#anyway I'm glad to properly share something from seven years later because I’ve been thinking about it a lot

[ryan1014n2]

Morning: A “Seven Years Later” Story

Following a nasty accident, Rheneas was finally back in service, and Skarloey could still hardly believe his eyes.

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The sun was just beginning to rise over Crovan’s Gate sheds. It was a crisp autumn morning, the chill only broken by the smoke and steam from the old engine waiting outside, the light from the sunrise glinting off of his shiny blue paint.

Skarloey had already been steamed up and readied for work — he did have the first passenger train of the day, after all. He was sat just outside the shed while his driver went to fetch something — Skarloey hadn’t been listening well enough to know what exactly she’d gone for — and his fireman took the time to enjoy another cup of coffee in his cab.

Being parked the way he was, he was face-to-face with Rheneas. He knew it was silly of himself to think so, but he still couldn’t believe Rheneas was really there. Of course, logically, he knew that he was, but it was still so surreal to him.

He couldn’t help but stare at the sleeping engine in front of him; he looked so peaceful and relaxed like this. Cute, even. It was a stark contrast to his usually serious demeanor, but whatever side of him, Skarloey had missed him terribly over the last several years. It hardly seemed true that he was even still alive.

Just glad to have him around again, he simply looked, in awe of him.

Rather suddenly and without opening his eyes, Rheneas spoke. “Did you need something, ‘Lo?”

Skarloey was startled. “Rheneas! I — I didn’t know you were awake!” He felt his face grow warm, embarrassed at being caught staring. “How did you know it was me?”

Rheneas smirked and opened a sleepy eye. “I know what your idling sounds like, silly.” He chuckled a bit at Skarloey’s flushed face and opened both of his eyes to properly address him. “Are you alright?”

The question wasn’t unfounded. Skarloey had been acting strangely recently, especially in the few weeks since Rheneas’s proper return to service. Rheneas had been curious, but he decided to leave it for now and let him take his time with it.

And he was sure taking his time with it.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Skarloey smiled. “I’m just waiting for my driver.”

Although Rheneas wasn’t as good at reading emotions as Skarloey was, he knew him well enough to know that he was not as fine as he claimed. Rheneas let his eyes slip back closed before responding. He spoke gently, but firmly. “Well, if something is bothering you, you can always tell me. You know that, right?”

Rheneas felt him wheesh a little bit of steam at him in acknowledgement.

Then it was quiet, save for the steady sound of Skarloey idling.

He eventually spoke up. “I saw you.”

Rheneas opened his eyes again, a confused look on his face.

So, Skarloey continued. “Earlier. Just after the accident. I saw you.” He grimaced. “I saw what was left of you, anyway.” He wasn’t looking at him anymore; the memory was too upsetting.

Oh. Rheneas didn’t know what he expected him to say, but it wasn’t that. It took him a moment to find words. “I take it that it wasn’t pretty.”

Skarloey only met his eyes again, looking very troubled.

Rheneas didn’t know what he should say to him, or even what he could say to him. He knew what had happened to himself too, and for Skarloey to have seen him in such a state? He could only imagine what that was like for him.

Then, Skarloey felt a hand pat the side of his cab; his driver had returned. “Come on, old girl. Let’s go pick up the coaches now, yeah?”

Skarloey looked from her back to Rheneas, who could see the hesitancy on his face.

“Well, go on then.” Rheneas smiled encouragingly. “You’ve got a train to pull, and I’ll still be here when you get back, I promise. Don’t you worry about that.”

Skarloey smiled gratefully at this, and he let himself be led away by his crew to collect his train. “Okay, then.” He whistled as he left. “See you later! Love you!”

Rheneas could only smile back at him. He’d always struggled with verbally expressing affection; he wasn’t sure why. But Skarloey had assured him that this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing — he just shared feelings differently — and he didn’t mind, anyway.

So, Rheneas smiled.

He watched him go until he was out of sight behind the carriage shed wall, and with the light of the rising sun replacing Skarloey’s heat in the role of warming him against the autumn chill, closed his eyes again.