#henry before the whole kipper thing happened

[northwesterners]

Rest assured if you leave. . .

[stories-of-the-nrm]

The Great Race Part 6

Narrator: Later that night, Thomas arrives at Tidmouth Sheds. He sees Jack still working on plans for Gordon.

(Close up to Jack and Gordon. Jack is holding up blueprints).

Jack: I'm telling you Gordon, the metal skirt is necessary in order to make you go faster.

Gordon(annoyed): Huh! I won't wear it. I'll be the laughingstock of not only Sodor, but SNG's engines.

Jack: Well do you want to maintain a sense of dignity or do you want to win?

Gordon: I want to win!

Jack: Well you have to wear this if you want to win. I thought you wanted to be streamlined!

Narrator: Before Gordon could respond, Henry interjected.

(Pan to Henry in a shed next to Gordon).

Henry: Um, excuse me. Guys?

Jack: Not now, Henry. This is a serious discussion we're having. I'm trying to convince Gordon that my design will help him win.

Henry: Yes, I'm aware of that. You're right next to me. I was thinking that maybe Gordon doesn't need to be streamlined and should just be himself.

Gordon: You know, he does have a point, Jack. This business of being streamlined isn't going to work.

Jack: I sacrifice my sleep and potentially my health to help you as a favor and all of a sudden you want to back out on me. I don't think so!

Narrator: The whole sheds became quiet as Jack realized everyone can hear him shouting.

(Jack gets frustrated, throws his blueprints down and walks away.)

Henry: I'm sorry Jack. Please come back, it was just a suggestion.

(Jack keeps walking away).

Henry: Jack! Why did I have to say that? I should've known better than to tell Jack that all his work would have been for nothing.

Gordon: What do you mean, Henry?

Henry: He hates wasting time. It's like James and getting his paint dirty.

James: Hey! You're just jealous that I'm the only red engine on Sodor.

Henry: Oh come on, James! You know it's true. Anyway, I really messed up. Jack's been feeling irritable lately and I think the stress is getting to him. He hasn't been eating much either.

Gordon: You're right, Henry. This has gone on for far enough.

Henry: I just don't know how long Jack can keep this up. I'm starting to get worried that eventually his body'll just give out on him. And I don't know what will happen then.

(Henry starts to get really concerned when we cut to Thomas). Thomas: So, do you think he'll be coming back?

(Cut back to Henry who breaks out of his thoughts.)

Henry: Yeah, he'll be back. If there's one thing I admire most about him is that it doesn't matter how much he complains, if he has a job to do he'll do it. I know Jack, he might be emotional and somewhat short-tempered but he'll always push his emotions aside in order to get the job done. Although, if he doesn't come back I don't know what I'd do. We still have the Flying Kipper in a few hours. I guess all I can do is wait. You guys get some sleep.

Edward: If you're sure, Henry. Then alright, good night everyone.

Engines: Good night.

(They fall asleep except Henry.)

Narrator: And so Henry waited for Jack to return, but he was so tired that he just fell asleep not long after the other engines.

(He falls asleep and we fade to black. A few seconds later we hear footsteps and a fire lighting. Henry wakes up and opens his eyes.)

Henry(gasping): Jack?

Jack: Hey.

Henry: I'm sorry. I never should've -

Jack: It's fine. What's done is done, we're working.

Henry: Wait, you look awful! Are you ok?

Jack: It doesn't matter. I need to drive. Now let's go.

(He gets in the cab and they leave.)

Narrator: Henry noticed that Jack was moving slowly. In order to give Jack some time to rest, Henry moved faster throughout the night.

(Cut to the duo delivering the fish all over the island and get back to Tidmouth Sheds.)

Narrator: By the time they get back it was before sunrise.

Jack: Well that was quicker than usual.

Henry: It sure was.

Jack: Least my blueprints didn't blow away during the night. Now I can get back to work.

(Henry looks outraged.)

Henry: What?! Jack you need to sleep. Gordon's going to ask Sir Topham Hatt if he can use your design.

Jack: Which is exactly why I need to get this finished. I can't let Sir Topham Hatt see this unless it's done!

(Henry rolls his eyes knowing that he can't change Jack's mind.)

Henry: Fine. Do whatever you want. I don't care anymore. If you wanna get yourself hurt fine.

Jack: Thank you.

(Jack gets back to work and Henry wonders if he's making a big mistake.)

Narrator: Despite being upset, Henry is too exhausted to stay awake any longer. His eyes slip closed, and he eventually falls asleep.

Tagging: @bluy1206, @thefedoragirl, @jayde-jots, @colaxcoco, @ethereal-capricorns-blog, @pxmun, @pxmun2, @glitterking599, @gordon208, @nelllia, @werbitssft, @klein-sodor-bahn, @ladychandraofthemoone, @sketalya, @postmodernpre-grouping, @thesudrianchronicles, @milkagaisme, @ihatewoodpeckers, @lavenderrosiefan, @eyesinspaceisgone, @jordeynnotgordon, @asktheoriginalorder, @engineer-gunzelpunk, @bladexjester, @lnwrcauli, @justyourlocaldieselsimp, and @pacmandia.

[daikenkki]

epiclafiteau: If Edward and Henry never left Tidmouth Sheds, BUT two engines HAD to leave, who would they be and why? Let me hear what you think! Who would be in their spots? Someone that's been there before, or someone that hasn't? My take btw: Edward and James. Edward at Wellsworth Sheds makes so much sense, and James should've been kicked out as the punishment. Yeah, Thomas/Percy at Ffarquhar would be neat but Toby's at Arlesdale End now. Henry doesn't need to stay at Vicarstown and Emily is just there.

JD41796: Honestly do what the series did and move Edward to Wellsworth because that actually makes sense, and throw Thomas and Percy back with Toby. Have the engines stay closest to their place of work, and have the sheds be what it used to be; whoever is working in that area, stays there.

epiclafiteau: Edward moving to Wellsworth to be closer to his branchline was a smart move, and it made sense. The issue is they're like "Henry's going to Vicarstown ok bye". I'm sure we were supposed to get an episode further explaining it but they haven't done so yet and the only thing to back it up is the fact that Henry is on the Mainland in 70% of the specials lol.

StreakSmeargle: I’d actually kick out three. Thomas, Percy, and Edward. Thomas and Percy can move to Ffarquhar (and honestly Nia can live there too). And Edward can move to Wellsworth like he already does. Fill up the missing Tidmouth slots with Rebecca and maybe the Scots?

epiclafiteau: Unless I'm missing something, I'm not actually sure where exactly Duck, Oliver, Donald and Douglas stay in the CGI Series. We see Ryan, Daisy, Judy & Jerome at Harwick but are there sheds somewhere else on the Little Western? It made sense for Duck to stay at Tidmouth in Duck and the Slip Coaches cause he was needed nearby, something they should do more often, but I don't think we've actually seen where he normally stays.

StreakSmeargle: There should be sheds at Arlesburgh if the RWS is any indication. Duck, Oliver, and Toad would realistically stay there. Donald and Douglas could also stay there but it might make sense to have them at Tidmouth as they’re not strictly tied to Little Western only. Gordon, James, Henry, Rebecca, and Emily can definitely stay at Tidmouth tho. Henry at Vicarstown was a neat concept but it went nowhere so I say move him back.

epiclafiteau: I can get past Edward moving because of etc reasons but the big 3 should definitely stick together. Edward leaving felt sort of natural because it had a whole episode to it and he suggested staying at Wellsworth permanently. Henry liked the idea, followed by deciding to transfer to Vicarstown, and nothing happened.

StreakSmeargle: If they ever do move Henry back to Tidmouth, they could do an episode where he starts reconsidering his decision on moving to Vicarstown but worries about what the others will think. That would allow him to move back and even potentially shedding light on why he moved in the first place.

Jacob34335638: Well, I think James could be kicked out as punishment for destroying the sheds in the first place, and Emily could possibly leave too since she works on the Misty Valley Branchline, and it would be convent for her to be closer to her work like Edward is at Wellsworth Sheds.

epiclafiteau: Yeah, literally. I never understood why they were like "Well James, you destroyed the sheds... Okay, Edward, go find somewhere else to stay".

Echo62445283: Because apparently they were like "Hey thats Edward's part of the shed guess he has to go, not like he can sleep in your spot James".

ComradeSpinel90: Tbh... Percy and Thomas. They have sheds at Tidmouth and Ffharquhar. And in Nia and Rebecca and it would be fine. Or better yet. Drop Nia and add in oh idk... Stanley, or someone underrated imo.

epiclafiteau: Now you're on the right track.

ComradeSpinel90: And it wouldn't be out there norm. There was many time where they were at Tidmouth and Ffharquhar.

ilovetrains3232: The obvious Thomas and Percy go back to Ffarqhuar, Edward going to Wellsworth like in the show because, and as much as some people hate to hear, it was a great idea. They just haven't executed it to it's fullest ability. James could be an interesting choice as a punishment for crashing into it in the first place. I feel like Gordon is the only one who should stay there no matter what. Emily was the reason the 7th she'd was added but that doesn't necessarily mean she HAS to stay there and Henry, should have probably stayed but could easily go somewhere else and it would work. Tidmouth AND Vicarstown both honestly don't make much since for Henry. Yes, Henry does go to the mainland sometimes but not as much as he works elsewhere. If anything, Henry should have moved to Wellsworth with Edward. Since he has to go to Brendam anyways to pick up the Flying Kipper, and Wellsworth is in the center of the island so it would make it easier for him to work anywhere. As opposed to be on either side.

legomastr_365: I love all of them too much to kick anyone out, but seeing the replies makes sense since that's literally what I do in my series.

epiclafiteau: Thomas and Percy is the most logical answer but I'm curious to know if anyone would consider Emily or James, or have other reasons for Thomas/Percy.

GraydonBruckle1: Definitely Emily, as for the other I'm not sure.. I guess Edward or Percy. Edward does make sense BUT he is one of the three original character the Rev W. Awdry wrote about.. Percy could go to Ffarquhar. That way he wont have to go far for the mail run or something like that.

ElliotKW: It would be Thomas and Percy and I'd move them back to Ffarquhar Sheds (even though the sheds are in the yards at Tidmouth Station). Series 2 kept the roots of Thomas, Percy and Toby living in the sheds for five episodes and I would love to see that happen again in the future.

SunilFan48: Thomas and Percy. Go to Ffarquhar sheds with Toby like they did for S2 and then never again. Leaves room for Nia and Rebecca and no Tidmouth Shed reconstruction.

ThomasTheorist: The only engines who really need to be at Tidmouth Sheds are Gordon, Henry and James. Everyone else can be shuffled around.

TheLargeBarge: At Tidmouth Sheds you'll have Henry, Gordon, James, Emily, Rebecca, Donald and Douglas. At Ffarquhar, Thomas, Percy, Toby and Mavis. Knapford Sheds; Nia, Paxton and Rosie. Wellsworth; Edward and Philip. Arlesburgh; Duck and Oliver and Harwick; Ryan and Daisy.

CTFEologist: Thomas and Percy; move them to Ffarquhar with Toby instead.

DanielAlsop2: Well I’d still go with Edward, but also Thomas and Percy to Ffarquhar or Tidmouth Station, since they both work on Thomas’ branch line and if they had the usual adventure encounters, they could meet the others at Knapford or Elsbridge, simple.

GTSHProductions: I’d actually kick Thomas and Percy to live at Farquhar. But to be honest, I liked it better when the engines just slept wherever whenever they wanted.

TFan512: This may be controversial, but I’d still let it be Edward and Henry. Wellsworth is on Edward’s branch line, and he could be a mentor to Philip like he was to Thomas in The Adventure Begins (too bad no episodes have so far done that). As for Henry, he goes up to Vicarstown a lot anyway when he travels to the Mainland, and with him taking The Flying Kipper at night, he hardly has any time to rest at Tidmouth. I don’t agree with James being moved out as punishment, as he showed remorse in An Engine of Many Colours and was forgiven.

NWTom25: I choose three, Edward, Henry and Emily. It make sense to remove Edward to his branch line shed, Henry at Vicarstown since he could run goods trains from there to the mainland and Emily could stay at Knapford sheds like she did in CAE! I honestly don't see the need to remove Thomas and Percy since it had been stated in a Mr. Perkins interval that Knapford was the starting point for Thomas' branch line. So it make sense in the current series to have Thomas and Percy at the sheds. Plus Toby could fill in the spot at the sheds that the engines I chose left and maybe fill in the space for any of the secondary characters (e.g - Duck, Donald, Douglas, Rosie etc.).

TidmouthStudios: Y know if Knapford sheds came back I would LITERALLY LOVE THAT SO MUCH. I think Emily earned her spot in the sheds though and calling all engines definitely made a good move by specifically confirming that Emily was an official part of the core cast.

crikey_fell: Kick out everyone but Henry, Gordon, James and Emily, move them to their RWS positions.

Fan12Thomas: Thomas and Percy they should be on Ffarquhar Sheds.

kirkronan25: I'd chuck Edward to Wellsworth and I kinda like the idea of James having a shed all of his own, but I'm not sure about that.

Diesel20212: Thomas and Percy. I just can’t see them staying in Tidmouth when they already have their own sheds on their branchline.

TruckFan1996: Emily and Henry. I hate Emily and Mattel has made Henry wimpy.

WyattLoughrie: Well Thomas and Percy would have to live at Ffarquhar sheds with Toby and probably have Donald and Douglas take their places in Tidmouth Sheds.

SciFiCosplay99: Maybe have Thomas and Percy move back to Ffarquhar, perhaps add Toby and/or Nia. The Scots then move in. Also, show a shed where the Great Western Engines and the Scots live at some point, please show?

YBoi95: Honestly probably still Henry and Edward. Edward is too smart to be involved in the hive mind mentality of the Steam Team and Henry is just kind of there and doing very little. Honestly the two just don't really contribute enough to be worthy of being main characters.

gwr_fan: Part of me wants Thomas and Percy at Ffarquhar with Toby, Mavis, etc

Mechai94829484: For me it’s Thomas and Percy instead of sleeping in Tidmouth sheds they sleep in the sheds at the ffarquhar station with Toby and Henrietta just like in the railway books.

CementLord: Thomas and Percy, send them off to Ffarquhar.

TidmouthStudios: I’m not mad that Edward left due to the fact that he simply wasn’t offering anything consistently new to the franchise for some time at that point. He’s been outshined by the other core cast members since S5 and him being removed from said cast was inevitable. I’m happy they just did it in a nice and pleasant way and didn’t just suddenly have him leave. He at least got an episode showcasing his goodbye. Going off where he was going to be stationed makes more sense and serves as a sorta mentor for Philip like bill and Ben before him.

FantasticMrS3: I'd go with Emily and James. Then they could be given their own branch line to share, and it would open up more storytelling possibilities for them, especially Emily; God knows more could be done with her as a character.

TomtheSTL: Thomas and Percy, they don’t belong on the mainline or you know, besides the big 3 and Emily, not having a strict cast at Tidmouth, have it change a bit, hell the Brenner era did it on occasion.

HTGE3Prod: Hmm, Edward and Thomas. Both have their respective branchlines to run. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if Salty, Bill and Ben are running Edward's line, and Mavis and Toby for Thomas' line.

Edwardandjamesp: Thomas, Percy and Edward. Thomas and Percy can go and sleep at Ffarquhar because that's where they work, and Edward could sleep at Wellsworth with Philip. And the ones to replace them would be Rebecca/Bear and the Scottish boys.

8Puffer: It would make more sense to put Thomas, Percy and Toby at Ffarquhar as it would help develop the three characters more and help build the relationship further.

ChaosDustSteam: I would actually pick three. Thomas, Percy, and Emily. Thomas and Percy would go to the Branchline Sheds, revealed in a new render for CGI. Emily would be moved either to Knapford Sheds or her own sheds, as I feel she is not a Main Line worthy engine.

BJG922: Hmm I would take out Thomas and Percy from Tidmouth and take them to Ffarquhar Sheds like how Edward went to Wellsworth, and keep Henry, Gordon, James and Emily at Tidmouth and allow Bear, Pip and Emma in Tidmouth.

ahmirallthings1: The answers obviously be Thomas and Percy. They lived in Ffarqhuar.

LNERA0X: If we wanted to apply this to all the engines really only Henry, Gordon, James, and Emily should be stationed at the main sheds. Decentralize the cast a bit.

JohnDarkblaze: Thomas, Percy, and Toby. My head canon is that they belong at Ffarquhar like they were before (also considering Arlesdale End hasn't been relevant for a while). As for Tidmoth Sheds itself, I'd leave Edward, James, Henry, and Gordon while adding Rosie, Stanley, and Molly.

TheThomasFan: Thomas and Percy, they’re supposed to be at Ffarquhar.

benbearce96: Toby and Emily because for Toby I just think he’s overrated as a character and Emily, well she can live at the shunting yards with Spencer Murdoch Arthur etc.

IvoryGreen456: Thomas and Percy. Because they were originally based at Ffarquhar they can easily go back.

SayCheeseBurgr: Emily and Edward, but Edward would still remain a main character, purely to line up with old continuity :p

sixteen_dnw: Edward to Wellsworth and Percy to Ffarquahar, they wouldn’t take Thomas away from Tidmouth.

EianHardy: I’d choose Thomas and Percy to go, as a way for them to be with Toby again in the branch line sheds.

TY_HAMMER_TIME: Its a tough one. I see a lot of thomas, percy, and Edward. But i think the "steam team" while still cool concept i think it hurt the series. Why not have a rotating cast of engines at Tidmouth Sheds per season. It would allow the writers to switch the engines in the shead and we wouldn't need to feel that Tidmouth Sheds = 100% steam team residences. Maybe then when Edward and Henry moved out it wouldn't have felt like such a blow or need explanation.

NWRGresley1942: Thomas and Percy because it would make sense that their work are closer to his branch line. Toby could also sleep at Ffarquhar with them. James because he destroyed the back of the sheds and Sir Topham would’ve strictly moved him out.

the_mega_derp: Move Thomas and Percy to Ffarquhar. It can have the same benefit as Edward moving to Wellsworth, since they’d be living on the line they work on. Whatever happened to them vibing in Ffarquhar sheds back in the day?

Jordan192692: I think Percy and Emily; To run the “new” Kirk Ronan branch-line. Thomas would miss both engines, but he would know it was for the best.

jaymeerkat520: It would be Thomas and Percy. Those characters have just become annoying now.

imnotveryfunny0: My take is Edward and Henry, yes, but don’t stick Nia there. Put her and her bland personality at Vicarstown. Put Rosie there with Rebecca, who knows the others but still has some well deserved fleshing out to be done.

HydesR01: Personally, I’d say Emily and Edward. Emily doesn’t really “click” with the originals, and I think Edward would be better suited at Wellsworth anyway. And in their spots, I’d say Rosie instead of Emily and Stanley in place of Edward.

Glover368: Emily and James, just send James back to his early RWS shed, and Emily can go back to Knapford.

RealMay_C: Emily and Henry, Emily is just a badly written character and Henry is just the stereotypical worrier and I'm really not a fan of that trope.

cgsmodelling: Let me say it loud enough so everyone can hear.... JUST ADD TWO MORE FUCKING BIRTHS. ITS NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

SquidTrain2020: Thomas and James can simply fuck off. But instead of Nia, replace James with Rosie and Thomas with Rebecca.

[peeppeephellofatface]

Have this WIP for now. Dunno if I’ll try to straighten it out, improve it, and finish it tomorrow or not.  Just not feeling it right now. Spelling and grammar is a mess and I’m not sure if I’m real wild about the tone I’ve got going either. Give feedback if you want, I guess.

He turned the corner mindlessly, heading to go relax and put his feet up on the couch.  It wasn't terribly late, but he was used to going to sleep fairly early, since he often had to get up early for the Kipper run.  Enough light still filtered through the windows to illuminate the room without overhea lights.  Not a problem for him.  He usually just buried his face in a pillow and pretended it was Gordon's tummy.  

Speaking of him, he happened to be occupying his spot on the couch currently.

"Move it, that's my spot."

"Yes, I'm done for the day.  Now shoo."

He approached the shape poking up above the cushion and lightly stroked his cheek.

"Pfft, I see plenty of roo to sit here."

"Please, Henry.  Just go away!"

He circled around the side of it and noticed the familiar shape of an ice ceam container.

"Rough day, right"

He recoiled a bit, clutching it closer to himself and hissing a little.

"Why block out your pain by stuffing yourself silly when I could be te one doing it, hm?"

"Let me suffer alone, please."

"How about I make you suffer instead?  Wouldn't that be interesting?

He smirked and lowered his eyelids suggestively.  

"Well, I suppose..."

His grin grew even bigger.  He settled down across his thighs and stroked his plump midsection, giving it a little squeeze at the end to get him riled up, before taking the spoon from his hand.  He slowly scraped up a good scoop of ice cream, and suddently shoved it between his lips.

"Like that, don't you?"

He nodded sharply, spoon still stuck in his mouth.  Henry tugged it out and just as quickly stuck another spoonful in, teasingly stroking his cheek.  The two remained wordless as he pressed spoonful afterspoonful to his lips at an increasing pace as he mindlessly packed it in. Occaisonally a free hand would reach to squeeze his swelling belly.  He could feel it getting nice and warm and started to relax again him, relishing in his body heat.  It was cute how engines like him got hotter the more they ate. It was certainly appreciated with how nippy it had been outside that day.

"Oh, you A-classes.  You and your ridiculous appetites.  Not that it surprises me from a bunch of engines with an axle just to support your big fireboxes."

He lovingly caressed the side of his stomach, feeling how it was starting to swell, making him grind his teeth in frustration.

"Oh, quit your nonsense!  Just get me more ice cream you-"

"The problem is, I'm all out.   I'll have to find you something else.  How do brownies sound?  Duchess of SUtherland taught me a little something about baking while I was visiting the museum."

"I don't care... As long as they taste decent."

He came back with several trays of brownies, but wasn't going to make himself too comfy in case he needed to get more later.  

"Here, find out for yourself."

They weren't as good at Duchess's, but still rich and sweet.  It was a happy coincidence that Gordon seemed to enjoy cold desserts with how well they froze.  If he was ever going to let him do thsi to him again, he was going to need some time to make enough to settle his enormous appetite at the rate these ones were disappearing at.  He wasn't even sure hpw anyone could eat this fast and ravenously, escpecially with all the ice cream he'd blown through beforehand.  He had to stop rubbing him to start feeding him two-handed.  In a matter of minutes, he felt him bite his hand.  

"Ow!  What was that for?"

"Just get more.  Don't dawdle."

He finally feeling a little uncomfortable after all that.  Much to his annoyance, he felt Henry loosening his pants for him a after he returned with three more trays.  But something about the humiliation ironically felt kind of nice.  

"I wonder if you can get through all these?  I even tried giving them some frosting, so they're better than the last ones."

Crawling almost on top of him, he popped each brownie in a little more forcefully each time.  FInally, he seemed satisfied with his speed.  It was a shame that he wasn'y going to appreciate his baking more, but he well understood the satisfaction og just mindlessly consuming.  He felt Gordon starting to relax under him after the second tray, getting lazier as he got tired, but still sucking them in just as quickly as before.

"Are you sure you don't want to slow down a bit?  My arms are getting tired."

"Don't underestimate me, dammit."

"But that's my l-"

"Pot and kettle, Henry.  Give me more."

"Fine, then!"

This was going better than he imagined.  He couldn't believe how much Gordon could really pack away when determined to.  He could feel his stomach getting tight and swollen beside him as he was finishing yet another round of brownies.  It gave a pained gurgle and his eyes were getting hazy, but he didn't seem to care.

"Gordon, it's probably best you stop, okay?  You don't look so good.  I don't want you to hurt yourself, okay?

"I'll manage.... Keep it coming, lazybones."

Even rude when getting exhausted like this.   WOnderful.  All the more reason to stuff his face with increasingly large pieces of brownie.  He could hear him groaning ad straining after each one, struggling with how the bloated feeling was getting to him.  

"Maybe.. I am about done.  Ugh."

"Mmm, I'd say you are.  You feel like it."

He slowly circled him and slid his form on top of his, settling his hands on his middle.  He leaned and slid back a little to let his head rest on his shoulder.  He began to trace gentle circles

V2

He turned the corner mindlessly, heading to go relax and put his feet up on the couch.  It wasn't terribly late, but he was used to going to sleep fairly early.  Had to get up to take the Kipper at 5 in the morning anyways.  Enough light still filtered through the windows to illuminate the room without overhead lights.  It didn't bother him.  He usually just buried his face in a pillow and pretended it was Gordon's tummy.  

Speaking of him, he happened to be occupying his spot on the couch currently.

"What are you doing here?  Shouldn't you be out working still?"

He groaned a rolled over.

"He's got me on light duties.  I still haen;t recovered from.. that race.  The extended repairs didn't help either.  I'm so sore right now.  I'm a wreck right now, okay?"

He approached the shape poking up above the cushions and lightly stroked his cheek.

"It's okay.  It's not as if I don't know that feeling myself."

"Please, Henry.  Just go away!"

He circled around and sat down beside him.

"IS there anything I can do?  Want something to eat?"

He placed an unsure hand on his belly, feeling a little vibration of a gurgle.

Gordon recoiled a bit, knocking his hand off.

"I guess that might be nice."

He gave him a gentle nod and left for the kitchen to retrieve some ice cream for him, then took his place beside him again and offered him a small spoonful.

"Oh please, more than that, Henry."

He chuckled to himself.  Even pained like this GOrdonw as so demanding and whiny.  He scraped up a bit more and brought it to his lips.  

"That is better.  Thank you."

Unaccustomed to physical strain after an extended time in the workshops, he was tired from work and clammy from the cool weather.  The coolness of the ice cream didn't bother him, though, as Henry was now settled across his thighs and gradually leaning more and more against his form, lending him some of his body heat.  He eagerly accepted a second spoonful from him

"Thought you'd be hungry."

He paused a moment after giving him a third scoop.  He lightly rubbed his stomach and placed a hand on his flushed cheek, stroking it gently.  Usually he shook off his affection like earlier,  but seemed to like it right now.  He leaned his head against his palm and relaxed his eyes, letting them hang lazily half-open.  Henry's hand gravitated towards his side and snuck a little squeeze, grinning a little at how soft and nice he felt.  He had to slow down with only one hand to steady the container and scoop with, but steadily offered him spoonful after spoonful.  Gradually, he felt him further relax against his hand and the cushions until his rested again the back corner of the couch.  He cautiously removed his hand from his cheek and wrapped it around his back hugging himself against him and feeling around his shoulders.  

He pulled himself right up to his face, making him whip his eyes open in confusion and surprise.

"Psst, we're out of ice cream.  You want me to get something else?"

He moved to sit up, but struggled from the growing weight of his belly.  Noticing him looking down in confusion, Henry rested a hand on its growing bulge and gave it a pat.  

"You may not have noticed, but you went through the whole thing already.  You're not going anywhere stuffed like this.  I'd gladly rub it for you, though."

"How about you get me some more, then I'll let you touch it."

"Of course, dear."

"What? Dear?"

He didn't hear him, having already left to retrieve several trays of brownies.  

"I made these myself.  Duchess taught me something about baking while I was visiting the museum.  They're not as good as hers, admittedly..."

He brought one to Gordon's lips, as well as one to himself.  

"Mm, not sweet enough, but not bad I guess."

"I like them a bit better that way.  THough dakr chocolate would be much preferred."

"You can have all the brownies you want, Big Blue."

He brought a hand to his plump, soft belly.  It felt even better than his sides.  It was probably one of his favorite aspects of Gordon.   He'd been dying to snuggle against it some more some day, perhaps after he finished eating.  He felt it swelling and pressing against his own own middle as it stretched to take all the brownies he was feeding him.  Chilly from the nippy weather as well, he appreciated its growing warmth and felt himself inching further into his form.  A gurgle vibrated through his own and he started sneaking brownies for himself every one in a while as well.

He gently began to rub his warm, and now increasingly bloated tummy.  He carefully slipped his pants loose to give it a little room, letting it bulge forward a little more.  As he worked more slowly through each brownie, Henry began sliding his hand up his shirt to feel his warm flesh more directly.  Soft, full, and fat.  Just like the rest of him.  The heat emanating from him and the plush feeling made him shiver with delight.  His hand strayed towards the center of his belly and he flinched.  He couldn't see what it was that bothered him, but he slid his hand away and grabbed another brownie for himself.  

"Please don't touch me there until I'm fully healed, Henry.  I believe it's mostly scarred over by now, but still very sore and I don't want to risk aggravating anything."

"Poor thing."

He tried to pull back a little to give him a little more room, but realized that he was rather full himself and struggled to bend his torso.

"Oh dear.  I might have snacked a bit too much as well.  Oops."

WIthout the comforting pressure of Henry's weight against himself, he quickly realized how overstuffed he was himself.  One of his hands clumsily grasped at his waist to feel how distended he was beneath the chub.  The touch made him whimper in pain a bit. Henry sighed and giggled at him.

"Oh, you A-classes.  You and your ridiculous appetites.  Not that it surprises me from a bunch of engines with an axle just to support your big fireboxes"

He put the tray aside and faced him directly, gently pressing his belly against his own and sandwiching his hands between them.  He rubbed him gently, the backs of his hands soothing himself as well.  

"Say, you finally let me do this to you instead of you doing it yourself.  Isn't it nice?  I've love to do this again, you know.  You're even cuter with your tummy bulging and full and you're so helpless.  It doesn't really do anything to either of us, but it's nice to see you so well-fed and relaxed.  Oh. Dear."

He let too much come out.  Gordon was silent, a little awkward about his situation.  Henry's rubbing made a burp escape.   The silence grew even more awkward.

"No, that's good, keep gettin that air out and you'll feel much better."

He burped some more as Henry continued to rub him.  Despite how much he liked seeing him doing it, Henry was shy about it himself and covered his mouth and flushed a bit as he felt one rise.

Their breathing was relaxing as their stomachs settled.  he reclined further until he was practically laying down nearly flat.  Still achy and sore from eating so much, Gordon welcomed Henry's continued gentle rubbing and kneading.  His affection could be odd a little uncomfortable at times, but he appreciated how soothing his touch was right now.  His arms felt heavy, but he draped them over Henry's back, hugging him against him.  Not as taut as his, his soft belly felt nice pressed against him.  He graually removed his han from between the two of them and folded them against his thick, powerful chest, nuzzling his face into it as well.  It wasn't what he usually fantasized about while dozing off to sleep at twilight, but he was happy to get to snuggle with one part of him as he fell asleep. 

[tripstations]

Where environmentalists go on holiday | Travel

A fisherman’s hut in the Dordogne

Kate Humble, TV presenter and author

I’d been having cabin fantasies – I wanted to go off-grid, swim in a river, eat tomatoes and read books. I wanted to be Huckleberry Finn. We booked a rural place in the north of the Dordogne, did lots of walking and as it was cep (porcini) season, the local market was full of delicious mushrooms. Most visitors to France buy wine and some cheese to take home, but by the end of the week we’d found some land nearby for sale, with a little fisherman’s hut by a lake, surrounded by trees. This was almost 10 years ago, and the two-room cabin is now our little piece of eco-heaven.

We used clay and straw to plaster the inside, and the wood for the staircase and the handcut chestnut roof shingles came from our land or our neighbour’s. It has a kitchen-living area, a bedroom under the eves, a terrace and a composting loo, but no telly or phone signal. There’s a shower with a solar pump connected to the lake – but my favourite way of washing there is to heat a kettle on the woodburner and have a bucket shower.

We go a couple of times a year, paddling on a raft and swimming, surrounded by kingfishers, swallows and dragonflies, with the sound of frogs in the evening. I once spent a month trying to spot a black woodpecker, which I saw fleetingly while running with my dog. You can feel like Henry David Thoreau on Walden Pond.

The pond at the Poacher’s Cabin For campervan drivers in France, there’s a system called France Passion . Membership costs €28 and includes a directory of places where you can stay for free for 24 hours. Some have a farm shop, so you can buy, say, some cider in return.

My favourite thing is the night walk (about €12) from Busserolles village, which usually happens in July. About 300 people of all ages meet at 7pm to take one of two routes (8km or 12km). After a few kilometres, you convene in a field where there are lots of bottles of wine and little amuse-bouches. Further on, another field has rows of trestle tables for the main course – perhaps a huge bowl of bean soup with bread and cheese – by which time it’s dark and most people are a bit drunk. Back in the village there’s coffee and eclairs or sticky buns and a disco in the square. It’s a lovely community event that brings everyone together on the level that walking does. I’m researching a book about living simply, so in November I’m going to be an intern at the Earthship. It was started by architect Michael Reynolds, in Taos, New Mexico, who builds autonomous buildings made of 50% rubbish, designed to regulate temperature, recycle water, and have space to grow food. The book is about how to live happily with a lighter footprint on the planet. There’s no blanket solution but it’s about balance and consciousness, and as a global community, we’re all culpable. • Poacher’s Cabin sleeps two and is available to rent from Canopy & Stars (£90 a night)

East of England boat and road trip

Craig Bennett, CEO, Friends of the Earth

Alnmouth village and the Aln Estuary. Photograph: Alamy One of the most important things to do on holiday is to disconnect from the outside world. No TV, no newspapers or looking at phones too much. When we visited the Norfolk Broads a few years ago, it was fantastic for going offline. Our children are 12 and 14, and it was the youngest who suggested it again for this year. Spending time as a family with the dogs on a boat with a top speed of about six miles an hour really makes you slow down.

We picked up the boat in Stalham, cruised past Yarmouth to Beccles and Lowestoft then back up via Reedham. We did a few nights of wild moorings, under beautiful dark skies, and saw an otter or two, herons and lots of other wildlife. It’s a different experience from other ways of travelling around the UK – arriving at little villages by water, taking a walk to seek out a teashop, or into a pub for dinner. We loved the Ferry Inn in Stokesby and the Rising Sun in Coltishall, both with overnight moorings.

Craig Bennett in Northumberland. We then drove up the east coast to Northumberland and stayed in a cottage on a farm near Alnmouth. I had my first family holiday in the village when I was 13 and I’d often pass it on the train to Edinburgh, and thought I’d like to return.

We spent half a day at Druridge Bay, just south of Amble. Friends of the Earth have been fighting against a proposal for a new opencast coal mine on this unspoiled coastal stretch. Tourism has brought in £1bn for the region, but the proposal could end the very reason people visit these parts. The Northumberland coast is extraordinary, with beautiful sand dunes and hardly anyone there. We had a lot of long walks on dog-friendly beaches, made “water worlds” in the sand, and caught a whiff of smoky kippers in Craster.

People will often talk about holidays in the UK as a “staycation” but I find that odd. When I was growing up, the normal thing was to holiday in the UK – it’s how I got to know the country I live in, an experience I want my children to have too.

Italy by train

Emma Kemp, campaigner, 10:10 Climate Action, leader of its Climate Perks initiative

A street in the centre of Naples. Photograph: ArtMarie/Getty Images Following a breakup, I decided to travel solo around Italy for two-and-a-half weeks in the hope of filling myself with Italian veggie food, sunny weather and Roman history. It was my first time travelling alone and the days before I left were speckled with excitement over my new-found independence, as well as nerves.

I was stunned by the views from the train between Paris and Turin, through mountains and little villages. After a day spent cycling along the riverbank and eating amazing local raspberry and almond granita, it was on to the Cinque Terre, where fresh pesto in Vernazza was a highlight.

Emma Kemp on the ferry to the Cinque Terre. Photograph: Emma Kemp Next, an overnight train took me to Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot. I adored the whole region: Lecce is all baroque architecture, and in Ostuni I feasted on regional beetroot and turnip-top soup and truffle pasta with wild mushrooms. A lot of the traditional food in this region is vegetarian, because meat was once unaffordable for most.

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