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Normally, U-1146 wouldn’t have paid attention to the sale and consumption of icy cold glucose, but there had been talk of a new flavor. He had tried asking a few civilian cells about the news, but they had either been too intimidated or too confused to answer him. Luckily, however, he had come across a relatively new erythrocyte who was all too willing to point out several locations that had announced and were subsequently selling them.
He was warned, however, that due to the popularity of new glucose pops, that he shouldn’t get his hopes up.
Ravenous red blood cells were nigh infamous in their pursuit of sweet treats.
When asked why he was trying to find this famed new flavor, he had simply tipped his hat forward and wished the cell who helped him a good day. Before the cell could venture further into their inquiry into the matter about the new glucose flavor, 1146 was already well on his way to a small, but well received convenience store within the crease of the left elbow.
To most cells, the well matured neutrophil appeared as if he were on a mission to kill any unsuspecting bacteria. To a point, most cells would be correct. However, while his stride was efficient and quick, his shoulders straight and relaxed in only a way that a soldier can be, his eyes were hooded and his fists were deceptively flush against his sides.
Once in a while, his fingers trembled lightly against his thighs as he continued on his way—as if they were itching to clench into tight fists.
Yet, no one actually noticed.
And no one could have seen the contemplative turmoil that writhed in his eyes.
It had only been a few hours ago, but he could distinctly see the trail of tears running down his favorite red blood cell’s cheeks… how her voice wavered, yet did not stray from the topic of what happened to her…
His fingers reflexively clenched tight into fists.
“Sir? Mr. Neutrophil?” The cell behind the cash register looked up at the immune cell, her eyes flickering between caution and concern. Before she could question why he looked like he was on the prowl for bacteria, the neutrophil straightened up and tried his utmost to look like a regular customer.
(It was already an abnormal situation for everyone involved. Neutrophils didn’t frequent convenience stores simply for the fact that they subsisted off of bacterial remains and not like glucose or nutrients like other cells).
Knowing this, 1146 scratched the back of his neck, his skin already heating up from embarrassment. It was bad enough that he had been caught off guard and now, the normal cell looked like she was about to faint if he so much as breathed a little too hard in her direction.
It was an improvement from other cells who would take only one look at him before running away or avert their gazes.
“A friend of mine heard about the new flavor of glucose. Do you have some in stock?”
1146 hoped so.
After her confession, 3803 had been so distraught. In a fit of confusion layered with despair, he had done his best to comfort her. Tea had seemed to do the trick, but the image of her face puffed up and melancholic invaded his thoughts. Red suited the apples of her cheeks well, but after what he heard and how her eyes continued to shimmer with unshed tears… He was stumped as to how he could help her without defaulting to a measly handkerchief and tea.
Hence, his earnest pursuit of the new flavor of glucose.
If she hadn’t been on duty, he would have requested that she accompany him, but alas, he would have to resolve to meet her at the heart.
“Is your friend… a neutrophil?” The cashier couldn’t help but ask skeptically.
“No,” 1146 shook his head. “My friend is a red blood cell who’s a little bit preoccupied at the moment. I thought that getting her the new flavor would—”
Honestly, what was he expecting would happen? That she would automatically be happy and forget all the terror she felt during her kidnapping and torture? That she would instantly heal? He knew that it hurt 3803 sometimes to interact with NC-1998—a fact that NC tried to respect in his own way.
“—would cheer her up,” 1146 lamely finished.
At first, he thought that would be the end of it, but the cashier chuckled knowingly. Confused at her reaction, the immune cell cast a questioning glance in her direction, but she was already grabbing a recyclable cup and filling it with.
“Let me guess, your little lady friend is upset with you?”
The mischievous glance sent an uncomfortable heat rising up his neck and into his cheeks. An interpretation like that was the most probable, yet the most impossible at the same time. She could never think of him like that.
AE-3803 would never think of him like that.
She was hurt too much.
Clearly discomfited by the topic, 1146 tried to steer the conversation away by mumbling, “It’s nothing. Really. She had a bad—” Horrible. Terrifying. Utterly inhuman. “—experience with another cell and I’m hoping that this might… lessen her burden.”
The other cell hummed a little, as if lost in thought as she sprayed a generous helping of whipped cream, thus obscuring the new flavor from prying eyes. There was a garnish of sprinkles on top before a spoon was inserted gently on the side.
“You know—” The cell placed the cup into 1146’s hand, her eyes piercing his with a stern, but maternal look in her eyes. “—I think that your little lady cell is happy to have you as her dear friend. Bit unorthodox, I guess, but happy.”
1146 didn’t know where she was going with this.
He cocked his head to the side, eyes furrowed in confusion, and hoped that she didn’t think he was too incompetent to answer.
She nodded, as if already knowing that he was accepting her words of wisdom—whatever they were—before sending him off with a small smile.
“No need to pay me,” she claimed as she practically shooed him out the door. “I wish you and your lady friend luck!”
Awkward in his movements, 1146 tipped his hat towards her before heading out the door. He was making his rounds through the veins leading to the heart when he realized that he hadn’t asked the cashier what flavor the new glucose was. It would take too much time to go back to the store… so he supposed that both he and 3803 would find out together.
At the heart, 1146 immediately found her.
Despite the lively crowd quickly entering through the proper channels, the young red blood cell opted to sit on a nearby bench, her hands clasped tightly atop her lap. Although she had left him in what was supposed to be high spirits, it seemed that the dark tone of their previous conversation still left an impact on her. Even so, 1146 couldn’t help but feel relieved to see that her face wasn’t marred with fresh tears. Still, her shoulders were tense and her brows were furrowed.
Not all was well with her.
Careful to announce his presence by walking a little more heavily than he would normally, 1146 slowly approached his friend. As he neared, 3803 breathed out a large sigh—as if she were emptying herself clean of all the memories of their earlier conversation—before finally looking up and gracing him with a smile.
It was small, somewhat subdued, but was still there.
Hopefully, this new flavor of glucose would garner an even bigger smile.
Without saying a word, 1146 handed the cup over to his friend.
At first, 3803 cocked her head to the side, but as she dipped the proffered spoon into the whipped cream, she asked, “Is this new flavor of glucose?” Eyes glimmering with excitement, she tentatively licked the cream and nearly moaned in delight at the sudden rush of flavor. “You shouldn’t spoil me so much, Mr. Neutrophil,” she lightly scolded.
1146 nodded, a smile of his own settling over his lips.
“In light of recent events—” 3803’s shoulders tightened almost imperceptibly. “—I think I should spoil you more often.”
In spite of herself, 3803 found herself biting out a laugh.
“What flavor is it by the way?”
“I never did quite ask, but I suppose it’ll add to the surprise.” 1146 surprised 3803 by patting her gently on the shoulder. “Enjoy… you definitely deserve it.”
3803 mulled over his words, her hand idly stirring the whipped cream further into the sweet treat.
The words that came out next were hesitant, but held the steady cadence of a cell who was resigned to her fate. She knew him too well at that point to know that he would let things be. It was almost concerning that he wasn’t hounding her for more information… “Will you… Do you want to talk about…”
1146 shook his head. “We don’t have to dig up the past if you don’t want to. I trust whatever boundaries you set up with NC. I trust that you’ll come to me if you’re ever in need of help. I trust you and I will keep on trusting you.” He paused, thinking hard before adding, “I’m grateful that you put your trust in me.”
For a moment, 3803 seemed stunned into silence before resolutely nodding.
“Thank you. For everything.”
She finally dug deep into her glucose, which allowed her spoon to sink deep into the treat while simultaneously garnishing her spoonful with whipped cream.
When she pulled it out, the red blood cell almost dropped it out of sheer amusement and irony.
The coloring was almost similar in hue and intensity like that of a former cancer cell’s eyes.
And when she tentatively licked the confection, she found the flavor to be reminiscent of that of limes.