A/N: So, this is a new project I'm working on- a series of oneshots! It focuses on a mixture of humanized and engine form Thomas and Friends, and it will contain certain characters for the most part.

Hope you enjoy! This one's been written especially for Valentine's Day! (and it's humanized)

…

If there's one thing James loves more than looking at his reflection, it's spending time with his older brother, Hiro, and their friends on Sodor. And indeed, he was doing just that; after a long, hard day's work on Sir Topham Hatt's railway, he was playing a game of football with his friends: Emily, Percy, Stanley, Toby and…. Thomas.

Admittedly, he had been feeling different around Thomas lately. He didn't know why, but he had butterflies in his stomach whenever Thomas approached him, and he also felt like swooning when he heard Thomas' voice- and whenever he thought about Thomas' silvery laugh, his sky-blue hair, his little button-like nose, even his height, he would slip into a daydream for what seemed like hours…

Sometimes, he dreamed about kissing Thomas on the lips, and he often couldn't sleep for thinking about Thomas and possibly becoming Thomas' boyfriend one day….

But he was also afraid to tell anyone what he now felt about his old friend; so not even Hiro knew anything about his internal conflict. On the other hand, he felt as though he would explode by not saying something to someone about it- hopefully maybe get some advice from them too….

James sighed as he kicked the ball to Emily. He was in a team with her and Stanley, whilst Percy, Thomas and Toby were on the opposing team. The numbers may be meagre, but their older siblings had late shifts to take- Gordon had the Express and Henry would be getting ready to take the Flying Kipper, and Rosie was taking over the mail train run from Percy for a night to give her youngest brother's best friend a break. Edward, Hiro, Spencer, Flora and Whiff were inside.

Besides, they did make for a pretty determined bunch by themselves, he had to admit.

"Hey!" Emily's voice brought him out of his thoughts- and he noticed that Percy had swiped the ball from her feet with his ankle. He was surprised- she was very good at football and wouldn't let such a minor blip like that happen. But he supposed that Percy just got lucky.

"Too slow, Emily!" Percy called out playfully, before kicking it into Thomas' direction. "Go on, Thomas, score us a goal!" He said.

"Why me?" Thomas asked.

"I'll give Stanley a concussion!" Percy answered brightly, "Go on- you can kick better than me!"

Thomas stuck his tongue out in determination. For some reason, James always found that habit endearing in the younger boy- it made him look ready for any battle, may it be scoring a point in a game or defeating a rare but deadly disease.

James allowed Emily to attempt to take the ball back from Thomas before the "Elsbridge" team scored a goal, whilst he allowed himself to slip back into his thoughts.

His biggest concern now was; how could he tell Thomas how he felt without making a fool of himself or driving Thomas away from him?

"JAMES!"

Unfortunately, Emily's warning came a moment too late. James felt the ball smack into his head, knocking him to the ground. His head ringing with pain, he didn't know what to think or do.

"JAMES!" Thomas shouted in alarm and fright.

James became aware of Emily helping him to his feet and leading him to the side, where she sat him down on a wooden bench. The others quickly scattered, though James was certain Toby mentioned Hiro.

"James, are you alright?" Emily asked in concern, placing a muddy hand on her best friend's shoulder. "That was some hit to the head you had." He felt her fingers gently prod at his temple, and he winced as a fresh burst of pain flared up. Nevertheless, he managed a weak smile for her.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Ems. Just throbbing a bit- I'll be fine. But man, I let the Waterton team down real bad, huh?"

"You do usually focus better in games." Emily conceded, sitting down next to James and taking his hand in hers, "What's the matter?" She asked, squeezing his hand.

"Nothing. I just…. Got lost in thought." He shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant about his accident. But he could tell she wasn't fooled at all- she was far too perceptive on the emotions of others.

Emily frowned. "James, you're the last person I ever expected to get into a daydream about anything. Please, what's wrong?" She repeated, her voice as gentle as ever.

James looked at his friend's face- and seeing her emerald green eyes shining with concern, he sighed. He knew if there was one person he could trust besides Hiro, it would be Emily, his best friend.

"Look, Ems, I… I have a confession to make." He said quietly, and her eyes widened with surprise, causing him to look away in fear. "And…. I… I need to know that you wont judge me for what I say next. Please?" He pleaded, still unwilling to make eye contact.

"Yes, of course I won't judge you, James." Emily assured him. "Please, what is it?"

"I… I like Thomas…as more than a friend…" he whispered, taking a deep breath to steel himself for what he going to see next. Then, he dared to look at her face to gauge her reaction.

To his relief, she was smiling broadly, and her eyes were shimmering with tears of happiness for her old friend.

"James, that's… I…" Unable to find the right words, she pulled him in for a tight hug, and James relaxed, allowing Emily's rose and daisy aroma to waft into his nose. He didn't even care about his still throbbing head- he was so relieved Emily was being understanding.

"Have you told him?" She asked him, as they disengaged their hug.

"No…. you're the only one I told." He confessed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck in certain embarrassment. "I wish I told Hiro about it sooner, but I was afraid…"

"James, Hiro is one of the most understanding people we know," Emily reminded him softly. "You can tell him these things. He's your brother. He deserves to know. And Thomas deserves to know too."

"Thing is, I don't know how to tell Thomas without the fear of driving him away hovering over my head…" he admitted.

"So basically, it consumes your waking moments, and makes you forget what it's like to sleep for one night without thinking about your feelings?" Emily asked, with some passive bitterness in her tone.

James was dumbfounded when he heard this statement- not to mention the tone. Her words alone showed perception, as always, but her tone suggested that he wasn't the only one in love….

"Who is it?" the red-haired boy asked warily. Emily jumped at the question.

"What?"

James gave her a look which said 'I know something's up, Emily. Don't lie to me.'

"Okay. I guess it would have been so long for me to admit it. I like Stanley more than a friend- only, I never had the chance to admit to him how I feel." She confessed.

"That's great, Ems! I'm sure you and he would be happy together." James told her confidently. "You're a smart, strong and amazing girl, and Stanley would be lucky to have you."

"And you're determined, caring and always willing to make sacrifices for your friends," Emily answered. "I know you and Thomas deserve each other, and nothing but the utmost happiness." She said, crossing her ankles and looking at her filthy white and emerald green trainers.

James fell silent hearing those words. "So, you think Thomas will like me back?" He asked, shyly.

"Well, I can't guarantee a definite answer- but don't worry, James. I've got your back, no matter what happens next." Emily reminded him.

"Thanks Ems. I'll always have your back, too." James replied with a broad smile. Suddenly, the duo became aware of footsteps coming up towards them.

"James! James, my brother, are you alright?" A familiar worried voice asked.

James looked up into his brother's dark and kind but worried eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine, Hiro," He replied, smiling sheepishly. "I just got lost in a daydream and the ball hit my head. It won't happen again."

"I know it won't." Hiro said. "But what were you daydreaming about?"

Emily nodded in silent encouragement at James, who looked up at Hiro, suddenly feeling tongue tied, but also determined not to mess up his confession to his older brother. Suddenly, he heard someone quietly sniffling behind Hiro.

That someone was Thomas.

James felt both his heart and tongue knot at the same time.