can let your father know that little Lily is as healthy as a horse."

"Gah!" Lily pointed at the jar.

"But don't let her have these kinds of sweets until she's older," Greenwich laughed and tucked The Jar under his desk.

"Goo…" Lily pouted.

"Thank you so much Doctor Greenwich," Lori sighed. "Sorry that Dad couldn't come himself, it's just that between his job and this new woman moving in everything has been hectic.."

"Ah, Ms Alvarsson right?" The Doctor shuffled through his notes. "I think Lynn mentioned her the last time we spoke, could you let me know if they'll be checking in themselves?"

"Sure." Lori flatly replied.

"It's good to hear that Lynn has found happiness again after what happened," Greenwich noted the date on Lily's forms. "Just over a year now, isn't it?"

Lori looked away.

"I can't imagine it's been easy for any of you." Greenwich focused upon her. "But just so you know; your father is always talking about how proud he is of you. Every time we have a talk you come up and it's always about how much you've sacrificed to keep the house running in Lilian's place.

I know she'd be proud of you too."

Lori swallowed, "thanks."

"But still, you're young- you should be out there living life before you get old and crusty like us." He smiled and his crows feet deepened. "Hopefully Ms Alvarsson will be able to take some of that pressure off and you can be a teenager again-"

"We were doing just fine without her." She curtly cut him off and plucked Lily from the table. "Lily's fine, see if Rita and her kid want a checkup- anything else?"

Greenwich looked her over, her signature clothes were slightly worn from use- something once fashion-conscious girl would never have allowed when she had a job to replace them. Her hair had broken strands and split ends where she'd pulled at it in stress and the makeup under her eyes failed to hide the puffiness of bags from poor sleep. "… Are you alright Lori?"

"Peachy," she brusquely replied. "Can we go?

"Certainly," the experienced Doctor acquiesced. "Just remember that when you're taking care of your family, that includes you too."

Lori's lips trembled for a moment, then firmed again. "Thanks Doctor Greenwich, I'll let you know if we need anything."

Today was turning out way better than expected!

Lincoln ate his snack (a sandwich of 'acquired taste') with more enthusiasm than usual as he settled into the friend group and mentally replayed the last period's highlight.

"Very good Mr Alvarsson," the art teacher, a Ms Patterson he now knew, complemented. "I can't say I'm surprised after yesterday, but still: good work!"

Lincoln blushed at the praise, well aware of the class's eyes upon him. Today art was right after Math, so before recess. Thus, he couldn't really afford to lose himself in the usual way, but his flower was still leagues above anyone else's in the class.

It was a quiet kind of pride he took in his art, but it was still his.

Ms Patterson leaned down for a quieter conversation, "you know; I checked your real name- with your history maybe you should consider some of our local competitions?"

Lincoln's mind froze in surprise for a moment, then quickly resumed; of course, Royal Woods would have art competitions- if Hazeltucky could have them then the nicer town sure would!

That and Clyde already mentioned they had a comic thing but they weren't really the sort of thing he-

"There's a few coming up in the next few months, I could show you a list if you like?" Ms Patterson smiled down at him.

"S-sure!" He exclaimed excitedly, then blushed again as more eyes fell on him.

Clyde's competition turned out to be one of many in Royal Woods. It still wasn't like the town was a centre of the arts, but it was a decent place with good connections. The list also included a lot of state wide competitions as well that Ms Patterson thought he was good enough for.

Some of them he already knew about, but had never been able to apply to since they were so far away. Some of them even needed a recommendation just to enter.

Ms Patterson said she might be able to get him one if he could show her some stuff- and he had plenty at home!

"… So as long as we get it in within a few weeks…"

Lincoln blinked back into reality. He was in recess with Clyde and his friends- Clyde was talking about his competition again- which…

Lincoln was unsure if wanted to enter or not.

Sure, he could probably do it easy enough- but Comic fans were rabid. If the comic became successful Clyde could want to do more, and sooner or later the flamers would come and all the misery that that other artist had suffered could come to him too.

But on the other hand Clyde was so enthusiastic, and would be nice to have a friend with common interests for once.

"I… I need time to think about it," Lincoln sighed.

"Sure thing," Clyde clapped his hands together. "But I can promise- with your skills and my brains we have a winning tea-"

"Big words McBride." A snide voice cut him off and Stella scowled at the sight behind Clyde.

"What do you want Chandler?"

Lincoln looked past Clyde, who stood aside with a sigh to reveal that red haired boy he'd been warned about.

Along with two larger boys, one on each side.

"Nothing much. Just thought I'd get to know the new kid," the other boy gave an easy smile, but the entire setup oozed of the casual malice Lincoln was so familiar with.

"Why don't you give us a bit of privacy?"

A/N:

Thanks to Nuuo for Beta-Reading.

My apologies for the delay in updates; there were a variety of issues that effected the upload schedule ranging from writer's block in regards to my more serious stories to tech problems. I'm hoping to keep the ball rolling on this with the next chapter coming in around two weeks though.

PS:

For those who don't know, I wrote a few comedic shorts in my Oneshot Collection a while ago to parody the suggestion of shipping in Moving In, they can be found in that collection under the simple title of 'Shipping in Moving In'. If you want a bit of silliness, then I recommend you go there :)