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The Shadow of his Heart	By : Catspeaker Category: +G through L > The Loud House Views: 12698 -:- 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
- 7
- 8
- 9
Ronnie Anne Santiago stared up at the ceiling of the little room in the apartment she shared with her mother, and extended family. The apartment was one of the larger ones and branched across the entire floor of the building. Laying on her bed, her head propped up by her arms on her pillow she listened to the Clash and their song 'Train in Vain' playing gently from the speakers plugged into her laptop.

The punk song had a very upbeat and catchy tempo, even if it was about a boy mourning the loss of a relationship with a girl that promised to always stand by him, but ended up leaving him. It was appropriate to what was currently going through her head, even if she swapped the genders of the people in the song.

A few hours earlier she had an uncomfortable conversation with her brother Bobby about a topic that had been coming up around her more and more as of late.

Her former friendship and relationship with Lincoln Loud...

Bobby had knocked on her door earlier, bringing in a plate of brownies with him. Bobby wasn't exactly a master chef, but he knew how to make Brownies of all things, and pretty damn good ones at that. He'd used Brownies to secure his first date with Lori, and he often brought them as a Peace offering if he was going to make a dangerous or uncomfortable request.

At the time, Ronnie had a pretty good idea what her brother wanted to talk about, and Brownies or not, she'd almost said no and kicked him out all the same. But there was just no dissuading her brother when he put his mind to something.

Say what you want about how smart Roberto Alejandro Martinez-Millan Luis Santiago Jr was. He wasn't the brightest bulb in the box, but he wasn't a quitter, if he decided to do something, he wouldn't stop until it was done. One way or another.

So sending her brother away would have just been prolonging the inevitable. He would keep badgering, keep bugging, and keep bothering her until she gave in and listened to what ever the hell his spiel was. Something involving Lincoln.

She had let him in with much resignation and he'd sat down on her bed with his bright nervous smile peering out from his beard and he stared at her for what felt like forever, working up the courage to broach the subject with her. Ronnie noticed he looked like their father more and more each passing day.

She'd just glared at him with mild annoyance while she waited for him to speak.

Finally her older brother seemed to break and just let it all out, “You and Lincoln need to become friends again! For the sake of your nieces and nephew!”

She'd been preparing to give a rebuttal, some kind of counter-strike to any reason to talk to Lincoln again, but her brother had opened up with the kill right away. He'd brought Marco and Lina and the soon to be born Lotta into things.

That felt like it was playing dirty, but at the same time, he had a point. She hated how much of a point he had. She just winced, looked away and brushed the back of her neck..

“It's not like Lincoln and I hate each other or anything Bobby..” she attempted to mollify him.

But Bobby wasn't budging, he folded his arms and shook his head, “No, not good enough Ronnie. You need to be on speaking terms. We want you two to be able to be in the same room again and not feel awkward.”

Ronnie rolled her eyes, still not willing to face her brother and the weapon of family guilt he was bringing to bare on her, “It's gonna be awkward no matter what Bobby. I've seen him naked, Okay! We did things that you and Lori do and then it all ended horribly!”

Bobby winced back sucking air through his teeth before he responded, “Okay, first ew, I don't want to know the details. Second, that was years ago, come on you two need to get over it! You used to be his best friend!”

Ronnie felt herself getting frustrated, partially because this was a subject she did not want to talk about, partially because she knew her brother was right, it really was for the sake of family, and partially because she was still pissed at Lincoln. Still pissed at him throwing away their relationship so casually.

She groaned and ran her hand down the front of her face, “His best friend is Clyde, just like Sid is my best friend.” It was a dodge, she knew it. Yeah, Sid was her best GIRL friend, but Lincoln had been her best GUY friend. She knew it had been the same thing for him.

Her brother apparently knew that too, “Ronnie Anne, you know what I mean. You two used to have so much fun together! I know he plays that video game you love, Fire support.”

Ronnie threw her arms up in frustration, “Bobby, we're not 11 anymore, we can't base a whole friendship on just liking the same video game! It's been three years, we've changed as people, he might not even like who--”

Her brother cut her off, “Ronnie, you're making excuses! I'm not telling you to date him again, I'm telling you to just talk to him! Reach out, say hi! It's got to start somewhere. We are not having another get together and having you or him run off and hide! Lori and I are tired of not talking about him when you're around! He's Lori's brother! Hell, he's our brother by marriage!”

Ronnie had leapt off her bed then, looking at her older brother with exasperation clenching her fists, “Fine! Fine! I'll call the Lame-O! I'll message the dork and ask how he's been! Does that make you happy?!”

Bobby stood up from the bed after carefully placing the tray of brownies down, throwing his own arms up in exasperation and yelling back at her, “Yes! Yes! It does make me happy! Thank you for being so considerate for Lori and I!”

Ronnie yelled back, “Oh you're so welcome! I'm keeping the Brownies!” Picking up the plate as she did.

An older sounding feminine voice broke through their yelling carrying a concerned tone, “Mijo, Mija! Why are you two yelling?!” The voice of their grandmother Rosa, their yelling was starting to permate the entire floor.

The brother and sister realized what they were doing and stopped. Looking at one another and feeling a little guilty, both turned to the door and yelled back in unison, “Nothing Abuela!”

Ronnie gave a long drawn out sigh, stuffed her hands in the pockets of her hoodie and looked back towards her brother, “Bobby, I know what you're saying, and I know you're right. I'm just a little scared.”

Bobby smiled softly trying to reassure his younger sister as he placed his hand on her shoulder, “Hey Ronnie, I know it's probably uncomfortable, but Lori is giving the same talk to Lincoln. Or she will be soon.”

Ronnie looked up a little less scared then. If Lincoln knew they were going to be talking again at the request of their siblings, maybe it would make things a little less weird when they did it, “Okay, alright. Well you tell me when Lori's talked to him then. I don't want to message him out of the blue. If I know Lori's talked to him too, then, I'll be ready.”

Bobby nodded again as he pulled his arm back, “Sounds reasonable sis. I'll get on Lori to get after Lincoln. I think, it'll be good if you two become friends again. You don't have to be anything else, nobody is expecting that, but you were really good friends to one another once.”

She didn't say anything back to him, just watched him as he gave a kind smile once more, and then slipped out her door, leaving the brownies behind with her.

That had been just over an hour ago and it was all Ronnie could think about. Lincoln, the best and worst boyfriend she'd ever had. The boy she'd had her first real crush on. The boy who had given her the first real kiss of her life.

The boy who had taken her first time, and she had taken his.

Thinking about that last part sent a flush through her cheeks and butterflies in her stomach. She groaned, picked up her pillow and placed it over her face, almost growling in frustration.

Stupid, Stupid, Pendajo Lincoln Loud. With his stupid white hair, and his dumb cute chipped tooth, and his stupid kind smile, and his dumb adorable freckles...

She hated him. She hated him. Which was the worst part, because that meant she felt something for him. Even after three years of not speaking to one another, he hadn't become some stranger to her like a couple of her other relationships had. Relationships where she could even barely remember the guys name. No she still hated him, because a part of her still loved him.

It didn't change anything though. They still lived hours away from one another. It had been three years since they last spoke and most likely he had moved on from her. She had damn well tried to move on from him. But maybe her brother was right, maybe they could be friends again.

But maybe she needed to test the waters first.

She had an idea.

Fishing her phone from the pocket of her denim jeans she flipped through her messenger contacts until she got to a name she hadn't messaged in a long time.

Clyde McBride.

She could talk to Clyde, ask him how Lincoln was, and what he thought Lincoln's reaction to her talking to him again would be. It was a start.

Section Break

Lincoln stood in the small bathroom of the Hotel room he was currently occupying with his best friend Clyde Mcbryde. It was nothing super fancy, one of the regular double bed rooms that occupied the majority of the hotel's floors. Beige carpet, beige walls, two full sized beds in the middle of the room, a mini-fridge, an empty brown dresser, and a flat screen tv nailed to the wall. A small walk in bathroom with shower, toilet and full wall length mirror over the sink finished it out.

Right now, Lincoln was helping Clyde with the finishing touches on his costume. Lincoln was carefully applying a fake mustache to his best friend to pull off the signature curly stache' that One Eyed Jack was known for.

He had to lean up a little given the height difference he had with his friend, but after a few intense sweat dripping moments Lincoln leaned back, gave a sigh of relief with a thumbs up.

“Nailed it!” Lincoln exclaimed as Clyde turned and looked himself over in the mirror, back and forth.

The larger boy grinned and clapped his friend on the back, “Buddy! It's perfect! Not lopsided or anything! I could of never gotten it on right myself.”

Lincoln dusted off his hands while looking at his friend.

Clyde was dressed in one of the Alternate costumes the Superhero One Eyed Jack was known for that had debuted in his solo series. It was known as his 'King of Diamonds' alter ego, when Jack had become the solo hero of the city after the presumed death of his partner Ace.

The costume started with Clyde wearing a gold crown affixed with diamonds on each spoke, with flowing royal purple cape, red diamond studded gloves, a black armored body suit with a “K” over a Diamond emblem, black armored pants that ended in red booted feet also studded with diamonds. Jack's famous utility belt with poker chip firing capability remained around his waist.

Lincoln smiled as he took in the sight of his best friend, clapping in appreciation, “Clyde you really look awesome right now!” Only a pure hearted dork like Lincoln could say that to a full grown man dressed as a comic book superhero and absolutely mean it.

Of course, it helped that Clyde was 6'4 and had the physique of a superhero to go with it. The ebony skinned boy finished affixing the eye patch to complete the costume before he looked back to Lincoln and smirked, “I wouldn't of been able to pull it off without you Linc! I'm just sad you're not going as Ace this year so we could of matched!”

Lincoln shook his head in a good-natured manner, “Come on Clyde, if I did that you would have been normal Jack and not had the chance to pull off King of Diamonds. Besides, I'm gonna be honest here. With how skinny I am compared to you, I always feel like I'm Ace Savy's kid playing pretend with the real One Eyed Jack.”

Clyde snerked at that, before he laughed and replied, “Linc! You know cosplay is not about looking exactly like the character! We were cosplaying as Jack and Ace back when we were kids, nothings changed since then! You're still gonna be my favorite person to pull the duo off with!”

Lincoln smiled but rolled his eyes playfully, “Yeah okay big sexy chocolate. Easy for you to say when you can bench press a buick.”

Clyde flushed, looking a little self-conscious. No matter how big and bad he looked on the outside, Clyde was still the sensitive, nerdy, self-conscious, kind boy on the inside. It was no wonder Lincoln and him were best friends, despite how different the two looked, on the inside they might as well have been twins.

Lincoln turned then, looking into the mirror at himself as he adjusted his tie, “Besides, Lucy convinced me to try out the Sam Charlemagne look. We can always do Ace and Jack at the next convention together.”

Sam Charlemagne was a fictional spell casting character in the greater fictional world of 'Vampires of Melancholia'. Known for his cynicism and angst but a heart of gold underneath, the Sorcerer for hire plied his trade to the needy citizens of the world being menaced by supernatural forces.

Right now, Lincoln was pulling off a pretty damn good impression of him. Dressed in a white button up shirt and black tie, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, with fake runic looking tattoos painted on his forearms, the look finished with black dress pants and spats.

It was a pretty easy cosplay to pull off considering the mundanity of the character's outfit. But Lincoln had one other trait in common with Sam, he had white hair. Sam's white hair in his series was thanks to a spell effect going wrong when he was young. Lincoln just had genetics on his side, but it had been one of the ways his sister had gotten him into the show... a character that had hair just like him.

Clyde gave Lincoln a thumbs up in return, “Lookin good buddy! Hey we should be on the look out for any vampire girls here who might want to put the bite on you!” Clyde snapped his fingers and then finger gunned his best friend.

Lincoln flushed and gave a nervous smile as he looked back, “I don't know Clyde, Lucy is here and you have Haiku with you. I don't want her feeling weird or anything or be by herself you know?”

Clyde was undeterred though, “Oh come on Linc, if you meet a cute girl here Lucy can always hang out with me and Haiku.”

Lincoln frowned a little, he was feeling a mix of emotions right now. Part of him thought maybe Clyde was right, maybe that was exactly what he needed right now, if he met another girl here, some girl who was into cosplay or comics or anime or really any girl who was the type to go to an anime/comic-convention, maybe it would be enough to get these weird feelings he had for Lucy to go away.

He still hated himself for what he'd done last night. But there was another lingering element he wanted to address... “Clyde, I was going to bunk with Lucy tonight anyway so you and Haiku could have a room to yourself. Come on, you know you can't really enjoy your little sushi roll with my sister in the room with you. At least, I hope you wouldn't be trying to.”

Clyde put his hands up, “Whoa, Lincoln of course not!” He laughed nervously, as even he had to admit that sounded like it could have been fun. But no, no, he knew better. He did give a sigh though, he knew what Lincoln was saying. It had been over a month since he'd gotten to be intimate with Haiku, and the two had been looking forward to getting to spend the night with each other at the convention.

But Clyde was a bro first and foremost! God dammit, he had to be there for his best friend! He slapped his hand down on Lincoln's shoulder and fixed him with a determined gaze, “Lincoln, my man. If I have to go a night without getting sex with Haiku so you might start a new relationship? I will survive. I'm sure Haiku will understand too!”

Lincoln looked back at his best friend of so many years, saw that bold determined bro code reflection in his eyes and brought his own hand up to clasp Clyde's own, “Clyde, you are the best friend a guy could ask for! Maybe you're right. If it happens, then, it'll happen and I'll owe you!”

Clyde grinned back as he clasped hands with his bro, “I'm sure you'll get me back too. That and I'm pretty sure Haiku and I could just sneak back to the hotel sometime during the day and grab a quickie.”

Lincoln snerked and laughed then as he let go of Clyde's hand. Doubling over some.

Clyde shrugged, “Hey buddy, I'm still gonna get my dick wet with Haiku during this weekend at some point. It just depends on if I'm gonna have naked cuddle time with her too afterwards or not.”

Lincoln stood back up still laughing, “Oh, how thoughtful and romantic of you...”

Clyde smirked and then punched Lincoln in the arm, “Man shut up!” he said playfully, “You'd be doing the same thing in my position.”

Lincoln rubbed his arm and nodded, “I would, I would, you're right. Alright, I think we're ready. Haiku's really dressing up as Roulette huh?”

Clyde nodded, in the comic book series Roulette was the sometimes hero, sometimes villain love interest of One Eyed Jack, “Yeah...Buddy, I gotta say, I'm so lucky to have Haiku as a girlfriend. Really, she's awesome. Not only is she sexy, but she tries to share things with me too. I kinda wish we could find you a girl like her. That would be perfect.”

Lincoln gave a forlorn sigh at those words. Clyde had no idea how much Lincoln wanted the same. Sadly there was a girl just like her, one they were all very close too, she was just his dang sister. Yeah, that would be nice if he could have Lucy... or someone like Lucy...If Lucy had been his girlfriend instead of his sister, this weekend would probably be one of the best in his life.

Clyde noticed Lincoln's depressed look and patted him on the shoulder, “Linc, hey, this convention is going to be full of hotties, you just need to keep your eye open and be on your game.”

Lincoln nodded and forced a smile for his best friend, “You're right Clyde. Alright, let's go meet the girls, I want to see what this mystery cosplay Lucy is doing.”

Section Break

Haiku looked in the mirror, as she focused on applying her green lipstick. She wanted it to look perfect so she actually took on the appearance of the Roulette character from the comic book and movies. Taped up in the corner of the bathroom mirror which looked exactly like the one her boyfriend was inhabiting in the room over, was a picture of the character Roulette.

Haiku was noticeably shorter than the comic book version of the woman, but overall she was still happy with her appearance. She had a red and white one piece Vegas style leotard with numbers going around it. A black and red top hat, and a long tailed tuxedo top, with fishnet stockings over her legs.

She brought her eyes over towards her best friend Lucy, and struck a post, sticking her butt out and leaning forward over a long dice stick which completed her costume, “So girl, how do I look?”

Lucy turned to her and smiled, “Like your costume was designed by a horny male artist, which is typical for a comic book, but you at least look good.”

Haiku chuckled, turned back to the mirror and did another cute pose, before bringing her phone up and taking a selfie, “Well, what's important is Clyde will love it. I made him dress up as Sebastian the Werewolf at the VOM convention last year, this is the least I can do for him.”

Lucy placed her hand to her chin and nodded, as she recalled seeing the pictures Haiku had taken from that convention, “He did make a really good Sebastian though.”

Haiku smirked and nodded, “Don't I know it. Had to make sure the other girls there knew he was mine.”

Lucy gave a playful grin, “I'm almost sad I couldn't go to that one with you two. Did you make him give it to you while he was still in costume?”

Haiku's smirk grew wider as she leaned forward to look in the mirror and apply a false beauty mark near her lips, “The moment we were alone. He let me call him Sebastian during it too..”

Lucy giggled softly as she smiled and looked at herself in the mirror, continuing with her own outfit, make up and costume, “Well, now I'm really happy I didn't go with you two.”

Haiku looked over at Lucy then, putting her pencil eyeliner down, “Anyway though, tonight's the night isn't it? You sure you're ready for this?”

Lucy looked at herself in the mirror, placing her hands at the edge of the counter and gripping it tightly for a moment, taking a deep breath, “Siiiiiighhhhh. Yes, Yes, I need this Haiku. I need this like I need air to breathe. Every day, every night for over a month now I've been teasing him, taunting him, flirting with him, preparing him for this. This is the time!”

Haiku was taken aback by her friend's outburst, but figured she still needed to play devil's advocate, she needed to make sure Lucy was completely committed to this idea, “You're sure about this Lucy? One hundred percent? Because there is absolutely no going back from it. Once your own brother is inside of you, that can't be undone.”

Lucy frowned as she looked down into the bottom of the sink, and brought her arms up, wrapping them around herself as she nodded, “I love him Haiku. I've loved him for so long. Every sonnet, every stanza, every rhyme I've written about him, how much I love him and need him. It's been building to this night.”

Haiku looked at Lucy for a long hard moment, just watching her best friend.

Lucy began to feel self-conscious under that gaze, wondering if the girl she had confided in was having second thoughts about all of this.

Only to see Haiku head over to her backpack, and reach inside, “Then you're going to need this to loosen him up for the last step.” The girl pulled out a bottle of wine and held it out to Lucy, “Snatched it from my parent's private collection. A glass or two of this and he'll be more pliable.”

Lucy looked overjoyed, a genuine smile coming over her lips as she looked at her best friend, touched so deeply. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the shorter girl, hugging her close, “Haiku, thank you. Thank you so much for this. You're the only one I've been able to confide in and trust. I don't think I could of done any of this without you helping me.”

Haiku returned the hug, and gave a soft little mischievous laugh, “Hey, this is still crazy, and could fall apart on you, but I'm your best friend. That and I said before, it's kinda hot. WHEN you bed him, you need to tell me all the details.”

Haiku thrust the green bottle out with it's tan label in Lucy's direction.

Lucy nodded and took it from her, cradling it close as she nodded, “I promise, you just need to run interference on Clyde for me.”

Haiku grinned, “Oh trust me, that won't be hard. I'm a little dick deprived right now, and I plan on getting some from him tonight.”

Lucy almost cackled at her friend then.

Haiku put her finger up to her chin in thought, “Hmm, you think he'd freak out if I called him big brother in the middle of it?”

Lucy fixed her best friend with a mischievous grin of her own, “Only one way for you to find out.” Before she finished the last touches of her own outfit.

“Now let's get out there, the boys are waiting, and it's time Lincoln saw his Vampire Queen.”

Section Break

Youma-con was a popular anime and comic book convention that was beginning to rival Motor City comic-con in terms of popularity within the state of Michigan. This year it was being held in the banquet halls and convention center part of the large Wylatt Hotel in the city of Stagborn. The drive had only been just under a half hour from Royal Woods and the Wylatt was a large high class hotel near downtown Stagborn.

Lincoln and Clyde waited in the hall outside of the room that Lucy and Haiku were currently in. The plan was for that room to be occupied by Lucy and Lincoln later, while Haiku and Clyde would take the room Clyde and Lincoln had just come from.

Clyde and Haiku's parents were under the impression the girls would share a room while the boys shared a room. Or they were just lying to themselves and hoping for the best that the two teenagers were NOT going to take the opportunity to share a hotel room and bang each other's brains out all night in-between the convention hours.

Clyde and Lincoln continued to make small talk as they waited, talking about the different panels at the convention they wanted to hit up, what convention guests they wanted to meet, and what merchandise they might be interested in trying to track down.

Eventually though, the door to the girl's room opened up and out they stepped. The first was Haiku in her roulette outfit, and Lincoln was quick to notice the large grin which was plastered on the face of his best friend.

Clyde clearly was happy seeing one of his comic book crushes brought to life by the girl he was currently in love with. He gave a low whistle as he watched her, and the girl seemed to smirk to herself as she sauntered over swaying her hips and throwing out a line from the Ace and Jack movie, “The house always wins Jack, you should know that.”

Clyde had already ran up to his girlfriend and grabbed her by the waist, lifting her up and completing the movie line, “What if I decide I'm going to rob the casino anyway Roulette?”

The two giggled and laughed to themselves before Clyde gave a quick kiss to Haiku and put her down. Lincoln rolled his eyes only to catch sight of his sister and the way she was dressed.

The tall lithe blonde goth wore a black corset covered with straps that were festooned with a numerous set of knives (fake of course), she had a plaid red skirt which ended a few inches above her knees, mesh leggings that were covered by thigh high leather boots, also festooned with knives. On her back was a sheathed katana, but most impressively, her long blonde hair had been pulled back into two neat pony-tails.

Lincoln recognized who she had decided to cosplay as right away. Carmilla, the Vampire Assassin. Carmilla, the only woman who held Sam Charlamagne's heart. The sensual undead blood drinking woman who had turned over a new leaf in the “Sorcerer for Hire” series out of her love of the mage Sam Charlemagne.

Lucy was cosplaying as his character's girlfriend.

While Carmilla's eyes were typically visible, Lucy had decided to stick with her usual look in that regard and kept hers hidden. She fixed Lincoln with a smile when she saw him.

Lincoln and Clyde were both staring at the blonde goth now, though for completely different reasons.

While Clyde recognized Lucy was a beautiful girl, she was practically a sister to himself by this point, having grown up along side of her and spending so much time at the Loud House. Clyde for the life of him, couldn't figure out why Lucy would decide to dress as Sam's girlfriend. There were other character's on the show, friends of Sam's that were girls that she could of chosen. But she settled on the character who had several passionate on screen moments with the character her brother was portraying!

As for Lincoln, with how confused and worked over he'd been by his sister over the last month, this latest assault from her was almost too much to handle. First, he was struck by just how sweet the gesture was...as wrong as it should have been to anyone with sense. She was cosplaying as his character's girlfriend. If she were his girlfriend that would have made him happier than he could have expressed. Right now with the way Lucy had been plying him the last month or so he could only see it as sweet and beautiful gesture on her part. She wanted to match him in the best way possible.

Next he was aware of just how pretty she looked. With the schoolgirl style skirt, combined with the corset showing off her cleavage, his eyes couldn't help but be drawn to her milky white skin and the curves of her body. It made him recall that day in the woods, when he had been the wolf and chased her, seeing those beautiful parts of her that made him desire to make her belong to him so much.

That was of course until he discovered just who the 'doe' was.

Now he felt a wave of guilt and a wave of desire fighting within his heart as he took in the sight of her. Lucy seeming to notice, grinned at him and slowly made her way closer.

Haiku was aware Clyde was still looking confused, and like he wanted to ask something, but thinking quickly, she pulled her boyfriend's attention back to her, “I heard they're going to show a trailer for the next Ace and Jack movie...” Clyde still felt a nagging question at the back of his skull, but his girlfriend had captured his attention and it was quickly forgotten, “Oh that'll be so cool if that's the case! Hey we should try out for the best couple costume!” he replied to her.

Lincoln had been standing stock still, mouth slightly agape as Lucy approached him. When she'd finally reached him, she placed the flat of her hands on his chest, and gazed up at his eyes with her bangs, as she copied her friend, deciding to recite a line from the show her brother and her enjoyed so much, “Sam, the only reason I don't feast upon the blood of these immaterial mortals anymore is because of you. If you were to look at me without Love again, I think I would greet the Sun..”

Lincoln was taken a back.

That particular line she was quoting was one of the more romantic scenes from the show. Much as SFH was a more action orientated show compared to it's sister program VOM, it still had the deep emotional scenes meant to rope in the female audience which had come from VOM. He knew what he was supposed to say here, he knew the line Sam had said in the show to Carmilla... it had been 'I'd give my soul to Abbadon before I let you face the sun Cam.' the two characters then embraced in the moonlight.

But Lincoln could only stare back at his sister, his heart pounding in his chest as she fixed him with that enigmatic smile she always wore. The one that said she knew so much more than she let on.

Eventually Lucy giggled and patted her older brother on the shoulders, “Lincoln, did you forget your lines?”

Lincoln's face turned a deep crimson as a flush went over his body. He didn't know what he was supposed to say, up was down, and down was up right now. Everything was what it wasn't supposed to be, and yet part of him was so happy about it all. His mouth opened to reply but nothing came out, he didn't know what he was even supposed to do.

Lincoln almost always had a plan for every situation, he could figure a way out of everything given enough time, but right now he was drawing nothing but blanks. And as much as he didn't want it, a goofy grin was coming up over his lips.

Lucy raised her hand, covered in black finger-less gloves, and placed a finger against his lips, “I'm just teasing you Lincoln. But how do I look?”

She stepped back and did a little twirl for him.

Lincoln noticed how the skirt slipped upward from the action, revealing more of her thighs and hips to him. He noticed she had garters on, keeping the fish nets up.

He felt his blood pump harder and his mouth go dry as he finally found his voice again, “Luce, you look great. Really great, better than the real Carmilla.”

Lucy turned back to him, her grin even larger, pretty teeth showing. Lincoln noticed she'd even attached dental caps to make her canines look more like fangs. She clasped her hands together in front of him, as if begging for his approval, “You really think so Lincoln? I did it all for you. If I didn't look perfect like this for you I'd think it was all a failure.”

Lincoln felt perspiration form on the back of his neck, the weight of her words coming down on him. She'd just said she'd done it all for him? Had any girl shown him this level of commitment before? He knew she liked the show too, but... she was really going the extra step for him?

He nodded again, smiling bashfully, “Lucy, you look amazing.” Under the weight of her attention, under the barrage of her questions and the way she flattered him and distracted him, he couldn't even think to ask why she had decided to dress as Carmilla. He didn't have time to ask if it was appropriate for her to do so, when there were other characters, even one that was LIKE a little sister to Sam on the show.

With how expertly she had slid and slinked into his heart, he couldn't even comprehend the original idea Clyde had for him... to find some pretty geek girl at the convention. That idea was completely obliterated by Lucy in this moment.

No girl would look at Lincoln and think he was single now. No girl would look to him and see Lucy on his arm, dressed as she was and think she had a chance with him. She had more or less made him completely unavailable to any other woman present at the convention, and he was already so under her spell he couldn't even notice to complain.

She stepped forward once again, and slipped her arm into his own, linking them. Out of Reflex Lincoln didn't even pull back, instead accepting the gesture, even patting her arm gently with his free hand after they were linked together.

“Well Lady Carmilla, let's head down to the convention center. Though, I expect you to be on your best behavior, I don't want to have to punish you for misbehaving..” Lincoln grinned, speaking 'in character' as Sam Charlemagne...

Lucy put on an adorable pout, looking up towards Lincoln, responding almost sensually, “You promise Sam? I've been a bad girl, you might have to spank me to keep me in line..”

The lines would of seemed perfect coming right out of the show, with the dynamic the two characters had, and Lincoln lied to himself that was exactly what he was doing. Just having a little fun playing pretend, and not that he was imagining Lucy laying over his knees...His hand slowly pulling her skirt up, revealing those soft pale cheeks which had haunted him for so long...sliding his hand up over one of them to feel his fingers sink into----

He cleared his head, he shook it, and coughed, laughing nervously, “Not bad Luce, Not bad at all...”

Lucy continued to grin and pat the hand holding her arm affectionately, “Not so bad yourself Lincoln. We really embody these characters perfectly, don't we?”

As they walked down the hall together towards the elevator, Clyde couldn't help but watch the whole exchange. While Haiku had kept him distracted for a moment, he just found the whole situation to be a little.... well it was damn strange.

He put his hand to his chin and tilted his head watching as his best friend and adopted little sister walking arm in arm in front of him. He already realized what Lincoln had stopped caring about. No woman would think his buddy was single like that.

Haiku noticed though and slipped her arm into his, looking up to him, “Clyde, sweetie, what's bothering you?”

Clyde looked to his girlfriend as he frowned to himself, he knew Haiku was Lucy's best friend after all, maybe she would have some insight, “Haiku, don't you think it's a little strange, Lucy dressing up like that?”

Haiku brushed it off with a wave of her hand, “Sweetie, you're thinking to hard about all of this. She's just as big a fan of the show as Lincoln is, she wanted to go as one of the main characters too.”

Clyde still didn't seem like he was convinced, his brow furrowing as something just didn't sit right with him. “I don't know, you know Lincoln and I talked about him maybe finding a girl for him here. But if Lucy is like that and all over him the whole convention they're going to get the wrong idea.”

Haiku knew she needed to play damage control, and keep her man's focus elsewhere. She leaned in close, placing her soft breasts against Clyde's arm, and reached up on her tippy toes to kiss his neck, whispering back to him, “Sweetie, I'm less concerned about Lincoln getting laid than I am myself tonight. It's been over a month, I'd almost rather spend the day in the hotel room with you than at this convention.”

Clyde felt his own blood pumping hard than, a flush going to his dark cheeks. He wanted to think more about his best friend and help his love life out, but he was a 19 year old boy, and his girlfriend was talking about all day sex with him. His mind could only focus on so much at once, he slipped his large hand down her side, over her hip and gripped her ass in the hallway a grin on his lips, “Girl, don't say that. I will skip this entire convention and spend the whole day in that room with you, if that's what you want.”

Haiku laughed softly, the idea really did appeal to her, but she did want to enjoy the convention too, she pressed her plump rear back into her boyfriend's hand while leaning her head against his arm, “Mmm, sounds fun sweetie, but I didn't get all dressed up like this for nothing. Come on let's go, I promise you we'll have lots of fun tonight.”

Clyde leaned down and Haiku leaned up, their lips meeting in the middle as they shared a soft and loving, if brief kiss. Haiku's plan had worked though, Clyde's misgivings about Lucy's behavior with Lincoln were forgotten for the moment.

The two couples ended up in the elevator together and took it down to the convention floor.

The convention center within the hotel was everything the four could of wanted and more. A clean and high class environment with granite floors and comfortable looking chairs set around small tables here and there, most of it was lined with vendor tables, autograph tables, and various other sundries that made up a convention.

There were several open rooms, different banquet halls branching off from the greater area of the convention hall, where panels were being held. These panels included guests and creators speaking about their projects, advice on how to break into different aspects of the industry, and different fan communities that had reserved them for meet ups.

All around throngs of people walked. While most of them were dressed in mundane clothes, outside of a t-shirt which proclaimed their favorite manga or comic book character, there were also dozens dressed in cosplay outfits from the funny, to the accurate, to the surreal and everything in between.

While Clyde and Lincoln considered themselves to be primarily Comic book fans first, both boys still had an appreciation for the things Japan put out, and as the convention had grown over the years it had branched out to include more than it's just primarily anime and manga themed aspects.

For Haiku and Lucy, this was much a similar case, albeit the horrific, dark, spooky and dreary was more their speed. Still, both girls being part of their own subculture as well appreciated some of the darker and more twisted fair coming out from Japan.

As they walked together, the two couples drew attention to themselves here and there. For one, they had put in a lot of work into their outfits. Part of this was thanks to one of Lincoln and Lucy's other sisters, their elder sister Leni. Leni being a fashion designer in New York, still had time to answer questions, give advice, and show them how certain things were done, even if she could no longer make Lincoln's outfits by hand herself.

Then of course, there was the sheer envy coming in waves from many of the single male convention goers. Looking at what seemed to be two couples, sharing their hobbies and clearly dedicated to one another had a couple of playful cries of 'Forever Alone!' come from a few. Others looked on with jealousy until they walked out of view.

As for the girls, the single female convention goers for the most part seemed to be more jealous of Haiku than they were of Lucy. It wasn't that Lincoln wasn't attractive, he was cute and charming in his own way, but standing next to his 6'4 230lb muscular best friend, he was a little overshadowed. Not by much, but enough to be noticeable.

Not that Lucy minded. If anything the distraction caused by Clyde looking like the actual character from a big block buster summer movie, compared to Lincoln looking just like a character from a lower budget TV drama was welcome.

It meant she had him all for herself, and she didn't waste one moment. Her arm entwined with his, they walked together, looking over the various vendor booths, sales offerings, art stations, and quirky event sign ups in perfect unison. Several times she leaned her head against his shoulder while they browsed, discussed things and joked with their friends.

Several times they were stopped by people who wanted Photos with both of them. Clyde and Haiku had it happen more often, but there was enough Lincoln and Lucy couldn't help but feel flattered and recognize just how well they had put together their costumes.

And just like it had been happening before when the two went out together, assumptions were made. Vendors told Lincoln his 'girlfriend' would really like this item if she was a fan of VOM, artists told Lucy they thought her 'boyfriend' would probably like this piece from the SFH TV show.

Lucy and Lincoln both didn't bother to correct them once more, just rolling with the whole thing. Clyde, however, had found it strange to say the least. But it was a topic he just didn't know how to bring up in front of Lucy and Lincoln. It felt all kinds of weird and awkward for him to turn to two people who were basically family to him and bluntly ask 'Why you two pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend?'.

That just seemed like it was a recipe for ruining the weekend. Every time he tried to bring it up subtly to Haiku she would always play it off as no big deal, or end up distracting him with something else. It was enough Clyde just decided he'd give up on the topic for now and ask Lincoln about it when the weekend was over and he could talk to him alone.

Eventually even Clyde would forget about his misgivings caught up in the fun of the convention and spending time with Haiku. The two couples would separate about mid-day when Haiku mentioned there were some panels she wanted to check out, separate from what Lucy was interested in.

Of course, this was all planned by Haiku and Lucy ahead of time. This was to give Lincoln and Lucy some true alone time without having to worry about Clyde looking in on them.

Lincoln and Lucy found themselves on one of the upper balconies overlooking the convention hall, it's sleek modern glass partition was capped with a silver railing over it. They were taking a break from walking, having grabbed some snacks and casually leaned over the railing looking out together.

Lucy had found this whole day to be almost everything she wanted. She was with the boy she loved more than anything, laughing with him, exploring with him, spending time with him. It reminded her of when they were young, when her beloved big brother would accompany her anywhere, indulge her every little want, and help her with anything she needed.

In retrospect it may have been a little selfish, how much she called on him and relied on him, but she also recalled he seemed to enjoy much of the things they did together too. As different as they looked on the outside, there was just so much they shared together within.

As a quiet comfortable silence had fallen between them, Lucy knew she had to steel her courage and make sure she was completely certain about things with Lincoln. She had to think unselfishly. Would she actually make a good girlfriend to him? Could she be everything he wanted in a lover, in a partner, in a wife even?

She'd done so much to close the gap between them that had become present in the last few years. The gap that had formed from the desires and needs of teenagers living their own lives, but she still needed reassurance she knew him, truly knew him better than he even knew himself.

Slowly she reached over with her left hand, to slide it over his right, while it rested on the railing. Her brother turned and looked towards her with a curious expression.

She gave a soft, nervous smile, color coming to her pale grey cheeks as she spoke, “Lincoln. You still believe in Ghosts right?”

Lincoln was a little taken aback by the question, it seemed as if it had come out of nowhere, but he gave a little shrug and responded all the same, “Course I do. The Arggh club had to break up of course when we all graduated, and I've been busy, but I'd love to go explore a haunted place again. You and I are still the only people in the family who believe in them. Maybe we should go together.”

Lucy continued to smile bashfully, squeezing his hand. “I'd like that.”

She looked down again. “You actually do like watching Vampires of Melancholia with me right? I don't want to think you're just doing it for me.”

Lincoln continued to look a little puzzled but nodded, “Yeah, I like it. I like Sorcerer for Hire better, but, well it's a little embarrassing to admit, but I do like the romantic drama that happens on the show. Plus the cross over episodes have been really cool.”

Lucy didn't bring her gaze up. She felt a little embarrassed but continued her line of questioning. “So you do like, Vampires, Werewolves, ghosts and things like that.”

Lincoln laughed softly, “Well yeah I do. I like my comic book superheroes more, but that kinda stuff is fun, you know Halloween is my favorite holiday just like yours.”

Lucy wasn't finished yet, she needed to know more. “You don't mind listening to my poetry? You don't mind helping me with it, even today? The idea I want to be an artist, you don't think that's silly or impractical?”

Lincoln shook his head with a smirk, “Of course I don't think it's silly Luce! Art runs in the family! Just look at Luna, Leni and heck even little Lily. The four of you have art in your soul. You probably all get it from Dad. I love seeing what you create, and I feel honored you come to me for assistance.”

Lucy gave his hand a squeeze. “You have it in your soul too, just in a different way...” she said softly to him.

Lincoln brought his attention back to her, really bringing his blue eyed gaze to where her own would be. This time he did something that caught Lucy in her tracks, shocked her into almost complete stillness.

Lincoln had reached up and brushed her bangs away, revealing her striking blue eyes to gaze back into his own. His voice sounded soft and concerned. “Lucy, what's this about?”

Lucy found herself transfixed, her brother having taken it upon himself to reveal her soul, an intimate gesture. Anyone else she would of snarled at for the invasion of her privacy like this, but it only touched her. He felt close enough to her now to take the initiative. It made her so happy.

She took a deep breath, and spoke plainly. “I need to know you enjoy being with me. I need to know you're not just being normal Lincoln Loud, the brother who will do anything for his sisters. I need to know you're doing this because you want to be here, because you want to be with me.”

Lucy finished, looking at him feeling so vulnerable now, as if what he said next would decide everything for her. She needed his complete honesty.

Lincoln could feel the pressure from her questions, the desire for approval coming from his little sister. She was trying so desperately to learn what he really wanted underneath. Beyond his need to make those he loved happy. It would be so easy to lie to her, and say of course, like he would for any of his sisters, even if he didn't quite enjoy it as much as they did.

But the truth was, he didn't need to lie.

He wanted to be here. He wanted to be here with her. In this moment, any and all shame about their relationship as brother and sister was gone from him. What he was looking at was more than Lucy Loud his sister, he was looking at Lucy Loud his favorite person in the world.

He brought his other hand up and slid his fingers over her cheek. His thumb gently traced the edge of her cheek bone as he continued to gaze into her eyes while he responded. “Lucy, there's no one I'd rather spend time with than you.”

He leaned in then, and repeated a gesture she'd done for him over a month ago when he'd woken up after his break up. He kissed her forehead, softly and with a deep feeling of love. A part of him had wanted to kiss her lips, but he was still clingy to the idea she was his little sister, and not a girl he had started to fall deeply in love with.

He released her cheek, and let her bangs settle back down over her eyes while he looked back over the convention center with her. He didn't see the tears that were forming at the corner of her eyes because of this. He knew he'd made her happy. But he wasn't aware of just how happy her heart was now, how final and certain everything had now come into Lucy's mind.

She had a clear conscience now. She could go into tonight with no feelings of guilt, no worry that she was being selfish. Only that she would be everything her brother needed and more.

They eventually met back up with Haiku and Clyde. The four of them went to a couple of more panels together, walked around, played a few more games and enjoyed the events that were taking place. At the end of it all, they went out to get food at the local Burpin Burger and excitedly talked about the promos and teasers they'd seen, as well as the cool things they'd picked up and the swag from give aways at different production booths.

Clyde and Lincoln busied themselves talking to one another, and truly geeking out together, while Haiku fixed Lucy with a knowing look. The unspoken question was clear in Haiku's eyes, and Lucy answered it by smiling back at Haiku and nodding her head.

Eventually the quartet returned to the hotel, and from there, their rooms. It was time to call it a night.

Haiku and Clyde had been doing their very best to contain themselves around their two friends, but their resilience was beginning to wear down. Walking in front of Lucy and Lincoln, the two were groping each other, giving quick kisses and giggling as they went.

Lincoln just cast his gaze to Lucy and rolled his eyes playfully as they watched their two best friends. Lincoln eventually speaking up, “Alright you two, your room is only 10 feet away now, save the rest of it for there or I'm getting a hose.”

He felt a little jealousy, but nowhere near as much as Lucy was feeling, wishing she could be doing the very same thing with Lincoln right now. Of course, Lucy's heart was pounding in her chest harder and harder as the moment of truth between them was quickly approaching.

Haiku looked over her shoulder at the brother and sister duo with a grin, “Sorry not sorry. You two just have to stew in your own sexual frustration..” She threw a wink back at Lucy then, causing the other girl to begin turning red all over.

Lincoln almost felt like he should say something about that, but decided not to. Clyde however looked back and commented, “Sorry Buddy. Hey, maybe we'll find some playmates for the both of you tomorrow... but right now, we're calling it a night!”

Clyde turned his attention back to Haiku who was kissing up his arm, before he swung his keycard through the door lock and opened up his room. Waving at Lucy and Lincoln, the two vanished into their room together, shutting the door.

Lincoln and Lucy were left standing in the hall in front of 'their' room now. Both of them felt a little awkward after the display, turning and looking at one another shyly.

Lincoln broke the silence. “Well, it's a good thing the walls are thick here, so they won't keep us up.” He joked nervously.

Lucy, also feeling just as anxious, even as she was completely determined to make Lincoln hers tonight, gave a nervous chuckle, “Yes, good thing about that.” She breathed in deeply and spoke once more, steeling herself. “Lincoln. Let's go to our room.”

For some reason, Lincoln felt like those words were hitting him heavier than he'd ever felt before. Go to 'our' room. The room he was sharing with Lucy. The room he was sharing with his little sister. It should have been nothing. It should of counted for nothing.

But now all he could think of was the panties he'd found last night, and what he'd done with them. He knew he'd been alone with her, in their pajamas, with no one else to judge them or say anything to them.

He was almost shaking as he brought the keycard out and swiped it to unlock their door, “R-r-right Luce. Let's get out of these outifts.”

Lucy spoke softly as she entered first in front of him. “I'll need your help taking the corset off.”

Lincoln swallowed, followed her inside and shut the door.
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The Shadow of his Heart