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The night was calm and clear on the island of Sodor. The usual train traffic of passengers and goods slowed, though the work never fully ceased. The moon was bright, illuminating the train tracks near Tidmouth.
Workers from the Northwestern Railway filled the many apartments in Tidmouth, from drivers and firemen to signalmen and conductors. The town, like the railway, never settled down, workers coming and going from all hours.
Like many railway employees, the steam engine drivers often lived together to save on rent. Thomas and Percy shared an apartment, and so did Henry and Emily. James lived alone, insisting that he needed his own space.
Edward and Gordon lived together as roommates a long time ago, back when Gordon had first been hired and Edward was no more than a rookie. They argued a lot at the beginning, mostly due to Gordon’s attitude.
Over the years, as Gordon mellowed out and found himself increasingly in the mentor position, he finally confronted feelings he had felt too proud to name. One date led to another, then an apartment, and finally a small wedding ceremony. Pictures of the marriage hung around their small bedroom, along with other tchotchkes they’d gathered over the years.
In the master bed, Edward settled into the pillows, back resting against the headboard. His small reading lamp was the only source of illumination in the room, glinting off his reading glasses and the pages of his novel. His first job of the day started later than the first express run, so he usually fell asleep after his partner.
Gordon lay on his back, snoring softly. Edward watched his face for a moment, enjoying the unguarded side of his husband. Like some of the other drivers (ahem, James) he took great pride in his appearance and presentation. Often it made him seem prideful and unapproachable, not like a mentor or leader.
It was a battle Edward knew he wouldn’t win, and let it go, no matter how silly he thought it was. He wished Gordon could soften up a bit more around the other drivers, to show them the side Edward fell in love with. To Gordon’s credit, he has softened up throughout his tenure on the railway.
“E-edward-” Gordon muttered under his breath, shifting a bit in his sleep. Edward perked up at his name, quirking an eyebrow to see if more words would come out. Gordon only talked in his sleep occasionally, only if he was having a nightmare.
“Y-you can’t go…need to sleep at Tidmouth-” Gordon almost whimpered, gripping the sheets tighter. “Sir, please…it’s not right…” He tossed and turned, his usual stoicism gone.
Gordon’s tone gripped Edward’s stomach in a painful way. He sounded hurt, heartbroken. Edward wasn’t sure what the dream was about, but he couldn’t stand to hear his husband’s distress.
He set his book on the side table, using the other hand to gently shake Gordon’s broad shoulders.
“Gordon, wake up,” Edward said, softly. He shook the man a bit harder, finally startling him awake.
“Wh-what?” Gordon sputtered out, eyes darting around the room, orienting himself. His eyes caught Edward’s hand, following it up his arm and neck to his husband’s face.
“Oh, Edward,” Gordon’s expression softened. His voice burned with relief, a slight blush on his cheeks. “I’m sorry for waking you up. I-it was just some…silly dream.” He waved one of his hands around, trying to save face. He sat up, sliding closer to the other man.
Edward just smiled, warm and sincere. “No need to apologize. Do you want to talk about it?” He too settled in next to his partner, feeling the bigger driver’s warmth.
Gordon sighed, looking away. Even now, after decades of dating and marriage, he still struggled with vulnerability. He wanted to pretend everything was fine, that the thought of Edward leaving didn’t scare him to the bone.
Edward could practically read his mind, and kept quiet for a moment. He didn’t push or prod, just waited to see what the answer was. He smiled a bit to himself when Gordon finally started talking.
“I-it was a bad dream. Sir Topham Hatt had sent you far away to work on another railway…You were already gone by the time I heard.” Gordon spoke softly, still emotionally strained by the dream. “He wouldn’t listen to me…I couldn’t do anything to stop it.”
“Gordon,” Edward said with conviction, looking the other man in the eyes, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know that!” Gordon defended with conviction. He threw his arm around his husband, pulling him in tight. He planted a kiss onto Edward’s graying hair, murmuring, “I wouldn’t let you.”
Edward laughed quietly. “You big softie,” he teased, a twinkle in his eye.
“Cradle robber,” Gordon said in return, not missing a beat. There was no real poison in his words, a smile on his face.
Gordon slipped back under the covers, encouraging Edward to lay next to him. Edward put his reading glasses away, pulled into his husband’s embrace.
“I love you,” Edward said, feeling Gordon’s strong heartbeat as he lay on his chest.
“Love you too,” Gordon mumbled, petting Edward’s hair lazily. It wasn’t long before the hand stopped, resting as Gordon fell asleep again. Edward cuddled closer, lulled to sleep by his husband’s breathing and the sound of train whistles in the distance.