#sgw

The latest messages I got regarding this fic last night have tipped me over the edge, and this fic will now officially be on hiatus for the foreseeable future.

On some level I don’t want to do this. It’s giving the person (and I’m sure it’s all one person) who has been harassing me in one way or another about SGW for the last year so so what they want.

But, on the other hand, it’s all made writing SGW difficult. It makes me anxious writing it, it makes me worried I’ll get hate when I upload a chapter and it makes me question every decision I make in that fic.

I’ve written this version of them for too long to allow the last 10 chapters of writing it be overshadowed by all of this. It means too much to me, they mean too much to me, and I want to return to it when I feel like I have that joy for it again.

I’ll still write my other stuff, you haven’t quite driven me away from the fandom altogether yet, but SGW is on hold until I can see the joy in it again.

Episode 1

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That morning, Thomas had been, along with Gordon, the first to wake up and go out the sheds. He loved coming back when the rest woke up to tell them the news of the day just like a talking newspaper. 

He usually talked about gossip and commotions happening on the island, James and Emily loved hearing that. But that day something was wrong with Thomas.

His legs trembled, his back fur was bristly, and his short, deer-like tail shook with spasms of speed and then remained still.

Everyone noticed the strangeness in the behavior of the young bluish male, but a tall emerald female was the first to approach him and asked him if everything was okay.

-Y-Yes! E-Everything is fine!- Thomas nodded with a fake smile. -Then why are you so nervous?- Emily asked. -I-I...- Thomas tried to excuse himself but nothing good came to his mind. The rest of the engines left their sheds with slow and curious steps. Thomas knew it was only a matter of time before he was found out, so he had no choice but to tell the truth.

He took a deep breath...

Then sat down...

-He's back... -

Thomas fell unconscious after saying those words...

Everyone ran to his aid.

-Is he still breathing?- asked a young but robust female with blonde fur and turquoise blue eyes. -It's obvious he's breathing! Don't exaggerate, Rebecca! - Exclaimed a huge male with strong legs and unusually long claws. -I'll take him to Steamworks. I'm sure Victor will find out what happened to him.- Said the emerald female.

The rest of the engines nodded in agreement with her. The youngest of them still spoke.

-Thomas will be okay, right?- He asked while his dad, another large light green male, brought him closer, comforting him with a warm hug. -He'll be fine Percy. I promise- the female smiled to reassure her younger brother.

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The entire way, Emily tried to find out what happened to her friend.

«Why was Thomas so scared? Who was back? Could it perhaps be a danger warning?»

Thoughts ran through her mind. But she couldn't answer any...

Soon, the cold iron and annoying pebbles of the rails turned into soft grass and earth under Emily's gray and spotted paws. She knew they were near the Steamworks.

Kevin, a small mobile crane with scales and golden down, Victor's apprentice, was the first to notice the arrival of the emerald female, and without hesitation he went to call his mentor.

-Excuse me boss! We have a visitor! - The little golden-furred crane said while his little scarlet fins shook. Victor turned towards the entrance to the Steamworks just as Emily rushed in.

-Victor! Can you help me please?? Thomas is unconscious! - The green-eyed she asked, carefully leaving Thomas on the ground. -Don't worry, Emily, I'm sure it's nothing serious- said the garnet engine as he leaned over the young bluey, inspecting if there was anything to worry about (besides the fainting).

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A couple of hours later, Thomas finally regained consciousness. He stood up suddenly, gasping as if waking up from a terrible nightmare in the middle of the night. Then he looked around trying to guess where he was.

-Thomas! You're awake!- Emily meowed of joy as she hugged him. -H-Hello Emily- Thomas smiled as he responded to the older's action.

Kevin approached them to check the blue young man's condition and vital signs, and smiled when he saw that he was in perfect condition.

-I see that you are pretty fine- said the little golden amphibian. Thomas answered with a smile as Emily pulled away from the hug and sat next to him.

-How did I get here Emi?- The blue-eyed asked. -You fainted when you came back from your round of morning gossip- Emily explined as she settled her paws under her body.

Thomas looked down as his smile faded. It seems like he was starting to remember what happened. And because of his expression... Also the cause of this.

-You should rest a little Thomas. I will ask Sir Tophamm Hatt to allow you to take the morning off.- Victor's deep but calm voice brought Thomas out of his thoughts, making him turn to look at him.

-Later in the afternoon, if you feel better, you can go back to your work. But for now it is better that you make as little effort as possible.- The garnet male continued while Thomas nodded listening to his instructions.

As he finished explaining, Victor made a sign with his front paw allowing Thomas to return to his shed.

-Do you want me to take you back too?- Emily offered as they both returned to the cold, sharp rails. -What do you mean?- Thomas tilted his head in confusion. -When we came, I carried you on my back because you were unconscious. Do you want me to take you again? Or you can walk well?- The tall emerald female explained while the blue-haired boy blushed just by imagining what she was saying to him. -I-I eeehhh....- He tried to deny his desire to pretend not to be able to walk just to be carried by her. -I-I can walk! You don't need to worry! - He said and then walked ahead with clumsy strides.

Emily sat on the rails waiting for Thomas's, still weak, legs to fail, giving him a chance to get what he clearly wanted.

And so it happened. Within a few steps of trying to walk away, one of his front legs gave out slightly. Even Rebecca, the clumsiest of the steam team, could quickly recover from that little stumble. But Thomas fell on his side and then let out dramatic whimpers of pain.

-Owwwwww!! my leg!! - He howled, covering his face with his right paw while he held his left paw with his middle paws. -I think you're going to have to take me after all hehe- Emily approached him laughing and then grabbed him by the neck lifting him onto her back, being careful that neither her rods nor her whistle would harm him.

While they went back to Tithmouth Sheds, Emily felt a soft but audible vibration near her steamstack.

"Is Thomas... Purring?" Thought.

The emerald-furred one smiled warmly and slowed down so as not to wake him.

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Emily placed Thomas in his nest, covered in soft feathers and warm blankets, careful not to wake him. The young male stretched and rolled around in his nest until he found a comfortable position to rest.

The green-eyed girl smiled when she saw him. Then he caressed the blue one's cheek with his front paw. -Rest well Thom- she whispered with a tender shine in her emerald eyes.

Andrew A. Humphreys – Scientist of the Day

Andrew Atkinson Humphreys, an American army officer and civil engineer, was born Nov. 2, 1810.