Agent North

[bothbarrels]

● Agent North Dakota | Andrew Engelsen
Theta likes dealing with the messages so just leave something appropriate for him to respond to.
[video | audio | text]

Comments

[infailtration]

[ York honestly doesn't know what to do about it. It feels like there's nothing he can do for a moment, nothing he can say to make it better. ]

I'm sorry. Just...

[ He frowns a little, then uses his grip on North's arm to pull him into a hug. ]

It's over. But now that you guys know you can move forward from what they did, maybe? You have someone to blame, for even more than you thought. It can bring you together instead of just being a horrible thing that happened.

[bothbarrels]

[ North doesn't resist the hug but he's a lot stiffer during it than usual. ]

I feel like I should have known. And I didn't. God fucking damn it.

[ His voice cracks a little on the last sentence. ]

[infailtration]

[ York's voice softens and he slides one hand up North's back to rub at his shoulders a little, trying to get him to ease up a little. The last thing they need is both twins breaking their hands on walls. ]

Manipulation doesn't work if you notice it. That's the point, and they were good at what they did.

It's not your fault, North.

[bothbarrels]

[ North is breathing a bit heavier, though whether it's with anger or impending tears even he couldn't say. ]

I have had so much trouble with her in the last few years that isn't because of... That is because of...because of this.

Or at least...some of it.

[ He still isn't sure that South would have developed an attachment to her AI had she received one. She's always seen them as some kind of machines. ]

[infailtration]

Come on, sit down. Take a breath.

[ North isn't going to like what he has to say next, but he's trying to get his friend to settle and listen to him. ]

It feels like they exploited how she already felt. Second best, not having her own identity... it'll be a long road to try and repair that but it's not impossible, okay?

[bothbarrels]

[ North lets York lead him to sit on the bed and he hunches over, elbows on his knees. ]

Maybe. If she knows about it. Maybe.

[infailtration]

[ York stays standing for a moment, then climbs onto the bed rather than sitting beside North and starts massaging his shoulders in earnest. Come on, buddy, wind down. ]

It's worth a try.

[ He hesitates, then admits something. ]

I wasn't helping, I was ignoring her on purpose to get a rise out of her. But I didn't realize. Maybe knowing, we can treat her differently and undo some of this damage.

Don't get me wrong, I don't trust her as far as I could throw her after hearing about what she did to you and Wash, but. It's not hopeless.

[bothbarrels]

Hmph.

[ North sits up a bit to accept the massage, but he's still glowering. ]

I hope so.

[infailtration]

[ He's certainly got a right to be pissed, but York worries he's not actually hopeful. ]

Maybe we can consider this place a second chance, huh? For all of us to start doing better.

[bothbarrels]

I don't know, York.

[ He's usually in a better headspace than he's in right now. Right now he's angry and he's hurting. ]

[infailtration]

[ York is pretty worried about his friend's current mindset. It's just not like North. ]

...what can I do?

[ Besides letting him take it out on Price. ]

[bothbarrels]

[ He shakes his head. ]

I don't know, just...keep being here. Keep me from doing something stupid.

[ He doesn't feel like himself, either, doesn't feel right. ]

[infailtration]

[ York frowns a little -- which luckily North can't see -- and keeps trying to ease the tension from North's shoulders. It feels like he's bailing water as fast as the boat is filling, though. ]

Okay. But that's supposed to be your job with me. This is chaos now. What's next?

[ It's a weak joke but at least he sounds chill again, an intentional effort. ]

[bothbarrels]

[ He pauses a moment, feeling York's hands rubbing his shoulders. Then he sighs. ]

I know you're trying to kid around with me but I'm just not in a good headspace for it. I'm sorry.

[infailtration]

[ York sighs, too, running out of options. ]

I'm not good for much else. But I'm here.

[bothbarrels]

It's helping.

[ As much as it seems like it's not. ]

[infailtration]

[ Is it..? York can't tell just yet but he keeps up the massage, strong hands moving over North's shoulders and back tirelessly.

Eventually it does feel like North's loosening up. ]

Any better?

[bothbarrels]

[ North shrugs. ]

I just need to stay here for a while. Is that okay?

[infailtration]

Of course. You want to lie down?

[bothbarrels]

[ He scoots to one side and glances at York over his shoulder. ]

Yeah. Maybe if I...if I take a nap? I'll feel better afterwards.

[infailtration]

Maybe. Crossing my fingers for it, anyway. Go ahead, I'll stay.

[ He shifts back so North has room, sitting cross legged with his back against the wall. ]

[bothbarrels]

[ North finishes scooting over and lies down with his head on the pillow. He looks up toward the ceiling with a slightly furrowed brow, and places his hands behind his head. ]

[infailtration]

You're not even trying to sleep.

[ York hesitates for a moment, then flops down beside North on his side, elbow bent and head propped up on his hand. ]

Want me to read you a bedtime story?

[ North might have noticed York raided the library again. There's not much else to do around here. ]

[bothbarrels]

[ He doesn't deny the fact that he'd not been trying. ]

Yeah. That would help.

[infailtration]

You've got it.

[ York sits back up, reaching over North to his nightstand to grab a random book. He shifts to lean against the other wall this time, so that he can drop one hand and pet North's hair while he turns the pages of the book in his lap with the other. ]

I haven't read this one yet so if it's terrible we'll find out together.