gotham-ruaidh

[gotham-ruaidh]

If you could be book Claire for one and only one book which book Claire would you be and why?

I’ve given this a very long and hard think, @abbydebeaupreposts - and my final answer is The Fiery Cross.

Why? Because finally in this book, Claire lives a life where she can have as many metaphorical vases as she wants. Consider that in this book, she and Jamie have built their home and truly settled into life on the Ridge; Brianna and Roger and Jem are with them, so she is surrounded by the child of her and Jamie’s blood, and they all live in harmony; she is well-established in her life as a healer; Jamie’s love for her grows even deeper, as does hers for him.

Things are still a bit too raw between her and Jamie during Drums of Autumn - and in A Breath of Snow and Ashes, things fall apart.

But in The Fiery Cross, we have a full, solid book of Jamie and Claire living a (mostly) quiet rural life, on a farm they have built together, surrounded by their family. Finally, after more than 25 years of marriage, they achieve the life goals they have always had.

#outlander #jamie and claire #the fiery cross

[gotham-ruaidh]

i’m trying to be less ashamed of my failures and more grateful to where they have brought me. without them, i would have so much less growth in my life.

#wisdom

[gotham-ruaidh]

I’ve often though the relationship between Claire and Roger was one of the more interesting connections. From the first, he’s willing to believe her, and at times, almost seems to have a slight crush on her. What are your thoughts?

Roger and Claire have a LOT in common:

Raised by eccentric, batchelor uncles after their parents die - under mysterious circumstances

As such, they are always searching for a home - searching for a family; they are completely overwhelmed by the family that they do find

Have a successful, independent career (historian/professor, surgeon)

Descended from time travelers (Geillis Duncan/Master Raymond)

Fall head-over-heels with a fiery, passionate, stubborn redhead

Yearning to know the unknown - to make sense of the world around them - to have a positive influence on others

I completely agree that they have a connection from the very beginning - Roger, like Jamie, simply believes Claire when she shares her story. He doesn’t understand it, but he trusts that what she says is true. And by doing that, they are immediately bonded.

I think Roger is in awe of Claire - not just what she’s accomplished, and what she’s experienced, but who she is as a person. As a woman.

Roger is the son that Claire never had; Claire is the mother that Roger never had.

Does he have a crush on her? of course. He’s male.

#outlander #claire fraser #roger mackenzie

[gotham-ruaidh]

gentle reminder: you’re beautiful and lovely and deserving of good things

#positivity

[gotham-ruaidh]

I have a question and I’m not sure perhaps you might know the answer! The scene in 103 where Claire is checking on Jamie’s wound down in her medical dungeon lol, and there’s a part of the scene that I’ve seen giffed and screenshot, but it isn’t in the actual scene if I go rewatch it on Starz or on YouTube. But it’s where she’s untying the top of his shirt and he’s looking at her straight on and his chin is downward. I hope this is coherent! haha I was wondering if it’s on the DVD or something?

I know exactly what you’re referring to, anon. It didn’t make the final cut - was likely just a portion of the scene, filmed from a different angle. Even though it was used in the initial trailer for Outlander (in January 2014!)

That Look just drew me in. As I’m sure it did many others.

For science:

ahem.

#outlander #outlander 01x03 #jamie and claire

[gotham-ruaidh]

Can you clarify on them be too raw in DOA?

After everything that happens in Voyager, Jamie and Claire don’t exactly have a lot of time to truly settle in to their new life together. They reunited, it was messy, they were thrown into shipnanigans, they almost died (again), they were separated (again), they were literally blown ashore in the New World.

Then in Drums of Autumn - a lot of the book is them settling into a domestic routine that they had never had together before. They build their foothold on Fraser’s Ridge, while at the same time truly getting used to each other. And just when things settle down, Brianna shows up. Pregnant. Bonnet drama. Then the whole Roger-getting-sold-to-the-Indians affair. Etc.

So, to put it mildly, shit goes down in DoA. Jamie and Claire are still figuring out what it means to live as a truly domestic, married couple - and then their household expands.

This is why things are still raw between them. They’re trying to figure out a LOT of stuff.

Which is why, by the time The Fiery Cross rolls around, it’s such a joy to see them secure and content in the life they have built together - the life they have worked and fought so hard to have together. Of course it’s not easy - but it’s hard-won, and they cherish it, and they’re finally able to relax a bit.

#outlander #jamie and claire #drums of autumn #the fiery cross

[gotham-ruaidh]

Do you have a set belief regarding time travel and does it line up with the time travel displayed/described in Outlander?

Logically, it goes against science.

But I know that there are many things in this world that can’t be explained by science. And, I am a very religious person. Which compels me to believe in things that can’t be explained: angels, heaven, a virgin conceiving, a man rising from the dead and then ascending into Heaven. Apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Etc.

To quote Brother Anselm, in Outlander:

“Ma chère, I serve a man who multiplied the loaves and fishes…who healed the sick and raised the dead. Shall I be astonished that the master of eternity has brought a young woman through the stones of the earth to do His will?”

As such - why wouldn’t the Outlander method of time travel be possible - or at least plausible? It’s logical in its own way.

Now to just find a stone circle nearby…

#outlander #outlander mythology

[gotham-ruaidh]

#wisdom

[gotham-ruaidh]

Hi gotham just wanna say I love all your great takes on outlander type things... I had a theory I'd love to hear your thoughts on... we've seen Jamie's various reactions to Lord John's feelings since Voyager but I was thinking that maybe part of the reason he has temper about what happened when John and Claire thought he was dead could be similar to his response to when he couldn't separate Claire from the PTSD of what BJR did he could be afraid their love bond wouldn't be theirs anymore

Hi @nwcountrygirl17!

With respect, I don't think so.

Jamie reacts so vigorously to the news about John and Claire for several reasons.

(none of which relates to his gratitude for John protecting Claire - because after all, he married Claire to keep her safe, too)

Jamie is incredibly possessive when it comes to Claire. He lost her to another husband once - he once told her he has a very hard time knowing that she has slept with other men - so at a very base level, he really can't cope with the fact that she had been with another man, no matter the circumstances

He can't believe that it happened, given how he know Claire loves him and how he knows John prefers men

Let's face it, it's shocking

He's terrified that it will never be the same between himself and Claire - and that it would prevent them from (at long last) returning home to the Ridge together

I think Jamie's reaction to the situation has everything to do with Claire and little or nothing to do with John.

#outlander #lord john grey #jamie fraser #jamie and claire #an echo in the bone #written in my own heart's blood

[gotham-ruaidh]

do more things with love sprinkled into them

#positivity

[gotham-ruaidh]

My favorite Jamie/Claire moment in 01x03 "The Way Out" isn’t one of the obvious ones (surgery smolder scene, lily of the valley, hand-holding, etc.) - but it’s equally important in representing a major step forward in their relationship.

It's Jamie brushing down a horse, with Claire at his side. Seeking solace - with each other - after the "main action" of the episode has ended.

It’s such a quiet moment, after the main story arc of the episode (the Black Kirk) has ended. It’s a character development scene - showing how Jamie and Claire’s relationship deepens - something which writer Anne Kenney is a master at.

I enjoy this scene precisely because it’s quiet. Jamie and Claire have just shared an interesting experience - the first time that we truly see them working as a team. Based on their conversation, some time has passed - or enough time for Mrs. Fitz to have told Jamie that she considers Claire to be a “miracle worker.” Claire has *nobody* else to discuss her feelings and frustrations with, other than Jamie; she doesn’t dare tell anyone else, “I’ll never get out of here,” and she just knows that Jamie will understand. Jamie is clearly more than happy to just listen to her, support her, be there for her. He loves her so much already - but Claire doesn’t - or won’t - see it.

What intrigues me about this scene is what we *don’t* see - what was Claire’s thought process in seeking Jamie out? How did she approach him? What else did they talk about? Has she been seeking him out every day since the Cranesmuir incident? Do they only see each other at the stables? Does anyone else know they’re spending so much time together?

This small scene speaks volumes about the trust and honesty they already have with each other. About the intimacy that they’re already building. And about how they both provide - and expect - support for and from each other. It’s so important to show how Jamie and Claire are friends, first and foremost - because this friendship is the core of their marriage, and explains why and how they just *enjoy* being around each other, and why they can talk about anything and everything. Something we see over and over throughout the Books.

#outlander #outlander 01x03 #jamie and claire

[gotham-ruaidh]

the world isn’t so bad. it has you in it, after all.

#wisdom #positivity

[gotham-ruaidh]

Reblogging for the afternoon crowd!!

Little Bit Better Than I Used To Be

Catch up: Chapter 1 (Starry Eyes) || Chapter 2 (Save Our Souls) || Chapter 3 (Dancing On Glass)|| Chapter 4 (Merry-Go-Round)|| Backstage (1) || Backstage (2) || Chapter 5 (Danger)|| Backstage (3) || Chapter 6A (Love Walked In) || Chapter 6B (Without You) || Backstage (4) || Chapter 7 (Stick To Your Guns) || Chapter 8 (Time For Change) || Backstage (5) || Chapter 9 (Take Me To The Top) || Backstage (6) || Chapter 10 (Home Sweet Home) || Backstage (7) || Chapter 11a (Nightrain) || Chapter 11b (Nothing Else Matters) || Chapter 12a (Handle With Care) || Chapter 12b (I’m So Tired of Being Lonely) || Chapter 13a (Angel) || Chapter 13b (She’s My Addiction) || Chapter 13c (Patience) || Chapter 14a (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14b (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14c (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 15a (Dreams) || Chapter 15b (I Sing A Song of Love) || Chapter 15c (You Can Do This If You Try) || Chapter 16 (Let That Feeling Grab You Deep Inside || Chapter 17A: Never Tear Us Apart || Chapter 17B: It’s Tough To Be Somebody, And It’s Hard Not To Fall Apart  || Chapter 17C: I’m Wishing, Lord, That I Was Stoned || Chapter 18: Turn The Page || Chapter 19A: When You’re Alone, Do You Let Go? || Chapter 19B: Heading For A Spin || Chapter 20A: I Don’t Need Nothing When I’m By Your Side || Chapter 20B: I'm Walkin' Down This Rocky Road ||| Also posted at AO3

Chapter 20C: You're The Only One Who Gets Through To Me

I feel good in your room Let's lock the world out Feels so good when we kiss Nobody ever made me crazy like this

-- "In Your Room", The Bangles (1988) [click here to listen]

North Carolina || February 1989

Darkness had settled on the cabin before Jamie re-emerged, hair damp, wearing jeans and a worn Eagles t-shirt.

He found Raymond in the kitchen, sitting at the kitchen table, working on a crossword puzzle. Raymond looked up as Jamie entered the room, and set down his pen.

Jamie sank into the chair across from Raymond. Sighed.

“I was going to apologize, but I think you would have told me that I didn’t need to.”

“You’re right.”

Jamie leaned on the table with his elbows, eyes down. “That hasn’t happened since we finished the tour. And it wasn’t even a bad one.”

“We’ll talk about that. How is Claire?”

“She’s in the shower. She…” Jamie swallowed. “I’m fucking nothing without her.” 

A beat.

“A few months ago, in the middle of the tour, we spent a weekend with Dougal and Gillian. Dougal said that I had traded my addiction to substances, for an addition to my wife. Do you think that’s true?”

Raymond thought about this for a long while. He waited for Jamie to sit up straight and look at him.

“Do you know the definition of the word ‘addicted’, Jamie?”

Jamie shook his head.

“It means, to be physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects.”

Jamie lay his hands flat on the table. “Sounds pretty accurate to me.”

“Perhaps.” Raymond folded his arms against his chest. “But what about your music? Couldn’t you say the same about that?”

Jamie nodded.

“What about your family? Your friends?”

Jamie shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Yeah, but – ”

“I’m not discounting what Dougal said, Jamie. But what I am saying, is that it’s not so black and white. I love Dougal, but he can be a bit too…literal sometimes.”

Jamie smiled, faintly.

“Are you incredibly dependent on Claire, Jamie? Of course. But she’s your wife. You spend every moment of every day together when you’re at home, and the vast majority of your time together when you’re on the road. That’s not typical. And, you’re both addicts in recovery, and you keep each other accountable. It’s to be expected.”

Raymond sat back in his chair. “Now – the question is, whether the nature of your relationship with Claire tips over into being so close, so dependent, that it becomes problematic. Do you think it’s a problem?”

Jamie rubbed his face. “To the extent that even thinking about a life without her in it will cause me to spiral, yes. To the extent that I only hear her voice when I’m stuck in a spiral, yes. To the extent that the only way I can come back to myself from a spiral is by making love to her, yes.”

“I’m not saying that you need to cut any of that out of your life, Jamie. Know that, first and foremost.”

Raymond watched Jamie visibly relax. “I meant what I said to you before – that you need to nurture your connection. Something I hope you’re coming to know about me, is that I don’t use words lightly. What the two of you have built – how you love and protect each other – I’ve never seen that intensity in a married couple before.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“I hope you can understand that without drawing the right boundaries, it can be both. I hope you trust me when I say that I won’t do anything to test or damage your relationship with Claire. But you do need to broaden your levels of support, Jamie. Allow other people in. And create space for you, and Claire, to explore who you are without each other.”

“I know. I need to. I don’t want to use her up,” he whispered. “I want forever with her.”

“So,” Raymond said, so patiently, “Let me in a bit, please. Let me help you, too. I will help both of you.”

“It will make us stronger,” Jamie agreed. “But Doc, it’s so fucking hard…”

“Isn’t anything that’s hard to do, worthwhile?”

“It is.” Claire breezed into the kitchen, clad in sweatpants and one of Jamie’s flannel shirts, and kissed her husband on the cheek. “But thankfully I learned to use a crock pot to cook Uncle Lamb’s chili recipe a long time ago – it’s so much easier than cooking it on the stove. Who’s hungry?”

#outlander #outlander fanfic #jamie and claire #little bit better than i used to be

[gotham-ruaidh]

Little Bit Better Than I Used To Be

Catch up: Chapter 1 (Starry Eyes) || Chapter 2 (Save Our Souls) || Chapter 3 (Dancing On Glass)|| Chapter 4 (Merry-Go-Round)|| Backstage (1) || Backstage (2) || Chapter 5 (Danger)|| Backstage (3) || Chapter 6A (Love Walked In) || Chapter 6B (Without You) || Backstage (4) || Chapter 7 (Stick To Your Guns) || Chapter 8 (Time For Change) || Backstage (5) || Chapter 9 (Take Me To The Top) || Backstage (6) || Chapter 10 (Home Sweet Home) || Backstage (7) || Chapter 11a (Nightrain) || Chapter 11b (Nothing Else Matters) || Chapter 12a (Handle With Care) || Chapter 12b (I’m So Tired of Being Lonely) || Chapter 13a (Angel) || Chapter 13b (She’s My Addiction) || Chapter 13c (Patience) || Chapter 14a (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14b (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14c (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 15a (Dreams) || Chapter 15b (I Sing A Song of Love) || Chapter 15c (You Can Do This If You Try) || Chapter 16 (Let That Feeling Grab You Deep Inside || Chapter 17A: Never Tear Us Apart || Chapter 17B: It’s Tough To Be Somebody, And It’s Hard Not To Fall Apart  || Chapter 17C: I’m Wishing, Lord, That I Was Stoned || Chapter 18: Turn The Page || Chapter 19A: When You’re Alone, Do You Let Go? || Chapter 19B: Heading For A Spin || Chapter 20A: I Don’t Need Nothing When I’m By Your Side || Chapter 20B: I'm Walkin' Down This Rocky Road ||| Also posted at AO3

Chapter 20C: You're The Only One Who Gets Through To Me

I feel good in your room Let's lock the world out Feels so good when we kiss Nobody ever made me crazy like this

-- "In Your Room", The Bangles (1988) [click here to listen]

North Carolina || February 1989

Darkness had settled on the cabin before Jamie re-emerged, hair damp, wearing jeans and a worn Eagles t-shirt.

He found Raymond in the kitchen, sitting at the kitchen table, working on a crossword puzzle. Raymond looked up as Jamie entered the room, and set down his pen.

Jamie sank into the chair across from Raymond. Sighed.

“I was going to apologize, but I think you would have told me that I didn’t need to.”

“You’re right.”

Jamie leaned on the table with his elbows, eyes down. “That hasn’t happened since we finished the tour. And it wasn’t even a bad one.”

“We’ll talk about that. How is Claire?”

“She’s in the shower. She…” Jamie swallowed. “I’m fucking nothing without her.” 

A beat.

“A few months ago, in the middle of the tour, we spent a weekend with Dougal and Gillian. Dougal said that I had traded my addiction to substances, for an addition to my wife. Do you think that’s true?”

Raymond thought about this for a long while. He waited for Jamie to sit up straight and look at him.

“Do you know the definition of the word ‘addicted’, Jamie?”

Jamie shook his head.

“It means, to be physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects.”

Jamie lay his hands flat on the table. “Sounds pretty accurate to me.”

“Perhaps.” Raymond folded his arms against his chest. “But what about your music? Couldn’t you say the same about that?”

Jamie nodded.

“What about your family? Your friends?”

Jamie shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Yeah, but – ”

“I’m not discounting what Dougal said, Jamie. But what I am saying, is that it’s not so black and white. I love Dougal, but he can be a bit too…literal sometimes.”

Jamie smiled, faintly.

“Are you incredibly dependent on Claire, Jamie? Of course. But she’s your wife. You spend every moment of every day together when you’re at home, and the vast majority of your time together when you’re on the road. That’s not typical. And, you’re both addicts in recovery, and you keep each other accountable. It’s to be expected.”

Raymond sat back in his chair. “Now – the question is, whether the nature of your relationship with Claire tips over into being so close, so dependent, that it becomes problematic. Do you think it’s a problem?”

Jamie rubbed his face. “To the extent that even thinking about a life without her in it will cause me to spiral, yes. To the extent that I only hear her voice when I’m stuck in a spiral, yes. To the extent that the only way I can come back to myself from a spiral is by making love to her, yes.”

“I’m not saying that you need to cut any of that out of your life, Jamie. Know that, first and foremost.”

Raymond watched Jamie visibly relax. “I meant what I said to you before – that you need to nurture your connection. Something I hope you’re coming to know about me, is that I don’t use words lightly. What the two of you have built – how you love and protect each other – I’ve never seen that intensity in a married couple before.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“I hope you can understand that without drawing the right boundaries, it can be both. I hope you trust me when I say that I won’t do anything to test or damage your relationship with Claire. But you do need to broaden your levels of support, Jamie. Allow other people in. And create space for you, and Claire, to explore who you are without each other.”

“I know. I need to. I don’t want to use her up,” he whispered. “I want forever with her.”

“So,” Raymond said, so patiently, “Let me in a bit, please. Let me help you, too. I will help both of you.”

“It will make us stronger,” Jamie agreed. “But Doc, it’s so fucking hard…”

“Isn’t anything that’s hard to do, worthwhile?”

“It is.” Claire breezed into the kitchen, clad in sweatpants and one of Jamie’s flannel shirts, and kissed her husband on the cheek. “But thankfully I learned to use a crock pot to cook Uncle Lamb’s chili recipe a long time ago – it’s so much easier than cooking it on the stove. Who’s hungry?”

#outlander #outlander fanfic #jamie and claire #little bit better than i used to be

[gotham-ruaidh]

every day is one day closer to the future you’ve been building

#wisdom #positivity

[gotham-ruaidh]

I believe him. Completely. He and I have been though things that you couldn't even imagine - and this...I promise you, it won't come between us.

-- Claire to Malva, 6x06 "The World Turned Upside Down"

---

What haven't Jamie and Claire endured, for each other's sake?

Neither of them could have imagined on their wedding day exactly what they would face. Had they known, would they have married anyway?

Well, Claire says it herself in the very first episode: "Even now, after all the pain and death and heartbreak, I still would make the same choice." Because to not choose each other, would be a life truly not worth living.

For posterity - here's my list of exactly what Jamie and Claire have been through. What they've endured for each other - and precisely why their love is so, so strong:

Physical harm

Sexual assault

Death of a child

Inability to raise their sole living child together

Living in exile

Prison

Giving their body to another man, to guarantee each other's safety

Marriage to another person - full of spite and regret and pain and the ghost of each other

Homelessness - multiple times

Poverty

Starvation

Loss of reputation

Murdering others - multiple times

Inflicting physical harm on others - multiple times

Marching with an army

Illness

Death of a grandchild

#outlander #outlander 06x06 #jamie and claire #epic love #malva christie

[gotham-ruaidh]

Evolve or Repeat

#wisdom