Complicated

Void. Lore found themselves back in the empty whiteness of the void. The Hologram formed before them. “That question is a rather complicated one to answer.” It materialised a small, green book. “Lore and Crait broke up and got back together on many occasions and for many reasons.” It paused. “As you saw, they started dating in the coffee shop on a mission. That didn’t last too long.”

“Why not? It didn’t seem like they had too many other prospective partners?” Lore tried to sneak a glimpse at the book.
The Hologram snapped the book closed. It vanished into the nothing it came from. “There were a variety of reasons.” The television returned. “So…” The screen displayed the memory they had just viewed. “After their getting together in the coffee shop, they dated for a few months before concluding that dating for them was just friendship with more getting on each other’s nerves so they split up and remained friends.”
“Sorry, what?” Lore’s face was the picture of confusion.
“When they first started dating, unbeknownst to Loren, Cait was starting her hormone replacement therapy. The changes, along with Loren’s general attitude towards things, led to them butting heads on more than a couple occasions.” The screen showed a series of clips of Loren nitpicking Cait’s behaviours and then the subsequent breakups that ensued.
“Looks like it was mainly his fault.” Lore couldn’t take their eyes off of the screen.
The Hologram bobbed its head. “It was a good mix… They didn’t have the most… Conventional of relationships.” The green book returned. “Shortly after Cait came out as Crait and Loren got used to their transition, they decided to try again; so, with special dispensation from The Guild, they spent their first night outside of the Guildhall together.”

A park grew around them. Trees, grass, benches sprouted, colouring the void and filling their immediate area. Just over a hill, a city formed. Loren and Crait meandered through the surprisingly warm British summers day. Loren clung to their arm as they wandered through the park enjoying the fresh air and freedom. Lore and The Hologram followed them for a bit, watching as Loren marvelled at the ‘ancient’ technology as he watched a lock open and a boat pass through.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.” Loren’s voice echoed through the park.
“What was that?” Lore looked to The Hologram.
“Certain memories have the internal thoughts externalised for additional impact during replay. Lore believed it would help if they needed to show this memory to anyone who wasn’t a Lore.” The Hologram walked off ahead, following the couple.
“This is just perfect.” Loren’s thoughts shone through again. Lore couldn’t help but feel his happiness, it radiated off of him.

The couple continued walking, without a goal in mind, just enjoying the day and one another’s company. Neither of them had ever felt so relaxed or comfortable in their lives.
“How old are they at this point? They don’t look much younger than me.” Lore compared themselves to Loren.
The Hologram opened its green book before promptly closing it again. “It’s complicated. Visually, they’re eighteen however, this memory takes place after their summers in suspended time so they’re closer to being twenty four or twenty five.”
“I’m going to assume that’ll be covered later?” Lore took The Hologram’s nod as confirmation.
The pair walked from the park and into the city which fell away and became a fancy restaurant. Loren sat opposite Crait. They smiled as they shared their meal. They spoke for a time about nothing in particular and for the first time, it seemed to Lore that they were more human now. Their forks hit the table and, as they did, the room changed once again. Lore found themselves in an empty hotel room. Loren and Crait came through the door, both of them laughing and smiling.
Loren looked around the room, a beaming smile across his face. “I’m not sure about this… I don’t know if I want to do this. It’s a step up from her… their bunk but…” The thought ended there as Crait called to them from the bathroom. Loren got himself comfortable, pouring a drink and undressing himself. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. “Am I really going to do this? It’s kind of sexy… Just me and them.” He drained his plastic flute of its contents before setting it down on the bedside cabinet. “I really should ask the canteen to stock that; its bloody lovely. Might have another after.” They got into the bed and started fiddling with the television. Somehow, they managed to connect their communicator to it, allowing them to stream videos to the screen. They snuggled up and queued up a film. Crait finished in the shower and joined him.
“Fancy a short film while our stomachs settle?” Loren was already pressing play. Crait sighed before nuzzling close to them. Their freshly cleaned body was soft against their skin. The film began, a family comedy about a cat with a surprisingly versatile hat played. Loren found themselves lost in the film however, Crait had other ideas. “Woah, it’s almost done, can’t you wait?”
“Come on!” They giggled. “It’s why we’re here after all.”
“Fine.” Loren sighed. They went over to their bag and removed a condom and lubricant.
“Really? Come on, it’s only me!” Crait objected.
“No.” Loren was clear. Crait reluctantly agreed. After a little warm up and some lubricant, they began.
“Oh… That’s really not…” He thought, tapping at Crait’s side. “Ouch, that really hurts.” He spoke up.
“If it’s hurting we can try another position?” Crait knelt on the bed. “Or we could take that off, give you a bit more room in there?” They smiled, hand already moving towards the offending area. “It’ll feel better too...”
“No. I don’t want that.” Loren thought. “I don’t know if I want to continue but they need this. I don’t want to disappoint them. And… its not like I’m not getting anything from it.”
“Ok.” Loren said. Crait removed the condom and placed it into his glass. They mounted Loren and continued.
Lore remembered Crait’s weight on them, the pain; it made them feel a little sick. Suspended.