Thank you so, so much for your kind words and patience, everyone! I not long had my final exam for college, so I'm currently going on a writing spree! I've updated Duck, Stepney and the Bluebell Thieves, and I got this updated too! Yaya!
Now, an important announcement I have to make is that I will soon be wrapping up this story. I have the last few chapters sorted already, but I will release them one by one at later dates. This update might be short, and I do apologize, but I hope you still enjoy it regardless. :)
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Rusty was still very, very worried about Duncan. Despite receiving help from Skarloey, the Scottish engine was still fumbling with his jobs; which was a stark contrast to his usual no-nonsense approach (When he wasn't grumbling about being overworked)
Duncan also been unusually quiet, which troubled the little diesel a great deal and deepened his concerns. So, when he next saw his best friend trundling up the quarry with some loaded trucks, Rusty went over to say hello, and ask if he was ok.
"Hello, Duncan," Rusty called cheerfully, letting out a friendly toot of his much-prized two-toned horn.
"What do ye want?" asked Duncan with a snarl. Rusty was about to say something, it does on his lips when he saw his friend's face streaked with silvery trails down his face.
"I'm... I'm worried about you, Duncan. You've clearly got something troubling you."
Duncan sighed. "I've tried ignoring this, and it's no' working. I might as well come clean to ye, Rusty."
Rusty's brow furrowed in concern in hearing this admission. But when his friend hesitated, clearly lost for words, Rusty softened. "Hey, you can talk to me, buddy. You needn't be afraid to tell me anything. Whatever's bothering you, I'll do my best to help."
Duncan grinned ruefully at his best friend. "Nae wonder everyone calls ya 'Trusty Rusty', old chum." He said sincerely. He paused momentarily to gather his thoughts whilst Rusty waited patiently.
"Alright... Well, I found oot a few days ago that Mr. Percival is sending me awa' tae Towyn tae work on the Talyllyn." Duncan sighed. Rusty was startled and, truth be told, rather sad to hear the news. As much as Duncan got on his nerves sometimes, he cared about him, and he knew the Scottish engine reciprocated the feelings.
"Is it about Douglas?" asked Rusty curiously. Douglas was Duncan's elder brother who lived in Towyn, in Wales; and worked alongside the siblings of the Skarloey Railway engines. Rusty's sister Midlander was among the engines that worked there- like him, she also pulled maintenance trains and kept the line in good working order.
"Aye it is," confirmed Duncan. "the bugger's getting an overhaul."
"Careful, Duncan," Rusty cautioned teasingly. "We don't want the RAF to hear what you're saying about him."
"Pah!" snorted Duncan, but he was failing to hold back a chuckle or two at his friend's comment. This sight warmed Rusty's radiator and made him smile.
"He's my brother, I'll speak o' him as I see fit."
Rusty cracked up laughing, and the duo laughed and chortled for five minutes or so, before Duncan's face fell again. "And, truth be told, there's more tae it than that... I just dinna ken how tae tell ye..." The Scottish engine sighed, his face woebegone.
That broke Rusty's heart- he hated seeing Duncan so downcast. He found himself wishing that Duncan would resume his grumbling again- but he didn't.
"Hey," the little diesel said, with a gentle smile on his face. "It'll be okay. You don't have to force yourself to tell me; just wait until you're ready. I certainly won't force you."
"Thanks, Rusty. It's nice ta hear ye say that, even I already ken you wouldn't do that to me or anyone else."
"You're welcome, Duncan." Rusty replied warmly. It felt nice, he thought to himself, to have these little heart-to-heart moments with his best friend. Only, he wished poor Duncan wasn't suffering in the process.
He watched as Duncan hesitate a little, as though he wanted to say more, but was too scared to.
"Duncan?"
"Rusty, do ye think I may have played a role in Luke's suicidal feelings richt noo?" He asked quietly, his eyes filling with tears.
"Oh, Duncan, no! I agree that you had said things Luke didn't need to hear, but why would anyone think that?"
"The nicht I rescued him from the fire, I was horrible tae him, saying that I felt he was causing nothing but trouble," Duncan reminded him. "I didnae mean to say that at a', and I do see Luke as my friend, even if it's no' obvious." He shuddered at the memories of that horrible night. "But whit I said was cruel and it definitely warranted me suffering for it, nae Luke- he did nae wrong."
"But Duncan," Rusty pointed out. "Luke's upset over potentially causing another engine to lose his life. I thought he forgave you. In fact, he was trying to find you before."
"For what?"
"To wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day," Replied the little diesel softly. Duncan scoffed, but Rusty continued. "He knows none of us have connections to Ireland, but he still wanted to share a day special to him with all of us, and he was upset he never got to pay you the wishes of the day."
Duncan was very surprised and touched to hear such a heartfelt gesture on Luke's end; but he also felt worse for how he had treated him after saving his life.
"Besides, it was after the fire that he started the suicide attempts," Duncan added, glancing over at Rusty. "I still feel that I had- have some role to play in what's happening with Luke now. From what we ken, he's feeling like a burden richt noo, and I feel that what I said worsened it."
"Maybe," Conceded Rusty. "But Duncan, please, you can't blame yourself. You weren't to know Luke was suicidal until we nearly lost him. Thank God Merrick was insomniac that night. Besides, you did help Luke, even when it wasn't so obvious or attention drawing. You didn't go back on your word to help Luke. You've done all you could. And Luke doesn't hate you. Why would he want to share the joy of a special day if he did?" Rusty reasoned.
Duncan had to concede this was an excellent point. "I guess so. Still, I feel pretty bad aboot the whole thing, to say the least."
Rusty frowned in concern. "Duncan, if you need to speak to Doctor Moon, we can ask she can help you…"
"Whit's the use? I think everyone here needs help with something or other, and Dr. Moon's priority is to help Luke come back from the edge between Life and Death." The Scottish engine replied.
This blunt answer upset Rusty, but he knew his friend had a point. Luke needed Dr. Moon's help desperately. The others didn't want to burden her with all their concerns, so they all tried to focus on carrying as normal…
No matter the price they all had to pay…
