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Huh?
Was it time for her medicine already?
AE-3803 blinked sleepily up at her visitor, her eyes still somewhat groggy from her lack of rest. She had been expecting NT-4201 or AA-5100, but the figure who hunched over her was too pale, too white, and simply too concerned for it to be any of her erythrocyte coworkers. With all of that information in mind, the red blood cell deeply sighed before gesturing for U-1146 (because if this wasn’t him, she was going to eat her hat) to come closer so that she could whisper in his ear.
“W-what is it, Miss Red Blood Cell?” 1146 asked in concern. At such a close proximity, the red blood cell became all too aware of 1146’s warmth nearly overpowering her senses. Normally, she would have been more than comfortable with his presence, but—
She pushed him away gently, but firmly.
“Too hot,” she murmured as a way of explanation as she felt the betrayal in his puppy dog eyes. As a way to indirectly apologize for her actions, she said, “I appreciate your being here, Mr. Neutrophil, but…”
Her eyes roved over the rest of her neatly kept, but somewhat cramped apartment. Nothing was out of place (as expected since 5100 and 4201 normally looked after her), but her two best erythrocyte friends were nowhere to be found.
Curious now and somewhat worried, she tried to rise up from her bed, but 1146 stilled her movements by placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
“They’re fine.” 1146 fluffed the pillows that were positioned behind and around 3803, careful not to jostle her too much. “Miss NT-4201 and AA-5100, right?”
3803 warmed a little knowing that the neutrophil also knew her friends. It was a small detail, but it made her happy knowing that most everyone she knew were getting along.
“Have you seen them?” She paused to cough. “Usually when I’m sick, one or both of them are here… but you are…” She studied his eyes before the light of comprehension dawned in her eyes. This time, her attempts to rise and leave the bed were fruitful, which baffled the neutrophil.
“What are you doing? You’re sick!”
“But you’re here!” The young red blood cell raced around her apartment. She flung open her drawers and closet door before retrieving a neatly ironed uniform. Despite her practiced movements, her breathing was labored and she managed to stub her toe no less than three times before the neutrophil gathered her up in his arms and then dumped her on the bed.
She gave a low oomph before glaring at 1146.
“You’re here, which means that something must be wrong with them!”
Despite her narrowed eyes, 1146 could see that his dear friend was only a few staggered breaths from tears. He knelt on one knee and held up his hands in a placating manner as if to ask that she hear him out first before rushing out.
“They’re fine. There have been no bacterial invasions or parasitic attacks lately. I, uh…” Here, 1146 rubbed the back of his in embarrassment, not at all sure that he should tell her what he had done, but knowing that he would have to do so eventually. “I decided to help out with your recovery.”
There was something more to this, 3803 knew, but she was too relieved to press.
“Oh, I guess I overreacted.” She laughed before flopping back on her bed. “Sorry about that, Mr. Neutrophil! I’m truly happy that you’re here, though.”
“No need to be sorry. I would have done the same if our roles were reversed.”
She hummed before lazily opening her eyes to watch him carefully.
“But how did you manage it? 4201’s schedule is packed so that’s self-explanatory,” she tapped a finger against her chin before canting her head to the side, “but 5100 would rather give up an arm and a leg to leave me alone while like this.”
1146 coughed.
“Mr. Neutrophil!”
“I… I might have kicked her out.” He averted his gaze when he found that her eyes were a bit too piercing for his liking. “Forcefully… B-but, I owe her a few cones of glucose!”
3803 blinked.
“Well, as long as they’re both okay and if you’re okay?”
1146 nodded, relieved that 3803 wasn’t going to kick up too much of a fuss.
Honestly, she had been expecting worse from her mentor, but she was still thankful that her neutrophil friend still cared. Relaxing into her mountain of fluffiness and warmth, she closed her eyes and eagerly embraced the cloying darkness of sleep.
However, there was one thing that crept into her consciousness…
There was a reason why she woke up so suddenly and it wasn’t because 1146’s face was somewhat closer than what she was accustomed to.
No…
It was because—
She sat up straight, nearly whining from her sudden movement that gave birth to a headache. 1146 jumped back in surprise, but 3803 was having none of his questions.
“Do you have my medication?” Her eyes roved over her kitchen table and counters, as if trying to see where her bottle of pills was supposed to be standing. “5100 mentioned that she was going to refill my prescription a few hours ago. Do you have it?”
If possible, 1146’s pallor became all the more pale and stark white.
“Oh… will tea not work in this instance?”