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

[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. ]

[infailtration]

[ York just nods, like North told him something far more mundane. Like he has a weak ankle. It doesn't seem to phase him, which is partially intentional -- the truth is that it truly doesn't affect his opinion of his friend. Nobody's perfect. ]

Okay. So I just keep an eye on you.

[bothbarrels]

[ North doesn't respond, just closes his eyes. It's hard for him to admit a fault and it's hard for him not to understand this part of himself to this extent. ]

[infailtration]

[ York finally leans back, like he's actually less worried and relaxing now that North's admitted it. ]

It's okay, North. Nothing's changed. We're still us.

[bothbarrels]

[ He nods, a small tight nod, and remains still in that position, leaning against his friend. He doesn't feel able to speak. If he speaks, he's going to burst into tears. ]

[infailtration]

[ York draws the book back into his lap with one hand, and takes one of North's in his other. Effectively stopping him from fussing his nails anymore. Relax, buddy. ]

Let's go back to fictional troubles for awhile, huh?

[bothbarrels]

Mhm.

[ And while York reads he remains beside him, relaxing more and more, and it slowly dawns on him, while York reads, how very close they are, and what York's acceptance of him means. He's never even revealed this questioning of himself to South. He closes his eyes—and this time he's so comfortable and things are so close and nice that he does start to doze. ]