Edit: Author's note: Hey folks, Cat here, I'm posting this after the story is up to address the issue of certain anonymous guest reviews. Here's the thing, yes I'm removing your reviews, largely because I know who you are, and you're not giving me the respect of logging into your real account and leaving your comments. I know you also are in the same discord groups as me. What you're doing in your anonymous reviews is essentially little better than trolling. You're not leaving any constructive criticism, you're saying the same thing over and over with no further elaboration. Had you used your real account, I could even PM you and ask you in person what you think is 'boring' and a 'chore' about the story, and how I could improve.
But that is clearly not the case. You're only here to troll, and I will remove your comments while you do so. You could stop being a coward and not hide behind a guest review and have a discussion with me if you truly wanted to talk 'Feedback', but it's clear that isn't your attention.
Like a typical Cat, I don't run a Democracy, I run a benevolent dictatorship on my own stories. If I think you're here just to be an asshole, yes your review will be removed. If you have real criticism to share, something constructive that isn't just, "You suck" and, "How dare you remove my 12th comment saying you suck, Tyrant!" then I'll allow the review to stand.
For the rest of you, sorry for this little element of drama. This will be the very last time I address this issue. Thanks everyone!
Safe Verse, One Year ago, Flip's Food and Fuel
Flip's Food and Fuel was a staple of the particular neighborhood in Royal Woods that Lincoln's home was located. Sat squarely on a street corner, not to far from the interstate and on one of the major throughways through town, it saw a steady stream of customers both local and abroad. In business there was a saying, 'location', 'location', 'location' and Flip's place was it.
Not only that, he always kept his gas prices in the 'not as cheap as I'd like, but not worth the going out of my way to find somewhere cheaper' range, easily ensnaring motorist needing to fuel up. And, once he had them inside, not only did the customer find a range of snacks and food, but sometimes a range of peculiar side businesses Flip also ran.
Because for those in the know, Flip not only ran a convenience/gas station, but he also sold tuxedos and tickets, ran a pawn shop, a junk reclamation business, and a makeup store. On paper, all of these 'other businesses' were legally owned by separate people and just 'rented' the space from Flip. Which was all just loopholes to avoid taxes and pocket more of the cash for himself. Resulting in Flip changing his name tag when running these 'other businesses' and refusing to acknowledge any of the others, even under pain of torture.
But Flip was a neighborhood staple himself. A consummate businessman, if you needed something, really anything on an emergency notice, chances were Flip had it, or knew how to get it for you. He was greedy, he loved profit, but every now and then even his money loving heart could be pushed to charitable acts. He had sponsored numerous kids sport's teams, and even helped with festivals and events around the city. Flip always made sure he was making bank during these events, but the truth was, even in his greed driven heart, he liked being a member of the community.
The money didn't matter to Flip. He certainly liked it, but it was almost more he was addicted to the thrill of wheeling and dealing, haggling back and forth with customers, and the sheer joy of entrepreneurship. Flip was more than well off, he was rich. So shrewd with his money, so good at making a buck, he didn't need to work nearly as hard as he did (And despite what anyone though, Flip was a hustler, he was always working.) but it was like he didn't know how to quit. More, he didn't want to. Most likely Flip would shrivel up and die if he wasn't working a new angle. You wouldn't know it to look at the man, but he had more than enough money to buy a home on a sunny beach and live out the rest of his days sipping Pinacolatos.
The Loud family had grown up going to Flip's for his patented Flippies (Absolutely no relation at all to Frozen Cokes or Icyies thank you very much) gas, and quick snacks for years. They'd bought tickets from him, they'd bought last minute Christmas supplies, rides across town, and other esoteric services. They'd even had him over for dinner once or twice. Flip was an odd fellow, he was greedy, but he wasn't bad.
He'd even seemed fond of the Loud children as the regular customers they were over the years. He also took advantage of their fame to make a buck where he could here and there, but he seemed genuinely proud to know them and have played a part in their lives. Using his association with their fame was just his strange way of honoring them.
Yes sir, right here, this Flippie cup was used by no less than Luna Loud herself when she stopped by to visit old Flip again. Oh, Lucy Loud used this dried up marker years back to blacken her pink notebook. Yeah Chief, famous model Lola Loud wore this tiara when she won little miss Flippy 13 years ago, I kept it for posterity, but I'll let you buy it from me!
Lincoln's relationship with Flip, however, was far far different.
It was almost hostile in some ways.
Because Lincoln knew, Flip looked down on him.
Flip had no respect for Lincoln, really had lost all of the respect he had for the Loud boy years ago.
And it was all to do with Lincoln being a regular customer of his.
Despite the perceived hostility Lincoln saw from Flip, the Food and Fuel was just too darn convenient and too close to home for Lincoln to shop elsewhere. He could save gas and avoid driving just by heading there on foot. As he was doing this morning.
The light green exterior of Flip's food and fuel looked just as pristine as always. Flip had even extended the roof and added a few more pumps over the years to accommodate the traffic.
Lincoln walked in, hands in his pockets and money to burn in his wallet. He knew what he wanted, and he just hoped one of Flip's few other employees was managing the register this morning and he wouldn't run into the old man.
But there was no such luck. The workaholic kept damn odd hours, and often took quick naps in his office, just so he could stay close to his business.
Flip was a shorter slightly rotund man in his 60s. His head bald, with the slightly swarthy skin of an Italian, and a thick walrus like white mustache that almost covered his lower lip, perched under his big round nose. He wore an eye patch over his left-eye, having lost it under dubious circumstances ten years ago. He had an assortment of simple t-shirts and brown slacks that he hadn't changed the style of for decades.
Despite his age and stature, Flip showed no signs of slowing down. He was as energetic and active as ever.
The mustachioed store owner pulled his head out of the cooler as Lincoln entered. He'd been stacking some chocolate milk bottles inside. As he saw Lincoln, He turned and grinned, showing off his perfect (he'd had dental implants installed years ago) teeth.
His grating, overly friendly gruff voice echoed as he greeted Lincoln, "Oh hey there Loud! Let me guess, you got another royalty check from those funny books you make, and you just can't wait to spend it! Ya here for your usual?"
Lincoln frowned as he walked towards the cooler case next to Flip and didn't even acknowledge his presence, grabbing a case of beer.
Flip looked him up and down, before he went on, "Oh! You even put on shoes this time instead of walkin over here in your slippers! Must be a special day! What, you got a big date tonight er something? You even brush your teeth and wash your hair while you were at it?"
Lincoln only replied glumly, "Fuck you, Flip."
Flip only laughed in response, a rattling shoulder shaking laugh as he began to make his way towards the counter.
"That's what I love about you Loud, you give it right back to me! Hopefully your liver doesn't give out anytime soon, and your lungs don't develop cancer either, I want a few more years of milking you dry for your vices chief!"
Lincoln rolled his eyes as he set the case of beer up on the counter, "Just give me two packs Flip."
Flip got up on the step stool he had behind the counter, reaching to the shelf facing the customer that had the variety of cigarette brands across it.
"Two packs of cancer sticks, comin right up!"
Flip grabbed the packs and set them down on top of Lincoln's case of beer before begining to ring him up.
"Ya'know Loud, it's funny. How come I never see you at your Dad's restaurant anymore? Is it because he's got all those pictures of your sisters on the wall, but none of you? Truth is I'm jealous of your old man, people show up just to eat and take pictures of the place their favorite Loud sister grew up and ate at. I'm barely making a quarter of what your Dad does on the Loud sister tourism market."
Lincoln just glared at Flip, eyes narrowed as he slid his card over.
"Just ring me up Flip."
Flip took the card and slipped it into the card reader with one hand up mockingly as if he meant no harm.
"Alright Chief! Customer is always right and all that! Hey, you want me to tell your Dad I said Hi next time I see him Loud?"
Lincoln took his card back, grabbed his beer and cigarettes and narrowed his eyes right back at Flip again, "You can tell him I said, eat a dick."
Flip cackled again, shoulders shaking, eye closed as he laughed. One hand coming up before he threw his arm forward in a 'getouttahere' motion.
"You got it Loud!"
Lincoln took his vices, went home and got drunk.
Sinverse Now
Lincoln sat in the bedroom of his childhood, notebook and pen in hand, idly sketching as he tried to distract his mind and body from the desperate cravings slowly taking over his form. His right leg hung off the bed and rabbited up and down with nervous energy at the knee. He was trying to focus on nothing but the drawing, nothing but the paper in front of him.
Art had become the true escape in Lincoln's life. It had been the one thing he could take pride in, the one thing he knew he was good at, damn good at too. While his family and friends had often pointed to Lincoln's true talent being in leadership and organization when he was younger, he knew that wasn't something that was tangible that other people could see.
As he had gotten older, he only saw his excellent management skills, his ability to think long term and plan, and his ability to assist others reach their full potential had only resulted in helping his sisters find phenomenal success one by one. Yet for some reason, when he tried to apply those same skills to himself, they seemed to come up less than short.
It had become grimly ironic to Lincoln over the years, that his plans always worked better for other people than they ever did for himself. Hell, often the plans he made to try and put himself forward when he was younger, he would end up altering to help one of his family or friends instead. His own giving nature worked against him.
He had learned the bitter lesson later than he'd liked, that if you acted like a doormat, or worse, a stepladder to success for other people, that's exactly the way they'll treat you.
That was why his art became so important to him.
It was HIS skill, his ability, his path to greatness. It became more important to him than even his old adage of being 'The man with a plan!'. It was important to the core identity of who he was.
Lincoln Loud was an artist.
And he was a good artist too. It wasn't just shit talking or bragging on his part. He had the ability to back it up, and he had fans, real fans that loved anything he put on the page. Those fans were the only reason he could even stay afloat, selling off his original sketches and page work to collectors.
He made more money doing that than he did from the salary per page that Timely gave him.
But more importantly, art was an escape. When Lincoln really got into the zone, the rest of the world vanished. His troubles, his loneliness, none of that mattered. His mind entered an almost euphoric state when he really got focused, and with his head down, focused on the craft, hours would go by before he'd even noticed and pop his head up.
Often this meant missing meals or forgetting to eat. Considering how unhealthy his were before Clyde moved in, it was fine to miss a couple meals here and there.
But more importantly, he could ignore his cravings for booze and nicotine while he had his nose buried in his art.
Lincoln smoked half a pack a day on average.
And that was him trying to ration his nicotine supply.
Some days he went through the entire pack, and the days he was flush with cash, he'd go through two packs.
But Lincoln hadn't gone with at least one cigarette a day since he started smoking five years ago.
His personal record that didn't involve being passed out from booze was 12 hours. That had been when he'd been in the zone doing a poster sketch of Jack and Ace for Timely. He'd lost himself in the joy of drawing his favorite characters, and the chance to really show off his skills. That day he'd looked up and noticed he hadn't had a cigarette all day.
More he was still riding the high of being so proud of himself he didn't need one for another few hours.
But now? He'd gone over 15 hours without one…
And he was jonesing… jonesing bad.
He really wanted a beer too.
One so badly he could taste it on his lips.
Lincoln didn't go a day without drinking. Typically, Beer, but sometimes the harder stuff when he thought it was an occasion worth 'celebrating'. He knew he wasn't an alcohol by any stretch. He didn't get sloppy drunk every single night or need to drink himself into a coma to sleep.
But he just liked a couple brews every day to get a nice buzz after working.
He'd made a compromise with Clyde. No beer until after 3oclock. That was quitin time for McBride downtown. Clyde told him it was unfair for Lincoln to get to Beer'o'clock without him.
But man, he could really use some beer and cigarettes right now. He needed them, NEEDED the cigarette especially, after everything he'd already had to put up with after almost 24 hours.
But he had the sneaking suspicion his housemates wouldn't exactly approve of him going out and bringing home beer and cigarettes. Not in a dry house full of non-smokers.
Hell, even Clyde had made him promise to only smoke outside so it wouldn't stink up the house. Don't let it be said that Lincoln didn't care about his best buddy's comfort.
He was going to have to wait. Wait until it was night and he could sneak out and head over to Flip's. Assuming Flip's was still there and he wasn't, he didn't know, dead or something or replaced by some younger, hotter relative.
Lincoln didn't know.
This universe was clearly fucked up. Who knew what he'd run into.
He looked down at the sketch in front of him.
It was Strong Suit and the 13 of Hearts. Members of the full deck and based on his sister's Lynn and Leni respectively. They were teaming up against Ace Crafty, an evil Savvy from a dimension where everything was opposite, all the Heroes were Villains and vice versa,
He wondered if Crafty fucked the members of his full Deck?
Probably.
His door opened, Lincoln almost jumped out of his skin, the notebook tumbling from his hands.
It was Leni. She had just entered his room with no announcement, her ever present smile on her lips, eyes closed serenely and both hands held in front of her and bent forward. It was a way of walking that was purely Leni, one she did when she felt her most blissful.
She opened her big sea-green eyes and spoke in her cheery tone, "Lincy! Dinner is ready!"
For a moment Lincoln felt like he was 11 again, reading comic books in his underwear in his room, only for one of his sisters to barge right in with no care to his privacy. He always had that bad habit of forgetting to lock his door.
No matter how many times his parents tried to stress to his sisters that Lincoln as the only boy NEEDED his privacy now and then, and they shouldn't just walk in whenever they wanted, the girls never really listened. Lincoln had an open door policy, and whenever his sisters needed him, they just walked in.
Back then Lincoln pretended to be more annoyed by it then he really was. Truthfully, he kind of liked it. His sisters loved him, and it showed how much they valued him. How much they relied on him and respected his ability to solve their problems.
It did lead to some uncomfortable moments here and there when he started jackin it and one of his sisters would walk in. That led to comedic moments of throwing the blanket over himself and pretending he was napping. When Ronnie Anne would visit when he was older, she was the one who always made sure his door was locked.
Old habits die hard. He'd really have to start learning to lock the door here, especially with wanting his privacy.
After his internal musing was finished, he looked back towards Leni as he reached down to grab the notebook Lemy had given him, "Okay, thanks Leni, but I'll probably wait until you're all finished before I get anything."
That apparently was not what Leni wanted to hear, as the tall pretty blonde scrunched up her lips and balled her hands up cutely while responding, "Liiincccy! Our daughter spent all afternoon cooking a special welcome dinner for you! Please come and eat with the family!"
Lincoln blinked a few times, feeling a weird slight discomfort as Leni referred to Liena as 'Our daughter'.
He sighed and brought his hand up to his forehead. He hated these women, these perverse, sick creatures that wore the faces of his sisters. Leni would have been one of his primary molesters in this universe, he should be particularly angry at her.
Yet for some reason, he couldn't summon a white hot rage with her. He told himself he hated her, but it was just so hard to when she acted just like the Leni he used to be so fond of in his youth. He chalked it up to Leni being so simple minded in everything she did.
If he really thought about it, Leni probably only got in on molesting and grooming him at the behest of the other sisters. She probably didn't fully understand what she did was wrong. He'd have to take a soft touch with her, even if he told himself she didn't deserve it.
"Leni…Liena isn't really my daughter, you…understand that right?"
Leni's lips turned down into a pout, and her hands dropped to her sides. Her gaze down at her feet as her voice came softer.
"I know Lincoln, I know. You're not like, really her Father, but Lisa told us you really are our brother, so like, those kids are totes yours too!"
Lincoln sighed again as he frowned to himself, he remembered how Leni could be. He hadn't had to 'speak Leni' in years. He was a little rusty at it, but he'd try.
"Leni, it's not like that…it's… You know how at Renniger's you'll have a bunch of dresses on the rack, and they all look the same? Same color, same stitching? But they're not the same dress. If you buy two of those dresses, even if you wear both of them, they're still not the same dress."
Leni looked up, her lips turning into the cute little pursed expression she had when she was deep in thought. Her finger went up to her chin, tapping gently.
Old feelings asserted themselves once more. Feelings of how adorable he thought his older sister was, especially because of her silliness. How protective he felt of her too. Lori had told him once she'd only felt comfortable leaving Leni back home when she went off to college because she knew he was there to watch out for Leni's best interests.
Stupid nostalgia he told himself.
Leni looked back, "But like, if I had two of the same dress, and one got ruined, I'd still have the other dress so it would be like I never lost the first one."
Lincoln groaned and slapped his forehead, "Okay, that wasn't the best metaphor. Leni, it's more like… the same dress but in a different color. One is Orange and the other is White. They're the same designer, the same size, the same cut, they came from the same factory, but one is orange, and the other is white."
Leni only smiled, "I like Orange and White."
Lincoln looked exasperated, "That's not the point Leni! I'm saying even though they look the same, they're different!"
Leni put on her thinking expression again, "But like, they totes came from the same place, and they have the same designer, right? So like, that's Mom and Dad and the rest of us? Even if you're the white dress, and he's the orange, and you're slightly different, you're also similar right?"
Lincoln frowned.
Leni had actually made a good point.
He leaned back against the headboard, and sighed, "Okay, so yes, we're similar, but we're not exactly the same Leni. I don't have a relationship with any of you, or children where I'm from."
Leni gave a soft shy smile as her hands came together in front of her, "I know Lincy, but like…I totes saw how good you were with Lulu, and Liena and Lisa told me more. I was really hoping you could be that way for all the kids."
Lincoln continued to grow frustrated.
He wasn't here to play Daddy. That was the last thing in the world he wanted.
"Leni, why would you even think that?!"
Leni looked up, confusion on her lips, the way she said her response was as if that was enough explanation for anything, "Cause you're Lincy."
Being compared to that fucked up, damaged version of himself again. As if the two of them were the same.
Lincoln stood up and let another groan of frustration, turning from Leni and rubbing his temples. It'd only been one day without his anti-depressant, but it was really the nicotine withdrawal that was making him feel especially short. He was doing his best to try and keep calm with Leni.
"Leni, Lulu is a special case, she doesn't know any better! But the rest of the kids do, and they don't want me and I don't want them! I don't have any kids where I'm from Leni! I don't know how to be a Dad, and I'm not going to start trying to act like it now! Stop trying to make me act like your damn brother!"
There was a pause, a silence for a few moments, and then Lincoln heard the soft sound of sniffling coming from behind him.
He turned around and saw the hurt expression on Leni's features. Tears forming in her green eyes. She forced a smile for him all the same, "O-o-okay Lincy. If, if that's what you want."
She paused and rubbed her arm, even as she tried to keep the forced smile on and continued, "I can't get Lisa and Lulu to join us, I guess I shouldn't have expected you too either."
Guilt coiled in Lincoln's heart.
He'd made Leni cry.
Making Leni cry was like, kicking a puppy or kitten. She was such an innocent and sweet creature.
No, no she wasn't. He reminded himself.
She wasn't at all.
This Leni was a sex predator he told himself.
Still, he was trying to get along with his 'sisters' here, even if he had to put his foot down about not being a fill in father.
He sighed as he saw Leni turning away and starting to head out, he didn't want to start off on the completely wrong foot with her, so he called out, "Leni, Leni wait. I'll join you all for dinner, I promise…and I'm not going to be mean to your children or anything."
Leni turned and looked back to him, rubbing the tears from her right eye. She was smiling again.
"Th-thank you Lincoln. That totes means a lot."
She then gave a soft smile that was clearly meant just for him as she added, "But I already knew you wouldn't be mean to our kids, you're not a mean person Lincy."
Lincoln huffed and gave a slightly dismissal reply, "Tell my own sisters that."
Leni didn't reply. Just made her way back downstairs. Lincoln shut the door and mentally prepared himself for the first real family dinner he'd had in years.
Sinverse Loud Family Dining room
The sight that greeted Lincoln when he entered the Dining room was surreal. But then, everything in the house was surreal. It was going to continue to be surreal to him for the foreseeable future.
The sight of a family that looked so much like his own, that all bore the Loud family traits, all different ages, gathered together around the Dinner table was one that particularly sent off another wave of old, familiar, uncomfortable and yet nostalgic feelings in him.
The kids played and talked, joked and teased one another just like he and his sisters did when they were young.
Lyle was playing with Lizy next to him, stealing her cap and trying it on, making the little girl smile and laugh. Lupa looked pleased with herself while she was annoying Lemy about something, grinning heavily while he only glared back at her. Loan had her phone out in front of her, clearly playing some phone game in concentration while Lyra looking exasperated seemed to be trying to get her to put it away. Liby looked to be helping Lacy with her homework, leaning over her younger sister, careful finger pointing out something on the paper while Lacy looked back with a grateful smile. While young Leia was deep in a conversation with her Aunt Leni, discussing summer outfit.
As for Leni's daughter Liena. She was was currently setting the table with her Aunt Lynn helping out.
Lynn was still here.
Well, that was already one element that was going to make this dinner even more awkward than he wanted.
Everyone went quiet as Lincoln approached, all eyes falling on him.
Lincoln did his best not to stare as those eyes roamed over him. But it was difficult seeing the faces glancing at him with all their different expressions.
Lyle frowned at him, as did Leia. Loan only looked towards him for a moment, before she turned away back to her phone, a look of worry in her eyes. Liby glanced over quickly and then away again, hunching her shoulders. Lizy almost looked ready to cry. Lyra gave a polite nod while Lupa's expression was almost unreadable. Liena gave him a sympathetic looking smile and Lacy gave him a wave and a grin.
But Lemy, was not only smiling at him, but looked eager and happy to see him again.
Lincoln was aware all of the children outside of Lulu were wary of him on some level, if they didn't downright dislike him. Even Liena's smile was slightly cautious. Lemy and Lacy were the only two who differed from their siblings. They were downright excited by his presence.
As for his sisters.
Lynn was smiling, but it was far too big for her face. It was an exaggerated smile. Her mouth was doing it while her eyes were trying to kill him. He'd seen that expression more than once in his life, Lynn's 'I'm angry and I don't like you right now but I'm trying to keep the peace' face. She'd given him that expression often when she wanted to attack him in front of their parents while they were younger but was holding back.
Leni, however, was nothing but genuine warmth. She was even the first to speak.
"Hi Lincoln! Totes happy you could join us all! My Liena is soo a good cook, everything she makes is yummy!"
Lincoln gave a slightly nervous smile as he nodded, "Uh yeah, she made me lunch earlier. She certainly has the Loud gene for cooking, just like Dad."
A slight frown went across Leni and Lynn's face, as well as some of the children.
Lynn spoke as she took a seat, "Let's not talk about the Grandparents at dinner please."
Lincoln winced.
He didn't know the full story, but more and more it was clear Rita and Lynn Sr had never approved of their Children's lifestyle. Not that he could blame them, they were probably downright horrified when they discovered what their children were doing.
Much as Lincoln hated his own father, he felt sympathy for this universe's Lynn Sr. Only son being a sexual deviant and monster.
He looked around, "Uh, where should I sit?"
Lacy and Lemy raised their hands at the same time, both calling out, "Here!"
But it was Lemy who was already moving, pulling the extra chair next to him, and placing it between him and Lyra.
"Here Mr L-Lincoln! Right here!"
Lincoln still looked a little cautious, but he wasn't about to turn down the invitation. Lemy seemed honestly interested in getting closer to him, and from what he'd seen of Lyra she seemed to have a good and level head on her shoulders and at the least was neutral to him.
Most of the other kids seemed scared or downright hostile to him outside of Lacy, and he'd be closer to Lynn if he sat next to her.
Lincoln took the offered seat between Luna's children, taking a look at the spread.
His stomach growled just looking at it.
Laying out on the table was a ham, chicken, salad, mashed potatoes and rolls.
It reminded him of old family dinners alright. While Lincoln's father Lynn Sr sometimes had experimented with food combinations that were, less than appealing, the man was still a master chef and most of the time his meals were fantastic.
It really seemed as if Liena followed in her grandfather's footsteps.
He didn't even eat this well with Clyde.
Leni was nothing but smiles, as she clapped her hands together, sitting between Liena and Lyle, "Isn't this wonderful? All of us together like this!"
Lynn drummed her fingers on the tabletop, propping her chin in her hand, "Ya know, except Lincoln isn't really here." She looked right at him as she said those words.
Lincoln just frowned and looked towards the food.
Lacy looked confused for a moment, her brow furrowing before she piped up with excitement, "Oh! You mean Dad! I was gonna say Mom, Mr. Lincoln is right there!" She pointed towards Lincoln showing off her bright friendly smile.
Lincoln began to wonder if Lacy was maybe secretly Leni's kid.
Before Lynn could reply, Lizy spoke up and poked her dish.
"Auntie Lisa and Sissy Lulu aren't here either."
Leni's eyes flicked towards Lynn, and Lincoln saw Leni frown at her. Not in her playful, cutefully miffed Leni way, but actually frown at her in an unhappy manner. Lynn seemed to pretend she didn't see it.
But Lincoln did.
What was that all about?
Leni instead reached over the table and took hold of Lizy's small hand in her own, fixing the child with her warm smile, "I promise you Auntie Lisa and your baby sister will eat with us tomorrow night sweetie." Leni fixed Lynn with that glare once more, but only for a quick second.
That seemed to satisfy the little girl in the red cap, her older brother Lyle giving her a smile and patting her head.
Lyra cleared her throat as she looked around, and then spoke up, "I think we're ready to say Grace and then eat, aren't we?"
Lincoln rose his eyebrow hearing that, glancing around the table. He was surprised as he saw everyone, everyone at the table, even Lynn and Leni, lowering their heads and reaching next to them, taking the hands of the person on each side.
Lincoln's family didn't do a whole lot of praying, he knew his parents held Christian beliefs and some of his sisters did more than others, but nobody was outright religious like this. It struck Lincoln as more than a little strange.
It struck him as somewhat hypocritical in particular given the nature of the relationships this Lincoln and his sisters had. He was pretty sure in the Bible they had a provision about not fucking your family members, but he wasn't an expert.
He didn't want to make waves though, so he closed his eyes and let Lyra and Lemy each take his hand.
Lyra launched into the prayer when everyone seemed ready.
"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the food before us, and we ask that you bless the hands that prepared it, bless the hands that worked for us to receive it, and bless those of us who will now partake of and share it. We ask that you watch over our family and keep them safe, our mothers who are not with us right now. We ask that you bless Lincoln, the man who is visiting with us, and that you prepare a swift return for him to his own family, and mostly we ask you bless and watch over our dear Father, lost to another world of your creation. We ask you return him to us soon O God. Amen."
A quiet 'Amen' was echoed by everyone else present. Hands were released and a few looks were exchanged only for a moment before those same hands began to go across the table, piling food onto plates. Lincoln noticed Lemy look across him towards his sister, giving Lyra a strange look.
Lincoln waited until most of the children had gotten what they wanted to eat. He was the guest, but he also instinctively believed in children getting to eat first. When the kids were busy eating, he looked carefully around, and reached over to pile some of the food on his own plate.
An awkward silence descended over the table, only the sounds of utensils against plates, chewing and sips from cups. Lincoln tried his best not to look around too much, just focusing on the plate in front of him.
As he took a bite of the Chicken (which was delicious, perfect really. Damn Liena really could cook) he spared a glance around and saw more than a few eyes were watching him carefully, but only one of them was right next to him, and looking up so eagerly at him.
Lemy, the boy who gave him the paper and the notebook, the boy who asked him to sit next to him. He was the one looking up, and he looked like he wanted to ask so many questions, but just didn't know how.
Lincoln felt a little sorry for the kid.
He recognized that look, he recognized that nervousness and awe. It was the same one he saw in a few of his own fans, but more it was the same sense of star struckness he had when he was that age, meeting his heroes.
Lincoln decided to throw the poor kid a life preserver and break the ice.
"Thanks for the notebook earlier Lemy, and the pen and pencil. Drawing helps clear my head and it's good I keep the practice in while I'm… on vacation here."
The kid with his mop of light brown hair held back by his bandanna grinned up so eagerly at him, like he'd just been given one of the biggest compliments.
"T-thanks Lincoln! That drawing you did earlier was so cool! I could make out so much detail in it, I even recognized some of the parts Aunt Lisa uses in it! You did it so fast too! How did you learn to draw like that?"
Lincoln gave a slight smile as he followed with a little shrug, "It's lots and lots and lots of practice. Oh, I went to art school too. I took all the art classes in High School as well, and put my heart into it. I got a scholarship to the Visual Arts school in New York, but it's all about putting the work in."
A fork dropped on a plate, and suddenly Lupa's voice could be heard.
"You got a scholarship into Vis Arts?! A full ride Scholarship!?"
Lincoln took a moment to look a little smugly at the girl who'd been so antagonistic towards him earlier.
"That's right I did. Didn't have to pay one red cent. Hey, you're the artist of the family too, right? Must be something about the white hair."
Lupa folded her arms and looked away, scowling, there was a slight flush on her cheeks.
Lemy looked at Lupa and then back to Lincoln, "That's like a really good art school then?"
Lupa turned back around, frustrated, "It's only the best and most exclusive fine arts school in the United States! I'd love to go there when I'm older!"
Lincoln gave a laugh, before flashing a confident smirk at the girl, "Maybe you can, if you stick to your craft, don't give up, and put your studies first. Oh, and don't make any life mistakes."
There was the sound of clattering silverware again, this time coming from Lynn.
His doppelganger sporty sister spoke up in a rather annoyed tone, "No matter what Lupa or any of our children decide to do with their life, we will love them. We don't believe in 'life mistakes' in this family. My brother hasn't made any mistakes. He chose to make a wonderful family full of love."
Leni swiftly interjected, clearly trying to avoid a fight from breaking out, a smile as she raised her hand up, waving it gently in Lincoln's direction, "Okay, okay Lynn! I totes have an idea! Lincoln, why don't you tell us what Lynn and I are like in your world!"
Lynn folded her arms, sat back and smirked, "Yeah, tell me how you made the biggest mistake of your life turning down the Lynn Loud of your world. You wanna talk about 'life mistakes'? Considering the sorry state you're in, she's probably better off for it."
Leni, frowned, glaring at her sister, "Lynnnnnnnnn…"
But Lincoln spoke up, "No, no, that's alright Leni. That's alright. Yeah, I'll tell her. I'll tell both of you."
Lincoln put on a smug look as he regarded Lynn, "Lynn Loud in my world? My sister? She's the highest paid UFC fighter on the planet."
Lacy dropped her fork, and turned and looked at her mother, mouth agape, eyes wide, "Whoa! Mom! That's so cool mom! If she's you, does the mean you could do that too?!"
Lynn looked slightly confused and a little embarrassed. It was clear not only did the news surprise her, but she hadn't expected her daughter to react like that. She forced a grin and gave a shrug, "Of course I could, if I wanted to Lacy. We're the same person. Lynn Loud's the toughest woman on any world!"
Lacy only seemed to look at her mother with even more admiration.
Lincoln went on, "Her fights are talked about all over the world, and she does cameos in movies and TV shows, sometimes even just playing herself. She went to the Olympics when she was younger and brought home the gold. Heck, she's been doing Voice acting in a couple of video games now. She has tons of money, lives in California and has her own personal Gym."
Lynn listened to every word that was spoken, and it looked like some of it bothered her, and then a look of guilt flashed across her face. She put on another forced smile before she shrugged, "None of that comes close to what I have now. I don't have a beautiful and amazing daughter named Lacy, and, not that I'd ever want to be with you, but I have my Lincoln, the most wonderful man in the world."
But Lincoln wasn't finished, instead smirking, "Yeah, instead of her brother, she's only married to the highest paid male UFC fighter. Former Navy Seal John Crezeno. They have their own daughter, a 2 year old named Jenny."
It was Lacy who reacted before Lynn even could, "Mom's married to John 'Terminator' Crezeno?! She's married to him!? Mom you're so cool! Wow! Wow!"
Lincoln smirked, "So he exists here too then?"
Even Lynn herself looked surprised by that revelation. Her cheeks went red for a brief moment but only a moment, before she reacted in a way Lincoln hadn't expected.
Lynn suddenly threw her head back and started laughing. It was slow at first, before it built and built into more laughter, before she doubled over and pounded the table once.
The worst part, Lincoln could tell it wasn't for show. She honestly thought something was hilarious.
Lincoln raised his eyebrow, frustrated, "What's so dang funny Lynn?"
Lynn shook her head as she slowly came back down from laughing, "John Crezeno!? That steroid using meat head who has a new girlfriend 10 years younger than him every other week? Please, I'm married to him?! Okay, there's no way I'm anything like your Lynn Loud."
Lincoln looked even more frustrated, leaning back in his chair, "How can you say that?! I've only known you for a day and your just like her! That 'meat head' is just like you! He only cares about competition, winning, and being the best! He's a freaking former Navy Seal! Hell, I've met him and he's not even a bad guy! Everyone likes him!"
But Lincoln didn't like him. While he seemed to have charmed everyone else in the family, Lincoln hated his brother-in-law. He hated him because John just seemed the embodiment of the concept of 'better' than Lincoln in every single way. He was taller, stronger, fitter, braver. The guy even had an engineering degree, he wasn't an idiot, and he was charismatic as hell. Lincoln just felt diminished in the man's presence. For some reason Lincoln always felt like the guy was looking down on him every time they talked, despite how Crezeno had been nothing but friendly to Lincoln, even reading his independent comic series and complimenting his art.
Lynn's smirk only seemed to grow more confident, it was as if she had found a crack in Lincoln's wall and was now exploiting it, worming her way into it, "It's not about that Linc! That kind of guy doesn't appeal to me! I had guys like that throw themselves at me all my life, they still do! They think they can have their perfect little tomboy gym bunny in me. But I don't want that, all I wanted was the sweet boy who cared about me, the smart and creative one I always had fun with. Some living brick wasn't going to show me how fun it is to dress up in costume, or let me indulge my girly side when I want to, or have such a gentle and poetic side to him that melts my heart. Do you really think I'm that shallow?"
Lincoln looked slightly perturbed, his face scrunching up into a frown, "It's not about that, it's just, he suits who you are! Why go for someone like me, when you could have that by comparison!?"
Lynn looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "It sounds like you're the one who has the problem with who she's with Stinkin'."
Lynn gave him a smug grin, even as she used the old childhood nickname Lynn had for him. The very one he'd already told her not to use. But he wasn't going to make a scene in front of the kids, he frowned and looked away, shoving his discomfort down and went on.
"Anyway, Leni, we'll go with you next."
Leni seemed unaware or unwilling to address any of the tension between Lincoln and Lynn at the moment, focusing her attention on her other dimensional brother.
"Oh yay! Alright Lincy, I wanna know! What am I like in your world?"
Lincoln took a moment, as he pushed away the irritation he had from Lynn and gave Leni a smile, "Okay well, first thing, I haven't seen my Leni in person in a few years. But she lives in Paris and she's in charge of a fashion empire!"
Leni didn't give the reaction Lincoln expected, she seemed unhappy, "Like, why haven't you seen me Lincy? I haven't come to visit you and everyone else, and you don't want to come visit me?"
Lincoln frowned, suddenly feeling guilty again. Which was strange, since he shouldn't care if this Leni was disappointed in his behavior. But for some reason seeing her look sad for her counterpart made him feel like he let Lenis down.
Why was all of this so fucking weird?
He gave something of a shrug in reply, "Just, life yaknow. She's busy over there and hasn't been able to come back home often. She has the shows she has to oversee there. I've been busy too. I can't really afford that kind of an expensive trip anyway."
Leni looked only more confused, "But like, if it was me Lincy, I'd totes pay for you to come visit! If I had all that money, I'd totes pay for everyone to come and visit me! I'd miss you all too much! Did you ask me if I would pay for you to come visit? Maybe I'm afraid to ask you."
Lincoln shook his head, "No, I wouldn't do that. My sisters shouldn't have to give me money for anything. I'd never ask them for money either. I don't need their pity or their handouts."
Leni suddenly fixed him with an expression he didn't expect. It was as if in that moment she was looking into his heart and gave him a look of true sympathy.
He hated it.
Liena frowned, her brow furrowing as she looked to Lincoln, "Mom doesn't visit the family? Not even Aunt Lori? How does she get by not seeing Aunt Lori? Aunt Lori and mom live together!"
Lincoln shook his head once more. He wasn't surprised to hear Leni was dependent on Lori here like she had been when she was younger. It was just more evidence his family was better.
"Lori and Leni don't live together where I'm from. Leni grew out of her dependent need on Lori for everything. She's her own woman, a businesswoman and creator. The rich and successful clamor for an original Leni Loud design."
Leni put on her thinking expression again, her finger tapping her chin in that same cute manner he had seen earlier, she looked a little troubled even, before she looked back towards Lincoln, "But like, Lori is my best friend and my big sister! I call her everyday! We really don't visit each other where you're from?! That's totes so sad!"
Lincoln looked a little frustrated, but reminded himself he was dealing with Leni and needed to be patient, "Well, she has her own family. I'm sure her husband takes care of all that Lori stuff for her. He's a former male model named Hugo Dubois. She even has a daughter! Leni adopted her a few years ago, a little Japanese girl named Bethany Loud. We all call her Bed though."
Leni smiled when she heard about the adoption, that news seemed to cheer her up a little, "Bed? Aww! So cute! Why does everyone call her Bed?"
Lincoln responded with a slight smile, "It was when we met her when she was 3 or 4, she kept introducing herself as 'Bed Loud' when she was trying to say 'Beth Loud'. We all thought it was cute too, so it just sort of stuck."
Leni's smile got a little brighter, even Liena and Lyle seemed interested in this other dimensional sister of theirs, "Oh that's totes adorable! I love my babies here, but I'm so happy your Leni knows the joy of being a mom too."
Lincoln gave a soft smile in return, "Yeah, Bed's a good kid, a little eccentric, but she's fun. Leni adores her, she's always posting pictures of the two of them on social media."
It was Lyle who interjected despite the happy sounding conversation, brow furrowed, the young man looking curious, "Wait a minute. If mom is married to this Dubois guy, why isn't her name Leni Dubois? Why isn't Bed, named Bed Dubois? Why is it Bed Loud?"
Lincoln looked a little uncomfortable at those questions, because the truth was…he didn't know. He had no idea at all, and it was something he'd asked himself once too. He'd never bothered asking Leni because he was too afraid of digging into her personal life and happiness.
He gave an uncomfortable shrug, "I… I couldn't tell you that, branding maybe? European thing? I never asked."
Lynn had been silently listening all this time, an increasingly annoyed expression on her lips, and now she chose to cut in, "Why don't you know Lincoln?! Why didn't you ask!? She's your sister! You're supposed to know these things!"
Lincoln sighed, looking annoyed he fired right back at Lynn, "Why is it my job?! I'm not my sister's keeper! It's not my job to keep making sure everything in my sisters' lives is going great anymore!"
Lynn looked disappointed, even hurt, "That's what you've always been! Isn't it?! You've always been the one who takes care of us! That's why we love you so much! Did you just stop doing that where you're from!?"
Leni looked uncomfortable and tried to play peace maker again, "Like, okay, okay maybe we need to change topics now, I totes don't think that-"
But Lincoln wasn't done, "It's not my responsibility! I did all of that as a kid and even into my teenage years! I took care of all of you, and what did it get me?! Nothing! It got me absolutely nothing! Meanwhile you somehow managed to enslave me in this world into taking care of all of you for the rest of my life!"
The sound of fists hitting the table was heard, all attention went in the direction of the sound, it was Lupa of all things! She glared angrily at Lincoln.
"I was supposed to see Charlie today! He was supposed to ask Dad something important! But you had to come and take him away! Charlie's still in the hospital and now I don't know when I'll get to see him!"
Lincoln only looked on bewildered, "Who the hell is Charlie?!"
Leia suddenly let loose a long low groan of frustration, "Ugh! Dad is supposed to be at the next Turtle Scouts meeting to sign off on the cookie orders! Fat chance of that getting done with this guy, he can't even keep track of his own sisters!"
Lemy spoke up, sounding worried, clearly trying to defend Lincoln, "Hey, you don't know that Leia, we need to give him a chance! We need-
Loan, who'd been so quiet during all of this suddenly buried her face into her hands, "Daddy Daughter stream is going to be cancelled now! My subscribers are gonna wonder why he's not there! What if Dad never comes back?! I can't handle that! I can't handle Dad not coming back! I need my father! I need my Daddy! I need him!"
The eldest of the children had started to rock back and forth in her chair, her hands coming up hugging herself. Leni was already on her, gently rubbing her back trying to whisper soothing words to her.
Lyle looked straight at Lincoln, a plain and disappointed look on his features, "Oh great, the imposter has sent Loan into an anxiety spiral."
Lincoln looked as if he was going to try and say something, anything, before another young voice cut in.
It was Lizy, second youngest of the Loud children. She suddenly threw her head back as her voice echoed in complete despair, "I'm never gonna get to play dinosaur farm with Daddy again! I miss daddy! I want daddy!" Before she started to bawl her eyes out.
Liby was the one who got up and moved to the crying Lizy, hugging the girl, but even she was looking morose, her head hanging low, "We'll never finish that escape room together now…"
Lemy tried to speak up again, the boy looking more worried, his hand coming up, "If we just calm down and try to talk-
Lupa interrupted him, "Why are you bothering to try and defend this imposter Lemy!? It's not like he cares about you, or any of us!"
Lacy looked more and more upset, she'd been silently watching everything until now, but a look of frustration grew more and more across her features, "Why is everyone being so mean?! This new Dad could be our friend! We should be nice to him! We could have two Dads then! Wouldn't that be cool!?"
Lyle looked right across at his sister annoyed, "He's not your Dad Lacy! He's not anyone's Dad! Stay out of this, you're not smart enough to understand what's going on!"
Liena looked shocked at her little brother, mouth agape, "Lyle! Don't you dare talk to Lacy like that!"
It was probably only Liena's reaction that had prevented Lynn from yelling at the boy, instead her arms wrapping around her daughter.
But it was too late, the cheery looking girl with the freckled cheeks and light brown hair began to tear up as well, as if her brother had just slapped her.
Lyle winced and looked as if he'd regretted the words the moment they left his mouth, the look of disappointment his mother and Aunt Lynn gave him didn't seem to help either.
"I'm sorry Lacy! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"
Lacy continued to cry, her hands coming up to her eyes, whimpering, "I just want everyone to be nice to each other again…"
Lincoln couldn't take it anymore. The kids crying, the questioning from Lynn and Leni about the quality of brother he was back in his own world. The complaints and unhappiness. It was just too much. He wasn't their Lincoln, he wasn't a father to these kids, and he could never be that. Nor did they want him to be either.
He sat up with a sigh and placed his hands down on the table firmly, causing the entire thing to shake.
Everyone went quiet, the only sound was some gentle sniffling coming from a few of the girls. All eyes were on him.
Lincoln breathed in once, before he exhaled, controlling his temper, his need to lash out, burying it all deep inside of him as best he could.
"Excuse me, I'm not feeling hungry anymore."
He got up and pushed away from the table. Nobody said a word as left the room, but all eyes watched him as he went. Halfway up the stairs he heard the dining room explode into a cacophony of voices arguing with each other again.
So much for a nice family dinner.
Later that evening.
Lincoln made his way out of the house, roughly a little after 10pm that Sunday, after most of the kids were in their rooms and getting ready for bed. No doubt a few were still awake, but it was a school night, so there shouldn't be any out in the living room or kitchen.
He didn't know what happened after dinner, what kind of resolution, if any there was, nor did he care. He was aware Lynn had left, but he was only glad about that. The only thing Lincoln cared about, was getting out and getting away from this madness for the moment.
There was always the chance he'd run into Leni, or Lisa down there, but he'd waited until he heard Leni come upstairs and visit Lyle in his room. He didn't want any awkward conversations with her at the moment either.
After he was sure all his housemates were busy, he'd snuck downstairs quiet as can be, a level of stealth which had been developed thanks to growing up with a house full of so many people and made his way out the door.
He had the other Lincoln's wallet. It had been necessary and handed off to him for what he'd be doing while living as him. It was the exact same wallet he had back home. Another annoying similarity.
He knew he had to get up at 6 in the morning tomorrow to get to work by 7 am, but that was enough time for him to get what he wanted.
What he needed.
Cigarettes and Booze.
Naturally, it meant the place he was heading to was Flip's Food and Fuel, only a block and a half away from the Loud family home. Lincoln still wasn't sure what to expect on his way to the food and fuel, he hadn't asked any questions or inquired about the old man, and none of the Louds of this dimension had volunteered any information about him either.
Still, Lincoln's heart was gladdened when he saw what appeared to be the exact same Food and Fuel from his own universe. Right down to the same sign and even current special offers. He'd even be happy seeing Flip's ugly face talking down to him. He'd be happy for any kind of familiarity from the chaos and strangeness of where he'd spent the last 24 hours.
Even as he approached, and the door swung open, jingling the bell to let the proprietor know someone had entered, the lay out was the exact same.
Good, good, this was just what Lincoln needed. He breathed a sigh of relief. He could get what he wanted and get out.
A familiar gruff, grating, and overly friendly voice greeted him from by the counter. It was Flip.
"Hey there Lincoln! How's the hardest workin father in all of Royal Woods doin tonight?"
Lincoln swung his gaze over and caught sight of the same mustachioed entrepreneur he knew from his home. Old Flip was definitely still alive here.
But he looked quite different from the one Lincoln was familiar with.
The biggest difference was this Flip hadn't lost an eye. No eye patch present, both orbs were focused on Lincoln. He also looked as if he'd lost a little weight. He was still slightly rotund, but this Flip looked as if he'd lost about 20lbs compared to the other Flip. It was the healthiest looking Lincoln had ever seen the man.
If there was one thing that stood out though, it was the missing last two fingers of his left hand.
But the most unusual thing, was how he greeted Lincoln.
The smile he gave was genuine. There was no malice, no disappointment, no smug condescension about it. Flip actually looked happy to see him. Like he was greeting an old friend.
The old man continued, "I take it yer sister Lynn's finally gone for the week and you're here for some of your guilty pleasures?" Flip gave a chuckle, his shoulders shaking, but once more Lincoln was struck by how…real it was. It wasn't a mean laugh, it was friendly.
Lincoln gave a weak smile at Flip, just trying to play along for the moment, "You can say something like that. She's gone for now."
Flip laughed again and nodded, "Oh, I know that sister of yours means well. They all do Linc, never ferget that, but hoo doggy, Lynn cutting you off from indulging to much in your vices? I suppose I should feel guilty, being your dealer and everything, but I was never one to get in the way of makin' a buck!"
Another friendly laugh came from Flip.
There was a strange energy coming from this Flip. Back in his own world, Lincoln felt like he was the butt of Flip's jokes. Flip was always laughing at him, not with him. But he'd only been in here for a few moments and it more felt like he was in on the Joke with Flip. Like it was one they both shared.
Flip was already moving out from behind the counter, "I wasn't expecting you until you got off work tomorrow. Guess she musta really cut yer treats off bad this week. Well right now the Flippe flavors are Tooty Fruity, Watermelon, and Blue Ice. I know yer normally a blue ice kinda guy."
Lincoln stood still in the entrance of the store, just watching and listening to Flip as the short man moved and went to the rolling grill he had, where a number of hotdogs, burritos and other snacks were prepared on it.
"Gimme a moment here Linc, I'll throw some fresh Taquitos on, should only take about 10 minutes fer them to be ready. We can chew the fat in the meantime."
This was so strange. Flip was talking to Lincoln like they were friends…or even weirder…
Family.
He felt like he was in the presence of an old wily Uncle. Someone who wanted to keep him on his toes, but cared about his well being.
Flip hadn't been stationary during his talk, he'd moved to do exactly what he said, throwing some fresh Taquitos on the roller and moving to fill a Flippie cup up for Lincoln.
The old merchant looked over his shoulder as he did so, "How are things between Lisa and Lynn? They still barely speaking?"
Lincoln blinked a little in surprise, searching trying to figure out what to say. He put his hand on the back of his neck, feeling around inwardly, "Well…I…"
But Flip was already responding, "Ahh say no more Lincoln. I don't know the details, but Leia and Libby were talkin' bout it in the store a couple days ago. I know Lynn wasn't too happy about yer other sister's prison time… But then, who of us here hasn't had our own run ins with the law eh?"
Flip Laughed, Lincoln gave a nervous laugh in reply and nodded.
"Uh yeah, yeah, you could say that. What did, Liby and Leia say?" Lincoln asked curiously.
Flip had moved over, and handed the blue ice flippie to him, Lincoln took it cautiously, as Flip then began to move back behind the counter.
"Ahh, not too much. Yer kids share things with ole Flip, but they try to keep family drama on the low. But if there's one thing I know about yer family Lincoln, I know you'll all come through it. It's only been what, 4 months now? Lynn probably just needs a little more time."
Flip stretched and audibly cracked his back as he leaned a big elbow over the counter, "But don't tell her I said that! Yer sporty sis is scary when she gets her dander up! Bad enough she's makin me exercise with the team!"
"The team?" Lincoln asked hesitantly.
Flip rose a big bushy eyebrow and laughed again, "Yeah Lincoln, the Team! Lacy's team, the one your sister is the coach of, and I own! Same one she used to play on when she was younger! Yer sister says as team owner I gotta set a good example for those girls. I shouldn't complain too much, I probably avoided a heart attack with her help."
More and more Lincoln began to realize his double had a not just good, but warm relationship with this Flip.
How, how did that happen?! What had happened that had endeared the man to them? He remembered Flip wasn't all bad, but they'd had so many frustrating run ins with him too. What had changed?! Did Flip know what a gross and horrible person this universe's Lincoln was? Why wasn't he disappointed in damn near everyone of the Loud sisters being a single mother?!
Flip interrupted his thoughts.
"You must have a lot on yer mind there chief! You haven't even touched your Flippie!"
Lincoln gave another laugh and nodded, "Yeah, yeah it's something like that Flip." He looked down at the Flippie in his hand.
Lincoln hadn't had a Flippie in…well he couldn't remember. It might have been almost a decade. After he left home, he could never get them, and when he came back, he felt as if he'd grown past that…and then his tastes ran more towards Alcohol than frozen sugary drinks.
He took a sip.
It was sweet, and delicious and cool. It tasted of nostalgia, and memories of the past. Happier times.
Flip nodded his head, "I know you like to play some of yer cards close to your chest there Linc. But if there's anyway I can help out, you just ask ole' Flip. I'll come through, no questions asked. I owe ya."
Lincoln only nodded slowly as he felt stranger and stranger just being here. There was no way he could buy what he'd originally came for here. It just felt, too weird, and he knew there would be questions from Flip.
This Flip fucking cared about him.
That was frustrating and only made Lincoln angrier at his double. Flip was an asshole, Flip only cared about cash and profit and making a deal. Why was the Loud family close to him?
"Those Taquitos are ready now chief. I'll get them for ya and ring ya up! No discounts fer friends and family!" Flip gave another laugh.
Lincoln approached the counter and fished out his bank card, slipping it out, "Uh thanks Flip. Thanks."
Flip handed him the Taquitos in their little paper container and nodded, "No problem there chief! Miss Monitella will see you at the next Turtle Scout meeting!"
Lincoln raised his eyebrow at that but decided not to inquire. "Right, uh, I'll see you later Flip."
Lincoln made his way out the door, sipping on his Flippie and taking a bite of the Taquitos.
He frowned.
Not because they tasted bad. No, they didn't, they tasted good. In that, 'I know this isn't great for me, but it's a nice little guilty pleasure' kind of good.
His double had his vices too. But it was unhealthy gas station food, rather than booze and cigarettes.
That made Lincoln feel uncomfortable for a moment. The other Lincoln didn't smoke or drink.
But then he reminded himself, the other Lincoln was a sexual deviant who had committed horrible acts and deserved to be locked up in prison, if not an asylum! So what if his vices were a little harder, at least he hadn't fucked his sisters! At least he hadn't fucked their lives up like this Lincoln did!
He finished the Flippie and Taquitos and remembered he still hadn't finished accomplished his original goal.
It was time to stop navel gazing and get moving.
One Hour Later
Lincoln sat in the backyard of his house, staring up at the night sky. It was chillier now. The temperature had dropped quite abit compared to the warmth earlier.
Spring in Michigan, especially early spring was always chaotic. There would be days where it was 80, only for it to snow the very next. It seemed to flip flop every other day. It was looking like it'd be colder again for a couple days.
But Lincoln didn't care.
Even with the chill in the air, the sweet, sweet nicotine hitting his lungs as he breathed in the cigarette was exactly what he needed.
The beer he brought to his lips afterward and sipped down was even better.
It brought a calm to him. One he desperately needed. A little alcohol would help put him to sleep, and the nicotine helped his nerves.
He'd had to grab the keys to Vanzilla and drive out to Hazeltuckey to buy his guilty pleasures where nobody knew him. But it was worth it. He was going to lose his mind if hadn't gotten a smoke and a beer. He had to prepare mentally for tomorrow.
Tomorrow would be his first day being a "Store Manager" of a Burpin Burger. Lisa had told him the place practically runs itself and he just needed to make sure he kept his cool.
Whatever.
He just wanted to be away.
But he didn't even know where right now.
He didn't want to be back home, he just wanted to be away from everything. From the emptiness of his house back home, from the fullness of the house right here. He just wanted to be somewhere nobody knew who he was. Somewhere nobody had expectations for him. Somewhere he could crawl into a dark hole and never come back out.
He felt more lost, more confused, and more unsettled than he ever had in his life.
His mind and heart wanted to go places they hadn't in years, and Lincoln hated that. He didn't want to think those things, he didn't want to dwell on all his mistakes.
That's why he needed his vices.
They chased those feelings away. They made it easier for him to just exist in the moment. Existing in the moment, not worrying about the past, or the future, it was the only way he could handle all of this.
But looking up at that night sky, he just wished he could be like one of the superheroes he loved so much. Fly away, up high and never come back.
A/N: Next time we do first day of work and time with Leni! I know we've spent some time here with Lincoln's first day, but I felt it was really important to dive into that, to really show how Safe Lincoln handles the situation before really settling in! Hopefully it's been worth your time!