#ch: brian fraser

[dunbonnets]

BRIAN HENRY IAN RANDALL-FRASER ( inspo )

you have consumed me entirely. so much that I cannot go a single moment without thinking of you. — brian fraser to moria hawethorne ( season 4 )

[dunbonnets]

Thank you @elejahfanfic for the tag!

Meet Brian Fraser, my Outlander oc, a male character with the rare ability to time travel through ancient stone circles located around the world, such as Craigh na Dun.

His favourite television show is Doctor Who, something his mother (Claire) introduced him to because her friend (Aoife) was a fan of the show.

His passion is astronomy and he studies it vigorously, sharing his knowledge with those around him.

Not only is he a Traveler, he has a rare psychic and spiritual connection with multiple blood relatives. This ability allows him to communicate with these relatives across time and in his dreams.

I tag @pseudonym-lux @void-daniella & @xonceuponatimex for this oc challenge 🖤

Reblog this post with 3 facts about one of your OCs and then tag 3 creators who you'd like to post facts about one of their OCs!

[ladyviolethummingbird]

The Gloaming - Chapter 6 preview 🏰

Ch 6: Madame Beauchamp

Feeling at a loose end after supper that evening Jamie made his way to the library. As Joe had promised, the library at Wolverton Hall was indeed an extensive one and having finished re-reading his favourite book Robinson Crusoe, Jamie was looking for something new to discover. Access to reading materials at the workhouse had been quite limited (even more so at the blacksmith’s) and he relished being able to wander the shelves and choose from vast numbers of books on a myriad of different topics. He ran a finger along the leather-bound spines as he considered his options before pulling out Candide by Voltaire and began thumbing through.

“I didn’t know you spoke French, Mr Fraser?”

The tips of his ears pinking, Jamie whirled around to see Lady Randall standing not two feet away. If she was annoyed to find someone interrupting the solitude of her library she didn’t show it. In fact, she looked decidedly pleased to see him. Eyes sparkling in the lamplight, she motioned to the book in his hands with a smile.

“I confess my French isn’t much. I’ve been trying to teach myself but when one has to stop every fourth word to look it up its meaning in the dictionary I’m afraid it’s rather slow going”

Jamie was silent a moment, unused to this convivial tone from her. It was completely unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome.

“My father taught me, I think he’d planned for me to attend university in France one day”

“Your father was French?”

With a tone of of mock-outrage at the suggestion, Jamie explained that his father Brian had been Scots through-and-through but that he - like Jamie, was something of a polyglot. In addition to French and English, they also spoke Gàidhlig in his childhood home.

“Well I shall know who to come to next time I find a passage en français I can’t make heads nor tails of then”

She smiled again, revealing straight white teeth. As he took her in, Jamie swallowed, trying not to let his surprise show too much. Gone was the closed-off stance of their first meeting, replaced with a welcoming expression that he suddenly realised he’d been craving for weeks. Dare he push his luck and attempt to continue their conversation? Reasoning he might not get this chance again, he decided to press on.

Catch up on chapters 1-5 here

[claritalunaluna76]

The UK parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is working on its report (and recommendations) from its inquiry into the economics of music streaming. One of the big talking points during the inquiry’s evidence sessions was equitable remuneration (ER): specifically extending it from radio and TV to some streams.

The Broken Record campaign has made ER one of its key requests of the committee; labels have argued firmly against it; and (in our view, at least) the committee seems to be leaning more towards the former camp. But the committee isn’t the British government, so if ER is to be extended, ministers will need to be convinced too.

That campaign is already starting. A letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson – and shown to Music Ally this morning – sees a who’s who of British musicians backing such an extension. Sir Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Chris Martin, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Kate Bush, Roger Daltrey, Damon Albarn, Noel Gallagher, Laura Marling, Sir Tim Rice… and many more.

“Only two words need to change in the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. This will modernise the law so that today’s performers receive a share of revenues, just like they enjoy in radio,” argues the letter. But it also calls for a competition inquiry (or at least a government referral to watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority); for songwriters to get a bigger share of streaming royalties; and the establishment of a dedicated regulator “to ensure the lawful and fair treatment of music makers”.

Later today, we’ll publish our quarterly Music Ally report, including our analysis of the key talking points of the inquiry, and what might happen next. One of our suggestions was that while the DCMS committee seemed sympathetic to the Broken Record campaign’s arguments, the government ministers seemed to be leaning more towards labels’ view of the world.

The letter shows that the former group are going to work hard to change that, and in wheeling out the musical big guns, the intensity of the lobbying has stepped up several notches – even before the DCMS committee’s report has come out. Labels and their representative body the BPI must now decide how best to respond.

Here is the full text of the letter, and its signatories:

———-

Dear Prime Minister,

We write to you on behalf of today’s generation of artists, musicians and songwriters here in the UK.

For too long, streaming platforms, record labels and other internet giants have exploited performers and creators without rewarding them fairly. We must put the value of music back where it belongs – in the hands of music makers.

Streaming is quickly replacing radio as our main means of music communication. However, the law has not kept up with the pace of technological change and, as a result, performers and songwriters do not enjoy the same protections as they do in radio.

Today’s musicians receive very little income from their performances – most featured artists receive tiny fractions of a US cent per stream and session musicians receive nothing at all.

To remedy this, only two words need to change in the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. This will modernise the law so that today’s performers receive a share of revenues, just like they enjoy in radio. It won’t cost the taxpayer a penny but will put more money in the pockets of UK taxpayers and raise revenues for public services like the NHS.

There is evidence of multinational corporations wielding extraordinary power and songwriters struggling as a result. An immediate government referral to the Competition and Markets Authority is the first step to address this. Songwriters earn 50% of radio revenues, but only 15% in streaming. We believe that in a truly free market the song will achieve greater value.

Ultimately though, we need a regulator to ensure the lawful and fair treatment of music makers. The UK has a proud history of protecting its producers, entrepreneurs and inventors. We believe British creators deserve the same protections as other industries whose work is devalued when exploited as a loss-leader.

By addressing these problems, we will make the UK the best place in the world to be a musician or a songwriter, allow recording studios and the UK session scene to thrive once again, strengthen our world leading cultural sector, allow the market for recorded music to flourish for listeners and creators, and unearth a new generation of talent.

We urge you to take these forward and ensure the music industry is part of your levelling-up agenda as we kickstart the post-Covid economic recovery.

Yours sincerely,

Full list of signatories:

Damon Albarn OBE

Lily Allen

Wolf Alice

Marc Almond OBE

Joan Armatrading CBE

David Arnold

Massive Attack

Jazzie B OBE

Adam Bainbridge (Kindness)

Emily Barker

Gary Barlow OBE

Geoff Barrow

Django Bates

Brian Bennett OBE

Fiona Bevan

Alfie Boe OBE

Billy Bragg

The Chemical Brothers

Kate Bush CBE

Melanie C

Eliza Carthy MBE

Martin Carthy MBE

Celeste

Guy Chambers

Mike Batt LVO

Don Black OBE

Badly Drawn Boy

Chrissy Boy

Tim Burgess

Mairéad Carlin

Laura-Mary Carter

Nicky Chinn

Dame Sarah Connolly DBE

Phil Coulter

Roger Daltrey CBE

Catherine Anne Davies (The Anchoress)

Ian Devaney

Chris Difford

Al Doyle

Anne Dudley

Brian Eno

Self Esteem

James Fagan

Paloma Faith

Marianne Faithfull

George Fenton

Rebecca Ferguson

Robert Fripp

Shy FX

Gabrielle

Peter Gabriel

Noel Gallagher

Guy Garvey

Bob Geldof KBE

Boy George

David Gilmour CBE

Nigel Godrich

Howard Goodall CBE

Jimi Goodwin

Graham Gouldman

Tom Gray

Roger Greenaway OBE

Will Gregory

Ed Harcourt

Tony Hatch OBE

Richard Hawley

Justin Hayward

Fran Healy

Orlando Higginbottom

Jools Holland OBE, DL

Mick Hucknall

Crispin Hunt

Shabaka Hutchings

Eric Idle

John Paul Jones

Julian Joseph OBE

Kano

Linton Kwesi Johnson

Gary Kemp

Nancy Kerr

Richard Kerr

Soweto Kinch

Beverley Knight MBE

Mark Knopfler OBE

Annie Lennox OBE

Shaznay Lewis

Gary Lightbody OBE

Tasmin Little OBE

Calum MacColl

Roots Manuva

Laura Marling

Johnny Marr

Chris Martin

Claire Martin OBE

Cerys Matthews MBE

Sir Paul McCartney CH MBE

Horse McDonald

Thurston Moore

Gary “Mani” Mounfield

Mitch Murray CBE

Field Music

Frank Musker

Laura Mvula

Kate Nash

Stevie Nicks

Orbital

Roland Orzabal

Gary Osborne

Jimmy Page OBE

Hannah Peel

Daniel Pemberton

Yannis Philippakis

Anna Phoebe

Phil Pickett

Robert Plant CBE

Karine Polwart

Emily Portman

Chris Rea

Eddi Reader MBE

Sir Tim Rice

Orphy Robinson MBE

Matthew Rose

Nitin Sawhney CBE

Anil Sebastian

Peggy Seeger

Nadine Shah

Feargal Sharkey OBE

Shura

Labi Siffre

Martin Simpson

Skin

Mike Skinner

Curt Smith

Fraser T Smith

Robert Smith

Sharleen Spiteri

Lisa Stansfield

Sting CBE

Suggs

Tony Swain

Heidi Talbot

John Taylor

Phil Thornalley

KT Tunstall

Ruby Turner MBE

Becky Unthank

Norma Waterson MBE

Cleveland Watkiss MBE

Jessie Ware

Bruce Welch OBE

Kitty Whately

Ricky Wilde

Olivia Williams

Daniel “Woody” Woodgate

Midge Ure OBE

Nikki Yeoh

[bee-kathony]

Kneading Love | Ch. 4 “Simple” 

a/n: thank you so much for reading! now, I know this story has an “M” rating on ao3 and it’s pretty G-rated right now. spoiler alert: that will all change verra soon ;) I hope you enjoy another chapter and as always, thank you @julesbeauchamp for the moodboard! 

Chapter One |  Chapter Two | Chapter Three 

In all his twenty-five years of living, Jamie had never brought home a lass. There was never anyone he was serious about, and the last time he even had feelings for a girl was when he stayed with his uncles before the war. He’d been young and foolish, sleeping with the granddaughter of the cook and thinking that he was a man.

He was a boy then, a very stupid boy, but now he was a man. A man who was hopelessly in love with Claire Beauchamp, even if she didn’t know it yet. He only wished his father were still alive to meet her. It was his father, Brian, who told him that when he found the girl he was going to marry, he would know right then and there. With Claire, it was instantaneous.

His mother, Ellen, was in her early fifties, but looked much younger. She had red hair much like Jamie’s, but it was fading now to a more sandy color. Ellen Fraser was a gentle woman, but she was also fierce and stubborn, just like her children.

Jamie and Claire had finished the hot cross buns and locked up the shop. Now, they were walking through the door of Jamie’s childhood home, Lallybroch. Upon first seeing the old stone house, Claire had gasped and commented on how beautiful it was. Jamie took pride in his heritage and he was glad to be sharing it with her.

“Are you sure your mother won’t mind me joining for dinner?” Claire asked for the second time as they stood in the entrance.

“Aye, dinna fash, Sassenach,” Jamie grinned. “She loves company, and I ken she’ll love ye.”

A moment later, his sister came in from the kitchen, a red apron tied around her waist. When she spotted Claire next to Jamie, her eyes went wide.

“There ye are, Jamie. I thought ye’d never make it back,” she smirked. “And it looks like we have company. Tis good to see ye again so soon, Claire. I’ll just go and tell mam.”

“I really don’t want to impose, Jamie,” Claire said softly and to calm her, Jamie grabbed her hand and squeezed.

“After we eat, I’ll give ye the grand tour of the place. But, by now I’m sure Jenny’s told my mam yer here, so there’s no point in keepin’ her waitin’,” Jamie grinned and led Claire through the wide living room and through a door that opened to a long corridor. The smells coming from the kitchen made Jamie’s stomach grumble and he realized he hadn’t eaten lunch.

“Hello mam,” Jamie said as they stood in the doorway. Ellen turned around from the oven, placing a hot dish on the counter nearby. Her face lit up, as it always did when she saw her son. Then, her eyes darted to Claire, taking in the woman Jamie had brought home.

“This is Claire Beauchamp,” he said nervously. “I’ve asked her to join us for dinner, I hope that’s alright.”

“Of course it is, lad,” Ellen smiled warmly and came around the table in front of them. Expecting a handshake, Claire stuck her hand out in front of her, but Ellen wrapped her strong arms around her and held her close. “We hug in this family, Claire. I’m verra pleased to meet ye.”

“As am I,” Claire smiled. “Your home is so lovely, and it smells wonderful in here. Is there anything I can do to help? I’m afraid I didn’t bring anything on such short notice.”

“Och, dinna fash, lass. Yer our guest and besides, dinner is ready!” Ellen smiled and took Claire’s arm from Jamie, showing her to the table. Jamie couldn’t help but laugh; his mother was protective and it seemed she had now taken Claire under her wing.

“I’m sure Jamie willna like me sayin’ this, but he’s mentioned ye a few times, Claire,” Ellen said with a certain twinkle in her eye as they all sat down at the table. “He said ye moved here not too long ago from London, was it?”

“Yes,” Claire cleared her throat. “I wanted a fresh start after the war and I thought what better place than the Highlands!”

As they chatted, food was passed around the table. It was Jamie’s favorite, rabbit stew with all the vegetables they grew in their garden. He was so hungry that he ended up stuffing his mouth and let his mam do all the talking.

“I’ve lived in Scotland all my life,” Ellen said to Claire. “I moved to this verra house wi’ Jamie and Jenny’s father almost thirty years ago!”

“Jamie’s told me about his father,” Claire reached for Ellen’s hand, squeezing lightly. “He sounded like a really wonderful man.”

“Aye, he was,” Jenny smiled softly, remembering. Jamie wished more than anything that his father could be here now to meet Claire, to offer him advice in the ways of the heart.

“And where are yer parents, Claire?” Ellen asked.

Jamie had wondered the very same question. On their picnic, they had spent a lot of time talking about Jamie’s family, and had never got around to Claire’s. What Claire said next shocked him, and made him want to hold her in his arms.

“They died when I was young,” Claire said softly, looking down at her hands on her lap. “I barely remember them. I lived with my Uncle Lamb up until a few years ago when he passed away during the war. I suppose I’m an orphan now.”

“Oh lass,” Ellen’s hand wrapped around Claire’s shoulder, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m verra sorry to hear that. Losin’ the ones ye love can bring such pain. Sadly, I ken that all too well.”

Claire’s eyes met Jamie’s across the table and he gave her a smile, receiving a small one in return. While he loved that his mother was getting along so well with Claire, what he really wanted was to get her alone.

“I’m so glad that ye’ve moved here, dear,” Ellen smiled and Jenny nodded in agreement. “It’s always nice to meet new faces.”

“I canna wait until yer wee shop is open too,” Jenny grinned. “I can just see it now — all the flowers and herbs lighting up the place, it’ll be just bonny.”

“With Jamie’s help, the place will be almost finished,” Claire smiled. “A fresh coat of paint, and some finishing touches and I’ll be open for business!”

“We’ll be first in line,” Ellen smiled, clapping her hands together and then she rose from the table. “I’ll clean up. Jenny would ye mind helpin’ me?”

“Aye, mam,” Jenny smirked at Jamie as she stood from the table.

Finally, what Jamie had been waiting for since the moment they arrived — a chance to be alone with Claire again.

“I’m goin’ to show Claire the rest of the house, and then I’ll walk her home. Thank ye for dinner mam, twas delicious,” he kissed his mother on the cheek and then ruffled his sister’s hair against her protests. “Come wi’ me,” he grabbed Claire’s hand, leading her back out to the living room.

They walked in silence as he led her up the stairs. He felt a tug on his hand and looked behind him to see Claire stopped at a painting. Jamie’s heart sank as he realized which painting she was looking at.

“Who’s the other little boy?” Claire asked, pointing at the painting. It was of Jamie and his older brother Willie and their dog. It was obvious which one was Jamie — red flaming hair, blue determined eyes and a stubborn smirk on his face.

“That’s my brother… Willie,” Jamie said as he stood next to Claire, his hand brushing against hers. “He died just a few years after this painting was done. Twas the measles, and not even a week later he was gone.”

“Oh, Jamie,” Claire grabbed his hand, wishing she could offer enough comfort in this simple hand gesture. She knew what loss felt like — the numbness that washed over you and clouded everything else. The pain that hit you out of nowhere when something reminded you of the ones you had lost. Yes, Claire knew all too well what grief was like and she saw it now reflected in Jamie’s eyes.

“He was goin’ to take over my father’s bakery,” Jamie said. “He was properly trained, and even after he died, I pursued my studies as ye ken to become a teacher. But after my father… I knew what I had to do.”

“Even in all that pain,” Claire reached up and cupped his cheek, wiping away a few tears that had begun to fall. “You found joy in baking and by doing it you’re keeping your father and your brother’s memory alive. They would be so proud of you… no matter what you do with your life.”

Jamie leaned forward and rested his forehead against Claire’s, feeling safe in her presence. Like he really could accomplish everything he set out to do, and he knew with Claire by his side, anything was possible. In the short time they had known each other, he had grown accustomed to the way she made him feel — invincible.

“I want to show ye something,” he said softly and tugged on her hand, pulling her after him down the hallway. He opened the door to their library — walls covered with books piled high. But what he really wanted to show her was out the window.

“Look,” he said and positioned her in front of him. The view from this spot of the house was breathtaking. The sun was setting over the horizon, just on the edge of the moor and it made the land all around it glow.

“This is stunning,” Claire said, feeling breathless. “I can see your garden out back, and all the trees for miles.” She looked up at Jamie, feeling that same breathless feeling. “I’ve only been in this country a short time, but already, I’m falling in love with it.”

“Aye,” Jamie agreed, his finger coming to rest under her chin. “It’s a good place to fall in love, Sassenach.” He leaned down and sealed their lips, smiling as he felt Claire’s hands wrap around his waist.

++++++

A few days later, once the rush of Easter was gone, Claire was standing in the middle of her shop, waiting for Jamie to arrive. They were going to attempt to paint the interior white, which was the opposite of what it was now — a dark, and depressing brown. Claire was hoping that the white would brighten the place up and also be a blank background to showcase all of her colorful flowers.

She’d been pacing all morning. Her nerves were shot and that was only because of Jamie. Meeting his mother and seeing his family home had been one of the most pleasant experiences Claire had ever had. Since she was all alone now, she desperately missed having a family to go to. She felt accepted by Jamie’s family, and she felt loved, even in such a short amount of time.

Moving to Inverness had been the best decision Claire had ever made. In the time she had been here, her nightmares from the war had nearly ceased. Most nights, she slept peacefully, and rarely did she wake in a cold sweat, afraid that at any minute a bomb would drop. There was a peace here in Scotland.

Claire had spent far too long deciding what to wear this morning, and had settled on an older pair of overalls and an already paint stained white shirt. Her hair was tied back with a bandana she had set out all the tools they would need for the day.

Several cans of white paint, roller brushes, small brushes for the base and corners and tarps to protect the floor. Now all that was missing was Jamie.

As if her thoughts had conjured him, a soft knock came from the front door and Claire turned to see Jamie coming in, the small bell overhead ringing.

“Good morning, Sassenach,” Jamie smiled brightly. In his arms, he was carrying a brown paper bag and based on just the smell alone, Claire knew it would be delicious. “I’ve brought us breakfast, I dinna ken if ye’ve eaten or no.”

“Oh, I haven’t!” Claire walked over to the bag to inspect it’s contents. Inside were croissants, and an assortment of other pastries that would last them the day, if not several days. “I don’t usually eat breakfast, but I think I can make an exception today.”

“Ye dinna eat breakfast?!” Jamie asked, astounded that someone would skip the most important meal of the day. “How do ye no’ eat breakfast, Claire?”

Shrugging and reaching into the bag, Claire pulled out what was a cheese danish and took a large bite. “I just never feel hungry in the mornings,” she said, covering her mouth with her hand as she chewed.

“I could eat bowls and bowls of parritch in the mornings,” Jamie replied. “And… I do!”

“Parritch,” Claire said, taking another bite. “That doesn’t exactly sound too appealing, but I like this just fine.”

“Thank ye,” he grinned shyly and reached up to brush a crumb off the side of her cheek. “I do have to tell ye that my mam hasna stopped talkin’ about ye since ye came for dinner the other night. She loves ye and expects ye to come around more often.”

“Really?” Claire felt herself blushing, a warmth spreading through her. “Well, I’d love to if the offer ever presents itself,” she smiled up at him.

Jamie stood there, his fingers itching to reach up and take her face between both her hands and kiss her. But he refrained and instead tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “Ye can come have dinner wi’ us every night if it suits ye, Sassenach.”

Finishing the last bite of her danish, Claire grinned and turned away from Jamie to show him the paint.

“Now, I realize it would have been much easier to paint when there was nothing in here,” Claire waved her hands around at the shop. “But, if we’re careful and not flinging paint around, I think we can manage.”

“Seems easy enough,” Jamie said, taking in the room. It was a medium sized room, and hopefully would take them just the one day for two coats of paint. “Are ye still plannin’ on paintin’ the outside too?”

“Yes,” Claire nodded. “But, obviously we won’t have time for that today, and I understand if you need to get back to your bakery so I won’t be hurt if you can’t come back this week and help with that.”

“I’ll help ye,” Jamie said. “Jenny can mind the shop for awhile.”

Before they could get started, Claire went over to her record player that was set up near the front counter and dropped the needle on her most recent record of jazz. The bright sounds of the trumpet and saxophone filled the room and Claire bounced back over to Jamie.

“Shall we get started?”

They both picked up a roller and dipped it in the paint. Hours and two coats of paint later, the flower shop looked brand new — at least on the inside.

“It really does look so much better,” Claire smiled, leaning up against the only non-painted item in the room.

Jamie set his brush down, careful to not spill the half full bucket and came to stand next to Claire. He was sad that the job was done, because that meant that it was time to part from Claire. As he looked over at her, he noticed she had flecks of paint all over her face.

“You’ve got paint all over ye, a nighean,” Jamie laughed and tried to wipe, but the paint was already dry. “Ye’ll have to scrub good tonight.”

Claire touched her own face, feeling the flecks of paint. “Is it in my hair too?”

Jamie ran his fingers slowly through her hair, touching the curls and never wanting to let go. “Nah, yer hair is safe.”

“Thank God for small mercies,” she laughed. “While you’re here, there is something out in the greenhouse I need help lifting, if you wouldn’t mind?”

“Of course!”

As they walked outside to the greenhouse, Claire noted that the sun was starting to go down. And with the way her stomach was growling, it was also time to find something to eat.

“There’s a bench in the corner that I want to move and place just outside, but it’s so damn heavy.”

“Dinna fash,” Jamie said and walked over to the large wooden bench. Claire was in the process of joining him so she could help him lift it, but by the time she reached the corner, Jamie was already lifting it off the ground.

“Christ,” she muttered under her breath. His muscles flexed and Claire felt no shame in admiring the ease at which he lifted the bench.

“Just over here then?” He asked, not even sounding out of breath.

“Yes, just there against the outside of the wall,” Claire pointed. He set it down, adjusting it to the perfect spot.

“Let’s test it out, shall we?” Jamie plopped down onto the bench, leaving enough room for Claire to join. “I’ve had fun wi’ ye today, Claire.”

“I can’t thank you enough for helping me today. I don’t even know how long it would’ve taken if it was just me on my own,” she said. Their knees brushed against one another, and Claire felt the tension return.

Jamie angled his body towards her, taking her hand between his. So far, they had kissed several times, but neither had had the courage to say what they were feeling. It was clear that something was happening between them, but what exactly, Jamie wasn’t sure.

“Sassenach,” Jamie rubbed his fingers over the back of her hand. “I ken tis no’ a secret that I have feelings for you.”

Claire felt her stomach twist at this admission. For weeks, she had been wanting to say something. And ever since their kiss at the bakery last week, it became clear it was mutual.

“I think about ye all the time,” he said softly, all while holding her hand. “Ever since I fell of my bike and met ye. When I kissed ye…”

“I felt it too,” Claire said quickly. “To be honest, I was afraid of my own feelings. How quickly they seemed to happen, but I’ve enjoyed every minute we’ve spent together.”

“God, I want to kiss ye,” Jamie smiled lopsidedly. His hand cupped her cheek and she leaned against it.

“I want you to,” she admitted. “Please.”

Sitting on a bench in her garden, Claire and Jamie kissed, this time knowing exactly what it meant. It wasn’t rushed — it was perfect and simple, and suddenly everything fell into place.

[thebrochtuarachs]

Arranged: Chapter 2

Modern AU. Set in 2018. Where Claire and Jamie are arranged to be married.

CH: 1

AO3

CHAPTER 2: The Explanation

Claire

“Papa, Mama, can I talk to you in private.” Claire said with a dead tone as she motioned towards the living room, hoping it was far enough to quiet her impending outburst.

“Excuse us” Henry said as all three stood up, set down their wine glasses and left the Frasers in the dining room to surely have a discussion of their own. When Claire locked the door behind them, she turned to her parents and gave them the sternest look she could muster in her life.

“You can’t possibly think that I would agree to this…arrangement?! Who do you think you are to marry me off to some guy? – “

“Darling, I don’t think Jamie is some guy - “ Henry retorted.

“I am speaking and you can talk when I am finished!” Claire huffed back angrily. “This is not the bloody 18th century! I am not some type of property you can buy and sell to whoever asked first? I am my own person, with my own ideas, with my own intelligence and I can bloody well find a fine, young and remarkable man, who I will CHOOSE to spend the rest of my life with, perfect well.” Claire was pacing back and forth the room, contemplating the next sentences she’ll say.

“Did you not ask me once if I have suitors of my own? Because let me tell you, I’ve had tons of them since I was in high school! I can have any man I want and have them grasping from the palm of my hand!” Claire continued her rambunctious speech. This was not like her but this inner fury inside her made her such.

“Also, did you have to announce it during the dinner? Why not just tell me there was THIS plan before? Maybe I could’ve refused then rather than now - not like this because I swear I am not slightly embarrassed to make a fucking scene” Claire huffed then stopped pacing. She walked closer to her parents, stood in front of them and looked them straight in the eyes. “I will not marry James Fraser, in any way, shape or form. Do you hear me? If you so much as to trick me into it, I will leave this place and you’ll never hear from me ever again” Claire knew it was a tad overboard but she was really angry.

Her parents looked at each other, having a silent conversation of their own Claire’s eyes softened a bit and darted to and from her mother and father, willing them to give her a viable explanation. “Mama, Papa, why are you doing this? What is going on?” Her parents just continued to look at each other and then to her then back to each other.

“Tell me, god damn it!!!

“It’ll be good for the business and the company” her father blurted out.

“So, that’s it?! This arranged marriage is a business merger?? Can you not do it without me getting hitched?!”

“We need to protect our assets and this is the best way how – this is for your own good and the family’s as well” Henry explained defiantly.

“Also, we like him and we want him for you” her mother tried back.

“That is not your choice to make! This is my life!” Claire hated that she sounded like a whiny teenager but she needed to stand her ground if there is a way of getting out of this crazy idea. “I worked so hard, to study, to be a woman of my choosing – ”

“Protecting and continuing the family legacy is what we’ve instilled in you since you were young. This is just stepping into that role.” Her father said steadily. This standoff is shifting its balance and its not in Claire’s favor.

“I know very well the role I have in this family and I take that very seriously. Uncle Lamb’s legacy means the world to me too.”

“Then this arrangement should be of no problem to you.” Henry said sternly. “And Jamie is a fine, young man, a close friend of the family’s, we approve of him – it is the perfect situation for all of us.”

Claire was dumbfounded by what her father just said. She couldn’t think and just barely managed to move from where she stood. When the words finally sink in, she shook her head then composed herself then continued to battle her parents on.

-

Jamie

“I suppose ye have questions” Brian started, filling the silence that was occupied by the ticking of the clock.

“Ye think?” Jamie snorted back. “I just come back after a six-month trip, suddenly invited to a dinner with my family and friends, and then this announcement?”

Brian looked at Ellen and with her nod, he took a deep breath before speaking.

“Lad, we kent why you suddenly went on this wee trip and it was not just to find some new authors. It’s to prove yourself successful in your own way not for us but for Claire.”

Jamie flinched at his parents. Nobody knew that. Nobody knew he liked Claire. Nobody knew she was the reason he left. Nobody knew that he was trying to prove something. Nobody. He told no one and yet, his parents have known all along.

With his shocked look, her mother continued the story. “Janet saw you try to approach Claire in uni but when you saw him with, what’s his name, oh, Frank Randall, a PhD Student, accomplished man, we knew you had to try and at least make yourself a contender for her heart.” Ellen explained to his gaping son. “You wanted to be your own man, make and do something that is yours.”

“We’ve always known you liked Claire growing up and we also knew you were too respectful of her dreams to try and ruin it” Brian chimed back in.

“Then why are you doing this now?” Jamie said, hopelessly embarrassed that he even tried to keep it a secret.

“Ye ken the Randalls, aye?” Brian stressed. “Claire doesn’t know that her parents know that she and Frank been secretly seeing each other this past month. Naturally, they did some digging and background check, and found a lot of red flags in their family as well as in Frank. Aside from his family having shady business dealings, we believe he’s wooing her to get access to her ancestor’s, Lambert Beauchamp’s, original notebooks, records, books, etc. for his dissertation. It will not be good for her nor to anyone. We need to protect her.” His father insisted.

“Why not just tell Claire all these?” Jamie fired back. True, he wanted Claire but not like this. He did not work hard just to be handed something he didn’t earn. He was a better man than that and his parents must know that.

“Do you think she’ll approve to know that her parents, technically, broke a lot of privacy protocols to know what they know? No. She’ll be more livid and she’ll run straight to Frank just to prove a point. You know how stubborn she can be?” Jamie knew and he wouldn’t be surprised if Claire went off and ran away with him, maybe, even marry him, just out of her spite. Claire was a careful lass when it comes to her dreams but was impulsive when someone tries to dictate her life.

“And this is a better alternative?” Jamie reasoned.

“Aye, at least, there’s a reason to keep an eye on her or for you to keep an eye on her” Brian answered back.

“By deceiving her, lying to her?” Brian and Ellen shrugged in resignation. They knew the weight of the burden they’re asking Jamie to carry but if they could think of any other way, they’d do it in a heartbeat. “What do you expect this arrangement will accomplish?” Jamie couldn’t help but ask. Despite the weirdness of the situation, he was rather curious.

“Well, we went far as keeping Claire out of the Randalls and for you, I guess, finally having a chance to court her?” Ellen said, breaking the information.

Jamie sinked down to his chair and ran his fingers in his hair. This was too complicated, too archaic, too messed up and just too…much. “Da, don’t you think I can do that on my own?”

“I know ye can but the situation kind of forced it now.”

They can still hear Claire’s faint screaming from the other room as she continued to barrage her parents with questions.

“What do you expect me to say to Claire?”

“That they leave to you. She’s probably too angry at them to believe a word they will say but they ask that you leave the shady business behind first until they can look at it further.”

Jamie nodded in understanding but still, the fact is, they’ve trampled themselves in some sort of tricky situation.

“She will never forgive me for this if she knew the truth. I know it” Jaime said, defeated, but Claire’s safety comes first.

Brian placed a hand on Jamie’s shoulder in support. “If your feelings are as true as you know them to be, then hopefully – hopefully, she’ll come around”

-

“I can perfectly protect the family business even as a doctor! I don’t need a husband to do that for me!”

Jamie could still hear Claire argue with her parents but they’ve been there long enough and the night needed to end. After his talk with his parents, and with the sudden revelation of his true feelings, it was a no-brainer that Jamie was in this plan now. However, he would not still allow for this “engagement” to Claire be the thing that gets them together – he doesn’t want it that way and she probably doesn’t want it that way either. He wanted her and he wanted to earn her trust and love – not through this forced arrangement.

So, he focused at the task at hand: Keep Claire away from the Randalls – this is priority #1. He’s almost sure Henry and Julia conjured up an improbable reason and he decided to just go and run with whatever reason they built. He doesn’t know it yet but once it comes up, it’s his turn to continue with the story. He’s works in publishing, surely he can come up with one fast?

He ran his hands through his face and hair to prepare himself then Jamie knocked on the door to interrupt the Beauchamp’s.  

“What?!” Claire retorted forcefully. She was nowhere near done with her parents.

“It’s Jamie.” he heard shuffling on the other side and the door swung open.

Instead of addressing Claire, he turned to her parents. “Uncle Henry, Aunt Julia, would you mind giving the room to me and Claire?”

“Jamie, I am not done speaking - “ she tried to stop them but they were out the door and Jamie closed it behind him.

“You seriously cannot agree to this!” Claire began pacing again.

“I don’t” he said calmly, rooted in where he stood.

“Then let’s tell them that nothing going to happen! They can’t dictate our lives like this! Get married?! Did they even think for once that we might have prospects of our own, that we want to choose who spend the rest of our lives with?” Claire was rambling, explaining away the reasons this arrangement was ridiculous.

“Claire, you know your parents and you know mine. They wouldn’t do this if there was no valid reason.”

“And you think this business merger is a valid, ENOUGH reason?”

So that is what they told her. Jamie decided to just run with it.

“No, not enough.” he said, playing along with the ruse.

“Then someone tell me more because I am left out in the dark here”

“So am I.” he lied. “But I have an idea - but you won’t like it”

“As long as it does not lead to the altar, I’m open”

“Well, ye and I dinna ken the bottomline of this setup. I thought if we investigated for ourselves and find out how this all came to be, maybe we can catch their intention and stop it there”

“Is that the best you’ve got?” Claire asked, brows furrowing.

“Ye got any other ideas?”

“Yeah, shove “no” into their faces”

Jamie had to laugh at that remark then turned serious. “And when ye do that, they’ll force our hand by making an announcement to the media and then breaking the engagement off will be harder to do. It’ll be a scandal to both our families.” Jamie said as if knowing that’s exactly what their parents are going to do. “That is when everything can be lost”

Claire sat down, tired and resigned. “So what, we just engaged, just like that?”

He moved and sat beside her, not touching but close enough to radiate enough trust in what they're about to embark on. “Ye ken the theater? We can just make them believe we are running along with it. All the while, we can hitch our own plan and find a way to let this die as quietly as possible”

“Pretend we’re engaged? You know I’m a bad actor” she said and Jamie nodded in agreement. “Ye are.” Claire laughed in return then looked at Jamie - her childhood friend turned fake-engaged fiancé?

“As long as there are no other viable plans, I agree to give it a go. Now, what happens next?” she asked.

-

Both came out of the study and walked towards their parents who were having a deep conversation of their own. Sensing their children, all four turned to them in anticipation.

“We have come to a decision” Jamie began. Their parents sat straighter in wait. “We have agreed to this arrangement” He put his hand up to stop them from rejoicing and they immediately backed down. “However, we have conditions. Break one of them and we break this off” Jamie took charge and Claire silently stood beside him in support and solidarity.

“First, no announcements shall be made to the media of any kind – newspaper, internet, all types.”

“Second, you cannot tell anyone else in our family – not Jenny, Willie or Rabbie. Only the six of us will know until we’re ready to tell them ourselves.”

“Third, we will decide when and where to get married. No questions as pertaining the details of the…wedding…that is to come may be asked in the duration of this engagement”

The words falling out of Jamie's lips felt foreign to him but he needed to be strong for this - he can be strong for this, for Claire. He looked straight in the eyes of all their parents and let them know how hard this is for him and what he received in return was a look that said that they understood and they were grateful.

“Is that all?” Henry asked and both nodded. He then looked to his wife, then to the Frasers, and then to Claire and Jamie. “If that’s all then, we agree to your conditions” The four parents rose and gave their children hugs and everyone resumed the night as if everything was okay and nothing crazy happened at all.

A/N: First, I am so sorry this chapter took a while to come around. I knew the story in my head a while back but putting them down on paper has put me in a little writer's block. But I just took a social media break and had a little bit more creative space to push this through. :) I'm not a super angsty person so apologies if the angst isn't all that much but I really tried! :) So excited that I get to push this story along now - and yes, in this story, the Randalls are really shady, douchy, people. So Frank fans, sorry in advance! As always, comments and suggestions are always welcome. Your messages mean a lot! <3 #Chapter3HereWeCome

[dunbonnets]

Roger: I know nobody asked for my opinion...

Jamie: And yet you're talking.

Brian, sighs: Dad, come on.

Roger: ...but I agree with Jamie.

Jamie: Let's hear him out.

[dunbonnets]

Jamie: Is Brianna always like this when she loses?

Brian: Oh, yes. You should've seen the Great Jenga Tantrum of 1969.

Brianna: YOU BUMPED THE TABLE AND YOU KNOW IT!

[dunbonnets]

Brianna, throwing herself onto the couch: This is just too much!

Brian, pacing the room: I know. I mean, yesterday our life was like "oh, looks like rain today." Today it's "our dad is 200 years old"

Brianna, sighing: Tell me about it

[dunbonnets]

Roger: I don't know what the stones are really. Must be some sort of spatio-temporal hyperlink.

Brian: What's that?

Roger: No idea. Just made it up. Didn't want to say "magic door."

[dunbonnets]

Brianna: The eighteenth century hasn't exactly been light and breezy

Brian: Yeah, it's more like stressful and deathy

[dunbonnets]

Jamie: Brian, I need you to do something for me

Brian: What is it?

Jamie: When I die, I want Roger to lower me into my grave so he can let me down one last time. Promise me you'll make sure that happens

Brian: ... I promise

[dunbonnets]

Brian: Is this about Moira?

Jocasta: No.

Brian: Then I've lost interest.

[dunbonnets]

JAMIE + BRIAN FRASER PARALLELS

like father, like son . . .

reading link | edited by dunbonnets | july 2023

[dunbonnets]

Jamie and Claire + Brian and Moira Parallels

reading link | edited by dunbonnets | july 2023

[dunbonnets]

DEEP HEART'S CORE, outlander.

There was a time, not very long ago, when Brian Randall used to know who he was. He knew that he was the son of a headstrong doctor and a brilliant professor, and that the entirety of his soul blazed with a passion as bright as the stars for which he studied vigorously. He knew that while he may be the younger twin, he would always be Brianna's overprotective brother, and that he was going to ask the beautiful Katherine Johanson to marry him one day. But one visit with some relatives in London and a funeral for an old friend of his parents in Scotland changed everything, and suddenly, Brian Randall didn't even know who he was anymore. How are you supposed to go on with your life knowing that everything about yourself was a lie? To go on living like nothing has ever happened? To act like everything is normal when it is, in fact, very far from that? The light of his soul burned out, passions fading away like a dying star into a cold and empty abyss, and he spent his days tirelessly researching what had happened to his real father, James Fraser, in the past. And eventually, through historical archives and the help of Roger Wakefield, they discovered that the eighteenth century Scotsman had survived the Battle of Culloden. It took falling over two hundred years into the past for Brian Randall to find himself again, the burnt out light of his soul being restored in the arms of the most unlikely of women. Though, it was not with the pretty and wealthy Dorothea Pembroke whom his aunt had arranged for him to marry and rather the lovely and clever Moira Hawethorne, a baron girl with nothing to her name who found herself in the fortunate care of his charitable aunt, Jocasta Cameron. Now, through time and space, Brian Randall knows precisely who he is. He is a man uncertain about what is wrong and what is right. A man caught between love and duty. A man who desires a woman that he cannot have in a time where he does not belong. And now he doesn't know what to do with his life. But he does know one thing for certain, and that is he does not wish to marry Dorothea Pembroke, for the entirety of his soul belongs only to the lovely Moira Hawethorne.

━��� WARNINGS: canon-typical violence, murder, period-typical racism, rape (not seen but overheard through pov/mentioned later), mentions of suicide, eventual smut.

━━ STATUS: in-progress. sporadic updates.

━━ CHAPTERS: 03 / ??

━━ LINKS: fic tag. read on wattpad. read on ao3.