In through the nose.
Out through the mouth.
1146 breathed in and out slowly as he tried to calm his thoughts.
Despite what other cells had to say about him, U-1146 wasn't all too sure that he was a cool, calm professional. Of course, in the heat of battle, one had to keep his head tight on his shoulders. An influx of unpredictable, careening emotions was all right for the thrill of the kill, but when it came to strategies, 1146 knew that there was no way he was going to allow anyone without a good on their shoulders to make decisions.
Good decisions, after all, came from backing away from a fight and then thinking.
Thinking, 1146 thought, was best left up to calm, level headed individuals.
As 1146 slumped down the wall of a nearby marginating pool after a fight with a weaker class of bacterium, he knew that he wasn't that sort of cell. Such thoughts plagued him, but he tried his utmost not to let them hinder him in future battles (should there be any) as he breathed in and out calmly.
However, his efforts were all for naught.
As his fingers played with his knife, he hunkered down low, his thoughts in a frenzy while his stomach ached for the flesh of a bacterium to sate his hunger.
As his stomach grumbled grumpily at him, he heard a pair of footsteps approaching. A quick glance behind him confirmed his suspicions.
It was one of his friends from his main squad, U-2001.
Had his comrade followed him here?
Or was it by pure chance that the neutrophil had managed to come across this specific marginating pool?
Whatever the case, 2001 was quick on the draw. Although he was a fair bit younger than his fellow neutrophil, 2001 could be considered an even bigger professional than 1146. He was always stoic and calm, never engaging in activities that went against regulation (unless someone begged him to do so or bribed him), and for the most part, he was someone who you could trust with a fair amount of secrets.
As 2001 approached, 1146 looked up from the gleaming blade of his knife and sent 2001 a small, if warm smile. Once he noticed the little plastic container that was swinging inside of a bag, 1146's small smile grew just a little bit bigger in size and brightness.
His friend, while never truly as close as he wanted it, was definitely always there for him when he needed it most.
"You can have the rest of the bacterium. I'm quite full, thank you."
2001 shook his hand insistently so that the bag would rattle its contents in what he hoped to be in an enticing manner.
"If you don't eat," 2001 murmured as he sat down in the marginating pool, "I'll have no choice but to let this scrumptious food go to waste. You know how the macrophages feel about that, don't you?"
At 1146's hesitant nod, 2001 felt a smirk about to rise on his face before he smacked the impulse down. Right away, he presented the bag in front of 1146's face and felt a sense of pride surge within when he realized that 1146 looked hungrier than expected.
Looks like 2001's instincts were correct; 1146 was holding himself back for some odd reason when it came to the devouring of bacteria. Now that he had urged 1146 to eat, 2001 was going to have to get to the bottom of why 1146 wasn't eating in the first place. With that plan, 2001 withdrew a pair of chopsticks and placed them in 1146's outstretched hand.
"So tell me—" 1146 began slurping some of the germ soup as 2001 leaned against the wall of the marginating pool. As always, adhesion took a second for activation before 2001 completely settled down against the endothelial cells that made up the pool. "—why are you deliberately denying yourself bacteria?"
1146 choked.
Now, if 2001 were anyone else, he would have done the "right" thing and would have offered 1146 some water, but instead, 2001 merely sighed.
"Come on, 1146. You may be a genius in battle, but that doesn't mean that you're a professional when it comes to keeping secrets and well…" 2001 poked 1146's cheeks that were still splattered with the cytoplasm from the previous bacterial attack. "Taking care of yourself seems to be a battle that you seem keen on losing."
Despite himself, 1146 wore a worn smile on his face. "Keep talking like that, and you'll end up sounding like 4989."
2001 shuddered. "Say his name again and you'll end up summoning him."
"And what makes you think that I won't hesitate in saying his name?" Mischievous now, 1146 almost wanted to place his chopsticks down so that he could torment his comrade further. However, he knew that if he were to do that, 2001would surely scold him for doing so and then he would end up radioing 4989 so that he would end up getting babied by him.
Worse, 4989 would probably be hanging out with 2626 and 2048, which meant all three would scold him for his tendencies to abandon his health at the most inopportune moment.
"Because you like talking to me. And—" 2001 stressed, "—you don't like delving into too much information with 4989 because you know that he'll be worried. I'm your least worrisome choice if you want to talk about why you haven't been talking with or about your cute red blood cell friend."
This time, 1146 placed his chopsticks down.
"Cute?"
2001 didn't waver, but his eyes did glimmer with something that 1146 would rather not think about.
"Perhaps it's because I usually patrol other parts of the body, but it's been a while since I've seen her at your side." His eyes became narrow, a troubled expression settling over his features as he glanced at 1146. "Is she all right? There have been no signs of—"
1146 waved his hand to dismiss his claim.
That was something 1146 would rather not think about right now.
Actually, there were a great many things that he would rather not think about.
"She's been doing quite well with her deliveries and she told me that she would rather hold herself accountable for her own mistakes instead of running to me for help." 1146 shot a small smile in the direction of his friend who he knew was quietly dissecting his responses. Honestly, was he really that bad at relationships or taking care of himself? "I agreed and gave her some space."
That wasn't a lie.
Well, most of it wasn't.
AE-3803, for some odd reason, had been adamant in letting her do her tasks by herself. She looked so determined and stubborn, 1146 had no choice to obey. As much as he hated to admit it, he felt a little… off that she had said that, but then again, he wasn't exactly the most stellar cell to have a tight grasp on his emotions. If anything, he should have been proud that 3803 was willing to deal with her mistakes on her own.
He should have been.
And he was.
It was just—
Well… if he happened upon her on her deliveries numerous times over the past few cycles without her knowing… then was he actually at fault? He was just doing it for her sake…
"AA-5100's been telling me that 3803's success rate has been gradually improving. With any luck—" 1146 finished the rest of his germ soup. "—she'll have herself another cell to train in the future."
2001 hummed to himself. "The higher ups must be pleased with her continued dedication."
"They have to be. I'm proud of her, too."
2001 got that stupid look on his face that conveyed how much he must have deciphered from 1146's comments, but for now, he would let that slide.
In through the nose.
Out through the mouth.
In through—
2001 surprised him again by taking his empty container and his used chopsticks away from him. Amused by such a kind gesture, 1146 relaxed and let go of those materials without further comment.
1146 asked, "Planning on leaving soon?"
2001 nodded, brusque and even as he repacked the empty container and placed it back in his bag.
"Yeah, be sure to meet the rest of the squad later on in another marginating pool in the left arm." At 1146's questioning stare, 2001 elaborated. "We'll radio the details later, just be sure to be present. Apparently, something has come up with some other sects of the immune system."
After they exchanged their goodbyes, 1146 returned to his blade that he had sheathed upon his meeting with 2001. There was the slightest hint of a speck of bright red cytoplasm that had yet to be oxidized to a ruddy brown. 1146 contemplated it for a second before wiping it off on the leg of his pants.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
And again.
The thing was, 1146 didn't like doing the breathing exercises. He never said as much to anybody, but if they were to ask, he would only have to say that he did it sometimes.
That wasn't a lie.
Well, it wasn't a lie up until a few cycles ago when—
"Mr. Neutrophil! Mr. Neutrophil!" A young woman with long light brunette hair approached him, a mixture of relief and stern exasperation in her eyes.
"Miss Red Blood Cell," he greeted her with a slight canting of his head. He glanced at his surroundings, almost as if he wished he could have been anywhere else before he turned back to her, something deep and dark in his eyes appearing before just as suddenly dissipating. "What brings you to this particular marginating pool?"
5100 scowled a little before hunkering beside the granulocyte. Unlike neutrophils, erythrocytes couldn't exactly adhere to the sides of the pool, so she had to make do by grasping onto his forearm to stay still lest she be caught up in the circulatory pathway.
"You. AE-3803." She shoved his shoulder a little awkwardly but no less force than what he deserved. "Need to talk."
1146 raised a brow. Was it a coincidence that two blood cells managed to seek him out in a private marginating pool? Or was 1146 looking too far into things?
"We do talk, Miss Red Blood Cell." He canted his head to the side in what he hoped to be an apologetic, if confused expression on his face. Although 1146 knew that he could trick his fellow white blood cells, there was only so much that he could do when concerning other cell types who were more attuned to emotions and far more perceptive than he had given them credit for. "Is there something that should be said?"
What he should have said was: "Was there something that I should know? Did something happen to her? To 3803?"
5100 must have sensed 1146's thoughts because she softened just a little bit. She relaxed against his side—not as close as to be seen as something inappropriate, but as close as possible so that she could adhere to the sides of the marginating pool.
"Yes, Mr. Neutrophil. Yes." She stressed that last word out, almost as if doing so would force him to do something—to act in a way that would be acceptable to not only to 5100 but to him.
To 3803.
1146 waited for 5100 to elaborate, but he only succeeded in letting her dark brown eyes pierce deeply into his own dark, charcoal eyes. Sighing, he stood up and helped 5100 up to her feet.
"I'll see what I can do." He adjusted his cap atop his head and helped 5100 to climb out of the pool. Once he had righted her, he inquired as to where 3803 was currently delivering her oxygen.
5100 rolled her eyes, as if he was an expert on 3803's whereabouts at all times.
To a certain extent, he was. Only, that certain extent of his was before that incident.
"Fine, I'll tell you." 5100 dug into the bag that rested on her hip and pulled out a small notepad that was littered with sticky notes, highlighting, and notes all over the cover page and on the inside. For some odd reason, 1146 smiled.
That sight of the tattered notebook with the notes all over it reminded him of her.
3803.
As 5100 flipped through the pages, 1146 closed his eyes.
Breath in.
Breathe out.
And…
"You don't have to accompany me anymore."
1146 started at the sound of 3803's voice coming from behind him. He had been busy patrolling one of the sectors near the knee when she had somehow surprised him. Strange, whenever she was near, he could hear the light tread of her footsteps upon the pavement.
He turned around and saw his dearest and favorite red blood cell looking up at him with eyes that shone like freshly polished copper, her form straight and rigid as if she were a soldier in one of the Killer T units. Equal parts bemused and concerned, 1146 jogged towards her side and quickly assessed her for any injuries or marks.
He nodded his head slowly, but in a questioning manner.
"Is there a reason why, Miss Red Blood Cell?" He kept his voice quiet, softened by the events that had only occurred a cycle ago.
After 3803 had collapsed during a delivery, things had been a little off with her. One day, he happened to come across her running away from something. At first, he had thought that she must have come across a pathogen or something worse, but—
She was crying.
He had meant to run after her and ask why, but this time, an actual pathogen had taken up his radar. He had run in the opposite direction away from his favorite red blood cell and ended up taking part in a brutal brawl that had somehow ended up roping in a few Killer T cells and some of his own brigade.
He had meant to ask after 3803 after that, but before he could go after her again, more emergencies had taken up his time and now—
Now was the first time since then that he was able to talk to her without interruptions.
3803 fiddled with one of her regulation gloves before shooting him an unsure smile.
"No reason!" She looked away for only a millisecond, but it was enough for 1146's keen eyes to take notice. "I just… I'm just filled with determination for my next set of deliveries! The higher ups decided to advance me for even more complicated routes so I want to impress them by doing them myself!"
There was something else.
Something else that 1146 knew he picked up, but couldn't decipher.
She was hiding something, but what?
Instead of looking closer into the issue, he bowed his head low and congratulated her for her fortitude and promotion.
That should have been it.
But it wasn't.
1146 walked down the major pathways of the nearby artery as he watched an entire population of cells pass him by. Written with a destination in mind, he didn't quite notice his surroundings until he came across a familiar cell complex. Was this…?
Before he knew it, 1146 found himself staring up at NC-1816's and NC-1998's building. Third floor, was it? And if the normal cell he had just talked to had the right time, then—
"M-mr. Neutrophil?"
1146 turned around, the placid expression on his face morphing into a downturned frown.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
"Ah, Mr. Normal Cell!" 1146's fingers trembled at his sides. "I see that you still have your contacts on."
