The Mysterious 'Ship

Chapter 4: Well, This Took a Dark Turn, Didn't It?

She'd said it was probably Ronnie-Anne, but was it really? She wasn't so sure about that theory now, especially not after the comment about long legs.

Luan was grateful she'd told her sisters she'd look into it though; having all of the siblings on Lincoln's trail would just alert him, keep him on his toes, and with just Luan on the case it meant she'd be able to move around much easier. Sure, the others said they'd tell her what they learned if they heard anything, but for the most part, her case was independent.

Just the way she liked it.

She really was getting into this detective stuff. Maybe this was why Lincoln did it so often? She'd really have to consider it as a side business if her case succeeded.

"Hmm," she looked at her pocket notebook the next day, tapped her lower lip with her pen. "Cute nose, perky ears, long legs. Who even fits that description around Royal Woods?"

Luna was off with friends or something, Luan wasn't sure, and while she'd spent a few hours that morning reading Cuesta Tern and working on her comedy routine, that afternoon she swore would be strictly for her case.

But getting somewhere, she wasn't.

Finally, a thought occurred to her; he seemed willing enough to talk with them the night before, and they hadn't really pursued the subject during the meeting thus giving him time to get away, so maybe she should just ask him?

The more she thought about it, the better the choice seemed. Before, she couldn't without saying she'd eavesdropped on him. Now it was an open subject, so maybe he'd say something?

After a moment, she decided.

She'd do it.

Rolling off her bed, Luan tucked her pocket notebook and pen safely away under her pillow and made to find Lincoln.

It was an easy task. He was playing games in his bedroom.

"Hey, Linc?" Luan poked her head around the open door. "What'cha up to?"

"Huh?" Lincoln looked aside at her from where he sat on his bed, controller in hand. "Nothing. Just playing games. Clyde's not home, and none of the other guys could do anything. What's up?"

Luan smiled. "Great, you got a minute?"

This made Lincoln curious. "Sure, I guess?"

After Luan came in, sat down beside him, she grinned and poked him in the side. "So, who's this someone, huh?"

Lincoln paused his game, gave his sister a flat look. "What are you-" but Luan stopped him with a pointed smirk.

"You know what I'm talking about," Luan gave a toothy grin as she laid down and propped herself up with one arm, her cheek resting on her fist. "Don't play stupid with me, Linc. Not after last night."

Lincoln deflated a bit. "Oh. You remember that?" he sighed.

Hoping she wouldn't reveal too much she raised an eyebrow and said, "Heck yeah! You should have heard everyone after you left!" then she leaned in toward him, her little brother scooting away just a little as she invaded his personal space. "But Lincoln," a gleam in her eye as she sang his name. "You better not be messing with us, or Lynn might make you regret it!"

"It's nothing," he said as he looked away. "Really."

"Nuh-uh," Luan shook her head. "I wanna know, Linc, come on! Tell me, at least!"

As if thinking for a second, he looked back at her, then down at his feet, then to his door before finally he heaved one great sigh and said, "Yeah, okay, there is someone I know that fits the bill."

Luan kept herself from squealing.

But only just.

Which was good because, if she had squealed, every dog in the neighborhood would have fled, every cat hissed and the Loud family would be responsible for replacing every window pane in the town, more than likely.

"But," Lincoln started up when he was sure that Luan was under control, "it's not gonna happen. Okay?"

This was odd. "Why not?" she asked, sympathy in her voice as she sat down beside Lincoln and pulled her brother close to her.

He seemed to think for a moment, chewed his lower lip, then he said, "It just can't happen, you know? No matter how much I'd like it to, it just can't."

She was shocked.

Luan hadn't expected this turn of events. Sure, she remembered what he'd said when she was listening in that one time, but up to now she'd suspected that he was just shy or embarrassed or trying hard to play it cool or something.

Not this.

"Oh, come on!" Luan laughed, patted him on the back. "I mean, have you even tried talking with-"

"It won't help," Lincoln shook his head. "There's just no way it'll ever happen. So, guess I'll just have to learn to deal with it, you know?"

Though Luan tried to encourage her little brother, she found herself down in the dumps now and so everything she said seemed half-hearted at best.

She was so down in the dumps that Luan didn't even bother informing their siblings of what she'd learned later on. And their parents were certainly out of the question in this matter.

So there she laid, looking up at the top bunk that night, unable to fall asleep.

Was it because the girl wasn't interested? Dating someone else? Older? Younger? Or maybe she only saw Lincoln as a friend?

While she did finally managed to fall asleep, it wasn't a long rest as she awoke that next morning with bags under her eyes. She growled at the sight in the vanity mirror, then sighed after a moment.

What could she do?

That Saturday afternoon was spent helping her mother with the groceries and then, when she got back Luan made sure that no one was around before she placed her ear to Lincoln's door.

And got nothing.

It took her a few minutes to figure out that Lincoln wasn't even in there, he'd taken off to see Clyde unexpectedly.

But though she was down, she wasn't out and, when he returned later on she made sure to try again. Despite nearly all her family also being home now Luan still took the chance and put her ear to the door once again.

And it was a complete and total waste.

"Ugh," Luan groaned that night as she hung her arm and head over her mattress and stared at the floor. Luna was sound asleep above her. "Why can't this stuff be easier?"

Another difficult night of restlessness and theorizing saw Luan awake a little groggy the next day.

"Are you feeling well, Sweetie?" her mother asked when she saw Luan wobble into the kitchen for breakfast.

Luan yawned, nodded. "Yeah, just," she yawned again, "couldn't get comfortable last night. That's all."

"Again? I hope it's not your mattress," her mother crossed her arms as she waited for the eggs to finish. "Your father and I haven't planned for that sort of expense recently."

Shaking her head, Luan yawned again. "Nah, it wasn't that."

"Cuesta Tern's getting to you, huh?" Luna suggested as she came in. "Told ya you shouldn't binge on her books, Luan. That stuff's freaky!"

Rita looked at her daughters then. "You read Cuesta Tern?"

Both girls nodded.

"How far are you?" Rita was suddenly animated as she shoveled one set of eggs off and cracked another set. "Hobbes's End was absolutely amazing, I couldn't believe…" Luan nodded off just as her mother and sister started chatting.

And for the record, she wanted to say, she hadn't yet read Hobbes's End so please, no spoilers!

But thankfully, she fell asleep before anything could be ruined for her.

Later that day, Luan decided to once more try listening in.

And finally got something for her troubles.

But it was both a doozy, and completely unexpected.

"And it hurts so bad, to wake up and see you yet know I can never reach out, never take you in my arms and shower you with the love I have without everyone denying the affections we both might share. To see you and know I can never reach out for you in the way I desire, it's just too much."

He sounded so in pain, it really did break Luan's heart. Sure, that wasn't hard, she'd admit, but this?

God, it sounded so, so-

Wait, what?

Luan got up, what her brother had said echoing throughout her mind. 'The affections we both might share' that's what he said, right? Luan thumbed her lip, thought on this as she wandered back to her and Luna's room. But wait, she flipped onto her bed, looked up at the bunk above before placing her fedora over her eyes, what did he mean by 'to wake up and see you'?

Suddenly, Luan's pulse quickened, eyes dilated, a ringing in her ears grew louder, and her breathing became ragged.

No.

No.

Absolutely, just no.

No.

No.

She sat up, sent the fedora flying to her feet as she clutched her chest.

No way.

The crush he had? The crush her little brother had?

It was on someone inside the house.