Fade To Grey
Stefan looked up through the smoky haze and saw the small figure jumping about on stage. His words flowing out of his mouth like dew gracefully rolling down a petal of a snowdrop. Touching everything it passed, however, only making a difference on the ground it splashed upon, himself. Stefan had always imagined the perfect man to be like a stallion, tall, muscular and beautiful and the singer that had now captured his attention was neither tall nor muscular, yet he seemed the perfect man. The way he moved was fluent and natural and Stefan was captivated by it, like a small child fascinated by the way a puppet moves. He didn�t really know why he had said yes to coming, and why he had even bothered. But the man on the platform that day had insisted and Stefan, mainly out of curiosity and politeness had agreed to come to this dump and watch him perform. He was thoroughly surprised when the singer spoke to him, the only other time that Stefan had said anything to him was little side comments like �dirty faggot�, or �fucking gay� at school, when really he had only done it because of insecurities of his own. He would spend hours looking at boobs and nothing, yet a tight ass, biceps and a cock would get little him standing in no time at all. Of course it caused a lot of confusion and doubt in his own mind, making it completely unfair to pick on the tiny little kid known as the �weird one� back at school. Therefore when the voice that he barely recognized called him over and eagerly asked Stefan if he remembered him, he could only give the familiar stranger a sideward glance causing the man to blurt out:
�Brian - I�m Brian from school?�
So after a few minutes talking he had insisted and sweet talked Stefan into coming to the bar to watch him perform. His expectations were low and had imagined a trashy little performance by someone with very little talent and usually he was right whenever he and few friends had gone out. However in this case he was very much mistaken.
He pulled the glass up to his lips, hesitating for a moment before downing it all, the vodka tickling his throat on the way down. Coughing lightly he was interrupted by someone sitting themselves opposite him. Beads of sweet clung to the mid length black hair that was sticking to the intruder�s face. Small, delicate hands rose to push it behind his ears revealing red lips glistening with sweat and what was left of the lip gloss, and a huge pair of eyes that looked up at Stefan eagerly as though searching for an answer within him.
�So?� he almost squeaked.
�That was...� Stefan thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully. �That was amazing.�
This seemed to please Brian immensely and he gave Stefan a huge grin.
�Really? You thought I was good?� he asked, this time almost bouncing off his seat and leaning up onto the table.
�Yeah, yeah I did!� Stefan paused for a moment considering what to say to prevent an awkward silence. �Want a drink?� he offered.
�God yes!� Brian panted, �a urm.. Bloody Mary please!�
Pulling himself to his feet, Brian watched Stefan�s tall body disappear into the crowd of people that engulfed him. He hadn�t got a clue what came over him when he saw Stefan. He had always hated the group of people that Stefan hung around with, but Stefan always seemed kinder and more loving. He wouldn�t ever say much to Brian, he always seemed in his own world, as though he was trying to work out something. So he would stand at the back of the crowd. Still it didn�t stop Brian developing a certain hatred for them all including the tall Swede. So whether it was the fact he was hungover that morning, perhaps still a little tipsy, or if it was fate pushing him to go and speak to Stefan - he didn�t know but he was glad he had spoken to him.
Stefan placed the two glasses down on the table in front of Brian�s folded arms which were quickly unfolded and gulping at his drink.
�Maybe I should have got you a glass of water� Stefan chuckled at the smaller man in front of him who was now wiping his mouth on his forearm.
�Nah, I like something a bit stronger after and well, before a show� Brian smiled back, not taking his eyes away from Stefan�s for a few seconds. �So what have you been up to since school?�
Stefan stretched his arm up, and rubbed his neck. 'Oh please god lets not talk about being in school' he thought to himself before saying:
�Been studying music in London.�
�Oh. Me too, well, studying drama� the smaller figured beamed back at him, �however I�ve been trying to get a band together - what do you play?� he inquired taking a cigarette packet out his back pocket and offering one to the Swede.
�Thanks� Stefan replied, taking one, his eyes focused on the cigarette that was dancing in the fingers of the man opposite him, before it reached his sweaty lips shining in the grim light of the bar. He balanced it there for a moment as his hand shot down, feeling his bum and his side pockets. There was a slightly agitated look in his eyes as he glanced up.
�Lighter?� Stefan continued, handing Brian his own. �I play the Bass mainly�
�Ah cool� Brian nodded lightly, lighting his fag and inhaling deeply. He pulled it away from his mouth, waving it about as he spoke.
�Are you any good?�
�Well I don�t know.� Stefan shrugged modestly, taking the lighter back and lighting his own cigarette.
�Can I hear you?� Brian announced enthusiastically as he flicked some ash into the ashtray. Stefan thought for a moment. He didn�t really want to have to see that much of Brian after tonight and inviting him over would give him the wrong idea. He seemed like a nice enough person, but he just didn�t know Brian really other than as the weird kid at school. However, on the other hand, he was interested in him, fascinated by the way he was so confident, even dressed up with his shoulder length hair, tight trousers and the way he was able to stroll confidently over to one of the boys that used to pick on him and who was three times the size of him and almost demand that he came to this bar! He looked down at the smaller man who was casually sitting there smoking, eyes open wide and biting his bottom lip in anticipation. Stefan couldn�t say no to face like that, it would be like saying no to a kid who wants candy!
�Yeah sure� he grinned back.
�Fantastic, I think that calls for another round of drinks� Brian replied, as he jumped off of his bar stool and made his way through the crowd, towards the bar.
The cold night air seemed to twirl up and wrap itself round the bassist�s body, causing him to snuggle deep within his jacket.
�Jesus, it�s fucking freezing!� came a nasal voice from behind him. Stefan turned round abruptly to see the pint sized singer struggling to keep up.
�Yeah� Stefan agreed.
�So when can I see you play?� Brian persisted.
�Tomorrow morning if you aren�t doing anything� Stefan said lighting up another fag and deeply inhaling a mixture of nicotine, smoke and the cold air that was irritating his throat.
�What time?� the smaller figure asked, whilst hopping from foot to foot in a desperate attempt to keep warm.
�I don�t know, lets say about ten..�
�TEN??� Brian gasped. freezing for a moment and giving him quite a disgusted look. Stefan sniggered.
�Not a morning person then?�
�Well actually I am..� Brian replied �..I like going to bed early morning. I�m just not so good at getting up. However for you - lets say eleven� he paused for a minute as his face lit up �ooh..ooh..ooh we can do lunch too! I mean if that�s ok with you.�
�Yeah, sounds like a plan� the taller man said thoughtfully �now I really should get home. Got a pen?�
�Yeah� Brian answered, slightly confused and rummaging deep in his pockets, �here�. Stefan took the pen and grabbed Brian�s hand. Then on the back he gently wrote his flat number and road name. They exchanged their goodbyes and Stefan began striding down the road, working up a quick pace. His head was spinning a little where he had had a few too many, making him a little tipsy, but it wasn�t long before he reached his flat. Letting himself in, he was followed by the jangle of his keys. He made his way into the bedroom. It was coming on one in the morning as he slid his clothes off, leaving him in nothing but his boxers. Late nights on a weekday weren�t his thing, he preferred waking up early leaving plenty of time to fit in all the stuff he needed to do. He yanked back the quilt of his neatly made bed, everything tucked in at the sides, the pillows lined precisely. After shutting the curtains Stefan let himself flop down on to the mattress which welcomed his body. Leaning over, he set his alarm to nine thirty and let his quilt engulf him. With his eyes closed the thoughts of Brian and the night�s conversation streamed through his thoughts. Why had he even agreed to go tonight, was he going to get stuck with Brian? God he hoped not. Brian seemed a bit scatty to him, almost like he was putting on a front. He beamed confidence, but there was a hidden shyness that crept out every now and then.
