A/N* Yes, yes, I know. I haven't been updating this story in almost three years. So sorry for an extremely long wait everyone. I was busy focusing on other things. I figured I've tortured you guys enough and hope it's not too late. Also, I agree with LoneAdvocate, one of my reviewers, that this fandom needs more Lincoln/Chandler bonding stories. Okay, time to get started on chapter 2, hope you all will enjoy it. Comments are welcome.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Loud House, it belongs to Nickelodeon.


A Second Chance of Passionate

Chapter 2 - Healing

...

The next week at school, Lincoln felt like a ghost, moving through the halls with a heavy heart. His classmates noticed his absence, but most didn't know the depth of his pain. His usual circle of friends, Rusty, Liam, Zach, and Stella, gathered around him at lunch, their eyes filled with concern. They had heard about Clyde's tragic accident from the whispers that had spread through the school grapevine, and they were determined to help him through this dark time.

"Hey, Linc, you okay?" Rusty asked tentatively, his usual playful grin replaced with a genuine look of care.

Lincoln managed a small nod, his gaze fixed on his untouched sandwich. "I'm... I'm just trying to keep it together."

"We're here for you, buddy," Liam said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Zach and Stella shared a look, both knowing the white-haired boy's struggle with expressing his emotions. They sat down beside him, not pushing for more words, just offering their silent support.

"Thanks, guys," Lincoln murmured, feeling a slight warmth in his chest despite the cold emptiness that had taken residence there. Their presence was a small comfort in the sea of his grief.

But even as they talked about school and shared jokes to lighten the mood, Lincoln couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Clyde's laughter, his quirky sense of humor, and their secret handshakes were all gone, leaving an aching void that seemed to expand with each passing moment.

As the week went by, the group tried various ways to help Lincoln cope. They invited him to play video games after school, encouraged him to join them at the park, and even attempted to drag him to the school dance. But every time they mentioned Clyde's name, Lincoln would flinch, the pain too raw to discuss openly.

One day, as they were leaving the cafeteria, Lincoln felt a gentle nudge from behind. He turned to find Chandler McCann, his one-time bully, looking at him with an unexpected expression of empathy. "Hey, I know we haven't always got along, but I'm sorry about what happened to your friend. If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

The words took Lincoln by surprise. He nodded stiffly before continuing on with his friends. But as he walked away, he couldn't help but wonder if even the most unlikely of people could offer the comfort he so desperately needed.

As Lincoln continued down the hallway, the weight of Chandler's offer lingered in his thoughts. He had never seen this side of his former tormentor, and the genuine concern in his voice was like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. Curiosity and desperation began to intertwine, whispering that maybe, just maybe, he could find solace in the unlikeliest of places. Despite the doubt, he decided to take a chance and texted Chandler later that evening, asking if they could meet up at the park after school the next day.

The following afternoon, Lincoln sat on the cold, damp bench at the park, his heart racing as he waited for Chandler. He wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting, but the anticipation was almost unbearable. When Chandler finally arrived, his usual smirk was replaced with a solemn expression, and he took a seat next to Lincoln without a word. They sat in silence for a while, the only sound being the rustling of leaves as the wind picked up. Finally, Lincoln spoke, his voice shaky and filled with emotion. "Thanks for... for being here, Chandler. I don't know why you're doing this, but it means a lot."

Chandler sighed heavily, kicking a pebble with his foot. "Look, I know we've had our differences, but when I heard about Clyde, I just couldn't ignore it. I know what it's like to lose someone important." He paused, looking down at his hands. "I lost my mom a few years ago. It's... it's not easy."

This revelation hit Lincoln like a ton of bricks. He had never known about Chandler's loss, and the thought of his bully going through something similar brought a strange kinship to the surface. "I'm... I'm sorry about your mom," he offered sincerely.

Chandler glanced up, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Thanks. Anyway, I figured if I could help you through this, maybe we could, I dunno, start over or something."

The two sat in silence once more, the weight of their shared pain creating an unspoken bond. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the playground, Lincoln realized that perhaps the shattered pieces of his world could be put back together, one unexpected friendship at a time.

The following weeks saw Lincoln and Chandler spending more time together, their shared grief acting as a bridge over the gap that once held their animosity. They'd sit under the same tree, sharing stories about Clyde and the good times they had with him, and slowly, Lincoln began to see Chandler in a new light. The bully who had tormented him for years was now a source of strength and understanding, someone who knew the depth of pain he was feeling. They'd often stay until the last light of day had disappeared, the chilly air enveloping them as they talked into the night. And in those moments, Lincoln felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could find happiness again.

It wasn't the same happiness that Clyde had brought him, but it was a different kind of happiness - one that grew from the ashes of loss and the budding of an unexpected friendship. As they stood up to leave, their shoulders hunched against the cold, Chandler offered a hand to Lincoln, pulling him into an awkward half-hug. "You're not alone in this, Linc," he murmured, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Lincoln believed him.

The white-haired boy walked home with a sense of peace he hadn't felt since Clyde's funeral. The stars above twinkled in the night sky, and as he looked up, he whispered a silent message to the heavens. "Thank you, Clyde," he spoke in his mind, a small smile playing on his lips. "For bringing Chandler into my life, even if it was like this."

As the days turned into weeks, Lincoln and Chandler's bond grew stronger. They started to hang out more, not just to talk about their loss, but to laugh and live in the present. Chandler even started to stand up for Lincoln against other bullies, earning the respect of Lincoln's friends. The Louds noticed the change in their son and his newfound friendship, and while they were still sad about Clyde, they were grateful for the positive influence Chandler had on him.

But even as Lincoln started to heal, the pain of losing Clyde never truly left him. It was a constant ache in his heart, a reminder of what could have been. Yet, with Chandler by his side, he found the strength to face each day, to keep moving forward, and to honor Clyde's memory by living the life he never got the chance to live fully.

As they approached Christmas, Lincoln felt a mix of sadness and joy. He knew Clyde would have loved the lights and the decorations, the smells of cookies baking, and the sound of carols. But he also knew that Clyde would have wanted him to be happy. So, with a heavy heart, Lincoln decided to throw himself into the holiday spirit, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he could find a spark of joy amidst the sorrow.

And as he strung up the lights on the Loud family Christmas tree, a cardboard snowflake they had made together last year fluttered down from the branches. He picked it up, tracing the outline of Clyde's hand with his thumb. "Merry Christmas, buddy," he whispered, feeling a tear slip down his cheek. "Wherever you are, I hope you know I'll never forget you."

The snow began to fall outside, and Lincoln felt a strange warmth in his chest. It was as if Clyde was with him, smiling down from above, giving him the strength to face the new year with hope. And with Chandler by his side, Lincoln knew that he didn't have to go through it alone.

The doorbell rang, and Lincoln turned to see the rest of his family gathering around the door, ready to start their Christmas Eve traditions. He took a deep breath and put the snowflake back on the tree, straightening his shoulders. He had a life to live, and people who cared about him. And as much as he missed Clyde, he knew that his best friend would want him to be happy.

So, with a sad smile, Lincoln joined his family, ready to face the future, one step at a time.

Meanwhile, Chandler found himself reflecting on the profound change in his relationship with Lincoln. He had never expected to be the one offering comfort and support, especially to someone he had once picked on. But as he watched Lincoln's sorrow slowly turn into acceptance and determination, he realized that the kindness he had shown was not just for his former victim's sake, but for his own healing as well. The pain of losing someone special was something they both shared, and it had become the foundation of their newfound friendship. As the snowflakes danced outside the window, Chandler sat on the edge of his own bed, the warmth of their shared moments lingering in his thoughts. He had never felt so connected to anyone, and as he reached for his phone to send Lincoln a quick text, he knew that together, they could face whatever the future held.

A few days after Christmas, Chandler found himself standing outside the Loud House, contemplating whether to knock or just turn away. He hadn't been to Lincoln's place since their friendship had taken a surprising turn, and the nerves were getting the better of him. But knowing that the white-haired boy might need some company, he took a deep breath and raised his hand to the door. The sound of laughter and chatter spilled out from within, reminding him of happier times with Clyde. He knocked softly, and the door swung open to reveal Lincoln, looking a bit surprised but pleased to see him.

"Hey, Chandler," Lincoln said with a small smile. "What's up?"

"I just... I don't know, I thought maybe you'd like some company," Chandler replied, feeling his cheeks warm slightly. "I know it's been tough."

Lincoln nodded, stepping aside to let him in. "Yeah, it has been. But thanks for checking on me."

The two of them made their way to Lincoln's room, where the usual mess was somewhat organized, a sign of his efforts to keep his mind busy. They sat on the bed, and Chandler took in the surroundings, spotting a few familiar items that had once belonged to Clyde, which had been placed carefully on the shelf. "How have you been holding up?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Lincoln shrugged. "I've had better days, I guess. But I'm trying."

"That's all that matters," Chandler said, placing a hand on Lincoln's shoulder. "Remember, you don't have to go through this alone."

The simple gesture brought a warmth to Lincoln's heart, and he found himself leaning into the touch. "Thanks, Chandler," he murmured, feeling a sense of comfort that was foreign yet oddly comforting.

As they talked into the night, sharing stories and memories of Clyde, Lincoln realized that the gap between them had closed significantly. The barriers of the past had crumbled under the weight of their shared pain, leaving a space for something new to grow. And in that moment, as the snow continued to fall outside, the two of them sat in the quiet, knowing that together, they could find the strength to keep going.

The conversation grew deeper, and Lincoln found himself unable to hold back any longer. He took a shaky breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "Chandler, there's something I need to tell you." His voice was barely above a whisper, and Chandler leaned in closer, his gaze filled with concern. "I'm bi," Lincoln finally confessed, his eyes searching for any sign of judgment or disgust in Chandler's expression. But instead, he found only understanding and a gentle nod.

"I know," The redhead replied, his voice was low and sincere. "It's okay, Linc. I've known for a while. And it doesn't change anything between us."

The tension in the room eased, and Lincoln felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He had been so scared of losing his newfound friendship, but instead, it grew stronger. The two of them sat in silence for a few moments before Lincoln spoke again, his voice filled with newfound courage.

"There's something else," he said, looking at Chandler with a mix of hope and fear. "I had feelings for Clyde."

Chandler's eyes widened, but the empathy remained. "Oh," he said softly. "That... must have been really hard for you."

And with those words, Lincoln knew that Chandler truly cared, that he wasn't just a bully turned friend, but someone who truly knew his pain and was willing to listen. The two of them sat there, their hearts open and their friendship stronger than ever, as they continued to share their deepest secrets under the soft glow of the Christmas lights.

To Be Continued!


A/N* Phew... finally, another chapter well done. I really did my best, and I apologize if you guys think this is rushed. I don't know what else to say... but see y'all next time, I hope. :)