there was something inherently strange about many things in this world, but a comforting quality about stepping through the familiar halls of oxford university, the click of his heel on stone echoing. john, used to feeling like an outsider for most of his life, displaced in a society that would never accept him the way he is, does only feel a wave of familiarity, now sitting next to roger in his ….. well, he called it a car, so john, in soundest mind as ever, will just call this a car too and not ask too many questions. for some reason, there is anxiety and excitement prickling beneath his collar at the prospect of seeing brianna again. if he has ever vowed anything, the vow to jamie that he would take care of his daughter ( just as much as of his son ) is one that might be the most important one he has ever made and he does not plan on breaking it. roger, having given up on small talk all together and focusing on the smooth roads, is uncharacteristically quiet and john is peering at him, curiously, taking in his strange appearance —— styles and tastes must have changed in two hundred years, john is well aware of that, and yet it is startling still; it is positively befuddling and the confusion of seeing women and men in the most different attire than to what he is used to, for example no corsets to be seen anywhere, has been unable to shake off, trying as hard as he could to not overtly stare because he is sure that it is still considered impolite, john is not used to seeing men in such …… clothing. or anyone, really. he swallows thickly as they pull up a graveled driveway, once again looking at roger, and clearing his throat before he decides to speak. everything inside this vehicle feels completely foreign, but roger, roger does not. john knows roger. ❛ so, I gather you and brianna live here, yes? ❜ the affirmation follows quickly, and roger smiles at him, sweet and kind and supportive, and john nods. this, too, is different, how people talk —— it is quite startling when it is not just brianna talking strangely, letting the occasional peculiarity slip past her lips. but he is here now, and he is going to make the best out of it, and so, with more conviction than a man could probably muster, john is pushing through; getting out of the car and having roger lead him to the front door, and he is looking around, taking in his surroundings, noting everything that is strange, that looks out of place to him. or, quite obviously, he is the one thing out of place here. roger reaches past him, unlocking the door, and calling out for his wife, and john can here multiple footsteps, jemmy and brianna then, and jemmy who surges into his father’s arms has grown so much that it makes john almost weep up. so much time has passed, and yet, when brianna comes into view, it feels like no time has passed, none at all. she still resembles her father more than her mother, even more so now, her hair that fiery, intense shade of red captivating everyone looking at her, and john, he smiles without having to even consider it. it just happens, seeing her again. she is not out of place here, he thinks, and he feels assured by that thought. ❛ brianna, I —— I am so glad to see you. ❜
she hears the familiar rumble of the car rolling up the driveway, a pleasant & welcomed announcement of roger’s arrival, and can’t help but break a smile when jemmy’s head perks up at the sound, recognition as well as excitement spreading across his little face. he’s rushing past her and out of the living room faster than she can really register, and before she’s even made it out in the hallway to greet her husband, jemmy has thrown himself into his arms. it’s a sight that would have undoubtedly made her heart soar ––––––– if she’d been looking, but something else has caught her attention instead.
disbelief paints her face, brows furrowed in confusion, though it slowly melts into an odd sort of happiness. she never thought she would see him again, yet here he is. standing in her hallway, looking exactly as he did when they bid their farewells on fraser’s ridge. casting a gaze in roger’s direction, she searches his face for answers to all her unspoken questions, but finds only her own confusion reflected in his eyes. her golden gaze retreat back to john, welling up with tears she thought she had cried up months ago. a smile teases the corners of her mouth as long, quick strides carry her to him in a matter of seconds, arms enveloping him in a tight hug.
