It was a blistering summer's day. Vicarstown station was as noisy and busy as ever. Gordon and Flying Scotsman were sitting at their respective platforms making small talk as they waited for their passengers to disembark. Scotsman was rather cross. He had just been released from the Steamworks at the mainland after a rogue log from a goods train bashed into his boiler on his way to Brighton.

"So these fools ordered the wrong color green when they had to repair my boiler." Scotsman huffed to his very bored older brother. "They had the audacity to try and paint me this horrid chartreuse color instead of my typical Apple Green."

Gordon rolled his eyes and glanced to Henry as he puffed by the other two big engines with a long goods train. The shy engine pretended not to hear Scotsman's jab at chartreuse though he couldn't help but feel a little sting. After all, that was the color he was painted. Gordon noticed Henry's embarrassment and glowered at his brother. "Do you hear yourself when you talk?"

"All the time." Scotsman retorted with a smirk. Gordon cursed inwardly. What a smarmy engine his brother is. "Nevertheless, my color is important. How else are people supposed to recognize me?"

"Your eyebrows are pretty distinctive."

The Pacific brothers both shot their attention towards Meredith as she pulled in from the goods yard with empty flatbeds. Gordon had to bite his lip to keep from laughing, but Flying Scotsman wasn't as amused. "What did you say?"

"I said your eyebrows are pretty distinctive." Meredith teased. "You could be every color of the rainbow but your fans need only look at those tree branches on your face and know it's you."

Scotsman was seething while his brother, on the other hand, was red-faced at his platform trying his hardest not to snigger. Meredith noticed Gordon's silly expression and couldn't help but blush. She actually made the stoic engine laugh, somewhat at least.

This did not go unnoticed by Scotsman, which made the big green even more cross. "Such a shame that an engine as alluring as you has such a horrid attitude."

"I think I could say the same thing about you, pretty boy." Meredith sneered. "You're handsome now, but I'd say you're a few pompous scowls away from a unibrow, so if I were you I'd lighten up."

Gordon felt his boiler flutter as he watched Meredith stand up to his brother. He had only known her for a short time, but her headstrong nature was enticing to say the least. That and she was very beautiful, even for a small engine.

Flying Scotsman growled to himself and departed his platform as soon as the guard's whistle blew. Gordon waited until his brother was long gone before he allowed himself a hearty chuckle. "Oh, Meredith, I don't think I've seen my brother so angry."

"I don't like being that way to other engines." Meredith sighed. She had begun to leave the station with her flatbeds before turning back to Gordon. "But someone needs to knock him down a notch or too."

Gordon watched Meredith leave, the flutters grew ever more intense. What a lovely little engine she is.

A couple years later Gordon and Flying Scotsman were again sitting at Vicarstown station, though the air was ripe with tension. The brothers barely spoke a word to each other. The two were both staring down at their snow-plows. It was mid-winter and the island was covered in a stark slurry. The newest engine on the island, Rebecca, had just chuffed up beside Gordon looking as cheery as ever. "Afternoon, boys! Oh, isn't this snowfall so lovely? I've never seen snow before." The brothers both grunted in response, but this didn't deter Rebecca and she kept on gabbing about the snow, her passengers, and her new snow plow.

Scotsman had begun to doze off with Rebecca gumming on beside him then Meredith skated into the station covered from funnel to footplate in snow. "What happened to you?" He ignored Gordon's searing glare behind him.

"Oh, uhh," Meredith hadn't spoken to Scotsman in front of Gordon in months. She glanced to her partner and he gave her a reluctant nod. "I just hit a big snow drift. James had to free me."

"That looks like right fun!" Rebecca chimed in from her platform between the Pacific brothers. "The snow nearly blends in with your paintwork."

Meredith smiled awkwardly. She was still very cautious around Rebecca. Gordon continued to spend quite a bit of time with her, though he has made more efforts to be with Meredith as well. Meredith didn't question Gordon's love for her, but she still had her reservations about the new big engine. Rebecca seemed to be perfect in every way and it just didn't sit well with the little white tank engine.

Scotsman picked up on Meredith's air of insecurity towards Rebecca and raised a brow at his older brother who simply glared. He mulled over the possibilities before him but kept silent. Scotsman thought he would let his brother be for now and he turned his attention back to Meredith who was waiting for her driver to finish dusting the snow off her face.

Meredith averted her eyes when she noticed Scotsman leering and instead watched Gordon as he departed with a loving smile towards her. She hadn't forgotten about what Gordon said to her after their little confrontation at Wellsworth, but Meredith did her best to not hold it against him. She had no right to speak of the importance of loyalty.

"Oh! Guess it's my turn to leave. Bye, everyone!" Rebecca beamed after her guard blew his whistle and she eagerly departed the station.

Flying Scotsman and Meredith remained. The two engines sat in comfortable silence for a moment then Scotsman's guard signaled for his departure and the engine grinned to Meredith. "Go easy now, my dear. Don't let that new engine get you down. She's lovely, but you're divine." The big engine winked and blew Meredith a kiss as he pulled away.

Meredith glanced at her driver and sighed as she watched the mainland express speed away. "Why does he have to do that?"

Her driver shrugged as he dusted the snow off his overcoat. He was a young man: olive complexion, ebony hair, and a perfectly trimmed mustache. "You're a charming engine, Mer. It's a blessing," he climbed back into her cab just in time for their own whistle. "But also a curse."

Meredith sighed as she started back down the Mainline. "I'm beginning to think it's mostly a curse."

Meredith was pushing snow off the Mainline. She had remembered the last winter and decided to take it much easier and not go ahead at full steam. She could smell her driver's hot coffee. It was such a wonderfully earthy smell. If only it tasted as good. "Hayden?"

"Yes, Meredith?" Her driver popped his head out the window; his red scarf flapped loosely behind him.

"Am I a bad engine?"

"A bad engine? What do you mean?" Hayden took a sip of his coffee. He didn't much care for the taste of it either, but it sat warm and comfortable in his belly.

Meredith sighed as she came to a stop at a red signal. "I mean am I bad for not being able to stop thinking about Flying Scotsman?"

Hayden laughed. "You're young. You're just figuring yourself out. It's not your fault for feeling a little confused.." Meredith didn't know this, but Hayden had driven Flying Scotsman for a short time when he worked for LNER on the mainland. He was very familiar with the big engine's antics. "But if you're trying to be smart, stick with Gordon. Flying Scotsman just isn't the type to keep in line. He's not entirely malicious, but he'll hurt you whether he means to or not."

"Yeah," Meredith said quietly. She knew it was unusual for her to be personal with her driver, but it was nearly impossible to keep him out of her business given she couldn't go anywhere without him. "I just wish this was easier."

"Forget both of them."

"What?" Meredith sat with Brian at Brendam Docks. She had decided to seek her brother for advice on what she should do about her situation between Gordon and Flying Scotsman. Though, she wasn't expecting that abrupt a response.

"You heard me, Mer." Brian said sternly. "Those big engines are nothin' but trouble. They're uncouth and selfish. You deserve better if you absolutely have to have a relationship."

Meredith frowned. She didn't appreciate the new perspective. Sure the Pacific brothers were a little pompous and possessive, but deep down they were good and selfless. At least Gordon was. Meredith still wasn't too sure about Scotsman. His only saving grace was his charisma.

Brian could tell his sister didn't like his answer. He sighed as he moved forward for Cranky to unload his flatbeds. "You asked me for my opinion and I gave it to you. That doesn't mean you have to abide."

Meredith followed the black tank engine. "Yeah, but what's the point of asking for advice if I'm not going to?"

"It's just a guiding point." Brian stated plainly. "You take the advice into consideration, but the final decision is yours. When it comes down to it, as long as you're happy and taken care of I'll accept whatever or… whoever."

This made Meredith smile once more. At least she had her brother's support either way. She did feel guilty about not wanting to follow Brian's advice despite knowing he was right. "You must think I'm insane."

"Only a little." Brian chuckled with a wink. "I understand you don't want to hurt their feelings, but you have to think of yourself first sometimes."

"You're right." Meredith watched Salty as he hummed by with empty cars. She wished she could somehow have the both of them, but that simply wasn't plausible. After a moment of mulling around in her own head, Meredith knew what she had to do. She had to let Flying Scotsman go for good.

That night Meredith puffed to Vicarstown. She waited at the yard for Gordon to depart with his late express before zooming over to Flying Scotsman who was just preparing to depart himself when she stopped him. "I thought you didn't have a late train tonight?" He said as he tried to hide his surprise.

"I need to talk to you." Meredith said. Her boiler ached. She hoped Scotsman's feelings were only physical. She didn't want to truly hurt him.

"Okay?" Scotsman wasn't often puzzled, but this confrontation confused the big engine. "Should we go somewhere more private?"

Meredith glanced around the station. The last of the late passengers were beginning to dissipate. She shook her boiler. "No, here is fine."

"Alright," Scotsman settled back onto his platform with a hiss of steam. His expression flat. He could tell whatever Meredith had to say to him was serious. "What's up?"

Meredith took a deep breath. Her face began to run hot. "I need you to stop pursuing me. The flirting, the pet names, all of it needs to stop. I'm with Gordon. I'm happy with him in spite of all the… obstacles." Scotsman's gaze never wavered, but he felt a heavy pit in his boiler as she continued. "If you want to maintain any kind of friendship that's fine, but anything more than that is done. We're, whatever we are… it's done."

The two engines sat quietly for what felt like hours. Meredith managed to maintain eye contact with Scotsman the whole time. She could tell he was fighting something, but she wasn't sure what. "I'll be going now. Have a good night." Meredith finally said and she began to reverse down the track.

"Wait!" Scotsman spoke up with a sudden lurch forward. "Meredith… I- don't… don't go." For the first time in his life, the famous engine was lost for words. Meredith simply looked away and continued to reverse without another word to Scotsman. She just couldn't face him. Scotsman watched as the little white tank engine steamed down the Mainline, he clenched his teeth then whispered loud enough for only himself to hear.

"I… love you… Meredith."

I realized I never fully elaborated on how Gordon started to develop feelings for Meredith, but essentially it was because of how she didn't tolerate Scotsman's shit. All the other engines gush over his brother I imagine so it must've been the hottest thing to see Mer put Scotty-boy in his place. Lmao. I also wanted to introduce Meredith's driver who is based off a gentleman I know personally and is a close friend of mine. (His name is actually Hayden, btw) I love the idea of exploring an engine-human friendship. Just another thing for me to toy with as if I don't already have a spiderweb of nonsensical bullshit to work with.

Pretty Katydid; Yeah it's basically a chastity belt. Lmao. Doesn't affect the drive or anything just hinders the proceedings. But for real, I LOVE Scotsman's voice. So proper but also so full of mischief. Absolute perfection. I might have to peruse the other dubs out of morbid curiosity. I know I prefer Gordon's US voice dub. I've only ever heard his UK dub and it's cringey at best I'd say. Lol.

I do enjoy the animation of the BWBA seasons, but overall it's definitely not my favorite. And I'm not sure if I'll tackle a intimate relationship with Gordon and Rebecca or not. I always viewed their friendship as kind of a father/daughter sort of vibe. But also I'm having a hard time with breaking up him and Mer, let's be real. Lmao. I love a good kink in the chain, however.

Anyhow! Thanks for reading and I appreciate the reviews! Y'all are the best!

Much love;

Bumble