Gordon: *smirks Proudly* Youre A Great Tender Engine, Despite Being An Infant, One Day Youll Pull Great

Gordon: *smirks proudly* You’re a great tender engine, despite being an infant, one day you’ll pull great coaches holding important people.

Camille: Gordon, I wouldn’t-

Gordon: *moves toy car away* Cars are beneath you.

Camille: I hear someone is having a big play date today!

Gordon is following closely beside Camille holding her hand.

Baby Gordon happily peeps his whistle.

Baby Gordon: Pway, Pway, Pway!!!!

First Date

A look on Edward and James’ first date. Set prior to The Yellow Rose of Sodor

Everything was perfect.

Edward and James had been sitting on the balcony together late at night undisturbed, the other engines sleeping soundly in their berths. Very rarely did anyone ever take their human form. It was odd and it came with odd feelings that many of the engines deemed useless.

Edward and James, however, found that it helped take their relationship to the next station. Sure they had found ways to kiss and they were attracted to each other but to really touch one another, to feel each other's face, to hold the other, there really was no beating these human bodies.

James was curled into Edward, head on his shoulder as they watched the sunset and sighed.

Edward chuckled, “Alright, Jamie, what’s the matter? I know that sigh.”

James pouted, “Why don’t we go on dates?”

Edward looked at his partner in surprise, “What are you talking about?”

James sat up, legs dangling down the balcony, swaying, “Like, a date! I’ve heard humans talk about it all the time and I want to go on one.” He turned and pointed at Edward, “Specifically with you!”

Edward blushed a bit, having never really gotten used to the red engines outburst of affection, “O-OK..?”

James groaned in frustration, “I see people going out to eat or having picnics or even the younger ones running around together. I just want to experience that with you.” He folded his arms, still very much pouting, “Is that such a crime?”

Edward watched and listened to James and chuckled, “All you had to do was ask, James. I’m not a mind reader.”

“Well, why should I have to ask? Don’t you want to go on dates with me? Why haven’t you asked?” James looked over looking a little hurt.

Edward smiled, putting his hand on James’ shoulder, “I just didn’t know you wanted to do such things, Jamie. Of course, I would love to go on a date with you. I enjoy spending time alone with you.” He leaned over and kissed his cheek. James blushed at the affection, causing Edward to chuckle, “Anything in particular you want to do?”

“I… I don’t know. But something fun! Something we couldn’t do in our engine forms!” James responded.

Edward sat back in thought, “Hmmm… There is something I’ve wanted to do, though it is a bit childish.”

James raised an eyebrow, “Is it fun?”

Edward nodded, “I’ve seen both children play it and seen adults in love play as well.”

James stood up quickly, “Well, let’s play it then! Let’s go do it!”

Edward smiled and laughed. He stood and dusted himself off and then took James by the hand. “Do you want to play outside or inside?”

James looked out at the sleeping engines at Tidmouth Shed and then back at the manor’s door. “I like being outside… but inside is good too.”

Edward smiled, “Let’s start outside. We’ll go to the shunting yard at Knapford.”

“The what now?”

——

“…18… 19… …20! Ready or not, here I come!”

Edward turned around to find Knapford empty again, save a few of those trucks and cars that weren’t alive. He was glad the troublesome trucks were elsewhere for the night, they most certainly would have ruined this date.

Edward walked around the yard, checking under empty cars and around uncoupled trains ready for the next morning. He gave that up rather quickly after realizing that James wasn’t about to get dirty for the game. He ran up to the station, which they agreed would be in the game's limits as it was further away from where some of the others were sleeping. As he got closer to Sir Topham Hatt’s office, he heard someone slip down to the tracks below. He grinned.

“Oh, Jamie~” He called in a singing tone.

He hopped down looking down stations 1 and 2. He shined his hip light down the empty lanes and then moved to the next. Still nothing. As he got closer to 5 & 6 he heard movement. He quickly moved to look down the tracks and saw the tail end of James as he ran along the end of the stations.

“Found you!” Edward called and raced back down to the other stations. He heard James laugh in response.

Edward hopped back up to the station platform and cut across to James, hot on his wheels. James looked behind him and grinned, “You’re not gonna catch me!”

Edward only smirked. He knew James was the faster of the two but he was bound and determined all the same. It was unfortunate that he was still getting used to his human body. He tried to lower the wheels at his legs down to his feet, but it was still such an odd feeling and he ended up twisting his ankle as he raced around a corner after his beloved. He winced, but didn’t yell out. James, who was getting away, turned to gloat when he saw Edward further away. He skipped to a stop and turned to get back to his partner.

“You OK?” He asked getting closer.

“I’m fine. Just a twisted ankle. Honestly, I can walk on it.” He smiled, watching James approach. “Don’t get too close, I might tag you.”

James snorted and rolled his eyes, closing them afterward, “Oh please, I would jump out of the way before you even thoug-“

Edward reached out and tagged James with a poke on the nose, “Gotcha.”

James stood speechless and stared at Edward, who just smiled. The smile turned into a laugh after James kept staring agape.

“Did you just..?”

“I most certainly did.” Edward kissed his cheek. “And now, my dear James, it’s your turn.”

——

Edward ended up choosing a hiding spot he was sure James would have a hard time with. He ended up picking a fairly clean, but still not sparkling clean, coal car and hiding in it. It had been emptied and was amongst the many cars. He was amazed he had been able to get in without much effort after his twisted ankle. Now he sat quietly humming to himself as he heard James finish counting.

“Here I come!!” James shouted, probably a little too loudly.

Edward quit humming and sat as still and quiet as he could. He heard James run past the car he was in, looking in between the cars. He listened as he ran back up to the station after looking around shortly. Impatient as ever Edward thought and smiled. After a few minutes of silence he called out.

“James!!!” He called, cupping his mouth.

He heard running and even a skid to a halt. Even in his human form, James couldn’t resist skidding.

He could hear him circle the yard and a few cars. He could picture the annoyed look on his beloved’s face.

“Where are you??!!” James asked irritably.

Edward chuckled, “Follow the sound of my voice.”

James ran forward, running right past the car. It took everything Edward had to not laugh as he listened to the murmuring James did.

“You’re going the wrong way.” He teased as James walked away.

He heard James stop in his tracks and couldn’t help the laughter that time. He covered his mouth as James walked up to the car.

“Edward.”

It was just a statement. He clapped both hands over his mouth.

“Tell me you’re not in the filthy coal car.”

That broke the dam. Edward started laughing harder than he had in a while. He barely heard the footsteps as James climbed up the car and looked down. He erupted in laughter again as he looked at James’ face, shaking his head at the blue engine dying of laughter in the car.

“You’re filthy.”

Edward could only laugh, laying on his back, “Why is this so funny?”

“Because you’re ridiculous. And here I thought I was the silly one in this relationship.” James chided, shaking his head again.

Edward stood up, dusting himself off, “Well I can’t let you go off and have all the fun.” He grinned at the other engine, “Now help me up and out, please?”

James looked at him in mock surprise, “You think I’m going to fall for another trick? You’re going to pull me in.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Jamie dear.” Edward smiled sweetly.

“Don’t call me that.” James said with a blush, “You know I can’t say no to you when you do that.”

“Aren’t you my dear though, Jamie?” Edward said, “I promise not to pull you in.”

“You better keep that.” James said, reaching down and taking Edward’s hand. The smaller engine climbed his way up and James leaned back to help. Somewhere in the mix of things, James slipped and both ended up back in the coal car with a thud.

“Ahh!!”

“Waitwaitwait!!”

“Owowowowow…”

“Ugh…”

James sat up, cradling his head, “You OK, Ed?”

Edward started laughing again, despite lying on his back and dirtier than before.

“How can you be laughing at this??” James asked bewildered.

“It’s just… How can you not be?” Edward said through laughter.

“I’m filthy, Ed!!” James shouted, gesturing at his dirty clothes.

Edward could only laugh and soon enough James’ face broke into a smile and he began laughing too.

“You goofball.” James said, curling into Edward.

“I’m not the one who dropped us.” Edward reminded.

“I can’t help it if you’re heavy.” James said, lightly pushing the older male.

Edward gasped, “I am not that heavy!”

James smirked, “You’re right, you’re not. You’re a bit on the smaller side.”

Before Edward could argue James scooped him up in his arms, grinning at the yelp. James grinned and kissed the other engine.

“You’re something else, Eddie.” He beamed.

“I believe that’s my line, James.”

James pouted, “No Jamie?”

Edward chuckled, “Alright then, Jamie.”

James grinned and flipped his hair from his eyes, “Wanna go wash together?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Edward squirmed and visibly blushed despite the dark of the night, “James!!”

James laughed, “We could do it as engines. Less awkward that way.”

“And how are we supposed to get clean, exactly? We have no crew. Plus our clothes are ruined.” Edward said looking down at himself.

“The clothes clean when we clean as engines. Not to mention, you scrub my back and I’ll scrub yours.”

Edward squirmed again in James’ arms, who only held him tighter, “You’re being quite bold tonight, James.”

“Jamie.”

“James.”

James pouted and whined, “I don’t often get the chance to be like this. Plus you’ve taken me out on an awesome date.”

Edward sighed and thought in the silent night, “I’d rather take a shower…”

James beamed, “Who’s the one being bold now?”

“We’ve been together for years now. I guess it’s not unexpected you’d want to.”

“It’s just a bath, Edward.” James said, setting the other engine down. “Where’s your mind at?” He leaned forward towards the other's face.

“Oh, no you don’t. You’re not turning this on me. You’re the one who started the naughty talk.” Edward held a finger up at him.

James grinned, “I guess you’re right. Though I can’t say it wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Oh, how Edward wanted to smack that silly look off his face.

“One day, Jamie. One day.” Edward said with a smile, kissing James on the cheek. He enjoyed the content sigh that escaped the red engines mouth.

“Now,” He said, looking up at the ladder to get out, “How are we going to get out of here?”

James shrugged his shoulders and grinned, “Simple.” Without warning he bent down and put Edward on his shoulders causing him to yelp and holler.

“J-JAMES!!” He clung to his boyfriends head, trying to steady himself from falling over.

James could only laugh.

Camille: *rubs noses with the baby and then rocks him in her arms* Aw shucks, Dowager Hatt, ma’am. I’m just doing what comes to me. He’s sweet as sugar. Y’all sure you didn’t dip him in something sweet? *blows raspberry on his cheek, gently*

Camille: Hello baby boy! Did you have a good day? *kneels down and opens arms for a hug*

Baby Gordon lets out excited squeals when he sees Camille. Today Dowager Hatt had been watching over the baby engine. She carefully hands Gordon over to Camille with a chuckle. Dowager Hatt: You've become quite popular with the little one it seems dear.

@smol4bluengine

Gordon: *sighs* Do you have a few minutes of your time I could spare sir? I just finished up with the Express. I know you’re not technically my Sir but… I need some advice.

Gordon: *standing at the door of Sir Topham Hatt’s office at Knapford and finally knocks a bit hesitantly* …. Maybe I shouldn’t… *turns and scratches at his hair in frustration*. Why do things always have to be so complicated??

Just then Sir Topham Hatt opens the door. He is surprised to see Gordon.

STH: Oh, Gordon! I wasn't expecting to run into you. Is there something you need?

Gordon: I… *looks at the upset baby and sighs* Alright, here you go. *moves toy trucks back*

Camille smiled softly at the baby.

Camille: There we go, all better. *wipes his tears away and kisses cheek before setting him down* Go play.

Gordon watches in concerned silence.

Camille: I hear someone is having a big play date today!

Gordon is following closely beside Camille holding her hand.

Baby Gordon happily peeps his whistle.

Baby Gordon: Pway, Pway, Pway!!!!

Camille: And thank you for sharing your knowledge and information about adoption with me. It’s really helpful. Maybe one day I can convince Gordon but for now im just happy with caretaking of the little one. It’s almost like seeing into my own Gordon’s past if he had a childhood and it makes me happy. It’s nice to see a less grumpy less snooty side of him, even if it’s technically not him. Does that make sense?

Camille: This question is more for the Ramsfield’s then anything. Do baby engines get adopted by other engines? Is that a thing? A-asking for a friend.

@theyellowroseofsodor Mrs. Ramsfield: Yes, on some of the railways my husband and I have visited, there have been engines who have adopted baby engines. Little Tykes amusement park has a program similar to Big Brothers, Big Sisters where the bigger engines will help staff look after the little ones.