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"Got ya, O'Driscoll!" Bill exclaimed, holding the boy's sides. But unlike before, the boy didn't say anything. Kieran sulked, not bothering to look back at Bill, making him lose interest. Bill hugged him, resting his large head on his shoulder. He whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm just kidding. How could you be the evil O'Driscoll!"
Kieran laughed at the words and ran a thin hand over Bill's ridiculous hair. After that, he carried on herding horses. They remained that way for a little while longer until Kieran was done with his work.
It was still early, and Kieran had done everything he could except teach little Jack to study. The sun was still shining on the roofs, so the two decided to ride around here for a while. Hosea agreed immediately when he asked for his opinion, even giving him a few extra coins and asking him to buy some things for him. Of course, he accepted. Hosea also stated that he should give him the rest of the change because he had just completed a few jobs and earned a lot of money.
Kieran led the horse out first, then waited a moment before Bill came running. His beer belly was also exhausted from running. He noticed Bill holding something in his hand, which was wrapped in a white ribbon. Bill stood up straight, holding it in front of him as if it were a gun and he intended to shoot him.
But that's not a gun, it's a bouquet of fresh flowers. Pure white flowers nestle among bright red roses. White chrysanthemums, red roses, and even poppies. Where did he find it?
Kieran picked it up and brought it closer to inhale the gentle scent from the bouquet. He smiled, not knowing how to respond. And he moved closer, to kiss Bill's rough lips. Lightly. And short. He quickly pulled away and looked around, afraid that someone would find out.
No one noticed them at all. Everyone has their own busy schedule, and there's no time to worry about what a pair of fluffy chickens are doing. Bill looked up, the boy seemed shy, his red cheeks were adorable. He knew they should ride early too.
The cool air of spring covered my head, and the sound of horse spurs sounded from afar. The two horses compete to gallop forward. On their backs, two people laughed and talked happily, dreaming of the day when they could live together, work together in the garden,...
They entered a fairly large town, tying up their horses near a store where Kieran bought the items Hosea had asked him for earlier. With a few silver coins left over, he thought about what he should buy. Nothing, he supposed. When he got to the door, he suddenly remembered that Bill had a few shirts with the buttons broken that he still wanted to wear. So he went back into the store and bought some small blue buttons that Bill loved.
After putting their things on the horse, the two went to the cemetery, a suitable place for a date to take place. Bill wondered why people often go to dead places to date? Perhaps it is due to the introduction of European culture. Young couples, dressed elegantly, stood in front of the graves, flirting with each other. Weird, Bill thought to himself but still walked in with Kieran by his side.
They chose a secluded place, standing next to an old tombstone, the person underneath had died ten years ago with his head cut off and his eyes gouged out. Kieran clasped his hands and wished that the person in the grave could feel peace after death.
"Why do people date here?" Bill spoke out his thoughts. He looked at Kieran in suspicion after seeing his actions.
"Yet We also followed them." He replied with a careless joke while still thinking about the person in the grave. A person without a proper name. He was worried that after he died, he would be just like him. Hey, no one remembers names.
Bill pulled him out of the cemetery, not giving him any more time to think about death. Intertwining their fingers, they approached a field filled with colorful flowers. The wind gently shook the flower petals, swaying like a concert.
Kieran ran among the bright flowers, smiling and reaching out his hands as if to catch the wind. He jumped into the harmony between the flowers and the wind, letting himself drift along with the clouds flying in the sky. Right now, he let go of all old attachments, worries, and fears. The gentle breeze rushed towards him, as if it wanted to hug him.
From a ledge not far away, Bill Williamson lit a cigarette. He took a long breath, exhaling it slowly as if it were his own breath. Bill doesn't love the little flowers down there, nor does he need the cool breeze. Man, he just need that little boy standing in that flower field to smile. That's enough.
Kieran came into his life like a gentle breeze, blowing away the haze that had obscured his eyes for all these years. He is small, adorable, always smiling even when scared. He brought light, dispelling the thick fog in his mind. Then Bill got scared again. He was afraid that the wind would pass away and would no longer be with him.
The wind had stopped blowing in the field, but the two were not in a hurry yet. Kieran is struggling to do something in the flower field. Stop running here, then run somewhere else. When he returned to his side, he gave Bill a bouquet of flowers, pure white, just one color and no ribbon.
"These are the most beautiful flowers I could find. Do you like it?" Bill laughed. He was crazy excited. It's not often that someone gives him a gift, especially when this is Kieran, his boy. Bill hugged the gift from God. He put him in his arms, buried his face in his small unfulfilled belly, and groaned. He quickly covered his face with the bouquet of flowers, but he could still clearly see Bill smiling widely underneath.
The two returned to camp before sunset. The sky gradually turned red. The clouds float indifferently, not knowing their destination. The wind rustled through the towering trees. In each person's hand is a bouquet of flowers given by the other, respectfully wrapped in lovely items. Kieran tucked it in the book Miss Mary-beth gave him. Bill holds maps and bottles of wine. Mary-beth suggested that he could fill the clam with sand and let it dry in the sun so he could keep it for many years. She is always the one who guides them both in love.
Bill and Kieran sat together in front of the campfire, their fingers intertwined. He let the boy rest his head on his shoulder, drinking a little while listening to the gentle melodies that Javier sang. He is not interested in this young couple, but still hopes it will have a beautiful ending. Then, Bill will be out of sight and never come around to bother him.
"Oh. I just remembered, do you still have those shirts with broken buttons?" Bill nodded, not saying anything more. "I bought some buttons earlier, so I thought I could sew them up for you." Kieran Showing off the buttons he bought for Bill, he chuckled and kissed the top of his head, gently but enough to make Javier stop playing the guitar and go find girls to relieve his sadness.