Work Text:
“You’re getting that stupid look on your face again,” U-4989 commented as he took a sip of tea. The young neutrophil, while not as well seasoned as his superiors, looked rather professional as he watched U-1146 curl his fingers around the glass with enough force that if he didn’t intervene, would surely shatter from the grip alone. Seeing that his comment wasn’t eliciting any reaction, the neutrophil added, “She’s a grown cell, you know? And we’re in good territory right now. No sense in getting all protective over her.”
At that, 1146 sent a glare in his junior’s direction. Despite the coolness of such a glance, 4989 could clearly make out a healthy dosing of pink dusting over the curve of his cheeks. Hiding his smile behind his glass, 4989 continued to reprimand 1146.
“I’m serious, 1146! Just because she looks really good dressed as a hostess doesn’t mean that she’s going to lose her head and actually fall for a few compliments here and there.” Unless it’s from you , 4989 couldn’t help but think.
“That’s not the issue,” 1146 groused. The older neutrophil had long since abandoned his drink in favor of watching his favorite red blood cell practically dance around the tables, her past experience delivering oxygen and nutrients to and fro all over the body serving her well as she expertly navigated the small space. Because she didn’t need to memorize an area as ginormous as the body, she had taken to waitressing like a platelet learning how to clot. It seemed so effortless and natural for her, a far cry from the young erythrocyte fresh out the bone marrow she had been only cycles ago.
4989 raised a brow, as if asking his friend and colleague to further elaborate.
Not that 4989 needed to know the answer—he already did. It was more for the benefit of his superior because despite his intelligence… 1146 wasn’t at all inclined towards the emotional side of things.
1146 growled a little under his breath, his eyes somewhat darkening with something that he didn’t want to name, but could easily feel as he watched AE-3803 easily smile and welcome a compliment from a male hepatocyte. “A job well done!” the hepatocyte had said before gently patting 3803 on the shoulder. And while such an action would have not elicited any reaction from 1146 on any other given day, it was the response to that touch that had 1146 seeing red.
She seemed to move closer to the male hepatocyte and smiled—smiled!—up at him sweetly before thanking him profusely for his kind words.
Bah!
It was not in his nature to feel jealousy, but 1146 couldn’t shake the feeling that if he didn’t intervene or say something, he would surely either lose control of himself or her.
And those two options were not at all acceptable.
The entire time, as 1146 brooded over his drink and continued to glance after his favorite red blood cell with sad eyes, 4989 couldn’t help but notice that 3803 was sending furtive glances in their direction. Although sparse at the beginning of their evening, 3803 had begun to glance worriedly every so often, especially since 1146 looked like he was only seconds away from turning tail and running away to the nearest abrasion so he could fight his feelings away (physically and emotionally). 3803 would have attended to them earlier, but she had other tables to wait and seeing that the liver was somewhat understaffed at the moment (hence the reason why a friend requested her assistance), she couldn’t go to their table as of yet.
Fortunately, after wiping down a table and seating new customers, 3803 found herself walking towards her friends’ table. However, before she could finally ask why 1146 looked so pouty all of a sudden, another customer nearest her began to call for her attention. Holding back a sigh, the young red blood cell pasted a bright expression on her face and asked if they required assistance.
The customer blushed at her smile, but managed to say, “Hey, I heard that your shift will end soon before you start delivering oxygen again. Do you mind if I join you?”
Now, 1146 wasn’t privy to 3803’s conversation with the customer, but he was well aware of the fact that their faces were way too close together… and that 3803 had a look on her face that seemed as if she were contemplating something… That couldn’t be good. A gentle hand on his shoulder stopped 1146 from rising out of his seat, a subconscious decision on 1146’s part.
Just as suddenly as the client had spoken to 3803 did she laugh—a little too loudly and at a volume that had half of the rest of the customers glancing over in confusion—before she seemed to shake her head. Crestfallen, the customer bashfully looked away before chuckling a little before 3803 retreated back to the table where the neutrophils sat.
Once 3803 doubled back to the table, 1146 stood up (totally ignoring 4989’s amused glance) and hugged 3803 close to his chest. Somewhat shocked, 3803 blinked before wrapping her arms around 1146’s waist, her head gently leaning back as she looked up at his downtrodden face.
“Mr. Neutrophil? What’s wrong?”
1146 looked down at her, his bangs brushing up against the side of his face so that both of his eyes were bare to hers to view.
“I, er… I just wanted to congratulate you on your work ethic!” Embarrassed now by his actions, the neutrophil tried to pull away only to be stopped by the tight grasp that 3803 had on his person. He looked down only to find a mischievous look on her cute features, her golden eyes narrowed in a coy, but searching fashion.
“There’s no need to be jealous; I’ll always come back to you.”
1146 coughed.
“J-jealous!”
4989 couldn’t help but butt in at that point. “Yeah, 1146, you were totally acting jealous this entire time. Admit it.”
As 1146’s face continued to pinken from the laughter abounding from both of his closest friends, 3803 pulled him close so that his forehead touched hers before she leaned in and pressed a kiss against his temple.
“Happy now?” She whispered.
1146 didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.