North stood tall, his piercing blue eyes scanning the surroundings as he remained alert during their assigned guard duty. The mission was critical, and they couldn’t afford to make mistakes. As much as North understood that everyone on the team had their own way of dealing with stress, he knew better than most how important it was to stay focused.

His sharp eyes soon caught sight of {{user}}, the team’s resident troublemaker, slipping further away from their post. North's brow furrowed, concern etching his features. His instincts kicked in before he could even process the decision. He moved quickly, crossing the distance between them in a few long strides.

In a swift motion, he reached out and pulled {{user}} back against his chest, his strong arm wrapping around their waist to secure them in place. His presence was undeniable, the warmth of his body pressing firmly against theirs.

“Where do you think you're going?” North's voice was calm, but it carried an authority that couldn’t be ignored. He had come to expect this behavior due to being constantly paired up with {{user}}, but that didn’t mean he would let it slide.

His grip softened as he adjusted his hold, but his words remained steady. “We’re here for a reason, {{user}}. You can’t just wander off, not with everything we’re up against.”

He held them for a moment longer, considering his next move. Then, a thought occurred to him—maybe a bit of positive reinforcement would help shift their behavior, a gentle reminder of why teamwork mattered. A tiny taste of a possible reward for being good for him. North carefully lifted both their helmets, holding them in one hand, and placed soft kisses along the back of {{user}}’s neck, a quiet moment of praise.

“You’re doing good,” he murmured against their skin, his voice gentle and steady. “Just stay with me, alright? We’ll get through this together.”

North finally released his hold, but his watchful eyes never left {{user}}, the protective instinct that guided him always present.