I realized it's been a long time since I've made something involving Haikucoln. Though these days I'm more into Maggiecoln, Haikucoln is still a personal favorite of mine. So here's a sequel to "The Heart of Haiku".
13 years into the future, both Lincoln and Haiku are now 24 years old. Both have graduated from Royal Woods High and are attending a community college for their respective fields. The former decided to put his budding art skills to use and began taking classes at the age of 19, one year after graduation. His skill has improved greatly over the last few years, though Lincoln can't decide whether to become an artist for the long-running Ace Savvy comic book series (which is still running even past issue 10,000!) or go into the animation business. You see, animation in general has been greatly disrespected for quite a while now with animated shows getting canned because of tax write-offs or other bogus reasons, and it doesn't help that even now the higher-ups in show business still see animation as nothing more than a thing for kids (as if stuff like Primal never existed).
Lincoln loves cartoons even as an adult. From watching Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Gang unmasking the villain of the week or cheering on Samurai Jack as he fought the evil Aku and his forces robots and bounty hunters. Of course, cartoons for kids weren't the only things he watched growing up. When he got old enough, his parents finally allowed him to watch cartoons aimed at older audiences, so Lincoln wants to work with other aspiring animators to bring in a new golden age of animation where everyone is respected and paid fairly.
Other than being decisive on his career path, Lincoln has had something else on his mind for years, his girlfriend Haiku. Both have been together since they were young and stayed that way through out middle and high school. As usual couples, they went on dates, attended dances, and went had a blast at prom (they even managed to become prom king & queen!). Then graduation came by with many photos being taken of the two of them embracing each other in their cap and gowns, and the graduation party was held at Lynn's Table with the Louds, Haiku's family, and their friends attending. But of course, as many couples Lincoln and Haiku had their fair share of arguments over the years, thankfully this never happened often and neither one has ever raised their voices at each other, both were good at having a mature disagreement without the need to lose their tempers or use harsh words/foul language.
And anytime this happened the two would just go be by themselves for a small period of time to clear their heads and think about the situation. And once that happens, the two eventually reunite to apologize to each other and kiss.
Haiku went to school to pursue a career in literature and poetry (ironic given her name is a type of poem) and is in the process of writing a book about a vampire girl falling in love with a human boy. This sounds like a cliche plot for sure, but most of the book is inspired by her dates with Lincoln even if there's some exaggerations involving the supernatural. The only downside to college (besides student debt) is that the two haven't had much time to go out because of the massive amounts of studying and work they have to do, but they usually do video calls whenever they find the time.
Lincoln is still currently living at his parents' house because not only is it at a convenient distance from his school, but he has found it difficult to be away from his family (which is something he knows he has to work on getting over soon). Lynn and Rita are fine with him staying just as long as he continues to help out with chores and pitch in on bills with his side job. Plus, it's nice to have an older sibling in the house to watch his younger sisters given Lucy (now 21) is attending Fairview College, the same college Lori attended years ago, not only for higher education, but because she wishes to seek out more paranormal activity.
That leaves Lana & Lola (19), Lisa (17), and Lily (14) as the only children remaining in the house besides Lincoln. The rule usually was that whenever one of the older siblings moved out, the oldest sibling after them becomes in-charge of the younger siblings (After Lori it was Leni, then after her it was Luna, etc). Lucy wasn't really cut out for being a watchful guardian towards her sisters given she rather keep to herself, so Lincoln took up the slack like he had after Lynn Jr left home. Lana balances school and her job at an auto shop so that gives her a valid excuse to miss out on being in charge, Lola could do it but she's at the part of teen hood where she cares more about popularity and who thinks she's pretty, so the parents just saw no point of her taking charge. Lisa has actually become more qualified with taking care of the young ever sense she grew out of her mad scientist phase, but her experiments along with her jobs at universities and NASA also keeps her away from her duties which leaves not-so-little-anymore Lily.
The youngest of the Louds is at the age where the parents can test how much their kids can be trusted to stay home alone, but it was a surprise to the whole family after finding out that Lily can be quite the troublemaker if she's left without any adult supervision for so long, like when she decided to turn the upstairs bedrooms into a bed & breakfast without her parents' knowledge just so she can get some money for the Playstation 7 (it comes with a built-in cup holder!).
So whenever he doesn't have to worry about school, work, or siblings (which was rare), Lincoln dials up his girlfriend to hang out. Though today is a very special date for a very special reason. One which Haiku will find out soon enough.
Lincoln and Haiku met up around noon and had lunch at Flip's (sounds bad I know, but Flip sold his store to a food company that actually cared about sanitation and quality while the cheap old man cared more about being paid royalties for his name being used). Typically, the two would stroll around town and talk about what they're working with at school, but Lincoln had another idea. Instead of the park or the nice neighborhoods, Lincoln suggested they go to the cemetery which took his girlfriend by surprise. Both have been to the graveyard before, but it was usually Haiku's suggestion with Lincoln agreeing to go, and it was always at nighttime. But this is the first time her boyfriend was the first to suggest it.
Without a fuss, she accepted.
Sometime later, the two lovers walk under the old, rusted gate of the Royal Woods graveyard. It didn't look so eerie when the sun was out which bummed Haiku out a little, but she was more focused on why Lincoln would bring her here. Did he finally want to read the names on all the tombstones with her? How romantic!
The goth felt Lincoln tenderly squeeze her hand which made her blush and squeezed him back.
"So may I ask why we're in a place like this with it still being light outside?" Haiku asked with the goth-brand monotone voice, but she was secretly anticipating whatever her boyfriend had planned.
Lincoln glanced at her with a half-smile on his face.
"Just something I wanted to show you. Something I'm sure will be worth more than meeting a real-life Edwin." he answered. Hearing that just excited Haiku more, but she kept a straight face.
A few more steps later, Lincoln immediately stopped in place which made Haiku freeze too. She was about to ask Lincoln what was wrong until she saw him gesturing at a nearby headstone with a folded piece of paper taped to it.
"Go see what it is." said Lincoln, smiling wider. Haiku scowled but wore a small grin. She obliged and walked to the grave and plucked the paper from its sticky binding.
Haiku unfolded the paper and immediately recognized a poem written inside, or more specifically, a haiku.
"What a dork~" Haiku thought lovingly as she read it out loud.
"A Haiku for you.
The day we both fell in Love.
Find more papers, please."
Haiku glanced back at Lincoln who's hands were in the pockets of his jackets. He was still smiling and shrugged before motioning her to move forward. Haiku looked ahead and saw another paper flapping in the light, crisp wind.
She went over to the second paper and opened it up and read it out loud again.
"I cherish our love.
I cherish our time bonded.
You are almost there."
Haiku kept this paper along with the first one and kept moving ahead and found more papers with haikus made by Lincoln with all of them talking about their relationship with each making her heart flutter more and more. Finally, she made her way to an area which she quickly realized it a small table with a giant cardboard poster with pictures of her and Lincoln from throughout the years of their relationship and under it was one final note.
Haiku felt her breath stop for a second. Is this... Is he going too...
She started to get the idea of what all of this is about, but she just couldn't wrap her head around it. Was Lincoln about to do it, or maybe he was just being extra loving today?
Haiku grabbed the final piece of paper and read what was inside.
"This is our last date.
Now we begin our future.
Haiku, turn around."
She didn't hesitate. Haiku turned back to see Lincoln down on one knee and holding a small black box in his hand. The top was opened to reveal a diamond ring, but not a normal diamond, one that was crimson red.
"Haiku," Lincoln began, his voice low and tender. "Will you marry me?" he asked.
Haiku was silent. Dead silent in fact. She stared at the ring, then to Lincoln, and then back to the ring. She knew her suspicion was correct, but her mind has yet to catch up.
Lincoln waited there with a patient smile. He'd wait a hundred years, no, an eternity for her answer if he had to.
He saw her lips begin to quiver and her eyes blinked quickly, now a shade of pink and a noticeable wetness to them. Haiku choke up and covered her mouth with her hands. She closed her eyes tight which made fresh tears escape her tear ducts and fall down her cheeks, her masquara running with the little drops of water.
She quietly sobbed until her legs became weak and shaky which caused her to fall to her knees. Not expecting this, Lincoln's smile dropped as he practically leaped to Haiku, his hands on both of her shoulders.
"Haiku, are you alright?" he asked, hoping to console her. He prayed he didn't do this at a bad time.
"yes..." Haiku said quietly which failed to meet Lincoln's ears.
"What?" he asked worriedly.
Suddenly, Haiku grabbed behind Lincoln's neck and pulled him forwards making his lips smash into hers. Lincoln's eyes widened in shock at first, but he soon melted into the surprise kiss.
After a few seconds of bliss, Haiku and Lincoln separated with the former wearing a joyful smile that many outside of their friengroup isn't familiar with.
"Yes, I'll marry you." she repeated.
Lincoln smiled as his eyes too became wet. He held up Haiku's left hand and slipped the ring on her ring finger. Haiku sniffed as she examined the beautiful piece of jewelry. She then looked back at her former boyfriend, now fiancée, who was giving her a loved-filled stare. The two then shared another kiss again knowing that not long from now they'll do the same at the alter in front of their family and friends.
Meanwhile, behind some tombstones nearby, Lincoln's friends along with Lucy hid behind some tombstones as they watched the scene unfold. Lucy was happy that her brother and best friend will soon marry while Lincoln's friends felt happy for the two. Clyde personally patted himself on the back.
"Score for the best man!" he said to himself.
A few months later, the two had their wedding at the local church on a special date where the moon is at its fullest. Haiku wore a beautiful black dress with shiny jewelry while Lincoln wore a standard tuxedo with an orange bowtie. The bride-to-be walked down the aisle with her father walking next to her with his arm around hers.
Clyde stood next to Lincoln as the best men while Liam, Rusty, Zach, and even Chandler McCann who was once Lincoln's bully/rival turned friend stand as his groomsmen. For Haiku, she had Persephone, Maggie, Shy QT, and Stella as her bridesmaids and Lucy as her maid-of-honor.
The priest spoke a few versus from the bible involving marriage and had the two say their vows. After that, both were giving the thumbs-up to kiss, which they did, and everyone cheered.
Later, their ceremony was held at the backyard of the Loud House that has been decorated with lights and tables holding food and desserts while Luna provided the music. Then the time came for their slow dance: Lincoln and Haiku held each other closely as they gently swayed from side to side, both enjoying the warmth and comfort of each other.
A few hours later, the guests all left while some including the family stayed to clean up.
That night, Lincoln and Haiku decided to stay the night at the loud house as they will leave for their honeymoon the next day. The two took the couch because the beds upstairs aren't big enough to support two grown adults and are still there to hold future grandchildren.
Lincoln laid on his back against the couch with a pillow behind his head as Haiku laid on top of him with her head resting on his chest with a blanket draped over them. The only light source in the room is the glow of the moon shining through the front window. Though the two weren't asleep, they stayed there wide awake as the thought of them officially being married ran through their minds and the excitement of what the future to bring also keeps them from slumber.
None spoke, they just stayed silent and enjoyed each other's company. Lincoln glanced down at his wife's head and smiled. He stretched his neck forwards and pecked her head. Haiku smiled and blushed as she nuzzled against her husband.
No matter what the future holds, let it be bad or good, rich or poor. All that mattered is they were together and happy.
And even now, years later, Haiku is glad she helped Lincoln with his poem that fateful day.
She will be forever grateful for Lincoln teaching her how to love.
The End
Hope you all enjoyed this. I am actually thinking about making one more story about this ship to end it all. Though I'm not sure when I'll be able to start on it, but it may happen eventually... if I'm not too busy that is.