FicAlthusserist: Hey everyone, there have been a number of big developments recently and I thought it was a good opportunity to go over a few things.
First off I am just thrilled that this story has received such positive feedback and its so gratifying to see how some reviewers have really sunk their teeth into the various character and plot driven layers of depth that have been woven into the story, it makes us feel so appreciated and I can't thank you enough.
While me and cat have a great writing partnership going on here and they were keen to outline my role as 'The Editor' with the shockingly long planning document I wrote (with some important input from them) I do think Cat deserves the lion's share of the praise. They are the one who is giving 110% in actually writing the chapters at a pace and standard I know frankly I'd never be able to match.
What's more, given my original planning document was for a proposed continuation of the, at the time, abandoned story, with us starting from scratch Cat has been coming up with some truly fantastic new ideas alongside me for these early chapters before we reach the point in time later in the story where my planning document will come more into play.
While I must confess that I was not as enthusiastic at first as Cat was about us going back to the start rather than doing a continuation as there was for me an undeniable skill involved in working within the cannon limitations of Red Herald's story, both in plot and characters, to make it go in direction I wanted, the whole art from adversity thing, I am certain we did the right thing.
Firstly, as Cat alluded to in the introduction, this allowed us to lay down foreshadowing and set up in these early chapters for the original ideas we had planned later and simply revise the elements we did not like from the original.
While for me personally this would have been a price worth paying to do a continuation, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked…er, I mean…when Red Herald came back!
Lets address the elephant in the room head on then, Red Herald coming back to continue their story.
One thing I want to make clear from the start is that I don't see this as some kind of competition and feel in any way threatened by it I am in fact very happy. I'm happy for the fans of his story that want to read not simply a continuation rather than a reimagining, but ones who, for a number of reasons, simply don't like the direction we are taking, even if we had continued it.
Variety is the spice of life as the old saying goes not to mention me and Cat are among the most curious to see how Red Herald will continue it and how it will undoubtedly differ from ours, heck we were inspired by the original so much we have done all this!
Yet in spite of our excitement, we have both, independently of each other, decided that we are not going to read the new chapters until our version is completed. We did check the authors notes because we were curious to see if they would mention our story and what they thought and its not their cup of tea so fair enough. By not reading further we are reaffirming ourselves to our original vision of basing ourselves on Without Sin up to point it was written before Red Herald returned with our own ideas rather than risk becoming influenced by the new ideas Red Herald is going to introduce in the new chapters and so allowing each story to develop in their own way and cater to their respective fans.
Hope you enjoy the new chapter, I for one can't wait to read the reactions to some of the exciting developments we have in store for you as the story progresses.
Oh and Red Herald, in case your reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sandbox you created for me and Cat to play around in…hummmm…should I really be hanging around in a sandbox with a cat though? I hope your new chapters go down well with your fans and I look forward to checking them out myself when we've finished.
Cat's Corner: Hey everyone! Fic summed up a lot of my own thoughts pretty nicely on Red Herald's return! I'm happy the original is continuing, but as Fic stated, I won't be reading it until we've finished All Star Edition, as to not be unduly influenced by Herald's original vision. That being said, I'm very interested when all is said and done to see where Red Herald goes, and just how different our two versions will be when it's all over!
Which brings me to the name change, "All Star Edition". Much like our favorite white haired boy, I'm a big fan of comic books. A really big one. When I read Red Herald's 'Without Sin' my thoughts on what he's going for is "Watchmen". I really do believe Red is making the "Watchmen" of Sinkids stories. Watchmen was a deconstruction of superheroes. Really the first, and best way it's ever been done. Often imitated but never duplicated. Watchmen was smart, without being a misery tour. Lots of Watchmen's imitators over the decades tried to duplicate it but missed the forest for the trees. In this respect, I think Herald is deconstructing the Sinkids and the idea of their existence and how they would have to come about. It's dark, but Red is not doing a misery tour for misery's sake, that's why it's such a compelling story, and why it's on my favorites list.
But as for myself, I'm not really good at Deconstruction. One of my favorite comic book writers is Grant Morrison. Morrison has written some very interesting and surreal things. One of their greatest runs was the Doom Patrol (Adapted to a wonderful Live Action series, really check it out) but my favorite thing Morrison ever wrote was "All Star Superman".
All Star Superman is regarded by many to be the penultimate self contained Superman story. That covers all of his themes, tropes, and traits and gives the best beginning and 'end' of a Superman timeline. (It has an animated adaption, if you haven't seen it, do check it out!) That's the goal I'm going for with my writing. I want to try and tell the best encapsulation of a 'Sinkids' story, through the framework of 'Without Sin'. My goal is to evoke emotion more than anything else. While not a deconstruction, there has been a lot of thought given to 'realism' (in as much as it can be said) in how the 'Sinkids' would have to work with internal consistency and logic. Which means there are some rather dark themes involved that will (and have) cropped up.
But with Red Herald's return, myself and Fic are even more free to go forward into that new uncharted territory and tell the best "All Star Sinkids" tale possible. Hopefully you'll enjoy it.
Onto some real criticism! I'm always trying to improve my writing, and more effort is going into not duplicating myself, or just saying the same thing over and over again in different ways (Unless that was what I was going for). Also, more time with the kids of course!
Sinverse Late Night
Lemy laid on the bottom bed of the bunk he shared with his brother Lyle, face illuminated by the blue light of his phone. The room the brothers shared was bathed in darkness, all except for a single shaft of light shining through the crack in their bedroom curtains. The curtains were always kept open just enough to let the streetlamp outside let in a little light at night for Lyle's sake. Lemy's younger brother would never admit he needed a nightlight, far to concerned as he was with appearing mature. Leaving the curtains cracked a little was a compromise that allowed Lyle to keep his dignity.
Slowly Lemy cast his gaze upwards, scanning the bed over his own for any kind of movement, any kind of sign his younger brother might suddenly pop over the side and want his attention.
The bed above his didn't stir at all.
He was fairly certain Lyle was completely absorbed in the latest episode of Dragon Dynasty and wouldn't be asking him what he was doing, but he could never be too careful. Technically speaking, both boys were doing something they weren't supposed to do, but Lemy knew his indiscretion was a bit more complicated than watching a simple ultra adult fantasy show he wasn't supposed to.
Lemy was the one who'd aided and abetted his younger brother's delinquency in the first place. He'd been the one who'd shown Lyle the Pirate website where he could watch Dragon Dynasty. He knew his younger brother had been forbidden from watching it, but then Lemy wasn't supposed to play Felony Assault Manslaughter, and Loan let him play FAM when ever he wanted. It was just siblings helping each other out. Helping one another get away with the little things their parents didn't want them to do, but wouldn't be the end of the world if they got caught.
But Lemy had an idea if he got caught right now, it might not be the end of the world, but it would probably cause a whole lot of trouble. Scratch that, it could be the end of the world. He really didn't know. It was playing with fire, and last thing the recent teenager wanted was to get his little brother caught up in it. That would put Lyle in a position where he was either forced to keep the secret too, and potentially get into more trouble himself later on, or blab everything to their Moms, and Lemy wasn't sure he could handle that right now.
Best to keep the secret. It's what the Louds did after all, they kept secrets. Secrets they didn't think other people would understand. Lemy thought he understood why they kept those secrets, but now he didn't know anymore. Everything was a confusing mess that scared him half to death.
He looked at the Quickchat messages being sent to him.
10 minutes ago
Best Girl: You don't have to talk if you don't want to sweetie. I know you feel overwhelmed right now, so it's okay to Just listen.
8 minutes ago
Best Girl: I don't want you to be afraid. I'll take care of everything, just like I take care of you and you take care of me. Our love is real, it's so real Lemy, just like the love between your Mom and Lincoln.
6 minutes ago
Best Girl: We're in this together, it's all going to be okay. We're going build a life together, it's going to be so wonderful Lemy.
5 minutes ago
Best Girl: When Lincoln gets back we'll go to him, and let him know, and he'll make sure everyone else understands and accepts it. I know he'll help us, and he'll even be happy for us.
3 minutes ago
Best Girl: I love you Lemy, I love you so much.
Lemy stared at the screen, his cheeks burning. His heart was twisting in knots, it was full of so many confusing emotions the 13 year old boy could barely understand. Shame, guilt, desire, a strange affection. A morass of feelings that felt like a weight on his heart. A weight that would cause him to panic if he focused on it for too long.
It wasn't supposed to end up like this, at least he didn't think it was. He didn't know how things had progressed this far or gotten to this point. No, he knew exactly how they got this far, he knew exactly what he'd done for things to get to this point. He had no one to blame for it but himself, it's why he was so angry and confused and afraid and ashamed.
MetalMan: I have to go to sleep now, I have school in the morning.
Just now
Best Girl: I understand. Don't tell anyone, not anyone right now Lemy. They're not ready. Especially don't tell the new Lincoln. Keep our secret safe. Remember, all of this, belongs to you.
A series of images loaded up in the app. Images of one of the most beautiful and sweet girls he'd ever known. Pictures of her biting her lip, stretching out before him, exposing the soft beautiful sinful flesh of her body.
More shame filled him, even as his desire grew, even as his young body reacted to the stimuli in the way only a teenage boy could. He pleasured himself, looking at the pictures, even as guilt filled his heart, but the lust he felt was far stronger than his guilt in those moments.
When he was finished, and he had made a mess in his hands he hadn't accounted for, he looked for the nearest convenient thing to wipe himself off with.
Before he realized what he was doing, he'd grabbed his Teddy Bear, Mr. Crowley, and wiped the sin from his hand across its brown fur, before placing it aside. Lemy stopped as horror filled his heart and he gazed at what he'd done.
Mr. Crowley, the gift closest to his heart from his big Sister Lyra sat in the light coming in from the curtain. His fresh seed glistened off the bear and the black bow around it's neck. Off the innocence he once had.
Loyalty to the family, that was taught above everything else. Loyalty to the family, a code of silence.
He knocked Mr. Crowley away, tossing the bear across the room where it tumbled softly into a corner. Tears filled his eyes as he faced his pillow.
Lemy tossed and turned the whole night.
…
Lincoln leaned up against his house in the backyard as he stood outside smoking a cigarette in the waning sunlight.
Standing next to him, her arms folded under her chest, foot propped up against the house almost in tandem with him, was his younger sister Lola, or at least this universe's version of her.
Lola was a beautiful girl. Really all of Lincoln's sisters were beautiful. All of them were lookers in their own way, even Lisa back home had the thicc girl Velma nerd appeal. Lincoln understood this, he knew his sisters were beautiful. He was made aware of it every day growing up with them, just from the comments of the people around him.
He even understood it on an objective level when he looked at them.
But Lola (and her twin sister Lana) took it to the next level. Lola wasn't just beautiful, Lola was Hot.
Fucking hot, ridiculously hot, the kind of hot that made guys cum in their pants just from being in her presence for too long.
Lincoln understood this, even as her brother. She even had an effect on him at times.
It was far, far, more muted on him of course, as being her brother gave him some immunity to her charms.
But even he had to occasionally force himself to look away now and then over the years with her. It didn't make him think he wanted to fuck her, or touch her, or do anything the other Lincoln did with his sisters…
But it was a reminder of just how sexy Lola was. That he'd catch sight of her perfect ass, or exceptional cleavage, catch himself looking and have to shake himself out of it and get on with his day.
It was why he never visited her pictogram page.
It was why he had told her to stop sending him pics of herself asking for his opinion on her outfits after he moved out.
It just felt weird getting selfies from his little sister, grown up, practically sex on legs asking him if she looked pretty in this outfit, or if this one made her butt look big, (the answer was yes, your butt always looks big Lola, because your Butt IS BIG!).
He knew that had hurt her feelings. Lola had relied on him so much for his pageant coaching over the years, she had even floated the idea of him being her manager, stylist, cameraman, any or all of it for her modeling career to him. She had told him, she was never more comfortable, more confident, or more prepared to show her best, than after her big brother had helped prepare her.
Lincoln had turned her down of course, not only because he was far more interested in his illustration career, but also because he thought it'd be weird helping his sister sell her sex appeal. Being part of her 'crew' or in charge of all that would just make him feel awkward. Because sex appeal, is exactly what Lola provided.
Which brought him to this Lola, who did the same thing, only literally.
Once again Lincoln was aware, Lola was hot.
Her bright blonde hair was perfectly straightened. A golden curtain that surrounded her head, bangs cut neatly to reveal her deep, sensual blue eyes. Her and Lana both had decided to never fix the gap in their front teeth, believing it leant a unique look to them. Whenever the two found themselves concentrating, they'd end up sticking their tongue through the gap. In Lana's case it made her all the more wholesome and sweeter. In Lola's case it made her somehow look all the more naughty. A sensual nymph like quality in her smile.
She was wearing a long sleeved grey shirt cut off at the midriff, exposing her perfect smooth tummy, her pierced belly button and golden tanned skin. Black yoga pants, clung to her wide hips, and shapely, plump, perfect rear end. Down her smooth legs, into the white ankle socks and sneakers she was currently wearing.
She had her arms folded under her pert chest, and was wearing an almost…disappointed look on her face. Brow furrowed, bedroom eyes looking out at the horizon with Lincoln as she huffed softly at him.
"I just don't understand Lincy, I was expecting you to…to blow up, yell, make a scene or something, but you just walked outside and had a cigarette! Somehow that feels like it's worse!"
Lincoln took a drag, blew out his smoke and looked over at his sister, "What do you want me to say Lola? I thought about it, but that would of just upset the kids, and Leni, and really in the end I should of expected it really."
Lola furrowed her brow again, and rose her eyebrow, "Expected what."
Lincoln replied, "That in the worst of all timelines of course my little sister is a whore."
Lola paused for a moment as she took in his words, before she growled back in response, "Lincoln!"
Lincoln shrugged as he turned to her, "What?! I said you were a whore, not a slut! I know the difference."
Lola still looked at him angrily. It felt like they were playing some game again as kids, trying to annoy one another by not technically saying something wrong. She frowned and sighed, "I'm an escort not a whore Lincoln, there's a difference."
Lincoln deadpanned at her, knocking ash from his cigarette, "You have sex with men for money."
Lola grinned right back, giving in to the annoyance game, "Not just men Lincoln."
Lincoln groaned and rolled his eyes, "Oh, forgive me, right you have sex with people for money. Ergo, you're a whore."
Lola only gave another long sigh as she replied, "Lincoln, I'm not some common streetwalker! I do more than that! I provide companionship, and entertainment. I provide emotional as well as physical fulfillment. I provide an experience for others they wouldn't be able to get otherwise."
Lincoln placed his hand to his forehead as he stubbed out his cigarette against the wall of their home with his other hand, "Whatever, it doesn't matter! I just don't get it Lola! Why?! You're so hot in my world, you make tons of money without even letting anyone see you actually naked! Let alone have sex with them! Why?!"
Lola gave a Cheshire grin, her eyes fluttering half closed, she was still playing the game he'd started, twisting words, "Oh, you think I'm hot, do you big brother? So hot huh? Well maybe you should let me give you a little companionship, maybe it'll make you less of a big grumpypants if you get your hands on your little sister!"
Lincoln's cheeks flushed bright red as he realized he'd walked right into that one. He frowned and turned away, "That wasn't what I meant Lola! You know what I mean!"
Lola only laughed in reply, "I'm teasing you Lincy. I know, I know… But you're right, I probably could. No, I know I could."
Lincoln turned back around, looking exasperated as he spread his hands, "If you know you can, then do it! Open a Myfans account or something! Stop doing this, it'd be safer for you and less… less…"
Lola lifted her eyebrow, now she looked genuinely curious "Less what Lincy? You don't like the idea of lots of people having sex with your little sister, do you? Is it Jealousy?"
Lincoln sighed and then almost growled in response, "It's not that Lola! It's…. No brother wants his sister doing this kind of work!"
Lola only smirked in reply, "My Lincy doesn't have any problems with it."
Lincoln groaned again, "Your Lincy also has sex with you. I don't consider his opinion on things to be the most solid, I'm just worried about your safety."
Lola smiled as she listened.
It was genuine. She folded her hands together and put them up by her cheek, leaning against them, "Aww! My big brother cares about me and my safety! Here I thought you hated us and didn't consider us your family!"
Lincoln huffed, his cheeks burning slightly as he put his hands to his face.
Lola laughed, her typical haughty little sister laugh. The one he knew so well, when she was happy about getting one over on any of her siblings.
"Relax Lincy, I'm just teasing you again. But you don't have to worry, Lori keeps me safe."
Lincoln's hands fell from his face, his eyes went wide as he stared ahead, "Oh my god, Lori is your pimp."
Lola scoffed as she fixed Lincoln with an annoyed stare, "If you have to put it in such an uncouth manner then yes Lincy, Lori is my pimp. How else do you think I avoid trouble with the law, who better to run background checks on clients, and who else better to protect me?"
Lincoln shook his head, his hands over his face again, "I can't believe this, I can't believe this. My little sister is a sex worker, and my older sister is her pimp. What the hell is wrong with all of you? Why can't you just be a Myfans model and sell naked pictures of yourself and text messages to lonely guys pretending to be their girlfriend!? It'd be at least somewhat safer, and you wouldn't have to fuck anyone!"
Lola continued to frown, as her voice took on a very serious tone, "Lincoln, did you consider I already thought about that?"
Lincoln pulled his hands away from his face once more as he looked questioningly at Lola, "What? What do you mean?"
Lola sighed, "We, I, already considered that Lincoln. It was something I thought about, look you don't know the full story of how I even got into this profession. When Lana and I ran away there weren't a lot of choices in work we could do."
Lincoln continued to stare dumbfounded at his little sister, "Ran away!? Why did you run away!?"
Lola stepped up to him and poked him in the chest, rather hard, "To be with you and our other sisters dummy! Because Mommy and Daddy forbid us from ever seeing you again! We weren't going to live like that, so we ran! It was tough during those first years, especially when you had to leave!"
Lincoln reached up and grabbed Lola's hand, pulling it away from his chest, "Wait, what do you mean when I had to leave?"
Lola stopped, then looked away and frowned, shaking her head, "Nothing. Lincy, things were bad for us for a while. It doesn't matter right now. Lincoln, the real reason I don't have a Myfans account is the same reason I don't have a pictogram account either."
Lincoln looked confused again, "My Lola can't stop taking pictures of herself and posting them on Pictogram, all she wants to do is show herself off to the world."
Lola folded her arms again and nodded, smirking smugly, "And you said already, she's the most popular pictogram model in the world?"
Lincoln shrugged slightly, "Like one of the most, I don't really know if she's the most, I don't pay attention to those things. Look, she's really famous, makes a lot of money, appears in commercials, magazines, and has her own line of beauty products."
Lola nodded her head, "That's the reason why Lincy."
Lincoln frowned, "What do you mean that's the reason why?"
Lola sighed as she rolled her eyes before looking back at her brother, "Lincoln, think about it. How private is your Lola's life? How often can she go around town and just shop, or go out to dinner, or exercise at a public gym."
It was Lincoln's turn to fold his arms, as his brow furrowed, "Come to think of it, she usually has to go in disguise everywhere when she wants to go out. Her and her husband Paul have had to put up with a few stalkers here and there too."
Lola's eyes went up curiously again, "Husband Paul? Oooh, I'm married in your universe?! Tell me, what is he like?"
Lincoln temporarily thrown off, responded, "Paul? Oh yeah, Paul's pretty cool! He's her cameraman, takes all her pictures and does all her sets. He does it for other models too, like Cricket Van Doren. Good guy, fun to hang out with, bit of a soft touch." Lincoln paused briefly as he put his hand to his chin, "Huh, funny when I think about it, outside of Bobby he's the only spouse of my sisters that I actually like."
Lola put her hand up, interrupting his musing, "Hold on a second, Paul, a cameraman. Are you talking about the famous Photographer Paul O'Rourke?"
Lincoln raised his eyebrow, "Yeah, I mean in as much as photographers are famous. I don't really know about it all, I just know through my Lola he's a really big deal. Figures you know about him too."
Lola suddenly threw her headback and laughed, long and hard. It was that little sister, annoying laugh again, "I'm married to Paul O'Rourke?!" She continued to Guffaw as if it was the greatest joke in the world.
Lincoln frowned, clearly getting frustrated, "What's wrong with Paul?! He's fun to hang out with! He loves cheesy movies and old action figures! I think I like hanging out with him more than I do you when you bother to show up for family functions!"
Lola stopped laughing and looked right at Lincoln, deadpanning, "Lincoln, Paul O'Rourke is gay."
Lincoln stopped, rearing back. It took him a moment to regain his composure as he heard those words, "What?! What do you mean he's Gay?!"
Lola only grinned, "I mean he's Gay Lincoln! He's into guys not gals! Penis is his preferred meal! Vagina doesn't interest him in any way! Well outside of photography."
Lincoln shook his head, "No, that can't be right! It can't! He's married to you!"
But Lola only stared right back, "It was a big thing when he came out last year. His mother disowned him and everything. You know she's old Hollywood royalty, Susan O'Rourke, and her father before her, Ronald O'Rourke. He gave a big interview in Trend Magazine about it. Let me tell you Lincy, as someone whose parents rejected them for a lifestyle choice, it was sooo uplifting."
Lincoln was flummoxed, he listened, before he found his voice again, sputtering out, "Why would you marry the hottest girl in the world if you were gay!?"
Lola brought her attention down to her perfect pink nails, looking them over with a grin before casting her eyes back to Lincoln, "There you go again Lincy, revealing your true feelings…" She flashed him a smirk, and then went on before he could reply," But I don't know Lincy, why would I? Why would he? That's the questions you should be asking."
Lincoln shook his head and began to wave his hands back and forth like a referee calling a foul in a sport's game, "No, No, different universe! He's gay in your universe, doesn't mean he's gay in mine. I fucked my sisters here, but I never fucked them back in my own universe!"
Lola smirked, "You haven't fucked any of us Lincy. Not yet at least."
Lincoln almost growled again in frustration, "Dang it Lola! You know what I mean!"
Lola sighed and rolled her eyes, groaning, "Ugh, I don't care Lincy, we're getting distracted anyway. Did you figure out why I don't do what your Lola does yet?"
Lincoln blinked a few times, looked back to Lola, and took a deep breath as he calmed himself down. He thought for a few moments and then frowned as realization dawned on him, "Because all the attention you'd get might bring to much scrutiny on the family."
Lola nodded, a solemn expression on her lips, "That's right. I chose my family over my fame. We all did, and none of us regret it. I can't do anything to endanger this family, and I'll do anything and everything I can to protect them."
She added in a little smile as she shrugged one perfect shoulder, "Besides, my job is fun. I like it. I make the most money in the family and I get to help take care of everyone. I have two beautiful daughters, amazing nephews and nieces, I sleep most nights with my best friend in the entire world…and…"
Lola trailed off, fixing Lincoln with that seductive grin once more, her eyes going half lidded, "I get to fuck my big brother anytime I want, and no man makes me feel like he does. I have everything I want Lincoln. Everything."
Lincoln frowned again, partially because he understood Lola was being honest with him. She meant every word she'd said. He couldn't fathom it, how she could be happy with such a dangerous lifestyle, while also having to keep the nature of her real relationships hidden. He also had questions about his own Lola and her life now.
Maybe he shouldn't of held her at arm's length lately.
Then again, she had a jet setting lifestyle where her and her husband were constantly traveling to new locations for her shoots, and hob knobbing with celebrities. Of course she didn't have time for her loser brother who still lived at home and drew comic books.
Lincoln looked back to her, "How much do the kids know?"
Lola frowned.
It was genuine frown of discomfort and sadness. Lincoln realized he found the chink in her armor. She wasn't 100% happy with the lifestyle, not when it came to the children at least. Maybe a week ago Lincoln would have used that, exploited it to get one over on her, but for some reason he felt it would be a really low blow right now.
Lola sighed as her arms came up around herself and she looked at the sunset, "The younger ones don't really know what I do but look pretty for boys. The older ones think I just strip. Which I do, any club is happy to have me show up and dance for them. But they don't know about the escort part."
She turned and looked at him, her blue eyes suddenly looking vulnerable. Lincoln knew what she was going to ask him before she even said it.
He spoke first.
"I won't Lola. Don't worry, I'd never. Not ever. The kids don't need to know."
Lola breathed out a real sigh of relief, and looked towards her older brother with a soft smile. Her voice was just as soft as she replied.
"Thank you, Lincoln."
Lincoln only nodded, feeling a gentle heat in his cheeks as he looked away. An old familiar sensation filled his heart, one reminiscent of his younger days. He gazed at the sun again, as the memory of the days he helped Lola learn to handle her dyslexia filled him. How close they were then, how happy those memories were. His little sister was the definition of a brat, but there were times when she had made him feel like the best brother in the entire world. When she smiled at him and looked at him with complete awe.
A comfortable silence fell over the two of them as they watched the sun setting lower together.
The scene was interrupted when the back door opened and Leni stepped out, duffel bag over her shoulder. She stepped over to the two of them and gave a soft smile of her own, looking to each in turn.
Leni's bright green eyes looked sad as she continued to smile, sighed and slowly nodded her head.
"Well, like, I said my goodbyes to the kiddos and Lisa, Now I'm here to say goodbye to you two as well."
Lola smiled brightly and approached her older sister. She wrapped her arms around the woman, as Leni did the same to her. Both sisters hugged each other tightly, rocking back and forth with one another as they did.
Lola spoke up, "Mmm, I'm sorry you have to go Leni! Say hi to Lori for me and tell her I love her. I love you, and I hope we get to see you again soon!"
Leni held Lola tightly as she laughed sadly, giving a small little sniff, "I really miss Lori, but like, saying goodbye to all of you and the children is sooo hard! It's like, totes unfair! I wish we could all just like live together again!"
Lola gently pat Leni's back and gave a sad sigh of her own as they hugged, "I know Leni, I know how hard it is."
Slowly Leni pulled back, as did Lola, before the two leaned in and kissed one another on the lips. Lola slid her hand up to Leni's cheek, and then slipped her tongue into the older blonde's mouth. Leni gave a little squeak of surprise, but then melted into the kiss, tonguing her younger sister back.
Lincoln stared for several seconds before he huffed and forced his gaze aside, "Alright, alright you two, that's enough."
Lola slowly pulled back from the kiss to look over her shoulder at Lincoln, she ran her tongue over her perfect pink lips and grinned at him, "Aww, feeling left out Lincy? There's enough here for you too…"
Lincoln sighed and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Don't make me get the hose."
Leni turned her attention to Lincoln, smiling sadly still, looking a little cautious, before she spoke up, "I'm totes sorry for the mistake in the bathroom Lincy, but like, I really had a lot of fun with you…when, you came down from your room. I'm gonna like, miss you too, a whole lot…"
Lincoln looked back to Leni, uncertain of what he was supposed to say, he stared for several seconds before finally speaking "Leni I…" And then he trailed off. Leni kept looking at him as if she was waiting for something but afraid to say it. Lincoln stood there awkwardly unsure of what to do.
Suddenly Lola interrupted his thoughts, "Lincoln! She's waiting for you to hug her dummy!"
Lincoln practically jumped when he heard that tone. It was the one Lola used when she wanted something done, and wanted it done right now. Years of conditioning had been worked into Lincoln to obey that tone, because a pissed off Lola was one of the scariest things in existence.
Before he knew it, he was stepping forward and holding his arms out, "Alright, alright!" and Leni looked ready to squeal in absolute delight, before she pressed herself into her older brother's embrace and hugged him tightly.
It was the first real, consensual hug outside of Lulu he'd given since he'd gotten here.
Because even in the end, despite Lola telling him to do it, Lincoln had given in by choice. He had no issues with this Leni, none outside of her peculiar habits with her family. Even as much as he disapproved of those, Leni had been nothing but sweet, patient, and understanding with him the entire week she was over. After the shower incident, Leni had been nothing but respectful to his boundaries. Even here, it was an innocent, and sweet hug she wanted more than anything else.
He hugged her, and it felt good, because it reminded him of what it felt like to hug his own Leni. How he went from being so much shorter than her, to so much taller over the years, but Leni's tight, affectionate hugs never changed.
He missed them.
And he hated that he missed them.
He just sighed inwardly and held Leni gently while she hugged him tightly. She squeezed as she buried her face in his shoulder and sniffled softly again, "Lincy, I'm going to miss you! I hope you like, want to spend more time with me next time I come over!"
Lincoln gently rubbed Leni's back as he nodded, "Yeah, maybe Leni, maybe. We'll see."
Slowly Leni pulled back as she smiled at him and wiped her eyes. It was so bright and hopeful, as she nodded her head, "Totes Lincy. Like, totes." She looked over towards Lola and hoisted her green duffel back over her shoulder, "Well, I'll miss you both! Bye now!"
She turned and headed towards the door, waving at them as both in turn waved at her, before stepping in to say goodbye to the kids and Lisa once more.
Lincoln sighed and turned back towards the Horizon. A few moments later he became aware Lola was staring at him.
When he turned to look back at her he caught her expression. It had changed from approval at his earlier actions to a certain level of seriousness.
Lincoln only looked confused before he shrugged, "What? What Lola?"
Lola was suddenly all business, "Okay, so you might of played the hermit and hid up inside of your room the whole time Leni was here, but that's not gonna fly with me."
Lincoln frowned, "What do you mean by that Lola?"
Lola rolled her eyes, "Ugh, what this, how that, what what what! Is that all you say Lincoln?! You're supposed to be smart Lincy! I always thought you were at least. What I mean is, you need to be around the kids more, they need you."
Lincoln scoffed, "I already make breakfast for them, I change Lulu's diapers and feed her, I'm carrying out your Lincoln's job, so he doesn't get fired! What more do you need from me?! I'm not their father!"
Lola looked right back at Lincoln, eyes narrowing, "You don't need to be their real Dad but having someone who looks like their Dad and helps them out is everything they need right now. Besides Lincy, like it or not, you're not a stranger to us, and we're not a stranger to you. Different universes or whatever, Lincoln, you already think of us as your family, that's why you hate us so much."
Lincoln stopped cold, frowning. He did hate them. He was pretty sure of that still, but then he was certain he didn't hate Leni. As for Lola, she would have been a victim too since she was younger. Did he need to hate her? He was confused… Maybe he didn't hate all of them, but he didn't like them necessarily either.
He sighed, "That's an exaggeration, I just think you all made the worst decisions possible and live a lifestyle that's the definition of depravity and degeneration! I think you all spurned your talents and potential too, but that's neither here nor there!"
Lola just rolled her eyes again, "Lincoln, I don't know what happened with you and your sisters, but I've seen enough of you and heard enough about you from the others to know you're my brother."
Lincoln went quiet as he looked back at Lola, clearly uncomfortable.
Lola changed her tone, smiling softly, "I already know you have it in you to step up for these kids! I know you've been doing it a little already, but it's time to put on your big boy pants and stop holding back! Do what comes naturally to Lincoln Loud!"
Lola's tone dropped from the sweetness to the seriousness once again, "Besides, you owe us."
Lincoln frowned as he looked back towards Lola, eyes narrowing, "What do you mean I owe you?!"
Lola continued to stare straight ahead at him, "Lincoln, remind me again, who was it that decided to volunteer for one of Lisa's dumb experiments and ended up switching places with the Lincoln here? Taking a husband away from his wives, a father away from his children? Who was that again?"
Lincoln's shoulders hunched up, his arms around himself as he got defensive, frowning as he looked back towards Lola, "That's…Lola that's…"
Lola interrupted him, "A low blow Lincoln? Kinda mean? Yeah, I know. But it's also the truth." Lola's features softened once again, and she smiled at him, "But Lincoln, it's also why we don't hold it against you. You're our brother from a different universe. So you got caught in one of Lisa's experiments. All you had to say was 'Lisa' and we understood. It's why we want you to be part of things with us."
Lincoln flinched a little, he really didn't want to be part of anything with these Louds. Not really, getting cozy with them was the last thing he wanted, even if Lola had something of a point when it came to him being responsible for the situation in the first place. Still, he had his dignity, he had his pride, he wasn't just going to give in because Lola was getting irritated with him, "Lola I-"
Then Lola was yelling, "LINCOLN LOUD! YOU WILL TAKE PART IN THIS FAMILY OR I WILL PERSONALLY SHOWER WITH YOU EVERY MORNING AND WASH YOUR BACK! AND UNLIKE LENI, I WON'T GET OUT JUST BECAUSE YOU GET A LITTLE EMBARASSED AND HARD!"
Lincoln reared back in fear as he started at his other dimensional younger sister. She was gritting her teeth, glaring at him with those evil eyes, fists coiled at her sides, shoulders hunched. He could practically see the hellfire behind her, the horns growing from her head.
He put his hands up apologetically, "Okay! Okay Lola! Okay! Just, tone it down!"
Immediately the hellfire and glare disappeared and in its place was nothing but angelic radiance as she gave him the most beatific smile and batted her eyelashes at him.
"Thank you Lincy, I knew I could count on you. Now, Dream Boat is on in thirty, I'll get the kids ready, you go tell Lisa to prepare the popcorn, she's got this industrial popcorn maker that makes it just like we're at the movies!"
Lincoln sighed as he headed towards the door into the kitchen, rolling his eyes, "Fine…"
Lola's syrupy sweet reply followed him in and made him grit his teeth, "Thank you big brother!"
…
Lincoln watched Dreamboat with the family as Lola had commanded, and it wasn't nearly as awkward as he thought it would be. Half the kids were still a little frosty towards him, but the show seemed to continue to be a family favorite even with the new generation of Louds.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd even watched Dreamboat, it had been such a family ritual with all his sisters, after moving out he never really did it again. But Lola let him know all their sisters still watched it, even when they weren't together so they would all be caught up and could talk about it and speculate together.
Lisa and Lola had both wedged themselves on either side of him on the couch, much to his chagrin, but Lulu had crawled into his lap and sat there happily and that had made things a little better. Plus, the popcorn Lisa provided really was movie theater quality.
Towards the end Lincoln had even forgotten about his situation, caught up in the drama of the show like old times again, laughing and gasping with everyone else. Enough he had to remember to put his shell on afterwards again. He saw how some of the kids looked at him during it too, and how afterwards it seemed some of them had to remind themselves he wasn't really their Dad.
Things went just like that the first couple days with Lola present, and all things considered that wasn't bad. He started eating breakfast with the kids at her insistence, rather than just preparing it for them and leaving, and they seemed to be getting used to him, or at the least tolerating him more. He was getting headaches from serotonin withdrawal, and the occasional intrusive thought still, but alcohol and nicotine were a surprisingly effective, if not healthy supplement that shut up the thoughts and dulled the pain.
It was Lemy of course on the third day that had gotten brave enough to ask him to play. After Lincoln had returned home from work, the boy had shyly asked him if he liked Videogames like his Dad did.
Only for 20 minutes later to have both of them in the living room, playing the newest version of Muscle Fish Tag battle together, and Lincoln demonstrating a touch of Death combo.
Lemy was in awe of his new father as he was 'taken to school' so to speak. It floored the boy watching him demonstrate his skill. He had a feeling this Lincoln was as good as Loan, if not better, when it came to videogames. His own Dad was no slouch, but Lemy and Loan had quickly surpassed him in most competitive games. Their Dad could give them a nice warm up, but he was a third stringer compared to the two of them.
This Lincoln's virtual teeth were sharp and dangerous!
Lemy just watched as the big "K.O!" flashed across the screen, and his last fighter went down. He just stared, marveling at what had happened and who had done it. Turning to look at the man with respect.
Lincoln only smirked back in reply, "Why do I think you were trying to take it easy on me when we started? I told you to go all out on me, you paid for your Hubris with that infinite combo! I want to see your full power in our next match!"
Lemy found himself grinning, even flushing a little, "Dude! I thought you'd be like… my Dad. He's pretty good for an amateur, but his power level isn't near yours! By the time I realized I messed up, you already had me in the touch of Death! Where did you learn to do that?!"
Lincoln chuckled as he replied without thinking, "From the coolest girl in the world. Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't patched it out yet."
That seemed to catch Lemy's attention. He looked curiously to the older man as he asked, "Coolest girl in the world? Who's that?"
Lincoln was suddenly caught in a wave of nostalgia and regret. He gave a melancholic far-away expression as he sighed, speaking her name like it was a quiet prayer, "Ronnie Anne Santiago. Most beautiful, badass, and brave girl in the world."
Lemy had never seen his father speak a woman's name with such reverence, such desire that didn't belong to his mother or his Aunts. It was a wholly new experience to see his Dad speak of a woman outside the family like that. The Santiago name also seemed familiar to him, he spoke up quietly, "Is-Is she your wife, or girlfriend back in your universe?"
Lincoln gave a smile, but it was a bittersweet one. It was strange for Lemy to witness. There was real love in that smile, but also pain, a wistfulness he had never seen before on his father's features, Lincoln spoke with such longing, "No, she isn't." He looked off, closed his eyes, then went on, "She should of been, but I messed things up. She was my girl from the time I was 13 until I was 19. She was really something else Lemy…They broke the mold when they made Ronnie Anne, there's been no one else like her in my life."
Lemy furrowed his brow as he looked down at his lap, it was just so damn strange to hear and see his father speaking of a woman that wasn't a Loud, like she was some kind of Goddess, "You really loved her, didn't you?"
He looked back to Lincoln who gave a slow nod of his head, "In a lot of ways Lemy, I still do. Don't think I wouldn't take her back into my life in a heartbeat if I had the chance, but I don't deserve her."
Lemy only continued to frown, so curious about Ronnie Anne, he questioned Lincoln again, "Do you know if my Dad had a Ronnie Anne?"
Lincoln gave a long sigh as he looked off as if he was trying to decide how best to answer this question, before he looked back and just did so, "I think he did. Pretty sure he did at least. A lot of things in my universe and yours are the same. It's a little weird, I figured they'd be more different, but I know your Aunt Lori dated Bobby Santiago, and Ronnie Anne was his little sister. So yeah, I'm pretty sure she was in his life."
Lemy frowned yet again, "Then why did he stop liking her? You were with her until you were 19? And, Dude, it sounds like you'd be married to her now if you could be! Why did my Dad decide to go with his sisters instead?"
Lincoln rubbed the back of his neck, then blew air between his lips, "I couldn't tell you Lemy, I really couldn't. I'm not going to speak ill of your Father, but it was a little shocking when I came here and found out how things are."
Lemy looked back down at his lap, "I know it's not normal. But I also know my Dad really does love them. Everyone else in the family is so okay with it all, I thought I was too, but I don't know anything anymore." He looked back up to Lincoln, "Dad said they were always all real close growing up, that it was just natural the family formed the way it did. But what about you and your sisters?"
Lincoln furrowed his brow, a mix of uncomfortable feelings filling him. So much joy, so much love from his childhood, then a feeling of abandonment, a feeling of resentment, a feeling of jealousy. Pride mixed with inadequacy.
He loved his sisters. He hated his sisters. He never wanted to see them again. He missed them with every beat of his heart. He didn't need their approval. He so desperately needed to hear them say they loved him.
He was better than all of them, he was worse than any of them.
A contradictory set of emotions he couldn't begin to try and describe to the kid in front of him. So he just lied, or stretched the truth, or just simplified it, he wasn't sure which.
"I mean yeah, of course I love them. Not in the way your Dad loves his sisters but, they're family, we mostly get along." He paused, before he added, "We used to be real close when we were younger, we always did everything together. But we grew up and got busy with our own lives and careers. Like normal people do."
Lemy wasn't sure what to think about his new Dad's response. It was again, another thing that seemed so strange about him. His original Dad lived to be with his sisters, his new Dad talked about his sisters like they were barely involved in his life.
"Normal…" Lemy muttered to himself, his brow furrowing.
Lincoln suddenly felt awkward.
Before either could question each other further, the Master Bedroom door opened and Lola appeared, clad in a pink crop top and blue jeans. She leaned over the couch, looking between the two males, before focusing on her new brother and giving him the business, "Lincoln, I need you to do me a favor."
While happy for the interruption Lincoln frowned, pretty certain he wasn't going to like whatever this favor was, "Okay Lola, what is it."
Lemy seemed to put on the same defensive expression Lincoln was wearing, like he was trying to mirror it, "Yeah Aunt Lola, can't you see we're playing videogames right now?"
Lola rolled her eyes, "What Ever! Anyway, Lyle wants to go see that Elf Queen movie, Lincoln promised to take him, but obviously he's not able so I need you to do it."
Lincoln groaned, "What? Why me?! Lyle? You know he hates me right? He'd never let me take him, you should do it!"
Lola rolled her eyes again, it was something Lincoln was already tired of seeing, "Lincoln I am not spending 2 hours in a theater watching a random children's fantasy movie I don't know or care anything about. But Lyle practically lives and breathes this stuff, his desire to see the movie will overpower his dislike of you."
Lincoln frowned again. Truth was he wanted to see the movie too. Course he was planning on watching it when it came on streaming, but all the same. He wasn't sure how he felt about spending two hours alone with the boy who looked like he wanted to slit his throat in his sleep.
He looked back to Lola, "Are you sure about this?"
Lola nodded her head, "Yes, I'm sure Lincoln, otherwise I wouldn't have even asked you!"
Lemy suddenly piped up, "Hey, can I go? I want to see the movie too!"
Lola gave Lemy a withering stare, "Uh first off, I have it on good authority you think Elf Queen is lame, and second of all you're grounded until you finish your overdue homework assignments mister."
Lemy looked back, basically pouting as he threw his hands up, "Oh come on Dude! That's not fair!"
Lola just gazed back with little sympathy, "Life's not fair DUDE, the sooner you figure that out, the better. Now come on, march to the Dining room and get your schoolbooks out, I'll help you."
Lemy just put his controller aside and sighed, slumping his shoulders, something told Lincoln, that Lemy understood you did not incur Lola's wrath. He got up off the couch and started his march to the kitchen, "Alright Aunt Lola. Later Linc, you'll have to show me how to do that combo again some other time."
Lincoln smiled at the boy and nodded, "Yeah, no problem Lemy."
Lola looked back to Lincoln and grinned, seeming happy in watching the interaction between the two, "Lyle's getting ready and will join you at Vanzilla in a few minutes."
Lincoln nodded and headed out to wait.
…
When Lyle came out of the house and approached the family Van, Lincoln was struck by how…adorable he looked.
Lyle from what Lincoln could gather, was such a serious boy, had a definite chip on his shoulder, and was clearly interested in trying to come across as more mature and sophisticated for his age than he really was. In a lot of ways Lincoln thought he almost seemed more like Lola's child than Leni's.
But here the boy was, standing in front of him, with a pair of elf ears on, a soft green cloak, a toy bow on his back, and a leather belt with a toy dagger and pouch attached. He looked nervous, but he also looked excited.
It was a rare sight, a reminder that Lyle really was a child still.
Lincoln could tell he was nervous about going to see the movie with him, but also more excited about getting to see it. The cosplay was proof of that.
The sight of the so serious boy, dressed up and excited like the kid he was, caused that ever strange sensation of warmth to fill Lincoln's heart once more. He really wanted to hug the boy for some reason.
More and more around these kids he felt it. Some weird reflected parental affection. He always reminded himself they weren't his kids. Not really. But they were still cute.
Lincoln did his best to give Lyle a smile all the same, "Ready for the movie?"
Lyle looked up, a little guarded but nodded in return, "I am, if you're ready, Mr. Loud."
Mr. Loud is what the kids who were still icy to him referred to him as. Outside of Lemy, Lulu, and Lacy he couldn't really say he was certain any of them liked him. Lemy clearly had some issues with his real father, Lulu thought he was her father, and Lacy? Well Lacy was like a puppy, she wanted to be friends with everyone.
Most of the other kids tolerated him or hadn't made up their mind about him yet. The ones who were scared of him or didn't like him at all referred to him as 'Mr. Loud'.
Lincoln decided to push past it, and nodded again as he unlocked the doors, "Course I'm ready, I wanna see this movie too."
Lincoln climbed into the driver's seat and Lyle piled into the front passenger. As they fastened their seatbelts Lyle gave him a skeptical look. It was cute in his elf costume.
"You know, you don't have to pretend you want to see this movie Mr. Loud. I know you only agreed to it because Aunt Lola bullied you into doing so."
Lincoln started Vanzilla up and chuckled while pulling her out of the driveway, "Yeah, Lola can be very persuasive, this universe or any other for that matter, but I'm not lying to you Lyle. I really do want to see it."
Lyle narrowed his eyes, keeping his skeptical gaze on Lincoln, "You just happen to want to see a YA novel's movie adaption. It's not because your scared of Aunt Lola making good on her promise to shower with you?"
Lincoln looked back, eyebrow raised, a quizzical expression on his lips, "Dang kid, just how much of that did you hear? Are you really sure you should be thinking about that sort of thing anyway?"
Lyle stared at the road as they drove, "I just know you seem to be afraid of having sex with our mothers and aunts as much as my Dad likes having sex with them. I wonder what you're more afraid of, that you'd enjoy it, or that you wouldn't be able to satisfy them."
Lincoln frowned and stared ahead at the road as well, "I'm really not sure I like this conversation topic Lyle."
Lyle rolled his eyes, "Come on Mr. Loud, I'm not a baby! I know where they come from. I know my Dad and Aunts have sex with one another. There's nothing wrong with it."
Lincoln blew out slowly, this conversation topic making him more and more uncomfortable by the moment, "Hooo now…Yeah sorry Lyle but uh, to me, there's a lot of things wrong with it. But this isn't the time to get into it. Anyway, back to the original topic, no, I'm not just saying it because I'm afraid of Lola. I'm also the guy who illustrated Timely's official license of The Elf Queen series a few years back."
Lyle's face scrunched up in confusion, "But wait, that was done by Sid Bartlett!"
Lincoln smirked, "Done by Sid Bartlett in YOUR universe maybe. I was the one who illustrated it in mine." Lincoln looked curious as he followed up his comment, "Huh, ole Sid did it here though? That's pretty cool. He's got such a unique style, I kinda wanna see how his version came out compared to mine."
Lyle was speaking excitedly before he knew it, "I can show it to you when we get back!" Before he caught himself, eyes narrowing as he started to Quiz Lincoln, "Okay, wait hold on. If you really know about the Elf Queen, then tell me, who betrayed Queen Yslda and why?"
Lincoln fired right back, "It was Mythos, and he did it because the Aesmir were holding his daughter Valnia hostage. He killed himself out of shame afterwards. It was really sad."
Lyle looked confused, as if he had to re-think over several assumptions he'd been holding in his head. He looked forward again and was quiet.
Lincoln glanced at him, before looking back to the road and continuing, "I read the first series while I was working on it, I wanted to make sure I had a good idea of what the author originally intended, even more than the writer for the comic adaptation."
Lyle nodded softly as he responded, "Dad and I read it together. It's one of my favorites. We were reading the King of the Ring series too, now that I'm older. I remember watching the movies with him when I was a little kid."
Lincoln smirked as he looked at the boy, "You're still a kid Lyle."
Lyle huffed in response, folding his arms, "I am not! I understand the prose of Jorge L L Stolkan better than most 12th graders do!"
Lincoln continued to grin as he listened, nodding along, "Hey, hey, I'm right there with you Lyle. I love the King of the Rings too! They're my favorite movie and book series…Well outside of Ace Savvy of course. But I think that's really cool you can understand all of it. That stuff was written almost a hundred years ago, I'm impressed." He turned to look at the boy as he added, "Ya know If I had my own son, I'd love to read along and share that kind of stuff with him like you do with your Dad Lyle."
Lyle looked forward, the boy's cheeks turning a slight scarlet hue from the praise he was getting. He wanted to hate this man, think of him as an imposter, and in some ways he still did. But it was hard when he sounded just like his father and revealed how he liked all the same things his father did. Lyle loved to talk about elves, and dwarves, and knights and dragons with his father, and he suddenly felt he could do the same thing with the man driving him to the movies.
Lyle gave an annoyed huff, "My Dad says I'm too young to watch Dragon Dynasty."
Lincoln looked over, and chuckled, "Gotta say I agree with him there Lyle. Dragon Dynasty isn't like King of the Rings, it's more focused on the adult side of things."
Lyle looked a little annoyed, exasperated really at not being taken seriously because of his age, "But I already know the real medieval era was terrible! I read the history books and stories and watch the documentaries about it! I've read about all the horrible things that happened in real life back then, what's wrong with me watching a fantasy version of it on TV!?"
Lincoln looked forward, frowning to himself, it was kind of hard to argue with the kid's logic there. He gave a slight shrug, as they pulled into the cineplex parking plot.
"Trust me Lyle, it's not as interesting as you think it is. It's just full of wieners and all the good guy characters dying in horrible ways."
Lyle snerked and laughed despite himself.
…
Lola sat at the dining table typing away at her laptop, brow furrowed in concentration, a pair of round blue light glasses resting on her nose. She reached a point in her essay where she needed to think the next parts through a little more. Pulling back, she stuck her tongue between the gap in her teeth, while resting her thumb on her chin.
It was one of her poses her brother loved seeing. His little princess wrapped up in concentration, looking so sophisticated and cute all at once. But of course, her brother wasn't present to admire her form at the moment. Which was probably for the best, given she wanted to concentrate, and knowing him, he'd end up dragging her into the bedroom if he got caught up admiring her sexy cuteness a little too much.
She missed him.
All the girls did, they all missed their Lincy, and they all hoped the best for him. They were certain he was safe, the other universe didn't sound like it was particularly dangerous, and from what this Lincoln had told them, it didn't sound like Clyde and the other Lisa would kick him to the streets…
But based on the little information they had gathered from the other Lincoln, his world just sounded so…
Lonely…
She was married to a gay man of all things over there! What kind of circumstances would make her end up with a guy she wouldn't even be having sex with?
There was a lot going on over there she was curious about, more for worry over her Lincy, and his wellbeing than anything else. But the only thing they could do was wait until either Lisa, or the other universe's Lisa fixed the problem.
Which brought her to the current Lincoln.
He was still, certainly Lincoln. The girls had figured that out quickly. What ever the differences in the universe, this Lincoln was the same as their Lincoln just…grumpier, sadder, and obviously dumber for spurning his own sisters…
But there were things a woman picked up on and noticed when it came to the people they loved. Their habits, the way they talked, the things they liked.
All of it was the same in the other Lincoln. He spoke the same, he walked the same, he ate the same, he breathed the same way. He was a hopeless, adorable dork in the same way. But most importantly, inside he had the same caring traits, the same inherent need to take care of others their Lincy had.
Which is why it hurt so much the way he looked and talked to them. He rejected them. Lola didn't take it personally, but Lynn had been devastated. But that was the thing, Lynn, much like Lucy was a romantic. The love of her life not jumping into her arms no matter what universe he was from broke her heart. Lola on the other hand, much like Lisa, was a pragmatist. She didn't think with her emotions first.
Which is why she was turning this Lincoln into one of her projects. Lola understood the heart better than most, it's what made her such an excellent courtesan. She could see this Lincoln's heart was wounded.
He'd be excellent practice for the future, and she'd be helping her family out at the same time. Two birds with one stone.
As she was lost in her thoughts and thinking about how she'd continue this project with Lincoln, the living room door opened, and he stepped in with Lyle in tow, both of them speaking to one another excitedly.
"I can't believe how close the swinging bridge chasm duel between Therik and Aralith was! I knew how it was going to end, but I kept gripping my seat anyway!" Lyle was practically vibrating with excitement.
Lincoln was smiling back at him, "Yeah, and the way they did Learin the Blind's deadly archery was really cool! I did something similar in my illustrations but seeing it in motion was intense!"
Lyle looked back up curious, "Really? Sid Bartlett did it in a different way, but I really liked both. Do you, do you still want me to show you the comics Lin-Mr. Loud?"
Lincoln continued to smile at the boy and nodded, "Course I do! Why don't you go get them?"
Lyle nodded happily, "Okay!", before he was racing up the stairs, elf ears bouncing, green cloak flapping behind him.
Lola spoke up from her position in the dining room, as she watched the pair, "Looks like you two had a good time."
Lincoln turned to look over at Lola, nodding his head, "We did! He's a good kid. A little bit of a mouth on him, and knows way too much for his age, but a good kid. Reminds me of you a little."
Lola smiled brightly, folding her hands together and leaning her head against them, "Aww! What a great compliment Lincy! Lyle and my Leia are very close too!"
Lincoln deadpanned at Lola in return, "That wasn't a compliment. You were a terror when you were younger."
Lola chuckled, "Was I?" She tapped her chin with her pointer finger, "I have a feeling even my Lincy would say the same thing, so I'll let it pass."
Lincoln rolled his eyes, "Oh lucky me…" before he glanced back at her, seeming to notice her get up and the laptop in front of her, "What is it you're doing there?"
Lola leaned back in her chair, propping one elbow off it, "Oh, I've got this dumb eight-page research paper due by midnight tonight. I've just got to finish the last two pages before I send it off."
Lincoln blinked at her several times in surprise, "Wait, research paper?!"
Lola nodded, smirking, "Yeah, Research Paper Lincoln."
Seeing the questioning look on her brother's face, she took off her blue screen glasses, setting them aside, and continued, "I've been taking classes online for a little while now. My goal is to eventually get my Master's in Psychology and therapy."
Lincoln only continued to stare at Lola like she'd just grown a second head.
Lola scoffed as she looked back at her disbelieving brother, "Lincy did you really think I planned on doing what I'm doing now forever?! I'm going to get older, I need an exit plan and this is it. I told you I like my job, and my favorite part about it is making others feel better, I'll be able to keep doing it this way."
Lincoln looked down at the ground, frowning as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Huh, that's really smart Lola. I didn't expect that from you."
Lola frowned back at Lincoln, "What, really Lincoln?! What did you expect I was just some dumb…" She looked around making sure none of the kids were present before stage whispering, 'whore', and continuing, "That planned to do this the rest of my life? Shaking my sagging tits around for others when I'm 55"
Lincoln threw his hands up apologetically, wincing, "No, no, no, I'm not saying that Lola! Not at all! It just surprised me, that's it! That's, that's, it's a good plan is all."
Lola smiled, turning on the charm once again, "Good! Glad to hear it Lincy. Now, do your favorite little sister a favor and get her a snack while she keeps plugging away at this."
Lincoln rolled his eyes and sighed as he walked through the dining room towards the kitchen, passing Lola as he went, "Fine…"
Lola replied in her syrupy sweet tone, "Thank you big brother!"
…
As Lyle approached his bedroom, he heard music playing. Specifically, Heavy Metal, or rather Speed Metal. Which was his older brother's preferred 'thinking music' when he was working on something.
Sure enough as he entered the bedroom he found Lemy on his knees, torch in hand and welding mask on, working on 'Dragula' his personal robot.
Dragula was a fearsome beast made of stainless blue steel, vaguely in the shape of a 5ft humanoid with four dexterous legs on a gyroscope at it's base. It's two arms were long and could extend further, ending in three slender and agile manipulators.
Lemy typically dressed Dragula in a Leather Jacket, but it was currently off so he could access the back panel of the robot where it's guts were. Dragula frequently featured in the robot wars Club Lemy was in at school.
When Lemy noticed Lyle, he pulled back from his work, lifted his mask up, and hit a button on his phone, cutting the music from the speakers in the room.
Lemy gave his little brother a smile and wave, as he watched the other boy start to take his ears and cloak off, "How was the movie?"
Lyle, feeling a little self-conscious about things now, completely suppressed his excited tone, before he gave a nonchalant shrug and headed to his bookshelf, "It was good."
Both boys had their own bookshelves, and both were festooned with books as the brothers were both voracious readers.
While Lemy's bookshelf was covered with Music Biopics, Science and Tech books, Lyle's was filled with Fantasy novels and books on medieval history. Both also had a collection of Graphic novels following their interests.
Lyle looked over towards his brother as he pulled the Graphic novelization of Elf Queen from the shelf, "How's the work on Dragula coming along?"
Lemy stood up and cracked his back, then pulled his bandanna off, causing his frizzy long hair to fall over his face as he wrang the sweat out of it, "Pretty good, but dude, Lupa was supposed to get Charlie to help me decorate him, in exchange for me helping them with the corn maze this year. But yaknow…" Lemy gave a shrug as he put his bandanna back on and frowned.
Lyle frowned in return, nodding, "He might not make it to next week, let alone Halloween."
Lemy winced, "Dude, don't say that. You know Lupa isn't gonna take it well if…when…you know."
Lyle nodded, "I know. I know…" before he frowned and sighed, "We're all hoping for the best for the Spokes. That's all we can do Lem."
Both boys were quiet and solemn for a moment before Lyle continued, "Anyway, the movie was good, I had fun…and I guess maybe…" Lyle paused, frowned, before he gave a small smile, "Maybe the new Uncle Lincoln isn't as bad as I thought. He's still dumb for turning down our moms in his world though."
Lemy listened, looking surprised when he heard Lyle speak, before he nodded his head, "Yeah…Yeah, maybe he is, maybe he's not."
Lyle shoved the graphic novels under his right arm as he started to head out, "I'm gonna show him the Elf Queen graphic novels, he drew them in his world! He wants to see the differences between his version and our universes!" Lyle began to step out, but before he reached the door, he stopped as he noticed a peculiar sight in the corner.
A moment later he was exclaiming with some amount of shock, "Lemy! Mister Crowley's on the ground!"
Lemy looked over, as if noticing where he'd knocked the bear over for the first time. "Oh…yeah, don't worry. I'll get him later." Lemy lowered his welding mask and went right back to work on Dragula.
Lyle only stared at him queerly for a few moments longer before he shrugged and headed out.
Sinverse, Late Night, the House across the street.
The hunter finished his meal, tossing the paper plate and utensils into the dirty metal trash bin he kept in the room upstairs with the hard wood floors. The Hunter didn't keep any permanent cutlery, he moved far too much for that.
The Hunter had risen from his rest a few hours ago. He hated the body's need for sleep. Sleep was a time when one was vulnerable, sleep was a time when you weren't able to work. Sleep was a time your enemy could escalate their plans further.
So the Hunter did as little of it as he could. The Hunter had discovered through esoteric texts, the secret knowledge of humanity, and the other information THEY didn't want you to know about humans could survive on as little as 4 hours if they trained themselves correctly.
The Hunter had learned how to do so years ago in the pursuit of his quarry. The hunter had trained himself extensively in pursuit of quarry.
Now It was time to go back to observing his new quarry.
The hunter's lair was an organized mess of laptops, monitors, surveillance equipment, and pictures, lots of pictures posted all over the walls.
They were pictures of the Loud family.
Pictures of the sisters at work, pictures of the children at school, and lots of pictures of Lincoln.
The two biggest pictures were of Lincoln, side by side, in his Burpin Burger managerial uniform. One Lincoln was smiling, the Lincoln in the picture next to him was puffing on a cigarette and frowning.
The smiling Lincoln had been circled with a red marker, the word 'Where?!' at the top. The other Lincoln had been circled with a green marker, the word 'Who?!' written at the top.
The Hunter cracked open an energy drink, took a seat at his desk, and flicked on his live stream to the multiple cameras he'd subtly installed around the Loud House. He switched to thermographic and compared the heat signatures he could detect around the home.
Leaning back in his chair, the hunter took a sip from his energy drink and spoke more to himself than anyone else.
"Once again you spurn the loving touch of your sister to sleep alone, so-called Lincoln Loud. Who are you really? What did you do to the REAL Lincoln Loud?"
The Hunter swore he would get to the bottom of the mystery.