20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Making Progress

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 came out later again. But I'm trying. Anyways I'm glad you all enjoyed the last chapter. You all had interesting takes on what Lincoln might do. One you even figured out that Lincoln is pretty much screwed what ever he does. His education is very limited, with him running away and what not. While he did managed to survive on his own somehow. Getting a proper job or going to college is going to be difficult. Though Lincoln trying to get his high school diploma or GED is possible. Getting a proper driver's license might be hard, considering he's a runaway and his past is pretty shady. But only time will tell. Also from here on out is where the actual stuff happens. It took awhile but we're here. Lincoln's renewed life starts now! ON WITH THE CHAPTER! Enjoy!

After tucking Lily for her nap, Lincoln went downstairs to help his mom. Who didn't mind the help.

It took about a few hours to help his mom out with the laundry, chores and other stuff. Lincoln wasn't bothered by the hard work. In fact he was used to it. He didn't survive out on the road by being lazy. Lincoln had to work through hell to make through all those rough times.

So Lincoln didn't mind what he had to do.

After doing all that Lincoln returned to what he was originally doing before his mom called for him. Watching TV. Which wasn't all too exciting. But he couldn't complain much though. Since he couldn't do much anyways. He couldn't drive or something else like that.

'Guess I should probably make that the next step, get a damn driver's license.' Lincoln thought with a slight groan as he kept going through channels trying to find something interesting. 'That would make mom happy, and it wouldn't be such a bad idea. Cause I need to drive.'

Lincoln's thoughts soon stopped as the door suddenly opened.

"We're home!" Lana and Lynn yelled out as she came running inside!

Almost immediately after that both girls made a break for Lincoln! Who knew what was going to happen next!

"Careful, careful, careful!" Lincoln exclaimed as he prepared himself for the tackle he was going to receive! "I bruise very easy!"

Thankfully for Lincoln both of his tomboy sisters were gentle when they hit and gave him a very strong hug!

"I said gentle!" Lincoln exclaimed as the hug he was receiving was a bit rough. But he still accepted though. How could he say no to his sisters?

After that the other loud sisters began to enter through the front door. The first two were Lori and Luna. Both of whom ignored Lincoln like he wasn't there. Though Lori still managed to shoot him a dirty look. Something Lincoln noticed which caused him to frown slightly. But that didn't stop him from returning the hug he was receiving.

The next of the loud sisters that entered were Lucy and Lisa. Lisa didn't waste anytime heading upstairs. Probably wanted to work on her next experiment or something. Though unlike Lori and Luna she did acknowledged that Lincoln was there. Even if it was only a curious glance. Lucy soon followed Lisa's example and headed upstairs.

But this time Lucy didn't seem to acknowledge that Lincoln was here. Which Lincoln found strange but thought nothing of it.

Next was Lola, Lana's twin but was the exact opposite of her though. Something Lincoln found funny. The young pageant girl only shot Lincoln a curious glance like Lisa did. She then headed up stairs probably to her room.

And finally the rest of the loud sisters entered, who were Leni and Luan. Both whom immediately made a run for Lincoln!

"No, no, no! Not again!" Lincoln tried to yelled out but was too late!

Lincoln was once again tackled into a hug by the rest of his sisters!

"Great… just great." Lincoln managed to wheeze out as his sisters had a tight grip around him. But still he accepted and return the hug. "You girls are going to be the death of me."

This caused them all to laugh and giggle.

"So bro can we have that game!?" Lynn asked with excitement and a smile!

"Hey Lincoln promised me he'd play with me in the mud!" Lana complained as she looked at Lynn with a light glare. Something Lynn returned back. But before either one could speak, Luan quickly butted in.

"Hey he promised me he would listen to my jokes! And I've been working on them all day! And that isn't a joke!" Luan half-heartedly said with a big smile.

Leni and Lincoln kept quiet and looked on as their younger siblings began to argue. Which caused Leni to giggle a little because this was quite a familiar scene. It reminded her how things used to be before Lincoln left. Everyone including herself arguing about who was going to spend time with Lincoln next.

Lincoln only looked on with a surprised expression. He eventually smiled though as the scene in front of him reminded of all the good times. Good times he promised to bring back. No matter what.

'This time it'll be different… I promise.'

A Week Later

Things in the Loud House have been crazy. With Lincoln's in unexpected return home and him causing an uproar. It took awhile before things could settle down.

Lincoln was currently in his room doing pushups while shirtless, it was late at night. And it was a Saturday. Which meant no school for his sisters tomorrow. Something that was both good and bad. While he loved spending time with his sisters, a few of them didn't feel the same way.

"Been about a week and none of them had even said a word to me." Lincoln said with a grunt as he kept on doing his pushups. He could feel sweat on his face and body. He's been doing this for a good half hour. Which was small compared to what he usually does. "Guess it's to be expected though, two of them hate my guts and rest don't even know me."

The people Lincoln was talking about were his sisters. Mainly Luna, Lori and the rest of his sisters that haven't even said a word to him.

He could understand why Luna and Lori wouldn't talk to him. After what was said it was clear how they felt. And Lincoln knew that wouldn't change. Not for a long while. The rest of his sisters were another story.

Leni, Luan and Lynn were happy he was back and they didn't have any problems showing that. Leni was always checking up on him and asking him for help and advice. They even asked him to help her go shopping to the mall. Something he didn't have any problem with. They're mom of course drove them before she was still on Lincoln's case about driving and whatnot. He didn't mind, but he would have to find a way to get a proper driver's license soon.

During the shopping trip Leni was acting somewhat strange. She seemed nervous whenever Lincoln walked beside her. It didn't help when a few people began to stare at the odd pair. Most of the staring was because of their looks. Lincoln wasn't ashamed to say his sister was beautiful. He'd be an idiot not to notice. The stares he received were from mostly girls or middle aged woman. They would usually have a blush on their face or try their best not to look. A thing that Lincoln was used to.

While he could handle the stares he was getting. It was the stares that Leni got that kind of bothered him. The looks of lust and other things he wouldn't like associated with Leni. What bothered him most was that Leni didn't seem to notice or care. Like she was used to it. After awhile of shopping Lincoln grew tired of the looks Leni was receiving and finally did something about it.

After they left the next clothing store Lincoln without little warning grabbed Leni's hand and held from then on out. That caught Leni by surprise and got a light blush out of her. But she kept quiet and just went along with it. Not that she didn't mind it. In fact it felt nice to hold her brother's hand as she walked. It felt like old times. It was nice.

As soon as Lincoln did that the stares Leni got were lessened. Anyone who even looked at Leni immediately looked away when they got a look at Lincoln. Who looked very intimidating. The fact he was holding hands with Leni people just assumed they were a couple. And from then on the stares they got eventually stopped.

Lincoln and Leni were eventually done shopping and we're picked up by their mom. While most of the shopping they did was for Leni. Lincoln got some clothes and some new shoes Leni bought him. Something he insisted she didn't have to do but she wouldn't have any of it. So Lincoln couldn't do a thing but go along with what Leni wanted.

"That girl is my kryptonite." Lincoln softy chuckled a little as he got up from doing his pushups. He then reached to his shirt and eventually got it on. "She's too sweet for her own good. Just like old times. Though she isn't a little girl anymore."

That last part Lincoln said with a light frown.

Whether he liked it or not his sisters weren't little kids anymore. That he found out the hard way when he found out Lori had a boyfriend. Something… Lincoln didn't take too well.

While he knew that last thing Lori wanted from him was him snooping in her business. He couldn't help but be the stereotypical bog brother. So he did a little digging and found out Lori was dating Bobby Santiago! His old flame Ronnie Anne's little brother.

Back in the day Lincoln met Bobby a couple of times when they're were younger. When he and Ronnie Anne usually met up they're parents would make them usually bring their younger siblings. Namely Lori and Bobby, who got along famously back then. Guess it wasn't as much of a shock when he found out they're were now dating.

While Lincoln didn't like the idea of his sisters dating. Bobby Santiago wasn't a bad choice, as far as some people go. Though in the future he would have to meet up with him up again. Something Lincoln was looking forward to.

"Not that I'm going to kill him or anything god no. The last thing I want is to face the wraith of his mom and sister." Lincoln spoke with a sudden shiver. Just thinking about it made him chilly and fearful. "But I might do the stereotypical thing though. A little threat here and there. If you break my sister's heart I'll break your spine. Stuff like that."

Lincoln's went to his thoughts went to the rest of his sisters. Mainly Lynn and Luan.

Both of whom were probably the most happy and excited he was back. Lynn always did look up to him when she was younger. Always on about that when she grows she'll be as strong as him. Something that was very true now. Luan on the other hand was always close to him. When they were both younger she would never leave his side if she couldn't help it. And when she did it was so she could work on her jokes and pranks. Something Lincoln found cute and heartwarming back then.

Now that both had grown up a little, so did their attitudes and other things. It had taken a while for Lincoln to get used to the pranks and rough housing. But he eventually learned to deal with it.

Ever since Lincoln got back. Lynn and Luan have been trying to sped time with him non stop. Something he didn't mind of course. But at times it got a little bit hard. Like the time Luan tried her pie pranks or when Lynn wanted to do wrestling in the yard. All of which he could handle but there was only so much he could do.

"Those two aren't my sweet little sisters anymore." Lincoln sighed as he took a seat on his bed. "But that's to be expected though. I still love either way. Even though the rough housing and pranks are a bit rough. It's worth it."

In time he also got to spend time with Lana and Lily. Two sisters he had no idea he even had. And they were fun to hang around with.

Lana was basically Lynn when she was at that age. Only difference was the hair. She was a tomboy through and through. Guess that's why she liked hanging out with Lincoln. It was nice to have a brother. Something she found strange at first but eventually she learned to love it.

Having a sibling who didn't mind all the things she liked was cool.

They usually spend their time tuning up his bike or on rare occasions the family van. Which they all affectionately called Vanzilla. The old family van that's been around a lot longer than Lincoln himself.

Something that was going to eventually be given to him like what happened to his father and his before him. Now though, he didn't really think that would happen.

His relationship with his dad really hasn't improved. But it hasn't gotten worst either. Things were just… awkward between them.

Who could blame them. Mr. Loud couldn't forgive Lincoln for what he did. And Lincoln couldn't forgive his dad for what he didn't do. However that didn't mean they hated each other. Lynn Sr. couldn't bring himself to do it. Even though he ran away and abandoned his family and hurt his wife and daughters. Lincoln was still his son. And after being told what brought him here he couldn't help but pity him.

Losing a loved one is tough. But losing your soul mate and child isn't tough… it's hell. Something Mr. Loud was thankful that had never happened to him.

Lincoln on the other still didn't like his father much. Even though he was happy he eventually manned and took care of his family. It only took 9 freaking years but better late than never.

Lincoln and his dad never real had that great of a relationship when he was growing up. Sure they acted like a normal father and son would acted a long time ago. But after Leni was born that changed. His dad was usually gone after that. Working late shifts and only coming home to sleep. And Lincoln was busy looking out for his sisters.

While he couldn't blame his dad for missing out most of his childhood. Lincoln still didn't have to like it.

So ever since he came back his dad and him usually avoided each other. And when they couldn't like at breakfast or dinner they never talked it or even looked at each other.

Something that his mom noticed but decided not say anything about it.

Lincoln could tell his mom and dad's relationship hasn't really improved either. At least they weren't arguing but he could tell their was tension there. While he knew they loved each other and their family. Some things aren't easy to forget.

Things with Lincoln and his mom haven't changed. He was still his mom's baby boy. And he was a mommas boy. After a week of settling in he did anything he could to help him mom out. From doing chores, watching Lily and changing her diaper when needed. He was trying his best to prove himself to his mom. Who was just happy to have her son in her life once again.

"Even through all the hard times, I still wouldn't ask for different parents." Lincoln muttered out with a smile as he started to lay down onto his bed. "Even if my dad is an ass sometimes."

Lincoln then began to think over what his other siblings and him had done over the week. Which was nothing, nothing at all.

Luna and Lori still wouldn't talk to him. Or even look at him. Though Lori somehow managed to always shoot him a dirty look whenever she could. Luna just avoided him. No matter what he did she would just give him the cold shoulder and leave.

Fixing what he had with those two was going to take awhile. A long while.

The rest of his siblings just avoided him and when they didn't they usually never say a word to him. Lola kept her distance from him. Lisa didn't seem to care about him at all. Though she did find it interesting that she had a male siblings. Something she said she would investigate in time. Whatever the hell that meant.

And finally there was Lucy, the black sheep of the family.

Lincoln didn't know why but something about his little goth sister… intimated him? Like she was always watching him or something. Sure she would sometimes pop out nowhere. But Lincoln didn't find that scary or even surprising. Because somehow he was able to tell where and when Lucy would unexpectedly pop up. A skill that kind of freaked his family out a little. And even Lucy.

Overall, Lincoln was making some progress with his family. Even though it didn't feel like it.

With a sigh Lincoln threw his shirt off and took off his pants. Now only wearing his boxer shorts Lincoln got comfortable and tried to go to sleep. Even though the lights were on Lincoln didn't care.

"Tomorrow is a new day…" Lincoln yawned out as closed his eyes to welcome sleep. But what he didn't notice is that something was once again crawling up in the vents. Something or someone watching him.

To Be Continued

AN: And there you go. Sorry if this was a short uneventful chapter. But I wanted to do a time skip and tell you how are things going between Lincoln and his family. I also wanted to ask you guys what you do you want in the next chapter? Do you want an episode based chapter? Something during season 1 will do. Or do you want Lincoln trying to look for a job or get a driver's license? Or how about a flashback chapter? It could be about what happened to Lincoln on the road or how his family dealt with him leaving? I'm opened to suggestions. Leave them in a review along with your feedback or send your suggestions in a PM. Again sorry if this chapter was short and for any typos or errors. I'll do better next time! Anyways thanks for reading and I hope you leave a review! See ya!