It was the only place he could think to go. He felt so stupid. So stupid for not paying attention and being out longer than intended. He’d left the hotel they normally crash at to fetch some supplies and dinner while he was at it. Alphonse told not to be out too long because it was getting late and it’s not wise for either one of them to be out alone. Edward got distracted by the street vendors. Again.
The rain hit in an instant and it dropped him where he stood. The bag of food and other supplies he’d picked up tumbled from his hands when he hit his knees. A man called out to him when he went down. A kind older man rushing over to him with his wife - they helped the boy to his feet again started trying to gather the things he’d dropped. But Edward was clenching his teeth and holding his right shoulder as he stood there for a moment.
It was just rain - he could handle this. There was a very short conversation that involved Edward reassuring the couple that he was fine and thanking them for gathering his things. But he was dizzy and the nausea was creeping in now, so he asked them what street he was on before the started trying to figure out what his options were.
Al would knock him one if he pushed himself when he didn’t have to. Command was too far away and it was after hours there would be no one there to care for him. Besides he wanted the number of people who knew about this bullshit problem to stay as small as possible. So that left him with little options. Hawkeye knew but her apartment was too far away and he’d have to do a lot of backtracking to get to Al. So that left one option.
His arm was both screaming in pain and shaking as he raised his automail to wrap on the Colonel’s door. Please answer. He’s soaked through at this point. He’s freezing and that is the only saving grace that has prevented him from emptying his stomach on the street. But he’s nauseous and dizzy - dizzy really wasn’t the word - vertigo sounded better.
There’s a look of relief on his face when the elder comes to the sound of his knocking, but it’s instantly washed away by shame - the shame that he has to deal with him at his absolute weakest. The Colonel researched it but that didn’t mean Edward wanted him to know how much it wrecked him.
He’s looking off to the side as he enters, unwilling to look his Commanding Officer in the eyes but the first and only order is to lay down and he’s glad to obey. The teen is walking oddly, dragging his left side with a noticeable limp as he stumbles his way inside. Edward stands for a moment, still and silent - trying to catch his breath from the walking; making a puddle where he stands when he wobbles in place and falls forward. He tries to catch himself but he’s on the ground again faster than he cares for. Everything is spinning too fast to really keep himself up and he doesn’t have it in himself to care that he just dropped that damn bag for the second time today.
Instead he just lays there, panting for a moment before he stubbornly pushes himself off the ground to a setting position so he can take off his boots. He fights with the Colonel daily but he’s not rude enough to make a mess of his home. Even more so in a situation like this.
Can everything just stop spinning?!
There’s a look on his face that speaks of both his pain and his sorrow. Blond stuck to his cheeks, tear stains mixed with the rain on his face. His eyes were red and irradiated around the rims.
“Sorry....” He speaks quietly. “ ... to bother you... I’ll leave as soon as I can.”
Stubbornness ran strong in him as he forced himself to his feet and sat his boots by the door. Gold looks to the elder for a moment before they look away again in shame.
“Where can I lay down, Sir?”
