A/N: okay, so even though I low key discourage people from reading this version of Colors, because it's the first time I wrote BDSM into a story, and it makes me cringe a little, I still adore Gray and Owen. 

I was answering character-based prompts on the Discord server I'm in (join us if you like: https://discord.gg/UD7t7pN ) and I got this little brain worm. So, this started as an 'interview' to answer the questions, but quickly devolved into something totally not that. But anyway, I wrote it, so it's here. 

Oh, and it's smutless, so, um, sorry 'bout that.

Transcript for an interview between Dr Gray Kemholt and Kelly Turner, of Psychology Life magazine

Kelly: It's great to meet you Dr Kemholt. Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Gray: Not at all, Kelly, it was an honor to be asked.

Kelly: So, you recently published your fourth book, New York Submissive: A Psychological Study, and it has spent eight weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list, which is an amazing achievement, particularly for a non-fiction. But, that's where it gets interesting, because some people are saying it is fiction. Do you have a response?

Gray: You do jump in with the big questions.

Kelly: I hope that's okay. We're very intrigued by the topic, which veers away from what your first three books explored, and our readers really like us to get to the meat of things, and to understand our interviewees, and I'm very conscious of the limited time you have available today.

Gray: Of course. Really, there isn't much to be said on that. It isn't fiction. The case studies follow several New York submissives. The incidences described are genuine, and the people are real.

Kelly: The subject matter is an interesting choice, though, surely? It differs greatly from your previous works, which focused on mental health. You also specialise in mental health disorders at Mount Ararat Hospital, and in your private practice. Is that a suggestion that submissives suffer from mental health disorders?

Gray: Je- No! There's no connection.

Kelly: Hmmm, please, don't mind me. I guess I'm just getting to the bottom of why you chose the subject matter. Is there an easy answer? Are you a submissive yourself?

Gray: [coughs dramatically] No, Kelly, I'm not a submissive. [Pause] My boyfriend is though.

Kelly: Oh [long pause] oh, well then. That explains, um, it explains a lot. Is he one of the case studies?

Gray: You know better than to ask that, Kelly.

Kelly: Oh, yes, I'm sorry, you're right. It's just- just, the anecdotes are rather explicit, some of them [embarrassed giggle], and I was wondering...

Gray: Yes, I can see what you were wondering. But I still can't tell you.

Kelly: Regardless, is he aware you would be talking today about him being a submissive, like the ones in your case studies?

Gray: Of course. I would never discuss something personal like that without discussion with him first.

Kelly: [confused] Really? But isn't the point of being submissive to have someone else making all your decisions for you?

Gray: No. And that's one of the reasons why I wrote the book in the first place, and why I agreed to do this interview. There are a lot of misconceptions about what being a member of the kink community means, and what it entails. The case studies in the book highlight that every person's approach is individual to them, exactly the same way people not in the community are accepted for having differing preferences in sex and in relationships.

Kelly: I can see that. The book is a fascinating insight into what makes the submissives you studied tick. Your boyfriend is a submissive, so does that make you a Dominant, and do you plan to write another book on that?

Gray: [laughs] It's funny you ask, because I did consider it. But conducting my case studies of the chosen submissives highlighted something very interesting. Openness and understanding of their needs is vital for a submissive, so they become very good at being able to discuss issues and extremely proficient in helping each other. The focus for Dominants is on the safety and wellbeing of their partners, so they are much less willing to participate in anything that breaks them down into their personal needs. There's a prevailing idea that they must be emotionally strong at all times. To be honest, it's a facet that has proven problematic amongst my own Dominant friends, and something I will be trying to help them with, but it does mean studying them has to go on the back burner.

Kelly: Even so, [giggles] I may have to try and get you to open up, because our readers love to know what makes our featured psychologists tick. Is that still okay?

Gray: Of course.

Kelly: Wonderful [sound of water being gulped]. Right, good. Let's get started. As you know, this portion is about unfettered thoughts, so just say the first things that come to mind. What's your favorite season?

Gray: Um, okay. Well, it's spring. I like the juxtaposition of new life within the bustling confines of the city.

Kelly: Nice. What would you save in a fire, beyond people?

Gray: This doesn't get published for two weeks does it? [pause] Okay, it would be the puppy I just got for my boyfriend's birthday. I pick it up in three days from the rescue center.

Kelly: Aw, that is so cute. Is that a picture? I can see why you'd fall in love at first sight. On that note, have you ever fallen in love with a person at first sight?

Gray: No. Lust at first sight, for sure. But I need to have an understanding for a person before I can be in love with them.

Kelly: Hmmm. What advice would you give your younger self?

Gray: Don't close yourself off to opportunities because you don't think they suit you at first glance. Things - and people - can be surprising.

Kelly: Where did you take your partner on your first date?

Gray: [chuckles] That isn't a simple question, because it depends when you define he became my partner, and what you would call a date. The first time we were alone together I took him apart by gagging and spanking him. It told me all sorts of things about him, so if you say dates are for the purpose of getting to know someone then perhaps that was it.

Kelly: Oh. Well, yes. And now our readers will know something about him too.

Gray: Indeed, but neither of us are ashamed of the format of our relationship, which you'll understand something of if you've read my book.

Kelly: So he is-

Gray: No, I mean understanding the concept of submission, and the impact it has on a person, and on their relationships.

Kelly: Presumably your own vocation impacts his opinions on your lifestyle. If someone were to take credit for your work, what would you do?

Gray: I'd wonder about their motivation and try to get to the bottom of why they felt the need to. And, if it related to any of my patients, I'd be extremely concerned for the well being of them and focus on ensuring they weren't impacted.

Kelly: What was the last new fact you learned?

Gray: I don't know that, I'm afraid. Keeping my mind open to new information is very important, but it does mean I learn new things each day

Kelly: Okay, perhaps I can make a slight amendment to this next question, with my own new information. Why are you a Dominant? Is it the power trip?

Gray: Um. That's a huge question. Without a simple answer, I'm afraid. It's an honor to be granted permission by a submissive to be the person trusted to take care of them, and perhaps that's what it boils down to.

Kelly: What is your priority out of love, money, power, and knowledge?

Gray: Love. It hasn't always been, but when my boyfriend came into my life, that's what became the most important thing to me. Him being my person, and me being his.

* * * * * 

"What do you think?"

"You didn't get very much information about the kinky stuff out of him."

"No. It was too big. I'll include a review of the book, though. Everyone should read it. It was... something else."

"Oh? Perhaps I'll give it a go."

"Yeah. Me too."