With a loud sigh, the redhead dropped the heavy box next to a wooden bench, into which she slumped. Truthfully, she had been getting into shape thanks to these deliveries, but still her legs needed some rest.

She leant forward, placing her elbows on her knees and rested her chin against her palms. In the sea of red in front of her, everyone seemed having a full plate, always in a hurry, running and bumping against each other. What a crammed arteriole it was!

She hadn't met her superior in a couple of circulations, which was kind of strange, as they came across quite often. Maybe that day they got different shifts. Their world seemed utterly active recently.

The one cell she hadn't seen in heartbeats was her white-coated friend. Their last encounter couldn't be put down as awkward, but it had been far from what she was used to. His behaviour felt kind of odd in him at first, looking so full of emotion, even needy. It was true that despite his job and usual stoic demeanour, he had a strong caring nature and she had witnessed it.

She had been really touched by his words, and coming from an introvert person as he was, they were even more precious. Perhaps these over-protective intentions that day were consonant to his hidden personality after all.

She fumbled in her belt bag for her notes. Flipping through them, she realized what a ton of nonsense the neutrophil had seen. The ginger grimaced until finding the desired page.

Her features softened while reading his code. It was so sweet of him to take care of her to that extent, you wouldn't expect an immune cell to hold dear. It was about time she paid him a visit.

The erythrocyte mumbled the code once, twice, dozens of times while she lifted the box and began her search for an immune cell. She could stretch her break; it wouldn't be much of a deal after all.

Having spent some time surveying the red crowd, the girl finally spotted a short, caramel-haired Macrophage talking through her walkie-talkie, standing on a street below her own. A warm feeling of relief bloomed in her chest; she wasn't afraid of immune cells, but what a better type of cell than a Macrophage to seek help from! The redhead peeped out from the railing and waited until the woman had finished her communication.

"Excuse me, Mrs Macrophage!" The woman turned around, looking for the voice that called for her. "Up here!"

"Oh dear, please be careful!" the immune cell warned, raising a hand to her concerned face. It wasn't until that moment the erythrocyte realized that there had been an invasion and unavoidably, a combat – blood-splattered debris covered every corner, and battered corpses of bacteria were being collected by some other cells. Even her puffy dress was dripping in cytoplasm.

The ground next to the Macrophage had collapsed, probably taking some other corpses along with it. Thankfully the void was all already covered in fibrin, albeit the pavement under the redhead's shoes was cracking. "Don't get too close, I'm afraid these pillars under you won't last much longer." The erythrocyte nodded and took hesitating steps away from the railing. Perhaps it wasn't the best moment to contact White Blood Cell.

"Are the neutrophils done yet?" she asked nonetheless, to which the Macrophage tilted her head curiously.

"Indeed, they left a while ago. Who are you looking for, sweetheart?" the woman smiled inquisitively, while picking up her heavy-looking weapon. The redhead hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth again.

"I was wondering if you could contact a friend of mine through your walkie-talkie." AE3803 gripped the box tighter in an attempt of keeping confident, as some other erythrocytes bumped into her from behind and gave her cold stares. She felt like she was making a very, very inappropriate request. The perplexed Macrophage lifted her eyebrows, it was more than likely that was the first time someone requested her something like that. "His code is, uh- U-1146," she hoped she hadn't messed up his code, otherwise she would be hiding in a garbage can for the rest of her life.

"Sure thing," she answered in a sweet but confused voice. She lifted her two-way radio and pressed a button. "Macrophage 5065 calling neutrophil 1146 from the U division. Over."

"Go for Macrophage 5065," a child voice replied, confusing both female cells. "Oh my…" the woman mumbled, before pressing the button again as she looked at the red blood cell. She really hoped she hadn't messed up his code.

"U-1146, do you copy? Over." She continued, waiting for a male voice. Thankfully, the next response had a deep tone, although it sounded quite far.

"This is U-1146. My apologies. Over." The ginger left out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Some childish laughter came from the walkie-talkie, followed by a quick hush.

"Hello, U-1146. I have a lovely red blood cell looking for you here. What is your 20? Over." His answer took a second more than expected.

"I am at the arteriole 6490 near the hypodermis, upper left arm. Not far from the latest abrasion. If she's okay with it, she can meet me here. I'm on my break. Over." The Macrophage seemed quite surprised at him knowing who that red blood cell was right away. She glanced at the younger cell, waiting for her approval. AE3803 gave her a thumbs-up.

"Roger that. She will be there. Out." The face of the beautiful Macrophage morphed into a soft expression. "Now you know dear. My apologies if my reaction was quite cold, I'm not used to these petitions!"

"Thank you so much, Mrs Macrophage! Sorry if I bothered you," with a dismissing hand, the immune cell waved her goodbye, and off she went.

As confident as her sprint started, she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Where was she really going? She rested the box against her hip as she laboriously fished her map out of her bag with her spare hand. Studying it, she understood he wasn't away from her location. After all, he couldn't have gone too far if his job had just finished.

Feeling her confidence grow again, the erythrocyte resumed her stroll. She was getting pretty good at not getting lost, all things considered. The ginger sighed in relief when the broad arteriole branched into several minor hallways, one of them having a sign with the number 6490 hanging from the wall. She also noticed she remembered numbers with more ease than she recalled. Everything was running smoothly.

That new street was way less crowded, although there were still too many cells to walk at her own pace. However, White Blood Cell's distinctive attire made him stand out from all her crimson colleagues. She squinted at his figure at the sideway of the avenue; he was… Was he doing push-ups?

As AE3803 got closer, her vision became clearer: he certainly was doing push-ups, with two platelets on his back as a matter of fact. She couldn't give credit to her sight, and shook her head as her smile grew wider.

The small platelets were too focused on not falling from his back, grabbing on to his wet uniform shirt as they yelled and chuckled with every up and down. One of them was holding what presumably was White Blood Cell's two-way radio. He looked like he just got out of a rinsing session in a wash station, observed the red blood cell. Just like the platelets, he hadn't noticed her approaching presence either as he was facing the ground, too engrossed in his task.

"What on earth are you doing, White Blood Cell?" the ginger chuckled. The sudden sound of her voice startled the young immune cell, making him flinch in his high plank position.

He quickly crawled back and sat on his heels, making the platelets slide down his back. Holding on for dear life from his shirt collar, they ripped the clothing open before falling to the ground. U-1146's eye widened as he turned around to check on them.

"Are you guys okay? I'm so sorry," concern lingered on his voice as he lifted them up and sought for teary eyes. Shock dawned on their chubby faces, before morphing into a bright and cheerful expression.

"It was so fun! Let's do it again!" the backwards-cap platelet exclaimed as he attempted to climb on his back again, his fellow friend copying him.

Still with his inner white t-shirt on display and his uniform shirt jumbled around his torso, the dishevelled neutrophil glanced at an already laughing erythrocyte. He gave a half-smile.

"Hey, Red Blood Cell, welcome to my marginating pool," he welcomed his friend, getting the intrepid platelets off his back with both hands. "You really came quick as flash, huh? Wasn't expecting you so soon," the man pointed out as her laughter faded into a warm smile.

Marginating pool: within blood vessels there are two pools of leukocytes: the circulatingpool and the marginating pool. Circulating cells are free flowing in blood, whereas marginating cells are temporarily adhered to endothelial cells by selectins.

"I was near the scratch, in fact. Aren't you on your break? Why are you working out?" he gave her a confused look. The platelets pouted, as their improvised playground had closed.

"What do you mean? I rinsed off any blood stains and thought a few push-up sets would release all the stamina and bloodlust from battle," the man explained, inviting the frowning platelets to sit on his lap.

"Oh, it's nice to know you let it go this way, I mean… Sports. It's healthy, you shouldn't be keeping these bad energies inside. Well done White Blood Cell!" she encouraged him, being a bit confused still. His face lit up ever so slightly. Wasn't he tired from the battle?

"Big bro is so strong, we went flying!" the long, fair-haired platelet explained, raising up and opening her small hands. The older cells chuckled at her.

"I think I just miscalculated," then placed a thoughtful hand on his chin. "I figured I'd have finished my sets by the time you came. My bad."

"Oh, no no! Finish whatever you have to do. This delivery can wait, I've run quite a lot this morning."

"Can we help you again, Mister White Blood Cell?" the other platelet asked while giving the neutrophil puppy eyes.

"Well, as a matter of fact, you came running and jumped on top of me without a warning," the man scolded them playfully while tickling their sides. "They are a good plus to my training, although still quite lightweight," he explained looking up at the beaming erythrocyte. She lifted an eyebrow and shifted the weight of the box.

"Are you trying to flex on me, White Blood Cell?" the ginger asked in a sarcastic tone and blurted out a fake laugh while leaving the box on the floor.

"I'm not." He answered puzzled, nibbling on his lower lip. He faintly felt the sting of shame on his mitochondria. The man clearly did not get some of her jokes and to top it off, she didn't even notice, but they enjoyed each other's company still.

"I'm also buffed, you know! I have to carry these babies 24/7!" she proudly declared in a jesting voice. AE3803 switched between different muscle-flexing poses, making the platelets chuckle at her horseplay. The immune cell, on the other hand, couldn't help but gawk at her. Truth be told, he didn't need to see her toned limbs in order to know she was in fact, fit. All in all, the erythrocyte sure did have to carry these heavy boxes day-to-day.

"Big sis, you can help big bro now too! You are much strooongest than us!" the blonde toddler suggested, clapping her hands in excitement. The child's voice snapped the man out of it, getting interrupted before being able to complain.

"It's stronger, not strongest! And that's a great idea, it'll be fun! Don't you think, White Blood Cell?" the redhead chirped, looking as if she were just another platelet. She glanced confidently at him, her arms akimbo. "Level up your training, you say? Lift me up, mister U-1146!" The neutrophil blinked, trying to vocalize. The platelets stood up and pushed him from his back to make him stand.

"But, I mean, you don't have to do it if you don't want to… What was that? Mister U-1146?" he stuttered, feeling cornered. The erythrocyte's face softened.

"It's alright if you aren't up for it, White Blood Cell. But I assure you I'm a bit heavier than them, maybe I could be your perfect weight!" the platelets frolicked around him, pleading for another fun show. He deliberated for a moment, then readjusted his crooked cap and slipped his arms through the sleeves of his ruined shirt.

"Alright, alright you two. C'mon, let's give it a try, Red Blood Cell." The kids cheered playfully, and the young red blood cell nodded in excitement.

"Aren't you hot in that? I know I've asked this before but… You're on your break and working out," she pointed out as he crouched down. The neutrophil studied his battered outfit.

"Red Blood Cell, see what happened before. I let down my guard thinking nothing could happen right after an abrasion, took off my shirt, and gave my transceiver to backwards-cap-kun just in case," he motioned towards the boy. "Suddenly, nothing less than a Macrophage started talking through it. I just went berserk," the platelets agreed with a nod. "I really thought something severe had occurred, I usually communicate solely with my squad. However, I felt relieved when I knew it was you who was after all that fuss, and not some menacing bacteria." The neutrophil smiled with his obsidian eye.

"I see," she bit her lower lip, guilty. "She gave me a really weird look. The Macrophage, I mean. Not that I blame her, it's not like you see a red blood cell borrowing an immune cell's transceiver to have a chitchat every day."

"It's nice of you to try out my suggestion. I thought you had forgotten," the man admitted.

"That's nonsense, I've just been really busy." She took another look at his clothes. "I think I'll join you on getting a new uniform shirt later on." The garment was in fact, a mess. All the buttons had popped out and nothing could be done about it. The young man nodded in agreement.

He motioned with his head for her to come closer, as he positioned himself in a high plank. The red blood cell took hesitating steps towards him, looking at both platelets and neutrophil.

"What do I do? Should I just sit?" the platelets shrugged as they sat in front of them.

"Whatever you find most comfortable." U-1146 stated in a hoarse voice, looking straight at the ground. He was starting to realize the preposterous situation he got himself in, his voice sounding troubled, even.

"Alright." The young woman just sat as if he was the wooden bench she had been at previously.

She felt his body waver under her. "How does it feel, White Blood Cell?" AE3803 sought his face from her position, but it was futile. He was doing his best to hide it.

"Yes. I mean, good. Good. Just grab on to something."

"Hooold on tight! Or you will fall!" the backwards-cap boy yelled.

The redhead looked around and decided just to go for a crease near his collar. They had started to receive a couple of weird looks from the passing cells, but neither of them really cared. She gave him green light, receiving a low grunt as a response.

The platelets cheered and clapped as the neutrophil's chest went down, making the redhead sway forth and back, ending up ramming her elbow into his back as she fell to the side.

"Ouch."

"OH MY GOSH WHITE BLOOD CELL, I'm so sorry! Are you okay!?" her face turned bright red in embarrassment.

"Don't worry, just find your spot," the man said as she asked three more times if she had hurt him and if he wanted to stop. After reassuring her, she just lay down on her side, holding on tighter to his shirt that time.

Just when their dynamic began to work, she slipped from his back and fell to the ground. The alarmed neutrophil turned around to see his lying friend.

"Red Blood Cell!" rolling over on her back, the erythrocyte burst into laughter. The platelets and the man sighed in relief, as the redhead took a quick look at his face and began chuckling again.

"What's so funny?" A corner of his mouth lifted just by watching her. She held his gaze once more.

"I'm sorry! Your face is so red, I don't even know why I'm laughing! Are you okay, White Blood Cell?" She babbled, trying to catch her breath. The immune cell's forehead furrowed as his gaze returned to the ground. Certainly, it did not help in cooling his cheeks down.

"Mister White Blood Cell, you're no longer White!" the platelet boy snickered, teasing the older cell.

"He's a Red Blood Cell!" the other platelet added to their hilarious pun, or so it looked to the kids.

"Hey guys, c'mon! Don't tease him, he's struggling!" the platelets immediately ceased their giggle and listened to her.

"I'm not struggling," the man answered, receiving a pat on his back from the erythrocyte.

"How many reps do you have left?"

"About 50," the man declared, still burning the pavement with his eye.

"Alright! This time I won't fall. And don't push yourself too hard! You will hurt yourself," she said getting on her feet, the neutrophil returning to his plank position.

"I'm good. What are you going to do?"

"This time I'm lying facing down," then proceeded to do as she said. The neutrophil felt his legs slightly shaking, not due to physical strain, he could tell. The redhead lay on top of his back, bending her knees and hugging his chest to secure herself. U-1146 swore his head was about to combust, as some sweat beads rolled to his chin. "We're set!" the ginger announced excited, making the platelets lift little encouraging fists.

"One! Two! Three! Four!" the toddlers counted until they reached the tenth push-up; they were clueless after that.

"Eleven, twelve!" the erythrocyte eagerly continued counting. Her grip around the man's torso was so strong he even had difficulty breathing. He didn't protest though; the neutrophil wasn't even sure he could vocalize anything in that moment.

AE3803 shifted her head, resting her chin on the spot between his neck and jaw. Shivers ran down the white-haired cell's spine.

"How is it going, White Blood Cell?" she practically asked to his ear.

"Huh, fine," he panted, not tearing his eye away from the floor. Some little sweat puddles were starting to form.

"You're breathing heavily, is everything good?" she insisted.

"Actually…" he pushed up. "You are crushing me, Red Blood Cell," he nervously chuckled. She immediately loosed up her grip, and clutched the hemline of his shirt.

"Gee! Why didn't you tell me before?" the female cell complained, obliviously breathing into his neck. The man shifted his weight between his two arms, being unable to hide his uneasiness. He felt his face flushing once more, as the drum his mitochondria was beat tireless against his chest.

The neutrophil had the clear urge to stop, having never experienced such an intense workout session, or such a confusing situation, for that matter. He didn't know who was to blame – his friend being excessively cuddly, which shouldn't be affecting him so badly, or the infernal pushups.

"Holy Camoly! What is going on in here!?" a hollering voice belonging to some white combat boots approached. They all looked up, finding U-4989 smirking face. The standing neutrophil crouched next to the platelets as he slurped some bacteria soup, then greeted the kids flicking the brim of his cap. "Man, that's definitely NOT how you spend your break," he pointed out, shaking his head.

"I know right? He looked at me as if I was crazy!" the redhead protested, giving a disappointed look at man beneath her.

"Hello, U-4989. Just on time."

"Also, that's definitely NOT how you do pushups. Have some guts and try to do some explosive ones!" the platelets gaped at him.

"Explosive!?" they repeated after the neutrophil.

"I don't what all that is about, but I don't think it's a good idea. Poor White Blood Cell looks so worn out, I think he should rest," the young woman explained.

"You're right, Miss red blood cell. Look at you, bud! You're the most colorful neutrophil I've ever seen," the immune cell joked, referring to his scarlet face. The flustered neutrophil looked up at him, frowning.

"I couldn't feel any better, thanks everyone." Nobody could really tell if he was being sarcastic or not. "Grab on tight, Red Blood Cell. I'm gonna show him."

"But," she protested with wide eyes.

"I was just joking, man. No need to hurt yourself!"

"I just have to finish these damned push-up sets-" he froze, immediately looking up at the kids. "Oh, you shouldn't say that. Ugly, ugly words, kiddos," he apologized, as they nodded. Although the neutrophil was well-meant, nothing could be done about the lymphocytes who cursed near the children on a daily basis.

After getting a hold of himself and pushing his chaotic thoughts away, the neutrophil prepared himself. Explosive pushups implied the usual push-up movement, only it being more extreme as he had to maintain his upper half on air before falling on his palms again.

He descended his chest by flexing his elbows, then hastily pushed up, his hands leaving the floor. The erythrocyte yelped as they fell, losing her beret. The rest of them cheered enthusiastically.

"How do you like that! These Killer T cells got nothing on us," the crouching neutrophil laughed. U-1146 smirked back at him.

"9 more, Red Blood Cell. Ready?" having regained his confidence and composed attitude, he allowed himself to look at her in the eye.

"You're bonkers, White Blood Cell," she giggled.

The kids chanted the numbers next to the other neutrophil, leading the count. After what seemed like an eternity to the red blood cell, she let herself drop from his back. She sighed heavily as she fumbled for her hat. Her cytoplasm was stirring inside her.

Just like his friend, the panting and exhausted neutrophil collapsed on the ground, facing the ceiling next to her.

"Oh, oh! We require an urgent oxygen delivery!" U-4989 teased him. The abuzz platelets leant over the neutrophil's agitated chest.

"That was awesome, big bro! I want to fly too!" the blonde kid cooed, her clear eyes sparking.

"C'mon! Let's do it!" the other platelet added as he jumped onto his stomach and started bouncing. The man groaned but kept grinning at them.

Managing to sit up, the disheveled red blood cell rested her gloved hands on both children's heads, which turned to look at her.

"I know it looked really fun, but Mister White Blood Cell is really tired right now. Look, he just fell asleep," she kidded, making the eye-closed neutrophil half-smile. His breathing became steadier.

The children pouted and made him promise to repeat the trick with them. "Hey," the redhead gently rocked his shoulder. "Fancy for a drink?" she asked in a low and soft voice, as if she were trying not to wake him up. The neutrophil slowly opened his eye, directing his obsidian orb at her. They held their gaze for a while, staying silent. The platelets' and U-4989 strident playing noises couldn't get to their bubble.

"There's nothing I would like more," he mumbled in the same low voice. After a pause, the man snorted lightly, making the redhead tilt her head. "Your hair. Your hair is a mess," he explained, a corner of his mouth lifting. She giggled while combing her untamed scarlet hair with her fingers, but her cowlick could never be gone. The neutrophil opened his mouth again, about to vocalize.

"Hey! Are you two fools all done being lovey-dovey!? These platepests are going to strip me down!" the other leukocyte yelled, as the kids tried to climb his legs, pulling down his combats. The other two cells stood up between laughs. Lovey-dovey?, the redhead wondered.

"Ah, first time?" the weary neutrophil mocked him, his arms akimbo. "Hey you fidgets, if you rip his pants off, you won't be getting a flying pony ride next time we meet," the toddlers wailed as they heard the man's warning, and let go of the other male's legs.

"Thanks, bud." U-4989 pulled his combats up and tightened his belt's buckle. His fellow colleague averted his gaze from him and looked at the amused erythrocyte, who was already picking up her forgotten load.

"Guess I'm lucky to have ridden an enraged flying pony," she grinned. They began walking together behind the platelets and other leukocyte, still fidgeting with his clothes.

"Not everyone can say that about themselves. Thanks for coming. It was fun." He stuck his hands into his pockets.

"Keep your thanks. I also had a great time but, to be honest, I was afraid I was bugging you," she admitted glumly, looking down to her box. The neutrophil lifted a non-existent eyebrow. Neither of them noticed U-4989 and the platelets had got lost in the crowds.

"How so?" he knew exactly what she meant, but also wanted to learn her side of the story. He immediately regretted having behaved so distant, he had tried his best though.

"You seemed a bit uncomfortable. Sorry if I forced you into something you didn't want to do." How could she possibly be that observant and oblivious at the same time? The man couldn't wrap his head around it.

"Don't worry. You know I can be… the aloof kind of guy," he said, playing it down. The leukocyte halted near a hot drink machine, followed close by the erythrocyte. She dropped the box next to the machine. "You didn't force me into anything."

"You're not aloof, White Blood Cell. You're just reserved, that's my guess." She took a steaming cup of green tea from his hands, nodding in gratitude. "You got a warm, big heart," she blew her words on the tea. The neutrophil gawked at her wide-eyed. The young woman held his stunned gaze. "I mean it."

"I know you do," he acknowledged after pause. After taking a sip from his own drink, he added, "That was… flattering, and sometimes, hard to believe. I know you're always sincere, though." He drummed his fingers on the cardboard cup, then locked eyes with her. "Thank you." The warmth of her hazel orbs made him feel vulnerable yet safe. U-1146 always caught himself letting his guard down near her.

"Hard to believe?" she inquired. When he was about to answer, his receptor went off and driven by the abrupt arousal, he crushed the teacup with his hand, splattering the liquid all over the place. The neutrophil winced as he snapped out of it.

"Goodness. I'm so sorry for ruining your jacket, Red Blood Cell… And, I gotta go," the man hastily apologized, placing the smashed cup on her free hand and waving her goodbye as he rushed off.

"What about your uniform!? It's ruined!" The redhead called out, the white-dressed cell getting lost between the alarmed crowd.

"It'll have to wait!" And off he went, sweaty, stained and fatigued.

The ginger sighed as she threw the broken cup in the garbage can. Just when he had started to open up to her, he had run away. Duty was duty, she said to herself.

The fact that they had a pending conversation was clear as day, and this time she didn't even need to write it down in her notepad.