Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Chapter 20: Austin.

A/N: I just realized I wrote this in 3rd person bec Master Gallagher is in 3rd person and I'm confused lmao but I will just run with it.

—

"She refuses to speak to me."

Austin rolled his eyes at William, continuing to empty the cigarette butts on a sturdy ashtray. Taking a shot of scotch, he looked around the secluded area around the bar. After all they always had to sit in the smokers lounge even though William strongly disapproved with Austin's addictive habit.

After some time, Austin turned back to his friend and replied. "Don't be ridiculous, leave girl alone. She has been without you for nearly half a decade, I reckon she and her son do not need you."

"You said her son?" William chuckled a bit hurt.

"I certainly can not say your son after you refused to take responsibility for your fuckery."

"Aha!" William said with a sadistic laugh. "You speak so highly of yourself, you must be a saint Austin."

Shaking his head, Austin immediately had a mild flashback of every single time he had been intimate with Merrigold. He would never voice his thought aloud. "I do not remember ever fathering any woman's child, if I did... I'd take responsibility. I did after all put myself in that situation the minute, I engaged in any sexual activity." Looking at each other oddly, they both burst out laughing knowing exactly how Austin felt about kids. Austin had sounded so serious and genuine, it was hilarious. William knew him well enough to know believed his boisterous comments.

"Hypothetically speaking you bloody hell know I wouldn't. I hate kids." Austin cringed, taking a good pull from the cigarette before blowing out the smoke through his mouth and nose, William turned to look away. Now noting that something was definitely wrong with Austin. He only ever indulged so much in smoking when he was stressed, overthinking or overwhelmed.

"Everything alright bud?"

"Yes yes, just a little jumbled up with taking care of the plantation and being a lawyer. It's taking its tow on me.." His grey eyes simmered to look down at the ashtray, sadness he had not intended to reveal had made itself known.

"Tough but you will be alright. You're the strongest lad I know."

"How do you tame a negro?" Austin asked out of the blue.

"Uh... pardon?"

"Yes, how do you tame it? How do you make it love you, how do you make it adore you enough to not want anyone or anything else?"

"That's odd coming from you." Flustered William replied.

"I'm simply curious, with the plantation on my hands I'm learning bits and tricks, they tend to be quite rebellious. Although I'd rather not get into much detail."

"Well it sounds as if you have been involved with a certain someone..."

"Involved? I'd rather string myself off the tallest building to my death than be caught having anything to do with those animals. I'm appalled that you speak so ignoble of me William."

William only nodded with a smirk. "Look at you being defensive for no reason what so ever, there ought to be someone..."

"I refuse to confirm that I'd commit adultery with a nigger of all things. I have self respect William, what do you take me for." At this point Austin was itching with annoyance. Asking for more shots, lighting a cigar—

"Not again, Austin. And you expect me to believe you're alright, you're halfway through your pack."

"Quit it, don't be bothersome." Austin muttered sitting back in his comfortable chair, much calmer with a cigarette in hand. Much pleased with a taste of scotch on the side. William eyed him for a second, feeling very concerned. He had never in his life see Austin behave in such a manner. In fact, Austin seemed to have more hatred towards black people than usual.

"I saw Panashe's son the other day, while visiting. I've to admit, you made a good one." Austin added. "Very handsome, you know I'm not one to compliment anyone ever."

Austin seemed drunk, William simply allowed him to speak his mind.

"If you really loved her as much as you claim why was it so easy for you to leave? I'm just trying to help alright? H-help my buddy get his animalistic fairytale." Immediately burst out laughing Austin could not hold it in. The alcohol was clearly doing too much. "I on the other, my worst fear would be having a child. Not physically ofcourse as I hold no womb with ovaries. My worst fear would be my parenting skills, I'm such a horrid person. I'm horrible with showing my emotions, my child would probably hate my entire existence. I'd rather be alone because then I can not hurt anyone or disappoint anyone."

"I think you would make a good father, don't be so hard on yourself Austin." William gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I see the way you're with your sister's children."

"I suppose so, anyways you mentioned Panashe not wanting to speak to you?" He quickly changed the subject.

"Yes, she refuses to let Christian know that I'm his father but I will respect her wishes."

"What made you infatuated with her so much?" Austin questioned.

"I have no idea but I've realized when you really love someone you love them and nothing will change. You might ignore the feelings but they only build up and get stronger. I have no idea when I actually fell for her, all I know is I'd liked her for a long time. I beat myself over it because I thought it was wrong to feel the way I felt strongly for someone like her."

"Alright William Shakespeare..." Austin mimicked taking another shot.

"You're lonely honest, don't play it off with you hate marriage. You hate children, you're better off alone and miserable. The day you finally find someone that makes you excited, you will go mad."

Austin felt attacked. "No, I'm very happy with my life and people differ Will; your experience will not be mine."

"Fair enough..."

"Mhm..."

"That young man you regularly send over to work at our plantation, that is very unnecessary of you knowing the Gallagher plantation is much bigger and needs no aid. Are you treating those people with some human decency? In all honesty I feel for them."

"Mind your own William and I will mind mine." Austin casually bit back, somewhat more annoyed with his friend.

"I can not help but feel you're keeping something from me. I understand the catching up after such a long time seems dreadful but you and I have been friends for a very long time. I feel as if you're shutting me out of your life—"

This was when William noticed Austin sleeping the scotch in his hand had spewed on his pants and he seemed not to mind. Shaking his head William called for the butler to come service them. A posh bar for people like them seemingly always seemed empty and conserved while the lower class bars were dreadfully crowded with peasants... the working class. Something William and Austin would never relate to.

—

The carriage ride back to the Cunningham plantation was short. Only short because William has so much on his mind such as getting his son whom he had wronged and robbed off six years of having a father all because he believed someone that had been manipulating him for years.

Upon arrival. "Master William, Master Austin values his privacy and has since made new adjustments that only he and Merrigold reside in the house from after supper he does not wish for the butters or housekeepers to stay around. Therefore at this time of the night I doubt we can wake anyone up to help us." The carriage driver had said in regards to Austin who was clearly out of it. Bamboozled by liquor, he was never one to hold a bottle down.

"No worries, I'm aware of his room I will bring him up."

"He moved to the east wing quarters, his room is no longer the one he held as a teen." With a pause the young man decided he would show William. It was quite a big house and would be very easy to get lost in. Holding one arm on each of the shoulders, Austin proved to be a problem.

"Not there..." Austin groaned when they were about to get up the stairs. The butterfly stairs in the Cunningham home only proved the extravaganza life the family lived. One stair rail on either side and 9ft doors that opened way to a beautiful interior they'd call the relaxation room. It was of no use but Austin's mother was always passionate for the finest of things and Austin's father proved to be a good architect happy to please his wife's dream.

"M-Merri.." Austin murmured.

"Austin stand still..." William told him.

"No, I want Merri." He slurred a little dizzy pushing them off without any of their aid he almost fell but they held him.

It was in the moment it all clicked when William saw a young woman, enter the room concerned with the ruckus and the squeaks their shoes had been making. Austin instantly relaxed when they had told him Merrigold was present.

Getting him to bed had been a hustle. William introduced himself to Merrigold. The carriage driver had to go release the horses and take his rest. Merrigold had gladly prepared a guest room for William as if she was the wife of the house. She assured William, she would take care of Austin. He had made a mess of himself.

As he laid back in a vulnerable state. She unbuttoned his shirt slowly, running her hands down his rigid chest. He was so breathtaking when he was not being an arsehole. When he had his mouth closed. She managed to get his clothes off him until he was in his drawers. Half awake Austin pulled her onto his bed and cuddled her. Holding her tight, he pulled a the cover blanket over them with no words muttered he laid kisses on her forehead and all over her face before dosing off. William had intended to thank Merrigold for...

He peaked in and found them soundingly asleep, with Austin holding her tight and so affectionately. It all made sense to William. It was Austin's turn to be whipped.