Grant MacLaren 3468
Carly Shannon 3465
Trevor Holden 0115
Philip Pearson 3326
Marcy Warton 3569
A/N: To my Only Time Will Tell readers. I am currently rereading that story so that I don't forget anything when I write the next chapter. I only put this out first because I still really felt like writing something today and this seemed like the most fun after OTWT. That chapter should be next though.
Full Summary: All traveler teams are poly relationship in order to strengthen teams, increase they're dedication to the mission, and ensure that they have a continuous connection to the future so they will keep fighting for it. It also allows them to be with people who will truly understand them and what they're going through in life like no 21ster could.
This is the story of how our team met and chose each other and how they are maintaining their relationship in the 21st.
Going focus more so on their lives rather than missions. Also going to give Philip more interaction with people in his life. Parents, siblings, and other 'friends' from the past.
Chapter 1
"Don't you just hate these things?" 3468 said leaning against the wall to the woman beside him.
She glanced over at him giving his body a quick once over. 3468 knew it wasn't to see how attractive he was but rather to quickly gage his strengths and weakness. A common greeting from tacticians. After her quick glance she gave him a small smile seemingly approving of what she saw.
"More then you could ever know." She said getting a small chuckle from him.
"3468." He introduced himself holding out a hand for her to shake.
"3465." She responded taking his hand in hers. Meeting his eyes again before looking away and glancing over the mingling people in front of her.
All either tacticians or leaders-in-training. All talking and chatting. Trying to get to know one another. Trying to find who they're compatible with. Some people seem to be having great success. Practically hanging over one another already or heading off to somewhere private to 'get to know' one another.
"Do they really think that people will be able to make start a lasting relationship with just sixty minutes of mingling?" 3468 said leaning down a little and tilting his head towards 3465.
"Doesn't help to give people a chance to meet." She replied conversationally. He gave a hum of understanding.
"I guess it would be hard to meet other wise." He said.
They were having this conversation mostly for small talk. Everyone here knew the importance of these meetings. Since training in all field were so strenuous and time consuming these monthly meetings sere necessary in order to allow certain trainees to meet.
You see, traveler's teams are made up of five members. Each with their own special ability. Historian, tactician, medic, engineer, and leader. Because of the importance of the mission they would one day go on it was important that they were as compatible as possible. Which is one reason why a policy was put in place that teams were not to just be a mission orientated relationship but also a romantic one.
Teammates had to form a bond that went beyond just simply having the same purpose in life. It was important that they loved each. A love strong enough that would ensure they stayed loyal to the director, to each other, and to the mission. That they would have something of meaning to them in the strange new world. It would also ensure they continued to strive to their end goal of saving the future. Which came with the promise of Protocol Beta. Which meant in the event that the future was saved and the travelers some how had not been removed from the time line as a result they would be given the freedom to live out protocol 5 indefinitely with the twists that they could continue to have a romantic and fulfilling marriage with their teammates however they personally saw fit.
It was a dream life promised to them. The joy of living in a time where you didn't risk dying or radiation poisoning just from going outside. A life in the sun and among nature with four other people who you cared for and understood you on a much deeper level then any 21ster could ever understand. Most importantly having a relationship that was common in their own time and not the strenuous and ridiculous monogamous relationships in the past.
People of the future didn't understand relationships ending with just two people. centuries ago because of a drop in fertility rates it had become popularized and encourage for relationships of five. In hopes of having the highest chance of pregnancy possible. With that came a new mindset and outlook on love. Instead of seeing it as something controllable that could entirely be given to one person they saw it as something wild, free, and uncontrollable.
It was something meant to be shared not horded. People of their time believed that in your life you would fall in love with at least four people in you life. Rather during separate occasions or all at once. Of course this didn't mean to run wild and claim to love everyone you sleep with. They recognized the difference between love and lust. Love was something shared within a group of five or less people that have decided to dedicate it to each other and only each other. To go outside your group that you have sworn fidelity to is just lust and it is looked down upon probably even more then 21ster use to.
Because if you've already stretched your love to four other people to go for anymore is just greedy and cruel. It's a complete betrayal of trust and unacceptable. Such a person would be immediately removed from the group and likely not find anymore partners for the rest of their lives. No one wanted to be with someone who couldn't commit.
But that's getting off track. These mingling were what is most important right now. You see despite the policy in place for traveler teams to spouses they were still on a limited time frame. So, trainees had to choose their teammates before six months after their graduation. At which point they would be given an official marriage ceremony and then sent of to the twenty first together. However, if teams could not find all teammates in time they would be given randomly selected people to fill in the gaps on their team. Which was a terrifying thought to be subjected to an arrange marriage especially in a time when love was so precious.
Thankfully even if this was the case, they would not be separated from the people they'd already registered with. Instead you can think of it like a team with only a engineer and a medic would be placed with a team of a historian and a leader and then a sole tacticians may be thrown in to complete them. The Selectors did their best to keep people as happy as they could with their teammates in such cases. So much so that if they could fill in the places without separating people they would just put that team on hold from departer until they did.
Such situations were a real nuisance and slowed the progress of the traveler program. Which is why it was so important to set aside time for trainees to interact and meet. As well as for their instructors to be as flexible as possible when it came to interaction between people from different division. Like allowing little things like for a trainee to rearrange their schedule so they shared the same meal time as the rest of their teammates.
Right now, 3468 was at a mingling between potential tacticians and potential leaders. A relationship that was consider the most important in a team. It was crucial that if any set of people on a team are proper spouse it was these positions. Tacticians and leaders held the most mission power on a team. It was generally always one of them calling the shots. Which means that things can get really tense between them when a tough decision had to be made. It was important that they already had a great respect for each other and each other positions so that those situations could be minimized as much as possible and so that they can be better mediated when they occurred. It greatly increased the success rate of teams for the two to be deeply involved with one another. That isn't as likely to happen if the positions are randomly placed.
Both 3468 and 3465 understood this. Which is why they were actively working to make this a pleasant conversation between the two of them. Thankfully it seemed to be going well so far. There was defiantly a chemistry between the two. Elaborate it seemed on a more physical bases but that was okay. Most relationship in their time started that way. Passion and commitment generally came first. Intimacy on an emotional and mental level later.
"Hey, you wanna get out of here and talk some place less crowded?" 3465 asked.
3468 smiled down at her and nodded. The two walked off together to a place that would at least give them the allusion of privacy. A small cubical like room. Ones that were made specifically for purposes like this. That and sneaking in the occasional nap when you could. The two sat on the bed and got to talking. They started with just their everyday lives. Asking various questions about each other's specialized training. Interested in what the other had to do that they may not have even have been aware of. Eventually this talk slipped into talking about the 21st and their mission. They soon got on the topic of the host they would later be taking over.
"My host is a mother." 3465 said casually. 3468 face brightened a bit at that.
"Really?" He asked.
They all knew that when they made it to the past protocol 4 prohibited any procreation. So it was considered very lucky if you got a host that had children or was already pregnant to begin with. It would be a realy gift to have a teammate with kids. Especially young ones.
"How old?" 3468 asked.
"A baby." 3465 said a hint of excitement in her voice. She'd grown up like many women in her time having little hope of children. Rather it be because of her own infidelity or her partners'. As a little girl she hope beyond belief that if she could have children in the future herself that at least one of her future wives could so that at least one child may be shared among them.
"Wow, your future teammates are a real lucky bunch." 3468 said hoping that he might among them even more now. The thought of helping raise a child even it was not his by blood, even if he may not be able to out right say he is a father of the child it would be enough to know that the child and the rest of his spouses may see it that way. That they could all be a family in private if not public.
"Does they have a father?" 3468 asked and 3465 face went sour.
"Technically… I wouldn't call him much of a father. Considering he's an abusive bastard that killed his wife." 3465 said and 3468 gave a sound of understanding.
"…At least when she's gone you'll still be able to save that baby." 3468 said trying to be reassuring. 3465 smiled at him for the effort.
"Thank you." She said.
They went quiet for a bit but not uncomfortably so. 3465 moved over closer to 3468 and leaned against his wide chest. 3468 wrapped his arms around her comfortably. They took in the sensation of being held. Getting themselves use to each other. Actively putting unearned trust in one another in hopes it will bloom into something more one day.
They were both happy to find that the embrace was not uncomfortable in the slightest. It actually felt quiet nice. In the midst of their busy and hectic lives they rarely had time to touch another person outside of fighting. It felt good to touch without pain involved.
"Do you want to have sex?" 3468 asked not wasting time.
The question didn't bother 3465. Such questions were common in their training shelter. In the rush of finding teammates people tended to be openly sexual. It helped there was no risk of disease or pregnancy.
"Mmmm… maybe in a minute. I'm enjoying just touching." 3465 said and 3468 hummed in agreement and held her a little tighter. Rubbing his hands up and down hers just exchanging a soft touch. 3465 returned by leaning back and nuzzling her nose into his exposed neck. The two pulled back to look into each other's eyes. They smiled softly at one another.
Both had a feeling this relationship was going to go far.
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3569 was just wrapping up an arm of her current patient when another one was walking in. She looked around to see all the other trainee medics busy with their current. Many taking their time with the smaller treatments in order to talk with their patients.
She wasn't angry to see them being a little leisure though. It's not like anyone around her had a life threatening wound. Besides since medics training was so hands on it gave them very little time to ever meet people from other divisions. Even most of their meals were eaten right here in the clinic. Talking to the patients they were already treating was the only real time they got to make any meaningful connections.
So, 3569 wrapped up her current patient quick before heading over to the tactician that just walked in. 3569 could tell from her uniform her division. Like you could tell with all other divisions. Leaders in red, medics in white (Technically white, they were so dirty they might as well by grey), engineers in blue, historians in green, and tacticians in black.
"Right this way 3465." She said with a smile looking at the number on her uniform. 3465 smiled back at her just as sweetly. She sat down at one of the table looking over at all the primitive equipment in the minor injury clinic. 3569 must have noticed her confusion because she spoke up.
"Today they have us working on using what we might only be able find in case of in emergency in the 21st. Might not always have access to our usual tech you know?" She said and 3465 nodded in understanding looking at the room again in a new light.
"Strange to think that when the mission starts this will be the only type of clinic I'll ever see again." 3465 said starting casual conversation. Taking this time to get to know a potential teammate like she did whenever she met anyone outside her division.
She'd made in effort to be more sociable lately. Seeing as it's already been two years of training and in that time, she's only gotten close to 3468. She still had three more spouses to find before graduation. She was not fond of the idea of an arrange marriage. A medic seemed a good, nice place to start. Seeing as she saw them more then anybody else with how much she gets hurt in her training. She wasn't the only one either. It was kind of a thing in her division to get minor injuries on purpose during training. It allowed them to meet up with medics as well as give medic training in working on them. They didn't care too much for any lasting consequences from these actions because they all knew that these bodies were temporary anyways. 3569 looked around at the room in front her.
"I know what you mean. Hard to imagine how anything's going to be in the 21st. Picture only provide so much." 3569 said to the older woman before sitting closely next to her leaning over to take a look at her head wound. 3465 let her lean close and even placed her own arm around her back and rested it against her side. She was happy to see her touch was not rejected. Of course, that could just be because medics naturally more open air. They tried harder than anyone else in this facility to find teammates. These would be people they'd caring for the health of.
The new revised hypocritic oath they took to always put their teammates health first above all others in a medical emergency. So, of course they wanted to make sure the people they cared for would be worth it to forgo others.
"Good news… your cut is shallow. Head wounds tend to bleed a lot more then others but they heal fast." 3569 said reaching over to the gauze be her side as she spoke. Moving slow and carefully as to not pull away from the older woman's embrace. Also wanting to drag the treatment out longer so they had time to talk.
3465 was the only person that seem to show as much interest in 3569 that she did in them. She felt comfortable with her arms around her. It didn't feel rushed or invasive like many others have before. She seemed to be genuinely looking for another partner and not just trying to fill the spot of medic on her team.
"Since our resources are limited today I can only wrap it and give you an advil. A more primitive pain medication." 3569 said wrapping the gauze around her head gently but firmly.
"…You have very soft hands." 3465 said lowly taking one in her own and rubbing them gently. Her deep but feminine voice soothing to the ear lobes.
Hands like 3569 were a rarity in their time. With the hard work and easy chance for injury and disease in everyday life it was damn near impossible to go unmarked. 3569 smiled at the compliment.
"I heal well." Was the only explanation she gave for the lack of scars. 3465 smiled at the answer and continued to rub her hands with her fingers gently enjoying the foreign feeling. 3569 let her and enjoyed the sensation of being touched by another.
They didn't stay like that for long though. 3569 still had more patients coming in and she couldn't spend all her time on just one.
"Well… your all set." 3569 said but made no move to pull away or even stop smiling at each other.
"…Would you like to have dinner with me and my team leader tonight?" 3465 asked.
3569 blinked rapidly in surprise. She had not thought she'd made such a good impression. Her smile stretched wider.
"I would love to. When do the two of you eat?" She asked already planning to permanently change her schedule.
They talked a little longer to work out time that worked best for them to meet before 3465 finally saw fit to leave. Not before giving 3569 a quick peck on the cheek though. Receiving one in return.
"You lucky bitch." 3569 heard from behind her and saw her bunk mate watching in jealously as 3465 walked away. 3569 just huffed in amusement.
"Maybe if you stopped trying to get into the pants of everyone you meet you'll have better luck." She said mockingly.
"Oh, Shut up."
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"Alright 3326 you have the rest of the day off." The instructor said releasing 3326 for the day. Allowing him to time to go potentially find some new teammates.
A luxury that not many in his division get. Historian training was the most time consuming of all with not room for error or days off. So, the only time that they got off was when they manage to finish their work early. Which meant memorizing and storing decades if not century worth of information a day. Philip was probably one of the most gifted among his division. Regularly having hours off to explore the facility.
He ignored the looks of jealousy shot his way as he left the room. You see because of Historians lack of socializing with other divisions the almost always got randomly placed on teams. It was incredible rare for them to have a proper fully formed relationship with even just one person before leaving for the 21st. Philip was gifted enough to rapidly increase his chance in choosing his own team.
At first, he thought this extra time was good thing. He mingled and got to know knew people everyday in the beginning. But he quickly realized that no one really cared much for him as a person but rather cared for his specialty as Historian and clearly an advanced one if he was always walking around the facility at reasonable hours.
Since the job of a historian can only be given to some with special capabilities at birth and raised since infancy in the program they were actually very few in number. However, teams were still not allowed to be complete and leave without one so some teams could be fully formed but as long as they don't have a historian either assigned to them or who chose them they could be waiting for years to get to leave for the 21st even after graduation. Or even never get to go at all. That made people like Philip high demand.
No one really cared much for who their historian was. Only that they got one as soon as possible in order to leave as quickly as possible after graduation and marriage. Philip hates the fake affection he's offered because of this. He hates even more that he can't hide his specialty from others.
Because of this he began pulling away from others. Resigning himself to a randomly selected team. If the affection was going to be fake anyways then he might as well let himself end up with which ever team had been waiting the longest.
Now when he had free time to mingle, he just used it to walk around the less populated areas of the facility to avoid people. Just wasting away his days until his graduation.
It was on one of these walks he ended up in an area he's never been before. This was not unusual he often ended up in new places on his walks. What was odd was the lack of people. With how crowed shelters were it was extremely rare to find anywhere without at least some people there. It was also very quiet. So quiet in fact that 3326 could clearly hear the could of soft beeping from a heart monitor from all the way down the hall he was walking in.
Deciding he hand nothing better to do he went to sate his curiosity. Walking over to the room where the sound was coming from. When he got to the slightly cracked door he could also hear the sound of a rasp inhale and exhale of someone breathing. It was accompanied by the crinkling sound of a plastic moving along with their breath.
He opened the door to see an incredible old man laying on a bed. His eyes were closed and he was hooked up to several machines. One was monitoring his heart another seemed to be pumping air into his lungs. Another was the bed itself seemed to be moving slightly. Going over his body in a slow pace moving it every so slightly to prevent bed sores. He looked as if he could go at any minute. 3326 was about to leave quietly as not to wake the ancient man.
"Excuse me." A rasp voice called out and 3326 looked over to the bed to see the man's eyes were open.
Not that it mattered though as they were clouded over and clearly couldn't' actually see him. The man was blind.
"Yes?" 3326 asked his own voice soft as if he would disturbed the air if he talked louder.
"If it's not… too much trouble… would you help… me drink… some water?" He asked. Talking slow between his labored breaths. 3326 nodded heading over to him before he remembered he couldn't see him.
"Of course, what do you need me to do?" He asked.
The old man smiled at him before moving his one of his fingers very slowly over to a control panel on his side. He rested it gently over the screen. His soft touch making the bed move ever so slowly upwards. Lifting him to a sitting position.
"I just need… you to hold… the glass to my… mouth" He said and 3326 moved over to the chair at his side by the table with said water next to him. He poured the glass before holding it slowly up to his lips. Letting the man notice it was there before gently tilting it back and letting him drink from the glass. He held it there until the man tilted his head back no longer wanting anymore.
"Thank you." He said taking a moment to just breath deeply. Just drink the water seeming to have taken it out of him. 3326 waited patiently to see if he wanted more. It was clear after a while that he was finished.
"…would you like me to leave?" 3326 after a little longer sitting in silence. He honestly would like to stay a little longer with this man and maybe ask why he was in this shelter. He can't imagine he was traveler trainee but that was the only people that stayed here. That and instructor and 332 seriously doubted this man hand the capability to teach anyone in this state.
"No... but I won't… stop you if… you want to." He said and 3326 too a moment to think before deliberately making noises as he got more comfortable in the chair. He also put his hand over one of the old man's for good measure so he knew he wasn't leaving. He saw a small tired smile grace the man's face. Despite the fatigue in it still reflected more genuine joy then 3326 had ever seen directed at himself. His own smile revealed itself at the thought.
"What's your… name?" The old man asked. Still seeming to struggle to speak. 3326 worried that it was physically painful for him.
"3326." He responded. The old man nodded.
"0015." The old man responded and 3326 felt his eyebrows reach his hair line.
The man was even older than he thought. He vaguely wondered how he was even alive right now before coming to the conclusion he must have under gown a consciousness transfer and multiple times at that.
"Wow…" He couldn't help his gasp of surprise. The old man gave a rasp soft chuckle.
"I know I… look good for… my age." He joked and 3326 gave a real unstoppable laugh. It was so boisterous he surprised even himself with it. His humor seemed to delight the man because even though he was too weak to join the laughing he still had a permeant smile on his face.
"I think you want to consult a mirror again." 3326 said jokingly receiving a soft chuckle. He smiled glad that the joke was appreciated.
"So, what's an old timer like you doing in this shelter anyways?" 3326 asked once they had calmed themselves again.
"I guess my… presences is… strange." He started and 3326 waited patiently as he continued.
"Same as… you I… guess." He said and 3326 was even more confused.
"You're a traveler?" He asked and received a small nod.
"Engineer." He explained. 3326 sat back and let that sit in.
"Must be a damned good one to have lived so long." He said and 0115 nodded.
"Suppose… so. My wife and… I we're part… of an experiment." He explained. The constant talking seemed to be a strained so he took a moment to just breath. Unconsciously 3326 rubbed his hand gently in comfort as he did. 0115 squeezed back softly in thanks. 3326 took notice for the first time they have been holding hands this entire time. He doesn't think he's ever had so much welcomed contact with anyone before.
"A test to see… how many life… times some could… live out with… transferring." He finished. 0115 behavior surprised even himself. He did not generally talk about his wife. It was just a memory too painful to speak of but the young man next to him gave him a sense of calm when he talked.
He was patient and he didn't interrupt. He didn't assume things before 0115 was finished talking. Despite never having met him, he gave 0115 a similar vibe that his wife once gave. 0115 was…comfortable with him. Such a rare feeling for a man as old as him where his very body was in constant discomfort and pain.
"If that's the case why did you decide to join the program?" 3326 asked.
"My wife passed… not to long… ago. So, I decided this… who be my… last life. I want to… spend it in… the 21st." He said and 3326 gave a hum of understanding.
He personally had no real experience with relationships, but he assumed from the way this man spoke his wife was his likely his last spouse left or his only spouse in his life. If he had no one left in this time it would make since to just get rid of the last thing on your bucket lists before moving on.
His heart went out to the man. He'd grown in a time where love was valued above all else in life. It was the only lasting thing they've ever had over the years and everyone clung to it and how precious it was. To live out all your significant others and still be around must be awful.
"I'm sorry for your lost. Do you… do you have anyone else in your life?" 3326 asked hoping beyond hope this man at least had a children. He frowned in sympathy when he shook his head gently.
"My wife was… my only spouse… through out my life… We had three… sons together all… passed." He said and 3326 felt actually tears start to build and fall from his eyes. He bit his lip trying to muffle the sound but he must not have been doing such a good job because he felt a wrinkled hand come up to his cheek slowly and wipe the tears.
"Don't cry for me… they lived long… lives. I had more… time with them… then any man… ever should." He said and 3326 nodded still unable to talk through the tears. He wiped them always quick and forced himself to stop. 0115 asked him not to cry. It would be dishonorable to their memory of his loved ones to continue to do so.
When he was done crying he looked over at the clock on the wall.
"Oh… um… I think it's about time I leave. I have more training this evening." 3326 said and 0115 nodded in understanding. Hiding his disappointment at the young man having to leave.
"Can I.. Can I come back tomorrow?" 3326 asked and 0115 gave the largest smile he was capable of.
"I would… love that." He said squeezing 3326 hand one last time. 3326 did the same before letting go and saying his final goodbyes before leaving.
After that 3326 an 0115 saw each other regularly. For months 3326 put in more effort in his training so that he may get out as soon as possible to visit the old man. The two of them could talk for hours.
They shared many stories with each other. 0115 about his life, his children, and his deceased wife. 3326 shared stories of history. Interesting things that he found strange or just didn't understand. Things that no one from their time could. The people of the 21st were strange after all.
Over there talks they learned a lot about each other. For instance, 3326 eventually got the courage to ask 0115 why he'd only had one wife through out his whole life. 0115 had explained that it wasn't exactly planned. That he and his wife did not actively limit themselves to each other. They were open to dating and inviting people in they just never found anyone else they connect with like they connected with each other. They had just as much belief as everyone else that love was open and free and meant to be shared among many. They just never met they're many.
When he explained this 0115 left out that he thinks that if 3326 had been born sooner he and his wife would have likely asked him to join their relationship. He truly believes his wife would have loved 3326 as much as he was growing to. He was genuinely upset that she didn't have the privilege of meeting him before her passing.
It was an amazing thing for him to go through this again. Especially when this time around he couldn't even see his significant other this time. 0115 is thankful beyond belief that he was able to meet another lover within his life time. He and his wife had thought they were simply unlucky in the relationship department. Seeing that both of them had only been able to find each other when it was expected to at least love four people in your life.
It had not bothered him or her too much when they were together. They were content with the happiness they gave one another. But when his wife died he fully understood why they were so unlucky. To go through that pain of lost without anyone else who truly understands what your going through is devastating. So much so that 0115 so no fur reason to live on. He'd only done so because he felt he owned it to his late wife to at least try at one more life before he joined her.
He's glad he did. Other wise he may have never met 3326. Meeting someone that he could love again on the same level of his wife is more then he ever expected from this last life. It made it all worth it. He didn't even need to have this same connection with the rest of his team. Though it was welcomed he knew he would be content with just 3326 affection. However, he did want 3326 to experience as much love as possible which is why he told him to pick the rest of their teammates on his own.
"What?! No! You deserve as much say I do. They'll be both out spouses. We should both feel something for them not just me." 3326 said. Completely against the entire idea. 0115 sighed affectionately.
"3326, I've had… my fill of… love already… You haven't you… should get to… experience it to… it's fullest." 0115 said.
3326 could not deny the logic in that and he knew that 0115 was a stubborn old bastard who wouldn't take no for an answer. So, he just agreed with him fully planning to later introduce him to anyone he himself liked. Then if they didn't seem to connect, he break it off with the other. Because 3326 knew more then anything it was most important to him that 0115 be on his team.
The two of them had a bond much strong then any historian ever expected to make in their own time. It was one of deep intimacy. Their connection started as one of mental compatibility. Discussing projects and innovation in science. It grew from their to a connect of emotion as well. Bonding over their shared traumas. 0115 being his loss of family and tragically long life. 3326 of his short seemingly insignificant life devoid of any freewill. Even that of choosing his spouses.
That is until he'd met 0115. The only bit of freewill he's ever had. The only choice he's ever been able to make for himself. The director had not planned their meeting. It was not predestined. It was not some greatly constructed plan from anyone. It was an accident. It was purely by coincidence. It was a choice of 3326 to talk to 0115. It was his choice to come back and build their relationship to what it was now. It was the only taste of real freedom he's ever had.
He wouldn't trade it for anything.
So, whomever he chose as his other teammates would have to be able to accept 0115 as well. He would always put the old man first. At least until he could find others he loved on the same level. A thing he couldn't even imagine possible.
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3326 had a new fire of determination running through him.
After having met 0115 he now knows for a fact that finding teammates to love as a historian was completely possible. He no longer doubted that he could do it. He had found 0115 after all. Granted 0115 was blind and didn't know he was a historian until well after they were together for a while.
That didn't matter though. 3326 now felt responsible to find good teammates not just for himself but for 0115 as well. 0115 had confided in him he just wanted 3326 to have a life filled with love and many god partners but he didn't understand that 3326 wanted the same for him. If this was to be 0115's last life he wanted it to be the best one possible.
That meant having a meaningful love life. He needed to find people that would love both himself and 0115 for who they were and not just what they had to offer. Either from their specialty or just their body. Finding people who based compatibility on sex only just wouldn't cut it. He wanted that emotional or at least mental connection with them all. Even if they didn't have the physical. He and 0115 were not physical and their relationship was still the most fulfilling he's ever had. Even more so then the one he had with his own mother, 2144. And he loved his mother, very much.
It was for those reasons that 3326 was having dinner at the canteen and not with 0115. He dedicated this time to meeting as many new people and teams as possible. Every day he sat at a new table with a new potential team. Talking and getting along. Doing his best to find a real spark with them all. In by doing this he has made a lot of friends and a lot of connections but not any so significant that he could see them leading to more.
Because of his table hopping he had become well know at this time at dinner. Many people jumped at the chance to have him sit with the. Wanting the chance at getting a historian early. Hoping they'd get to leave right after graduation. The attention was suffocating but necessary. Despite all the open options it still was difficult to find any teammates.
It also didn't help that he completely ignored any team that already had an engineer. Something that was quickly picked up by the others at that dinner time. Because of that most teams would stop bothering even asking if he wanted to join them knowing that he wouldn't because of their engineer. Though some less loyal teams would cruelly abandon their engineer in an attempt to attract him.
It was on such team that was trying to get his attention now. 3326 didn't even dignify them with a look. A team that would so willingly abandon one of their own was not a relationship he was looking for.
"Hey! At least talk to us!" One of them sat getting up and going to grab 3326's arm. 3326 smacked it away with a disdainful look.
"Don't touch me please." He said with mock politeness going to leave again. The man's face twisted in anger.
"You think your hot shit just because you're a historian!? You'll never find a team if you keep being a stuck up prick!" He shouted and 3326 didn't even bother with a response instead turning to go look for somewhere else to sit. The people around them sent the man a disgusted look. All of them knew what kind of team he was on as well as what 3326 was looking for at this point. They found it pathetic that his he and his spouses couldn't take rejection.
"Hey, don't walk away from me!" The man screamed trying to go for 3326 arm again only to have his hand slung back by a woman who was dressed in a tactician uniform.
"He asked you not to touch him." She said with a snare on her face. Having gotten fed up with the scene she'd come over to help and put this man in his place. 3326 and the rest of the canteen watched as the man, also a tactician, tried to attack her in rage. Only to have his ass handed to him easily. It was over in a matter of three moves with the woman as victor and the man clutching his now bloodied nose. No one bothered to help him. Not even his team who saw no point in having a tactician who could even defend himself properly. The man ran off in anger and disgrace out the canteen. Once he was gone the woman turned to 3326.
"Sorry about that, names 3465." She said and help out a hand. 3326 shoock it with a smile.
"Thanks for the help." He said honestly.
"No problem." She said going to head back over to her own table and leave the poor historian alone. He probably didn't want to be around anyone after that asshole likely ruined his appetite.
"Hey!" 3326 called to her she turned around.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Mind if I join your team for dinner?" He said with a raised eyebrow. A smile quickly grew on her face.
"We'd love to have you." She said and 3326 rushed in his walking to catch up with her.
"Your team doesn't have an engineer, right?"
.
.
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After the fiasco at the canteen 3326 can proudly say he found the rest of his team all in one swoop. Well they weren't necessarily on the same level of affection with him as they had for each other and he didn't feel for them like he felt for 0115 yet. But he was getting there. They were all making the effort to get to know each other. Sharing dinner together and talking about their personal lives.
They'd gotten close enough that they all registered to be on the same team. It gave them all a great sense of security to have a full team registered even if three of the members hadn't met the engineer yet and were still getting to know their historian.
0115 was content to be on a team with them even if he hadn't met them yet. He already kind of liked them just from the stories that 3326 passed along to him. Especially 3465 who had come to 3326's aid. He knew 3326 didn't like fighting. He was always afraid he'd seriously hurt someone on accident.
After a while of getting to know each other as a group at dinner. They all started making an effort to mix it up a bit. See each other separately from the other or just three of them at a time. It started with 3326 who had take each of them to meet 0115 one at a time.
He'd started by introducing 3465 to him. Since she was the first he'd met as well and 0115 expressed a desire to thank her for helping him. The two of them hit it off surprisingly well. Which 3326 wasn't expecting since their personalities couldn't be further from each other. Though he guessed that just meant the balanced each other out well.
0115 softened the rougher edges of her personality and 3465 energized 0115 with her strong personality. 3326 enjoyed watching them talk and just get to know each other. 0115 was also glad that he liked her. He didn't feel the same immediate connection with her as he did with 3326 but he could tell it would grow one day. At least to that of close friends. He'd welcome more though. He could imagine himself loving her as well one day. But then again their were many people he could imagine that with and it never happened.
After 3465 visited him he brought 3468. Since he was the most available. 3569 was always busy at the clinic. 0115 thought it was cool to have all the future husbands together. He personally had never had a husband or even been with a man past a little kissing and touching. He was glad to check that experience of his figurative bucket lists. 3326 had laughed at his antics.
3468 didn't talk much at first enjoying watching 3326 and 0115 getting along. He immediately could see the deep relationship the two had despite the age difference. It was a sight so warm that he practically felt their good feelings coming off them in waves and onto him. Eventually he was pulled into the conversation as well. 0115 not wanting to let him be left out. Often saying things like 'what do you think, boss'. The humor of such a old man calling him boss was not lost on 3468. He knew it was intentionally to make him loosen up.
It worked and quickly became the nickname that 3468 and 3326 stuck with for him. Even 3465 and 3569 had occasionally started calling him the same when 3326 had told them. 3468 found it more amusing then anything.
3569 was the last of them to meet 0115. She'd finally manage to set aside some time in her schedule other then meal times to meet him one on one like the others. Their meeting had probably the strongest mental connect not including 3326 and 0115. They kit it off very well intellectually though their more emotional side could use work. The two were both very friendly the problem was they were both the type to be generally friendly on the outside but close off their hearts to others in the process. Knowing this 3326 didn't rush their connection and decided to let it grow on it own.
After all finally meeting had been made they all spent the last couple of years leading up to their graduation doing as much team training as possible and spending their meals all together as well as many moments with at least one other team member as possible.
Over time they're bond began to really grow. Be the end of the first year they could all proudly claim that they were each others closest and best friends. By a year and a half many of them could say for certain that they were in love with at least one other member.
0115 and 3326 we're certainly the first to fall in real love. Then in a blur around the same time 3465 and 3468 fell in love and 3326 and 3569 surprisingly enough got very close. 0115 could say he was completely in love with the other like he was with 3326 but he could certainly feel it growing and her very much saw them all as spouses at this point as they all saw each other the same.
After about three more months they'd all started getting better at being physically intimate with each other. 3468 and 3465 were always sexually active so it was easy for them to continue in that way. 3569 was always open to the idea but again never had time and was often too tired from training to participate with any of them. Eventually 3465 had taken it upon herself to take 3569 apart. With the excuse that 3569 would not have to do anything and she would do all the work while she rested from work. And she did do all the work, happily. Though 3569 would argue it was just exhausting being pleased by 3465 as it was to be active in sex.
No one was sexually active with 0115 seeing as he had no interest in his elder body and also the other had serious concern his heart wouldn't be able to hold out even if he wanted to. That had however been more touchy and physically affectionate. Soft kiss and caress, laying next to him on his bed and just cuddling or other similar activities.
3468 and 3465 were both the ones to tag team 3326 in helping him lose his virginity. They both felt since he had no experience at all in that department because of his specialty that he should get the best of both worlds all at once. The next day all he would say to 0115 about it was 'It was a lot' with a tired gleam in his eyes. If 0115 had been able to see it he would have laughed harder then he already did.
3326 and 3569 had sex next. Both of them greatly anticipating it. They had already openly experienced their deeper affection for each other when they were still virgins and both of them were a little disappointed to have been able to have the other one present when they lost it. So they set aside a full day for themselves. Managing to get permission from the head offices by telling the truth and saying it was to strengthen their relationship. A sure way to get permission. They took they're time that day. Enjoying it all at a much slower pace then with 3468 and 3465 (those energizer bunnies). They took many breaks in between rounds to just talk and enjoy each other company. They really gave themselves a full day to spend together to better their relationship not just physically but emotionally too.
It was a peaceful day that had them welcoming the next day with a renewed and motivated energy. After they had all gotten comfortable enough with each other to have sex with any partner they'd contemplated just putting the cherry on top and going for a full out orgy with all of them. Like other married couples already did.
They decided against it. Choosing to wait until they were in the 21st so that 0115 would also be able to participate. They didn't tell him this though. They knew how much he hated it when they held themselves back for his sake. He would probably feel more guilty then happy about learning they were waiting for him.
Instead they made a point not to all be present when having sex and they did continue to have sex, regularly. 3468 and 3465 often being the ones to initiate with their spouses. 3326 and 3569 didn't have one on one sex often with just each other. As both of them like to take it very slow and steady and have a lot of time together. Sadly they didn't have that luxury so they always needed either 3468 or 3465 to be present to keep them from getting to carried away in time.
With this continued progress in their relationship by the time it was graduation they were all fully prepared emotionally, mentally, and physically to got to the 21st. All beyond excited not just for that but for the promise of the future together. The opportunity their relationship would have even without protocol Charlie ever taking place. They were more dedicated then ever to their mission. They now all truly understood why a relationship between teammates was so important.
The greatest join though was their marriage ceremony. It wasn't anything big like they learned about in the 21st (Though they fully intended to have 21st style wedding when the opportunity presented itself) it was still a time were they all could show to each other and their friends and loved ones how much they cared for one another.
Even though it was fast and they didn't really get to speak every one could see just from the way they looked at one another that they all truly felt for one another. 3465 saw her sisters crying in the crowd from happiness for her. 3326 Mother had practically smothered them in hugs after the ceremony. Only being gently with 0115. She'd told them all how happy she was to see her son had found people he actually would love to spend her life with. Saying his other Mother's and Father's would have greatly approved of them if they could be there. Sadly, they were no longer in the picture all for various reason. From death to separation to work.
33465's sister had threatened to chase them all to the 21st if they didn't treat their sister right. 3569 was a little upset to not be able to have her long lost brother present but she coped well and let herself still enjoy the day and what it mean for them all. 3468 apparently was not on good terms with his family so they weren't present either. AS they all know 0115's family were all deceased.
It was both a wonderful and sad day. It was also the only day they had left to see they're families as in the morning they would all be sent straight to the 21st. They were beyond excited. They could all agree that above everything else, yes even the food, they were most looking forward to getting their anklets. Something which is the equivalent to 21ster wedding rings. They would be simple silver band like anklets with all spouses names, their real name, engraved on each one. A way of telling people who their spouses were and having something to prove to others that they were together even if they themselves couldn't say it. It may be harder for others among them to hid it but they could careless. It was worth it to wear for each other. It was one of the few traditions travelers couldn't bring themselves to give up from their time. So, the director catered to them and ensured that every traveler's first mission pack also contained all their anklets.
It, among many things, was one of the first joys a traveler got in the 21st and they all couldn't wait to experience it.
A/N: Okay from here on the story will slow down in time skips and will get more dialogue and deeper description of scenes. Like the sex scenes.
Also 2441 is actually Philip's mom's name. it was told in episode room 101