The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (An Outlander Story)

Chapter 47: Best Not To Tell

Brynmor slams his lips against Brian, holding the other man against the wall of some outbuilding as they press closer to one another. The ferocity of the kiss can entirely be blamed on the tension that's been building up between them.

Mrs Tryon and Mama had been concerned and had walked him away from the conversation. Brian would have rather heard more about what Tryon had to say but instead, he's dragged into the man's wife's nattering before he's able to slip away when a man called Philip Wylie, someone his mother has met before, appears and Brian makes his escape with her while leaving Mrs Tryon to block him.

Even though he tries to avoid him, Brian is always hyper-aware of where Brynmor is. Every so often, he would glance over to see Brynmor doing the exact same thing. He would blush, looking down at his wine every time, trying to act like it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

It comes to a head when Brynmor slides over to where Brian hides behind the outbuilding, remarking, "There always seems to be a violent altercation when we meet, isn't there?"

Brian startles before letting out an awkward laugh. He's not wrong about that. Shortly after the wine choking incident, it became clear there was a fight going on between Robert Barlow and Nubian Hamilton along with several other guests over varying opinions on the regulators until Major MacDonald and Hermon Husband intervened and ended the conflict peacefully.

Brynmor clears his throat, walking closer. "So, I cannot help but think that we rather got interrupted last time."

Brian flushed. "I, er, I s-suppose you could... say that?"

Brynmor is standing right in front of him now, hands gripping Brian's lapels of his coat. Oh. "I do."

"We shouldn't be doing this." Brian gasps.

"Shut up." Brynmor shoves Brian against the nearest wall and crushes their mouths together.

Brian's too shocked to respond, mouth falling open slackly in a way that's more surprise than an invitation, but then he starts kissing him back after it takes him a second to realise what's happening. Brian's legs fall open readily, Brynmor crowds up between them and hooks one knee around the back of Brynmor's thigh, his hands on Brynmor's neck and back. God.

"Brian?!"

Shit. Lord John.

They freeze before leaping apart but it's too late as John stands there, staring at them with mouth agape.

"John, I..." Honestly, Brian is lost for words.

John clears his throat siding Brynmor who appears to be trying to hide from view. "Sorry, Mister...?"

"Jones."

"Mister Jones, could Mister Fraser and I converse in private?" John asks cordially.

"Er, sorry, yes, yes, yes, of course." Brian and Brynmor share one last look before the latter leaves quickly.

Brian straightens his clothes and squares his shoulders as he looks at John. He is not entirely sure how the man will react to the situation so he needs to be ready.

But if anything, John is just frowning in what appears to be confusion. "So, uh, you appear to show some affection with a person of familiar stature..."

"It would appear so..." Brian says slowly, curious at where he's going with this as thankfully it's not negative so far.

"I didn't know you were– I thought– you seemed to like the female attention even though it got a bit much—"

The man's stumbling over his words so much that Brian decides to cut in. "I still do." John looks confused. "I like both you see."

"Oh."

"And currently I appreciate the attention of, er, well you know." Brian adds awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Er em, yes, Mister Jones." There's a moment of hesitancy then he asks, "Does anyone know?"

"Da, definitely not, Mama, don't think so but I'd put Ellen at a maybe. Why?" Brian's eyes widen. "Wait, does Da know about you?"

John hesitates but gives a nearly imperceptible nod. This makes a small bubble of hope rise in Brian's chest. "You two are friends? So maybe..."

"It might be best not to tell him, Brian."

Brian frowns. Eh? "What, why?"

"Despite him knowing of me, I do not know if he'll—"

Brian's stomach sinks. What had he been thinking? "He's going to kill me, isn't he? Da is going to kill me if he finds out what I am."

Da is anything but progressive. Except maybe, in some ways, when it comes to Mama. Brian leans against the wall once more, head in his hands.

Moments later, he hears John settle beside him. "I don't think that's true."

Brian looks up to see a look of pity on John's face. One he doesn't appreciate and he can't help but glare at the man. "Look, I don't need your advice, alright?!" He spits before striding away, stepping back out into the party, looking for Brynmor. He can hear John walking after him causing him to roll his eyes.

"Brian, I'm sorry for what I have said, but perhaps your father will be more open minded than you think, you must understand that you need to be careful—" John tries to argue.

"You don't know that!" Brian snaps. "And, of course I'm careful. Do you really think think I'm that stupid? That I—"

He cuts himself off when his eyes catch an odd sight of Mama following Philip Wylie, a man Brian had only just seen her trying to escape from.

"Is that..." he murmurs, stepping around John to see better. "What the hell?"

"What is it?" John asks, turning to look too.

"It's my mother and Philip Wylie. It looks like she's following him into the stables. What is she doing?" He looks at John. "I need to find Da, right now."

"I'll help you find him."

Brian hesitates briefly before reluctantly nodding. Luckily, they don't have to go far as Da has apparently been looking for her.

"There ye are, Brian." Da calls to him before Brian and John make it ten seconds into their search. "I was wonderin' where ye and yer Mother ended up."

"Er, around... but I just saw Mama go into the stables with Philip Wylie."

"Philip Wylie? I've heard his name mentioned several time teday. Why would she be alone with him?" Da wonders.

"I don't know but whatever it is, it can't be good." Brian remarks.

Not needing to hear anything else, Da takes off running to the stables with Brian and John following him as well as they can.