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The Shadow of his Heart	By : Catspeaker Category: +G through L > The Loud House Views: 12692 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own The Loud House, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
A/N: Hey everyone! Another fresh chapter for you! Things are falling more and more into place for the ending I have planned. We still have more than a few chapters to go, but the important plot elements are almost all in place!

Lynn favored Lucy with a smirk as she leaned back and sat down on her old bed, hands sliding behind her as she leaned on them in a relaxed posture.

“Alright sis, let's talk.”

Lynn had a feeling she already knew what Lucy wanted to talk about, but decided she'd let this all play out naturally.

Lucy continued to frown as she stared down her older, though shorter sister. She really didn't like that smarmy look on her sibling’s face. Lynn was a whole four years older than her, and part of Lucy felt insecure about it. Her former roommate did have more life experience, she'd been through all of High school and now even a year of college. She had lived on her own for a whole year. She was a legal adult, a full woman while Lucy was still considered a minor by law.

Worst of all, she had lived in Lincoln's life, longer.

Lucy didn't know why Lynn had decided to visit this weekend, she wasn't supposed to visit at all unless it was a holiday. Showing up now, unannounced? That wasn't part of the way things were supposed to be.

Lucy finally spoke up and asked the obvious question, “Lynn, what are you doing here?”

But Lynn for her part decided to just play dumb. She knew exactly what Lucy was referring to, but for some reason she wanted Lucy to spell it out. She wanted Lucy to bring it up and talk about it. She wanted Lucy to make herself a hypocrite in talking about it.

“I don't know Luce, I just wanted to see you all. I mean, Ann Oaks is only about 30 minutes away, it's kinda weird I never visit home you know? Heck, Lori made the trip back her first two years of college way more than I ever did, and she had to drive three hours.”

Lynn continued to smirk, bringing her right hand up, idly looking over her fingernails as if trying to determine if they had gotten too long or not, “I should come home more often and see the people I love most.” And then she looked right back up to Lucy and grinned wide, “Don't you think Sis?”

It was taking everything in Lucy's power not to raise her voice, and to keep a hold of herself right now, a hold of her emotions. She knew what Lynn was doing. She was dancing around the topic, dragging it out. She was going to make Lucy say it. Lynn was punishing her.

Lucy, still frowning, but trying to keep her voice it's typical calm and emotionless tone, responded, “Lynn, we agreed that you coming home wasn't good for you. We agreed you were going to stay away, until you were better. Are you saying you're better Lynn? Because I don't think you are.”

Lynn's smile turned more malicious, her eyebrows narrowing as she looked back towards Lucy, “You mean, all of YOU agreed that I should stay away. You, Lori, Luna, and Luan. Just like they made Leni stay away. Just like you would be staying away too, if you were old enough to leave the house.”

Lucy winced as each word was flung at her, feeling like barbs in her flesh. It was true, it had been Lori, Luan, and Luna who had decided the fate of Leni, Lynn, and herself. Leni was in New York, which was good for her, she had a job there, she was making a lot of money, but Luan and her boyfriend Bennie were living with Leni to keep an eye on her. To keep her working, and to keep her from doing something she shouldn't be doing.

Just as it was agreed by Lynn that she would avoid coming home unnecessarily to bother Lincoln. She was supposed to stay at Wolverine and get her crush out of her system. Because the older sisters all knew, they knew, that if Lynn were allowed, she would come home every weekend she could just to see Lincoln.

Which had left Lucy.

Lucy, the last girl standing. The baby, the only one with a crush who was younger than Lincoln. It was the technicality they couldn't control for. They couldn't make Lucy stay away from Lincoln because she wasn't finished with school yet.

The fact Mom and Dad asked Lincoln to stay behind at least one year had really been that extra opportunity that afforded Lucy the chance to do what Leni and Lynn were never able to do. Take Lincoln all for herself.

Lucy sighed and put her hand up to her face, shaking her head, “Lynn, do you really think it's wise coming home? You had it the worst out of all of us. Leni and I could always control our desires, but you cried yourself to sleep over Lincoln more times than I could recall. Are you sure it's safe to be here for you? Are you over your desires?”

Lucy was trying to play the responsible card, set herself up as the sister which had the most control over her feelings and desires, even if, she was the one who had completely broken the pact between them.

Lynn's brazen reply shocked her though.

“You mean do I still want to fuck Lincoln? Do I still want him to hold me down and give it to me until I've exhausted him and wrung every single drop out of him? Do you mean that Lucy?”

Lucy let those words hit her and sink deeply in. An overwhelming mix of emotions flooded her in that moment.

Jealousy, jealousy over the possibility of Lincoln wanting Lynn more than her.

Rage, rage at the idea of anyone else taking Lincoln away from her.

Loathing, self-loathing as she realized she was the hypocrite now.

She was the one that had broken the promise made, she was the one who had taken things despite her two older sisters Lynn and Leni staying true to the promise.

Lynn watched as Lucy hugged herself, grit her teeth and turn her head. Lynn then scooted back up onto her bed and gave a deep long sigh, “Cause yeah, I still love him. I still want him with me, I want to be with him every day. But you do too Lucy. Only, you’re the one that’s allowed to be.”

Then Lynn fixed her with a sympathetic look. It was one that spoke of a shared pain, and a little bit of maturity on Lynn's part. She was taking the high road, trying to commiserate with her younger sister. It only made that guilt in Lucy worse.

Lynn continued, “Look, I don't want to fight with you over this, you’re my sister and I still love you, even if you're kind of my rival too.”

Lucy didn't know what to think or how to feel after hearing that. Well actually no, she felt even guiltier still. Despite knowing they were both in love with the same boy, Lynn still loved her. Lucy also knew she didn't hate Lynn, and she knew she even loved her too. They were family.

But she couldn't help but see Lynn as a rival as well, as a complication. As someone who could potentially screw everything up. Lynn wasn't supposed to be a factor anymore, she was supposed to be off at college, letting Lucy have Lincoln all to herself. Her coming back like this, it just... it wasn't supposed to happen.

Lucy didn't want to say anything that could reveal what was going on with her and Lincoln. Who knew how Lynn would react to that? Lynn wasn't some abusive bully, but she was a very physical person, and this could be one rare situation where Lynn might lose it. Or worse, tell their parents. Lucy had to be absolutely careful around her.

Lucy walked over to her own bed, sitting down on the dark comforter, under the open canopy, looking across at Lynn whose open bed with its red blanket and large pillow. Lynn had scooted up fully on it, kicking one leg over the other as she placed her arms up behind her head.

Lynn gave a sad smile as she looked up at the ceiling, “Look at us Luce. We're sad, aren't we? Terrible.”

Lucy had managed to gain control of herself once more, as she sat on the bed, looking across at her older sister, speaking in her calm measured tone, “Is it really sad to love someone Lynn? We love him, and it's beautiful don't you think?”

Lynn rolled over on her side, propping her head up with her hand while she looked to her sister, “Leave it to you Luce to try and re-frame a crime against nature into something positive.” She continued to smile sadly, “Yeah, maybe it is. We love him, that's what family is supposed to do. But the way we love him, it's wrong Lucy. It’s not right.”

Lucy spoke up softly, “Leni never thought it was wrong.”

Lynn gave a soft laugh, one only tinged with a minor amount of bitterness, “Yeah, Leni didn't see any problems with our love towards Lincoln. But come on, we’re talking about Leni.” Lynn gave a sad sigh, “Too bad we're not like her. She wanted the three of us to share him together.”

Lucy nodded her head and frowned as she remembered their older sister. The second oldest in the family, Leni. Her crush on Lincoln had been the hardest to tell, given just how loving and giving she was with everyone. But apparently Lori had caught her trying to teach Lincoln how to 'kiss' and had to intervene...

That had been when Leni had approached both Lynn and Lucy and confided in them about her own crush on Lincoln and how it wasn't fair that Lori was always stopping her from doing the things she wanted to do with him.

That had been an interesting afternoon to say the least. Given neither Lucy nor Lynn had admitted to one another they both had a crush on Lincoln. Oh, both were fairly certain about it, they had often laid in their room talking about the other girls interested in Lincoln and how they disapproved of them. They had confided in one another about the kind of girl they thought Lincoln should have. They had suspicions about it, but they hadn't fully admitted it to each other.

But then Leni had brazenly said it to both of them. She had known, she had been aware of their crushes and to her it was the most obvious thing in the world. Of course, she wanted to confide and vent about her frustrations to the two other sisters who were crushing on him too! It made sense! They understood what she was going through!

And because Leni was dear, sweet, loving, but simple Leni... She saw no issue at all sharing her brother with her other sisters. After all, that's what family did. It would be selfish to have him all to herself if two of her other sisters wanted him in that way too. The three of them could all be his girlfriends as far as Leni was concerned.

Needless to say, when the truth was discovered by Lori, and then Luan and Luna were brought in, the latter two had to stop the former from literally strangling them all.

Things had moved quickly after that, an emergency sibling meeting, only with the six of them. It was decided to be kept a secret from Lincoln and the other siblings. It had been embarrassing enough to have their crushes dragged out into the open, but Lori had been merciful and practical in her judgment. The younger siblings were just that, too young to understand the gravity of the situation. But more, despite Lori being angry and upset at the whole thing, she didn’t want to unnecessarily make it harder for the three either.

She didn’t want them humiliated in their own home, nor dragged out before Mom and Dad. She was sympathetic as their big sister, even understanding in some ways, even if she absolutely disapproved of the notion. She wanted things to remain as normal as possible, for Lincoln, for their parents, for the rest of their sisters. Lori, Luna and Luan had taken it upon themselves to make sure the other three never acted on their impulses, as much as they were able to.

Lucy spoke up, “The problem is, I’m too selfish, I want him all to myself.”

Lynn nodded in understanding, “And I’m too competitive, I’d want to be his number one girl.”

The fact Lucy had used the present tense was lost on Lynn.

Lynn closed her eyes and frowned, “Not that it matters anyway. We’d have to get Linc on board. Heh, most guys would be crazy about having three hot girls all to themselves.” Lynn looked towards Lucy then, “Yaknow, except for the whole sister part.”

Lucy had remained silent, it wasn’t out of character for her, listening to others talk. But more it was Lucy didn’t want anything to slip. She couldn’t, she couldn’t give any indication, any clue as to what was happening between her and Lincoln right now, even as she had to bite her tongue, prevent herself from wanting to affirm he already belonged to her.

Lynn continued, “It can’t be easy for you, I know. Being here with him every day still. Being your age with all your hormones raging, I remember what it was like Luce. God I can remember sneaking into his room and smelling his pillow after he slept all night.”

Lynn sat up on the bed, she pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. A moment later she leaned her head over, resting it there, breathing out softly, “What ever you do Luce. Don’t give yourself up to a boy you don’t love like I did.”

That broke Lucy out of her silence. She looked across at her older sister, her expression change was minute, but for those like Lynn who knew how to read her, she could see the concern and sympathy that had suddenly turned up ever so slightly on her younger sister’s lips.

Lucy spoke, “Lynn, you didn’t…”

Lynn gave a sad smile from where she was at, nodding against her knees, “I did Luce. I thought it would help. I thought maybe it would make me feel better. I just found the most fit gym bro I could at a party and let him take me to a back room.”

Lucy swallowed “Lynn…”

Lucy felt more guilt pile onto her heart. The realization of the betrayal to her other sisters slowly becoming more and more real as she spoke to Lynn. A small part of her wanted to celebrate, wanted to rub it in Lynn’s face, for all the competitiveness her older sister valued, Lucy had won. She had gotten Lincoln before her other two sisters could.

And yet, she realized unlike Lynn…She had gotten exactly what she wanted. She had gotten to experience her first time with the person she loved most in the world. It had been absolutely magical, and every time since had been wonderful…but Lynn.

Lucy didn’t hate Lynn. She loved her sister, she loved all of them. Even if she put herself first when it came to her heart, even if she honestly and truly believed out of the three of them, she was the best fit for Lincoln, she still felt horrible pain comparing her experience with Lynn’s own.

Lucy looked up to see Lynn wiping at her eyes, a forced smile on her lips,

“Yeah, it was terrible. One of the worst experiences of my life. There was nothing wrong with the guy, he didn’t do anything wrong at all. I went with full consent, even knowing it wasn’t with who I wanted. Even as I started crying in the middle of it.” Lynn wiped harder at her eyes, “He asked me if I wanted to stop. I said no and told him to keep going. I told him to keep going even as I cried.” Lynn looked more shaken as she went on, “It was only when I started imagining Lincoln doing it to me it started to feel good...and when I started saying his name, it finally made me cum.”

Lynn laughed softly, it was full of heartache and regret, “I think I probably scarred him more than I scarred myself.”

Lucy felt like she was going to throw up. Her world was spinning, but she did the only thing she could think to do. The thing she should do, even as she felt the clawing hand of guilt and hypocrisy closing around her heart.

She stood up from her own bed, and walked over to Lynn's, sitting down next to her. She reached over and placed her arms around Lynn, and hugged her older, but physically smaller sister close. Lynn reacted by pulling her arms around Lucy and leaning into her as she sniffled softly.

“What's wrong with us Lucy? Why are we like this? Why? I don't want to love him! But I do, I do want to love him, I love loving him! But I don't want to, I don't want to be stuck watching something I can't have! Something I can never have! I always win, I always win, I'm Lynn motherfucking Loud! I win and I never give up. But I can't win this! I can't have this! We can't have this, and it kills me!”

Lucy continued to feel that horrible twisting guilt inside of her, even as she comforted her sister. What could she say? What could she really say in the face of this, in seeing her other sister bare her heart in such a manner. Knowing how in the shower right now, was the boy Lynn was crying her eyes out over... the very same boy that Lucy had given herself too, the boy she now knew in intimate ways nobody else did.

And she saw it now, how bad Lynn had it, really had it for Lincoln. It was even worse than she had it, or even Leni did. All three of them loved Lincoln, all three wanted to spend their lives with him, despite the taboo nature of it all, but for Lynn it really did seem like a sickness. Lovesick beyond all measures. Lincoln seemed like a part of her, a vital part of her that had been torn away.

Lynn was crying softly as she held Lucy, it was clear she was embarrassed by it, but it was also clear she needed to get this out of her system. Lucy did what any good self respecting sister that loved her siblings did, she provided comfort, even knowing what she had already done to betray Lynn. She gently caressed Lynn's hair and spoke softly in return, “I don't think it's wrong Lynn. I don't think our love is dirty, or taboo, or twisted. We love Lincoln, we just love him more than most sisters do.”

Lynn looked up and smiled through her tears, giving a soft laugh as she wiped her eyes, “It's ironic isn't it? Me being the one most twisted up inside about it all, but I'm also the one who thinks it's the most wrong.” She gave another bitter laugh, “I think if I was like you or Leni I would have begged him to take me by now.” She sighed as she slowly released her grip from Lucy.

Lynn looked back down towards the bed as she spoke again, “I don't think there's anything wrong with you or Leni. I wish I could feel as guilt-free as you two do when it comes to Lincoln. I just, know it's wrong. It's wrong to him. It would be hurting him.”

Lucy frowned again as she took those words to heart. It was true what Lynn said, she didn't feel any guilt about her love. She didn't see anything wrong with it, and she knew Leni didn't either. But what Lynn said was a little troubling to Lucy. Was it wrong to Lincoln? Did it hurt him?

No it couldn't be, she had already gone through this, she had decided this was the best course of action for Lincoln, because she would treat him the way he deserved to be treated.

So Lucy decided to try a different approach and broach the subject with Lynn, “What if...he returned your feelings? What if he did want you Lynn? What would you do?”

Lynn looked up and a strange mix of emotions was on her eyes. For a moment brief joy and happiness, as if she was imagining being given the most wonderful thing in the whole world, quickly followed by the tempered realization this was a question of a fantasy, not a reality.

Lynn frowned, “I don't know Luce. I don't know. I'm supposed to be responsible and say No. What would our parents say, or the rest of you say if that happened? I'd be worried about it hurting him...but...”

And Lynn gave a lost forlorn look again, before she brought her gaze up towards Lucy once more, “But...I don't think I'd be strong enough. Who am I kidding, if Stinkin called to me, I'd come running to him like a loyal dog.”

Lucy flinched slightly and frowned as Lynn referred to herself in such a derogatory manner, “Lynn, don't say that about yourself!”

Lynn gave a soft laugh as she sniffled slightly, her tears beginning to dry up, “I know, he would never mistreat me. That's not our Lincoln, he wouldn't abuse me. But I mean it Luce, he could put a collar on me and I would be the happiest girl in the world. As long as I was his number 1.”

Lucy looked away, as if she was trying to truly process the devotion that Lynn was speaking of. She knew she was devoted to Lincoln and loved him with all of her heart, but the way Lynn talked..

Lynn seemed to catch the way her words unsettled Lucy and only grinned, “Oh come on Lucy, I know you would do the same thing. You think I haven't been watching your profile online? You've been all over him, helping him with the break up. Dragging him into all of your activities and inserting yourself into his own.”

Lucy began to worry, she knew Lincoln and her had been a little careless with social media posts. There were far more pictures of herself with him on his wall and hers online than was possibly appropriate. It was known the Loud family was close, but she wondered if they needed to tone it down some. She knew already their photo from the convention had popped up in a couple of cosplay groups online with lots of comments about how cute the 'couple' looked together.

She didn't have to say anything though, as Lynn continued, “It's probably been both Heaven and Hell for you I bet. Having him like that, giving you so much of his time and attention. Heh, I bet you're getting to experience what it's like to almost have him as a boyfriend.”

Lucy was flushing now, she looked down. Lynn didn't know how right she was, how close to the truth she'd been. So Lucy decided to at least, let some of that truth out, “It's been...truly the best time of my life with him. Being so close to him and sharing so many things with him.”

Lynn sighed and looked back up at the ceiling, “Yup, I remember the same back when I lived here. Especially in high school when we had a couple classes together, and he took me to Prom. He's everything I want in a guy.” And then breathed out deeply, “And the Hell starts when you realize you want to kiss him, feel his tongue against yours, and you want to do more than that, when you want to feel him inside of you, want to hold him all night while you sleep together, but knowing that will never happen either.”

The hell Lucy was experiencing was knowing she had experienced all of that, all of that and then some, and she was lying directly to her sister's face about it. Then Lynn interrupted her train of thought again..

“I'm going to be keeping him for the weekend.” Lynn stated bluntly.

Lucy frowned and was about to speak before Lynn interrupted her once more..

“You get him all the rest of the time to yourself. I want him for this weekend. I'm here to visit everyone yeah, but he's taking me out... and I want to spend time with him.”

Lucy folded her arms under her chest and sighed heavily, turning her head, “I do suppose I can agree to that.”

Then it was Lynn's turn to feel guilty, as she sat up once more and turned her attention fully to her younger sister, “There's something important you need to know Luce..”

The gravity with which Lynn was now talking caught Lucy off guard. She knew what ever Lynn said next wasn't going to be inconsequential, and considering who they had been talking about, she was already worried.

Lynn closed her eyes as she stood up from the bed and continued to face Lucy, “Lincoln...he's not going to be here next year.”

Those words struck Lucy like a blow and she felt her world suddenly turn upside down, she could only respond with one simple word, “What.”

Lynn nodded solemnly and continued, “It's Lisa and Lola's Christmas present to him. They got him into Wolverine University. Mom and Dad already agreed to let him go. It's supposed to be a surprise.”

Lucy began to feel panic creepy it's icy tendril down her spine. She shook her head, this couldn't be right. She was supposed to have at least one more full year with her Lincoln. One more full year together, and then they could worry about college and going somewhere together. This would ruin things, it would take him away far to soon.

Lucy responded almost shaking, “No, he's supposed to go to State, and not until a year later, to be with Clyde.”

But Lynn continued firmly, “Wolverine is one of the best in the country for Journalism. Clyde will understand that, and Lincoln won't say no after all the work Lola and Lisa put in to get him there. Besides, he'll have me there to look out for him the next couple years.”

This wasn't the way things were supposed to go. This wasn't the way they were supposed to go at all. Lucy felt her heart beginning to pound harder and harder in her chest. Part of her wondered if Lynn was doing this to be cruel. If it was her competitive streak rearing it's head. Lucy was so ready to pat herself on the back for having 'won' and yet Lynn was already stealing the ball from her.

But if Lynn was being cruel, or playing a game, or taking any joy in this news, she wasn't showing it. She was marching to the door and getting ready to leave, she turned her attention back to Lucy, “It'll be good for you. Maybe a year of abstinence away from Lincoln will be better for you than it was for me.”

She opened the door and began to step out, “Anyway, Stinkin is done with his shower. Him and I are gonna go out, I'll catch you later Luce.”

Then she shut the door, sealing Lucy back up into her tomb. Panic flowed over the young poet once more, another complication, another wrinkle. First it was the return of Ronnie Anne, and now it was Lincoln going away from her. Going away where he would only possibly see her on the weekends and holidays?

What was she going to do? What could she do? Lucy got up and began to shiver, pacing back and forth as she brought her hands up into her long black hair, rubbing her temples, her mind racing. There was only one thing she could do. One person who could possibly help her in all of this. But it was the equivalent of calling in a Nuclear strike.

But Lucy didn't know what else to do. She had to stop Lincoln from going away from her, no matter what it took.

She reached onto her night stand and pulled up her phone, it was time to call Lori.

Section Break

At 23 years old, Luna Loud had already achieved some level of fame and stardom. Her band, 'The Moon Goats' had actually signed on with a major record label and had produced a couple of albums.

While they weren't selling platinum and weren't a household name (not yet at least) they still had a dedicated following, and made enough money to justify continuing to try harder and harder, and keep touring.

The important thing was the band made enough it's members were comfortable, but still hungry to keep working, keep trying, keep writing, find that hit that was going to take them to the top. For Luna though, even if they never found it...She was more than satisfied at what she had accomplished with her friends. She was living her dream, even if right now it was only minor fame and moderate fortune.

The Moon Goats were in Miami, set up to play a couple of nights at a few clubs and be the opening act for a bigger band. The pay was decent and their hotel was nice, but more importantly, Miami was just beautiful, with it's sandy beaches, pastel colors and eclectic night life. It was almost more of a vacation for the band than an actual series of gigs.

It was daytime, and Luna was relaxing with the lead guitarist of her band, as well as longtime girlfriend, Sam Sharp. The rest of the band was checking out the next venue they'd be at, but Sam and Luna had wanted some alone time together. They'd hit the beach within walking distance of their hotel and decided to set up and sun themselves a little. Have a few drinks and just relax in the quiet of one another's company.

Luna, always a lithe and thin girl, had reached about 5'8 before she stopped growing. Her curves were modest compared to many of her other sisters, something she shared with her younger sister Lynn. Looking at the two of them, you could definitely see they were sisters, complete with the same eye color and hair color, as well as sprinkling of freckles on their cheeks and shoulders. Luna differed in being softer thanks to her rockstar lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. She also kept her hair shorter, a messy mop that was currently covered by a large kitchy sun hat she had found at a thrift store recently. A purple bikini was wrapped around her frame as she laid back on a deck chair to bask in the bright sun.

Next to her, on another deck chair laying tummy down was her fiancee' Sam Sharp. Sam was a beautiful blonde girl, with sharp, bright blonde locks that went down to her shoulders, emblazoned with a single teal stripe covering one side of her bangs. Sam's tan skin glistened in the sun, and she was a little taller than Luna, but not by much. She was also rock-star thin, though had a few more noticeable curves compared to her girlfriend. Sam was clad in a blue bikini, the top undone as to make sure she lacked tanlines on her back.

Luna and Sam were having a discussion, about the future of all things, with Luna sipping on some blue margarita drink which just tasted amazing.

Sam repeated the question as she spoke to her girlfriend, “Luna, come on now, what do you think?”

Luna had only been partially paying attention, her mind had been lost thinking of a new song, but she realized Sam was being serious, not playing around with her. Thinking the question over again in her head, the gravity of what it would mean played over and over again for her. She pursed her lips in thought until she finally knew what her heart wanted on the matter..

“Yeah Sam, I do. I mean, not right now obviously, I think we have a few more years in us touring, but I'd want to do it. Do it with you.” Luna gave her one of her signature charming smiles.

Sam seemed to breathe out a huge sigh of relief as she looked down towards her chair, “You don't know how hard it's been working up the courage to talk to you about this Lunes..”

Luna laughed in response, “Come on dude, I love you, you should be able to talk to me about anything! Otherwise I'm being a bad girlfriend!”

Sam smiled back as she turned, propping her head up on her hand, “Yeah well, we have the double stigma of being Lesbians and being rockstars, both of those typically don't lend themselves to being parents too.”

Luna scoffed and rolled her eyes playfully, still smirking, “Come on now, we both know The Mcbrides did a great job with Clyde.”

Sam chuckled and nodded in reply, Clyde's own parents being a homosexual married couple, had becoming something of unofficial mentors to both Sam and Luna after they'd become a couple. They'd learned a lot from the two.

Sam smiled, “Yeah, they did. My only fear is we'd be the opposite of them when it came to a kid, too permissive instead of too over-protective.”

Luna laughed softly, “Yeah, maybe we need a few more years of maturing still. But no Sam, I love you, I'd love to have a family with you. I've always wanted to have kids.” That may have sounded strange coming from the girl who loved the rockstar lifestyle, but then she had come from a huge family, that was probably why she had always wanted to be a Mom as well Sam reasoned. Then Luna spoke again “So what were you thinking, adoption?”

Sam flushed slightly at her girlfriend's response, just how nonchalant and casual Luna could be about such heavy topics and yet also be completely sincere in what she was saying. She also knew her next idea might be a little... controversial as well.

Sam breathed out, “Well, I was thinking, what I'd actually want, is a child that could really belong to you and me. One that was ours.”

Luna raised her eyebrow hearing that, still smirking, replying softly, “Uh well, you know how that works Sam. Our lady bits feel great when they're pushed together, but nobody's shooting seeds into our fields, bruh.”

Sam rolled her eyes at her girlfriend's metaphor, sighed and responded, “Luna! Come on now! I'm being serious, I mean that--”

Suddenly Sam noticed as Luna's attention was drawn to her phone vibrating. Luna picked it up, looked at the message, and her eyes went wide.

It was a message from Lori, it read simply, “Code Creamsicle, Emergency Sister meeting.”

Luna's heart nearly jumped in her throat when she read that.

Sam couldn't help but notice the sudden look of fear and shock which had come over her fiancee's face. Sam slowly sat up, clutching her bikini top to her chest, “Luna, honey what's wrong?”

Luna smiled very nervously as she stood up with her phone, pulling the large sun hat down further as she replied, “Nothin to much bruh. Listen sweetie, I gotta go take this, it's family stuff. I'll tell ya later, promise.”

Sam nodded, seeing how serious it was, but being curious. Luna leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, before she started off down the beach again, dialing Lori up on the phone.

Section Break

Bennie Stein currently sat at the dining room table in the beautiful two bedroom apartment building in downtown Manhattan he shared with two sisters of the Loud Family. While the apartment was not a luxurious pent-house, it was comfortable, clean, safe and spacious. Something that would be considered mid-range and respectable for someone in Royal Woods. Which meant it cost a pretty penny being here in the heart of Manhattan.

The Kitchen spread out to a small dining room area that joined the larger living room space, which would eventually terminate onto the luxurious balcony over looking the city. It was all hardwood floors, with marble counter tops making up everything with plush dark furniture.

Most of the design had been created by the Apartment's primary lease holder, the one that paid for most of the bills of the three, Fashionista extraordinaire Leni Loud. Bennie was continuously reminded there was no way in hell Luan and him could ever afford living like this, in Manhattan no less, on the salary they made.

Bennie and Luan were currently both chasing their dreams. Both had aspirations of being performers. For Bennie, it was the stage. He loved theater, dancing, and music. He knew it wasn't the most lucrative career but it was what played closest to his heart. As for his girlfriend Luan, she had dreams of being a comedian, stand up or sketch comedy shows, she would be happy with either.

Right now, the two had seen some moderate entry level success. Bennie especially had! Bennie was 21, with dark brown hair that was ever so slightly curly, that only got more curly as it got longer. Enough he kept it cut short to avoid getting a typical 'jew fro'. His eyes were deep dark brown and friendly, he had boyish good looks with soft but sharp features, much like Luan's brother Lincoln. His body however was deceptive in how toned and strong it was. Given his love of musical theater, he had taken dance classes all his life, and under his thin frame his muscles were like corded steel.

He'd been cast as Anthony Hope in the current rendition of Sweeney Todd on Broadway. He had actually tried out for the part of both Todd and Tobias, but while his looks were considered boyish enough for Tobias, the director had said he wasn't grimy enough for the street kid, and he didn't have enough age on him yet for the Demon Butcher either.

Still it was something, and it brought in a little bit of money he could contribute to the bills.

As for Luan, she had actually been getting some paying gigs here and there at a few clubs around town. She was bringing in a small amount for her work and getting more exposure. It was rough being a female comedian, given the stigma that women just weren't as funny as men, but Luan was out to prove them wrong...and in Bennie's humble opinion, Luan was the funniest person in the world. It was one of the reasons he loved her so much.

That still didn't change the fact the both of them should really be living in a rathole in the Bronx or Brooklyn, waiting tables in-between performances to make ends meet. But they didn't have to thanks to Luan's big sister Leni.

Leni, who made more money than she honestly knew what to do with. Leni, who despite her love of all things artistic and fashionable, was humble when it came to material things. Leni who honestly wanted nothing more than for Bennie and Luan to live with her forever, because she didn't want to be alone.

Bennie had never met a sweeter more kind and selfless person in all his life. She was the definition of a ditzy blonde in so many respects, but the size of her heart more than made up for it. Luan and Bennie were here to keep Leni from getting lonely, be her cheerleaders, and make sure she didn't get taken advantage of.

Bennie had also taken on the added role of being in charge of Leni's finances. It had been Luan's suggestion, and in some ways he hated that in his spare time he played the stereotype of the Jewish accountant, but he couldn't lie that he had a head for numbers and knew about this stuff thanks to his father...who WAS a Jewish accountant.

So Bennie spent a few hours each week, hunkered down at the kitchen table, in front of the laptop, looking over the income the three brought in, their bills and expenses, and took care of it all. He also made some modest investments for Leni as well. The plan was to make sure she would end up with enough money she could leave the fashion industry and live comfortably for the rest of her life when she wanted to.

Yes, Leni was going to leave her career eventually. Leave a career she absolutely slayed at, one she made look so easy and that she enjoyed so much, and that paid her so well, because her family was more important to her. The only reason she hadn't returned to Royal Woods already was because Luan and Bennie were here with her. They were the two that kept her from going crazy with loneliness out here in the big city.

He still felt guilty about it all, but Leni honestly seemed so happy with the two of them there, and Luan assured him they weren't taking advantage of her.

Speaking of Luan, she was in the kitchen fixing herself a cup of tea.

His girlfriend had always been the odd one among the Loud family, even when it came to her appearance. Most of the siblings either clearly favored their mother with blonde hair, or their father with brown, but Luan's had always seemed like some strange mixture of the two. It was a golden brown, just a shade lighter than her other sisters. Her brown eyes were also that shade lighter than the rest, as if the blonde and blue of her other siblings was only ever so slightly overpowered by the brown and brunette side. Like most of the Loud family, she was also on the taller side, but also lacked the freckles many of them had. Her curves were soft and womanly on her thinner frame, but didn't stick out particularly like Lucy's did, and were more noticeable than both Luna and Lynn's were.

Probably the feature that Bennie loved most on her though, was her smile. Her ever present slightly upturned lips, that demonstrated how she approached everything in life with a sense of humor. It was said she inherited that from her Father, and Bennie knew Luan was also her father's favorite. Oh, he knew Papa Lynn loved all of his children, but he was the closest to Luan, just as Mama Rita was the closest to her son Lincoln.

But that smile of Luan's had so many different intricacies and aspects you could lose yourself in, and read everything you needed about Luan's mood. It could be evil when she was planning something malicious, it was sad when her heart was broken, and it was mischievous and sexy when she was seducing him.

Bennie felt his girlfriend's soft arms wrap around him from behind. She was leaning over him, placing her mug on the table, as she reached down and placed a kiss on his neck, and then his cheek. The action causing Bennie's cheeks to warm up, and his body to relax from the mental focus that was straining it.

He gave a soft sound of satisfaction as Luan whispered in her typical playful candor, “Wait a minute, isn't this Broadway's own Bennie Stein? The man set to play young heartthrob love interest and hero Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd?”

Bennie smiled as he leaned back and looked up at Luan, who was already looking down at him with the same smile. He played right along as he answered back, “Hold on a moment, is this up and coming comedic sensation Luan Loud I have kissing me right now? What are the odds of that?!”

Luan only smirked and replied, “Odder than you think, since you're the weirdo who decided you wanted to date her!” she laughed playfully.

Bennie unable to resist, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her fully into his lap. Luan gave a soft squeak of surprise, but allowed herself to be yanked down, before she wrapped her arms around Bennie's shoulders, leaned in, and shared a passionate kiss with him.

Luan could be a very seductive girl, despite her typical silliness and shenanigans, or at the very least, she had learned all of Bennie's buttons and knew how to press them. Bennie just tried his hardest to be the best boyfriend he could, he really did love Luan with every part of himself. The kiss was eventually broken, and then Luan whispered something into his ear which set the poor young man's heart into overdrive.

“Maggie wants to come visit us next weekend. I told her she could.”

Maggie was a classmate Bennie and Luan had back in High School. A morose emo girl with an artistic streak, who had a crush on Luan. There had been some minor drama involved for a moment, when it was clear Maggie had romantic feelings for Luan, Luan had explained that as flattered as she was, she just didn't swing that way fully. That keyword being fully. As unlikely as it was, Maggie had become friends with Bennie too, she didn't actually hate him, and given the three of them had so many overlapping interests... well suffice to say there had been some... experimenting.

Every now and then, Maggie would come visit, and while it didn't always happen.. it sometimes happened she wanted to 'play' with both of them. Luan was clearly indicating this was one of those occasions.

Bennie always felt weird about it, but Maggie could be considered Luan's best friend. He just didn't know how he should feel that Luan was happy to have sex with Maggie, if he was involved too.

He might not of known how to feel about it. But his dick certainly knew how to feel, as already it had jumped up and was pressing right into the yellow skirt covering the rear end of his girlfriend. Luan only laughed and began to press back down into him as she teased him, “Is that a Banana in your pocket Bennie Boy or are you just happy to see me.”

Suddenly the idea of finishing up doing Leni's finances was less and less appealing. Leni was out of the house for the moment too, which meant it was the perfect time for Luan and him to have some fun together. His hand was already sliding up her white blouse, over her tummy, to the soft round flesh kept behind the playful yellow bra Luan wore. His fingers squeezed around his girlfriend's breast and Luan let out a soft moan.

Bennie smirked, “I don't know Luan, maybe we need to take this to the bedroom and find out together.”

Luan was going to say more when her phone started vibrating. Picking it up from the table, she saw an urgent message from Lori was waiting for her.

Code Creamsicle, Emergency Sister meeting.

Luna's heart stopped, all the arousal drained out of her and she let out a soft groan of frustration.

Luan, ever the comedian, dropped her voice into the one she reserved for her ventriloquist dummy, Mr. Coconuts. While she no longer took him everywhere, he was sitting in a place of honor and respect on a shelf in the living room, “You're gonna have to keep that Banana unpeeled for now Bennie Boy, some important family business has popped up just like you!” Luan laughed, elbowed him and added, “Get it?”

Bennie groaned in both frustration and the awful pun his girlfriend just made, nodding his head, “I get it Luan...but code Creamsicle? This has something to do with Lincoln, doesn't it?”

Luan stood up from her boyfriend's lap as she gave a sardonic smile and nodded, “Nothing gets past you, doesn't it?”

Bennie had...more than a few sneaking suspicions about certain things when it came to Lincoln and some of the weird conversations he heard between Luan, Leni and Lori when it came to the boy. He never really wanted to fully put his mind there, it wasn't really his business, but you didn't live with two girls for so many years and not pick up certain things about the family.

Like how much Leni kept asking if Lincoln could come and visit, and even kept floating the idea of Lincoln coming out to college to live with them in New York. Which even Luan had admitted would make sense for his journalism degree, even if she was...cautious about letting him visit.

Leni had something of a Hero worship of Lincoln. Bennie even knew, he was her favorite right after Lori, or maybe just as much as Lori just for different reasons.

Bennie leaned back over the table, deciding he could at least finish their finances if he wasn't going to be getting any at the moment, “Alright Luan, but you're gonna tell me all about this sometime soon.”

Luan gave a soft chuckle as she headed towards their bedroom, looking back at Bennie and speaking up, “You'll have to INCEST on that one!” she laughed before shutting the door.

Bennie looked back at the door dumbfounded. Clearly not wanting to contemplate the implications of what his girlfriend had just said.

Section Break

It was a three way face time call between Lori, Luna and Luan. Lori was currently in her bedroom, pacing back and forth. Luna was out on the beach, walking along the sand, holding her sun hat down, and as for Luan, she was in her bedroom as well, sitting back on the bed she shared with Bennie.

Luna was the first to speak up, “Alright Lori, you called in the code creamsicle, how bad is it lookin? One of the girls actually pop Lincoln's cherry?”

Luan quickly replied, “I know it can't be Leni! We've been keeping an eye on her, and she hasn't taken any trips to Michigan, and I don't think Lincoln has been secretly living in New York lately.”

Lori put her hand up and shook it, “No, No, God no! We literally have this group to prevent things like that from happening. Which is why I called you here..” Lori took a deep breath and sighed, “We all know Lynn was the most dangerous of the three. Well, dangerous is not the right word, but we know she had it the worse..”

Luna nodded, “Totally dude! She was obsessed! I'm surprised you even approved of Lincoln taking her to Prom!”

Lori groaned softly and nodded, “It wasn't ideal, but I don't want them to be miserable Lunes. We have to keep them under control, but I want them all to still have a good life with fun memories.” It was a terrible balance Lori tried to strike, allowing her sisters to make fond memories with Lincoln without it treading over into dangerous territory, but one she was positive she had maintained.

Luan spoke up next, “So this is about Lynn then. So what's going on that we need to worry about?”

Lori responded with a frustrated tone, “Lucy just called me and let me know...Apparently Lola and Lisa decided they would pool their brain and social power together and get Lincoln into Wolverine University...in the same dorm as Lynn next year.”

It took a moment for that to sink in to the other two. What that could possible mean. It wasn't pretty.

Luna was the first to react, her voice high and angry, “Dude! Lori! I told you, I told you we needed to bring Lola in on this! She's the most reliable after you! We don't have anyone watchin' the home situation, Lola would have had that shit locked down!”

Lori groaned again, putting her hand to her face, “I know Luna, I know! But I wanted to avoid this spilling out to any of our other sisters! This is bad enough! Believe it or not, but I don't want Leni, Lynn, and Lucy humiliated! I don't want them punished! We know it's wrong, and they can't have it, but the more people who know, the more embarrassing it is to them, and the more likely it could spill over to Lincoln finding out, and that is the worst case scenario!”

Luan responded in support of her eldest sister, “She is right Lunes, Lola might as well be Lori Junior when it comes to controlling things, but she's also kind of...” Luan started to trail off.

Luna finished her sentence, “A Bitch. She's kind of a bitch.”

Luan laughed, “I was going to say brat, but yes. We don't know if Lola is mature enough to handle this taboo topic maturely. Younger Lola would run off to tell Mom and Dad or use it as blackmail material.”

Luna gave a long sigh as she turned and stared off towards the ocean, she knew Luan and Lori both had a point, “I guess you're right dudes. But do we really have a choice in the matter? You think it's gonna be good for Lynn if Lincoln is living with her...every single day, without adult supervision!?”

“Baring the fact they're both adults already” Luan playfully added.

Lori frowned in frustration, “Which is why we need to think of...something. The idea here was none of the three would get Lincoln all to themselves for a long stretch of time. To keep it fair to all of them, and to try and make it easier for them.”

Luna scoffed at that, “Yeah to bad Mom and Dad messed that one up. Lucy's been on Lincoln's nuts the last couple months. Ever since his breakup with that Melanie chick. Pictures of them together are all over his and her social wall.”

Luan snerked as she added “Oh I'm sure she'd love nothing more than Lincoln's Nut!”

Luna and Lori responded at the same time, “Luan!”

“Not helping dude!” Luna added.

Luan just continued to laugh at her inappropriate joke. Humor was how she handled these things.

Lori went on, “Yeah I'm not crazy about all of that either, but Lucy has assured me nothing is going on..”

Luna spoke, “Can we trust her? You think she'd tell you if she was getting down and dirty with Lincoln? Or had plans too?”

Lori pursed her lips, and looked off, she hated that Luna had a point, “I don't know Luna. I don't know. I guess we just have to trust that Lincoln wouldn't actually have sex with his little sister.”

Luan suddenly spoke up and decided to broach the subject the other two didn't want to, “Can I, can I bring up a crazy question here?”

Lori and Luna both shrugged into their phones.

Luan went on, “What if....what if...Lincoln wants it too? What if he wants to have a relationship with one of them?”

All three of the girls went silent. That was always the forbidden topic that nearly never came up in these conversations about Lincoln and the rest of their sisters. The idea that Lincoln might positively respond to the romantic intentions of one of his sisters. It was unthinkable.

Lori finally broke the silence and brought her hand to her face, “That is...that is a literal clusterfuck I pray we never have to deal with. Because honestly, that's the nightmare scenario. We all know how Lincoln is. He'll do anything for any of us. It's our fault for raising him that way, which is why WE have to protect him. Even if it's from himself.”

Another moment of silence fell over the three girls. This wasn't an apocalyptic scenario by any means, but then that was why they had these meetings. To prevent an apocalyptic scenario from happening. All three wanted nothing more than for their happy loving family to remain that way. A healthy relationship between one brother and his ten sisters and two devoted parents. So that nothing could tear them apart.

Lori went on, “I've got some ideas. Lola already seems to think Lincoln is spending to much time with Lucy anyway. She already contacted me about getting Lily and him over here for Thanksgiving...and more importantly, to see Ronnie Anne again.”

That news seemed to cheer up the other two, and Luan being Luan couldn't help but chime in, “If Lincoln gets his spicy pepper in that hot tamale all our problems will be solved! The longer those two are together, the more likely he'll put a burrito in her oven!”

Another collective groan came from Lori and Luna in response.

Lori continued, “Okay first off...really? Mexican food Jokes? Come on Luan! Next I know, we all know. Trust me, I have some plans, Bobby does too. Bobby isn't aware of the creamsicle situation, but he wants nothing more than for Lincoln and Ronnie Anne to get back together. They'll be here a few days with us, I will do everything in my power to help relight that fire between them.”

There was a chuckle shared between the three of them, before Luan spoke up again, “Okay, I hate to be the one to say this, but...Wolverine is one of the best colleges for Journalism. It really makes a lot of sense for Lincoln to go there, unless we can find him an alternate that's just as good. It's his dream to be a reporter.”

Lori frowned again and nodded slowly, “I know. I know. It's been unfair of Mom and Dad to keep him home too, and in a lot of ways what Lola and Lisa have done is honestly one of the most selfless and beautiful things they could give their big brother. We'll just have to keep talking about this over the next couple of days... Maybe we really do need to bring Lola into this, she's getting older, she is a little more mature now..”

Luna nodded, “I'm totally for it bros. Lola with us could really solve our issues, but you're the big sis Lori, I trust your judgment.”

Lori smiled at both of her younger sisters through her phone, “Thanks guys. I love you all soo much. That's why this whole thing is just...Ugh. I'm hoping when we all come home together this Christmas these problems will be sorted and we can just focus on being together. I can't wait to show off Lotta to everyone.”

Luan laughed as she responded, “You're set to pop soon aren't you?”

Lori nodded and grinned, “Early December.”

Luna chimed in, “Funny, you know Sam was asking me about kids just before you guys called. We both want em, just not yet.”

Lori laughed softly, “Out of all our siblings, I wonder which of you will give me my first niece or nephew! My children are going to want cousins to play with girls!”

Luan scoffed but smirked, “Bennie and I wanna wait a few more years, still got our careers to chase. Just like Luna is.”

Lori smiled and responded, “I know, I know, I don't advise you guys going off and having them as early as I did. I don't regret it, but then I'm not trying to make a name in show business!” It was time to bring things to a close for now. They'd keep in contact and try to figure out something, but they were all on the same page for the moment, that was what was important. Lori continued “Alright you two, keep me updated, I'll take a little time to think of things, Love you both!”

Luna responded, “Love you two! Rock on girls!”

Luan added, “Love you both! Take care of the beachball Lori, No coke fueled hotel rampages Luna!”

The three ended their call.

Not knowing how the nightmare scenario had already happened.

A/N: Well, hopefully I'll see you all again soon! As an aside, I hope the story isn't dragging. Sometimes I wonder if I'm adding too much or not. Like, was it really important to add in the fact Maggie, Bennie, and Luan sometimes get together for threesomes? Not at all... But I did it for fan service reasons. I know there's a community that ships Maggie and Luan and it was my way of acknowledging that. Believe it or not, I didn't even become aware of the Loud House until January of 2021! There was already a well established fan community when I jumped in! One built between artists and fic writers that already established such a rich and fun fan lore that I've come to love and been happy to build off of! I'm chasing so many tails of those who came before. Like a typical cat, I moved into an already built house and declared myself part of it, but I want to thank everyone who laid that ground work for it! Part of a lot of these extraneous details though, are for the sequel story! That's right, I do have an idea for a sequel already. I don't know if I'll actually do it, but the details are there if I want to. This story is planned to be self contained, and will have an epilogue that will show the results of all these actions years down the road, but these details will help with that epilogue and that possible sequel! Anyway enough rambling, see you next time!
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The Shadow of his Heart