All of the World (ARCHIVED & LESS BAD)

Part Six

"Lift it carefully. Make sure it doesn't fall." Frances nodded as well as he could, straining under the weight of the fuel tanker. He and Diesel had gone out that morning and found it lying on its side, taking it upon themselves to put it back on the track.

"How did I end up doing the lifting, again?" He asked, voice cracking. Diesel just shrugged, going around to the other side and pulling. The tanker rocked a bit, but eventually settled back where it belonged.

Frances got up from the ground, wincing at the pain in his legs. "Nothing like promoting child labour to help you wake up in the morning." Diesel said, strolling casually back to the main shed. Frances stayed behind, looking around at the cliffs that bordered the works.

A couple yards from him, he noticed a shimmering column of gold dust forming, and he ducked behind the tanker. Heart pounding, he dared to look out from his hiding place, expecting to find Lady or Mr. Conductor in front of him. Instead, he saw a blonde man wearing a button-down hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, who was looking around frantically.

"Hey you! Over there behind the tanker! Have you seen Diesel around?" He yelled, continuing to search around. Frances decided to walk over to the strange man, prepared to tackle him if needed. "I can take you to him, if you'd like." He offered, and began walking in the same direction as Diesel had.

"You're a lifesaver! They call me C. Junior." Junior rejoiced, running up to him and shaking his hand. When they reached the main shed, Diesel was nowhere to be seen, but Splatter and Dart were up in the rafters, repairing a crack in the ceiling.

"Oh hey Frances- Is that Junior?!" Splatter cried excitedly, almost falling to his death. "How're you holding out?" Junior asked as the two climbed down from the roof.

"Oh you know, taking in children, accidentally starting revolutions, the usual." Splatter said, waving his hands dismissively. Junior laughed crazily, but eventually remembered why he was there. "Hey Splatter, have you seen Diesel anywhere? I need to talk to him."

Splatter hadn't, but Dart had, and when he took Junior into the back, Frances turned to Splatter expectantly. "Oh yeah, he's Mr. Conductor's cousin. Don't worry though, he's a good dude. Takes us surfing sometimes." Splatter explained, rubbing his right bicep.

Frances looked at it and noticed a deep indent in it, which wasn't visible normally. Splatter noticed and looked away, embarrassed. "Uh, that's just my scar. You know, from when me and Dodge... Separated." Frances cocked his head to the side, confused. Splatter raised his shirt up to his ribs, revealing another scarred indentation. Frances ran his fingers down it, and Splatter flinched slightly.

"Did I hurt you?" Frances asked, concerned. "No, I just..." Splatter trailed off, letting go of his shirt. "I was worried that you'd think it was gross. I normally wear crop tops, since the rubbing of the fabric itches, but you know." The boy confessed, looking sadder then Frances had ever seen him.

"Oh god no, I would never think that. In fact," Frances soothed, holding Splatter's hand comfortingly, "They're beautiful. I'd love to seem them more often." And he meant it. Splatter began to cry, grabbing Frances and hugging him fiercely, burying his face into the crook of Frances' neck. Frances held him tightly, running his fingers through Splatter's hair.

He heard movement in front of them, and another pair of arms wrapped around the two. Then another. Eventually, Frances and Splatter were completely surrounded, protected in the center of a circle. "This is nice." Splatter sighed, going completely limp. "Alright, up you go." Dawn laughed, lifting him up again.

Frances knew that the show of affection wasn't meant for him, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. "Don't we have work to do?" Dodge asked, not moving. "I think- Well, what I mean is-" Den hesitated. "What he means is, who cares?" Dart finished.