My current HCs for the nature of romantic feelings of the main 1-6 around the events of series 1-2! hoorayyyyyyy
assumptions of the chart:
no one is currently in a relationship
natures of relationships can change after s2
no arrows between characters = platonic feelings only
other romantic natures of relationships may exist outside of the characters here
blue = exes
pink = hypotheticals- if you asked them and they had to answer, they’d say ‘would’
dark red = potential for budding feelings
red = romantic feelings
1x4: Allies- they’re both not entirely opposed now that they’ve seen each other at their worst and realize that they can actually get on alright (post-Down the Mine).
1x5: Friends- they realize they’ve got chemistry, and might not entirely opposed the idea of dating (post-Thomas and the Breakdown Train).
1x6: Friends- Thomas doesn’t have strong feelings for Percy, Percy strongly yearns for Thomas (post-Thomas, Percy and the Coal).
2x3: Friends- Edward is slow to the uptake and doesn’t fully realize it for a while (by Coal). Henry had a long-term crush (post-Edward, Gordon and Henry), tries to let it fade with time (pre-Trouble in the Shed), and realizes they’re still there decades later (~Edward’s Exploit).
2x5: Friends (exes)- Edward didn’t reciprocate and prefers overseeing James as a mentor, James had his shot but ultimately went unrequited and preferred being friends in the end (date: post-Old Iron, exes: pre-Wrong Road).
3x5: Frenemies- both are too prideful to relent, but do recognize similar traits in each other that are admirable.
4x5: Friends- Gordon doesn’t take much notice of James on account of his own pride. James has admired Gordon since day one (pre-James and the Coaches).
5x6: Friends- James is embarrassed that he’s not entirely opposed to Percy. Percy thinks it would be humorous to date James.
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This one might be the juiciest. Also, I’m sorry 2x5 shippers.
Edward, Henry, James
Edward -> Henry: One of his oldest friends, though he feels deeply affectionate towards him. Feelings gradually built up as they grew closer (kinship in weaker work performances and hardships), then became fully realized by the time of the Kipper crash. Feels as though he is one of the only engines he can be vulnerable to and empathize with, as well as being seen as himself and not an ideal or a disappointment. Currently are close work partners.
Edward -> James: Briefly went out… once- at the other’s pleading suggestion. Found the other to be romantically incompatible and exhausting, while also not being able to shake a deep yearning for someone else himself. Made great strides towards letting him down easy, shedding the awkwardness, and maintaining a greater friendship as work partners. Is ever glad to lend a wheel as a close confidant or as a gossiper with the latest…
Henry -> Edward: Used to yearn painfully for him in their early days, unrequited; then seemingly waned as he maintained being a striker. Realizes the unconditional nature of his feelings for him that have always remained within by the time of the Exploit, and starts to become more expressive and shameless of his appreciation and affection. He also strives to assist him in turn, empathizing heavily with his hardships.
Henry -> James: Easily miffed with him, getting into petty verbal arguments and the like when Gordon isn’t around. Finds himself disliking his interest and preferences on the basis of them belonging to a most obnoxious engine. Their shared drive for passion and refined taste somewhat does make him wonder if the tension is something to remark about, but never to the point of fruition.
James -> Edward: Used to view him as someone to overcome to save his own image, then as an idealistic engine to woo and impress after the big rescue. Was confused and frustrated on why the other didn’t seem to reciprocate when they briefly went out, and took some time to realize their mismatched characters and awkwardness. Still holds him in high regard, but now values him as a respectable close friend and confidant- whilst trying to move on.
James -> Henry: Somewhat envies him for his closeness to Gordon and Edward, two engines that he wants the most- while also picking at his livery and taste in jobs (and trees). Despite this, them being on relatively common ground as mixed traffic engines competing in similar roles and having that sort of tension makes him… bothered.
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I CANNOT GET THESE TWO OUT OF MY HEAD GET THEM OUT MY BRAIN WANTS TO SHIP THEM SO BADLY HELP ME
“What’re you doing sitting here alone on Valentine’s Day?” Henry placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder as he sat down on the bench, looking up at the stars. “It’s so late.”
James rolled his eyes, smiling. “Hey, I’m not completely alone! I’ve got my thoughts as company.” He rubbed his temples, sighing. “And now I’ve got you here.”
“Whoa, what’s with the sighing? I’m fantastic company, aren’t I?” Henry playfully nudged James.
“Of course, of course!” James laughed, then fell silent. “I’ve just…not had the best luck with love.”
“Would you like to talk about it?” Henry asked, crossing his arms and legs and leaning back. He patiently waited for his friend’s response, studying his expressionless face.
James opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it. “No, I don’t think so.” He also leaned back on the bench.
“That’s alright. I know how sensitive you get with some things.” Henry poked James in the arm to emphasise, hoping to lighten the mood a little.
“Hey! Too soon!” James grinned, swatting Henry’s hand away. The back and forth of light-hearted jabs at each other continued for a while until James stopped to ask Henry, “And you, long nose, how about your love life? How’s that been?”
“Ah, of course you’d ask.” Henry rested his hands behind his head, staring up at the night sky. “I’m not quite sure, honestly.”
“What d’you mean?” James scrunched up his face in confusion, squinting at the other man. “You’re tall, attractive, brilliant…why would you be lonely on Valentine’s?”
“I could ask the same for you. Minus the tall part, of course.” Henry snickered.
“Alright, wise guy, no need for that.” James muttered, crossing his arms.
Henry wrapped an arm around his friend’s shoulders, pulling him closer and dropping his voice to a whisper, as if they were being watched. “Let’s just imagine Person A and Person B, alright?”
“Alright…?” James was intrigued where this was going.
“Alright. Person A and B get along very well. Person B eventually, almost suddenly, develops feelings for Person A. But B thinks it will never work out, nor end well. So B promptly gives up those feelings. Or tries to, anyway.” Henry’s voice wavered. “And Person B has seen that Person A is obviously in love with someone else anyway. Even more reason to give Person A up.” He cleared his throat, letting go of James. The other man was bewildered, not knowing what to make of it.
Henry closed his eyes, deep in thought. Suddenly, he felt movement beside him. He opened his eyes to see James scooting closer and awkwardly twisting his body to hug Henry’s waist. It was a very strange position, indeed. Henry laughed, returning an awkward one-armed hug of his own around James’ smaller waist. “If it makes you feel any better, I think I know at least one other Person B.” James murmured.
“Aw, don’t look so glum, chum.” Henry patted James’ back.
“Did you learn that from Edward?” James raised his head, raising an eyebrow.
“Now why would you assume that?”
James reached a hand up to flick Henry’s nose. “Dickhead.”
Henry snorted, getting up to leave. “Well, I’ve done my job.” He smugly shrugged.
“And what was your job?” James asked, crossing his arms with a small smile.
“I made your Valentine’s Day just a little less lonely.”
