Work Text:
Hi! Sorry to anyone who might've thought this was a full fic at first. This is just a teaser post to hopefully get feedback. I'm trying to figure out the best way to structure a canon-divergent, slow burn, fix-it fic between Bill and Kieran. I originally tried posting a poll about it on Tumblr, but for whatever reason, it hasn't shown up in the tags. So, I figured I'd try posting here to see if anyone might be interested.
Right now, I'm torn on where to begin the fanfic. I'm considering:
Colter, probably right before Arthur rides Kieran into camp
or
Horseshoe Overlook, probably right after Six Point Cabin
But of course, with Bill, things are going to get worse between them before they get better. It wouldn't be until Clemen's Point that Bill starts to change. I want to write a version of Bill that's still flawed, still bad at feelings, but capable of growth and tenderness – even if he's terrible at showing it. I truly believe that if Bill found someone he loved, and who loved him back, his fate could've changed. (Even his voice actor said something similar in a cameo once, which really stuck with me.)
I also have a few themes I'd love to explore throughout the story: Kieran's longing to belong, his growing understanding of his bisexuality, Bill's internalized shame, his guilt over his poor treatment of Kieran, his grief and guilt over Sean's death, and how his relationship with Charles eventually changes too. I'm not sure if I'm a good enough writer to write all that the way I want to – but I really want to try. Maybe I’m just a perfectionist, but there’s something about RDR2 characters that feels so hard to get right.
I know there are a couple of Bill/Kieran slow burns out there already, and I really respect what those authors have done. This one’s just a personal take I’ve had in my head for a long time - one that explores a version of these two that I haven’t quite seen yet.
The last time I tried writing out a multi-chapter fic here, I ended up rewriting it and only got up to five chapters before losing interest. If I end up writing this fic, I really don't want that to happen. This whole game and these characters mean so, so much to me. Too much, probably. I don't have anyone to talk about it with – I don't even have anyone to beta read my stuff. Sad, I know. So, feel free to comment or even just give this a kudos to let me know if this concept sounds interesting. It would mean a lot!