Chapter Text
It was early, for the first time in a long time, Bill was up earlier than most of the camp. When he’d first gotten out of the military (he was discharged… dishonourably.. he doesn’t like thinking about it,) he used to wake up far earlier than anyone else he was with. But… since being with the gang things changed. People were always there to protect them. There were less threats of someone walking into their camp and killing or capturing anyone inside. So, he slept in most days. It was just easier that way, he could stay up later and drink, then sleep in the next morning. He always did, even if the others teased him about it.
“Alright then boy, Kieran says you look alright with braids so.. ‘bout time I have a shot, right?” he said to the horse before he shook his head and grumbled. This was damn stupid, and he knew that too. But it was for Kieran, if Kieran appreciated it then all of this would be worth it. Especially since he had a lot that he owed him for. Afterall, he’d been horrible to him for so long it was a wonder that Kieran was even allowing Bill to pursue him. And that Mary-Beth was really sweet on him too. So why had he chosen Bill over the sweet young lady who was clearly far more promising? Maybe he was more stupid than he let on. Maybe smarter. Bill couldn’t guess.
Even so, he ignored all of that and began brushing through Branwen’s hair. He’d told himself he was going to braid it. And he liked to tell himself he wasn’t a quitter, even if he was just a lazy brute over half the time. He wouldn’t quit. Not on Kieran. Not now of all times.
So, he began parting the horses hair with unusually gentle fingers. He wasn’t a gentle giant by any means. He was a big man, intimidating to most. He used it to his advantage more often than he didn’t. Because in this kind of life, bigger was better. He could rob easily, spook people into giving him money, win fights based off of size alone. Even if he never had within the camp. Especially not to Javier… he’d learned not to tease the guy the hard way. And also learned that his father was a raging racist, and that calling people… well, saying derogatory things wasn’t as amusing as he thought it was. Especially when he ended up on his knees with a knife stabbing his neck. It was rather uncomfortable, even if it was slightly attractive to him.
The thought of all that alone made him chuckle though. Which ended up helping him with this braiding thing. At least he could pretend it was helping, because the braid (he’d only done one so far), looked half decent. Anyone could see that he had a proud smile on his face. Something he rarely wore. Look at what he’d done! Now only… what, twenty more to go? He knew the process would be long. But hopefully it’d be worth it. It’d show Kieran he was willing to put in the work. Because he was, even if it didn’t seem like he would ever bother. Most people would’ve left him by now, prayed for his untimely death.
But… Kieran Duffy wasn’t most people.
No, no. Kieran Duffy was better than most people. It was about time everyone else learned that too. Bill should’ve realised it sooner, everyone should have. After his close call with what the gang assumed to be Colm O’Driscoll and his damned mutts, they’d all become a bit more trusting of Kieran. He hadn’t said a word to them, despite the torture. Despite the fact the only reason he was alive was because Arthur heard his screams of pain.
Bill had kept him on a tight leash ever since then. He couldn’t bear the thought that his perfect lover could be hurt in such a way. He was also drinking more… he knew Kieran hated it. It put them both back into a bad place. But he couldn’t help it. It calmed the fear of losing Kieran. Just the thought had his heart aching..
But he’d gotten two braids done already! The others were starting to wake up now. At least, Charles and Arthur had. The two of them always tended to be up earlier than everyone else. Both enjoying hunting and what not, they liked getting out early. Kieran was usually up pretty early as well, but if him and Bill had an important talk the night before he wouldn’t wake up until a little bit later. Kieran was a bit of an overthinker, and he’d lay in Bill’s arms fearing the worst. So, he wouldn’t get any rest until the early hours of the morning.
“You’ll be half as stunning as he is by the time I’m done with you, yeah?” Bill laughed as he finished off the fourth braid. He was getting good at this. Though he was put off by the fact he could feel the stares of those who’d woken up. He was tense at just the thought of one of them coming over and teasing him. What right did they have to do any of that? He was just trying to be a good partner after all. None of them had partners. Except for John and Abigail. But they had no right to judge with how their lives together were going. Quite frankly, their arguing was annoying. And that was coming from Bill Williamson, who was well renowned for being… well, just that. Annoying.
~~
He was finally up to the last couple of braids. It’d been roughly an hour, and almost everyone was up. But… Bill hadn’t seen Kieran, which worried him to no end. How distracted had he gotten? Where was Kieran? What if the O’Driscolls found their new camp?!
Though his worry subsided as he felt a familiar pair of hands digging into the pockets of his jeans, and a familiar scratchy beard against his neck. The same unintelligible murmur he’d gotten so used to even in such a short amount of time. His heart fluttered and he felt like the heavens had been casted upon him as he felt the relief of knowing his Kieran was safe and okay.
“You alright there, Duffy?” Bill questioned light-heartedly, glancing down at Kieran. His heart swelled as he saw him, still dressed in his union suit and looking adorable as ever. How had Bill gotten so damn lucky?
“Too damn cold,” came the hiss in reply. Kieran, ever the sweet and gentle man, always was like this of a morning. Pissy with the shitty hand he’d been dealt. And rightfully so, he simply… wasn’t a morning person. Bill found it sweet, everyone else.. less so. But they didn’t matter, they were just assholes really. That’s all they knew how to be, Bill was learning to be something else, but he had a good teacher. The others? Well, the ladies were nice… and Hosea could be okay, but the others were… well. Pieces of work.
“Thinking we could go fishing today, got a tip about a good lake nearby. Morgan said there’s good fish.”
“Arthur doesn’t know the first thing about a good fish..”
“Still. I want to get out with you. I won’t even bring any beer if that’s what’ll make you happy.”
“…fine.”
And with that, Bill was happy. Kieran hadn’t even seemed to register what he was doing just yet. Which, all in all, was just another thing Bill found adorable. They were both tired, wanting to sleep. He just hoped fishing would be a good outing for the both of them. Bill still remembered their discussion about their lives. How Kieran still innocently called his mother, Mammy, and how he’d lost both parents young. How he knew fishing and horses, and that’s just.. what he did. He went fishing when he could, cared for all the horses in camp. It was fair. Bill knew violence, anger, and alcohol. It was clear they came from very different worlds.
They both stayed silent for a while though, soaking in each other’s company. It was rare the mornings were as calm and quiet as this. Usually someone would have some kind of issue. A fight, someone returning from a trip into town, Dutch rambling on about how they were going to get money and go to Tahiti or some foreign place like that. He mentioned Australia, workers paradise. But they weren’t workers. It was good for farmers and builders and the likes. But no one in the gang was that. And Tahiti? Bill didn’t know the first thing about Tahiti.
But this morning there was nothing but the sounds of soft greetings within the camp, people moving around, the horses huffing about. It was unusual but pleasant. Not something Bill wanted to get used to, but if it’s just every so often he wouldn’t complain. He preferred those mornings of chaos. When everyone was busy doing one thing or another, but he knew Kieran. Knew that this environment was better for him. It was quite nice to see him so calm. Even if he was a bit cold.
“Do you want my coat?” he questioned, raising a brow as he heard shaking breaths coming from Kieran. He was a large man; body fat and hair covered every inch of him. So, it took a lot to get him cold. Kieran though? He was small, his hair thinner. And his clothes were in far worse condition despite the fact Bill always offered to buy him new clothes. Something nice, as a gift. The only gifts he’d been able to give so far were fishing lures and a saddle blanket. Kieran didn’t particularly think himself good enough for gifts. And to be honest? Bill thought the same about himself more often than not.
“Yes please…” Kieran muttered into his neck, and Bill wasted no time taking off his coat. Branwen’s hair was already done. Two and a half hours just to braid a horses mane… it felt like more than it probably was. But it was just a small step towards what Bill was working towards. The next thing, of course, was taking Kieran fishing with the perfect things to catch this supposedly legendry fish not far from Saint Denis. Then, he’d take him into Saint Denis to have dinner, and perhaps a night in a hotel. He’d even gotten nice clothes for the two of them to pretend that they’d been dealt good hands. That they were part of the upper class, even if just the idea of it was a fever dream.
Looking at Kieran wrapped up in his coat, which was covered with holes in many shapes and sizes, only reminded him of what they were. Two poor outlaws with almost no one behind them. Who couldn’t be away from each other for too long without risking lives. Who couldn’t be too close outside of the camp for the exact same reason. It… sucked, to say the least. It wasn’t a good situation. For either of them.
And yet Bill still had it in him to be happy seeing Kieran like this. It was like the domestic life was within reach of the two of them. Even if it was something they likely wouldn’t even be able to think of for another hundred years, a man could dream. The idea of the two of them in a nice little cottage where Kieran could care for horses and fish as much as he wanted, and Bill could catch a break from everyone and everything. Where he had something real to protect. He liked the idea of it…
But for now, he’d settle for the odd fishing trip out away from the others. It was the best they were going to get even if they did try a bit harder. Some of the others, Dutch especially, didn’t trust Kieran yet. So, Bill couldn’t take him out for too long.
“Go get breakfast, I’ll grab supplies for fishing,” Kieran simply nodded in response to Bill before he hobbled away to grab food for both of them. Bill, meanwhile, got everything ready. Excited for the day out he’d planned all in the time span of two hours. Maybe Kieran would even notice what he did for Branwen! Only time would tell.