Here's the thing about U-1146; he is not a good person.
He is a good cell.
He is an even better professional.
But he is not a good person.
Even as he stared deep into the normal cell's lime green eyes, his fingers twitched and trembled at his sides. Although the civilian was doing nothing more than staring back at him in what could be called a confused, if a bit nervous manner, the neutrophil knew that there was something more to that gaze. At a standstill now, the both of them merely watched the other as wariness clung to the both of them like ill fitting clothing.
As 1146 considered his options and what NC-1998 could have possibly wanted by addressing him directly, stray images of terrible thoughts filled his neuron. Violent in nature and deeply disturbing in content, he could barely repress them… but he could still see, could still feel the distinct impression of violent urges that he knew would have scared off any cells that could take a glimpse into his mind.
The cool metal of his knife sliding into his gloved hands.
The images of running his knife repeatedly over and over into the normal cell's tender flesh.
He could fillet his cell membrane with ease.
Strike him down upside the head, across the fleshy vulnerability of his neck.
However, he could only imagine.
Because—
It's not only because the receptor on his hat hasn't been going off like crazy.
It's not only because he's a neutrophil who has been tasked with keeping the body safe at all costs.
It's because…
It's because he knows who this normal cell is—was.
Should be.
It's because he knowingly let Normal Cell go as if he were nothing more than that.
It's because he knowingly let him go even though he knew that 3803 was still hurting, and will continue to hurt because he knows… He just knows that 3803 hasn't been talking about her past experiences as much as she should.
And so, as 1146 stares deeply into those accursed, lime green eyes, he tries to breathe in and out.
Calmly.
Deeply.
Without grudge. Without hesitation.
He is not a good person because he knows that NC-1998 is—was—cancer.
All neutrophils—and those currently working and residing within the immune system—have a heightened sense of self and intuition. When there were times when their receptors failed to emit a sound or if the body had become too overwhelmed by pathogens to hinder the identification of bacteria and the like, they had to revert to old-fashioned methods in order to seek out their prey.
And so, when 1146 found himself stumbling into a chair outside of 3803's hospital room, he found himself feeling… Well, he felt a pair of eyes stare holes into his side. At first, the neutrophil paid the uncomfortable sensation no mind. He had been the subject of scorn and fear from several civilians in the past.
This was no different.
However, when 1146 chanced a look at his side—it was nothing more than a glance just to ascertain what kind of cell kept brazenly staring at him—a stab of cold ice pierced his very soul and ignited a fiery passion within his heart.
A head of dark black hair.
Pale skin
But the most damning thing of all…
Lime green eyes.
Mind racing with possibilities, 1146 didn't know what to think or how to react. At first, the feeling of his knife that was strapped to his side felt more than enough of a reminder that if need be, he could easily control the situation. However, another part of him knew that this could all just be a coincidence. After all, the normal cell seated next to him had reportedly been the cell that had been the one to find and report 3803's condition to the proper authorities. Were the presence of lime green eyes common among the normal cells?
Or was it a benign mutation that this normal cell just happened to be cursed with?
Whatever the case, 1146 steadied his nerves and asked, "Are you the cell that found AE-3803?"
It took too long a second for the normal cell to reply. In that time period, 1146 saw a twinge of the lips, a calculating gleam in those wretched lime green eyes.
No, not a normal cell.
And if that was the case, 1146 wondered as he tried to think past his own biases and pitfalls, then what or who was he looking at?
For a moment, they stared at one another.
Then, without much fanfare, NC-1998 choked back a gasp as he seemingly realized that he was in no position to be looking at a neutrophil with that much smug confidence. That was a good idea on 1998's part, 1146 couldn't help but think. Even though he was tasked with taking care of the body, and thus all benign beings within that very same body, he was not all too sure where he stood with NC-1998.
Furthermore—
How much did NC-1998 remember? If at all?
Any and all questions stuttered to a halt at the forefront of 1146's head when the normal cell coughed. Humming slightly, 1146 forced himself to relax as he withheld the urge to ram into the cell's side and apprehend him.
It was an urge that 1146 oddly hoped would be called upon if the circumstances called for it. A part of 1146 rankled at the idea of hoping that harm would come from NC, but another part of him, a side much darker and more vindictive than he let on, wanted to unleash all of his frustrations out on the normal cell. There was only so much patience and waiting that he would do, especially with 3803's life and happiness on the line.
Now, though—
"Y-Yeah," the cell that used to be Cancer muttered.
He rocked back and forth on his heels, his lime green eyes fluttering back and forth between the neutrophil and the surrounding buildings. 1146 may not have been the one to land the killing blow the previous times Cancer had tried wreaking havoc on the immune system, but he knew when a pathogen or a cell wanted to leave. It was an instinct that the more bloodthirsty of the immune cells had become accustomed to and expected from both pathogens and the cells of the body that they were supposed to protect.
"I guess… I guess I got used to the contacts." NC chuckled a bit, but hastily stopped when 1146 showed no sign of joining. While a bit put out and embarrassed, the normal cell valiantly tucked away his wounded pride and continued with an explanation that would have satisfied any other white blood cell who happened to not be U-1146. "They're kind of comfortable for me, you know?"
1998's eyes glimmered with something… something that was familiar and for a moment, a sense of pain and duty filled 1146's gut. Before hc could draw his blade or do something just as reckless, 1998 spoke again.
This time, his voice was subdued.
Hollow.
For a moment, all 1146 could do was breathe. At first, he didn't want to listen to this cell. After all, as a reincarnation of Cancer, he could just spout off whatever inane or trivial notion he had and it may have been done in some twisted manner. Whatever the case, 1146 was ready to act, but his sworn duty to protect all cells of the body including normal cells hindered him… which was also coupled with the look on 1998's face and his voice…
His voice spoke volumes of things that 1146 could only hope to understand.
Just… What was wrong with this normal cell?
1146 braced himself. Perhaps this normal cell might have had something up his sleeve.
Slowly, 1146's eyes drifted from the lime green of the cell's eyes and down to his movements. From the pocket of his black pants, NC-1998 took out an object that 1146 immediately recognized.
"Y-you're friends with Little Mi—Ah! Miss AE-3803?" The normal cell tripped over his words, but confidently held out the handkerchief that he had stowed away in his pants like it was some treasure. As 1146 frowned at it (he definitely knew where it came from the longer he looked at it), the normal cell seemed to relax just a little bit before continuing, "This is actually Miss AE-3803's. Do you mind if—"
1146 interrupted him with as little guilt as possible.
(Which was actually still a lot, but he pushed that down).
"Yes," 1146 replied, nodding. "I do believe that this is definitely Miss Red Blood Cell's handkerchief."
"Excellent!" The normal cell was poised to deposit the handkerchief in 1146's hand, but found himself blinking when 1146 shook his head. "What?"
There was a hint of irritation amidst a hint of desperation. If he were any other cell, 1146 would have felt his heartstrings tug at such a pathetic expression, but he forced himself to remain objective as possible. Right now, even though NC-1998 used to be Cancer, he was still a civilian with nothing more than a benign mutation plaguing his eyes.
How unfortunate.
1146 shook his head, almost in mischief, before he caught himself.
"I have it on good information that the erythrocyte you speak of is actually coming towards this particular destination for an oxygen delivery." 1146 stared down at the brunet, his eyes never wavering from 1998's lime green eyes. It was almost comical to know that he was only micrometers away from pulling rank on such a trivial cell, but the fact that this cell was Cancer changed everything for him.
He needed protecting, yes.
However, protection could only be afforded if NC-1998 proved himself to be on the side of the body. Just how much had he changed? How much had he retained?
And more importantly, did he have something to do with AE-3803's sudden reticence to not only him, but to the rest of her coworkers?
For the most part, the normal cell didn't look at all too perturbed by the fact that the object of his nefarious machinations from so long ago was coming back. However, 1146's eyes were keen and made to pick up on details that not many cells would have cared to pick up on.
Narrowing of the eyes.
Shortness, hitching of breath.
The twitch of a finger.
The handkerchief that had been cradled almost gently in his hand had become unceremoniously balled up into the pocket of his pants.
Was it… Was the topic of AE-3803 too much for the former cancer cell too much for him to bear? Or was this a reaction towards something else?
"O-oh, I suppose I'll have to return this to her personally or—"
1146, with just a tad too much force than what should have been necessary grasped the normal cell's shoulder.
1146 allowed a small, if grim smile to appear on his face. "Would you mind if I accompanied you? I've been meaning to catch up with her as well. And there's something else that I've been meaning to talk to you about."
If 1146 looked closely, he could see 1198's Adam's apple bob up and down in nervousness. It was a good thing that he was staring right in the calm of the storm: his lime green eyes.
"And what's that, Mr. Neutrophil?"
This time, his voice didn't sound as hollow, but it lacked the essence and the je ne sais quoi that Cancer had. The gravitas, the anger and hatred born from cycles of discrimination and attempted termination.
"I'd like to thank you for taking care of Miss AE-3803."
For her fall.
For your kidnapping and refusal in killing her.
1998's eyes widened before he nodded slowly.
"Sure, there's a cafe nearby where we can wait for her."
1146 is not a good person.
However, he is most assuredly not too bad a person.
However, as he trailed after the normal cell, he is certain that he is not the worst.
After all, if this newly born normal cell failed his expectations or revealed any malicious intent, then he would quickly embody the judge, jury, and executioner.
The weight of his blade felt heavy against his thigh as he breathed in.
And breathed out.
