Author's Notes:

GHOST0938: You're right, Lincoln and Lola were disastrously bad at hiding it! So much so, that they were already doomed way back in chapter 14 when Lincoln told Stella about his weird dreams, it was never really a matter of "if" but rather "when", I just made "LUST" the time for them to get caught for real to fit with the themes. I fully acknowledge that there are quite a lot of incestuous relationships irl that do pass by undetected, and in that regard, I may have made them too reckless and apologize if it felt rushed or inconsistent at any point, thank you for the feedback!

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 70: Consent.

Lily was now intently reading the gift provided by her only brother, whom she might not be able to see anymore.

Her engagement for the story was unbelievably high, despite her limited understanding of written english, she was very much having a blast while scrolling through the pages, it could be the fact that the story was accompanied from time to time with cute drawings, allowing her to explore her imagination, it could be the fact that at least in this realm of fiction, her big brother and sister were still together.

… It could also be that right now, the story was the only thing that she had to distract herself, what with the persistent watch of Todd by her side, monitoring here every move in the couch, while her other big sisters argued in private, one day, she would finally be able to join those discussions, but until then, she was just accepting her treatment, without any objections.

… Well, to be honest with herself, she was probably also reading in a desperate attempt to avoid hearing the prominent sobs from her mother, hidden in her room, adult logic was truly beyond her understanding.

If it makes mommy sad, then why would she let big brother go?

- Todd? - Lily directed herself to the automaton, who looked back at her, as per its programming.

- Yes, Lily? - The robot answered with its artificial voice.

- Why is it bad for Lincoln and Lola to be together? - She spurted her innocent question to the non-human entity.

- It is beyond my programming to answer that question, Lily, my system requires a more specific logic connector - Todd explained, open-ended questions can easily overwhelm an algorithm.

- Ok, then, please tell me the logic behind this "incest" thingy being wrong - Lily refined her question for the automaton.

- Acquiring information… loading… loading - The robot opened his wi-fi channel for answers in the internet - Complete, extracting information from Slikipedia: "A common justification for prohibiting incest is avoiding inbreeding: a collection of genetic disorders suffered by the children of parents with a close genetic relationship. Such children are at greater risk for congenital disorders, death, and developmental and physical disability, and that risk is proportional to their parents' coefficient of relationship, a measure of how closely the parents are related genetically. However, cultural anthropologists have noted that inbreeding avoidance cannot form the sole basis for the incest taboo because the boundaries of the incest prohibition vary widely between cultures, and not necessarily in ways that maximize the avoidance of inbreeding" -

- Ok, I didn't really get all that Todd, can you please say it easier for me? - Lily asked kindly, overwhelmed by the technical garble presented by the robot.

- It seems that human children born from incest have an increased chance of being sick and dying, Lily - The robot summarized the information to her understanding - Other than that, different cultures have different reasons to forbid it -

- Would you forbid it? - Lily asked curiously

- I was not programmed to make decisions based on moral troubleshooting, sorry, Lily -

- But you can form thoughts on your own, can't you? - Lily asked the amoral machine, hoping to get an answer.

- Lisa built me with basic principles of quantum programming, as a result, I can make assessments based on databases with bigger input ranges than basic binary coding, this would give the illusion of "free thinking", but I have no conscience of my own, sorry, Lily -

- Still, what would you do? - Lily insisted, having understood next to nothing on Todd's explanation.

- I see objective reasoning in it's restriction, so I would forbid it - The machine asked with invariable tone, its algorithm having fully processed the "debate" around the subject, thanks in part to Lisa's research, its "logic first" approach making it face the problem from a purely statistics-based approach.

- Oh, ok… - Lily looked down in disappointment, she continued focusing on the story.

.

- Humans are weird - The robot added, surprising the little girl.

- Why would you say that? - Lily turned back curiously, Todd seldom speaks on its own, without being prompted by a previous conversation.

- My database also registered numerous cases of breeding between humans with congenital diseases, deleterious alleles and overall disadvantageous genetic traits for natural selection, as well as females over the age of 40 producing offspring -

- What's wrong with that? - Lily was confused.

- All of these situations significantly increase the chances of sub-optimal or malfunctioning human children, yet, humans don't forbid them - The robot explained.

No further interactions were made with her forced "caretaker", Lily simply focused her attention back at the notebook, trying to read through the story once again.

Although… she couldn't even focus on it anymore.

- You fail to acknowledge something, Lisa, at her current state, Lola is unable to make sound decisions - Lucy was honestly trowing the towel, indignant and tired of her sister's approach.

- The timing is irrelevant, elder sibling, even you cannot deny the concerning effects of her potential withdrawal state for the sudden loss of dopamine in her system, by blocking the expression of her neuronal receptors with my invention, I can guarantee that the associated pain of "heartbreak" will be stopped, consequentially, she will return to being a functional member of society - The young scientist was also becoming increasingly weary of this "conflict".

- … at the cost of her humanity, you mean? - Lucy looked eerily at her sister, trying to make a point.

- Ugh, for Einstein's sake, sister - Lisa had enough - My invention does not prevent normal platonic Socio-affective bonds from being created, it merely restricts the lingering effects of passionate and erotic attraction indefinitely… I understand the importance of social interaction to humans… Darcy illustrated that point well to me - Lisa lowered her eyes for that last statement.

- And you'll understand better as you grow up, when you actually know what love is, and how important it is for us humans - Lucy spat, barely holding her own patience - Regardless, I don't think this "solution" of yours will succeed, meanwhile, I'll be watching closely as you fail - She added with increased intensity in her voice, a rarity for her, as she proceeded to retract herself from the room.

- Let me guess, it will fail because I'll administer the wrong sample? - Lisa commented, making the goth take a sharp turn back, now with visible sweat in her head.

- Gasp! H-how did you-

- Once again, you underestimate my degree of sensorial awareness, Lucy - Lisa rose up from her chair, reaching over to the "fake vial" that Lucy had used to replace the real product - Did you, by any significant chance, conclude that I would not notice the difference in viscosity and refractory capabilities? - The scientist continued, as she took the bottle and proceeded to shake it, revealing bubbles of coagulated plasma.

Lucy could only shriek in discomfort, she had been caught once again, there was no alternative left.

- … We could have solved this the right way, Lisa, but now… let me ask you this - The poem writer approached his technical sister to persuade her one more time - Do you agree with Lobotomy? - She asked without reservations.

That simple question, that single tone-deaf, incendiary, repulsive question, actually took the reserved scientist like a storm, allowing for one of her rare, elusive, emotional responses to occur.

- Excuse me? - Lisa raised her tone of voice, visibly offended - Are you, actually, implying that my well-researched, sophisticated and innocuous therapy is in any significant shape or form, comparable to one of the darkest chapters in medical history? - She continued, unconsciously spitting saliva - I'll let you know, my gene-therapy based approach would never go so far as to directly affect the ability of an individual to think and behave like a normal human by causing direct, irreparable physical damage to their prefrontal cortex- She approached her dark sister, tiptoeing a little to stand face to face - Besides, the applications for lobotomy were always considered highly controversial since its inception, my work, by contrast, was heavily scrutinized and deemed safe and acceptable by none other that the Regional Program of Bioethics of the World Health Organization and the Cartagena Protocol! - She was inches away from Lucy's face, allowing some of her spit to hit her face.

- Then I'll guess I'll word it better, how about… Chemical castration? - Lucy did not retract her stance, still inches away from the altered scientist's face.

Right at that moment, Todd entered the room in what seemed to be a rush.

- Lisa -

- Not now Todd, I'm discussing an important matter with our sister here - Lisa screeched without even turning to look at her creation, as her building rage made her become fixated on Lucy.

The robot went on undetected, alerting its master was pointless.

- Again, a conceptually preposterous comparison! - Lisa replied indignant to her sister's morbid implications - and even under the remote assumption that it was applicable to our current predicament, most compounds that could generate such an analogous effect are currently wildly applied with consent of the person involved or as a necessary operation by authorities to restrict sex offenders, which, admittedly, could very well be considered an applicable protocol to our older brother - She added defiantly to her older sister - My invention does not seek to disrupt hormonal levels, simply to reduce their effects on the brain, it does not generate addiction, has zero side effects, unlike the usual chemicals utilized In that procedure, and can only be applied with specific, informed consent from the user -

- Consent… is a word that you like to throw around to justify your glorified method of chemical castration, except, you couldn't get it from our brother, so now, you plan of using our sister, in her most emotionally vulnerable state to get her to "agree" to your solution - Lucy frowned even more, showing her extreme discomfort - You will never get actual consent by using a human in that sorry state to get the answers that you want, this, is far more immoral than any form of incest will ever be -

- Irrelevant, I do not regard human "morality" as a main justification for restricting our siblings in this inconsequential affair of animal instinct - Lisa got a little more composed, retiring her direct confrontational stance and crossing her arms.

- How curious - Lucy raised her eyebrow - Then, what is your real reason for disapproving on this? -

- The possibility of congenital birth defects on any of their potential offspring, quite simple, really - The little prodigy asserted - The idea of freely allowing an incompatible relationship from creating a higher likelihood of illness and even death of a potential nephew or niece is not something that I will allow -

- What If they don't conceive? - Lucy kept her eyebrow raised.

- Highly improbable, given their recent display within the very walls of this house - Lisa responded calmly.

- Very well, in that case, let me ask you another question - The poet inquired further - What if, instead of wasting all of these years creating something to alter them permanently to stop their love, you had applied all of that knowledge of "gene-therapy" to device a way to reduce the risks of said "congenital birth defects"? - Lucy launched her question with great conviction.

- … -

- Is it because one is a "ground-breaking" product that you can sell and presume to your colleagues, while the other is little more than a "controversial" clinical patent? -

And the lack of response from the scientist was enough for her, she proceeded to leave the room, there was probably no hope in ever beating her dense sister with facts and logic, and there was little else she could do for Lola, persuasion had failed, and threats were also ineffective, for Lisa did not care about Rita finding our about her invention either, she felt utterly powerless.

But she managed to make a point.

A faint, audible crack of wood was heard echoing through the silent room formerly belonging to the twins, as a shadowy figure tried to enter the place, alerting the girl in pink, who was currently laying on her bed, eyes facing the wall on the opposite direction.

She made no sounds whatsoever.

- Hello, Lola! - The weirdly energetic voice proved to belong to the scientist of the house, as she took a few steps to watch her closely on the bed.

- … - No response came from the girl, no sudden movements either.

- I can hear your stilted breathing, I'll assume that you're not in a lethargic dream phase - Lisa concluded, making sure that her voice is heard, she was certain that Lola would not make a sound yet - In light of the latest incident occurred in this house, I understand that it is completely predictable to display clear symptoms of emotional distress and painful cardiovascular pulsations - The nerdy girl assessed, daring herself to sit in the bed.

- … - Lola remained silent and unmoving.

- I expect no direct exchange of words, however, if I may, I would like to propose to you an alternative solution to help you overcome the effects of today's traumatic experience - Lisa insisted, closely paying attention to her sister, in the case of any sudden movement.

- … solution? - At last, though weak and hoarse, Lola said something in response, but her body still remained motionless.

- Indeed, older sister, here in my hand, lies the solution to all of your problems - Lisa responded positively to Lola's earned curiosity.

Her efforts were further rewarded, as the girl, now dressed in her pink nightgown, with a still barely holding messy hair arranged in pigtails, and a look of death in her eyes with running mascara, finally turned around.

Lola stared curiously at the red vial that her sister was holding.

- What is that? - She asked with a raised eyebrow.

- This here Lola, is my latest invention, the result of years of dedication and careful research, all with the purpose of helping you and our brother - Lisa commented proudly to the vial in her hands.

- What does it do? - Lola asked with zero energy.

- If you consume this, all of your current problems will fade away, you'll be back on track to become a powerhouse entrepreneur on your pageant career, free of distractions - Lisa tried her hardest to provide a convincing speech tailored to her older sister.

This did catch her attention, as Lola mustered what little energy she had left to sit up, slowly reaching over to pick the erlenmeyer that contained the substance, which Lisa readily handed over.

- How? - Lola didn't ever look at her sister in the eyes, instead focusing on the alluring, bright red substance.

- Excellent question, Lola - Lisa exclaimed energetically - By drinking this liquid, which mind you, comes with a delicious strawberry flavor, you'll be released of distracting emotions related to emotional romantic attachment and lingering effects of serotonin induced withdrawal, also known as "heartbreak" - She finished while looking at her distracted sister with a satisfied smirk.

- So, if I drink this, I'll stop loving Lincoln? - Lola concluded sadly, eyes still focused on the vial.

- Precisely, although it would be more accurate to say that you will no longer be able to feel any sort of romantic attraction… I assume I'm also morally obliged to say that this effect is permanent - Lisa tried to retain her smile, but her own admission and wording sounded… off, even to her, somehow, being in front of this mentally demolished girl brought… conflicting feelings… within her.

- Lisa… - Lola actually looked away from the substance, right to her sister's face - I have a question - She said softly.

- Please do not hesitate, I'll gladly answer it dear sister - Lisa said with a positive attitude.

- …Can't you just go back in time to prevent all of this from happening in the first place? - Lola questioned sincerely - … even if I drank this, that won't take away the fact that Lana hates us, or the fact that Lynn disappeared… or the fact that Linky is… - She looked away for a moment, a single tear escaping her eye - …well, you know -

Lisa opened her eyes wide, Lola's idea was excellent, magnificent indeed, but…

- … I'm sorry Lola, I can't do that - It was Lisa's time to look away as well.

- … why not? You used to… do that, all the time to solve even the… stupidest of problems? - Lola looked back, this time with a frown.

- That's… precisely why - Lisa looked to the floor, defeated - My younger, immature self messed up with the timelines badly, I don't think I need to recall to you the fact that I almost made all of us… unexist due to a grandfather-paradox ripple effect that I created, just to avoid taking direct responsibility for a broken vase -

- Well, this is important… surely you can justify time travel for this? - Lola kept questioning her sister's logic.

- No, Lola, over time, by discussing it with my peers… I came to the conclusion that direct time travel is the single most dangerous hazard for the stability of the multiverse, so I made the conscious effort to destroy all of my time machines - Lisa kept looking to the floor - and even if I could make one right now, plutonium acquisition disregarded, my team of researchers successfully stablished an ethical protocol to ban time travel for all intents and purposes -

- …that's that then - Lola returned her gaze to the vial - So, if I drink this, I'll never love again, I'll lose my sex drive and will be able to focus freely on my career - She said, more to herself than to Lisa - and I'll… stop feeling this pain, right? -

- … yes - Lisa looked back at her emotionless face, feeling conflicted herself.

Lola briefly thought about the memories that would lose all meaning if she were to do this, the happy ones, with Lincoln by her side, assisting her in anyway he could as a little child, and fulfilling her in anyway he could as a pre-teen.

But then, she remembered the fact that most of those memories would forever be tainted by sin, the one that she started, and that she proceeded to infect on her Linky, she thought about it for a few minutes, the consequences for her degeneracy, and everything that led to the collapse of the family.

She realized that she didn't even deserve those happy memories.

She drank it all.