It didn't take him long, partially because he was never far away. He had known about Wally's condition ever since the beginning, helping the younger adolescent hide it from the others. He could never forget the night he found out, the sight of Wally – completely desperate, horrified and afraid of losing everything. It was Roy, not the others, who listened to him.

Somehow, Roy felt like he was now responsible for him. It didn't help that he cared for him like a kid brother, but he tried not to think of it more than needed. Storming through Mt. Justice heading straight for the Sick Bay, he ignored the group and strode past – doing what he could to block out the idea that their reaction was what made Aqualad call in the favor.

Swinging open the doors, he knew instantly he was needed. "You can leave, Aqualad. I'll handle it from here." Taking a seat beside the bed, he waited until the door was closed before moving onto the bed beside Wally, snaking his arm around his shoulder.

"What happened?"

"…Roy, I'm…I'm not even real, am I?"

Rage surged through him as he pulled Wally's head against his shoulder, whispering reassurances as much for his friend as it was for himself, "You're more real, Wallace, than anyone I know. You're true to yourself no matter what skin you're in."

The shudder of sobs wracked the body of the fastest boy alive – tearing down the carefully built walls of Red Arrow. He waited a while, stroking the auburn hair and attempting to calm him as best he could. With much difficulty and small breaks in between, Kid Flash finally explained everything.

"You just…you didn't see the look he gave me – like I wasn't…like I…was a monster. Like I was some creature that completely replaced his friend. Like…I just-"

Roy pulled him closer still, his chin resting on top of his head.

"You're not a monster, Wally. You're you and that's all that matters. So just…don't cry anymore. You know I suck at this sappy crap, so just let me rage for a little bit and everything will work out, alright?"

His chuckle was only a half sob, but he knew Wally couldn't help that. Looking sheepishly at Roy, he nodded. Roy flipped open his phone, texted Aqualad and waited for his return so he could have a little…heart to heart with Robin and the team.

The door slammed open, startling the occupants as Red Arrow barreled in. Silenced, everyone knew that something was about to go down.

"You!"

He rushed at Robin, grabbing the smaller boy and slamming him against the wall so high that they were eye level and Robin's feet dangled helplessly in the air.

"It took me months trying to convince him that you wouldn't hate him if you found out he was only part organic! I was so close to convincing him to confess and all that effort was for nothing!"

Robin was horrified as he realized that Roy was truly pissed, holding him up like a rag doll with no hope for escape.

"I have been the only person there for him since this whole mess began; I've dried his tears, comforted him when he was afraid and listened to his every worry. He was sobbing, trying so hard not to vibrate through the bed and me just now! You treating him like a monster has destroyed years – YEARS - of progress!"

For emphasis, Roy slammed Robin into the wall before dropping him and walking away. At the door he cocked his head to the side, not even bothering to look back as he addressed the group as a whole.

"You may claim that he's part of your little team, but it's obvious that you don't deserve him. From now on, he's mine."

The door violently slammed behind him as the group didn't bother giving him a reply. Looking at one another, they all knew he was right, but the feeling of betrayal was still fresh in their hearts.

Aqualad knew how it all was going to go down as he sat with a reassuring arm around Kid Flash. Despite his knowledge of his friend's condition, the younger teen seemed frail under his arm then. He ruffled Wally's hair a little as he listened to Roy outside the door take a few deep breaths to calm himself.

"Everything will turn out for the best."

"Right…"

Roy walked in, a forced smile spread across his face that only Aqualad seemed to notice. Nodding in Aqualad's direction, he said, "I'll be taking Kid Flash for the time being."

"Has it been author-"

"I contacted Green Arrow, he knows where to find me."

Nodding for a second time, he squeezed Wally's shoulder one last time before standing and walking towards the exit. He stopped only for a second, shooting a warning glance at Roy before saying, "You will take care of my comrade."

"Better than you have."

Patting Red Arrow's shoulder, he exited the room. Roy turned to Wally, smiling a little more genuinely before saying, "Pack your bags, you're gonna be crashing at my place for now."