Traintober | Day 4 - Devious
Green Arrow finds that Diesel likes having him around to listen to him, especially since he's mute and can't divulge his secrets. But what will happen when Arrow regains his voice?
Takes place during Young Iron - Green with Envy, when Green Arrow has his voicebox stolen.
“Why hello there new engine!”
Green Arrow nervously looked around to find a black Class 08 leering at him. Said Class 08 was completely black, unlike the usual members of his class who had yellow hazard stripes. He frowned and narrowed his eyes in response.
“No need for that look, I’m just trying to be friendly!” The Diesel grinned but Green Arrow didn’t believe him.
The V2 was aware of this certain Class 08’s reputation in the Railway Series books and stared at him in disbelief.
“Oh right, you’re mute,” the Diesel suddenly realised and Arrow began scowling at him. “Apologises, apologies I meant no offence.”
Green Arrow simply hissed steam and hurried off in a cloud of steam, his displeasure evident.
Not dissuaded, the Class 08 quickly sped after him.
“Ah I’ve upset you,” Diesel quickly lamented. “A deep shame, I was insensitive, allow me to introduce myself, I am Diesel.”
Green Arrow snorted and rolled his eyes in response. To his surprise the Class 08 was not offended.
“I like being called just Diesel, it’s better than just having a number,” Diesel proudly exclaimed but Green Arrow looked doubtful. “We all can’t be named after companies like you are friend.”
Arrow decided to ignore the Class 08 as he made his way to his next job yet still Diesel insisted on following him.
“I’ve seen how the others treat you and I think it’s terrible, just terrible,” The Class 08 lamented. “A fine standing engine such as yourself being subjected to such discrimination.”
More than anything Green Arrow wanted to tell the Diesel to back off but his lack of voice made that hard. He was however able to wheeshed steam in the Diesel’s face and sped up down the line.
The Diesel shouted at him but he did not hear him as he put as much distance between the both of them.
Over the next few months, the diesel continuously approached him whenever he saw him. Green Arrow didn’t really understand but Diesel seemed to find some sort of comfort in just talking to him while he rolled around or moved to jobs. He seemed to look forward to or even crave having someone to complain to.
Maybe he wanted company, maybe he was genuinely trying to be a friend but Green Arrow didn’t have the ability to tell him to go away for the longest time.
On the plus side, Diesel gave him an insight into how the other engines interacted. How Diesel often spied James and Edward behind the sheds when they both had spare time. How Gordon liked to sneak out to the Docks to talk to the massive cruise ships that came by. Or how Henry liked to spend time with Peter Sam whenever he was near Sodor's Narrow Gauge Railway.
He was learning a lot from the Diesel and he didn’t have to prompt or try to provoke a single word out of him.
Maybe that was why he continued to be mute around the Diesel, even when his voice box had been returned to him.
He didn’t want to spoil Diesel’s little exercises in talking to him, knowing that he found solace in the silent steam engine.
“Hello, Mr Arrow!” Came the voice of the small navy blue tank engine sat near cranky on the Docks. “It’s good to see you!”
He liked the Well Tank Engine. He wasn’t like any of the other engines on the island who held a grudge against him and seemed always happy to see Arrow. It was a nice reprieve when it felt like the entire island, bar Edward, was against him.
“I’ve forgotten your name sorry,” Green Arrow apologised to the little engine.
“That’s a’rite guv! Name’s Sonny!” The Tank engine grinned, not even offended by his forgetfulness.
“Sonny! Right! Hello to you too!” Green Arrow grinned back.
Sonny’s attention was caught by something behind him.
“Ay-O how goes it Diesel?!” Sonny greeted his friend but the Diesel didn’t answer.
Green Arrow could feel the glare of the Class 08 searing into his boiler as he came up beside him. The Diesel stopped, gave an annoyed ‘humph’ and sped off leaving a very confused Sonny.
“What was that about ay?” The Well Tank engine grunted confused.
Green Arrow said nothing and only stared after the retreating Class 08.
"So you can talk now huh?" Diesel oiled at Arrow as he found the Class 08 near Harwick Station.
"Not a lot of people approve of me having my voice back," Green Arrow admitted to Diesel. "I figured you would be upset."
"Upset?" Diesel scoffed, feigning his boastful attitude. "Why would I be upset?"
"Because maybe you thought that you wouldn't have someone to listen to your grievances any more," Arrow pointed out and Diesel glared at him.
"You've probably gone and told all my secrets to all your steamie friends!" Diesel sneered and Arrow gave a snort.
"What friends? I don't have friends, you see how the others treat me," Green Arrow argued and Diesel looked thoughtful.
"I suppose that he true, hehe, guess I had nothing to worry about," Diesel piped up.
Diesel started to oil away but Arrow spoke up again.
"You can still talk to me if you want, you actually helped me get a gauge on everyone else on this island you know," he offered. "I appreciate that."
Diesel stared at him and then smirked.
"Two outcasts just hanging out," he oiled and Arrow smirked in return. "But I'm not your friend, Steamie. I just liked to complain at you because you couldn't respond."
"Perhaps, but still, the offer is there," Arrow stood firm.
Diesel stared at him then humphed before meandering away. Without another world.
A few weeks later, the Class 08 was back to complaining at Arrow as if nothing happened, and Arrow was glad for it knowing that he was making Diesel at least a little bit happier.
