When a whumpee promises they can stand, and the effort commences - the wobbly legs holding their weight, the shaking hands pressing to something for support, leaning against the wall, almost sliding right back down.
“I’m fine really”, Teddy panted, pushing off the ground to try and stand. He had to prove he was okay- that he could hold his own, that he wasn’t a deadweight. He was a leader. He could show no weakness.
“You don’t look fine...” Jace said. “Let me help-“
“No! No I’m okay. I’ve got this.” He used the wall to hoist himself up and almost cried out from the strain it put on his ankle. He bit his lip and leaned his forehead against the wall, unwilling to give up but not wanting to put anymore weight on his foot then he needed too. “J-just give me a minute.”
“We don’t have a minute Ted.” Jace turned and collected the case they were supposed to return to base. He heard a grunt and the sound of a body hitting the floor and turned around sharply. “Ted? Teddy?”
He rushed to his younger friend who was now laying on the floor. He knelt down. “Hey- I thought you said it wasn’t that bad.” He tried to help him up but he recoiled in horror when he felt something hot and sticky on his hand. “Dammit Teddy.”