Taking A Step

U-4989 made his way to a little canteen near the heart, squeezing past a group of chatting erythrocytes to get in. They hadn't noticed him at first, yet suddenly all but jumped aside, when they saw the white uniform. The neutrophil mostly ignored them and looked around.

He'd contacted one of his friends and learned that he was taking a break between patrols here, which suited 4989 well, as he was on his way to the head anyway. Easily he spotted his white-clad friend among the red blood cells.

U-1146 and AE 3803 had found themselves a table at the corner of the room, where despite the nearby window they still had some privacy; given their rather unusual relationship that was probably for the best.

To this day they were trying to maintain a low profile, in fact, until recently they had even attempted to hide it from their closest friends. A futile effort of course, considering that the other three neutrophils had secretly helped them get together in the first place, something those two lovebirds actually didn't know about.

But it wasn't a secret anymore and frankly you only needed to take a look at them together and you'd know.

Their unique relationship was actually the reason 4989 sought them out today. He required advice, and they were possibly the only two who had some expertise helpful to the fluffy haired neutrophil.

As he approached the table 3803 waved him over, smiling warmly as ever, the neutrophil returning the gesture in kind. "Hi guys."

"Hi, 4989.," the erythrocyte greeted him as he sat down at the opposite side of the table. "How have you been?"

"Pretty well, thanks for asking," he replied, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.

His friend apparently picked up on that. "You said you needed help," 1146 noted. "Everything alright?"

Here goes nothing. "Guys, mind if I asked you for some advice?"

"Advice?" 3803 was perplexed, inclining her head a little.

The other neutrophil however only nodded. "Of course you can. What do you need it on?"

For a second 4989 nibbled on his lower lip, before taking a deep breath. "You remember the first erythrocyte NK removed the Plasmodium from?"

"Of course."

"She's the one, who told you about me, right?" the redhead piped up, looking to her boyfriend.

He smiled and nodded once. "Yes; I can't express how glad I am that she remembered your name."

Frankly, they were all glad that 3803 had survived the ordeal, but 1146 would have naturally taken her death the hardest, even back then, when they hadn't known about their true feelings for each other yet. But today 4989 wanted to talk about AC 4293. "Well, I've kinda been trying…to make friends with her," he explained, hoping his cheeks remained white.

"She was the erythrocyte you talked with the other day after we had fought the Staphylococci and Pneumococci," 1146 realised. "Seems like you've already made some progress" he pointed out, before taking another sip from his tea.

4989 nodded. "A little, but she's still very nervous around me. That common fear towards us leucocytes is really not helping matters." He looked to the erythrocyte, hope flickering in his eyes. "So I was wondering: how did you overcome your fear, 3803?"

She giggled somewhat sheepishly and scratched one of her now lightly flushed cheeks. "Actually I never really was afraid of you white blood cells, except the T-Cells maybe," AE confessed.

Not the answer he had expected. "Never?"

"Well, first time I saw you guys in action I was of course a bit shocked, but I had just been attacked by a germ as well. If Hakkekkyū-san hadn't saved me, I would have died then and there, or later when I was attacked again." She looked at 1146. "Of course I was a bit intimidated, but I was never truly afraid of you."

"Oh." Not the answer 4989 had expected or hoped for.

"I guess that wasn't the answer you were looking for?" AE 3803 concluded correctly, seeing his disappointment.

Quickly he lifted his hands. "Don't take this the wrong way, I'm happy things worked out so well between you two, I really am, but it doesn't exactly help me. I mean I'm looking for anything that could help me ease her fears." He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm not even sure how I should start a conversation with her."

"How did you do it before?" 1146 questioned.

"Well," he chuckled embarrassedly. "The first time around I pretended to have gotten stuck while migrating and asked her to help and pull me out."

His friend frowned, more surprised than disapprovingly. "Really?"

"I didn't want to intimidate her," 4989 quickly defended himself. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. Still, I learned that the scar troubled her, so next time I got her bracelets to hide it."

"That's why you measured my wrist the other day," 3803 exclaimed; admittedly he'd never told her what he'd needed the measurements for; he just hadn't really wanted to tell anyone about his attempts to befriend an erythrocyte until he had anything to show for.

He nodded. "Yep. Thank you again by the way; it was very helpful," 4989 told her with a grateful smile. "Anyway, thing is, I don't know how to continue from here on." He naturally had thought about it, but hadn't managed to come up with anything good. He still wasn't sure if simply walking up to her was a good idea and even if he did, frankly he had nothing beyond "Hi".

"When you happen to meet again, you could ask her about her day; everyone likes it when their work is appreciated," 3803 suggested.

"That is if you mean it," 1146 was quick to add. "I suppose that's the most important part; be honest. If you have to put on an act every time you interact with her, this is not going to work out."

Made sense. That was the whole point after all, to assure her and perhaps one day other erythrocytes that neutrophils and by extension other white blood cells were more than bloodthirsty killers. If he had to act and if she learned that he was being dishonest, any effort would have been for naught. Besides, it wasn't like he needed to pretend anyway. He was interested in learning more about her and he liked to think that he was a rather affable cell…outside of battle anyway.

"Any more tips?" he asked hopefully.

3803 looked to the ceiling as she pondered, a finger tapping her chin. "Well, going all across the body is exhausting work. Sometimes we don't find the time to eat or drink enough on hectic days, so tea and glucose is always appreciated," she mentioned after a while.

Like AC had done for him, bringing him soup. "I guess that could work."

Both 1146 and 3803 continued to try to come up with more suggestions, but eventually only looked at each other, equally empty handed. "I'm sorry we're not much help," his friend told him.

"Truth is I'm not quite sure why things worked out between us like they did," AE 3803 admitted, looking sorry. "They just did I suppose."

4989 however smiled. "No, its fine, but I thought asking you couldn't hurt." A little was still way better than nothing. "Anyway, sorry to take so much of your time."

"Not a problem," the erythrocyte assured him with her cheerful smile.

"Well, you guys have fun now," 4989 told them with a meaningful wink as he stood, ready to depart.

AE blushed, her cheeks suddenly bright red, while 1146 shook his head an amused smile on his lips. "Just go back on patrol; the ears aren't going to guard themselves."

The fluffy haired neutrophil grinned, doing a mock salute. "Gotcha."


"You seem disappointed."

Her friend's words tore AC 4293 from her thoughts and she shrugged. "Finally a delivery to near the brain, but like every other time it has to be during waking hours." She sighed. "I'm never going to see the fireworks during the REM sleep at this rate."

Rapid eye movement sleep

There are five kinds sleep phases, one being REM sleep or REMS, which is distinguished by rapid movement of the eyes and low muscle tone to the point of immobilization, while blood pressure and pulse rise. Even brain activity resembles more that of someone awake and thus most dreams occur during REM sleep as well.

REM sleep phases occur several times a night, accounting for approximately 20 to 25 % of an adult's sleep cycle, and over 50 percent of an infant's, a reason why it's thought to play a role in learning, memory and mood.

"I know it's far, but perhaps you really should use your off time to go see it," FP 1564 suggested.

Since her time as an erythroblast AC had wished to see the brain, when it created dreams; countless neurons firing as they communicated, resulting in a unique lightshow, which could be watched from certain designated viewing areas. From what she had heard these were always packed, but nonetheless she just wanted a chance to see the show and if that meant being squeezed in between her fellow erythrocytes, so be it.

"Yeah, maybe," AC conceded. "It just would have been convenient to combine it with a delivery, you know."

He nodded understandingly. "I know and I'm sure one day you'll be lucky. Until then, you gotta make your own luck." Since she could remember, FP 1564 had always been someone with an adage for any given situation.

So she rolled her eyes, but with a smile. "I thank you for your wise words, senpai."

"Ah, the difference a few minutes make," FP chuckled.

AC shoved him playfully, now a smirk on her lips. "Don't get smug; how many times did you get caught by our neutrophil teacher?" Lessons of running away from an immune-cell, playing the part of a bloodthirsty bacterium were among the more memorable of their childhood.

He quickly cleared his throat and looked away. "Not important." But then he grinned. "Though, if I remember correctly you're the one, who got into trouble for running off."

"Hey, I stayed in the bone."

Her friend chuckled. "Yeah, right into an osteoclast construction site."

"Unimportant details," she deflected, tugging at one of her strands; how could she have known that they had been reconstructing part of the bone nearby?

Seeing her lifted hand, FP 1564 noticed something. "You got a bracelet?"

AC let go of her hair and looked at her wrist. "Oh yes; just something to cover up the scar."

"Guess you finally found something." He'd seen her try out a few options, among them bandages, which sadly had only started to itch after a short time. "Did you make it yourself? Looks like it took a bit of effort to make."

She couldn't help but bit her lower lip. "Actually…it was a gift," AC told him evasively; how would he react, if he learned who had made it for her? Surely not as badly as her other friends, but still.

"A gift? Another one of our classmates?"

"Not exactly."

Her friend seemed mildly surprised. "Are you embarrassed?" Suddenly he grinned. "Ah, is there something more?"

AC's eyes widened, knowing what he was implying. "What! No!" she quickly corrected him, shaking her head. "Nothing like that; I actually hardly know him." In total they might have talked for fifteen, maybe twenty minutes tops.

FP frowned. "Okay…but you don't want to tell me?"

"I…" The erythrocyte sighed; now she couldn't exactly talk herself out of this anymore. She had to tell him something. "Promise you won't tell CT or AD?"

"What?"

"Please?"

He still seemed puzzled but nodded, seeing the pleading look in her eyes. "Alright. So who?"

AC swallowed, tugging at her dark, auburn hair again. "A neutrophil; you know, the one you guys saw when we happened to meet at the nasal cavities."

"The one who helped save you?"

She nodded. "Yeah; when he asked me how I've recovered, I may have mentioned that the scar bothered me. And a few days later he suddenly shows up and gives me two of these." AC looked at the braided bracelet again; she kept the second in her little bag, just in case the one she wore got damaged. Thankfully the material the neutrophil had made them from had proven resilient and didn't itch one bit. Most of the time she didn't even notice that she was wearing anything.

"Is that so?" The broad grin from earlier made its return.

AC frowned. "Are you implying something?"

"You have to admit it's strange that an immune-cell would do such a thing." FP shrugged. "Maybe he thinks you're cute."

But she could only roll her eyes at his suggestion. "Maybe he thinks I'm an easily freaked out erythrocyte. I mean I have made an excellent job proving that recently," AC joked dryly.

"Don't beat yourself up," FP 1564 tried to reassure her with a warm smile, as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Besides he's a neutrophil; he must see us red blood cells freak out all the time."

True enough. Frankly AC couldn't think of a single red blood cell, who wasn't at least disgusted whenever they saw bloodied leucocytes and admittedly most ran away screaming at the mere sight of bacteria or other invaders.

"So you think there is more behind this than a friendly little gesture?" she asked her friend, shaking her wrist a little for emphasis.

"Merely alluding to the possibility," FP clarified. "I mean he didn't just give you two ribbons to tie around your wrists."

Truthfully AC wasn't entirely convinced, and she frowned sceptically. "I don't know. Our conversations were rather brief."

"What did you talk about?"

"He asked me about my recovery, whether I liked the bracelets…" For a moment she paused that feeling of guilt emerging, just like when she had last talk to the neutrophil. "If I was afraid of him."

"Are you?"

AC couldn't help it, but when she thought back to that neutrophil, she always remembered him with that warm smile. "I think afraid is too strong a word. Uneasy, sure, but as far as white blood cells go, I'm not exactly frightened by him." Her eyes narrowed questioningly. "You seem awfully alright with me talking to a leucocyte."

He gave her a wry smile. "I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't uncomfortable around them as well; their main function is to kill after all, even cells of this body if need be. However, given what you've been telling me, I don't think you're in any immediate danger. But, I can see why you don't want the others to know about this."

"They would freak out." She knew they meant well and were just being protective, but it was nonetheless annoying at times. Even now when she was just tired from running around the body without a break for a long time, they got overly nervous, as if she could collapse and die any moment. If they saw her so much as interacting with a leucocyte, they would probably full on panic.

FP 1564 however chuckled, as if he found that prospect actually amusing. "AD would probably burn those bracelets, while CT would cut your hair and give you a makeover to make you unrecognizable."

Protectively she swiftly grabbed the long tail. "No one's touching my braid!"

FP nodded, remembering a few incidents during their childhood, when some blasts had pulled at it in an attempt to annoy her. It had not been worth it; she'd never been someone, who just put up with anyone's nonsense. "Oh, I'm well aware." But he suddenly became more serious and AC saw a hint of worry in his eyes. "Still, be careful, alright? You never quite know with leucocytes."

AC didn't reply, admittedly feeling conflicted. White blood cells were dangerous, sure, it was their job to kill after all. But unpredictable? They targeted invaders and cells that had become a threat to the body only; that actually was extremely predictable. She thought back to her last conversation with that fluffy haired neutrophil and those bright, friendly eyes. No, as long as she was a healthy erythrocyte, she was certain that they would never be glaring at her with murderous intent.


The ear really didn't guard itself.

Erythrocytes and common cells hid or ran away screaming, as a germ fled through the blood vessels around the middle ear. Its primarily orange and grey body was shaped like a caterpillar, yet moved as swiftly as a snake, barging through the street, pushing aside any road signs, benches and even some of the slim trees distributed sparingly in the area. And U-4989 was following close behind.

His receptor was ringing obnoxiously loud in his ears, but he was more focused on the antigen running for its life. Until finally the germ was not in close proximity to any civilians for a moment. Immediately 4989 reached for his throwing knives, launching a handful at the invader.

It screeched in agony as they imbedded themselves into its back, reeling at the same time, causing the germ to crash against the wall of a nearby building. Grinning triumphantly, 4989 lifted his blade, ready to deal the finishing blow.

In that moment the bacterium whirled around, its beady eyes full of fear, its beak-like mouth clicking. "Neutrophil! Shouldn't you be at the respiratory tract, taking care of those Pneumococci?" it cried desperately, squirming and writhing, clearly searching for a way out.

"Your competitors? They've all long been taken care of, germ. But you've made the mistake of getting into this body, Haemophilus."

Haemophilus influenza

A bacterium that was once believed to cause influenza, until the responsible virus was discovered. Types of this bacterium without capsule are part of the normal human mucosal flora and are usually of no concern. Encapsulated Haemophilus however are obligatory pathogenic bacteria, divided into serotypes A-F, with type B being the most notable. They are especially dangerous to children and can among others cause meningitis, epiglottitis, otitis media, sinusitis, bronchitis as well as pneumonia, which is why vaccination is recommended

"No!" With sudden, unexpected speed, the bacterium threw itself at the neutrophil.

"What?!" Utterly taken by surprise, 4989 quickly lifted his knife, blocking the beak aimed for his face, letting it bite down on the flat sides of the blade instead. The weight of the bacterium threw him off his feet however and just as his back hit the ground, the Haemophilus tossed its head around, actually managing to tear the weapon out of the leucocyte's hand. Oh, come on! This was just embarrassing now.

The beak came down again, the tip once more going for his face. Baring his teeth, 4989 caught it just in time, one hand at the beak, the other pressed against its face. Stalemate. Maybe if he kicked it hard enough he could safely draw another knife.

"Neutrophil!" Who? He knew that voice, but at this moment couldn't tell who it belonged to. More importantly he heard a blade slide across the ground and from the corner of his eye saw his knife coming to a halt in arm's reach. Yes!

4989 delivered a powerful kick into the germ's belly, making it flinch, and reached for his knife, his other hand still holding the beak at bay. "Die, germ!" and he rammed the blade into its head.

"Arrgh!" The Haemophilus twitched, and he felt it go limp, allowing him to finally throw it off. With another wide slice, he opened up its belly, making sure it would not get up again.

As the receptor deactivated 4989 sat up, feeling himself relax a little while he caught his breath, with the bloodlust draining away as quickly as it had come. Not his best kill, but at least it was done.

The neutrophil turned his head, when he noticed someone approaching him and quickly realised that it was an erythrocyte. His eyes widened, once he looked up to see her face. "AC 4293?"

The auburn-haired cell crouched down next to him, a basket with nutrients dangling at her arm. "You're alright?"

"What?" 4989 stared blankly at her, not sure if he had misheard. But he saw the genuinely concerned expression and quickly recovered, his mitochondria fluttering. She cared? Swiftly, and absolutely elated, he jumped back on his feet. "Yeah, just a few bruises. Great timing with the knife by the way; thanks."

"You're welcome," she replied as she rose with a tentative smile. "Glad I could help."

Finally getting a good look at her, 4989 noticed that her shirt was almost as red as her jacket, not to mention several more red splashes across her arms and legs. Had his last slash…? Suddenly feeling a little guilty, he bashfully rubbed the back of his head. "Looks like you got quite a bit of cytoplasm on you. Do you want me to show you to a wash station?"

"I suppose that would be for the best," she conceded, regarding her appearance critically. "I'd be getting some odd looks with all this on me."

Rather relieved at her decision, and how well she took being splattered with cytoplasm, 4989 smiled. "Great; I'll just be quickly dissolving this germ and we can get on our way."

"What was that anyway?" she asked, looking over his shoulder as he recovered his throwing knives from the body. Fortunately, they were all still in good condition.

"Haemophilus influenza," he explained as he pulled out the hydrolyzing enzyme spray and began to dissolve the bacterium. "This one was really only a nuisance, but its encapsulated relatives are tougher to kill and could have caused an inflammation here at the middle ear."

"Sounds nasty."

The fluffy haired neutrophil nodded, watching the body simply melt away. "They are and if left to their own devices they could do more damage, perhaps even destroy this world." After a few short minutes, the entire germ was gone, leaving only a damp spot on the street that would in dry time. Satisfied 4989 put the spray away again and turned to the erythrocyte, who had patiently waited. "Ready to go?"

She gave him a single nod. "Lead the way."

Together they started walking down the road and the fluffy haired neutrophil noticed that they both were trying to avoid looking at each other. He could feel the awkwardness lingering between them, as well as his growing urge to disperse it. He had to say something. Hadn't AE 3803 suggested something? "So, um…how was your day?" 4989 tried carefully, his cheeks warming.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing her confusion, he blushed, well, as much as a neutrophil could anyway. He wanted to migrate straight through the floor, as apparently the damn thing refused to swallow him up. It sounded so clunky. What had he been thinking?

"Oh, I…I've been well?" He could hear her uncertainty and strangely enough it was a bit comforting for him to know that she was on a learning curve just like him. Maybe it at least made him appear like less of a fool to her. "Thanks for asking."

His lips curved up into a timid smile; he could salvage this. "Glad to hear. Sorry again for the cytoplasm."

Surprisingly she shook her head. "Don't be, it was my bad. I'm the idiot, who didn't take a step back." AC 4293 pulled a little at her clothes. "Well, at least it doesn't show on my jacket."

"And now the shirt matches," 4989 pointed out, hoping to lighten the mood.

For a moment she looked at her attire. "I suppose being a red blood cell and all, I can finally fully live up to the designation." Was he detecting a sense of humour?

Feeling emboldened he decided to reply. "Don't know; those blue shorts kinda stick out." He tried to joke.

"Ah, true," she replied, obviously only acting disappointed.

His smile grew genuine, delighted to have gotten a glimpse at her more mirthful side. Now that he could work with. "Hey, what am I supposed to say? I'm obligated to dress in all white, when my function is to eliminate all threats to this body." He tugged at his own jacket. "Now every time I do my job I look like someone's tossed a bucket of paint at me."

AC 4293 inclined her head. "You think it would be better if you dressed in red?"

The fluffy haired neutrophil merely shrugged. "Well, at least it wouldn't be so noticeable; and trust me, white shows everything, not just cytoplasm."

"I can imagine."

Okay, this was not something she had planned on today. Of course she had expected to meet this neutrophil again, just not so soon and like this. But when she'd seen him struggle with that germ, his weapon in front of her feet, how could she not have acted?

Still, just walking down the road with him seemed…weird. The looks other erythrocytes gave them, probably in part because of the cytoplasm on her, weren't exactly helping.

Thankfully U-4989 seemed just as flustered as her, which admittedly eased her mind, especially when he started making jokes. The tension she'd been feeling actually lessened as they walked, even if she didn't entirely relax.

They continued to follow the road for a few blocks, until the fluffy haired neutrophil pointed to a doorway with a staircase leading down. "Here we are," he told her and they stepped inside what she could only describe as a communal shower. "You can leave the basket here at the entry; I believe the cell would be happy if his sandwich didn't get soaked."

Probably a good idea. "Alright." She placed her basket on the stairs and followed him down.

There were several hoses, some with showerheads, some without, while along the wall were shelves filled with shampoo and white towels, which looked surprisingly soft. She kinda wanted to touch one, but AC had a feeling she would need one soon enough anyway.

So instead, she sat down on one of the stools next to the neutrophil, who handed her a showerhead, with a worryingly apologetic smile. "Here." Tentatively she took it and turned it on. "Careful, it's…"

"Ah! This really is cold." Why hadn't she heard him out? She hadn't felt anything this cold since that snowstorm during the hypovolemic shock, and she shut her eyes immediately, shuddering.

"Sorry." AC heard him apologize. "Not a fan myself, but I'm afraid I really can't do anything about it."

"It's fine." Actually it was incredibly uncomfortable, but unfortunately there wasn't exactly an alternative. "You do this daily?" she asked, opening her eyes, both curious, but also trying to distract herself.

"On average at least once. Always depends on how many germs I encounter," the fluffy haired neutrophil explained, having started cleaning himself as well. Actually, he seemed almost unbothered by the cold. Maybe that was just by comparison though.

She couldn't help but feel sorry; as if having to fight and eat germs wasn't bad enough. "I think I would have frozen to death by now."

He chuckled, making her glance over to him again. "Softie."

It was an impulse, a spur of the moment thing, but without thinking she turned her showerhead. And the water stream hit him right in the face.

AC gasped, hands flying to her mouth, eyes widened in shock. The showerhead fell soundly to the floor. Why had she done that?

The neutrophil spat out some water, trying to wipe of the rest from his face. Nervously she watched as he blinked several times, clearing his vision. For a moment he stared at her, clearly staggered. Was he mad?

And then he laughed, loud and brightly.

Now it was her turn to look taken aback. She was still frozen in place, when he took his own showerhead and pointed it at her. "You're on."

"Eeh!" AC screamed when the cold water hit her, and she quickly covered her face using her arms. She could hear him chuckle as he lowered the showerhead again.

"Giving up already?" the neutrophil asked; she could practically hear him grinning.

That sparked something in her. "Oh, you wish." And hit him again with the water, face still turned away from him.

She only heard him laughing, merry, carefree and she couldn't help but laugh herself; it was infectious. U-4989 tried to circle around her, hit the face she so desperately tried to hide with one arm, while she tried to hit him as well, never daring more than brief glances, catching glimpses of his wide grin and bright eyes.

Suddenly she didn't feel the cold anymore. Sure her cool cheeks were flushed, but she was laughing, running and sometimes slipping, while she fought water with water. It was strange, but for a moment she felt like an erythroblast again, despite being soaked with freezing water.

AC had no idea how long they continued, until she heard steps on the staircase and a male voice spoke up. "What is…?" But he was interrupted by a spurt hitting him straight in the face.

"Ups; sorry 2048," U-4989 chuckled.

Said leucocyte wiped the water from his face. "You two seem to be having fun," he noted, thankfully smiling. He too was a neutrophil, with a hairstyle not dissimilar to U-4989, though his hair was perfectly straight, while his eyes were a bit narrower in shape.

"Care to join in?" the fluffy haired neutrophil asked, waving with his currently turned-off showerhead.

The newcomer shook his head. "Not really, I was just wondering what this commotion was all about."

"Ah come one, don't be boring," another neutrophil behind him remarked, his eyes completely covered by bangs, just before giving his colleague a push.

The one called U-2048 slipped across the wet floor, struggling to retain his balance and grabbed one of the hoses without a showerhead. "Now you've both done it."

And the battle began in earnest. With three neutrophils doing their best B-cell impersonations, AC completely lost track of what was going on. Not that she cared. Over the loud noise of rushing water, she could still hear laughter, including her own, as she blindly pointed her showerhead to wherever the streams hitting her came from.

Eventually, the attacks stopped coming in, and she dared to open her eyes, her clothes feeling heavy, clinging to her body, same as her hair. Apparently there were only two combatants left and she turned off her showerhead, taking a deep breath.

She saw the straight-haired neutrophil approach her. "You're alright?" he asked her politely.

"Just a bit out of breath." AC confessed, panting a little, feeling the cold return to her body, as well as some of her earlier nervousness. Still, she was pretty sure she'd seen this one before with U-4989; that along with him having participated in their game right now at least meant that he couldn't be such a bad guy either.

Meanwhile, the neutrophil nodded towards his colleague. "Hope he isn't getting on your nerves too much."

"He's not," she assured U-2048. "I actually had a lot of fun." As strange as it was to say, now that she'd regained her sense, but it was true. This had been great. Seriously, who would have thought?

Both of them looked to the other side of the wash station, where U-4989 and the other neutrophil were deciding a final battle, until the fluffy haired leucocyte slipped and fell. His friend laughed and would have probably declared himself the victor, if the hose of U-4989's showerhead hadn't knocked him down in that moment, since it had wrapped itself around his legs during their playful tussle.

U-2048 and AC chuckled at the sight. "Well, if the fun ever gets too much, don't hesitate to tell us. We'll get him off your back, don't you worry."

"Thanks."

He inclined his head, studying her for a second. "Would you like to join us for a tea? I know I always need one after a shower and we're all a bit soaked." Apparently, he had noticed her shivering quite a bit.

Where all neutrophils this attentive? "That actually would be nice." She looked down at her trembling hands, wondering if she should wring out her gloves. "I think my fingers are a bit stiff."

"We can fix that," the one called U-2626 replied grinning as he joined them. "Hey 4989, you're coming?"

"Hang on a second," the fluffy haired neutrophil replied, picking something up from the ground, already carrying something else under his arm. "Lost my cap there for a second."

"Shame on you." His friend teased.

4989 merely stuck his tongue out, only to chuckle a moment later. With a happy smile he then turned to AC and handed her one of the towels he must have picked up before coming over. "Here; thought you might like one."


Even after only having spent a little time with these neutrophils, AC had to admit that they were surprisingly pleasant company.

To her they were actually very courteous, not only serving the erythrocyte tea, but U-2626 offered to get her some glucose, despite the next vending machine being a few streets away.

When talking with one another, they were also quite casual and laid-back, a far cry from the lymphocytes, especially the Killer T-Cells.

They reminded her so much of the myelocytes she'd seen back in the bone marrow, making jokes, teasing each other, though thankfully they weren't playing catch with drawn knives and yelling about killing stuff. Still, she had no problem seeing that these three had been life-long friends and she found herself smiling the entire time, listening to them, though still timid whenever they addressed her directly. After all, despite their kindness, she had only just met them and so her mind was racing, trying to find out how to act around them.

Nonetheless, why had she been so scared all this time? It suddenly seemed so ridiculous.

Eventually however, both U-2048 and U-2626 departed, having to resume their patrol, leaving AC alone together with U-4989.

"Feeling better?" he asked after waving goodbye to his friends. "Um, I mean warmer?"

And apparently he was back to acting awkwardly; not that she minded, given that he more or less mirrored her own insecurity again. "Yes, the tea really helped. Thanks. But I guess I should be getting back to work myself." She probably had lost way too much time already, but if she walked with a swift pace, she certainly could make up for most of it.

Amusingly, U-4989 eyes widened, as if he'd only just remembered that she had her own duties to attend to. "Oh, of course!" Sheepishly he rubbed the back of his head. "Again, sorry for…" But he was interrupted by a shout.

"AC!"

Surprised both of them turned around and the erythrocyte recognized one of her friends running towards them. "CT?"

Her short-haired friend all but crashed into her, throwing an arm around her shoulders, the handle of her card in the other hand. "There you are, we've wondered where you've been."

"What?" She could feel her friend pushing, and perplexed as she was by CT's sudden arrival, the red blood cell simply stumbled along with her.

"Come on, all this oxygen isn't going to deliver itself," the other erythrocyte insisted, now all but dragging AC with her. As a matter of fact CT had always been the strongest of them, despite being the shortest by half a head, making it difficult to resist.

AC managed to briefly glance back, only to see U-4989 disappointed expression and sagging shoulders. Her haemoglobin felt like it was twisting uncomfortably in her chest at the sight. This was not the goodbye she had had in mind.

For a moment she considered resisting CT, but then it occurred to her why her friend was acting so strangely. No, she would have to wait until they were alone and then try to explain everything.

And so AC let herself get dragged away, down the road and around another corner. Just to be safe. "CT I'm fine," the auburn haired erythrocyte finally declared, slowing down to a stop. "You can let go of me now."

Clearly worried her friend studied her, but thankfully removed her arm from AC's shoulders. "You're sure? That was a leucocyte," she noted troubled, pointing the direction they had come from.

AC couldn't help but sigh and lifted her hands, hoping to reassure her friend. "I know, but it's fine. A little earlier I was around when he finished a bacterium and got some cytoplasm on me." Maybe for now it was for the best not to mention the shenanigans at the wash station or her tea-time with neutrophils.

"Is that why your clothes are a bit damp?"

She nodded. "Yes; I think he was just about to apologize for that again." Third times the charm, right? Unnecessary, though it was sweet of him. "That's it. Promise."

"Oh…" CT's dark eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with both hands, clearly embarrassed. "Sorry, guess I got carried away," she admitted guiltily.

"It's fine." AC chuckled, glad that things were now cleared up. Still, this was exactly why she didn't even want them to know about the bracelets. Her eyes wandered to the cart beside them. "You're going back to the lungs?"

The raven-haired erythrocyte nodded. "Yes, just made my delivery. I was thinking about getting some dinner from the booths at the pulmonary vein. Care to join me?" she offered.

"I still got to deliver these nutrients." AC told her, lifting the basket. "But hey, I'm gonna hurry up and meet you there, alright?" And there was something else she needed to do first; hopefully, it wasn't too late.

"Great, see you later."

...

Heavy-heartedly 4989 watched the two erythrocytes disappear in the crowd of cells. And that after things had developed so well, better than he had honestly expected. After all, today had been the first time he'd seen her laughing, brightly even, despite her freezing, with a face as red as her jacket from the cold water. Sure AE 3803 suggestion, asking about her day, hadn't exactly worked, but he'd winged it afterwards.

He was still delighted how well she had responded to his cautious attempts at humour and then the battle in the wash-station. Frankly, she'd kinda started it…and he couldn't be happier. He'd never seen her so relaxed. Only afterwards, when they had all warmed up with some tea she'd been a lot more coy again, hardly speaking, mostly just listening to them talking. However, given that she'd been with three neutrophils, two of whom she'd only just met, things had went surprisingly well.

All in all he was actually satisfied. If only her friend hadn't shown up when she had.

The fluffy haired neutrophil sighed and started to walk. He too had to return to his duties, finish his patrol…

"U-4989!" Hang on.

The neutrophil turned around, seeing the auburn-haired erythrocyte running towards him. She'd come back? "AC 4293?" He was confused, but at the same time so glad to see her. "I thought you had to finish your delivery?" As a matter of fact the basket was still dangling from her arm.

"Yes, but I had to speak with you first, after we got interrupted," she explained, shifting her weight nervously from one foot to the other.

"Huh?"

"Look, I'm so sorry about my friend," she began apologetically, one hand placed on her chest. "It's just, she, like most of my friends, has always been uncomfortable with white blood cells, and since the Plasmodium-invasion and what happened with the NK cell she's a little afraid for me, especially with a leucocyte keeping me company."

"Oh, right," 4989 replied somewhat lowly. Even though he wasn't a NK cell, as a matter of fact, he and 1146 had stood up to her; this wasn't fair.

Meanwhile AC 4293 studied him for a moment. "U-4989, can I ask you something?" she finally asked.

"Sure."

"The bracelets." A finger brushed over the one hiding her scar, but she kept looking at him somewhat quizzically. "Why did you make them for me? You didn't know me."

"Oh. How can I say this…" He took a deep breath. Just tell her the truth, right? "You obviously know how most erythrocytes get real jumpy around us."

"Yes," she replied, looking away, clearly a little embarrassed.

"Well, it's always been like that; I've gotten used to it, whether I like it or not." Briefly the corners of his mouth lifted for a nervous smile. "But then a friend of mine met an erythrocyte, who wasn't afraid of us. They became close friends, and I figured things actually didn't have to be like that after all." He gulped, desperately searching for the right words. "When...when you thanked me for helping you, I thought…I thought it was worth a try. And when you told me about your scar I just wanted to help, especially after I wasn't able to do much against the parasite itself." 4989 felt his cheeks heating up. "And...and I was hoping to get another chance to talk with you."

There was a brief pause. "I guess it worked."

Hope sparked in him, making his chest feel lighter. "Yeah." There was an awkward pause, both smiling timidly at each other and 4989 struggled to find something to say; preferably a sentence with more than a single word.

To his surprise, AC 4293 however was the first to speak. "U-4989…I really had fun today."

Now that made his mitochondria jump. "Really?" he asked relieved. "I wasn't sure. I was a little afraid that three neutrophils at once might have been a bit too much."

She shook her head. "No, it was actually fine," the erythrocyte assured him, if somewhat hastily. "Thank you."

4989 just wanted to exult, but forced himself to stay still, despite feeling like a compressed coil spring. "So,…see you around?"

AC 4293, still displaying that adorably shy smile, brushed a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "I hope so."

She never saw him jump, fist raised triumphantly in the air, cheering out loud, much to the bemusement of the other cells around him, as soon as she was out of view and 4989 resumed his patrol a few minutes later.