22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22: A Best Forgotten Tale

Disclaimer: I do not own Loud House or any form of media related to it, it is rightfully owned by its respective companies or owners.

AN: Hey guys sorry if this took so long. But good things come to those who wait. Some of you have been dying to hear what Lincoln is going to tell Lucy. Heck some of you are pissed Lucy. Which is understandable. No one likes getting spied on. Especially by your family. Before we start some of you have been wondering about the whole Gravity Falls thing. And I can tell you'll get a solid answer on that soon. Another thing is that a few of you want Lincoln to check on some of his old friends. Like Ronnie Anne, Clyde and many others. Don't worry because there will be chapter mainly focused on that soon. Alright, with that out of the way… ON WITH THE CHAPTERS! Enjoy!

"Yo!" Lincoln called out. "It's open!"

With that said the door opened and someone very unexpected came through. It was Lucy!

"Um, hey." Lincoln simply said with a light wave.

"Hey." Lucy replied with her usual emotionless tone.

That's when things got awkward. Very awkward. With a uncomfortable cough Lincoln tried to speak but Lucy beat him to it. But before she spoke she closed the door behind her.

"Look… I know you're hiding something." Lucy said simply as she crossed her arms. "I know about the scars, the pictures and everything else. What are hiding from mom?"

Lincoln immediately froze. Shock was an understatement.

"What do you mean?" Lincoln asked in a shocked and low voice. "Have you been spying on me!? Have you been going through my stuff!?"

Lincoln immediately got up from his bed and gave his sisters a steely gaze. That would have intimated any normal girl. But Lucy wasn't normal. She only crossed her arms as she stared back at Lincoln with no fear.

"Let's just say I have my ways." Lucy simply said. "Look… I know why you came back. I heard you talking to dad the other day… when you were talking about your daughter and girlfriend."

Lincoln immediately stiffened when she said that. He then tighten his fist and gritted his teeth. The angry he felt was immense. Thankfully he didn't do anything rash… but his glare only got worse.

"So you were spying on me." Lincoln growled out as he kept his glare on Lucy. Who didn't waver at all. "What do you want? You going to go and tell mom… the girls? Or are you here for something else!?"

Lucy flinched at that last part, but she kept her cool. And with a deep breath she answered.

"Look… I don't want cause any trouble. I think you've been through enough already." Lucy spoke on a surprising remorseful tone. "I just want hear what happened to you. Why you left, how you survived out there by yourself and… if you don't mind, tell me what happened."

Lincoln was expecting a number of things for Lucy to say. But not that. All she wanted was hear his story. How he survived out on the road, why left and how he met his fiancé. And that was it.

After a very tense few minutes. Lincoln's glare disappeared as he let out a sigh. He then sat back down onto his bed. His expression was grim as he rubbed the back of his head.

"That's all eh?" Lincoln said with a slight smile. Which surprised Lucy. "I'm guessing I really don't have much of a choice now do I?"

Lucy gave a small nod. That Lincoln found cute. With one last sigh Lincoln patted a part of the bed to his side. Lucy understood and walked over and took a seat next to her brother.

"Well, if you don't already know. Things were pretty rough when it came to the family. This was before you were born." Lincoln began to say with a small frown. "Mom and dad used to always get into arguments because we had so little money and other things. But for a time things were good. Sadly those good times didn't last."

"And after a really bad argument I just had enough. So, I did something I've been thinking about for a while. In the middle of the night, I ran away. Just like that." Lincoln went on as he kept his eyes on the floor. His expression still the same. "It took awhile to plan and prepare. Took about a week or two I think. I secretly sold all my belongings. From my comics, manga, video games and other stuff. Even sold my bike."

"After leaving, I didn't know where to go. I just picked a direction and just kept on walking." Lincoln stopped for a moment as he remembered how his journey started. He then continued. "I did for about three months."

Lucy didn't say a word as she gave her brother a shocked look. Sadly Lincoln didn't see it as he resumed his long tale.

"I think I ran out of money not too soon after that. At that point I was probably two or three states away. I only stopped to get food, rest and only if it got cold or really hot. It was tough trying to blend it. Especially when you're a runaway. But I managed to avoid any unwanted attention for awhile." Lincoln went on as he remembered dodging cops and most people in general when he was on the road. "After I ran out of money… I had to take drastic measures. It wasn't long before I was picking pockets and shoplifting. A few times I almost got caught but I always found a way to escape or give people the slip. I did that for about a year or two. Unfortunately my luck eventually ran out."

Lincoln lifted up his shirt to reveal the old scar he had. This made Lucy look away. Not because of how gnarly it looked but because she saw Lincoln's abs. Which got a slight blush out of her. Thankfully for her Lincoln didn't notice.

"I got this bad boy from a thug I tried to pickpocket. Big mistake on my part. I almost died that day." Lincoln grimly explained as he let go of his shirt. After hearing this Lucy immediately turned to look at her brother in shock. She wasn't expecting Lincoln to say that at all. "But I got lucky. Because as soon as that guy stabbed me… a couple of people came to me rescue. Four of the best friends I could ever ask for."

Lincoln soon smiled as he remembered what happened very vividly. Just as he got stabbed, four kids no older than him came to his rescue. They sneak attacked the thug abs after taking him down they quickly grabbed him and took them to their hideout.

"When I got stabbed I kind of fainted. Then a couple hours later I woke up in a warm bed, in pain but at least I woke up. Turns out those guys who saved me saved my life. They stopped the beading and stitched me up. And I was fit as a fiddle." Lincoln chuckled a little as he shook his head a little. "Turns out the people who saved me were just like me. Runaways running from their problems. They were also thieves to boot as well."

"They were around the same age as me at the time. The leader Chris was the oldest and was the one who stitched me up. Turned out he was the son of some big shot surgeon. Guess I lucked out that I got stabbed nearby." Lincoln sighed out as he thought of Chris. "After I woke up they introduced themselves. Chris was the first one to do so. Then the big guy of the group Ed. Who wasn't the smartest but he was sure the kindest. Next was the littlest of the group Wallabee, who we just called Wally. While being short he made it up for his bravery… or his stupidity. The final one was the only girl on the group. Who's name was Ingrid Third, who you kind of remind of."

Lucy only gave Lincoln a strange glance before he continued on telling his story.

"After that I thanked them and I tired to leave. But my wound was still pretty bad and I wasn't going anywhere. Thankfully they stopped me before I did something stupid. They eventually talked me into staying with them. Their place was a abandoned apartment complex. Which they fixed up and cleaned out pretty nicely. It wasn't the nicest place to live in but I didn't complain. The bed I was in was to nice to leave." Lincoln said with a slight blush. "So that's where I stayed until I recovered. The room and bed I was staying in was Chris's who didn't mind sharing. Though… it did get awkward one night when we had to share some covers when it was snowing."

Now that last part came out of nowhere! Lucy only stared at her brother in a very shocked and confused look. Which he noticed but decided to not say a word about it.

"Um… after I recovered they showed me how to pickpocket and steal like a pro. It was kind of fun after awhile. We had a lot of good times together. No matter how bad things got, Chris was always there for us." Lincoln said with a smile, then a faint blush as he remembered the times he shared with Chris. Who acted like a big brother to him. Eventually though… he became more that that. "Especially when it came to me. He was always there for me."

Lucy couldn't take it anymore and finally decided to ask what's been bothering her.

"Lincoln… how close where you to this Chris?" Lucy finally asked in a low but honest tone. "Were you two… you know, together?"

Lincoln's expression soon went from a smile to a slight frown. With a deep sigh Lincoln answered.

"No." Lincoln answered with a whisper as he looked down at the ground in a remorseful expression. "But he wanted us to be though."

That's when Lucy decided to keep quiet at that point. She thought it would be best for Lincoln to continue without her interrupting. The young goth girl knew that telling her this stuff was hard enough as it was.

"One night it got real cold. The heaters we had were working but it was still too cold. Everyone was alright with it, but I wasn't. I really wasn't used to it just yet. Chris being who he was… helped me out. So, he snuggled in with me in the blanket." Lincoln went out with a small smile and slight blush. "I was warm after that. He wrapped his arms around me. I felt safe and warm in them. And just as I was about to go to sleep… he kissed me. Right on the lips."

Immediately Lucy blushed like there was no tomorrow.

"W-what d-d-did you do?" Lucy stuttered out in a very uncharacteristic tone.

A long silence was heard after that.

"I… I… didn't know what to do. So… I pushed him away and I ran out of the room as fast I could." Lincoln finally answered in a somewhat ashamed tone as he remembered the whole thing. "And before I knew I was outside. Chris of course ran after me. Eventually he caught up with me and apologized. He said it was just happened in the spur of the moment. I… told him it was nothing to worry about. But that whole thing was on my whole mind after that."

"I liked Chris. But I didn't like him the way he liked me. And we both knew that." Lincoln said bitterly as he remembered things went down from there. "Soon I thought it would be best if I left, and I did. But… I couldn't just run out on them. Not after all they've done for me. So with a tearful goodbye… I left. Before I left though… I told Chris that it wasn't his fault. He didn't say a word to me. So… I just acted out… and I kissed him right then and there. In front of everyone."

Lincoln remembered the look on everyone's face. But what he remembered most was the kiss he had with Chris. Something he accepted slowly. He remembered how fast his heart was beating. How that moment lasted for what felt like forever. Sadly he knew that moment was just that, a moment. He liked Chris… but not way he wanted to. And that's just one of his long list of regrets.

"I left after that… I never saw any of them again after that." Lincoln regretfully muttered out. "Though I did look for them on social media and I heard a couple of rumors. Ed and Ingrid went back to their homes. Wally is still on the road last time I checked, heard he has himself a girlfriend now. Some girl he was friends with in some weird club back in the day. Chris… just dropped off the face of the earth. No matter where I looked I could never find him. I heard that after I left he forced everyone to go back home. That's all I could find."

Lucy was never good at showing her emotions. Or giving comfort. But she just acted out and gave her brother a light tap on the shoulder. Which surprised him a little bit.

"Do you regret it, you know? Leaving like that?" Lucy asked wanting to hear her brother's answer.

Lincoln gave a very long pause before answering.

"I have a lot of regrets Lucy. And that's one of them. But you know what I regret the most though?" Lincoln said with a frown. "I regret I couldn't love Chris the way he loved me. It wasn't because he was a boy, not all. It was because I knew I would hurt him. Or maybe it was because I was afraid… that someone else I love would leave me again."

Lucy didn't say anything. What could she say? All she wanted to know her brother's story. But hearing what he's been through, it broke her heart. And he wasn't even finished yet by the looks of it.

"After that I just drifted from town to town. I didn't pickpocket anymore, I worked any jobs I could find. I was a cook, janitor, mechanic, bouncer and even a bagger/cart pusher. Eventually I found myself in a odd but nice town in Oregon." Lincoln said the last part with a smile and chuckle. "A place called Gravity Falls, I stayed there over a summer working for some old grump. A grump I learned to respect and look up to because he'd been through what I've been through. His grandkids showed up for summer vacation."

"Man the stuff those crazy kids put me through. All the wacky adventures we had… especially the dangerous ones." Lincoln whispered that last part as low as he could. "One looked up to me like a older brother and came to me for advice or help. And the other was crazy and had a small crush on me. Which I found adorable of course."

"All that changed however when I met someone. A very special someone." Lincoln said with a smile and in happy tone. That got Lucy's attention. "A very laid back and awesome girl named Wendy. We both worked for the old grump. At a place called the mystery shack. And before we even knew it… we just clicked."

"After what happened with Chris. I thought it would be best of I tried to have a relationship with someone. You know, trying to move on with my life." Lincoln explained as he continued. "We decided to give dating a try when she broke up with her boyfriend. Some ass name Robbie or Bobbie. But when people found out, those two twin I was telling you about. Turned out the boy of the pair really fancied Wendy, and the girl had a major crush on me. Which caused a lot of problems."

"Dipper liked Wendy, a lot. Mable liked me a lot too. When they found out… well let's just say it wasn't good at all." Lincoln sighed out as he had a small smile on his face. "Dipper wouldn't talk to me, Mable avoided me as much as possible. And when she wasn't she was always glaring at Wendy. So, things were awkward. But eventually things got better. After Stan, the grump I was talking decided to talk with all of us."

"We all sat down and talked, just talking. Me and Wendy explained that while we loved them, we didn't love them like that. It was a pill to swallow but it had to be said." Lincoln went on with a sad smile. "Eventually they figured it out, though it was hard at first. After that things went back to normal, well as normal as things could get around Gravity Falls."

Memories of all the fun, bad, good and crazy time he has in Gravity Falls. At the Mystery Shack, with everyone. Even the guys he didn't like. That brat Gideon, Pacifica and even that tool Robbie. Things were crazy… like really crazy. He still sometimes got nightmares from all the close times he almost killed. But no matter how bad or crazy things got. He wasn't alone, especially when Wendy with him. Until one day… she wasn't.

"After one crazy adventure, Dipper and Mable had to leave. Since their summer vacation was over. And I thought it was time to hit the old dusty trail. Not a lot of people were happy about that. But they accepted… well a few of them did." Lincoln whispered that last part out with a frown. "Wendy wasn't happy with that, guess she loved me more than I thought. And I loved her a lot more than I thought too."

Lucy only gave Lincoln a sad sympathetic look. Hearing more and more about her brothers life, she could understand why he didn't want to talk about it.

"If you loved her, why did you leave?" Lucy asked wanting to know why he left. "Was it because you were afraid? Of you know, hurting her?"

Lincoln felt his heart fall. Of course he loved Wendy, but was he afraid of hurting her or was he afraid of getting hurt? Now, it didn't matter. He left… but not before sharing a blissful and loving night together. A night he remembered very fondly. A moment later Lincoln had an answer.

"Love is… strange Lucy. I guess I left because… I knew Wendy was too good for me. She had a future, she had a loving and very dysfunctional family. Remind you of anyone?"

This caused Lucy to give a unexpected smile. Which in return caused Lincoln to smile before he resumed his tale.

"I told Wendy why I had to leave. She wasn't happy. But… after a blissful night together… she still was mad but she was happy too." Lincoln whispered out in a low and longing tone. Lucy had a confused look on her face. Before she could ask what he meant Lincoln beat her to it. "You'll understand when you're older."

Lucy was still confused but quickly shook it off.

"Before I left, Stan and his twin brother. Who had been gone for a long time. Gave me some money and a ride. My motorcycle, the one outside to be exact. I told them they didn't need to do that but being the grumps they were they practically did the opposite of a mugging." Lincoln chuckled as he remembered how Stan, Stanford and everyone see him off. Along with Dipper and Mable. Who left right after him. "I made a lot of good memories back then. With everyone. From Chris and the gang to Wendy and everyone at Gravity Falls. But I almost made a lot of regrets. Too many. And when I thought things were going to be different after that I was wrong."

"After I left and went back to doing what I did best. Drifting. And that led me to a place that I could call home. A gym in El Paso, where a once great masked wrestler lived. And he took me in and taught me the ropes." Lincoln smiled as he remembered how it felt like to step into the ring for the first time. His mask strapped tight and the cheering fans. "The gym was owned by a old man named Eddie. His family were basically legends in the pro wrestling world. He only trained the best, and he took me in and trained me. He treated me like a son."

"You can't make a living on wrestling. Finding promotion was hard, traveling was rough but I was used to it. I really didn't do it for the money. It just gave me a purpose. Guess that's all needed." Lincoln explained with a sigh. "I started out small, like most wrestlers. Than a couple of years later I was traveling around the world. And people have never seen my face or knew my real name. Wearing a mask can do that. And I liked it that way."

"While I was on a tour somewhere in Japan. In the Kanto region I think. Didn't really knew where I went. All that mattered to me back then was just trying to find fight. Guess I was angry at the world. Or maybe I was angry at myself." Lincoln went on with a slight frown. "All that changed when I met her… my opponent. A girl who meant business. She was around my height, she had this long dark lavender hair that would make anyone jealous. She had these beautiful dark green eyes that sparked like emeralds. Her snowy and flawless skin… she was beautiful beyond any words."

It sounded to Lucy that this person was really something. Judging by the way Lincoln spoke and the look in his eyes.

"As soon as the bell rang I didn't know what to do. All I remember is the mat and that girl placing a arm bar on me. Boy did that suck." Lincoln smiled as he gave a light chuckle. "But you know what? I would go through all that again and more just to see her face again. Not just see it… but touch it… kiss it. I would go through hell just to speak to her again."

Before Lincoln knew he began to cry. But his face was emotionless as tears continued to fall down his cheek. Lucy didn't need to be a genius to know who Lincoln was talking about. And why he was crying.

"Of all the things I regret… she's the one I regret the most. Because how can I let a angel like her fall in love with me. To start a family with me. To… help me bring a beautiful baby into this world. H-how could I have let them love me… when everything and everyone I love is ruined." Lincoln sobbed out as he placed his hands over his head as he wept. "I… I killed them Lucy… I got two of the most beautiful things on this earth killed. I got them killed because I was careless… because I wasn't more focused on the damn road. All because of a stupid fucking drunk who couldn't take a damn taxi! A PIECE OF SHIT WHO GOT MY FAMILY KILLED BECAUSE HE COULDN'T TAKE A CAB OR HAD THE BALLS TO WALK HOME!"

Lucy flinched when she heard the anger in Lincoln's voice. She gasped in shock when he fell to the floor on his knees as he couldn't take it anymore. He cried loudly as if he was in pain. And he was.

As Lincoln continued to cry, he felt two small arms wrap themselves around him. Which briefly made him stop, he then turned around to see Lucy… hugging him. And as he looked closer he saw that she was crying! Black filled tears that were probably her eyeliner began to run down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry"

That was all Lucy said as she hugged Lincoln more tightly. Who couldn't help but look at her in shock. And with a small but sad smile. Lincoln gently turned around and wrapped Lucy into a big loving hug.

And in that moment… both were happy. Happy because they weren't alone. Who knew telling a best forgotten tale would bring brother and sister together.

But as both siblings held onto each other. Both didn't know that someone was listening with their ear pressed against the door. And with a soft sob that person ran straight to their room. So they could come to terms of what they had just heard.

Things in the loud house were going to get even more complicated.

To Be Continued

AN: Oh man… this was a hard chapter to write. The feels. So yeah, Lincoln was a pickpocket and joined a little gang. And the leader was sweet on him. But Lincoln didn't feel the same way, yet he did though. Lincoln went to Gravity Falls and worked at the mystery shack for awhile. Even had a relationship with Wendy. Sadly he left because he didn't want to ruin Wendy. He got trained by a legend and became a wrestler. Which led him to his loving fiancé Suki. And how she and their baby died is revealed. Man, lot of heavy stuff. Sure he was kind of pissed at Lucy. But they made up and got a little bit closer. Unfortunately it looks like she isn't the only who knows though. Who was it listening in on Lincoln's story? Will they keep quiet or will they tell the family? Will more of Lincoln's past be revealed? Probably? But you'll just have to wait for the next chapter. Anyways I hope you enjoyed the chapter and leave a review. Sorry for any mistakes and typos I made. English isn't my first language sadly. If you have any questions, suggestions or want leave your feedback. You know what to do. Oh and just to let you know, if you want to send me fan art look me up at Instagram or Tumblr! For Instagram look up chubby_native_619. For Tumblr chubbysnorlax619. Oh and I have a Loud House amino now too. Look me up if you have the chance! See ya! Expect the next chapter next month. Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween!