The code system, something they created back during their Titan years. Sent when something was wrong. They had created it originally for Dick with Code Blue, meaning their Fearless-Leader was working himself too hard (named after Dick's unspoken favorite pillow from the couch in the Titan base).
It expanded over the years, still mostly due to Dick, but they have all had their own instances of the code being called.
Code Yellow: Low on vital life support (Wally was ACTUALLY starving or Garth wasn't getting enough water). Both situations happening more than once hence the code. Created after the first time Wally stopped eating because someone was bullying him at school.
Code Green: someone is sick. Used mostly for Dick and occasionally Roy. Dick got better over time, but it was a hard-won battle to get their leader to rest.
Code Seafoam Green: Someone was homesick (was mostly used for Garth or Donna). Named after a joke from Wally - later shortened to Code: SFG.
Code Red: hidden injury (again, usually Dick and occasionally Roy). Same vein as Code Green just for a different issue.
As they got older the code got a little more specific - a little bit darker.
Code: B - Bruce/Batman pulled some shit
Code Orange - Roy relapsed
Code S - Slade started skulking around
Code Lavender - Wally was having a "crisis" with the twins
Code Indigo - Wally was actually having a crisis with the twins
The list was long, some fun and some not so much. But it was the Titan way.
It started with a group text from Garth, between him, Wally, Roy, and Donna.
Tuesday 8:37pm
Fish-R-Us: Code Burgundy - D
Burgundy – named after the color of dried blood. Means kidnapping with signs of a struggle.
D for Dick Grayson.
Tuesday 8:37pm
Fast-N-Hungry:Where?
Fish-R-Us: Apt.
WonderTwin2: … (typing)
Fast-N-Hungry: OMW
WonderTwin2: … (typing)
Roy was a little concerned by Donna's continued typing but not actually sending.
Tuesday 8:38pm
Cupid:OWM
WonderTwin2: … (deleting)
He hit send, going for his closing to grab. Roy was testing his bow string when his phone buzzed again.
Tuesday 8:40pm
Fish-R-Us: I apologize Roy. This was sent to the wrong group chat.
WonderTwin2: Don't worry about it
WonderTwin2: We'll figure it out.
Cupid: What?
Cupid: Hello?
Cupid: Someone tell me what is going on.
WonderTwin2: … (typing)
Fish-R-Us: We will let you know if back up is required.
WonderTwin2:
Roy started calling them immediately, shooting off multiple text messages to both individual numbers and the group chat. He grew in hostility, as his temper – concern and frustration – bubbling under the surface. He worked himself up, packing his gear and taking his bike to the closest zeta tube. He kept the fire burning through the drive, pulling down the street to Dick's apartment building. He ripped the helmet off, ready to storm up the front steps only to come to a quick stop.
The apartment building was gone. The whole block was an empty hole, lined with a flimsy gate. The front steps of the building still stood; the top of the stairs blocked with a sheet plyboard, plastered with notices of condemnations dating back over a year.
The burning heat doused in cold dread. He pulled his phone out again, tapping out a message to the group chat. He typed out a few messages before settling on one.
Wednesday 1:01am
Cupid: What happened to Dick's building?
Donna flickered between typing and deleting a few times before Wally responded.
Wednesday 1:02am
Fast-N-Hungry: U there now?
Cupid: Yes
Roy felt the light breeze then the warm presence of Wally at his side. "What are you doing here, Roy?" he asked in greeting eyes towards the sky. His voice sounded cautious, but familiar making Roy realize just how long it has been.
He followed the speedsters gaze, to where Dick's window should have been. "What do you mean?" he growled, "Garth sent out a Code, and then I was told to ignore it. Why wouldn't I be here?"
"Because you were told to ignore it." Wally repeated back, "Because you haven't answered a code in months." He took a seat on the front steps. "Because you've made it very clear to all of us that you don't give two shit's about Dick. And by extent, you don't really care for the rest of us either." Wally shrugged, voice calm and steady. "You can pick one."
"I don't know-"
There was a flash of anger across Wally's face before smoothing out again, causing Roy to pause. It was a move they have all seen on Dick, but never from Wally.
"We aren't stupid." Wally continued, "Dick won't talk about it. Only says it's his fault. But that doesn't mean much." He waved a hand as if to say 'you know how it is'.
Roy does.
"You stopped showing at brunch. Stopped agreeing to plans or answering codes. You said on multiple occasions you won't go if Dick is there." Roy flinched at the harsh undertone of his friend's voice, "Dick stopped going for a while. Said you should be able to see your friends. But you still didn't want to show up. Donna ended up dragging him back."
Two blocks down a car alarm went off, stopping just as abrupt.
"I'm not going to make you tell me, dude." Wally said, he sounded tired now. "Our lives, in general and because of our choices, are probably going to be short. I don't want to spend it fighting with people I consider my family. I would listen if you wanted too," he added.
Roy avoided eye contact but could feel Wally's gaze. He took a few tentative steps towards the steps and took a seat at the other man's side. "You know, I don't remember what started it." He glanced around at the street, rubbing his sweaty palms on his knees. "I don't think I was completely sober," Roy admitted in a whisper. "We got into an argument. He took up the cape. You and Donna were gone. Garth was off in Atlantis."
Wally scooted a little closer, not touching, but just enough that Roy could feel some of his body heat.
"We got into an argument that just escalated. We've always been good at hitting below the belt."
Wally snorted, muttering something that sounded like "understatement".
"We just stopped talking for a while," Roy ignored him. "I ended up with Jason and Kory working together as the Outlaws. Things just kept going from there."
Wally cringed, "Jason and Dick have a difficult relationship," he translated, "And Kory will always be a complicated, sore spot for him."
"Then Dick died," Roy continued, "And I realized my younger brother was gone. I didn't get my head out of my ass long enough to fix that bridge."
"But he is back." Wally said, frowning again in confusion.
Roy was standing again, fists clenched at his sides. "He faked his death." Roy hissed. "He put us all through hell to go off on a little adventure. He lied to us. Lied to his family. I had to watch Jason fall apart after 'died' and after he came back." His chest was heaving. "After everything he still pulls a Bruce. Puts the mission before us."
Wally's frown grew this entire time, just his expression was thunderous. "Go home, Roy." He said standing himself. He dusted off his pants, attempting to school his features into something a little less furious. "We found him. He'll be fine eventually."
"Wait, Wally?" Roy tried to grab the other's arm, but he easily dodged out of the way.
"I promised Dick I wouldn't turn this into an argument." Wally said with a slow, calming breath. "It's the reason Donna isn't here. And I beat out Garth because I'm faster and he's better with medical." He took another in and out. "But man, if you think Dick Grayson would ever willingly put the mission before his family, then you clearly don't know him."
The certainty in Wally's voice caught any argument in Roy's throat. His heart was pounding, something nagging at the back of his mind. Wally was watching him again, He could see something in his face, not that Roy knew what. The other man placed a hand on Roy's shoulder.
"Go home, Roy." Wally said again, giving his shoulder a small squeeze. "If you're still up for it, we can talk later when it isn't so late."
Roy nodded, letting Wally herd him back to his bike.
"Roy," Wally called, just before he could start the bike. He looked hesitant. "Just think about everything. And remember we have Code B for a reason." He waited just long enough for Roy to nod, before disappearing down the street.
Roy drove home, head buzzing. He dumped his gear at the door, stripping shoes and pants on his way to bed. He collapsed in nothing but his boxers and shirt.
Wally's voice looped in his head.
If you think Dick Grayson would ever willingly put the mission before his family, then you clearly don't know him.
Remember we have Code B for a reason.
Dick Grayson would ever willingly put the mission before his family
We have Code B for a reason.
Willingly put the mission before his family.
We have Code B.
Willingly
Code B