Chapter Text
As far as Rusty was aware, Halloween was the holiday with the most confectionary, but the festive period was the one with the most sweet treats in general. Dinah and Buffy would have mince pies and Stollen and shaped gingerbread with hot chocolate, or steaming puddings with custard and cream.
At the beginning of every shunting shift with the coaches Rusty would be offered a small tied parcel from Dinah, told to handle it with care and a reminder to take a break during the day to open it. Rusty never did of course, he never had time to take breaks, and if he did, it was usually because his body was failing. The last thing he wanted to do at those times was consume food. Not when he was spluttering water from a leak, shovelling coal into his firebox where it had burnt low or desperately trying to force a cog back into place so he could move again.
But there was another reason why Rusty didn't eat the snacks Dinah made for him. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate them, quite the opposite. The fact the coach would sneak him treats, knowing it would send Greaseball into a rage touched Rusty at his core. It was the small reminder that it wasn't the entire world that was against him.
No, Rusty would bring his packages back to the freight shed, a little crushed from being in his pockets or tucked into a corner of his coal box. He'd open the package then retie it clumsily before heading to the main truck shed and knocking.
The way Dustin would light up at the so called leftovers, gasping in delight at the intricate iced design or baked details, it was worth it all. Rusty would apologise for their state, and explain how he couldn't manage them all. They'd share one between them, for a few minute there would be peace in the world. Rusty would brush a crumb from Dustin's mouth and the hopper would blush, then Rusty would whistle in embarrassment and they'd both curl in on themselves shyly.
But then Flat-Top or a Rocky would come bounding out, demanding to know what was going on, and then the treats would have to be shared around the entire freight yard. Their moment was over, for now, but Rusty didn't miss the way Dustin beamed as he shared his gifts with the trucks.
Part of Rusty wanted to be selfish, to shoo everyone else and keep Dustin all to himself, even if just for a few minutes longer. They were given to him by Dinah after all, so it should be up to Rusty who gets them. But who was Rusty to deny Dustin the pleasure of watching his gift be shared? Besides, it meant Rusty could sit and watch the hopper beam and chat happily with the other trucks, play with them in ways Rusty's body didn't let him.
One day, when he was champion, he would buy Dinah all of the ingredients to make two of every one of Dustin's favourite treats. He'd treat his leaks and his rust so he would be able to taste again, and then he'd take that hopper out of the yard, up to a hill and share a picnic with him, just the two of them. That would be the best Christmas gift Rusty could ever get.