Chapter Text
CB awoke with an ache all over, not surprising with position he was in.
The Caboose was folded tightly in half, the back of his head, and shoulders brushing against the top of the scrap metal he had forced himself under, his neck bent down painfully, forcing his chin against his chest, his hat resting on the dirt next to him, and his radio protected underneath.
His first night at the Union Pacific yard and he'd already needed to get himself out of the torrential rain, luckily for him though, it had stopped at some point while he slept.
Grabbing his hat and radio he slid out, quickly putting both on his head before stretching, multiple pops coming from his small frame as he did so.
"10-8, waiting by for assignment." CB spoke into the mic, he'd learned the previous day while talking to Poppa that his shifts wouldn't be planned ahead for another week or so, which meant that he would need to keep checking in for jobs, an inconvenience sure but at least it meant he could slip under the radar for a while.
"Nothing yet" Poppa replied, his voice gravely through the speaker, "but if you want to come up to my shed for some breakfast you can."
"uh..sure? 10-10."
That was...odd.
He'd never worked at a yard that was like this one, but maybe Poppa was just wanting to get to know him more, today was technically his first day.
But breakfast? He'd never been invited to breakfast before at any other job.
It didn't take long for CB to hop back over the fence and make his way to the freight yard, hoping someone wouldn't spot him and question where he had been.
His wheels were still aching, with sharp pains shooting through his legs every so often.
This happened a lot, but he had no way of changing them while on the run, he had learned how to manage with it pretty quickly though.
"Ah there you are!" Poppa's voice called out to him, he was leaning up against the doorframe of his shed, mug in hand.
"You must have gotten up early, I didn't hear you leave."
Of course Poppa would be able to hear the freights leave, his shed was the closest to the entrance, although most of the used sheds were pretty close to each other, making it easier for everyone to be able to hear the gate, as well as one another.
That was if he was to believe that none of the Freights used the sheds in any other yard.
"Sorry, I was just making sure I knew the layout." the red Caboose replied, rolling through the entrance, the Steamer leading the way to the kitchen.
Poppa hummed reaching for another mug , "Coffee?"
CB hesitated briefly, sitting down at the table, choosing the seat opposite where Poppa's mug was now placed. "Yeah, thanks"
He wasn't much of a coffee drinker before he went on the run, but that quickly changed once he realised it was stopping him from feeling as hungry when he hadn't eaten in a while, and most dinners he had crossed gave away cups for free.
The shed was warm, comforting even, the smell of smoke was clear but it wasn't as heavy as CB would have assumed.
His eyes travelling along the walls, covered in pictures, most of which contained the freights, or a young racing Steamer, although those photos did look incredibly old.
"Here, eat up."
CB snapped back to the table, Poppa had put a large plate in front of him, as well as the mug of coffee.
Toast, fried eggs, bacon, and what must have been a sausage.
"You didn't mention if you eat meat or not so I just gave you what I've got." Poppa commented gesturing to his own matching plate.
"Thanks, Poppa," CB mumbled between bites. He hadn't had a hot meal like this in weeks, well he hadn't even had a cold meal in a few days, and while Poppa wasn't the best cook, it felt like a luxury,
Poppa chuckled. "Hope the eggs aren’t too rubbery."
CB shook his head, swallowing a mouthful of food. "No, it’s good. Better than I’m used to." CB's eyes widened. why did he say that? He'd only been here a day and was already blabbing?
Poppa must have noticed the look on his face, the steam engine's eyes were on him, his own fork down on the plate, as if waiting for the Caboose to say something else.
He really needed to avoid going into detail about the scraps he usually had to settle for.
"My old yard didn't have a great cook" he shrugged, hoping Poppa wouldn't catch him out on his lie, thankfully the Steamer went back to eating.
Both continued to eat without uttering a word, CB's radio occasionally letting out small beeps, but no messages for him.
CB's eyes wandering out other parts of the shed he could see from his seat. That’s when he noticed a small stained ash tray on the floor next to a large dusty brown chair, as if it had been kicked over, but no sign of any cigarette butts that could have spilled out.
But his eyes kept being drawn to the few photos of the racer Steam engine.
CB never really watched races as a kid, the few friends he had loved them though, running around their yard pretending the ground was the tracks, yelling about how they would be racers when they were older, but it was never something he had ever imagined doing himself, especially after he had found out most racers had started training as children, their parents making sure their children would have the best training and best equipment.
"What a time," Poppa sighed noticing what CB was looking at.
The Caboose turned to look at him, "That's you?"
"Was," Poppa corrected, a gleam in his eyes, "I was a champion. It's why I came to this yard of all places."
CB stared at him confused, what did that mean?
"Anyway," Poppa stood to his wheels grabbing both of their plates and putting them in the sink, the tone clear he wanted to change the conversation.
"Your wheels always that loud?"
CB's head snapped down the look at his feet, ankles crossed and tucked between the legs of the chair, he slowly pulled them out in front of him, still under the table which Poppa shouldn't be able to see from where he was leaning against the counter.
"Huh?"
"I heard it when I first bumped into you yesterday, sounds like they're on their last run." Poppa's voice was calm, "How long have you been running on those?"
CB kept his gaze on the elder, trying to keep as calm as he could, ignoring how fast he could feel his heart beating against the metal chamber of his chest.
"They're fine, just a little…worn."
"They're more than a little worn, let me have a look."
Poppa took a step forwards his hand outreached towards the seated boy, a gentle smile on his face, but the motion caused CB to flinch, his head jerk to the side, and eyes squeeze shut but only for a second until he went back to how he was before, such a small movement but one Poppa noticed, he dropped his hand back down to his side, but didn't say anything.
"You're not gonna be able to brake freight with broken wheels, just a quick look."
" I can manage," CB snapped, shifting uneasily in his seat. "They’re not that bad."
But Poppa wasn’t having it. His eyes narrowed slightly, crossing his arms "Kid, I’ve been around engines long enough to know when something’s ready to fall apart. No shame in getting them looked at."
Before CB could come up with an excuse to leave, the Steamer turned away and moved to a small wooden cabinet beside the stove, opening it with a creak and pulling out a rusted toolbox.
"I’ve got a kit," Poppa said turning back to the Caboose. "Won’t take long. Besides, better to fix it now, you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere."
CB couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, it wouldn't be the first time his wheels have given out under him with no idea where he was.
"You don’t have to tell me what’s going on, kid. I’m not gonna pry. But I can’t let you keep running with busted wheels. It’s dangerous. You’re lucky I noticed."
Was he becoming too obvious? had being on the run for so long between jobs made his mask slip? or was Poppa just incredibly observant?
"Alright, alright," CB muttered, his anxiety creeping up, but there was no way out now. "You can take a look."
"Go get comfy on the couch, It'll be easier there." Poppa spoke pointing over to the living area.
Once CB was sat comfortably, his right hand holding onto the top one of the mismatched pillows next to him, Poppa knelt down, resting to the side of the Caboose's legs, lifting one foot by the ankle and putting it in his lap. "Let’s see what we’re working with."
His brow furrowed as he studied the state of the wheels.
"Yeah, these are no good, I was hopin' this would just be a tightening job" Poppa said after a moment, "You’re lucky they haven’t given out yet."
"I’ve... been careful. Didn’t think it was this bad."
"Careful only gets you so far," Poppa chuckled, clearly reminiscing about something. "These things are gonna snap if you push 'em too hard."
Barely two days here and he'd already made himself look like a fool, that was a new record.
"But no worries, we have some of the exact same size."
It really had been a long time since he upgraded his wheels, he couldn't actually remember when it was that he upgraded to these ones.
At least he'd have some decent ones for when he ran again.
"These should work" Poppa smiled, holding up two black wheels, the other six wheels were on the floor next to the tool bag.
CB gave a small grunt, staring at the ceiling. He wanted to appreciate the nice gesture, really, but the whole situation had him internally squirming, As Poppa began unscrewing the first old wheel, his touch gentle.
Too gentle, something that someone like CB didn't deserve.
Poppa paused, the first wheel already replaced. His large hand coming to rest briefly on CB’s ankle, giving it a soft squeeze. "You must’ve been pushing these to the limit, huh? Tough little Caboose, aren’t ya?"
A small joke, nothing more, but it didn't stop CB from feeling uneasy, his body stiffening.
CB's throat tightened, and he tried not to flinch when the Steamer’s fingers brushed against his leg as he readjusted the tools.
The last time someone had touched him like that…gently.
It had ended with the Caboose on the floor crying, waiting for the feeling of disgust to fade away.
"One down, one to go." Poppa spoke, dropping CB's foot to the floor.
CB quickly looked down at his foot, pushing it forwards and back across the floor, feeling how much easier it felt, gone was the aching and pressure making him limp.
"Thanks," he whispered, trying not to look the Steamer in the eyes.
"Don't mention it."
By the time the other four wheels were installed CB had relaxed again, allowing himself to chuckle at the elder's jokes and short stories.
"All done," Poppa declared standing up, "How do those feel?"
CB stood, his feet shaking slightly, the wheels were clearly new, causing a slight slipperiness against the floor, but seeing as he wouldn't be spending much time in sheds it wouldn't matter, the tracks would help gain friction in no time.
"Great, thank you."
"You're one of us now, and we take care of each other here."