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He frowns at his friend. Really, he's going to bring this kind of shit up again? "You're obsessed," he says, a vertical line forming between his brows. "What happens if Clair doesn't want to go after him, you going to storm the place on your own?"

"What?" Obsessed? Being worried about a potential threat is not obsessing. Not after what happened back home. "No. She's the boss, it's her call. Even if we're not gonna take him out we should still keep an eye on him."

The fuck is going on.

"Or do you want him to do the whole damn thing all over again?"

He shakes his head. "Hell, no. I just don't want you fucking things up like you did with Tex."

"You think I'd fuck up an op that's this fucking important?" Because it is A) an op and B) really fucking important. To keeping everyone safe from the bullshit they went through before. "You think I wouldn't take every fucking precaution possible to make sure nothing went wrong this time around?"

"I wouldn't be surprised at this point." He's got his arms crossed now, staring straight ahead.

"What the fuck." No, seriously, what. The. Fuck. "Where's this coming from, man? You know I'd do anything to make sure that didn't happen."

Somewhere in the back of his mind this rings familiar. Done this before, had an argument before, but the thought is there and gone because that- that hurts. That North thinks so fucking little of him.

"I know you'd mean to." What's that they say about alcohol being a truth serum? He doesn't even know he's been thinking these things but here they are tumbling out of his mouth. "You've just been pretty goddamn careless from what I've seen."

"Other than losing my temper with Tex, how the fuck have I been careless? Where have I tripped up?" And don't fucking bring up the armor that's getting FIXED damnit. "Where exactly have I tipped my or anyone else's hand?"

"Fucking—" He gives an exasperated sigh. "I don't know, I've just noticed your attitude. You're eager."

"To keep you ALIVE, okay? I was dead the last time everything went down. I couldn't DO anything! I'm not here and I"m not letting him get you all killed. Not again. If that means putting a bullet in him first or keeping an eye on him and what he's doing that seems like the thing to do! I'd rather be eager to keep everyone safe than apathetic!" Oh hey there's a clue or something in there.

Like most when he's drunk, it whizzes right by.

He stops walking. "Everyone else in this situation is as invested in the outcome as you are. And don't tell me you know we're all capable of helping because you're still half putting yourself in charge and you know it can't be that way."

"Because I'm the one that's been here the longest!" He's seen the most. He's endured the most. He knows more people, has more tools. "I'm the one with the network, with the resources. Clair's got some of her own now and the moment you do too? Fan fucking tastic, we'll make use of them. But don't you fucking go off on me for using what I have to help while you all get yourselves sorted."

"Okay, fine. Fine. But remember that talk we had because I'm not fucking taking orders from you." He was kind and gentle during that talk after the scolding he'd delivered, and York's behavior during this conversation seemed to belie the fact that he'd disregarded at least some of what North had had to say.

"Fucking FINE because I don't give them! That's not my fucking job!" That's Clair's job. "I just get you the equipment and space to train, alright? That's all I fucking do."

"Don't lie to me about what you're thinking." It wouldn't go over, not at all. "Admit it and we can work through it. Not before."

"I'm not lying!" Why the hell would he want to be in charge?

No, there's definitely more to it than York's claiming and a thought presents itself to North that he hadn't even considered before. He points a finger at his friend. "Is that why my armor was off? Huh? You wanted to manipulate the circumstances to show how much effort you'd go through to make things look perfect. It couldn't be perfect the first time because then you wouldn't have that chance."

"What?" Wait. What. What the- how did he even- WHAT? "Why would I- no. That's not what happened I honestly fucked up with getting the measurements to Stark."

First time he's admitted it but the shit he's being accused of, that manipulative, self centered, self SERVING bullshit is just like. No. "I wanted it right the first time! I thought it was! I'm sorry it wasn't! Why the fuck would I do that to you?"

"You fucked up, huh. Just like all the times you think you've got things under control and you fuck up." That's what York is, a conceited little fuckup. "Cocky little shit."

"What the fuck, man." He didn't have to do half the shit he's done for North. For anyone. He could have taken in Delta and told everyone else they were on their fucking own for all the hell he'd been through around them. He had who he needed. The rest could fuck off. "You think you could do better?"

"You've said it yourself." Why else would York keep North as a so-called advisor?

What the fuck is this. This was supposed to be them hanging out not them yelling at each other in the fucking street. "You wanna get the money, the supplies, and the connections together to get Theta a suit? Fucking fine. Go for it. You wanna track down somewhere defensible discreet and affordable for us to train in secret if we want? Good fucking luck because I haven't seen you run any fucking deals in district 4 that would help you with that. But go right the fuck ahead. I'd love to see you try."

He's had about enough of this discussion. "You're missing the goddamn point and I'm done talking about it." He starts waking again.

"Well FUCK YOU TOO Buddy!" He's done. He's so fucking done. Going home is not an option. He's not going anywhere North is going to be so he's going somewhere that North won't be.

Loki. Loki won't give him shit just for trying to help.

He ignores York and continues on his way. He doesn't expect the company now, anyway.

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Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

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Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

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Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)

Action | Day 139 (New Year's Eve)