Author's Note: This is based on a prompt from Tumblr, specifically one by lgbtqpi-au, "Everything turns from black and white to colour when you meet your soul mate but we spent out first few moments together confused as to why we were still red green colour blind until we bumped into a stranger in all the excitement and now we see in perfect colour ah this is excellent". I've obviously changed it some to fit the storyline, and even though this is au I tried to follow the plot of the movie (and what backstory we see) as much as possible, though only through the end of the first movie.
Also, this story is completely written, but it's hand-written in a notebook, so I'm typing it up chapter by chapter. If a few days pass and I haven't updated, feel free to poke me with a stick to get me typing again. I'm editing as I type, but it's still just me and spell check looking over everything, so if you see a type please feel free to let me know and I'll fix it.
Chloe's world is full of grays. They shade a spectrum from pitch black to pure white, and they're all she's known through her childhood and teenage years. She isn't sad that she still can't see colors by the time she enrolls in college, getting colors too early usually leads to early disappointments as the strain proves to be too much.
And while there are support groups out there for people who try to find the most happiness they can, Chloe doesn't want to settle. She knows there's nothing wrong with having a relationship with someone other than your soulmate, but she wants the fairytale story. She ignores the horror stories, pretends she doesn't know the colors fade when your soulmate dies. In her world of gray, Chloe dreams of colors.
That's not to say Chloe doesn't find beauty in the grays of her world. There are entire museums for black and white artwork, and Chloe often spends a day wandering through one, trying to imagine what they would look like in color. But the true beauty in Chloe's life is music, the way it can speak to her heart with its gentle flows and melodies. When Chloe sings, she imagines that this is what colors feel like.
So when she gets to Barden, the first thing she does after settling in is head for the activities fair, desperate to find a singing group. She'd missed the auditions for the school's choir classes while she was recovering from a case of strep, and she knows she won't be able to go a full semester or year without some kind of music in her life.
She sees a few groups, but the Trebles don't take female members and the BU Harmonics don't seem like the kind of people she'll get along with. There's far too many of the light shades of gray that she's come to associate with the word "pastel", and none of the vibrant personality that Chloe wants to associate music with.
When she hits the Bella table, she's a little put off by some of the women standing around, but the captain seems nice enough as she invites her to auditions in a few weeks, and Chloe loves the song that she'll need to prepare. She's chatting with the captain about what makes the Bella's who they are when she sees someone else walk up to the table out of the corner of her eye.
Turning to look at the newcomer, Chloe notices something is different, and though it takes her brain a moment to catch up Chloe is staring at the other girl in shock, because her eyes aren't gray. She slowly notices the color of the girl's hair, her lips, the soft shade of her dress, before she realizes what must have just happened.
Her shocked look is mirrored back at her, and every line Chloe has ever practiced falls from her mind. After a long moment, Chloe notices a few of the Bellas whispering amongst themselves, and belatedly sticks her hand out with a smile, trying to seem charming. "Hi, I'm Chloe" she says, ignoring the mutters behind her.
"I'm Aubrey" the other woman says, forcing a smile as she takes the outstretched hand. Chloe expected sparks when their hands met, something as monumental as the colors that surround her now, setting her head whirling. Instead Aubrey's grip is slack, the other woman apparently still in shock. Not that Chloe can blame her; the rush of color around them is almost overwhelming.
"Great, if they make it we'll have to deal with lover's spats all the time" she heard from behind them, and Aubrey's skin darkens with embarrassment, even with the captain quickly shushing whoever had spoken.
"Um, why don't we find somewhere to talk?" Chloe asks hesitantly, wanting to get away from the press of people that's becoming too much to bear.
To her relief Aubrey nods, and smiles in a way that seems a little more natural. "Sure" she says as she nods, dropping Chloe's hand from where she'd still been holding it, and Chloe tries not to feel discouraged.
She hadn't realized just how much of a shock meeting her soulmate would be, both visibly and emotionally. She'd always been caught up in the romance of the notion, not truly realizing how it would feel to meet a complete stranger and suddenly be shown that they are the person who is somehow right for you on the deepest level of your being.
Thankfully, those who came before them knew what a shock it would be, and most public establishments had rooms set aside called "gray rooms" where everything from the carpet to the décor is completely gray, offering newly overwhelmed couples or individuals a sense of familiarity while they adjust. Colleges especially have them all over the place, knowing that putting as many young adults in one place as a campus did would lead to a greater need for them, especially among already stressed students.
So Chloe and Aubrey are able to quickly make it free of the crowd and into a free room, passing a few other shell shocked looking couples on the way. Once they get to the room, Aubrey moves away from Chloe, staring at the wall and taking deep breaths. Chloe tries not to be hurt, but by now shouldn't they be having some kind of conversation about things? After a minute she walks carefully to the other woman's side and reaches out her hand, trying to offer comfort. She isn't prepared for the pang of hurt that she feels when her attempt is rebuffed, Aubrey pulling away jerkily as she continues to breathe.
With nothing else to do, Chloe sits on the couch provided, staring down at the patterns on her dress in wonder. Her mother had pointed out this dress as one she should wear for important events, and Chloe is starting to see why. She usually sticks to solid colors in a range of color labels the stores agree work for her, after seeing the reactions some people get while wearing patterns of mixes of colors. She sort of imagines that certain color combinations are like chords that don't quite mesh, and while she'd never be rude about something like that, she can understand how jarring that could be.
After a while, Aubrey slowly turns from the corner looking pale, and Chloe tries not to flinch as she sits down, not wanting to feel rejected again if Aubrey pulls back first. "I'm sorry about that" Aubrey says after another moment, still not looking directly at Chloe. "It all just hit me so suddenly, and I don't do well with pressure. I sometimes do really badly with pressure." There's an undertone of shame in Aubrey's voice, and Chloe reacts without thought, reaching out for her hand.
"There's no pressure here" she hears herself say, despite the dreams of a perfect relationship she's held to for years. No matter how much she's wanted that, it isn't fair to Aubrey to push that on her. "We can just talk or something, if you want. You were at the Bella's booth, do you sing?"
"Yes, it's one of my favorite things, as strange as that sounds" Aubrey finally answers, her eyes not moving from where Chloe's hand rests on hers.
"That's not silly at all!" Chloe can't help but exclaim. "Singing is this amazing thing that can move an entire crowd, or speak to who you are even with no one else around. It can be something big and ornate, or something you create completely from yourself. It's one of the most beautiful things in the world." Chloe notices Aubrey relaxing with every word, and has to smile as their eyes finally meet once more. The other woman finally seems almost relaxed, and Chloe lets herself hope, just a little, that things will work out
"I've never heard anyone describe it like that" Aubrey says with a smile to match Chloe's. They talk about music for a while longer, Aubrey slowly relaxing further as the conversation flows. It's easier to talk in the gray room, but at the same time Chloe feels like the background comfort serves to make Aubrey look even prettier, the color of her eyes and hair standing out vividly from the monotone of their surroundings.
When Chloe realizes she's definitely being distracted by the fall of the other woman's hair, she also realizes that she has no way to match what she's seeing to the names for colors that she knows exist, and that gives her an idea. "Why don't we go to a color museum?" she asks almost abruptly, taking Aubrey by surprise.
Because just as the people before them had realized the need for gray rooms to catch your balance, they'd also planned for what you would need after. So while all students learn the color names as children, color museums had been founded to give new colors a match to the word that goes with them. They also offered an easy introduction to the colors that strove to introduce without overwhelming. They were a common first date for those who met their soulmates and wanted to work things out with them.
Aubrey stiffened again, obviously knowing the common date association. "I mean, if you won't want to then we absolutely don't have to. I just realized I have absolutely no idea what your hair color actually is, or the color of your eyes. And it might be fun, you know?" Chloe's trying really hard not to push, not wanting to scare Aubrey away.
Even from just their conversation so far, Chloe knows they're wildly different, probably bound together by their love of music more than anything. Chloe can already tell Aubrey is more reserved than she is, but she can also see how they could balance each other out, given the chance. And she desperately wants that chance.
"I'm not" Aubrey starts before sighing. "This isn't how things were supposed to go" she tries again. "There was a plan, and meeting my soulmate was supposed to come after college, after I was settled in a good job. Not before classes have even started" There's an almost defeated tone to her voice, and if Chloe didn't thing that it would push her away, she'd be pulling Aubrey into a hug.
"You can't plan soulmates" she says instead, not wanting to lose her chance at making this work. "They just happen, and I've always believed they happen when we most need them." She swears she's trying not to push, but there's so much more she wants to say, and she couldn't stop herself from saying at least that much.
But Aubrey just sighs, and Chloe's heart drops. "Why would you even want to try this with me?" I don't know how I possibly deserve someone like you. You're gorgeous, and open, and more relaxed than I'll ever be. You love music more than anyone else I've ever known. And I'm in the middle of a very strict plan for my life. My father expects nothing less than perfection." Chloe isn't sure why the other woman is opening up so much if she's just going to push her away, but maybe it's part of the soulmate bond. Whatever the reason, she has to respond.
"Your father isn't my soulmate, you are" she says firmly, only hesitating slightly when Aubrey winces. "And from where I'm sitting, I already see perfection." Okay, so that's a little cheesy, but Chloe has been dreaming of this day for years. She figures she's at least earned one over the top statement, especially after doing so well at not pushing until then.
Thankfully Aubrey laughs, and Chloe risks pulling her in for a gentle hug. Aubrey doesn't really relax into the embrace, but she's also not stiffening or pulling away, so Chloe counts it a success. "So, color museum?" she asks with a smile after ending the hug, trying to keep herself from crossing her fingers.
"Okay" Aubrey hesitantly agrees, standing and turning to the door. "Let's go" and with that she's suddenly vomiting, and Chloe freezes in shock. It's not until Aubrey finishes that Chloe notices she's crying, and immediately Chloe is at her side, carefully pulling her away from the mess and into another hug. She's not entirely sure what's going on, but Aubrey is crying, and that means she needs a hug.
The tears continue for a long time, but Chloe refuses to let go, steadfastly ignoring the smell filling the room. As soon as Aubrey calms down they can find someone to clean up the mess, but until then she's just going to hold her while she cries.
Finally the crying ends; and Aubrey seems genuinely surprised to see Chloe still standing there. "Why didn't you run?" she asks quietly as she wipes her eyes.
"Because there was no reason to" Chloe answers honestly.
"I'd say that's a pretty good reason to want nothing to do with me" comes the bitter sounding reply, accompanied by a wave at the room.
"That doesn't matter to me" she says, pulling back just enough to look directly into Aubrey's eyes. "That isn't a reason to run, and that isn't going to push me away. I honestly believe we met for a reason, and that means if we're both open to it, there is nothing about either one of us that can make us run. So if you're scared that I'm going to run, don't be. I'm not going anywhere unless you really want me to. And even then I'll track you down after graduation, when your soulmate fits into your plan." She knows she's pushing a little, possibly too much, but Chloe thinks that maybe Aubrey needs to hear this. Maybe being reassured that Chloe won't run will help.
And as Chloe talks, she sees a look of hope on Aubrey's face, and when she finishes, it's the other woman's turn to initiate the hug. "So, color museum?" is all Aubrey says when the hug eventually ends, but it's enough to make Chloe feel like she's flying.
XXXXXXXXXXX
The color museum isn't exactly what Chloe had been expecting. When people talked about colors as she was growing up, Chloe had imagined the range of colors would stretch across a wide spectrum, like a music scale played on a piano, each note with multiple matching shades. But the color wheel inside the entrance is almost bland, more like the scale on a poorly played recorder than what Chloe had imagined.
She's still learning Aubrey's reactions, but somehow she thinks the other woman is feeling the same sense of almost disappointment that Chloe is. To make things worse, the couple that comes in immediately after them can't stop gushing about the color wheel, going on about how they'd never imagined so many colors could possibly exist.
Chloe doesn't want to say anything, but she's starting to feel like maybe the color museum wasn't the best idea. Still, she's glad Aubrey isn't shutting her out, and glad they're spending time together. So with a smile that's only half forced, she follows the directions around towards each of the different galleries.
The first room is designed to show each color along with its name, and Chloe stops in confusion, looking at multiple images that look the same, but that have different descriptions next to them. She sees Aubrey frowning next to her, and as much as she wants to pretend everything is fine, she knows it's important to start any kind of relationship with honest conversation. So with a deep breath, she finally speaks up, unconsciously reaching for Aubrey's hand as she does. "Is it just me, or are a lot of these colors all but identical?" she asks quietly, not wanting to draw attention to them.
"I was thinking the same thing" comes the equally quiet response, Aubrey sounding just as confused and apprehensive as Chloe feels.
"Maybe there's a worker we can ask?" Chloe wonders, hesitantly looking around. She's not sure if Aubrey particularly wants to ask, but Chloe wants to know what's going on. First her soulmate is so nervous about things that she throws up, then the colors everyone had been saying were so amazing end up being a mere handful of shades. It's nothing like what Chloe's dreams had been, and she wants some kind of explanation.
To her surprise, Aubrey is nodding next to her, joining the search for some kind of employee to ask. They finally see an older woman near some couches in a gray alcove off the main room, and with only a glance they're both heading her way. If not for the confusion Chloe is feeling over the colors, she'd probably be all but jumping for joy at how in sync they already are.
"Things getting too much for you, dears?" the woman greets as they approach. "I remember my first time here; all the different colors everywhere had my head spinning. John, my soulmate, nearly had to carry me through the rainbow room." There's a fond smile on her face as she obviously thinks back to the happy memories, and Chloe almost hates to pull her from them to ask the question.
"Actually, we were wondering" she starts before trailing off, not sure how to phrase it.
"A lot of the colors look the same to us" Aubrey picks up when Chloe hesitates. And again Chloe is torn between how they already pick up on each other's moods and needs, and worry about what's going on.
"Oh dear, well that does happen sometimes" the woman says with a small, almost sad smile. "Usually only to one person, but I suppose it could happen to both of you. It's called color blindness, and it's got something to do with your eyes." Despite the kindness in the woman's voice, Chloe feels her stomach drop a little at the woman's words.
Colors are supposed to be amazing and beautiful, and even though Chloe already prefers the colors she can see to the grays she'd grown up with, she can't help but feel cheated. Still, she's determined to be happy. She met her soulmate today, and even with the disappointing news Aubrey is still holding tightly to her hand. Surely they can get through this together. After all, colors are just a visible sign of two parts of a soul meeting, not the whole point of soulmates at all. She just hopes Aubrey feels the same way.
They thank the worker, and with unspoken agreement wander through the rest of the rooms. Chloe particularly likes the one set aside for hair colors, and Aubrey likes the one for eye color. They can't really tell what color Chloe's hair is, or what color Aubrey's eyes are, but it doesn't matter that much anymore. They aren't gray, and that seems to be enough for both of them.
They don't talk too much about the colorblindness in the weeks following, both content to forget about it as they focus on getting to know each other. Neither one is willing to quiet call it a relationship yet, Aubrey still struggling to fit it into her five year plan, and Chloe not willing to risk her happy ending by rushing into anything.
Still, they're both aware of what they are to each other, and neither is willing to give up the closeness that already exists between them, on a level beyond friendship but different than romance. They spend a lot of time helping other practice for the upcoming Bellas audition, and Chloe is certain they'll both easily make it into the group.
They also work on calming exercises for Aubrey, after Chloe gets tired of feeling left out when Aubrey pulls away to focus on her breathing to choke things down. She's surprised when the blonde lets her help, but not as surprised as Aubrey is when having Chloe there actually seems to help. Having Chloe beside her helps keep her calm, usually calm enough that the relaxation exercises aren't even needed.
As expected, they both get accepted into the Bellas, with the captain welcoming them happily, telling them to just ignore the other girls when they act like bitches. "Alice is just a bitch in general" Amanda says at hood night party. "Girl can sing like no other, but she takes everything way too seriously, and if it's not something that works for her, she'll act like its total shit. Don't let her get to you."
Chloe can tell it does get to Aubrey, so she tries to keep it from getting to her so she can be solid for Aubrey. Because even with neither of them quite willing to step forward in the relationship, Chloe knows she's falling hard for the blonde. Being the new girls in the Bellas makes the bond cement that much faster, the older girls already having their friendships built before Chloe and Aubrey showed up. The captain and a few of the seniors are always nice, but they don't have a lot of time free to hang out as they prepare for graduation.
Alice and her group of sophomores are nearly as close as Chloe and Aubrey, but they all seem drawn together by bitchy judgement. Nothing that the younger two women can do is good enough for them, and Chloe is starting to worry about how Aubrey will take the pressure once the seniors leave.
Things only get worse when the rest of the Bellas find out about their colorblindness, after Alice suggests they that they design the Bella fliers they'll use at the activity fair next year. "After all, the two lovebirds can see all the colors now, let them design it" she's suggested snidely after Amanda reminded her that they'd need new ones. And Amanda hadn't seemed to pick up on her tone, excitedly agreeing that the two would be perfect for the job.
Aubrey had flushed in shame, immediately starting one of the breathing exercises they'd been working on all year, leaving Chloe to answer. "Actually" she started, reaching out to rub Aubrey's arm, "we're both colorblind". She can tell her touch is helping Aubrey, but the blonde is still tense next to her.
"Oh great, they can't even get that right" Alice scoffs from across the room. "How do you even mess that up? Meet your soulmate, see the colors. Leave it to these two slutbags to find a way to screw up something so simple."
By now Aubrey is literally shaking, and Chloe forces herself to ignore the other Bellas in favor of pulling Aubrey into a hug. "Ignore them" she whispers into her hair, rubbing small circles on her back. She can hear Amanda yelling at Alice in the background, but most of her attention is focused on the woman in her arms. "We don't need them, or colors, or anything else, right? We have each other, and together we're perfect." As she continues to comfort Aubrey, she's glad that they've gotten to the point over the past year where she can say things like this without worrying that she's pushing the blonde, or worrying that she'll pull away.
She's so focused on comforting Aubrey that she nearly misses the whispered "I love you", and it takes her a minute to react. As soon as it registers, she's pulling her soulmate tighter into the hug for a moment, before pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. What she sees there has her pulling Aubrey after her out of the rehearsal space, ignoring the looks from the others. She knows they'll have to face the rest of the group eventually, but right now her priority is her soulmate and their first declaration of love.
She leads them to a gray room, knowing that these rooms are one of the few places on campus where they're virtually guaranteed to remain undisturbed. Aubrey still looks nervous as she sits on the couch, but she's no longer counting breaths the way she was before, so Chloe sits beside her with no hesitation.
Honestly, she can understand Aubrey's nervousness, her own heart is racing like they've just ran the entire way here. She's trying not to let herself hope, but she loves Aubrey, and they already know they're soulmates. If Aubrey loves her back, then surely that means they can work this out, and actually give Chloe a chance at the happy ending she'd dreamed of.
Since Aubrey was the one who said it first, Chloe stays silent, waiting for the blonde to speak again. It takes a minute, but eventually Aubrey starts. "A soulmate was never part of my college plan" she says quietly, staring into Chloe's eyes. "You've heard that so many times I'm surprised you haven't gotten tired of me yet. But you haven't and you're still here, and you're always there for me when I need you to be. So while I still can't imagine why you'd want to be around me" Aubrey holds up a hand here to stop a protest from Chloe at that. "I'm beginning to think that maybe you should have been part of my plan. And plan or not, I'm glad you're in my life."
Chloe can't help but interrupt now, the strain of staying quiet too much after that. And this time, Aubrey lets her. "I'm glad you're in my life too. And you know, you've helped me just as much, even if I did fail maps last semester. You keep me grounded and focused. We balance each other out, just the way it's supposed to be." Chloe can see that Aubrey is close to tears, and she leans forward to pull her into a hug. "And before you can ever doubt it, I love you too."
They sit there holding each other for a long moment before Chloe feels Aubrey start laughing. "What's so funny?" she asks as she sits back in surprise. Laughter was definitely not the reaction she'd expected. Aubrey laughs for a moment longer, before she's able to take a deep breath and speak.
"I just had a thought. What's the proper way to ask your soulmate to be your girlfriend?" Chloe just stares at her for a second, before she starts laughing as well, pulling Aubrey close once more as they both laugh until tears come to their eyes.
Chloe never does answer. Because even if the question needed asked, neither woman doubted what the answer would be.