Writing creates stories. Speaking creates worlds. But remembering… there's no words.

Multiple universes can be created with just a simple image attached to a memory.

Even when it's a single memory, the lives of the Loud sisters changed just because of that. Each sister had a different vision of what happened that day, but it didn't make it less painful.

Can memories be forgotten? Not always, and sometimes never. They always try to find a way to get to the surface. Let's see, how did it all start?

…

Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

Five Years Ago…

Lincoln Loud was always happy to help his sisters whenever they needed; from practicing for an upcoming pageant, learning to play an instrument, memorize scripts from plays or change diapers, he was willing to do it. It wasn't easy, he had to learn how to cook, babysit, fashion, clothes, complicated nomenclatures and dozens of animals. He was 'the perfect brother' to put it in a term. And, man, if you had ten sisters who agreed on that, what other proof do you need?

What would have happened if, let's say, the boy happened to be one of the girls? Or if the doctors had given their parents the wrong baby? Or if he just wasn't willing to help?

No one in the family even wanted to think about that.

When Lincoln was home, he was never remotely tired of all the things he had to do; he loved spending time with his family because, when you have a family this large, there always was something new to do. But it was that year precisely when everything changed.

"What am I gonna do?"

Luna asked; dozens of paper sheets that were attempts of writing the perfect song, were scattered around her, and in her hand was a pen that had almost run out of ink in vain.

"The contest is in a few days and I'm not ready! What am I gonna do?" She grabbed a handful of papers from the floor and searched them, threw some again, ripped some and gathered the pieces together again… But she got nothing.

All the other participants had practiced for weeks for that day, and she had nothing. She didn't have the song she wanted to sing; all the ideas she had were trash and she would make a fool of herself if she ever played them on national television. Some of her sisters offered their help, but her ego wouldn't allow it; she was good enough to come up with a song that would steal the show, it was just a matter of time…

But she's been like this for weeks now, but the perfect song was at the top of the mountain and she wasn't even halfway. She was about to give up and search for a song to cover, when…

"Luna" Lincoln peeked from the doorframe, the sight of her sister with her hair revolted and the room all messy made him nervous.

"Go away, Lincoln, I don't want to see anyone right now." She didn't even bother to look him in the eye.

"But I just want to help…"

"There's no way you could help."

"But…"

"I SAID NO! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU RIGHT NOW! THIS IS MY FUCKING PROBLEM AND JUST MINE AND I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Luna snapped, but all that anger evaporated into the air and transformed into a cloud of regret that let its rain fall on her. She regretted the words she spat in her moment of weakness, but the damage was already done.

However, unlike when he was a kid, Lincoln wasn't intimidated by that.

"No." He said with a deep, and surprisingly calmed voice. And in a very risky move, he walked in and hugged Luna.

She was taken aback at first, but accepted the hug, closing her eyes and letting a few tears fall. He, even being the little brother, was as tall as Lori. Puberty had widened his back, broadened his shoulders and made his voice deeper. Luna didn't think twice, and buried her face on his chest. His appearance might have changed, but he was still a kid full of kindness.

"I know you're scared, Luna, I would too if I was in your place, but I'm damn sure Luna Loud will be the best writer and singer that ever was."

"B-but, but what if I don't?" she sobbed. "Everyone keep telling me that I'll do it well, but I'm not sure of that…" She tightened the hug. "They might like it, but what if the rest of the world think that I suck? Maybe I should change my name to Lyra or Lulu, dye my hair pink and dedicate my life to create songs for food advertisements."

Lincoln chuckled, which caused Luna to break the hug. "What is so funny?!" she asked, wiping the tears away.

"Let's say you do all that. So, what then?" He inquired. "When will the world get to know the Luna Loud I know? You don't have to change to please them, you're perfect the way you are."

Lincoln got up, leaving Luna to process his words. He began to pick the papers around the room. He took the pieces and accommodated them randomly.

"Just…there…" He said, forming a rectangle with his thumbs and index finger.

"What…w-what do you see?" Luna asked.

"A song that not everyone might enjoy, but will definitely be a banger in that contest." He said. Luna saw the pieces together, forming senseless words and sentences. "It doesn't matter if the song is bad, what's important is that it is your passion, what you love to do. Let it express what your heart feels; adapting it for everyone's liking will end up disappointing everyone. It must be what you like.

He accommodated her hair back to how it was supposed to be. "A touch in here, a little eyeliner there… and of course, a wide smile?" he asked.

Luna resisted at first, but in the end couldn't suppress the smile that formed on her face.

"That's better. That's my Luna, the Luna I want everyone to see." He commented. "Come on, I can pick up the papers, but you're the one that give them a meaning. It's in your blood."

Luna smiled, this time more confident. She jumped at her brother's arms without a warning and hugged him tight. "Thanks, Lincoln."

"You're welcome, sis." He replied, returning the hug. "Come on, we have a song to write."

It took them hours, and cost a few hair pullings and screams of frustration, but in the end they came up with a good song; Luna was still unsure, but Lincoln motivated her.

"You just have to be yourself, Luna." He said, getting up and cracking his back; sitting in the same position for hours made his back ache. "You still got a few days to practice, use them wisely."

Luna nodded. She hugged her brother once more just before he started to walk away.

"I'll always be her for you." He said.

"I know. Thanks, Lincoln."

Lincoln walked out of the room, but his warmth remained. Luna could still feel it, and wished for it to never go away.

"I still don't know how you come to us when we need you, Link," She thought. "All these years and you're still with us. I don't want you to leave me, and I'll treasure this love forever. You accepted me for who I am, and in exchange, I give you my heart."

The feelings she had for her brother overboarded. Even in the worst of the moments, even with words that hurt like venom, even with a thousand problems ahead, Lincoln would always give that big heart of his. And slowly, after so much time, that kindness and affection sprouted inside her, becoming a love far beyond family.