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]

Oh.

[ He thought York had meant more to his remark than that. Well, it was okay. He was the one who always had other people's backs and he knows York's willing to have his if he needs it, but: ]

I'll be all right. It's just on my mind because...you know. [ He waves at the door. ] That asshole.

[infailtration]

...North.

[ York sighs. ]

You don't have to be all right all the time. Not with me.

[bothbarrels]

Okay.

[ He bumps York's shoulder with his. ]

But I'm okay. Really.

[ He brings his hands together, beginning to fidget with his nails, looking down at his hands. ]

I appreciate you being willing to listen.

[infailtration]

[ York doesn't look or sound especially convinced. He watches North fidget worriedly. ]

If you did have a problem, would you tell me?

[bothbarrels]

[ There's a silence—too long of one, North realizes, but he's not sure what to say. He's too used to relying on himself anymore. ]

I trust you, York.

[ Which is a true statement. It's also not an answer.

Or maybe it is one. He rests his head back again. ]

Isn't it weird how we're the best friends either of us had in the Project but we hardly know anything about one another? I'm not even sure I know your first name. It's Josh, right?

[infailtration]

That's not an answer.

[ Because it isn't. You can trust someone and still not tell them things. But York just sighs and answers the question. ]

It's not that weird, considering. And yes, my name's Josh. I told you that a really long time ago, though, like right at the beginning. I think it was actually an accident, I wasn't used to introducing myself as York yet.

[bothbarrels]

You're right. It's not an answer.

[ He shrugs, sighing, and gives York another shoulder bump, but stays put there this time. ]

I'm just not used to paying any attention to it when I'm struggling with something. I usually have a shit-ton of other crap on my mind at the same time.

I'm Andrew, by the way.

[infailtration]

Maybe that means you should unload some of that crap, before it builds up and overwhelms you?

Just saying.

[ He nods a little. ]

Which do you prefer these days?

[bothbarrels]

From you? Andrew's good. I only let South call me Drew. You might be able to get away with it if you're good.

Never call me Andy.

[ He's back to messing with his fingernails. He'd attempted a teasing tone when he was talking about nicknames but it had once again come out flat. ]

Ah. I guess Theta wants to talk to you?

[infailtration]

[ Andrew it is, then. York's lips quirk at the 'if you're good' because hey, he's always good. Sort of. But then North says Theta wants him and he's curious about what for. ]

What's up, Theta?

[bothbarrels]

[ Theta projects and glances over at North. ]

He knows what I'm going to say.

[ North gives a small headshake, the same kind of headshake he gives when South is being exasperating. Nevertheless, Theta continues: ]

North is always trying to help people and he doesn't like to think about himself. But the thing is that he doesn't actually like himself very much? Because he has weaknesses he thinks he should be able to just 'get over'.

[ North looks toward Theta, a frown line creasing his brow. ]

That's not quite what you said you were going to say, Theta.

[infailtration]

[ York tilts his head at Theta, who's said what North wouldn't -- or couldn't. ]

I knew the first part. He does know weaknesses are human, right? And that usually it takes help to get over them? Like I don't believe he'd think badly of someone else for needing help sometimes.

[ He glances back at North. ]

Would you judge me?

[bothbarrels]

[ North is still frowning but he puts a hand up in protest. ]

No, no, of course not.

[ Theta kicks at the nothingness in front of him. North immediately turns his attention to him. ]

I'm not mad at you, Theta. I'm just don't think that was your place to say.

[ Theta shakes his little head. ]

You do that all the time. Listen to York. You're allowed to be mad.

[infailtration]

If you can't listen to me right off, listen to Theta that you should listen to me. That's two of us and an established double standard. No one is perfect, and no one should be expected to be.

[bothbarrels]

[ He looks between them, from York to Theta and back, and sighs exasperatedly. ]

This isn't exactly what you'd call fair.

[infailtration]

Because it's two on one? You're not going to find anyone to take your side, if we try to even it up it'll only get worse.

[ He says it lightly, but also... he means it. ]

[bothbarrels]

That, and because...

[ He snorts a little. ]

I was going to say because I'm closer to you two than most anyone else but that probably doesn't help my argument.

[infailtration]

[ York's mouth quirks. ]

That helps our argument.

[bothbarrels]

Yeah.

[ He sighs through his nose. ]

Fine, whatever, I'll come to you if I have a problem. Theta will help me recognize it.

[infailtration]

[ York looks to Theta -- is he repressing that he has one already? ]

[bothbarrels]

[ Theta understands, and North's expression changes to one York will recognize—they're conversing, internally. ]

One thing at a time.

[ After giving this cryptic response, Theta disappears.

North sighs. ]

Yeah. I, ah...I mean, it's still the same thing we were talking about before. Which is what we were trying to get my mind off of. It just...really bugs me that asshole is here and could use what he knows about us to do the same thing again. Me and South.

[infailtration]

[ York shakes his head. He doesn't think that's the problem that needed addressing, but he will for the sake of it. ]

If you're aware of it you can start repairing your relationship and it won't happen again.

Plus if he tries I'll punch his teeth in.

[bothbarrels]

Good to know.

[ North tilts his head to rest it on York's shoulder. ]

You want me to sit here and talk about my adolescence, then? Really?

[infailtration]

[ He might have to slouch a little for that given the height difference. ]

No, North. Not if you don't want to. But I do want you to tell me if you have a problem with alcohol that I should be aware of.

[bothbarrels]

[ North sits there, slouched in that position, and feels heat come to his face. It's a long moment before he replies. ]

I honestly don't know.

[ The words are quiet, and his voice is thick. ]