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It’s no secret that the brutal Diesel 10 can have a temper, but it seems to always worsen when winter comes around. No one took note of this, except for Percy, the only steam engine Diesel 10 could tolerate enough to let get close to him. He tried to ask him directly, but he always denied the theorized change. Unsatisfied, he finds Diesel at the quarry, shunting trucks with Mavis.
“Do you know what's going on with D10?” Percy asked, “He always seems miserable this time of year?”
“I’m pretty sure he's miserable every year.” Diesel half-joked, shunting a trunk in its place.
“I'm serious! His mood always worsens this time of year.”
“Maybe he just hates the cold,” Mavis chimed in.
“Not a bad theory honestly,” Diesel remarked, “I did once hear him groan about the cold making him ache. Said he can hardly sleep.”
“Doesn't help that he has to carry around that giant claw on his back either,” Mavis added.
Percy considered, “well, he's never this unhappy in warmer weather, so I guess that makes sense. Perhaps, I just need to help him get warm.”
“Good luck with that,” Diesel snickers, “Until you can end winter early, that might be a challenge.”
Mavis gives Diesel a dismissive shove, “Don't listen to him Percy, I’m sure you'll find a way.”
With that, Percy leaves the quarry with a mission. “Ok,” he thinks to himself, “How do I get Diesel 10 warm? What makes you warm? The sun? Can't do anything about that. Steam? He doesn't have any. Warm clothes? Maybe some gloves and a scarf—” the reminder made him cringe, “Oh goodness no! Come on, what else is there?”
He stopped at a station where he saw Thomas with Annie and Clarabel. He called to them with a wave of his hand, “Hi guys! Quick question, what’s something that makes you warm that isn't steam, clothes, or the sun?”
Thomas thinks for a moment, “umm… Fire?”
“No, I need to be able to give it to someone.”
“You can give someone fire.”
“Thomas dear, how would you give someone fire?” Annie asked, poking her head out of her coach window.
“Duh, ever heard of a lighter?” Thomas said proudly. Annie, Clarabel, and Percy rolled their eyes.
“I’m inclined to say that's not the best option,” Percy said.
Thomas crosses his arms, pouting, “Well you asked.”
“What about hot beverages, like tea or cocoa?” Annie suggested.
“I guess, but that's only a temporary fix. I’d like something that could really last.”
“Fire can last a while depending on the fuel you give it.”
“No fire!”
Thomas groaned, “ugh, fine!”
“What about one of those?” Clarabel interjects, pointing out her window at a display of boxes on the platform. Percy steps closer, reading the box.
NEW SOFT WEIGHTED ELECTRIC HEATING BLANKET! PERFECT FOR PAIN RELIEF!
“Perfect!” Percy cheered, “Exactly what I need! Thanks Clarabel!”
“I still like my fire idea,” Thomas huffed.
~~~
The next day, at the Dieselworks, Diesel 10 woke up with stiff muscles and an aching back. He gritted his teeth hard as he slowly sat himself up. His body felt like broken glass, every inch he moved was grinding him from the inside. Standing up and dressing himself felt as easy as running a marathon. And if that wasn't misery enough, he had a heavy metal backpack with a giant claw he needed for work. Needless to say, he loathed winter.
Shoving his bedroom door open, he's greeted by Arry and Bert with coffee mugs in their hands, “Morning mate.”
“Go to hell,” the warship grumbled.
“We just said good morning!” Arry complained.
“Yeah, no need to be a prick about it.” Bert cut in.
Diesel 10 growled, he wanted to shout “You’d be a prick too if you felt a tenth the pain I feel right now,” but he was cursed with too much pride to admit to them he wasn't the invincible warship he worked so hard to display himself as. He poured himself coffee and chugged it like it was brewed with the water from the fountain of youth.
Just then, Paxton runs into the Workshop, cheering aloud, “Arry! Bert! D10!”
“What is it, mate?” Arry asked.
“Look what I found under the tree!” Paxton held a big box covered in bright red wrapping and a shiny green ribbon tying it all together.
“Who put that there?” Bert asked. “I thought we weren't doing presents till Christmas.”
“I don't know,” Paxton replied, “there’s no name on it or anything.”
“What about this,” Arry pointed at a festive card placed under the ribbon at the top of the box.
“Oh…” Paxton blushed in embarrassment, “I… didn't see that.”
Arry slipped the card from under the ribbon and opened it, reading out loud, “Dear Diesel 10, I heard about your winter pains, and I wanted to help you…”
“Wait what?!” Diesel 10 shouted, nearly spitting out his coffee.
Arry continued, “I hope my gift can ease your aches, if just for a little bit. Merry Christmas, Santa Claus.”
Paxton gasped with childlike joy, “Santa?! He’s real?!”
Diesel 10 snatched the card from Arry’s hand, reading it once, twice, thrice, “Alright, which one of you bozos thinks this is funny?!”
“This isn't us,” Arry defended.
“Oh please! One of you idiots planned this prank and you better tell me who!”
“This isn't a prank!” Paxton insisted, “I found it under the tree when I woke up!”
“Well it was definitely someone here with a deathwish!”
At that moment, Diesel strolled in with a yawn, “Oh of course when I wake up, you bellends are already awake and arguing about stuff that doesn’t matter.”
Diesel 10 fumed, pointing at the red box in Paxton’s arms, “Is this your doing, moron?!”
“Is what my doing?”
“Don't play dumb!”
“Mate, did you put this present under the tree?” Paxton asked.
“No? I thought we weren't doing presents till Christmas.”
“That's what I said.” Bert chimed in.
“If it wasn't you, who wrote this?“ Arry takes the card out of D10’s hand and holds it out to Diesel. He takes it and gives it a quick read, “Dear Diesel 10… Blah blah blah… Winter pains… Blah blah… Santa Claus.” He raised an eyebrow, “Yeah no this is definitely not me.”
“Then who the hell is it?!” the warship snapped. Diesel, unfazed, waved a dismissed hand.
“Relax, relax, it's too early in the morning for shouting. Paxton, when did you find this?”
“Just after I woke up and walked past the tree, why?”
Diesel reads the card again, then snaps his fingers in recollection, “Oh, duh, it's from Percy.”
“Percy?” The mention of the steamie’s name almost made Diesel 10 relax.
“Yeah, he takes the mail every morning,” Diesel explained, “So, of course he'd be up before anyone else to deliver a present.”
“So, it wasn't Santa?” Paxton asked innocently.
Diesel scoffed, “No, how the hell would he be on the nice list?” He points a rude finger at D10, “And how would he be so high up he gets an early Christmas present?”
Arry, Bert, and Paxton all look at each other, nodding their heads like, “Oh yeah, that makes sense.”
Diesel 10 growled, “Well then, Einstein, what would possess Percy to give me an early Christmas present?”
“Well Watson, Percy clearly likes you— for some reason— and wanted to help you with your winter attitude."
“I don't have a winter attitude!”
“Well, clearly you hate the cold, so he got you a… wait, what did he get him?”
“I don't know,” Paxton holds out the box to Diesel 10, “Open it.”
“I’m not touching that,” Diesel rejected with disgust, still not convinced it wasn't a prank.
“Oh come on, mate. Don't be like that.”
“You open it then!”
“Works for me,” Diesel shrugged, reaching out and tearing the paper.
“Aww man, we could have saved that,” Bert moaned.
“Please, you would've just thrown it out in July anyway.”
The paper falls away, revealing a box for a weighted electric blanket. The diesels, except for D10, ooh’d and aww’d.
“Fancy,” Arry chimed, “ a blanket to keep you warm.”
“Says it helps with pain relief too,” Bert added.
“He even bought extra batteries,” Diesel points out.
“Percy is so thoughtful!” Paxton praised. This time, Diesel 10 takes the box, reading over how it helps relief aches and pains. Percy even circled it with a green marker, leaving a few smiley faces around it.
“Why did he get me this?” he asked in disbelief.
“Like I said,” Diesel answered, “He likes you, and wanted to help with your mood.”
“Why would a blanket help his mood though?” Paxton interjected.
“He thinks the cold makes his body ache.”
Diesel 10 grew tense, “How does he— Why does he think I have back pain from the cold?!”
“Probably because he asked me about it yesterday.”
“You told him I have back pain?!"
“No, not… exactly those words.”
“You fucking twat! You had no right to tell him that!”
“Alright, I’m sorry. But hey, at least you got a nice blanket.”
“Like hell I do! I'm giving this back!” Diesel 10 goes to leave, but is stopped by Paxton.
“You can't give it back! Returning a gift is bad etiquette!”
“Well I’m not keeping it!”
“Why not?” Arry asked. “It’s a nice gift.”
“Because I don't want that puffball thinking I'm some fragile, weak engine who needs a blanket to feel better!”
Diesel rolled his eyes, “Oh for God’s sake, forget your pride for a minute and just appreciate the damn gift. Look, if you really don't want it, we’ll take it, but don't give it back, you'll just make him sad.”
Diesel 10 growled, but he knew he was right, he could almost imagine the sadness on that puffball's stupid face if he handed the present back. “Fine,” He conceded, storming off, “But this stays in my room.”
“Aww, you’re not even gonna share?” Bert whined before Diesel 10 slammed the door shut. He tossed the box on his bed and glared at it like it offended his honor. Technically, it did. He didn't need some fancy blanket. So what if he hurt a bit? So what if it felt like his joints were made of stone and every step he took felt like he was walking on a bed of nails? He was stronger than that! He’s a warship for God’s sake! The cold won't stop him. After he finished having a one-way staring contest, he pulled Pinchy onto his back and set off to do his jobs for the day.
~~~
When he got back, he felt he was a step away from snapping in two. Every joint, every muscle, every bit of him hurt like hell. He shrugged Pinchy off of his back and threw off his heavy coat, but he still felt so heavy and cold. He caught a glance of himself in the mirror, shivering and small. He grabbed the blanket from his bed and threw it over the mirror to hide from the shame. But as he curled up onto the barren bed, he regretted using the blanket as a cover.
“Fuck… fuck winter! A worthless season!” He groaned aloud, body in immense pain. His eyes land on the box still sitting at the foot of his bed. He slowly sits up, pulling the box into his lap. He grumbled, his pride told him to throw it away, get it out of his sight. But his bones begged for comfort, relief, anything.
“Fuck it,” He conceded, tearing open the box. He reached in, pulling out a nearly folded blanket. It was impossibly soft and thick, you couldn't feel the wires inside. He laid it over his legs, there was a comfortable weight to it. He pulled the rest of the blanket over his body and sighed, it was perfect. Despite being a tall and wide engine, it covered him completely, even had more length to spare. He takes the remote in hand, turning the heat up little by little. Slowly, the cold melted off his body. He stretched his fingers and rolled his shoulders. The pain was gone. The sigh of relief he exhaled was almost euphoric, bundling up the blankets till he was nice and snug.
“Thank you, Percy,” mumbling under his breath. The second his eyes closed he was out like a light.
~~~
The next day comes and Percy is heading to the Dieselworks with a goods train.
“Aww, a bunch of scrap. My favorite,” Diesel teased.
“Ha ha, very funny,” Percy rolled his eyes, “And how's your day been?”
“Not bad, you?”
“Same old, same old.”
“Hi Percy!” Paxton comes over with a smile.
“Hi Paxton! How are you?”
“I’m great, thank you! Oh, I saw your gift yesterday, that was really sweet!”
“My gift?”
“The heated blanket you gave 10,” Diesel answered.
Percy blushed, rubbing the back of his neck, “I was hoping to stay anonymous. How did 10 react?”
Diesel and Paxton shared a glance, “He… sure saw it alright.”
Percy didn't like that vague answer, “where is he?”
“Probably in his room,” Paxton answered, “Actually, I didn't see him all day.”
“Honestly, that's a mercy.” Diesel muttered.
“Well thanks guys,” Percy waved before heading into the works. He reached D10’s bedroom door and gave it a knock. No response. He knocked a few more times. Nothing. Slowly, he turned the knob and peaked his head inside.
“10? Are you here?” He whispered. The room was quite dim, but his eyes managed to catch a shape on the bed. He quietly stepped in and shut the door behind him. “Diesel 10?” He stood at the edge of the bed, watching a peaceful, sleeping Diesel 10. There was a warmth emanating from the bed, he didn't realize how cold he was until he felt the warmth from… the blanket. Percy felt his heart skip a beat. He was using the blanket, the gift he got him. He looked over, watching how his chest rose and fell with every breath. He looked so comfortable. Percy could squeal with how happy he felt, he didn't notice Diesel 10 was slowly waking up.
“Percy?” he muttered in a groggy voice.
Percy felt embarrassed, “Oh, sorry, go back to sleep.”
Despite the offer, D10 sits up, wiping the sleep from his eye, “mmm… what are you doing here?”
“Just wanted to check on you. How are you feeling?”
“I’m… I’m fine,” Diesel 10 tried to stay awake, but he looked like he just wanted to get back to sleep, “what time is it?”
“It’s… around 3 in the afternoon.” Percy answered, glancing at his watch.
Diesel 10 blinked with confusion, “But… it was 6pm when I went to bed.”
Percy’s eyes grew wide, “6pm? You mean you slept for—” he counts on his fingers, “21 hours?!”
“Huh… I guess I did,” Diesel 10 said, before lying back down, “well, good night.”
“Good night?!” Percy guffawed, “you slept for 21 hours and you want to sleep even more?!”
“I’m comfy,” D10 sighed, tucking his arms in.
“I’d hope so. Well, I'm glad you liked my gift then.” Percy goes to leave, but is stopped when a hand catches his wrist.
“Stay with me,” Diesel 10 whispered.
Percy blinked, “Stay with you?”
Diesel 10 pulled the blanket to the side, dragging Percy to the empty spot on the bed next to him. Percy felt every nerve in his body fire off at once when warm, strong arms wrap around him.
“D-Diesel 10,” He stammered with a bright red face, “I-I-I have jobs to do.”
“So did I,” He hummed, his face tucked into the junction between Percy’s neck and shoulder, “take your shoes off.”
Percy, aware there’s no way he was strong enough to resist a warm cuddle session, began to kick off his shoes. “You’re a menace.”
D10 chucked, “I know.”
Percy tucked himself in against Diesel 10’s chest, the warm weighted blanket pulled over the two of them. All the energy drained from Percy as he became engulfed in warmth. “Wow,” He sighed.
D10 sighed with a proud smile, “go to sleep, puffball.”
Percy knew he would get in a lot of trouble when he woke up, but when he was this comfortable, he couldn't care less.