Author's Notes: Hi, it's me again! I just want to announce that we're reaching the end of this arc, so the next chapter is going to be a big one, It'll probably take a week or so to get it done so I hope you guys understand if it takes longer than usual for me to post it, a massive salute to all of my followers and to king Ks for your constant reviews!
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 52: Loud.
*Beep* *Beep*
The white haired boy slowly opened his eyes to process the shape of the alarm that was now ringing on the top of his nightstand, he quickly rushed in to turn it off, then, as if it was a reflex, he quickly got up to exit his room.
After all, the schedule split was still a thing, even on Saturdays, he was given the morning bird part, while his sister was given the night owl part, it had been like that since the last 6 months after that fateful day, so it was little more than just another part of his everyday now.
However…
Everything else, felt, better.
He wasn't tired for once, he was actually looking forward to rushing to the bathroom, taking a well deserved shower, taking his sweet time to actually organize his room, doing the laundry, washing his dishes, reorganizing his life.
Hell, he was actually feeling in the mood to talk to his parents, to his sisters, to his…
Oh, right, he had no friends on Royal Woods anymore… but who cares!?
The house just had a different atmosphere today, everything felt lighter, and brighter, and more colorful, he was even surprised at the notion that there was actually a legitimate sound of people talking downstairs.
For once, the house was actually Loud again.
Fully out of his room now, he took a slight detour to slide a special notebook in his sister's room, then, he quickly turned on the door leading to the bathroom, entered in, gave himself a nice, well deserved, hot shower, actually bothered to brush his teeth and fix his hair for a change, changed up to his last clean set of clothes, and exited with a deep breath of comfort.
He headed downstairs to meet the main culprit behind the new found noise in the house, and gave himself a remainder to greet her properly this time.
- Hi Everyone! - The middle child replied with real energy in his voice, temporarily halting the conversation that was being held without him.
Lori, Lily, Lana, Lynn Sr. and Rita where all sharing stories while eating their respective breakfast, they turned around to take a quick look to the unsuspecting visitor.
- Lincoln! How is my little hero doing? - Lori excitedly greeted the boy, who was now spurting a smile as he approached the table to sit besides her.
Lynn Sr. and Rita looked at each other for a second, surprised at the sudden attitude of the previously angsty teenager, Lily straight up sealed her once energetic voice as she retracted to her chair and focused her sight on her breakfast and Lana just mustered a frown as she crossed her arms.
- It's been great Lori! - Lincoln responded cheerfully, to the dismay of some of the others in the table.
Some where confused at his sudden… happy? demeanor in light of the events that just occurred, and some where just… scared.
- Really? Ok then tell me the goods, how are thing going with Stella? - Lori, being none the wiser to the mood change of the other people present on the table, set her attention on her only brother, fully intending on getting him to open up.
- Eh, they are… good! - Lincoln managed to retain his smile, but the question did draw a quick spark of anger in him, he was now sweating a little for the rest of the conversation.
- Really Lincoln, good? that's literally the blandest answer I've ever heard - Lori was now looking unamused, while raising her eyebrow at the albino.
- Heh, sorry sis, I guess I don't have many interesting things to talk about us - Lincoln played bashfulness while scratching the back of his head.
- You know that's bull, you've been together by what, a year now? Surely you have already done ~Private things~ - Lori continued with the teasing.
- Ok Honey hahaha I think that's enough with the questions, LIly's watching - Rita interrupted to avoid the moment from turning awkward, more awkward at least.
- Yeah, we can maybe talk about that later sis? - Lincoln thanked his mother internally.
- mmm… ok I'll drop it, for now~- Lori winked at Lincoln, making the albino gulp.
- Ok, so anyways I just wanted to greet you properly, we didn't have much of a chance to talk at all with yesterday's incident, but I'm really glad to have you here Lori - Lincoln confessed dearly to his third parental figure.
- Awww, come here little bro, I love you! - His words had an immediate effect on Lori, who got slightly teary eyed as she quickly locked him into a hug.
- I love you too Lori! - Lincoln replied warmly - And not that I mind, 'cause we all love having you here, but why did you come so early? - The only male child took his chance to ask for the clarification that he needed.
- Well, that's what I kind of wanted to talk to you guys about yesterday before "that" happened" - Lori redirected her attention to the rest of the family, noticing the lower mood in the process.
- But before, can you guys call Lynn, Lucy, Lisa and Lola? I want everyone to be present! - The 21-year old woman asked respectfully to her parents, who then looked at each other with a conflicted expression.
- Uhh… Sweetie, you see… - Lynn Sr. tried to explain the specifics of the situation, but just couldn't find the right words.
- … Sorry baby, you may need to ask L.J. yourself - Rita continued where her husband left off, being better trained for awkward situations than him. - … As for Lola… - She still struggled, regardless, unsure on how to express the dark secret of the family.
- Sorry sis, Lola and I cannot see each other yet - To the surprise of the mother, Lincoln was the one to finish the idea.
- What, why? - Lori raised her eyebrow, looking expectantly at her brother.
- I already told you, didn't I Lori? - Lana was the one to speak next, glaring at Lincoln in the process.
- You, did? - Lori centered her attention on the pre-teen at the table.
- Well, yeah, remember that time that we chatted for the whole night? - Lana also turned her eyes on Lori, leaving the rest of the family curious at the exchange.
- Wait, if its about that… - Lori quickly caught on to were the conversation was going, but made a mental note to herself to avoid being explicit in front of Lily - But, didn't you tell me that it was a misunderstanding? - The eldest daughter continued her questioning.
- Well I kind of backtracked, I had a certain deal with the princess but it seems that the cat is out of the bag anyways, (for both of us) - Lana replied plainly, avoiding further eye contact as she lowered her voice on that last statement.
- What was that? - Lori caught on.
- What was what? - Lana played along.
- That… ughh, nevermind - The college student gave up.
- So… is she still like that? - This time, the young adult threw the question to the air, for anyone daring enough to answer, this gave the rest of the family (sans Lily), the clue to what Lana was talking about, putting the albino on high alert.
- We… don't know - The patriarch sadly confessed, revealing his deep fear on the matter, the lift was in about 3 weeks, after that, they would still be under heavy supervision, despite being desperate for this nightmare to be over and left in the past, he still needed to make sure that a "rebound" wouldn't happen.
- I guess we'll find out coming this Christmas Eve - Rita continued a little more upbeat than the depressed father, but still carrying the burden of the responsibility of a mother, weighting down her enthusiasm.
- And what do you think about all of this, Lincoln? - Lori then turned to her brother, who was displaying a pale, uncomfortable face the whole time.
- Uhh, well… I mean, I-it's ok! - Lincoln tried his hardest to elicit a smile - I agreed to do this for her well being, and I'll be happy whenever we can go back to being normal siblings - The albino tried his hardest to provide a confident explanation.
- Well how about this, mom, dad, let's call Lola anyways! - Lori, to the surprise of everyone, got up from her chair, almost screaming her words with enthusiasm.
- But sweetie, I already told you-
- I know mom, but listen, Lola just went through a really traumatic experience, I think she deserves to have a day of fun to help her forget that - Lori said seriously, which made everyone understand her point - Besides, yesterday, Lincoln did save her from the creep, and I got to watch everything, Lola looks pretty normal to me, I know that it's not much to go by, but I think that there should be no issues in having them here for a moment - She continued pushing for her plan.
- mmm… well, what Lincoln did was pretty great, I guess having them around isn't so bad after all, what do you think honey? - Rita pondered the positives, before redirecting her attention to her husband.
- I… guess I can… make an exception today? - Lynn Sr. replied unconvincingly, he was still conflicted, but his eldest daughter had a point and both Lola and her deserved to have the family united for them.
- Perfect! Then I guess I'll call Lynn, Lana, can you please tell Lola? - Lori looked at the older twin.
- I… can't - Lana answered plainly.
- Huh? Oh, okay… - The dry response left Lori temporarily stunned.
- I-I'll go get her and the others, don't worry! - The matriarch quickly rose up from her spot, determined to avoid further awkwardness, she really wanted to preserve the good environment that Lori had miraculously bought to the once death silent house.
Into the story:
"…
- Sir triton, I have come with the intel that you were looking for - The Ghostly figure of Dominic Dunkster materialized in front of the knight, who was now tracing the footsteps of the long sough-after pair that ventured into the forbidden forest, the exchange was mostly silent after that with the figure banishing once again.
His long search was finally over, getting the last influx of useful tricks from the Evil Witch Priscella, before defeating her after the foretold betrayal and using the last gadgets found in the long lost cruise wreckage left by sergeant Cloud McStrife, he managed to finally acquire the magical knowledge to summon the loyal ghost that abides to the princess's orders, who promptly gave him the, mostly, accurate indications to her whereabouts.
Although not thanks to her information, the brave knight was also able to confirm the stains in Sir Ferdinand's heart, which allowed him to telegraph a preventive curse using the power bestowed by the ghost, as such, where he to display improper actions towards the beautiful princess, the forest would bend and twist the space-time continuum, making him get lost, forever.
By now, he was positive that that was already the case, his path was most certainly clear.
Now, he was coming for his princess"
Back in the real world.
- Lincoln… what did you do? - Lola was rereading the latest update for the 4th time now.
How could such simple storytelling hide so many morbid things behind?
She was now on the verge of tears again, this Triton was trying to present himself as a Hero, and maybe within the context of the story, he still was.
But her real brother on the other hand…
Was this her fault? Was she responsible for this?
…When did she create this monster?
What could she do to fix this?
*knock* *knock*
- Sweetie, can you please come downstairs one moment? - Rita informed softly through the door, not willing to open it.
- Yes mom - Lola sighed, then got up, hid the notebook below her princess bed and opened the door to the outside.
- Family, before I tell you anything, please keep this between us, I'll tell Leni, Luna and Luan later ok! - Lori stood in front of the shared family TV, the rest of the siblings splattered in the couch or close to it, with Lincoln and Lola on opposite directions, as per arranged.
- Ok, here goes, mom, dad, everyone, you're now cordially invited to LITERALLY, THE BEST, WEDDING, EVER! - Lori screamed her excitement while pulling the invitations from her bag.
- WHAT! - Lynn Sr. and Rita both exclaimed in unison, the later unable to hide a massive grin.
- NO WAY! - Lincoln and Lynn Jr. managed to get out a loud exclamation as well, the first time in a very long while for the sporty girl.
- YEEEES! - Lily was the loudest of them all, rushing from her sitting spot to tackle her sister.
- Woah! - Lana looked up at her big sister with starry eyes.
- Congratulations Lori, I'm legitimately happy for you! - Lisa shared her excitement In her own way.
- So am I - Lucy followed suit.
- Wow, that's… really great Lori - Lola was last, trying her hardest to sound happy.
- Oh no, here goes again! - Rita looked one moment at her husband, certain of what was going to happen next.
- BWAAAAAAA - A torrential flood of tears was now being spilled by the emotional father of eleven, making everyone in the room smile warmly, used to their dad's overly expressive reactions.
The rest of the evening was spent as an actual family, for once in more than six months, the likes of Lynn Jr. Lana and Lincoln were speaking normally (mostly) to each other, there were still some reservations and some awkward silence between them, but that is when Lori directly intervened to ease them up into common topics to talk alongside her.
Of course, some things could never be quite normal, Lincoln and Lola were heavily supervised, and Lana had some… very awkward interactions with either her twin or Lucy, to Lori's surprise, but the mood was still overall at an all time high in the once silent house.
At Lori's request, the family was now watching a show in the common couch, It of course being a Dream Boat special, To Lincoln's dismay, but he would endure it for his sister's sake, he felt happy for Lori, and wanted her to enjoy the day.
- Ok, at the count of three, everyone mention the cutest! - Lori said, the comment mostly directed to her other sisters.
- OK one… two… three! Bryant! - Lori exclaimed,
- Blaine! - Lynn Followed
- Bram - Lucy whispered
- Dylan! - Lana added
- Brock - Lisa stated.
- Kelly! - Lily commented, this one actually making a few eyebrows raise - …what? I want to be like her someday - She crossed her arms with pride, making some siblings laugh at her innocent comment.
- What about you Lola? - Lori noticed the absence of the little girl's strong voice, making the princess in question snap out of her trance.
- Oh, uhh, well, Bryant I guess? - Lola answered without an ounce of energy, making Lori notice her somber demeanor.
- …ok, uh, Lola, nice to know we share the same… taste hehe - Lori tried to keep her attitude, but the situation looked awkward, maybe Lola was more traumatized by the event than she thought….
What was she thinking, she just got groomed by an older man and she was making her watch a show about adult men!
- Yeah, that's… great Lori - Lola tried her hardest to show a convincing smile, failing hard in the process.
The family continued watching the special, having forgotten the interaction with Lola, the siblings were now reacting normally to the events of the show.
The special was over, which Lynn Sr. took as a chance to stretch his back and head to the kitchen for a special dinner, it was time to make his eponymous Lynnsagna as a way to truly celebrate Lori's arrival and the promise of a better future, the lack of apparent interactions between Lincoln and Lola were finally doing their job at easing the aging man's concern, he could finally look at his family in a normal way, maybe, once his other daughters were back home, they could finally move on from this event and return to their normal days!
- Woof, dad, you just aced it today! - Lincoln didn't waste time at congratulating his dad for the incredible Lynnsagna that he made, whatever happened to Mr. Lynn's cooking in the past months was finally being overturned by the most complete and delicious meal he's had in years.
- Yes dad, it's literally the most amazing Lynnsagna so far - Lori followed Lincoln's compliment, while holding her belly like a pregnant woman, pointing at her fullness and allowing a burp to escape her mouth.
- Yeah, way to go Lori! - Lana gave a thumbs up to her sister, then followed with an even stringer burp, not even bothering to cover her mouth.
The whole family (almost) were now laughing together, reminiscing the good old times.
*Bump*
- Hey Louds! - An angry neighbor was suddenly heard inside the loud residence by knocking the door and finding it open.
- Oh, Mr. Grouse, what brings you here? - The father was the first to acknowledge his presence.
- I was hearing all this noise from the side of my porch and I want y'all to sto- wait, is that Lynnsagna? - He was on his way to lecture the noisy family, that is, until the characteristic smell of his favorite dish reached his nose.
- Why Yes, come sit with us, there is still more from where that came! - Lynn Sr. took the chance to invite the grumpy neighbor, who could sometimes be a source of fun himself.
- Well, don't mind if I do! - The old man's entire behavior was suddenly flipped upside down, sitting alongside the loud siblings.
- I'm going to be completely honest with ya - He followed soon after sitting in the table - I kinda missed the noise - He confessed ashamed while taking a first bite of the delicious dish.
- Awww - The siblings couldn't help but to smile at the adorable comment that the old man had just made.
- Trust me Mr. Grouse, we missed it too - Lincoln added next.
The rest of the dinner was spent in bliss with a lot of talking from everyone, Lori's graduation, Lily's elementary feats, Lisa's latest convention, Lucy's decorations for the house of horror that was being built near her school, Lynn's critical win in the basketball tournament as a way to celebrate her soon to come graduation and even Mr. Grouse's latest attempt at winning the lottery.
Meanwhile, Lola remained observant, her eyes trying to focus elsewhere but ultimately focusing on Lincoln, there was something about him, the entire day, she noticed, she couldn't believe that nobody else did.
His eyes were still lifeless, and his smile was never genuine.
She had to do something.