Agent North

[bothbarrels]

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

[bothbarrels]

I suppose we will.

[ Strangely enough, he's been getting enough sleep lately, so as York reads, he doesn't feel himself reach a point of dozing. But at least York's reading is taking his mind off of wanting to hurt the Counselor. ]

[infailtration]

[ York reads until his voice starts to get hoarse, but when he glances over North is still wide awake. Surprising, they've really made a dent. ]

You are not napping, sir.

[bothbarrels]

It's not as easy as it used to be to just doze off.

[ He shrugs. ]

I'm at least calmer.

[ He still doesn't really trust himself, should he run into the Counselor, however. ]

[infailtration]

[ He twirls a lock of North's hair around his finger and hums. ]

Calmer is good. You want me to grab some water and keep going, or we could do something else.

[bothbarrels]

Yeah...water and continuing, I think. I need to just hunker down and stay away from... Well, you know.

[infailtration]

I know. Here, hold our spot.

[ He passes North the book, climbing over his friend to get up and grab a cup he's got on the nightstand. ]

...and don't go anywhere. Promise?

[bothbarrels]

I won't.

[ While York's gone he realizes how restless he feels, and although York's probably going to be gone for a very short time, he sets the book on its face on the bed and starts doing some push-ups in the middle of the floor. ]