As she heard the ship's horn blare behind her, she could finally take a moment to breathe it all in.
She was grateful that her controller and Sir Topham Hat had arranged a few months stay on Sodor for her, she was excited to work on the famous railway again.
This was Ashima, a hardworking and feisty tank engine from India with paintwork that shouted personality.
On this particular morning there was many clouds above, blocking the sun from time to time. Ashima looked around the docks, moving slow as she went along. Sir Topham Hat was waiting for her near Cranky. Ashima beamed as she slowed to a stop next to the fat controller.
"Good morning sir!"
Sir Topham Hat acknowledged her chipper mood. "And a happy good morning to you too Ashima. I trust you're ready to work?"
"Of course sir, always." Ashima said attentively.
The fat controller pointed to a long line of flatbeds on the other track. "Well, Henry has broken down and will not be able to deliver this heavy load of sheet metal to the goods yard in Tidmouth. I would like you to take the cargo there."
Ashima smiled. "I'm up for the task!"
"Do you think you'll need help to haul this load?" Sir Topham asked.
Ashima assured him. "I'm sure I can manage by myself, thank you sir!"
The fat controller nodded. "That's a good engine. And after that, you can take the rest of the day to settle in, alright?"
Ashima tooted her whistle. "Yes sir, thank you sir!" Sir Topham Hat left at that.
She switched onto the other track, backing behind to the load. Salty passed by, singing.
Yo ho ho and a bucket of prawns, the tailer spins-"
"And the caption yawns!"
Ashima was impressed with Salty's ability to pull troublesome trucks.
"You seem to work with troublesome trucks very well." She said to him.
Salty stopped to talk to her. "Arg, that I do. You're taking this sheet metal over to the goods yard?"
Ashima spoke proudly. "Yes I am, actually, this is the first job I've been assigned to during my visit."
Porter pulled up beside her. "Do you need any help? Trains like these can be quite heavy."
"It's just sheet metal. I'm sure I can move it along." Ashima rationalized as she was coupled up.
"We wish you luck on your journey." Salty parted, chuffing away.
She started, and found that the load was quite heavy indeed. But since she already insisted she could do it, it felt silly to ask for help now. And so she chuffed along the line with the flatbeds behind her. Along the way she greeted many engines as she went, including little Philip. Soon enough she arrived at Gordon's hill. She slowly tried to climb the hill, heaving and hauling hard.
But it wasn't enough, and she was stopped on the slope of the hill.
"Oh dear, it appears I'm stuck."
She sighed, and tried to move forward. She couldn't. She tried to move backwards. She couldn't. She sighed at herself again.
"How will I ever get to the goods yard now?"
If there's a job to be done, he'll do it. Whether it be a train of stone, goods, or scrap, he can get it done. And all the while, he's offering his kindness and generosity to others, helping out without even saying a word. Giving advice, sharing anecdotes, being there to listen. Never holding grudges, enjoying his moments of peace as much as his moments with others, especially with his little blue best friend.
The Master Of The Railway was a gentleman through and through. He had a lot of admirers, and when I say admirers, I also mean a lot of fans.
And when I say fans, well, I just don't mean train enthusiasts.
...The "perfect guy", some engines would say.
Hiro was going along the line pleasantly, after having delivered some cars of baking supplies to the Boxford summer house.
He had some free time before his next job, so he was just going to Naphard to sonder. As he was, he noticed an engine stuck on Gordon's hill. He recognized the engine from the great railway show a few months ago. He smiled slightly, and slowed at a point switch. He switched tracks to her, and stopped at the back of the haul.
"Care for a push?"
Ashima heard an engine's voice behind her train, and sighed heavily. She didn't see who it was however. "Um, yes please. This train is really heavy."
Hiro got close to the break van, and his fireman coupled him up. "It looked like you were struggling quite a bit." The two pumped their pistons, and began climbing the hill.
Ashima admitted so. "Yeah, well, I didn't expect it to be this strenuous until I was actually coupled up."
"Where are you headed off to?" Hiro asked politely.
"Tidmouth goods yard. Although I'm not quite sure where that is.." Ashima relented slightly.
Hiro gave a light laugh. "I may be able to assist you and your cars there."
Ashima felt thankful. "Oh, you don't have to, really."
The two got to the top, and Hiro smiled again. "Don't worry about it, I've got time."
That relived Ashima a bit and she smiled back. "Thank you then."
As they went to they held simple conversation.
"These cars seem heavier than the ones I've pulled in India." Ashima observed.
Hiro was curious. "Ooh, you're from India? I'm from Japan."
She was very interested in that. "Really? I've heard they just started working on railroad preservation."
"I have as well." Hiro concurred.
"Oh?" Ashima was suprised this was recent news for him.
Hiro explained. "I've been living on Sodor for a large piece of my life. I only went back to Japan a few years ago, but was disheartened with what I found by then."
Ashima felt a little sad for him.
"Well I hope you'll be able to go back home in the future."
Hiro agreed, the two getting closer to their destination. "Certainly; I do miss it sometimes. Although, I have to say that after all this time, I'm really thankful for living here on Sodor."
He changed the subject after that.
"But enough about me, what's your story?"
Ashima was flattered, and went to explain hers. "I wanted a chance to work on Sir Topham Hat's railway, and my railway controller agreed that traveling here could let me aquire more knowledge and skill. And, this was one the railways on my bucket list."
Ashima went on. "This my first day here actually. Well, official first day anyway. I got a little lost here on my way to the railway show a few months back."
Hiro recalled seeing her. "I remember seeing you there. You were a shunter right?"
Ashima beamed brightly, suprised to hear that. "Yeah! Were you competing?"
"For the strongest engine contest." He said.
"Did you win?" She asked, turning with the curve on the tracks.
Hiro was modest. "Third. It was amazing to see how strong the rest all could be."
Ashima was impressed by his selfless thought. "That's really insightful of you."
Hiro complemented her. "You were really good at handling that shunting too, thank goodness Thomas was there to save you from that potential accident."
"You saw that?" Ashima said, once again presently suprised, and a little flattered at his complement.
"I did. You and Thomas are friends, yes?" He inquired.
They were entering Tidmouth now. "Oh yeah, we are. Did he tell you that?"
"He loves to tell me all about his adventures and such. After pleading to hear about mine." He said with a smile.
Ashima giggled, the two entering the shunting yard.
"You seem like a really kind engine."
"I appreciate the comment."
The two slowed, and came to a stop. Hiro was uncoupled first, and he chuffed onto the other track to meet her in front. Ashima was uncoupled as the 'mysterious figure' puffed up in front of her.
"My name is Hiro by the way."
When she saw him for the first time, she gasped, becoming speechless.
His jet black livery contrasted beautifully with the golden yellow stripes across his boiler. Vibrant red wheels splashed color onto his already elegant and refined design. Sleek, subtle, yet present, standing tall, large, and long. A tender engine, one who's appearance was of high stature and respect. His name plate forever pressed onto the side of the walls beside his smokebox. Number 51.
He was someone who she's heard of before, but now, being here, gazing onto his full glory...
It only took one gaze, but she knew that he had swept her away. The arrow shot through.
'Love at first sight can't be a real thing right?...'
She was flabbergasted, feeling her cheeks tint a light pale red.
"You're.. You're The Master Of The Railway!"
"You've heard of me?" Hiro seemed surprised at her saying so, noticing her way in awe.
Ashima beamed brightly. "Of course I have! You're a living legend on the rails! And you look even more splendid than they say." She immediately bit her tongue, flushing a blooming dusted red. She didn't mean to say that.
Hiro smiled small, and chuckled to himself. "How flattering of you. Thank you."
He glanced away for a thought, before looking back to her.
When she tried to move, she found that she couldn't. "What-"
Then she realized. "Bother, I've run out of steam."
Hiro gave a gentle puff, moving close to her so he could be coupled up to her. "I'll pull you over to the water tower."
She was stunned.
"Ah- You don't have to, you know."
Hiro was coupled up to Ashima and he simply gave a grin to her.
"I know. I want to."
'Lady help me, he's even more chivalrous than what I've imagined!'
She tried not to look at him as she felt more arrows pelt her heart.
He shunted her over to the water tower on the other track, once again noting her nervousness and bashful attitude towards him. He chuckled silently, watching her eye him, then glance away again. He stopped her under the water tower and was uncoupled.
"There you are. Make sure to get a long drink."
Ashima felt flushed, she glanced away from him. "Thank you. Very much."
Hiro brushed it off. "It's nothing it all. Oh, I don't think you've ever told me your name?"
She suddenly glanced up to him, words being lost. "Ah-"
After a minute of silence, Hiro gave a knowledgeable grin.
"Thomas told me about you. Ashima, was it?"
'He knows my name. Oh, how my name rolls off his accent so well..'
She was beginning to fill her water tank by her fireman. "Y-yeah."
Hiro chuckled. "Well, it was nice to chat with you Ashima. If you're not busy today, I'm mostly free to talk, since you seem to enjoy so. I'll be around Naphard."
He started to puff off, and Ashima bid him farewell.
"See you."
"Likewise."
When he was out of earshot Ashima let herself freak out a little. 'I didn't even know that was him who was helping me! Well, I guess the accent should have given it away. Oh and what a wonderful way he has with language..'
'He really is as they say. And more..' She sighed long, not denying the fact that she was under the spell of their first meeting.
Meanwhile, Hiro was about to leave, watching her fill up to make sure she was okay. A small blue tank engine came to a slow wheesh next to him, noticing the scene.
"She's stunning, right?"
Hiro knew the voice of his close friend very well.
"A real beauty. "
Thomas was a little surprised at the comment. "Wow, and for you to say so is very surprising."
Hiro spoke bluntly. "What can I say except the obvious? She's a hard working engine."
For a minute the two were silent, Thomas glancing back and forth between Hiro and Ashima. He finally looked back to Hiro with a small smirk.
"You should ask her out."
"Pardon?"
Thomas continued smirking. "Did you notice how ga ga she went when she saw you?"
"Thomas, that's not a very respectable thing to say." Hiro said.
"You did though right?" Thomas reiterated.
Hiro thought about it for a minute, and affirmed the observation.
"I suppose so."
Thomas gave a genuine smile. "She was completely starstruck. Or should I say lovestruck."
Hiro was disappointed in Thomas' claim. "You know better than to jump to conclusions like that."
Thomas was not. He wasn't even teasing ether.
Thomas glanced at Ashima leaving the goods yard. "You and her would make a good pair Hiro. And I'm not reaching, I'm just saying what I witnessed. From my own personal experiences, I'd say she just got shot by Cupid's arrow."
"The real question now is, would you like her enough to take a chance on her?" Thomas looked back to Hiro.
Hiro raised a brow. He knew what Thomas was implying, but not why he was pushing on this topic so much. Thomas started to puff away. "Just think about it is all. I understand you have a lot of fans, but I say Ashima is more than that."
As Hiro watched his friend leave, he did indeed think about it.
She was a nice engine, but he'd have to get to know her more before that. From what he heard, she was respectable.
All this wasn't a big deal to him.
Ashima thought very much the opposite.
For the rest of the morning, Ashima could not get her interactions with Hiro out of her smokebox. His voice replayed in her head, his smile imprinted in her memory. She was trying to get him off her mind when she ran into Thomas refilling his bunker on his branchline.
She stopped on her track as Thomas greeted her cheerfully. "Hey Ashima!"
Ashima greeted him back with a whistle and a smile. "Hi Thomas! How have you been?"
"A busy start. You've had an easy morning though I presume?" Thomas asked her.
Ashima agreed. "Fairly easy. Except for when I was carrying this flatbed of sheet metal. Luckily I-" She abruptly stopped. She smiled shyly, finishing her sentence.
"Had some help."
Thomas gave a smug grin. "Oh I know so. I also saw how you reacted when gazing upon your savior for the first time."
Ashima glanced down to the ground, embarrassed. "O-oh, you saw that...?"
"He is quite larger than life, huh?" Thomas mused, looking for a certain reaction.
Ashima relented. "Oh he is, so kind and respectful, while also being so simply stunning..."
Thomas chuckled lightly, satisfied with the result.
"Sounds like you like him quite a bit."
For a second, Ashima was quiet.
".. Thomas, can I tell you something?"
"Of course." Thomas said.
She needed to tell someone about how she felt.
"... I'm smokebox over footplate for him! I mean, of course I've heard of him and his story before, but actually meeting him up close-!"
Thomas smirked knowingly. "You should ask him out then."
Ashima was suprised at that. "I- I can do that? N-no, I can't, he's- the master of the railway! Romance isn't a priority of his, you know?"
"I don't know Ashima, there's no harm in trying. Although, you should get to know him a little bit so he isn't too uncomfortable when you do eventually ask him."
Ashima gave a small smile to her friend. "Thank you Thomas, for the advice. I didn't know you knew so much."
Thomas chuckled, glancing away.
"Heh, well, I do have present experience."
Ashima hurried off to Naphard, excited to see Hiro again.
Sonder- The realization that everyone you've ever seen has their own rich and complex lives.
It can be scary or it can give you a deep appreciation for the random people you see along your day. It can make you feel grounded, human, in a sense.
The mindfulness that comes with sondering fills Hiro with respect and fulfillment. When it came down to it, this was what it was all about.
At the moment, a group of eager train enthusiasts were taking pictures of him and asking him questions, to which he was grateful to answer. He was on the farthest left platform, the one that was unoccupied for today. He was taking the time to sonder and live reflectively, on all ways of time.
He was also thinking about Ashima and how she acted.
While her reaction was nothing new he'd seen before, especially from his engine "fangirls", he felt this was different slightly. They had pleasant and casual discussion before she recognized him. Still he wasn't sure, he was going to need to know a little more.
Just then Ashima puffed in next to Hiro. Hiro smiled warmly at her.
"Hello again, Ashima."
Ashima had to compose herself, nervously smiling. "Hello Hiro. Not very busy today?"
Hiro affirmed this question kindly. "Usually I'm making routine runs to the mainland, but not today. I'm sure you're taking your first day easy?"
Ashima agreed so, and relented a little. "I would like more to do though."
Hiro thought about it for a moment as the train enthusiasts left the platform. He looked to her.
"I'm going to be taking some empty trucks up to the blue mountain quarry, they're to be filled with gravel and taken to Vicarstown. Would you like to accompany me?"
Ashima gasped, beaming. "Would I! Uh- As long as you let me help you with the cargo. It's the least I can do."
Hiro knew he didn't need any, but one look at the admiration in her face was enough to convince him.
He did think that was kinda cute.
He chuckled lightly. "Sure. You seem like a very hardworking engine, in need of some work to do."
Ashima was flattered by his complement, and was very excited to be working with him again. Hiro blew his whistle, and Ashima followed after, the two heading off to collect the empty trucks.
When they got to the yard, they found that Hiro's train was not together. It was missing a fair few trucks. Stanley passed by them, shunting some different cars, apologetic.
"Sorry Hiro, the yard's been so busy today, I guess I forgot to finish your train."
Before Hiro could speak, Ashima was puffing to the trucks.
"It's okay, I can get it done for you!"
Stanley was suprised and greatly appreciative. "O-oh, thank you!"
Hiro admired her willingness to help out right away. He smiled at that.
Stanley shunted the trucks he was pushing and backed up. Hiro affirmed Stanley's work.
"You're doing a fine job Stanley, don't worry about it. Ashima will get the trucks lined up in no time."
Stanley smiled at the tender engine. "Thank you Hiro. Hm, Ashima's her name? Isn't she the engine who won the shunting contest during the great railway show?"
"Yes, she's visiting Sodor. She'll be given her proper orders by sir Topham Hat tomorrow. Right now she's learning the ley of the land." Hiro said.
Stanley tooted his whistle and shouted to Ashima as he puffed away. "Glad to have you with us for the time being Ashima!"
"It was nice to meet you!"
Quickly Ashima got to work, shunting the trucks in no time at all.
Hiro was impressed as he watched her work with expediency and swiftness. One by one the trucks rolled into the line, and were coupled up. She was having fun while doing it.
She was really good.
Hiro backed up to the line of freight cars. "It's no wonder you won 1st for shunting."
Ashima giggled, rolling up beside him.
"Heh, oh you're just saying that."
He looked to her with sincerity. "Really, I mean it."
Ashima blushed lightly, and glanced away from him. "Thanks. That means a lot, coming from an engine as special and sweet as you."
Hiro was caught off guard by her complement, and was hit by a breeze of bashfulness. He glanced away from her, with a shy smile.
"I'm flattered by your appreciation of me."
Ashima grinned, feeling her boiler bubble.
'I hope you appreciate me too.'
Hiro regained composure, and coughed. "We were on our way?"
Ashima glanced back to him, snapping out of it. "Oh! Yes, of course."
The two started puffing out of the goods yard.
"So, what are Indian railways like?"
The two chatted along the way to the quarry, making pleasant and close conversation. The more they talked to each other, the more comfortable they became. It was almost like talking with a close confidant.
That's when Hiro started evaluating his thoughts and feelings on her.
And Ashima was thinking too.
Finally, they got to the quarry and Hiro went to fill his cars up with gravel. As he was, Ashima looked around the quarry, admiring the mountains surrounding them. When the trucks were filled Hiro pulled up a little. He whistled shortly once to Ashima to get her attention. Ashima noticed, and looked to him beaming brightly. That smile melted his heart.
Ashima went and coupled up behind his train. They both whistled, and set off towards Vicarstown. The two engines started talking again.
"What do you like most about Sodor?" Ashima asked.
Hiro had to think about that for a long moment.
"That is a very difficult question Ashima. There's a lot I deeply value here. If I'd have to sum it up with a word, it would be-"
"Variety." The two said at the same time.
Hiro smiled. "Yes. The landscapes across the island,"
Ashima spoke after him. "The different types of engines,"
"The work to be done."
They both spoke in unison again. "A safe haven for steam."
The two laughed lightly, Hiro speaking.
"It seems we have a lot in common."
"Great minds think alike." Ashima grinned, bumping the trucks ever so slightly so Hiro could feel it.
Hiro felt himself beam brightly, then shrinking into a bashful grin.
"Have you ever seen cherry trees in full bloom?"
"No, but I've heard they're absolutely beautiful."
The two talked about nature for a few minutes, before transitioning to other topics. Hiro decided that he liked her. She was someone who he felt he could trust with his heart. Or at least, try it out.
As they entered the Vicarstown good yard, it was becoming evening.
The two shared one last laugh as they were uncoupled from the train, and Ashima rolled up beside Hiro as they moved away from the cars.
"I've had a lot of fun today Hiro. Thank you for letting me help you, and for showing me around."
Hiro brushed it off. "It's no big deal."
Ashima sighed to herself, thinking aloud. "Oh, You're so modest.."
She didn't know that she had said so out loud. For a minute they were quiet, before Hiro spoke.
"Ashima, are you attracted to me?"
Ashima was suprised, becoming nervous.
"Wh-what, I, well, Uh-"
"You acted really nervous around me when I introduced myself. And many times today you've been anxious when starting conversation."
"Um... You're just so..." Ashima could not make the words. There were too many things to list. She sighed, blushing lightly. "Yes. I am. I mean, who wouldn't be?"
Hiro took a moment of silence before speaking again, smiling small.
"You seem very special Ashima, so I would like to ask, may you want to go courting? ...um, I would like to court you."
That made Ashima stop in her tracks. (no pun intended) Her face flushed a bright red.
"A-are you asking me out? L-like- dating?"
Hiro came to a stop next to her. "that's correct, in plain terms."
Ashima was stunned for a minute.
"..-I was going to ask you the same thing."
"Really?" Hiro asked, not as suprised as he could have been.
Ashima looked down at the tracks. "Yes I- you're just so sweet, I couldn't help but crush on you."
Hiro felt his cheeks warm ever so slightly. Thomas was right.
Ashima quickly spoke with a large grin. "So, yes- yes of course! I'd love to date you."
Relief fell over the two, and Hiro gave a grin as well.
"I'm glad to hear that."
He puffed away to the water tower to fill up, leaving Ashima feeling extremely happy, and slightly ecstatic.
'oh my gosh, I can't believe he did that. HE asked me! The master of the railway, asked out a little tank engine like me! Oh if only I could hug him.'
Suddenly an idea flew into her funnel. She chuffed onto the track Hiro was, rolling up to face him.
Hiro felt himself chuckle watching her come up to him. "You can't get enough of me can you?"
Ashima giggled at the comment, and lightly pressed her buffers to his.
He smiled innocently, looking down at her small statue.
"What are you doing?"
Ashima looked up at him, then back down, smiling shyly.
"I'd like to think this is the equivalent of holding hands."
Hiro's smile stretched a mile, becoming warm and sweet.
"Then I'm honored to hold your hands."
Ashima felt herself swoon at his way with words. It was almost too much.
Hiro had filled up with water, and was ready to go again.
"So, do you have anywhere to rest up for the night?"
This was going to be an adventure.
You thought I would end this without a kissing scene? YOU THOUGHT WRONG, BWHAHAHAHAHA
Ashima was being pushed to the steamworks. She felt miserable.
The front of her buffers and her cow catcher were wreaked, bent into itself. She had run into a landslide and damaged her front, so she had to be sent to the steamworks to be repaired. And who else was pushing her, but Hiro.
The two had been dating for a few weeks now, and gossip on them was huge and spreading like wildfire. They ignored it though, and continued to be really useful. While also taking time for each other. It was a wholesome and heartwarming relationship, as Thomas had put it.
Ashima felt sad, looking down at her sorry state. Hiro soothed.
"It's alright, my little cherry blossom. Victor will get you up and ready to work soon enough. He's good at what he does."
"Thank you Hiro. I really appreciate your kind words."
The two entered the steamworks, and Victor puffed in. He greeted Hiro first.
"Hola, Hiro."
"Kon'nichiwa, Victor."
Victor noticed what happened to Ashima. "Oh my, what's happened to you friend?"
She sighed. "Rockslide. I didn't see it until it was too late to slow down."
"Nevermind, We'll get you fixed up in no time." Victor assured her.
Hiro uncoupled from her and puffed backwards off the turn table. As the table turned, Ashima asked a question.
"Did my parts arrive from my railway yet? The fat controller said he'd order some when I arrived."
Victor was unsure. "We'll have to look around, I don't think they have."
Ashima faced Hiro as he spoke.
"I have to get back to work now. Stay safe Ashima, alright?"
Ashima smiled weakly. "Of course. See you later?"
"Yes. I'll come check up on you later."
Hiro let off steam as a sincere goodbye, whistling one long note and leaving her with a smile.
"So, Ashima's your name?"
Victor struck conversation with the tank engine as engineers looked for parts. For now, they picked her up just slightly, checking to make sure nothing underneath was damaged.
Later that night, everything was quiet at the steamworks. Victor had left for his shed, and Kevin was sound asleep.
Ashima was still awake, waiting for her someone to arrive.
A figure emerged from the darkness and into the dimly lit steamworks. Steam emitted and illuminated him, as he smiled softly.
"How are you holding up?"
His frame made her smile, and she looked at herself. "Fine, for the most part. They took off my cow catcher and my buffers. My parts haven't arrived yet though."
Hiro felt disappointed for her, and looked at her with empathetic eyes. "Sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"
Ashima thought about it for a second. There was, but she wasn't sure to ask.
"Hiro?"
"Yes?"
She beckoned him over.
"Come here.."
Hiro did as he was told, and came closer.
She was being held up by a crane hand ever so slightly from the rails, so coincidentally, her face was now at the same height as Hiro's.
She smiled small, taking a small inhale.
"Thank you... for being here. With me. I've never been shown so much compassion like this before. These past few weeks have been lovely..."
A warm curve formed on his lips. "Anything for you Ashima. I'm so very lucky to have you."
Ashima turned red, and glanced away from him. She took another breath, and gazed to him.
"..Main tumse pyar karthee hoon."
He seemed slightly confused, but kept smiling. "Pardon?"
She looked away from him again, a shy grin across her face.
"It's hindi for... I love you."
Now Hiro was the one to flush a light red. That was something no one had ever told him before. As the surprise wore off, he spoke.
"Suki desu."
Ashima abruptly looked back to him, a little surprised. Hiro gazed away from her, smiling bashfully, his blush blooming more vibrantly. He took a puff closer to her.
"Anata ga daisuki desu."
Ashima didn't need to understand what he said to understand what he meant.
She beamed brightly, once again speaking in her native language.
"Main tumse bahut pyar karthee hoon."
Hiro looked back to her, begining to grin a mile.
Their smiles abruptly became small, and in their eyes sparkled the overwhelming emotion of love.
He was close. But she wanted to be closer.
She gazed down to the tracks in front of her.
"Hiro... Can you.. kiss me?"
His cheeks flushed a wine red, blinking.
"You... You're asking me?.."
"May we? I... I would like to."
He gulped, assessing their current standings.
She was at the right height with the crane holding her, and wasn't going anywhere for a while. He wasn't sure, but a little voice in his head was egging him on.
He inhaled.
"Is... is it what you want?.."
Ashima simply smiled. "Only if you want to."
He inhaled again, and checked his surroundings one last time.
He came closer, close enough to feel her breath.
"Only for you, my dear cherry blossom."
The gap between them closed, and it was one simple, gentle kiss.
The sensation sent shivers down their axels, but soothed and calmed them.
If Ashima wasn't head over heels, she would be now. He was so gentle, so sweet, so careful and pure of heart, it melted her heart and her frame sang songs she didn't know the words to. Angelic it was, letting herself fly away in the moment.
Hiro felt everything fall away, and he could swear, he could feel someone else's being. If there was ever a time to be in love, it would be now, letting himself take it all in, ignoring the outside world, bathing in blissfulness he could only have dreamt of.
He went to break it off, but she drew him back in. Again and again. He tried to do so again, Ashima giggling lightly in between breaths.
"Please... This may be the only time I get to kiss you.."
And with that, he didn't want to hold back anymore. She asked him for his heart, and he was going to give it to her.
He wanted to.
And so he did. Gently, soothingly, and passionately. They were like this for a long while that night.
Not all people are lucky enough to find a gentleman. But Ashima found one. A gentleman in everyway. The master of the railway, Hiro.
This might be the most random ship I've thought about. Anyways, I really liked writing this one. (Still working on DM, it's taking longer than I thought) Hope you enjoyed it! Write you later!