Author's Notes: 50k views! I just can't believe it, thank you SO much to everyone for your continued support and interest in this story!
As we approach the end of another arc, I must once again ask for your patience, my final college projects approach so I don't think i'll be able to keep up with the weekly update, in the mean time, I hope you enjoy this densely packed chapter.
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 67: Birthday (Part 2).
- …well? - Clyde looked back impatiently.
- Uhh, of… course, bud, please come along! - Lincoln retracted his doubts internally, he now had everything in place, he just needed to play along more.
- Here's the special guest dad, I'm sorry I wasn't more clear about this… my friends had an… argument with Clyde here and don't want to see him, so that's why not everyone came, but they said they had a surprise for me at school tomorrow! - Lincoln announced to the man playing the game at the table while dragging his confused friend along to sit among the other siblings.
- Why, Clyde, welcome back! - Both parents exclaimed excitedly, reserving the questioning of the "argument".
- Hi everyone, it's been… awhile hehe - Clyde raised his hand to greet the rest of the people at the family, trying his hardest to appear calm.
The game continued for a while, Clyde remained exclusively observant, it would be impolite to interrupt a game that had already started.
He saw the frustration of the others, the mutual look of mischief for the evident winners, everyone was still having fun, but he couldn't help but to confirm it to himself.
Lincoln and Lola have insane chemistry.
He frowned, but hid his expression with the little piece of cake that they had given him, it was delicious, but It wouldn't quell his sorrow.
3:00PM
The game was over, Lincoln and Lola had won the game by a landslide, the others never stood a chance, but everyone was still happy for the boy, his birthday, his glory, Clyde watched the results with indifference, but now it was time to play nice.
- Buddy, you totally crushed, congrats to you two! - The ebony nerd complimented the boy adjacent to him, as well as the sister at the seat right next to him.
- Thanks bud, next time we team up against everyone ok! - Lincoln looked calmly to his side, trying to make a fist bump, which Clyde begrudgingly accepted.
- Sure thing pal, uhh, is it… ok if I take him away for a moment? - Clyde took Lincoln's hand while showing a forced smile to the parents.
- Of course you can Clyde, haven't seen you here in a while, surely you must have a lot of catching up to do - Lynn Sr. happily encouraged the action, he was just relieved to see a relatively normal family and the presence of the boy who could almost be considered a part of the family, now it actually felt like a true birthday celebration for his only son.
The other sisters nodded in approval, Lincoln looked at Lola for confirmation, she too was spurting a confident smile, he had no choice.
They went upstairs.
- So, what's It gonna be? I've got Deadly Combat, Super Crash Bros and Mickelodeon All-Star Mel-
- I'm not here for that, Lincoln - Clyde's expression was somber, serious and sorrowful.
- Clyde, please, let's just enjoy today like we used too… - Lincoln's mood was immediately brought down, he didn't want any serious confrontations today, it was his birthday for fuck's sake!
- …Look, happy birthday ok? - Clyde prefaced while pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to calm himself down - That said… I'm not here for a friendship, dude, that train… departed long ago - He looked down, resisting to show his sorrow to the person that used to mean the world to him.
Lincoln looked down, similarly, perhaps there was still a faint flame of hope left in his heart, one that was just silenced permanently.
- …why are you here - Lincoln's mood took a detour, he was now speaking with similar seriousness.
- To warn you - Clyde looked to the front, arms crossed, seeing the flat screen TV present in that barely closet-sized room.
- About what? - Lincoln mimicked the action, refusing to make eye contact with the estranged friend.
- …Stella -
- What about her? -
- Let me just say this: There's not much else to hide, they don't know that I'm here, consider this a favor, the last one from me -
- … -
- Your thing with Lola… it has to stop, she knows… I know, your parents will know - Clyde looked at his friend one last time, directly on the eyes.
Lincoln was paralyzed again, unable to even breathe.
That was the state that he was in, those were the last words, and the last sight that Clyde had of his former best friend, he quickly lifted himself off the bed and left the room, he didn't have any excuses this time for leaving early, he saw the stares.
He didn't care.
Once he was out of the door and walking his way home, he felt a hand from behind, grasping his shoulder.
He turned around.
- Clyde, I need a favor from you - The person in question whispered.
- Lu.. mmph!? - Clyde's voice was silenced as the sister in question placed a hand on his mouth.
- Shhh - She shushed him - Let's make this private ok? -
- …what do you want? - Clyde couldn't even bring himself to show surprise.
- I want some information - The person replied quietly.
- Not this shit again - Clyde thought annoyingly.
4:00PM
- Lincoln, brother, I offered myself in behalf of the rest of the family to check on your well-being, please accompany one moment to my laboratory, I want to discuss your present - Lisa softly opened the door of the room were the boy was currently residing, being the first one daring to do so, as an eerie silence struck the house since Clyde's departure, Lincoln did not come down after that.
She found her brother sleeping peacefully, perhaps there was a misinterpretation?
- Uh? oh, Hi Lisa - Lincoln woke up from his little nap, he then stood up energetically - The gift right? -
- Precisely - Lisa spoke nervously.
They simply exited his room to enter hers, after locking the door, Lisa activated her soundproof walls for full privacy.
- So… what is it about this present? - Lincoln asked curiously to his genius sister, his legs dangling around in the seat that he had been given close to her workbench and her computer.
- Glad you ask dear brother - Lisa readjusted her glasses with a smirk - I want to present you… - She created suspense while turning around to remove the blanket from her latest invention - The solution to all of your problems! - She exclaimed uncharacteristically loud while proudly pointing to her latest synthesis, a blood red, shiny liquid contained in an erlenmeyer flask.
- Uh, what is that? - Lincoln raised an eyebrow, already cautious of Lisa's chemicals.
- To put it in simple terms, this solution contains genetic blockers that can alter the production of all love-related hormone receptors in targeted areas of the brain - Lisa crossed her arms with confidence - I guess I'm also morally obligated to comment that the effects may be permanent, but it's a small cost to pay, wouldn't you agree? -
- Permanent? And what do you mean it's the solution to all my problems? - Lincoln remained confused, but he wasn't a fan of what the first part of the product implied.
- I believe the illustrated problem is blatantly obvious, brother, this vial right here presents a solution to correct your mistake and turn you into a mentally sound individual, I can also guarantee no secondary effects whatsoever for your mental development and current psychomotor abilities - Lisa continued her explanation.
- Well, blame my ignorance sis, but I do not see this "blatantly obvious" problem - Lincoln began frowning with sheer impatience.
- Ugh, Lincoln, it's time to stop fooling around with semantics, this biologically incompatible relationship with Lola has to be terminated -
5:00PM
After his "little" argument with Lisa, Lincoln felt beyond exhausted, his head was filled to the brim with a billion questions, which he had zero answers for.
He was now laying again on his bed, hugging his newly obtained bunny plushie, feeling the comfort in it and pondering whether or not to open Lucy's poem, perhaps a little positivity could cheer him up, her poems are usually dark, but for his special day, she always made sure to include sweet lines, this one shouldn't be the exception.
He opened it and began reading.
"Lincoln, I'm sorry, this isn't a poem, I can't just pretend to form verses with complicated metaphors and multilayered meanings about this, I need to be the most direct I can: Your life as you know it may be about to crumble, you need to be extremely careful.
Beware of Lana, beware of Lisa, beware of mom and dad, your secret is poorly hidden, you've been reckless, you have allowed the dark fangs of temptation to corrupt your heart, you've put your entire family in jeopardy, and I know how much you love Lola, but you are also hurting her in the process.
Please, brother, control your banal impulses, I support your relationship, I truly do, but if you don't stop revealing your carnal desires, there will be grim consequences.
Sincerely, Lucy Loud"
…great, that wasn't the uplifting message that he wanted, his despair kept growing.
6:00PM
No visitors yet… he was still unable to calm down, but at least he didn't have unwanted distractions.
He desperately needed to find something to calm him down, maybe… Lori's gift?
His mom was right, there was a little box on his bed when he arrived, it was right at his reach.
…fuck it.
He rolled over, placed Luan's gift at the base of his bed and grabbed the box, he then tore the envelope and lifted the case.
Inside, was a happy birthday card signed by Lori and Bobby, he took a closer look at the words:
"Happy birthday! I hope you get better soon"
…what?
He then found a little piece of paper below the card, he also took a closer look.
"Ronnie Anne told me about the… incident at the Lighthouse, I literally don't want to believe it, Lincoln, I trust you, but Bobby does, he didn't allow me to be there, just please, promise me that if anything is happening between you two, that you know the limits and know how to put a stop to it, just, don't get lost little bro"
He quickly wrinkled the paper and threw it into the trash, what an "amazing" gift, but wait, there was more!
He looked at the last thing present in the box, another paper, this one of a more serious, formal nature, he gave a quick glimpse to it.
A name: Dr. Robinson, an address and a date, apparently fully paid too…
He had enough with these fucking non-stop revelations, he blocked every though in his mind, he exited his room and went back down.
- There you are Bruh, what happened, is everything ok? - Luna raised her tone at the appearance of the boy that the reunion was for, who had now been absent for 3 hours.
- I'm sorry guys, I think I had way too much burritos and cake… - Lincoln scratched the back of his head.
- I can confirm, thankfully my instant-effect antidote for the amoeba infection proved to effective, you're welcome brother - Lisa corroborated his story, as per their "agreement".
- Anyways, glad you came early Lincoln, I was about to go on my way home, we have a very sketchy (dodgy) road ahead haha - Luan rose up from the couch, were some of the sisters were watching another Dream Boat special, announcing her inevitable departure.
- Same thing, I forgot I don't live close to home, sorry Linky! - Leni stood up as well, with a more melancholic expression.
- I'm also going to get the lead of these dudes and go back to the road, catch you later bruh - Luna, at last, declared while unplugging the wires of her many instruments.
- Guys… thanks a lot for coming here! - Lincoln thanked his older sisters with some degree of energy - …and about Clyde - He hesitated to come with something.
- Don't worry Linc, we know he's allergic to germs, it's not like he was sick of seeing you or anything hahaha, get it? - Luan tried to insert a last-resort pun, but poor timing aside, some frowns were placed on her, she simply retreated while smiling awkwardly.
Regardless… though cut short due to his "Indigestion", Lincoln reassured his older sisters that he had a blast, they all shared one last touching hug before allowing the free roaming spirits to leave the nest once again.
After the matter, his overall demeanor went back down, sitting in the couch to soullessly watch the special with the rest of the family.
- Linky, you ok? - The soft voice of the youngest sister reached his ears whispering to avoid detection.
- Uh, oh, yeah Lily, I'm fine - Lincoln whispered to her side, avoiding the looks of the others.
- Really, 'cause you look pretty bored - Lily continued whispering.
- Well, I have to confess, I'm not a big fan of this show - Lincoln played along.
- Heh, me neither, wanna see my book? - Lily excitedly whispered back.
- You got it - Lincoln agreed.
The two retired themselves from the couch, earning weird looks from the sisters and the parents currently watching the special, but the twists and revelations quickly warped their attention back to the TV.
Except for Lola, she was always aware of the many hours that Lincoln was absent, Lisa doesn't fool her, she was going to get the answers directly from him, in their private time.
7:00PM
- And this is the part where I save Charles from the scary magazine of our dad - Lily continued passing the pages of her clumsily arranged storybook, the drawing in question featured her in her original super-hero costume using a force field to deflect the strike of a gargantuan size magazine handled by what appeared to be a bright red-eyed big-nosed balding demon.
Lincoln continued looking in awe at her level of imagination from such mundane things, and couldn't help but to chuckle a little at the poorly drawn depiction of his angry dad as a demon.
At last, some light-hearted distraction.
They continued scrolling through her list of action scenes, rough drafts, incomplete arcs and "prank instructions", Lincoln was finding genuine joy in exploring ideas with his sister, assisting her with some drawings and laughing at her crazy plots.
By the time he realized, they had already reached the second to last page.
- … I know it's not much Linky, but I drew this for you, consider yourself an important guest character in this story! - Lily prefaced a little, before turning the last page of her special project, allowing her brother to see the content.
… Not again.
Three characters: Her, Triton, and DeLola, in the middle of the drawing, which was apparently drawn with much more attention to detail than any other strip in her book, surrounded by her forcefield, as the latter two hugged each other with a heart symbol right above and the former stood at the front extending her arms for the forcefield.
He was already sort of expecting this…
What he did not expect, were the "monsters" that she was "protecting" them from…
… Lana, Lisa, Lynn Jr.
Or rather, their "Story" versions: Ribbon, Lisabot, Tricksy.
And some other "monsterized" version of people he thought he recognized…
Liam, Stella, Clyde, their own dad.
… This was not ok.
- Lily - Lincoln replied without taking a breath, eyes still focused on the drawing - … do you know who these characters are? -
- duh, those are from the story! - Lily replied nonchalantly.
- … How do you know about that story? - Lincoln was desperate for answers.
- It's… my earliest memory - Lily replied shyly
- You remember when we all talked about it? - Lincoln was positively surprised at Lily having recollections of the event, she wasn't even two-years old when that happened!
- Yeah… - Lily said while looking to the side - …I shipped the cowboy and the princess - She admitted with a blush.
- … I see - Lincoln continued to avoid eye contact - You know what a self-insert is? -
- (sigh) yes, I know - The youngest looked back at her brother, now spurting a serious expression.
- You know that the real people that those characters are based on, are siblings? -
- Yes, I do -
- …Then, why are you doing this? - Lincoln finally dared to establish eye contact with his perceptive sister.
- Why wouldn't I? I like you guys together - Lily spoke confidently, sending the albino into another shockwave of conflicting emotions.
- …Why? - Lincoln continued with the questions, retiring eye-contact again.
- You two look cute together and are a really great team, I remember when you used to take care of me and acted like mom and dad two! - Lily answered excitedly - and… - She mustered a sudden frown - … I don't like it when our family forces you apart, my big sister looks so sad, and you act like a meanie Linky… -
Those words broke him.
- … Lily, I… thank you for supporting us, but our family has a point - Lincoln tried his hardest to look back at her, his eyes twitching with impending release.
He appreciated the innocent approach of his youngest sister, but it was time to make her understand about reality.
- Do you know what incest is? - Lincoln went straight to the point.
- …yes, I do - Lily remained focused on her brother.
- What? - Lincoln was taken back.
- Lisa wouldn't shut up about it, of course I know, she's always using that word and then says bad things about you guys to her "peers" - Lily scoffed at the memory.
- B-but then, you know that it's a bad thing right, like, it's forbidden!? - Lincoln continued talking in disbelief.
- Yeah… honestly, I don't care Linky, If it makes you both happy, then it can't be that bad! - Lily declared with a smile - I can keep a secret, don't worry - She winked at him.
- Just… how much do you know? - Lincoln couldn't help but to catch on to Lily's stance on their relationship.
She wasn't as innocent as he thought.
- That you guys spend every night in your room? - Lily raised her eyebrow, leaving the "obvious" aside - I can also hear your smooching teehee~ - Lily declared with a teasing look, making the teenager blush wildly - Oh, and that weird part where you start doing exercises on the bed-
- Ok, that's enough explanations hehe - Lincoln got up and interrupted her recollections with a crimson blush in his face, he was at the very least glad that Lily did not understand that part - … Lily, I don't know what to say - He scratched the back of his head - I trust you understand that these kind of drawings cannot be shown to the family, and that our relationship has to remain hidden at all costs right? -
- Yes, I already told you Linky - Lily also stood up, looking confident.
- …Very well, in that case - Lincoln knelt down, trapping his surprised sister in a warm hug - Thank you Lil, your big brother really needed this - He whispered to her ear sincerely finally allowing some tears to flow.
- … I want you to be happy big brother, don't let the others stop you from that - Lily also replied sincerely.
11:00PM
A soft slide of the door from the main entrance of the house was heard.
The figure of the rebellious tomboy attempted to walk through the dark, back to her room.
A sudden flick of a lamp stopped her dead in her tracks.
The illuminated faces of her parents stood there, with an unamused expression, on the couch.
She didn't care anymore, her expression rivaled the seriousness of theirs.
- What? - Lana crossed her arms, expecting the scolding.
- Lana, we are going to have a serious talk - Rita also crossed her arms with a frown.