Author's Notes:
king Ks: Thanks! it is a joy to still read your consistent feedback and I also wish you a good year.
SuperLuigiFan18: Glad to know you liked the reunion! They're now cleaved together, but Lola has also been cleaved apart from the rest of her family and has a duty to fulfill.
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 77: Home.
Not many other lines were exchanged during the rest of the ride back to Sandy Flats, Lola decided to simply stare at the scenery outside of the car with a half open window to feel the cold air on her hair, which made her companion quickly flick his eyes to get a look at her every once in a while, admiring her unparalleled beauty.
For Lincoln, the mere idea that this incredible woman could actually be suffering from such a debilitating condition was something preposterous, perhaps it was just another one of her acts to convince her family to bring her back to him?
…Yeah, it had to be that, not only was she beautiful, she was uncannily smart, she was perfect.
How foolish of him to believe that… but what if…
He quickly let go of the thought, he had made many plans in advance regardless, the important thing was that he finally had her with him, this time without any interruptions.
She was his, he won.
Driving through the town as he approached his residence, he saw a mini mall on the way, then he remembered about his broken clock, which gave him an idea.
- Lola, do you mind if I park here one moment? I need to get a new alarm clock, old one kinda… malfunctioned - Lincoln turned to his companion for approval.
- Uh? Sure yeah, go ahead - Lola looked a moment to his side and tried to reply politely.
- Huh? - Lincoln was now looking weirdly at his sister, something wasn't adding up.
- …what? - Lola returned the stare.
- Eh, nothing, I… though you'd be excited to visit a new mall - Lincoln looked to the front, his demeanor was starting to go down.
- Why would I? - Lola looked questioningly at his lower mood.
- Well… you know, I could always help you try out new dresses, or maybe an ice cream, you know, the usual? - Lincoln put up a confident smirk, looking back at her, surely that had to work.
- Oh, don't worry about that, no offense Lincoln but this place doesn't look that… stylish, I'm already pretty covered with my pageant dresses and well, I just drank a milkshake - Lola dismissed his concerns in the least… condescending way that she could.
- I get it - Lincoln now had a bored expression.
- Hey, don't get mad, I can still help you chose the alarm clock silly - Lola mustered a quirky smile.
- …ok, in that case, tell me if you see anything that interests you as well ok? - Lincoln mimicked her expression, he didn't want their long awaited reunion to be soured due to his lack of patience.
- Sure… - Lola looked to the side again, not entirely happy at that comment.
Soon after, the pair was out of the vehicle an entering the establishment, which contained a few separated stores surrounding a plaza with a watery fountain in a circular manner.
As the pair strolled, seeing the many different stores, including a few boutiques here and there, Lincoln took the initiative to bring the blonde to a few of them, making her look at the many simplistic designs of clothing, all of which were easily rejected and discarded with a simple, superficial examination by the bored sister, but the man wouldn't give up, he then directed her attention to a few game corners, which Lola dismissed as well, she wanted to be "familiarized with the apartment sooner than later".
Regardless, not the entire walkthrough was a disaster, the albino managed to still have fun with having her around for some antiquities stores and took his chance to take a selfie with her near the fountain.
Eventually, the man located a misc store with all sorts of home furniture and asked his partner to go with him to check all the different alarm clocks there, making her decide for the color, as most models looked similar.
- So… we're going to have to settle here, sorry Lols but pink is not my type - Lincoln crossed his arms at seeing Lola admiring a cute glittery alarm.
- Oh sorry, I wasn't thinking about you with this one, you can go for the orange one there - Lola didn't even look at her brother, focused on the sparkle and sleek design of that clock, she just pointed to the one In a shelf nearby, which did manage to catch his attention, as it seemed to have a thunder symbol on the top.
- Woah, it's perfect! - Lincoln stood in front of his soon to be new device, then turned back to look at his precious partner, still paying attention to the intricate flowery pattern of that alarm.
- I see you finally have something that you want - Lincoln commented while approaching her side, looking teasingly at her.
- Well yeah, it's definitely cute, could use it for my room - Lola admitted before directing her eyes at the store clerk - Sir, how much for this? -
- That would be thirty-five ma'am - The man said without an ounce of energy.
- Oh, I see, thanks! - Lola said energetically.
But then she just returned the clock to the shelve and walked away, Lincoln saw the entire exchange with widened eyes.
- Uh, Lola, if you want that one, you can have it, I'll pay for it - Lincoln commented, surprised at seeing Lola give up on something that she wanted so quickly.
- Meh, not worth it at that price, don't worry Lincoln, let's just get yours and move on - Lola shrugged her arms, it really wasn't a big deal to her.
- No, I insist, if you want it, it's yours - Lincoln closed the distance between them and spoke with a strong voice.
- It's fine Lincoln, I can do without one anyways - Lola ensured her brother with a calm demeanor.
- … very well - Lincoln gave up - In that case, I don't want the orange one either, let's pick one that we both like ok? - He insisted while putting his arms on her shoulders.
- What for? - Lola quirked an eyebrow - It's not like if we were gonna share it or something -
- Uh, actually… - It was time for Lincoln to look away, blushing slightly while rubbing the back of his neck.
- Huh? - Now it was Lola's turn to open her eyes wide - Wait, Lincoln Loud… please don't tell me that - She started blushing visibly.
- Hey, it's not like we hadn't done that before - Lincoln couldn't help but to muster a warm smile.
- That's different! h-here we have to share the closet, our p-privacy, our… - Lola continued stuttering with a radiant blush - and besides… - She had a quick mood change, looking to the ground.
- besides what? - Lincoln frowned at his sister's retaliation.
- …nothing - Lola refused to elaborate, which Lincoln chose to dismiss.
- …so, em, how about the black one? - Lincoln pointed with his index at a serious, classic style alarm, which would be minimalistic and elegant.
Lola looked at the device and mustered a small grin.
- Yeah, that would do - She admitted with her arms crossed.
- …why did you stop me, Lucy? - Rita was now waiting in the couch, expecting her husband's arrival.
An extremely difficult talk was on their way.
- …Sorry mom, I… am afraid of Lincoln - Lucy admitted shamefully.
- …I understand why, but still, your mother can take on a bear, don't you think I can handle Lincoln? - Rita replied with a quizzical smirk.
- Still, it's probably better if he finds out from Lola herself, I don't approve on what Lisa did, I never will, but I don't want her to get hurt either - Lucy said with visible sweat coming from her forehead.
- Do you really think he can go that far? - Rita asked with a concerned look.
- … I don't know, but it's clear that he doesn't feel close to any of us anymore - Lucy appeared crestfallen.
- But what about you and Lily, I though he still communicates with you? - The stressed mother raised an eyebrow.
- … I was only his intel, and now that he knows I told you, he doesn't trust me anymore, I know, I could feel it in his stare - The goth sister concluded gloomily.
Rita looked to the floor, defeated, now matter how much she could try to hide her feelings, seeing her son not return her hug broke her, but then that stare that he had when she looked directly in his eyes…
She felt true despair, a man that didn't even acknowledge his own mother, and still, she would do anything in her power to get him to love her again.
Even if she knew that she probably didn't deserve it; despite knowing about it for so long, she still decided to keep quiet about it, clinging to what little hope she could have of being mistaken, that it was all a misinterpretation and that the noises in that room were just her wild imagination playing tricks on both her and her husband because of their own hyper-sexuality. She also felt powerless to stop her husband back when they caught them in the act, when she had the chance to do it.
She was telling herself of how wrong it was at the time, unable to let go of her own fear for her dear son and daughter, she even thought that not seeing him anymore was for the better.
But then, Lily brought her the supposed story that they were making, she read through it all, and realized what her daughter truly wanted.
Maybe in another universe, she would have been immensely proud of her dear daughter becoming a writer like how she had always wanted to be, for such a young age, Lola had definitely shown signs of a good writer, she was incredibly proud of her.
…Which only devastated her furthermore by realizing the inspiration behind.
But at the same time, reading through the story… It made her, understand, she didn't like it at all, but she understood, she understood everything.
Discussing it with Lucy for so long… She had become invested in this plan of hers, it was probably foolish and dangerous… but…
Truly, Lily and those two were her only hope at rebuilding this family; but Lincoln and Lola where more of a fifty/fifty scenario for each other, and the other result scared the shit out of her.
Regardless, she had to at least try.
The main door of the almost deserted house cracked open.
- Guess what I brought family, Ready for a taste of my best Lynnsagna yet? - Lynn Sr. entered the house while holding a plate of his eponymous dish, most likely leftovers from some angry customer that didn't even eat the whole thing, averting the declining popularity of his restaurant.
- Hi hun, we'd love some if it, right Lucy? - Rita rose from the couch, trying to present herself as normal as she could.
- Y-yes dad, that would be delicious - Lucy tried her hardest to pretend a smile.
- I knew you would haha, but I'm saving the biggest ration to my little girl, Lucy, could you please be a sweetheart and call you sister down? - The aging man asked politely to the oldest daughter in the house.
- Uh, I'm sorry dad, I… can't because… - Lucy was speechless, she just didn't know how to go about this situation.
But then, the mother stepped in, getting in front of her husband with her fingers entangled and a decisive look.
It had to happen.
- Sorry hun, Lola is not here anymore - She said drily, looking directly at her man's eyes.
- Really? I thought that her pageant was over by now? - The man asked with a slightly distraught expression.
- …No, that's not what I mean - Rita continued mustering her courage, but it was getting harder by the second.
- What do you mean then? - The man was now turning his expression to one of fear.
- … Lola lives with Lincoln now, Lynn - Rita furrowed her eyebrows, a great deal of fear rushing through her at seeing the petrified body of her husband.
And the Lynnsagna was now splattered all over the floor.
- Ok, here we are, welcome to my home… or actually, our home~ - Lincoln looked at his flabbergasted sister with half-lidded eyes as he stretched his arm to invite her over.
Lola entered the apartment and walked through the many rooms on the first floor, checking the "business meetings" room, then the ample living room, the dinning room, the kitchen, all the decorations…
She then retuned her sight to the man standing behind her as she looked at the layout of the living room.
- Ok, let's cut to the chase Lincoln, you actually robbed a bank didn't you? - She looked suspiciously at him while crossing her arms.
- I swear this was all obtained with legal money, my princess~ - Lincoln stood proudly in front of the girl.
- Yeah, sure then, it's ok bro, you can show me your real home now - Lola looked to the side, still in disbelief.
- You're in it - Lincoln found her reaction rather amusing - I'll tell you in detail how I got it later, but for now, i think we need to unpack your stuff, follow me - He proceeded to invite his special guest upstairs.
As soon as he opened the door to his room however, he regretted everything.
- Fuck, I forgot to call room service! - He cursed himself internally.
But it was too late, Lola got to see it, as she invited herself to the room.
She would figure out the layout of that place later on, but right now, a way bigger ordeal was surfacing through her head.
Seeing those empty bottles of Black Daniels in his unmade bed, as well as the shattered clock gave her a very different panorama to what she had been seeing in him so far.
She understood everything that Lily had told her.
Lincoln was paralyzed by shame, touching his head with the palm of his hand in pure distress.
Lola simply approached the bed and grabbed one of the bottles to check on it.
- Lola, I-I can explain! -
- No need to, I was already told something like this before - Lola didn't even look back, still focused on the bottle.
- Ugh, of course she would rat me out like that - Lincoln furrowed his eyebrows, talking loudly, but mostly to himself.
- Leave Lucy out of this, Lily was the one that told me that - Lola read his mind, and was prepared for a response.
- … Sorry Lols, I was… celebrating a sale that I completed a few days ago, I swear I don't drink that much normally! - Lincoln continued agitatedly defending himself.
That much, so he doesn't deny it…
- It's ok Lincoln - Lola turned around to face him with a warm smile, confusing the albino - …after all, that's the main reason why I'm here -
- …what? - Lincoln's entire demeanor was also changing, his pupils dilating and his face contorting.
- Excuse for a moment, where is the bathroom? - Lola changed the subject quickly, she had an emergency.
- …It's the door to your right - Lincoln replied without energy.
- Wow, that's convenient, I guess there's an advantage compared to our old home - Lola replied with increasing anxiety, rising from the bed to enter the area.
- two - Lincoln said without looking at her.
- What? - Lola turned around to see him, curious at the word.
- take just two, please -
Now it was Lola's turn to become paralyzed on the spot.
- … they set us up real good huh? - Lola commented sarcastically.
- Figures - Lincoln shared the thought.
This was going to be an awkward night.