Purple Hearts Miniatures
Chapter 2: After The Game (Reds vs. Blues)
It was approaching the end of the day and Thomas and James were on their way back to Tidmouth Sheds following their job of taking the passengers and their respective teams of Sodor United and Barrow for their soccer match, with the two having gotten carried away with the heat of the competition and forgetting that they were supposed to work together for their job. As the two were continuing their way back to Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas let out a sigh as he was thinking over the events of the day, while James looked over at him in surprise to notice his expression of dismay. "Well, this was quite a disastrous day, wasn't it? We got so carried away with the whole Reds vs. Blues that we left the Barrow players and Sir Topham Hatt behind, and we even got a yellow card for it! I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with a red card soon."
James let out a groan of dismay as he knew exactly what Thomas was talking about. "Don't remind me. I think we've figuratively ended up with more than one of those. I don't want to end up with a real one anytime soon." He then showed a reassuring smile as he could think of more than a few positive things that came out of this ordeal. "But on the bright side, we now know we should be working together instead of picking sides. Besides, when it comes to us, we're always going to have a few off-days."
Thomas turned his glance up to James at this last comment and he felt a small smile cross his face since he knew that was the truth. "Yeah, that's true. When it comes to us, there's always at least a few bumps in the road. But getting over them feels so worth it."
"Agreed!" James happily commented, showing a bright smile. He then turned his glance up to notice the difference in size between himself and Thomas before he showed an amused smile. "You know, I just realised something I didn't even notice until now."
"What's that?" Thomas asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
"It's how small you are when you're placed next to me. There's also that the soccer ball couldn't even fit inside your funnel." While Thomas looked up at his funnel in surprise, James felt a smile of amusement cross his face as he continued. "I think it says a lot about how small you are when a ball like that can't even fit in there!" He then proceeded to crack up in laughter while Thomas stared at him in shock before an expression of annoyance crossed his face.
"That's not funny, James! I get enough teasing about my size from Gordon, and I would have figured you'd be over doing that by now!"
That managed to get James to stop, fortunately, as he noticed the annoyed glare Thomas was showing him before he showed an expression of concern, realising he had accidently upset his blue star. "Oh, Thomas… you know I don't mean anything by it. I just like having a bit of fun with you. Plus…" He then showed a teasing smile as he continued. "There is an up-side to you being so small."
Thomas looked up at James in confusion. "And what would that be?"
"It makes your heart that much bigger."
Thomas fell silent for a few moments before a bright smile crossed his face and he proceeded to burst into giggles while James watched in delight, looking thrilled to see Thomas smiling now. After a few seconds, Thomas looked over at James as he was certain his face would start turning red from embarrassment at his teasing. "James…! Hehehe… Don't embarrass me like that!"
James let out a chuckle to himself at Thomas's giggling display, taking notice of how he was teasing the small blue engine beside him. "Come on, you know it's the truth. Besides, it's one of the many things I love about you."
After a few more seconds of giggling, Thomas began to calm down before he was able to find his voice. "Yeah, I know."
James then showed a smile of delight, knowing that Thomas shared his feeling of being glad that at least one good thing came out of today. He then turned his glance down to think over whether this would be a good idea before he looked back up at Thomas. "I know this got us into trouble today, but… how do you feel about having one more race back to Tidmouth Sheds?"
Thomas showed an expression of surprise before he turned his glance to the side to think it over. "Well…" He was silent for a few moments, while James watched in concern, before he showed an eager smile and looked back over at James. "I thought you'd never ask!"
So without a moment to spare, the two began to speed off back to Tidmouth Sheds, enjoying themselves the whole way there.
