Explaining friendship dynamics
Part 1 : Thomas
- human, engine drivers au.
- my headcanons.
the characters' personalities are mostly based on the rws and the early model series 📚
Thomas -> Edward
Kind of the only one who really understands him. They were both there for the start of NWR, and Edward mentored Thomas throughout the early years so... no wonder their relationship is closer than the others.
Thomas sees Edward as someone he can be vulnurable with, —which is a lot coming from Thomas, who never had the best childhood— and he considered him his only friend during his station pilot era.
After he matured and got his own branchline, he still askes for Edward's advice once in a while, and tries to be like him whenever something goes horribly wrong. ('Oh no! What would Edward do in this situation?!')
But if there's one thing Thomas doesn't approve about Edward, It's his comfort mechanism. (Remember that one time when Edward brought Thomas to see the twins to cheer him up.)
That aside, Thomas is always greatful for Edward's help, and is eager to help him every chance he gets.
Thomas -> Henry
Thomas didn't really care about Henry prior to the events of TSSOH. He did find it funny when the Fat Controller first saw Henry and his engine and just went "I wanted an Atlantic, but that ____ ____ ____ sent me THAT" .
He didn't hate him though. Actually, Thomas found him pretty decent compared to the others that were on trial. He even defended Henry once from the others. (He doesn't remember it, though)
That was until TSSOH (and the strike) happened, and although Thomas found the whole ordeal extremely hilarious, the increased workload was enough to make his view on Henry drop six feet under.
After the Kipper accident, Thomas found out that he and Henry get along pretty well. So they are now good friends who bicker every chance they get.
Thomas -> Gordon
They had a weird sort of rivalry ever since Gordon set foot on Sodor. Well it was mostly one-sided to be honest, because Gordon never really saw Thomas as an equal. Thomas knew that, and that annoyed him even further.
But then, Down the Mine happened. Both of them had learned (the hard way) to be mature, leading to an aliance that went on surprisingly well.
Things improved steadily for the both of them after Gordon went through his redemption arc. Heck, Thomas even helped Edward and Gordon to be on (somewhat) good terms again.
In present day, Thomas and Gordon are more like frienemies, with more emphasis on the 'friend' part.
Thomas -> James
Unlike most people believe, they have a pretty good relationship, although Thomas did not like James at first.
James did spend his early years being a pain in the neck for everyone, and Thomas was the one who would always snap back with equally nasty remarks.
Thomas thought James to be unreliable because of his derailment the first week and the bootlace fiasco. This kind of stained James's image the most, since James was quick to grow out of his bad temper after his first week.
As James started to change and prove himself, Thomas's view gradually changed over time. And now they are on good terms with each other.
But he still thinks that looking up to Gordon is the stupidest thing ever.
Thomas -> Percy
Thomas is fond of Percy as a roommate and friend. Not to mention he's the closest to him in age, so they share similar interests. However, there are some... issues with this dynamic.
The main problem of their relationship is that Thomas thinks of Percy as a younger sibling and treats him like one.
While this is not a weird behavior since Percy is actually younger than Thomas, or is he? the problem is that the way Thomas treats Percy is exactly like how Gordon used to treat Thomas.
For clarification, this does not mean that Thomas actively looks down on Percy. But he thinks Percy as inexperienced and 'too kind for his own good', therefore treating him as someone he takes responsibility for. In other words, someone beneath him.
Thomas didn't recognise this problem, however. Because the moment he realizes he'd either jump off the viaduct, or pour steaming hot coffee over himself.