Barnacles landed on his feet from the Octochute. He crouched down after landing, took a deep breath, and stood up.

Over there, on the other side of the ground area of the Launch Bay, he saw Tweak amongst the Gups. The Gup A was raised on metal supports, allowing Tweak to be under it to fix it.

He needed to do something about this, to calm his fears and paranoia, to make sure that it was actually okay between himself and the others.

Taking another inconspicuous breath, Barnacles stepped forward.

"H-Hey Tweak," the polar bear said, before forcing himself to calm down. What was wrong with him? It should be easy to talk to Tweak, or to any of the others, really. He just wanted to know the truth, and the rabbit would definitely be the one who wouldn't lie to him. He figured everyone else wouldn't either (maybe), but Tweak's love for integrity and truth would help with this situation.

He knew he was being stupid and silly. Of course everyone cared about him. What, after all the missions they've been through, all the times they've hung out, all the pats on the back, the way everyone admired his strength, fearlessness, leadership-

But was that the only reason why they cared about him? Because he was good at what he did?

"Hey, Cap," Tweak said chipperly, pulling out slightly from underneath the Gup to look at him.

He forced his voice to become normal. "What are you working on, Tweak?"

"The Gup A's taken a pretty nasty beating from the Incident," Tweak replied, going under the vehicle again and continuing to work. "The main parts of the battery are a bit weak from the strain, and I'll have to be pretty careful. One wrong move, and it'll start falling apart."

"If I'll be in your way, then I'll just-"

"You don't have to do that, Cap. I can multitask when I want to," Tweak chuckled, and it put his heart slightly at ease. "What's up?"

"Nothing in particular; just checking how everyone is," Barnacles lied. Why do you have to be such a scared, useless-

"Well, I'm glad you stopped on by," Tweak said. While Barnacles couldn't see her face, her tone got softer. "I haven't really seen you that much since you woke up. You gave us all quite a scare, you did."

"I hope I'll be back in shape soon, and that it'll all go back to the way it was," Barnacles said.

"That would be nice," Tweak smiled through her voice. "But you won't be pampered as much by the Vegimals though."

Barnacles chuckled, and before he could really think, asked, "Say, Tweak..."

Tweak looked up at him, "Yes, Cap?"

"Um... What do you guys think of me?" Barnacles asked, finally getting it out. "I mean, all of you guys. Peso, Shellington, Inkling..." It was a silly question; he shouldn't have asked.

What was he so afraid of?

Tweak tilted her head to the side, thinking a little. Barnacles wasn't sure what she felt about the questions, but he kept a neutral face.

"Well, you're definitely brave, can think quicker that a snake's strike, and extremely strong, not just in body but in mind and character as well."

Barnacles liked her words, but the anxiety didn't go away. It didn't answer his question.

"And if I wasn't those things?" Barnacles asked. He tried to keep it as nonchalant as possible.

It took less than a moment for Tweak to answer. "You wouldn't be you," she responded, going with the first thing that came to mind.

Tweak went back under the Gup, not seeing how Barnacle's eyes widened.

"I can't imagine you like that, to tell you the truth," Tweak carried on, fiddling with the wrench, not noticing how a part of Barnacles crumbled, how he started to fall apart.

"By the way, why do you ask?"

Barnacles looked at her sadly, a part of him gone. But he kept his voice level.

"No reason, no reason at all."

He was in the bathroom again, door locked. Although it was day time, he didn't want to be near the window in his room right now.

No, that can't be right, he thought, leaning against the sink.

But the evidence was right in front of him. But then again, all the times they spent together, all the times they played ping pong, or told stories, or made music. Would they truly reject him after all of that? But then again, what qualified him to join the Octonauts anyway? His strength, leadership, calmness. But he definitely wasn't calm now. He was being weak, spineless, useless... Stop it; calm down, Barnacles, he chided himself, shutting his eyes. He only allowed himself to show that much of his emotions because he was alone.

He was alarmed that he was so shaken. Sure, he had been afraid before. Who wouldn't, with all of missions and dangerous situations he had been through. But fear had never taken such a hold of him. It was unnatural. Yet, and at this his spirits sank, this was the first time something truly terrible had happened. It was like the magic had disappeared, the feeling of invincibility. And with it, his confidence and bravery. He felt that something was taken from him when he was attacked.

And now, what about everyone else? Would they accept him? He thought it was silly, not right, to ask. After all, they had been through so what Tweak said-

And then, his own sister, Bianca. What was the first thing that his niece and nephew saw him as? Brave and strong. His sister had told them that, made them view him only as such-

But that's not fair, he thought. He had thought it flattering at the time, played along with it, carried his niece and nephew on his back to show how strong he was. What alternative should Bianca have said? Should she not have said anything about their uncle? Should she have insulted him in front of them? No, she did nothing wrong.

It's me, he thought, and he lowered his head. Because he used to be strong, he used to be brave; but now he was slipping. He was less than the standard he himself had subconsciously set up over the years, ever since he was a child. After all, all the compliments happened after he was doing amazing things, facing danger without a wince, leading others when needed. If they became disappointed by what he was now, then it was his fault.

I need to get better, he thought, before I slip even more. He'll fix himself before they could ever find out and get disappointed.

He'd make sure of that.