Barry feels something and it does Not feel good.
Characters Rea, Allen, Barry (Nuzlock'd)
Completed: Spring 2023 , posted January 11 2026
Word Count: 1,165
Content Warnings: intense emotions
i wrote this back when we were really locked in on exploring barry's character due to how many things like these scenes lead to the galactic arc. this was more focused on it just being like a sick combo of rsd and ptsd. i considered writing more at points leading up to him having a panic attack once it happens again.
Barry wasn't used to feeling so agitated. The fiery feeling in his chest upon and wanting to lash out? It was new. And he wished he could go back before it came to him.
It happened one day when Rea had a bad day at work. She came home in silence, paying Barry no mind except for a dull “hey”.
He hadn't caught on to her whole ordeal, expecting hugs and kisses as usual. Watching as she walked past him made him freak out a bit at first. Did he do something wrong? Was she upset at him?
He followed behind her like a lost puppy, expecting an eventual smile and kiss from her like a normal day, but he got nothing as she walked into her room and sat on her bed.
Huh.
He felt a weird tingling feeling in his stomach as he swallowed his pride.
“Rea?” He asked at the doorway, feeling like he wasn't allowed to set foot in.
“Huh? Yes, hi Barry.” Rea looked up at him tiredly with a weak smile that faded as quickly as she said his name.
“Are…you okay?” He mumbled, feeling worse.
“Uh, I don't know. I had a long day. I'm sorry. I just need some time alone if that's okay.” Rea stared blankly.
Oh.
“Oh. Okay. Uh, I'll talk to you later then.”
“Thank you.” She lied down and covered herself with her blankets.
Feeling a giant frown form on his face, he closed her bedroom door and moped down the hallway. Rea had never before done that to him. Her day must have really been terrible for her to not even give him a hug. Something inside of him wanted to be mad at her, but he knew that was irrational because she really wasn't seeming like she was doing too well herself.
But how was that fair…?
He felt his sadness turning into anger with each step, urging him to walk back to her room and ask what was going on. But he shook it off and decided to go sit outside instead.
After about 30 minutes of lying peacefully in the grass, he met the eyes of Allen staring down at him in confusion.
“Are you photosynthesizing?” He joked.
“Yes.” He responded stalely. “Where are you going?”
“In the house to chat with Rea. I take it that's why you're out here.”
Barry sat up.
“What's wrong with her? She brushed me off today. Like not even a hug.”
“She ate shit at work and broke some of Rowan's equipment. She needs a pick me up, quite literally.”
“She didn't say anything about that to me…” Barry frowned, feeling heat rise back in his chest.
“She's probably still embarrassed about what happened since she cried in front of some NORA representatives. If it were me, I would hide in my room, too.” He snorted. “You should know Rea by now. She hid breaking her ankle from me out of embarrassment. When something is up, she's gonna be silent.”
As Allen walked in the house, Barry felt himself grow even more upset than he felt earlier. She could have at least told him something bad happened at work; he would have gave her a hug and support on the matter so she wouldn’t be moping in her room alone.
Huffing under his breath, he stood up and decided to go for a walk. It didn’t seem like he was needed around anyways.
It was about night time when Barry finally returned to the Nuzlock’d home. After letting himself in the door, he found Rea sitting at the kitchen counter drinking chocolate milk as she stared at the TV.
“Hi Beeb.” She squeaked from the stool. “I was wondering when you were coming back.”
Barry squinted at her. “Oh, so you’re talking now…”
“...Uh…yes. I guess.” Rea sat down her cup. “That’s one way of saying hi back.”
Scoffing, the boy plopped down on the couch, unable to shake the off feeling from earlier. He shoved his hands in his jacket and stared at the TV with a scowl. She was acting like nothing was wrong, as if she didn’t ignore him the entire day because she fell at work.
“Are…you…pouting?”
“I don’t know, am I?”
“Wow, you’re being a spicy meatball. What the hell did I do?”
Barry turned around to face her. “You brushed me off so hard today, dude. I thought I screwed up but I had to hear from Allen it was over you falling at work? Why didn’t you just tell me that?”
Rea blinked, slightly startled. “Because I...didn’t want to tell you. I really wanted to just keep what happened to myself because it’s like, really embarrassing. And not something I want my boyfriend to giggle in my face about.”
“Who said I was gonna laugh at you about it?”
“Uh, you've previously lost your shit when you heard about me falling so I just didn’t want to risk the extra salt in the wound.” Rea scratched her head. “Not that it’s a big deal, but I just didn’t want that today, y’know.”
Barry sat quietly for a moment before turning back around. He tried to recall every time he laughed at Rea (which there were many) and sighed defeatedly. Suppose there was a real reason for him being brushed off, it didn’t erase the way it made him feel. He felt so small and forgotten. The swirling in the stomach wouldn’t go away, nor the little voice in his head that Rea would just hide more from him.
“Barry?”
“...what?”
Rea was leaning over the couch to face him. “You still seem very upset. I’m sorry for upsetting you. It wasn’t my intent to sour your day with my mishaps.”
“Ugh, you don’t have to apologize.” He sighed.
“You’re making me feel I have no other choice than to.” Rea muttered.
Meeting her eye, he felt guilty. Awful, even. He knew it wasn’t fair to be mad at her. She had a bad day, for Arceus’s sake, and he was throwing a fit because he didn’t get a hug.
“Sorry.” He whispered. “I don’t know what’s going on with me. I guess I feel more sensitive than usual or something…”
Rea’s face softened. “Is there anything I could do to help?”
“I don’t know. A hug? I guess.” He fiddled with his pants leg, staring down.
Rea sat next to him before wrapping her arms around him tightly. She laid her head on his shoulder and gave him a good squeeze.
Barry sat there for a moment before returning the hug. It certainly helped. He laid his head on her shoulder in return, resting there for a moment.
“Thanks.” He whispered.
“You’re so cute.” Rea snickered, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be sure to give you a hug even when I’m grumpy, okay? If it keeps you from being spicy.”
“That’d be appreciated.” He chuckled weakly.