#redengineposts

I am on a ROLL!!!! Two edits in one day. Truly, I have entered my editing era. ✨

In my opinion, I would definitely say that this was a case of "fell first" vs "fell harder" (though both of them absolutely adore each other)

Let's start with Edward first, shall we?

Edward always thought James was attractive. Something about that engine's confidence just naturally drew Edward to him.

But that day Edward saw James in his red paint for the first time...

It was like something clicked. Like Edward KNEW, "This guy, this one right here. This one's the love of my life."

Seriously, watch that scene again and look at Edward's expressions! The way his jaw DROPPED, followed by the wide eyes and big smile. Old Iron was SWOONING. He's got HEART EYES.

But of course, Edward didn't want to say anything right away. He knew that HE was in love, but he didn't think James would feel the same way. Surely, someone like James would want an engine who was younger or bigger or stronger than he was. So Edward continued to love him silently, and supported James through his first days as he would have any other friend.

Now on James's end, he always appreciated Edward being there for him. I like to think he was probably more comfortable around Edward than any other engine at this time. Even in later years, I think James still finds Edward the most comfortable to be around, but we'll get to that another time.

The point is, James and Edward were pretty close, but James still didn't think of Edward as anyone other than "Old, Reliable Edward" yet. He was a close friend, and like any other friend, sometimes James gets annoyed with him.

"Edward is impossible! He clanks about like a lot of old iron! And he's so slow, he makes us wait!"

Little did James know he would be eating those words later that day.

Fast forward some time. James has become a runaway again. He has no driver. He's all alone and he's terrified. And who comes speeding down the line to come save him?

Why, it's Edward of course!

And as they're puffing along the line together, side by side, James realizes things all at once. It's not just that Edward is the most comfortable to be around, he feels safe with him! Secure with him! Edward's got him!

Before he even thinks about it, he just says how he feels in that moment.

"You were splendid Edward."

Splendid. That's a word James usually reserves for himself. But Edward can have it today. And tomorrow if he wanted. Edward deserved it.

Oh, and let's not leave this part out from the books.

James missed Edward more than his own driver!

I don't know about you fellas, but that sounds gay to me.

From "Old Iron" onwards, James knew he was in love with Edward. But that didn't mean he said anything about it. In fact, he was pretty in denial about it for some time. But by the time we reach "James the Second Best", I think that's when James finally accepts that he has feelings for Edward. And once we get to "All in Vain", James and Edward have already started dating.

Or alternatively, they've both reached a point where they both just acknowledge that their feelings for each other are mutual. Sometimes I like to think that steam engine courtship is less formalized than it is for us humans. A simple "we both love each other", and then being extra sweet whenever they happen to be in the same vicinity. It's hard to go on dates when you've got jobs to do everyday.

But the point is, by the time we reach the events of "All in Vain", James and Edward are basically already together. And everyone knows it. 💙❤

HAPPY 2/5 GAYS!!!

My video finally loaded 😭

I wanted to make something special to celebrate 2/5 but I didn't have time to draw. So instead I taught myself how to use CapCut and made this little ship edit! 💙❤

The song is meant to convey their relationship from Edward's POV. As I've said before, I think Edward's been in love with the red engine since that very first day he saw him in the technicolor dreamcoat. But he didn't want to rush James into anything, so he waited for him to make a move first. But don't worry, someday they will be happily married.

This is the new AEG Motorized Graffiti James! I love him very much!

Here's my thing:

Do I think James would ever be into hip hop? No.

But do I think the design on his paintwork looks REALLY FLIPPING COOL???

HELL YEAH!!!!!

So of course the moment I saw him at the store I couldn't let him go. I love the gold lettering and the star on the A. I really wanna give my humanized James an outfit inspired by this because it looks so so cool.

Also his little truck says Sodor!

I just have 2 gripes with him:

The graffiti paintwork is only on one side. Which in my opinion is really lazy.

Could just be a defect on mine, but the hook on the truck is not put on the side that would actually allow James to carry the truck with the graffiti side facing out. The other side of the truck has a picture of a cow on it. And I know that my James would not want to be caught dead carrying farm animals ("Not splendid at all!" I think he would say)

But otherwise, he's a very fine engine! He looks cool, he goes fast, and he doesn't get stuck on the tracks (unlike some of my other motorized AEG engines)

So with that in mind I give the AEG Motorized Graffiti James a solid 8/10!

I always intended to follow up my WesternAU! Edwards drawing with some WesternAU! James, especially after Shika drew her James as a cowboy. But y'all know I'm a slow cooker XD But here he is now! One of these days I wanna draw him getting lassoed by Edward, but I've got some other drawings I wanna take care of first, so it might be a while.

Hope y'all like his design though! He's very sparkly. 😊 Also yes the rainbow clouds were intentional (because he's GAY!!!!)

Close-up shots under the cut!