He should've known better by now. After being nearly killed, scarred for life, and threatened more than once, he really should've learned that one should always knock before entering. He should've passed the knowledge on to Robin too. He should've convinced him that this was not a good idea.

But Robin had a way of making anything sound like a good idea. So when his best friend suggested that they break into Roy's apartment and party with him like the good old days, Wally didn't argue. In fact, he agreed wholeheartedly. After all, Roy had been a real grump lately; he needed to lighten up. And a surprise all-night gaming marathon was just the ticket.

"I've analyzed the entire layout," Robin said as he studied at his holoscreen. "That window there is the best point of entry."

Wally clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "Mwahaha! This will be epic. No one can resist the dynamic gaming duo of Kid Flash and Robin!"

"Why do I get second billing?" Robin muttered as he pulled out his grappling gun.

"Because anyone can be as awesome as Batman when they have 'and Robin' tacked onto the end of their name."

Robin just rolled his eyes before grabbing Wally's wrist and jumping off the edge of the roof. Wally held his breath and shut his eyes. He hated the feeling he got when he was midair, swinging on nothing more than a rope, only Robin's strength keeping him from certain death. His heart dropped into his stomach as the arced back up. Robin flung him forward, letting him go. Wally landed ungracefully on the rooftop of Roy's building. Robin dropped gently beside him, stifling a giggle.

"I hate you," Wally growled.

Robin smirked and shrugged. "Come on, epic gaming night awaits." Robin hooked a line on the edge of the roof a rappelled down the side of the building until he came to Roy's window. Wally grabbed the line and slid down it, stopping just above the other sidekick. Robin pulled something out of his utility belt and soon, the window silently opened.

Robin looked up and grinned at him before stepping onto the window ledge. Wally joined him and brought a finger to his lips. "Shh… One, two, three." Together, the burst into Roy's room.

"Honey, we're-"

Wally's announcement died in his throat when he caught sight of Roy. The other ginger was seated in a chair on the other side of the room, his shirt off. There was a tourniquet tied around his upper arm and he grasped a needle in his other hand.

"Wha… wha…" Wally couldn't form any words. His brain was stuck on the fact that his good friend was going to inject himself with… just what the heck was he injecting into himself? Wally didn't want to consider too many options.

Roy looked up in surprise, his eyes growing wide. "What the- what are you guys doing-"

Suddenly, Robin stepped forward, hand going to his utility belt as if he were about to pull a birdarang out at any moment. "Drop it. Now," Robin growled, his voice low and deadly.

Roy jumped to his feet. "Don't tell me what to do, Boy Wonder. You have no idea-"

Wally's mind suddenly got past its road block and as fast as he could, he ran towards Roy and swiped the needle out of his hand. Before anyone could blink, he was back at Robin's side.

"What is this?" Wally demanded, mimicking Robin's Bat-tone.

Roy narrowed his eyes. "None of your damn business. Now give it back and leave."

"Not a chance. Here, Rob." Wally handed to needle over to Robin.

Robin held it up and inspected it. "Don't," Robin warned. Wally looked back at Roy to see he had grabbed his bow and arrow and had it aimed at Robin.

"I won't have to if you leave now," Roy shot back, pulling his bowstring back a little more.

Robin ignored him and shot a bit of the contents of the needle out onto his glove. "Analyze," he said. There was a moment where none of them moved, the only sound was Roy's angry, heavy breathing. Robin suddenly tensed. "Seriously, Roy?"

"What? What is it?" Wally asked, keeping a wary eye on Roy's arrow. He wouldn't really shoot them, would he?

"Why Roy?" Robin asked, ignoring Wally.

"Like I said, none of your damn business. Now don't make me shoot you."

"I doubt you could even if you wanted," Robin scoffed. "Been a while since your last hit? Bet the shakes throw off your aim. You'd just hit the wall. Or maybe you'd misjudge and instead of getting me in the shoulder, you'll get my heart- kill me on the spot. You willing to risk that? For this?"

"I won't miss," Roy growled dangerously. "Give. Now!"

"Both of you, cool it," Wally said as he calmly stepped between the two. He turned to Roy and tried to keep his voice even and gentle to contrast Robin's venomous tone. "Roy, what's going on, man?"

Roy glared at him and for the first time, Wally noticed his hands were shaking. Finally, the older boy looked away. "It's my problem," he whispered so quietly that Wally barely heard him.

Wally glanced back at Robin who mouthed the word. Heroin.

The disappointment slapped Wally across the face and he felt his heart skip a beat. He had no idea what to do. He could barely even comprehend that this what happening. Roy. Red Arrow. Doing drugs? It seemed impossible. And yet, there was no way around it. How long had it been going on? Why? Why on earth would he do this to himself?

Wally took a deep breath in order to keep his voice level. "Roy…"

"Just go," Roy mumbled as he dropped into his chair. "Take it, do what you want. Just go."

"No. No way," Wally said adamantly. He honestly didn't know what to do. But he did know that Roy was one of his best friends and there was no way he was leaving him alone at a time like this.

Gingerly, he knelt beside Roy and rested a hand on his knee. "This isn't just your problem. We're your best friends; we're not leaving you to get through this on your own. Whatever you're dealing with, whatever is going on, we're going to be right here to get you out of it."

"What if I don't want your help?" Roy asked. He sounded hollow and tired.

Behind him, Robin took a deep breath and stepped forward. "We're not just going to stand back and let you do this to yourself. Fight us all you want, but we're not leaving."

"Come on, Roy, let us in," Wally pleaded.

Roy looked up to meet his gaze and held it for a moment. Finally he let out a long breath, slumped in his chair and nodded.

Wally got up and squeezed the archer's shoulder. Robin came around the other side and the two shared a look over Roy's head. Neither knew what the road ahead looked like. It would probably be long and hard, but they would all walk it together.

For once, Wally was glad he hadn't knocked.

Completed! Thanks for reading!