TW for the chapter: None.
So, when I was writing this chapter, it occured to me that even with super healing, there should still be scars, since Barry heals just like us, just much faster. Logically, since we scar, he should too. We just heal much slower, that's why most people think Barry can't scar. But he still should. This will be important for later chapters.
Joe ran upstairs to check on Barry. Barry seemed a little off when he came downstairs, after all. What he didn't expect though, was the small droplets of blood in the hallway. Or, he assumed it was blood. It was red, and smelled kind of metallic, and if the lights were off he wouldn't have seen it at all. Joe didn't know what to think of that as he went to Barry's room.
He went in Barry's room, not knowing what to expect. He wasn't surprised at Barry sleeping, though you would think he would've gotten all the way on his bed, not just his upper body. He was wearing completely different clothes than when he came downstairs. Or, a different sweatshirt and a different pair of pants. If it weren't late winter, he'd be concerned that Barry would get overheated.
"Barr?" He shook Barry, who didn't respond. He tried again. This time, Barry moved his head towards Joe.
His face was tear-streaked. Barry had been crying. Barry noticed that Joe noticed, and rubbed his eyes, hoping to get rid of any evidence that he'd been crying.
"You ok Barr?" Barry nodded his head, though it was obvious he was lying.
"Come with me." Joe wrapped his arm around Barry, who subtly tugged his sleeves down as he got up. They walked downstairs, Joe telling Iris and Wally that they'd be right back.
The two walked all the way to Big Belly Burger, not saying a word. Barry needed some silent comforting, and it was painfully obvious with what he saw at dinner.
They got a booth and sat down. "Talk to me Barr. What's wrong?" Joe asked. He had a gut instinct that it was more than Iris forgetting about him at dinner, and when it came to his kids, his gut was never wrong.
"Nothing, I'm fine," Barry said, eyes on the table.
"Barry, I've been a cop for over 20 years, you think I can't tell when you're lying? Something's up Barr, and I need you to tell me what."
It was clear to Barry that Joe wasn't taking no for an answer, but he didn't know how to say anything. He knew Joe meant well when it came to Wally, and he was busy at work most of the time, but with Iris cancelling everything, and Team Flash ignoring him, not noticing his presence when he was there. He could just tell Joe that, it would kill him to hear that it was mostly everyone ignoring him for Wally.
"I just... kinda feel out of place, you know?" He said. "With team Flash I mean." Joe raised an eyebrow.
"Like when I'm there, no one acknowledges my presence, and I come home to being forgotten, it just makes me feel like I don't matter," he said. He didn't mention Wally, so he felt good about not hurting Joe's feelings.
Or so he thought.
"There's more. It's about Wally, isn't it?" Joe asked.
Well shit.
"Joe, ever since Christmas, Iris has been blowing me off to be with Wally, when we're not at work, you're with him or trying to tell me about him, and I feel like he can't stand me. I feel like he thinks the family would be better without me, and I'm starting to think that he might not be such a bad idea." God, it felt so good to get that off.
"Barry look at me. You will always be a part of this family, and I don't care what Wally thinks. He's just going to have to deal with it, because you are as much of a son to me as he is, blood be damned, and don't you ever think otherwise." Joe said firmly. "Now, I can talk to Iris-"
"No Joe, I'll do that, when I'm ready." Barry said.
They got their food and ate, and Joe didn't fail to notice the bandages that showed when Barry reached up to put a burger in his mouth. He'd have to ask about that later, but now didn't seem like an appropriate time. Instead, they just enjoyed each other's company, and Joe was just glad Barry felt comfortable enough to open up to him.