Hey y'all! Here's a little fic inspired by a song by Adrian Von Ziegler under the same name as the title. It really reminded me of how Henry must feel when he sees Emily smile. This is also a prequel to a story I plan on writing closer to Christmas. That one doesn't have a title yet but also No spoilers! haha. Anyways, enjoy! Due to the mention of a sexual assault this one is rated M.
Y'know, perhaps it's time you and Emily tied the knot. -Rebecca
It was another gorgeous afternoon in Vicarstown. Rebecca stood by the middle platform having just finished a passenger run in from Liverpoool, stopping at Kings Cross, and finally ending at Vicarstown. Adjacent to her sat Savannah with the heavy goods in from Brendam.
"Hey Savannah!" Rebecca called.
"Hey Rebecca!" Savannah answered.
"You look beautiful today!" Rebecca complimented the diesel.
Savannah smiled. She enjoyed being complimented.
"Thanks! And you are absolutely radiating with joy today!" Savannah replied.
Rebeccas' cheeks flushed pink as she simmered happily. She felt the familiar buzz of love through her boiler. She didn't notice Emily gently buffer up to her.
"Rebecca!"
"Emily!" The two best friends greeted eachother.
They pecked eachother on the cheeks as they always do. To them, platonic affection was not only necessary but essential and vital to maintaining a close friendship. You could say the two were platonic soulmates, whereas Emily is Henrys' twin flame.
"Hows you?" Emily asked.
"Gud." Rebecca replied.
Rebecca paused for a moment. "Emily, have you met my friend Savannah yet? She's newer to the island."
"No I can't say I have." Emily replied.
"You must be Emily! It's a pleasure to meet you!" The GE ES44DC replied.
"Likewise. You must be Savannah." Emily responded.
"That's me!" Savannah said as the guard blew his whistle. It was time for her to embark on the long journey towards Cardiff with a heavy goods train.
"I'd best be off. It's great to meet you Emily!" The orange diesel rumbled and honked her horn before departing.
Rebecca sat there, blushing and smiling like an idiot.
Emily was confused at first but knew deep down that her best friend had fallen in love.
"I'd better head back to Knapford. I'll be needed there later on." Emily smiled.
"Alrighty. You stay safe okay?" Rebecca encouraged.
"No promises!" Emily smiled back before she rolled tender first away towards Knapford.
Rebecca chuckled before she too was signaled to go.
The sun was setting when Rebecca arrived at Knapford. She pulled up next to Henry who was admiring his lover from afar.
Emily was hard at work shunting some trucks in the yard. She of course had a sweet smile on her face.
"When you smile..." Henry spoke out loud, smiling sweetly as he watched Emily shunt.
"Hello Henry!" Rebecca greeted, catching the big green Black 5 off guard.
"Oh! Hi there Rebecca. I didn't see you there." Henry gasped.
"How are you doing today?" Henry asked.
"Can't complain. Yourself?" Rebecca responded.
"I'm doing alright." Henry responded, still enamored by the emerald engine hard at work.
Rebecca paused for a moment to think before speaking again.
'Y'know, perhaps it's time you and Emily tied the knot." Rebecca suggested.
Henry was a bit nervous. "R-really?" He nervously answered.
"Yeah! You've been together for so long and I can see it in you two. You two were meant for eachother. Perhaps it's time you two marry!" Rebecca suggested.
Henry smiled at the thought. He did love the idea of being a husband to Emily, someone he loved incredibly deeply. Someone who has been there for her through her toughest times as he was for him. He was ready.
"And you, how about you? Do you have anyone you're in love with?" Asked Henry.
Rebecca gathered her thoughts once more. She thought about Savannah. How she made her feel. The warmth and butterflies she'd feel spread throughout her every time she saw her.
"Not necessarily, however there's a certain feeling when I'm around someone..." Rebecca stated nervously.
Henry raised an eyebrow. He was curious.
"Tell me everything! Who is it? Does Emily know?" Henry was slightly panicked.
Rebecca smiled. "Savannah" She said softly.
Henry stood there aghast. "Savannah the heavy goods diesel from the BNSF?!"
"Yeah..." Rebecca replied.
Henry was surprised but also happy for the Battle of Britain class. He was understanding and knew she was openly lesbian. He and Emily were there when she came out just like they were for Percy when he came out.
"I'm not sure if Emily has figured it out yet, but I have yet to inform her." Rebecca sighed. She was after all beginning to feel exhausted.
Rebecca took a deep shuddering breath. She felt emotional and Henry could see right through her. He had learned to see through walls of emotions thanks to his beloved Emily. It's how he had fallen in love with her.
"What's wrong Rebecca? Talk to me. Tell me what you're feeling." Henry inquired. He wanted to help her.
"I-" Rebecca took another shuddery breath.
Henry looked at her softly with concern.
"Back on my other railway all I ever knew was heartbreak. Guys would hit on me only to take advantage and..." Rebecca couldn't help it. She cried.
Emily quickly finished her shunting and hurried over to comfort her best friend.
She buffered up to the yellow engine. "What happened?" Emily asked Henry, feeling panicked.
"Something happened to Rebecca on her old railway." Henry replied.
"I'm afraid..." Rebecca whimpered.
"It's okay. I was afraid of love too at first. I never expected to find someone as loving as Henry." Emily soothed.
Rebecca began to have flashbacks. The two diesels forcefully kissing her when she had said no multiple times. The nicer Indonesian engine or so she thought. He'd only meet up to kiss her and then seemingly disappear for weeks on end. She began to shake. The times guys played her for her sensitive and kind nature only to take advantage of her on some sick power trip. She shook.
"I was assaulted on my old railway..." She sobbed.
Emily and Henry were both deeply shocked by this revelation. Emily gently wheeshed steam and began to comfort her as did Henry.
"Shhhhhhh It's alright. I have you." Emily also had tears streaming down her face. She shook. She was saddened and angered that this had happened to her best friend, and also explained why she seemed so uncomfortable around male engines, especially diesels.
"You are so incredibly brave Rebecca." Henry soothed as well.
"Listen. What happened to you wasn't your fault. It's okay if you're not ready to open up about it." Emily encouraged.
"I love that fluttery feeling I get when I'm with Savannah... It's so warm and joyful feeling... but... I'm so afraid at the same time..." Rebecca said through her tears.
"Shhhhhhh it's okay. I'm here. I can help you." Emily soothed.
"We have to tell Sir Topham." Henry softly said to Emily.
Early the next morning, Henry and Emily sat side by side at Knapford station. Sir Topham swiftly emerged from his office having arranged for Dennis to take the flying kipper. He was informed via phone that Emily and Henry needed to talk.
"Hello sir." Emily said solemnly.
"Hello Emily and Henry. Why the long faces?" Sir Topham asked. He was always in too good of a mood in the mornings.
"Well..." Emily hesitated. It hurt immensely to know what her best friend had suffered through.
"Rebecca just confided in us that she was...sexually assaulted on her old railway." Henry took over as a tear escaped Emilys' eye.
Sir Topham was shocked. The engine he'd known to be bright and happy all the time was hiding something incredibly heartwrenching. It was like a kick to the gut.
"o-oh my..." The stout gentleman let out. He felt heartbroken for Rebecca. He wanted to cry.
"Thank you for informing me. I'll inform Victor so we can get started on therapy sessions. As her best friend, I would assume you'd like to be there for support Emily..."
"Yes sir..." Emily replied.
"I would like to be there too." Henry added.
"And I think Savannah should be there too. They are pretty close after all." Emily stated.
"Very well then. I'll make the arrangements." The fat controller finished.
"Thank you again for bringing this matter to me." Sir Topham said before turning on his heel back towards his office.
The next day, Rebecca, Sir Topham, Savannah, Henry, and Emily gathered at the Steamworks. Rebecca opened up about her traumatic experience and thus began weeks of intensive therapy under the caring buffer of Victor. With time and support from her closest friends, Rebecca began to heal. She was even happier and more radiant than before. Savannah began to notice a change in herself too, the comforting yet unfamiliar feeling of those warm butterflirs only grew stronger the closer she became to Rebecca, but that is a story for another day.