Splash of Colour

Chapter I: Gray-Scale's Colour Filled Fantasies

It was all gray.

No one could see color except the special few lucky enough to find that special someone. Most people didn't believe in that. It was all just fairy tales with no merit.

This world was nothing beautiful. Not to Brendan at least. He had seen the ugliness of the world in full force his whole life. He grew up in a broken, abusive home.

It was something that he tried to not let define him, but it wasn't easy. He was smart, but his temper almost got him kicked out of college all together. Plus Eileen badgering him that he needed a real job to support his family, but he didn't quit; not that he didn't love his kids, he did; but he worked too hard for this.

Over came too much.

He finally made it though, Professor of Literature. Too bad his wife couldn't wait that long, though it didn't necessarily help that he had been caught having an affair with a man. At least Eileen was discreet enough to not spread that around, that was all he would need.

Brendan got a job at the University of Manchester, having to move away from Ireland was not something that he particularly wanted but it was a necessity, so he went. It was hard to get use to everything, new people, new place. He kept having teachers warn him about how cruel students could be but Bren didn't pay it any mind. He wasn't worried about that, after all the years of being bullied by his father and then by his wife, some snotty Uni kids weren't going to make him tuck tail and run.

The first class he had went great. To say he was pleased was an understatement.

Brendan hoped that the rest of the day would go that well. Looking over the papers on his desk, he reached out to grab another one as the student handed it over. The light brush of fingers against his wasn't what made Brendan jerk and recoil back from the touch. It was the sudden flash of swirling colors all around the room. He looked up to see who had touched him. There was a young man standing there holding his own hand to his chest like he had been burned, looking around the room. But slowly, the colors faded for Brendan. He knew the myths about soul mates but he never believed them, never. It was all just make believe.

Fairy tales.

"Erm—Thank you Steven—" He whispered looking down at the paper to make sure he had his name right. But the young man said nothing, only quickly nodded and heading out the door. Brendan let out a breath that he didn't really know he was holding in, bringing his hand up to rub his forehead as his blue eyes moved to watch him go.

"Professor Brady? Are you alright?"

He jerked at the voice and turned to the next student waiting to hand his paper over. "Yeah, yeah, I'm okay- just lay them down and go; I'll see you all on Wednesday." He replied as he looked started to pack up his bag. He had to get out of here, look up some stuff about what had just happened. It didn't make any sense in his head.

After shoving all the papers into his bag, the Irishman hurried back to his office, ignoring any of the other professors asking how his first day went. He might have been able to get out a fine before shutting the door and locking it behind him with a sigh. He tossed the bag into a chair and sat the computer before starting to type different things into the search bar.

"Myths about seeing colors."

"Soul mate myth"

"Seeing colors"

It all came up with the same thing as before.

"Many people report, after touching the skin of another person considered to be their "soul mate" have been seeing bright swirling colors. There is no real proof, but when subjected to lie detector tests all subjects have passed. Some have even reported the colors vanishing when the other person has passed away. The colors are said to fade in the way the person dies. Splatters of black and white for people who are shot or in accidents, colors running together as if water had been thrown over a canvas for people who have water deaths, and just slowly fading for people who have natural deaths. It varies by person."

Brendan covered his mouth as he read, shaking his head a little. "This can't be real—"

"Touched someone saw colors then they vanished"

"A brush may spark the colors, but they fade if you do not keep a lingering touch for at least thirty seconds."

Closing the lid of the laptop, Brendan let out a frustrated noised and pushed his hands over his face and up into his hair. It was already dark and his stomach was starting to growl at him. Reluctantly he pulled himself from the chair and started to get ready to leave once again. He would stop and get something to eat and then go home. Tomorrow he had off; he could sit there, grade papers and try to assess what he was going to do about this whole situation.

Unlocking his office, Brendan walked out and tripped, thudding to the ground with a string of Irish curses following. He looked up to see what it was he had tripped over, but there were the colors again and Steven, who was rubbing his head, which Brendan had probably smashed with his brief case.

"What are you doing sitting there on the floor like that?!" He snapped as he moved to push himself back up from the floor, trying not to look the colors that were all still swirling around like someone was rolling a paint brush over them.

"I um—I wanted to talk to you about something."

Brendan sighed a little as he held out his hand to help the young man up from the floor. "I told you my office hours, why were you sitting out here?"

"I saw you run in, but when I tried the handle it was locked, so I figured you were busy with something, so I just—waited."

"Well hurry up and ask- I was just heading home."

Steven was quiet for a moment, making sure that no one else was around them as he looked over Brendan. "Are you seeing the colors too?"

Stiffening the Irishman bristled a little as he looked over at him.

Lie. Lie through your teeth Brendan. They can't know. You know how this goes. If you're gay—it means you liked it.

"Colors?" He shook his head and took a step back away from him. The young man looked hurt, but there was no way he could admit it. He had worked too hard, over come too much to let this destroy everything for him. "I don't see anything."

"Okay." Steven looked down at his feet taking a step back from him. "I just—wanted to ask. Maybe it's just—me." He looked back up at him and took one step forward towards him again. "Are you sure you don't see anythin—"

"I told you no." Brendan snapped at him, furrowing his brows. It made Steven back down and pull back a little.

"Right-"

"Go home."

The younger man did as he was told, grabbing his bad and turning to walk quickly out of the hall. Once he was out of sight, Brendan pressed his hand against his forehead. All the colors were still there, dancing in front of his vision. Deciding to ignore it, Brendan started out the opposite way. He stopped at his car working to unlock it, when Brendan heard yelling. He had tossed his things in and slammed the door shut, taking off running towards the cries at the other end of the parking lot.

Turning the corner, Brendan slammed his side into the man who was hovering over the other on the ground curled in a ball. He stood in front of him as the attacker scrambled off. The Irishman turned and held out a hand to pull the man up.

It was Steven.

Brendan sighed a little. "Come on, I'll get us something to eat and make sure you get home okay." He wrapped and arm around his back, not waiting for the okay, just bringing him towards the car. He helped him in and went to the driver's side, turning the car over. Brendan flipped on the light to look over Steven, making sure he wasn't hurt too badly. "You okay kid?"

"Yeah… Thanks." He whispered as he looked over at him. "I appreciate the help. You can just take me home; you don't have to buy me food."

Brendan shrugged. "I was heading that way anyways."

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The ride was uncomfortably silent as he drove them to a small pizza place. They both went to a booth in the corner where no one could hear them speaking. Bren nodded a thanks to the waiter who brought the pizza before turning back to Steven, looking him over. The colors were starting to fade a little now.

"So—do you really not see them?"

He really didn't want to admit it so he shrugged his shoulders a little as he looked down at his food, trying hard to avert his gaze. Once again, silence hushed over them as they ate quietly.

"I think you're lying to me. I think you see them."

Brendan had to keep himself from snapping at him. "Will you please just drop it? I saved you from getting your arse kicked, and bought you food, just—leave well enough alone."

Silence once again. It stayed that way until Brendan pulled up to Steven's flat. The young man smiled a little over at him and nodded in thanks. "I'll see you Wednesday. Sorry for bothering you." He replied as he moved to get out of the car, only to be stopped by the tug of his shirt. He turned to look back, trying to see what he was caught on, but it was Brendan, tugging him towards him.

Their lips pressed together and Steven groaned in response as his hands moved up to wrap around Brendan's head. The Irishman's hands held his sides, keeping him close as he kissed him.

Finally Brendan ended the kiss, pushing Steven towards the door. The younger man whined in response, but Bren shook his head and kept his eyes away from his. "Go."

Frowning he moved to get out of the car, pausing when Brendan spoke to him.

"I do see them." He turned to looked over at him, even in the dark the colors were gorgeously dancing over Steven's face. "Don't tell anyone or you'll regret it." Hitting the gas, the Irishman left his student dumbfounded as he drove away.