Author's Notes: Well, we are almost there for the birth of a new year! Here's to a 2023 full of new opportunities and wonder, I hope things will at least look better than the current situation that our protagonists are facing right now. Also, yes, the title of this chapter is a reference to Star vs. the Forces of Evil, for those who know, you'll probably understand why.
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 76: Cleaved.
They stood in darkness, the entire world around them had vanished, for a moment, they completely forgot where they even were, Lola was seeing that person, and a void around them.
For the others, it was as if the two had suddenly malfunctioned, a few minutes passed and neither were making any movements.
That is, until Lola decided to rise from her spot, an undefined expression in her face, neither happy nor angry nor sad.
Then, in a swift movement, she hugged the figure of the man in front of her, making him rest his chin in her forehead, Lincoln could only retaliate by surrounding her waist with his arms.
Then, he closed his eyes with a serene smile and allowed some tears to fall.
- Lincoln… - the teenager tried to communicate, but wasn't able to form a sentence yet.
- I missed you too - It was hopeless, Lincoln still managed to complete her ideas, he hugged her tighter.
Lola then looked back to his face, revealing a warm smile and slightly teary eyes.
- I see you kept going to the gym - the beauty queen complimented his build, she could easily feel the width of his muscles through her hug.
- Everyday, can't allow any "laziness" to slow me down now can I? - The negotiator replied proudly.
- Heh, then I guess I'm also growing out of my "greedy" pursuits, I'm going right now to a local charity pageant, like, can you believe it? - Lola commented quizzically, officially separating from the hug.
- Really? Which one? - Lincoln indulged curiously.
- Well, I know it sounds silly, but there is this "Miss Teen Chick of Nature" that is supposed to raise awareness to animal cruelty in chicken slaughterhouses and what now - Lola shrugged sassily, showing her particular retaliation at competing.
- Really, I don't remember hearing about one of those before - Lincoln crossed his arms with a confused expression, he still followed the world of pageantry and female beauty, after all.
- Yeah, no wonder, it's located in the middle of nowhere… some boring town called Sandy Farts or something - Lola rolled her eyes unassumingly.
- Wait… that's not possible - Lincoln opened his eyes wide.
Then he remembered where he was, and looked at the other people on the table, which were all looking at him.
- What's not possible? - Lola stared at him with a questioning frown, - a-and were where you? - She took a hold of his arms, with an expression of unease, - What brings you here? Has everything been oka-
- Hi Linky! - Lily made her presence be known to the duo, waving at her dear brother - Lola, big sis, could you please come with me one moment to the van - Lily then stood up to the shock of the siblings, grabbing the angsty teenager's arm.
- Uh, Lily, I'm talking to Lincoln right now and we don't have much time - Lola also remembered the existence of the others.
- No, its ok Lols, actually I was also going to Sandy Flats, we can catch up there, I'm sure Lily has something important to tell you - Lincoln stepped back with his hands in defensive position.
Lola questioned the whole situation, but in the end decided to take the hint and go with Lily.
He probably needed to say something to her mom and goth sister.
As soon as Lola was out of the scene, Lincoln's expression took a sharp 180, looking at Lucy with a deep frown and completely ignoring his mother.
He sat on the other side of the table to focus his attention on the black haired maiden.
- So, a "pageant" In Sandy Flats eh? - Lincoln spoke with an ominous tone, instilling fear on the gothic sister.
- … There was no other choice, we couldn't have predicted Lola's reaction to this, brother - Lucy lowered her head an admitted sadly.
- And what is she doing here!? - Lincoln pointed his fingers at the person he once knew as "mom".
- I came for what I said I would, Lincoln - Rita answered seriously, making her son direct his attention to her.
- That is? - He raised an eyebrow.
- I brought her - the mother responded while crossing her arms, refusing to remove eye contact with the equally serious man.
- What? But then… - Lincoln opened his eyes wide, looking back at his dark sister.
- … I did not text you that message - Lucy continued looking to the floor.
- WHAT!? - Lola was lucky that Vanzilla was closed tight, otherwise her scream might have actually been heard through the entire gas station.
- Ouch! You should try joining a metal band sis - Lily said while rubbing her ears which were still ringing.
- A-are you serious Lily? How do you expect me to even react to that I… - the pageant competitor was now in a deep state of shook, unable to even think what to say.
- I'm sorry sis, I hate lying to you, I really do, but I can't take it anymore, you're not getting any better and Lisa told me that increasing the dosage of those pills can be incredibly dangerous! - Lily exclaimed with visible frustration.
- And how the HECK is this supposed to make me feel ANY better!? What about high school, what about my career? Dad and Lisa? - Lola spat back, still hysterical at the implications of the madness ahead.
- …That's something that I don't know for sure - Lily replied truthfully, looking to the side - We might be making a mistake, but we want to at least try sis, maybe this is better than nothing, I just know that you're NOT happy were you are right now - She looked back at her sister with growing tears.
- You do realize that I'm taking her with me and that there's nothing you can do about it? -
- Yes -
- You do realize that you might never see her again so long as I have a say on it, right? -
- Yes -
- You do realize that this fixes nothing with us or the rest of them, right, Rita? -
- …yes -
- Then I'm curious, why did you bring her here? I still love her like a woman you know? - Lincoln continued ruthlessly assaulting the aging woman with egregious questions.
- Because I love my daughter - Rita answered with a straight face, regardless.
Now Lincoln was the one raising an eyebrow, expecting this woman to explain herself.
- Lincoln, I don't think that those feelings are right, I will never fully approve of this… relationship, that you want with her - said the aging woman with slight contempt - …but - She finally retired eye contact, looking to the van with a sorrowful expression - I can't stand seeing my daughter in that… state anymore - She finished with melancholy in her voice.
- What "state" - Lincoln frowned visibly.
- Linky is… not right sis - Lily admitted shamefully,
- W-why, what's wrong with him? - Now Lola was showing legitimate concern.
- … he's been saying awful things to Lucy about us sis, there seems to be a void in his heart, and he's starting to use some "substances" to hide it - The youngest let out with a frown.
- No… - Lincoln was now covering his eyes with his hands as his elbows rested on the table, an expression that revealed a mix of sadness and extreme anger.
Rita stayed wary, in case of any signs of a physical attack by the man in front of her, she was ready to defend Lucy at all costs.
Instead, Lincoln decided to use his lessons, retracting to a more relaxed position while deeply breathing in and out.
After a few minutes, he was opening his eyes again, still with a frown, but ready to continue the talk.
- … Did the old man know about that too? - The white haired man launched the question to the air to whoever was daring enough to answer.
- Yes, he did - Rita accepted the challenge.
- … I see - Lincoln answered back with a poker face.
- Listen Lincoln, there's also something else you need to know - Rita continued.
- Mother, no, he'll need to figure that out by himself - Lucy placed a hand on her mother's shoulder to accentuate her point, halting Rita's speech.
- What now? - Lincoln was still curious.
- … Let me just say this - Lucy said while getting up from the table, signaling their departure from the place - Lincoln, Lola needs you, but not as a boyfriend, she needs you as a brother -
- So, I can't go back? - Lola concluded sadly to her little sister.
- …we'll stay in contact with you big sis, we all love you, and even though he may not feel the same, we all love Linky too, I'm sure that he'll support you in your pageants and everything you want, so please, make sure to be there for him too, got it? - Lily tried her hardest to elicit a smile while approaching her brooding sister.
- … heh, in the end, it's always up to me to pester that idiot back into shape - Lola admitted with mild hilarity and a renewed smirk of determination.
- Hehe, and also, take this, don't worry, he already read the last chapter - Lily winked at Lola with a confident smirk as she brought the notebook for the pageant queen to receive.
That damn notebook.
- Lily! - Lola exclaimed with a mild blush of embarrassment, to her sister's amusement - I made that part for you, I told you this stupid story is pointless now.
- Really now? - Lily retained her pretentious smirk - Because those words didn't look like if they were directed to me -
- …It doesn't matter anyway, I killed her character - Lola looked to the side with a conflicted expression.
- …Not really, you turned her into stone - Lily pointed out the obvious.
- Basically the same thing - Lola retained her stance.
- You underestimate Linky, sis, teehee -
- Why would you think so? - Lola felt confrontational to her sister's pompous attitude.
- Oh, nothing - Lily rolled her eyes.
- … fine, I'll take it with me, but I don't think Lincoln is particularly fond of it either - Lola declared with a certain degree of regret in her voice.
- Oh, and another thing - Lily halted Lola's retreat, pointing to something behind her with a finger.
- Uh? What, is there something wrong with my hai-
- Lola -
- Gahhh! Lucy, why are you still doing that? - Lola flinched heavily and jumped backwards, almost crushing Lily in the process.
- …sorry - Lucy apologized sincerely, it was rarely her intention nowadays, but her subtle nature tended to cause misunderstandings - I just hope that you can… eventually forgive me -
- What for? - Lola was still confused, but then she felt the warm hug of her most reserved sister, making her heart jump a little.
- …There were many things that I could have done differently, but I allowed my own despair to win, I know that there are things that I can't help you with anymore, Lola, things that… could have been avoided, but that are too late to change, but for all that it's worth… - Lucy spoke softly, increasing the strength of her embrace.
- I love you dearly, and I hope that you can find your own happiness again, this Lincoln is probably not the person that you remember, but if worst is to come, I'll stand firm to tell you that he will always h-have your back… - She continued to talk in a calm mood, but her voice felt cracked, as she struggled deeply to contain a major release of emotion.
And Lola noticed that, she returned her sister's hug without hesitation, then, as they shared their warm embrace, Lola thought about Lily's determination and Lucy's sorrow, and she couldn't help but to feel a massive sense of duty, the duty to repay that part of her family that showed genuine support to her, even after everything she did to fuck them over for so many years.
She won't back down from this challenge.
As he exited the store to go back to Vanzilla, Lincoln decided to wait patiently for Lola to retrieve her luggage from the car, during that moment, Rita took her chance to approach the cynical man one more time.
- You should probably get ready to leave, I imagine you got some explaining to do to that old scumbag - Lincoln chuckled sadistically, it was somehow impressive that this woman had decided to just do this without even telling her husband.
The mother stood right in front of her estranged son, then, without any advice, she charged at him.
To envelop him in a sincere hug.
Lincoln stood still, overall, desensitized to the act, but also not willing to hurt the woman.
- … I didn't do this just for my daughter - Rita confessed tearfully, her head nestled in his chest.
- I already told you, it's too late for that - Lincoln showed no feelings in the matter.
- I know, but that doesn't stop me from loving my dear son - Rita looked up to his face and his hardened eyes.
- … -
- Lucy told me everything… You've grown a lot honey, I'm extremely proud of you - Rita continued looking warmly at her son, placing a hand on his cheek - … Please, take care of my daughter -
- … I will - For a moment, Lincoln's expression softened, but then he quickly decided to avert his attitude.
He will not fall for that again.
Soon after they separated from their hug, Lola walked out of the van with her… sizable equipment.
Rita simply walked back, hugged her daughter warmly without any additional words and mounted the vehicle, ready to depart.
At last, Vanzilla went on its way, back to Royal Woods.
Now it was just Lincoln, Lola, and her baggage, he approached the girl with a stupid grin.
- mmm… about Sandy Flats - The man said sheepishly while scratching the back of his head.
- Right, sorry for saying that about your home - The girl lowered her head in embarrassment.
- Eh, don't worry, the area is a dumpster - Lincoln admitted carelessly - But I think you'll like my place - He said that part confidently.
- So… where's the bus stop - Lola then directed her attention to the surroundings of the gas station.
- Actually… I'll be driving you home - Lincoln almost chuckled at the implication that his sister was making, he pulled the keys to his car to the complete bewilderment of her.
- Woah, you got a car? - Lola opened her eyes wide in sheer amazement.
- Not just any car - Lincoln replied proudly while picking her baggage - Feast your eyes m'lady, I present to you, my loyal steed - Lincoln waved his hand in a poor imitation of royal mannerisms as he directed Lola to his Range Rover.
- …Lincoln, did you rob a bank? - Lola wasn't very well versed in car models and what not, but this one looked high end and very expensive.
- Ouch, that is a very wild accusation, my lady - Lincoln mocked a wound to his heart, making Lola roll her eyes at his overacting.
- Very well, you may take me to thy noble castle, oh my loyal knight - Regardless, she played his little game.
It was hard to believe Lily and Lucy's accusation with him acting like a dork…
They were now on the road, with Lincoln blasting the radio with hardcore metal by Smooch on his expensive speakers while driving as close as he could to the speed limit as he could, wanting to feel the adrenaline.
- Lincoln can you please turn it down a pitch? And change the music please, its making my ears bleed! - Lola was covering her ears and getting visibly angry.
Lincoln complied and changed the music to a softer, jazzy melody.
- Better? - He asked while holding back his laughter, keeping his attention on the road.
- I guess, how are you not deaf yet - Lola complained while looking back at him with a frown.
- Sorry, what did you say? -
- Don't play dumb on me Lincoln Loud - She threatened with a raised fist.
Eventually, the two let go of the "threat" with a fit of sudden laughter, melting whatever amount of ice that could still be present between the two.
Then Lincoln spoke again.
- You know… I never expected that you could get any prettier than back then, but I was wrong, dead wrong - The millionaire blushed visibly, keeping his eyes on the road.
Lola didn't know what to answer to that.
- …so, did you have any… boyfriends while I was out? - He gulped, his smile was gone.
- Uh, no, I… didn't - The girl rubbed her arm, the situation was getting awkward.
- …I'm glad - His smile returned, the he turned a moment to look at her.
- I also saved myself for you, my princess~ -