Author's Notes: Thank you to all of my readers, this story has now reached 20 followers, I never expected it to grow THIS fast!
The Dark Imperial: I appreciate your review from the bottom of my heart, it means a lot to have an insightful examination of the structure of my fic and i feel beyond flattered that you already consider it one of the top 10% loudcest fics out there, I do agree that this fandom likes to glorify creepy underage (almost toddler) sexuality to a concerning degree and that the relationships of Lincoln with his younger sisters are not very well explored. As for the rating... i won't comment on smut, but the story as i have it planned will indulge in heavy themes later on that will probably warrant the M rating regardless.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Loud House, the brand, as well as all of its characters and settings belong to Chris Savino and Nickelodeon, all rights reserved.
Chapter 26: Secret Crush.
- What do you mean you didn't ask him? – Lana was looking at her twin with a puzzling expression, demanding a reason for why Lola couldn't have been able to find the time to just, ask him about Liam, just a tip, a little piece of trivia, something.
How come the master of manipulation, the duchess of deceit, the queen of getting what she wants, couldn't find just a single moment of her time to gather something out of Lincoln, there was no way, if she didn't want to do it, then why even make a promise?
Lana wasn't really that mad at Lola, she was just… disappointed, a little sad that her twin would promise her something, just to not do it later, that really wasn't like her at all.
But of course, she wouldn't allow that misgiving to ruin her day, not after spending another amazing time in the farm, getting to know by name each one of Liam's favorite cattle, exploring the wheat farm, playing hide and seek in the barn, more mud competitions.
In short, a dream come true… all thanks to Liam.
- I'm really sorry Lans – Lola reflected her guilt in her tone while replying back to her disappointed sister.
- What were you doing anyway, you did see him yesterday didn't you? – Lana confronting her sister, she did sound pretty certain that she was going to ask him, or at least… see him, what would she be doing that was so important as to ignore her twin's only request?
- I… Uhh – Lola began playing with her fingers, each second of silence only serving to validate Lana's suspicion further more. - … Yes, I did – She finally admitted while sighing in defeat.
- So what's the deal then? – Lana asked for the sake of confirmation.
- Look Lans… I wanted to talk with him for longer, but… - Lola began crafting a conveniently placed story, thanking her past as a tattletale for giving her the skill required for it - … Well you know how Lincoln is when Clyde comes over – She finally had a solid lie – It was movie night so I didn't get to talk much before he insisted on going downstairs for their movie special – Lola then made a fake, but convincing sad expression to accompany her mood of "tragedy".
- mmm… ok – Lana said while looking sideways, believing her twin's story, after all, it was Lincoln's and Clyde's sacred "Movie Saturday", but a quick question was still lingering.
- So… what did you manage to say to him? – She asked quickly, wanting to at least confirm Lola's intentions.
- I… Uh… - Lola was once again struggling to come out with a convincing reason - … I'm sorry Lans, I wanted to know first about my… - She began searching for something, anything, panic starting to take over, what could be more important to her than a promise to her twin?
- … my… crush?... yeah, my crush! – she found it, at least for now, the perfect excuse.
- Oh… I see… - Lana then looked back with understanding in her eyes, returning a smile to her twin.
- But wait, so, your crush is a friend of Lincoln too? - Lana replied excitedly with a giant grin – Making Lola immediately regret using that excuse.
- Ok this is getting good – Lana said on a new kind of way, ready to tease her twin – Spill the beans, who's it? – She began the interrogation.
- Oh, uhh, it's not that simple Lana – Lola tried to quickly deflect her sister's curiosity, to no avail.
- Come on! You know you can tell me – Lana insisted.
- Is it Zach? –
- NO! eww, that weirdo cannot stop talking about aliens for 5 seconds – Lola used her will power to avoid a gag reflex.
- Ok then, is it Rusty? –
- What!? Ugg, Lana that's disgusting, that loser doesn't know "subtlety" if an avalanche were to fall thanks to his big mouth – Lola continued to rule out suspects with great annoyance.
- Well then… oh don't tell me it's Clyde? – Lana continued her assault, each time with more intensity –
- Eww Lana stop, I don't like McBride, I… tolerate him – Lola continued her merciless rejection to Lana's pool of suspects.
- mmm… in that case… - Lana scratched her chin as she was running out of suspects - … ohhhh sis! You never told me you could swing to that side, I'll tell Luna – Lana mustered the biggest poop eating grin as she approached her sister with the implications of her latest comment.
- WHAT!? NO! Lana, I barely know her and what little I watched of her was enough to despise her guts – Lola managed to get angry at the suggestion alone, returning her classic high pitched defensive tone for a moment – Besides, I already told you, it's a BOY, not a GIRL – With a single move, the pink blonde killed any and all implications that It could be anyone from the same sex.
- Ok I get it Lols yeesh, I was just messing with you - Lana replied half-heartedly.
- But then, that only leaves one possibility left… - Lana looked at the ground, then back at her sister, the mere consideration of the idea breaking her heart in half, but she was determined to find the truth.
- No… Lans, it's not Liam either, you don't have to worry about that – Lola actually answered in a friendly and supportive tone, reading the room in regards to Lana's feelings on the matter and easing the tomboy's concern.
- … But then, who is it? – She thought to herself, having already ruled out every other member of Lincoln's group, the questions grew, but so did the curiosity to find out.
For now thought, she would leave it like that.
- Ok I give up – Lana finally said, to the princess's relief.
- Well anyway, I'm going for my bottle of all-natural swamp water in the fridge – Lana said with confidence, having trained her stomach for quite literally anything, to even Lisa's wonder. – Wanna come? – She invited her refined sister with a smirk.
- Ehhh, no thanks, I have important matters to discuss with mr. Sprinkles here – Lola kindly rejected her offer, she was not looking forward to see her sister stuff her stomach with more biohazards, besides, she did have something to talk with her premiere confidant and advisor.
- Whatever, suit yourself – Lana shrugged it off as she silently exited the room of the twins.
She was expecting that answer, to be fair, she didn't feel like drinking her new found elixir either, instead.
She was heading to Lucy's room.
- mmm… Let me get this straight – Lucy used her perpetual serious voice, as she tried to summarize the information – Both you and Lola have a crush on a boy older than you, and both have in common that they are acquaintances of Lincoln? – She nodded as she obtained the most important information given by the little girl with a hat, who was for some reason on her knees in a pleading pose.
- Yes, please Luz, she doesn't wanna tell me who he is, could you, like y'know, contact a spirit or sneak in to find out? – Lana mentioned while putting her hands together, she was begging.
- Lana, the souls of the departed should not be disturbed for petty reasons – Lucy respectfully reminded her sister – As for "sneaking", the privacy of others is a required part of a human being, I cannot allow myself to profane that sacred space – She also spoke firmly in regards to spying or peaking, no amount of convincing from Lana would change that.
- Besides, it would be for the best if you don't excavate too much on this matter, sister – she though to herself, while facing the tomboy with a certain… pity…
- Ok then, sorry sis, guess I'll ask Luan then… - What Lana said suddenly raised an alarm on Lucy, she had to be stopped.
- W-wait! – Lucy managed to say in a relatively loud voice, for her at least, before Lana exited the room.
- What now? – Lana turned back to the surprisingly altered goth, her arms crossed, expecting an explanation.
- Ok Lana, look, I'll help you – Lucy said in a hurried tone – But, for the sake of our brother and our sister – She continued.
- … I strongly advice you to keep this between us –