![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[It's up to him.
...that's a lie, and manages to be kind and cruel all at once. Yukimiya is aware he's being toyed with. But the other options on the table are all shitty as well. So, he takes a deep breath.]
Please. Please get me out of here.
...that's a lie, and manages to be kind and cruel all at once. Yukimiya is aware he's being toyed with. But the other options on the table are all shitty as well. So, he takes a deep breath.]
Please. Please get me out of here.
[ Begging without being told! Oh, Endo's going to have fun with him. He can already tell.
With that, he gets to his feet, an excited energy in his movements. ]
You got it!
[ Then he leaves without another word. And doesn't come back for hours, and not just because he's being a dick. There are a lot of hoops to jump through, plus he's still making the rounds for the old man. But Endo makes it very clear that no one else is to go near Yukimiya in the meanwhile.
After finalizing the sale on the old man's new toy and arranging transport with a member of Noroshi, Endo finally returns and, ignoring whatever expression may or may not be on Yukimiya's face, asks: ]
Leash or chains?
[ More choices! More generosity! Or maybe Endo's just curious... ]
With that, he gets to his feet, an excited energy in his movements. ]
You got it!
[ Then he leaves without another word. And doesn't come back for hours, and not just because he's being a dick. There are a lot of hoops to jump through, plus he's still making the rounds for the old man. But Endo makes it very clear that no one else is to go near Yukimiya in the meanwhile.
After finalizing the sale on the old man's new toy and arranging transport with a member of Noroshi, Endo finally returns and, ignoring whatever expression may or may not be on Yukimiya's face, asks: ]
Leash or chains?
[ More choices! More generosity! Or maybe Endo's just curious... ]
[Well, this escalated quickly. But in the hours after Endo decided to purchase Yukimiya, he's had a little time to think. He's decided he's going to try to exist with as much dignity as possible, even if he's technically going to be a slave. When offered choices, he'll take the route that allows him to retain what pride he still has. He won't allow himself to be broken, to be destroyed by this situation.
Someday, he'll be free again. Someday.]
Leash, if restraints are truly necessary.
Someday, he'll be free again. Someday.]
Leash, if restraints are truly necessary.
Of course they're necessary! How do ya think I'll look if I waltz out here with a slave walking freely? How do you think you'll look?
[ Like a slave up for grabs. Not claimed in any serious way.
Anyway, Endo approves of his choice, because that was his preference too. It gives him an extra edge of control — nothing like a nice tug to remind a pet of his place. He waves to an attendant waiting off to the side, who brings him said leash and accompanying collar, both of which are very simple and plain. Endo's tastes are more lavish, which means that Yukimiya will be decorated accordingly when the time comes.
The attendant then opens the cell. Endo steps inside before Yukimiya can step out first. ]
No backsies. Remember that.
[ He puts the collar around his neck, attaches the leash, and then pats him on the cheek. ]
Good boy.
[ Like a slave up for grabs. Not claimed in any serious way.
Anyway, Endo approves of his choice, because that was his preference too. It gives him an extra edge of control — nothing like a nice tug to remind a pet of his place. He waves to an attendant waiting off to the side, who brings him said leash and accompanying collar, both of which are very simple and plain. Endo's tastes are more lavish, which means that Yukimiya will be decorated accordingly when the time comes.
The attendant then opens the cell. Endo steps inside before Yukimiya can step out first. ]
No backsies. Remember that.
[ He puts the collar around his neck, attaches the leash, and then pats him on the cheek. ]
Good boy.
[ In the moments between that annoyed sound and the additional questions about his love life, Endo studies Accelerator's face. He decides, in his drug-induced lighter state of being, that he likes when Accelerator appears deep in thought. Rather, he likes that he's the impulse that pushes him to think deeply, because it means that he's really making a spot for himself in his mind. All that thinking, just for him! Like Accelerator can't help but turn him over and over, trying to figure him out, or maybe reconcile his former anger with his current interest. Or both! Whatever it is, Endo has the notion that's carving out a wider space in Accelerator's consciousness, and that's been his goal since he got smacked around by the wings, so he's feeling pretty good about it.
Since he's a little more open in this state, not exactly adhering to his plan step-by-careful-step as he originally intended, the smile on his face turns a little sappy. Soft. Fond, even, because all of that attention, internal though it may be, is his. And his alone! It feels kind of nice, actually, and that encourages him to keep answering questions. Not that any of this is a secret — Endo doesn't care what anyone does or doesn't know about his sex life — but he'd probably be a little more teasing, a little less direct, just for the hell of it. Instead, he allows this to be a pretty simplistic conversation, free from too many layers and complications. ]
I don't go for clingy women. Everyone knows the deal up front. Most of 'em don't expect a seventeen-year-old to settle down with them, anyway.
[ Which is not to say that Endo hasn't attracted the occasional romantic, but typically, the women he goes for have their own "business" ventures that keep them busy. They aren't looking to get a boyfriend or make a family. They just want to have fun.
But he doesn't elaborate further. He's too busy giving Accelerator a look, the exact kind that he might give one of those women once they're interested — all charming enticement, while he laughs low and leans a little too far over the bed, just to get a little closer.
If Accelerator doesn't look away, Endo will hold his stare as he says: ]
But you tell me: what do you think they're getting out of it?
Since he's a little more open in this state, not exactly adhering to his plan step-by-careful-step as he originally intended, the smile on his face turns a little sappy. Soft. Fond, even, because all of that attention, internal though it may be, is his. And his alone! It feels kind of nice, actually, and that encourages him to keep answering questions. Not that any of this is a secret — Endo doesn't care what anyone does or doesn't know about his sex life — but he'd probably be a little more teasing, a little less direct, just for the hell of it. Instead, he allows this to be a pretty simplistic conversation, free from too many layers and complications. ]
I don't go for clingy women. Everyone knows the deal up front. Most of 'em don't expect a seventeen-year-old to settle down with them, anyway.
[ Which is not to say that Endo hasn't attracted the occasional romantic, but typically, the women he goes for have their own "business" ventures that keep them busy. They aren't looking to get a boyfriend or make a family. They just want to have fun.
But he doesn't elaborate further. He's too busy giving Accelerator a look, the exact kind that he might give one of those women once they're interested — all charming enticement, while he laughs low and leans a little too far over the bed, just to get a little closer.
If Accelerator doesn't look away, Endo will hold his stare as he says: ]
But you tell me: what do you think they're getting out of it?
[As he stands, his posture is very straight, and when the collar is placed on him, he makes sure his chin doesn't dip against it. He's still clinging to that ideal of dignity, trying to pretend he's not being humiliated quite intentionally.
The pat on the cheek draws a frown from him, though, the show of softness reading to him as a lie.]
You're certainly enjoying the spectacle.
The pat on the cheek draws a frown from him, though, the show of softness reading to him as a lie.]
You're certainly enjoying the spectacle.
[He shouldn't have asked that question. He really shouldn't have. The answer to it is obvious on its own, and with the way Endo, despite being injured and in a hospital bed, is actively trying to encroach on his personal space, he'd have to be a complete moron to not pick up on the answer. Hindsight is 20/20, he's a huge idiot. Accelerator stops rubbing his forehead, dropping his hand, realizing that this is likely the same affectation he puts on with the kind of women they've been talking about this whole time. Staring back at Endo, he can feel the incredibly rare reaction of his cheeks warming up.
So it isn't just dates. They're fucking, too. His brain shifts gears a bit, moving away from the dating aspect to sex which, unsurprisingly, is an area he knows even less about. Biological function is one thing, but people add layers and complexity to it to make it a whole other kettle of fish, except it isn't even fish but some alien marine life from the Mariana Trench. Dating may just be some ridiculous pretense for sex, since adults can be shallow and selfish like that. The women may think they still have some societal expectation to do it. He doesn't really know, he doesn't know how an adult woman with a libido thinks; the best he can do is taking whatever he learned about human psychology in school and apply it to the situation. And either way, he can't see Endo caring.
Before Accelerator can redirect his thoughts elsewhere his eyes are flicking downwards, then back up. Endo is attractive, he's already admitted that to himself, and he figures that would be enough to get his foot in the door, so to speak. Then, going off of what he knows about female anatomy, women are probably complicated in bed (he isn't sure where anyone beyond that narrow category falls, so he's starting at square one and going from there). Given the number of credit cards, it feels reasonable to conclude that Endo is at least good, likely falling closer on the 'great' end of the spectrum; Accelerator can't imagine anyone willingly handing over money for an experience that's barely passable. Does that mean a lot of foreplay (his eyes flick down again, to Endo's hands, and this time he notices the Roman numeral tattoo on his right ring finger is the wrong number compared to the others) and build up? Is that what women are into? He's given almost zero thought to this in his life, so it's a lot harder to picture compared to dating, which is possible to randomly see out in public —
Wait. Why the hell is he thinking about it this much? Goddamnit.
There's another flare of anxiety in the pit of his stomach, and Accelerator has to resist the urge to hit the switch on his choker. The fingertips of his free hand twitch, but he keeps it on the arm of the chair. He isn't completely sure which is stronger, the desire to alter his body chemistry to calm himself down, or to start smashing all this expensive medical equipment up. No, all of those reactions would only be admitting he's getting flustered again, and he doesn't want to give Endo that satisfaction (nor does he want to end up in jail). Instead he glares back, narrowing his eyes slightly, and mutters.]
That seems like a waste of money to me.
So it isn't just dates. They're fucking, too. His brain shifts gears a bit, moving away from the dating aspect to sex which, unsurprisingly, is an area he knows even less about. Biological function is one thing, but people add layers and complexity to it to make it a whole other kettle of fish, except it isn't even fish but some alien marine life from the Mariana Trench. Dating may just be some ridiculous pretense for sex, since adults can be shallow and selfish like that. The women may think they still have some societal expectation to do it. He doesn't really know, he doesn't know how an adult woman with a libido thinks; the best he can do is taking whatever he learned about human psychology in school and apply it to the situation. And either way, he can't see Endo caring.
Before Accelerator can redirect his thoughts elsewhere his eyes are flicking downwards, then back up. Endo is attractive, he's already admitted that to himself, and he figures that would be enough to get his foot in the door, so to speak. Then, going off of what he knows about female anatomy, women are probably complicated in bed (he isn't sure where anyone beyond that narrow category falls, so he's starting at square one and going from there). Given the number of credit cards, it feels reasonable to conclude that Endo is at least good, likely falling closer on the 'great' end of the spectrum; Accelerator can't imagine anyone willingly handing over money for an experience that's barely passable. Does that mean a lot of foreplay (his eyes flick down again, to Endo's hands, and this time he notices the Roman numeral tattoo on his right ring finger is the wrong number compared to the others) and build up? Is that what women are into? He's given almost zero thought to this in his life, so it's a lot harder to picture compared to dating, which is possible to randomly see out in public —
Wait. Why the hell is he thinking about it this much? Goddamnit.
There's another flare of anxiety in the pit of his stomach, and Accelerator has to resist the urge to hit the switch on his choker. The fingertips of his free hand twitch, but he keeps it on the arm of the chair. He isn't completely sure which is stronger, the desire to alter his body chemistry to calm himself down, or to start smashing all this expensive medical equipment up. No, all of those reactions would only be admitting he's getting flustered again, and he doesn't want to give Endo that satisfaction (nor does he want to end up in jail). Instead he glares back, narrowing his eyes slightly, and mutters.]
That seems like a waste of money to me.
[ Endo gives him another nice grin and then he leads him out of the cell. ]
I like causing a stir.
[ It's the truth! Though he tends to be a little methodical about it. No need to go too crazy, especially in a place like this. Endo is not the biggest fish in this pond.
There are a lot of ways that he could be nasty about leading Yukimiya along — jerk him to and fro, make him walk on all fours, have him hold the leash in his mouth. But Endo's all about the long game; he's building up to something, which means biding his time and slowly worming his way into Yukimiya's acceptance. Which doesn't seem like it'll be too hard — he did give up his glasses pretty easily.
Instead, he simply walks a couple steps ahead and has Yukimiya walk behind him. Endo holds the leash casually, as though he might drop it due to carelessness. ]
So what else can you do? Other than play soccer.
I like causing a stir.
[ It's the truth! Though he tends to be a little methodical about it. No need to go too crazy, especially in a place like this. Endo is not the biggest fish in this pond.
There are a lot of ways that he could be nasty about leading Yukimiya along — jerk him to and fro, make him walk on all fours, have him hold the leash in his mouth. But Endo's all about the long game; he's building up to something, which means biding his time and slowly worming his way into Yukimiya's acceptance. Which doesn't seem like it'll be too hard — he did give up his glasses pretty easily.
Instead, he simply walks a couple steps ahead and has Yukimiya walk behind him. Endo holds the leash casually, as though he might drop it due to carelessness. ]
So what else can you do? Other than play soccer.
[He is absolutely not expecting the leash to be dropped. His new...master...is clearly good at maintaining tension emotionally, even if he's not demonstrating a physical tension here.]
I was a decent student. Did a little modeling, too. But soccer was my passion.
[It's an awkward question to try to answer. What else is he actually good for? He could hardly name anything.]
I was a decent student. Did a little modeling, too. But soccer was my passion.
[It's an awkward question to try to answer. What else is he actually good for? He could hardly name anything.]
[ Endo hums like he's considering this deeply. Really, it doesn't matter all that much. Sure, being adept in another area might make him more useful, but Endo didn't buy him expecting that he'd come preloaded with skills beyond being able to kick a ball around. ]
What about your family? Parents? Anyone gonna come beatin' down my door?
[ Now this is an important question. There was a file on him, which Endo read before purchase, but what is presented in his product description and what is actually the truth can vary widely.
He doesn't look back as he asks, still cheerfully moving along, the leash held precariously. ]
What about your family? Parents? Anyone gonna come beatin' down my door?
[ Now this is an important question. There was a file on him, which Endo read before purchase, but what is presented in his product description and what is actually the truth can vary widely.
He doesn't look back as he asks, still cheerfully moving along, the leash held precariously. ]
Legally, my parents signed over custody of me to the Blue Lock project. But they're still alive and well. I don't know what they can or will do next.
[He's not confident in them trying to get him back, though. Other mouths to feed at home. In some ways, him disappearing into the project solved problems for them that no one voiced aloud.]
[He's not confident in them trying to get him back, though. Other mouths to feed at home. In some ways, him disappearing into the project solved problems for them that no one voiced aloud.]
[ This conversation is the gift that keeps on giving. If Endo weren't on pain medication and already caught up in how this conversation has played out, this is the moment that would make him giddy — charmed by how he managed to draw forth such an honest display of color in Accelerator's cheeks. It isn't the reaction he expected, despite his overt attempt to fluster Accelerator further; it is, however, the reaction he would've wanted, if he were capable of deep forethought in this state.
Still, despite his joy, the medicine does manage to dampen him just enough that getting too excited almost seems exhausting. As he approaches that level, an undetermined point of no return, he naturally scales himself back, just enough. But no amount of painkillers can keep Endo from noticing — and then reacting — to the way that Accelerator looks at his hands.
His hands!
It's all over after that. While Accelerator is once again doing his deep thinking, Endo leans impossibly closer, looking more wild than any injured guy should. And he does the unthinkable: he considers touching him, a brief brush of fingers on whatever limb he manages to catch first. In normal situations, if Endo were wholly himself, he'd never do such a thing. His approach, whether to fighting or stuff like this, is to wait for the first move. That's just how he operates. But Endo is, for better or for worse, too drugged to think about that, and not as smart or as tactical as he should be, which means two things: he begins to move toward Accelerator — and he nearly falls off the bed.
That happens to coincide with Accelerator's comment, which surprises Endo so thoroughly that he glances up at him with wide eyes even as he is (very painfully, it turns out) jerking back from the edge. The surprise lasts as long as his near-fall, which is to say, not long at all, because once Endo is no longer in danger of toppling over, he laughs so hard, he's nearly in tears — both from the laughter itself and the pain from the jostling of his ribs.
He quickly puts a protective arm around his mid section, trying to steady his diaphragm, but doesn't stop laughing, not even as he punctuates the obnoxious sound with various pained noises: ]
Ow — shit. Fuck. Ah.
[ He tries to take a steadying breath, forcing out: ]
Man, you can't just tell a guy he isn't worth anything.
[ After which he curls a little in on himself, simultaneously hoping for more pain meds and never wanting to take them again. ]
Still, despite his joy, the medicine does manage to dampen him just enough that getting too excited almost seems exhausting. As he approaches that level, an undetermined point of no return, he naturally scales himself back, just enough. But no amount of painkillers can keep Endo from noticing — and then reacting — to the way that Accelerator looks at his hands.
His hands!
It's all over after that. While Accelerator is once again doing his deep thinking, Endo leans impossibly closer, looking more wild than any injured guy should. And he does the unthinkable: he considers touching him, a brief brush of fingers on whatever limb he manages to catch first. In normal situations, if Endo were wholly himself, he'd never do such a thing. His approach, whether to fighting or stuff like this, is to wait for the first move. That's just how he operates. But Endo is, for better or for worse, too drugged to think about that, and not as smart or as tactical as he should be, which means two things: he begins to move toward Accelerator — and he nearly falls off the bed.
That happens to coincide with Accelerator's comment, which surprises Endo so thoroughly that he glances up at him with wide eyes even as he is (very painfully, it turns out) jerking back from the edge. The surprise lasts as long as his near-fall, which is to say, not long at all, because once Endo is no longer in danger of toppling over, he laughs so hard, he's nearly in tears — both from the laughter itself and the pain from the jostling of his ribs.
He quickly puts a protective arm around his mid section, trying to steady his diaphragm, but doesn't stop laughing, not even as he punctuates the obnoxious sound with various pained noises: ]
Ow — shit. Fuck. Ah.
[ He tries to take a steadying breath, forcing out: ]
Man, you can't just tell a guy he isn't worth anything.
[ After which he curls a little in on himself, simultaneously hoping for more pain meds and never wanting to take them again. ]
[Endo trying to get up in his personal space is something Accelerator had clocked, but with everything else in his head causing a veritable tsunami of complicated thoughts of feelings it doesn't occur to him that he's leaning and leaning and about to fall out of the bed until it nearly happens. That sharp jerk freezes his brain for a split second, which is enough to provide him some mental clarity. He blinks, and one singular thought takes over:
Wow, what a dork.
As funny as a concussion would have been, a head injury would be a poor addition to all of those injuries so it's good it didn't actually happen. Having to get a nurse would be a pain in the ass.
Since Endo dissolving into painful laughter affords him the time to sort himself out Accelerator takes it, exhaling and quietly sitting back in his chair. Another sip of coffee, and he decides that yeah, this is funny. It's ridiculous, him overthinking shit is ridiculous, and honestly, getting to tease Endo back a bit feels nice. Maybe it's because insulting people is something he's way more comfortable with than trying to unravel the black box that is relationships and sex. Maybe Endo's laughter is just really infectious. He doesn't know, he doesn't really care.
He lets out a small, amused huff, and when he replies his tone is incredibly dry.]
No? Don't tell me you want to be treated with kid gloves.
[He isn't serious about that at all. There's no way it's true, but the mental image of Endo wanting to be treated gently after what he dished out earlier is funny in an ironic kind of way.]
Wow, what a dork.
As funny as a concussion would have been, a head injury would be a poor addition to all of those injuries so it's good it didn't actually happen. Having to get a nurse would be a pain in the ass.
Since Endo dissolving into painful laughter affords him the time to sort himself out Accelerator takes it, exhaling and quietly sitting back in his chair. Another sip of coffee, and he decides that yeah, this is funny. It's ridiculous, him overthinking shit is ridiculous, and honestly, getting to tease Endo back a bit feels nice. Maybe it's because insulting people is something he's way more comfortable with than trying to unravel the black box that is relationships and sex. Maybe Endo's laughter is just really infectious. He doesn't know, he doesn't really care.
He lets out a small, amused huff, and when he replies his tone is incredibly dry.]
No? Don't tell me you want to be treated with kid gloves.
[He isn't serious about that at all. There's no way it's true, but the mental image of Endo wanting to be treated gently after what he dished out earlier is funny in an ironic kind of way.]
Huh.
[ There's a pause for a contemplative moment before Endo transitions to a cheerful tone as he adds: ]
I'll just have to look into them, then!
[ They step outside the building, where a nondescript car is waiting. ]
This is me. Here, hold this.
[ He tosses the end of the leash at him. ]
[ There's a pause for a contemplative moment before Endo transitions to a cheerful tone as he adds: ]
I'll just have to look into them, then!
[ They step outside the building, where a nondescript car is waiting. ]
This is me. Here, hold this.
[ He tosses the end of the leash at him. ]
They're not particularly notable. You don't need to concern yourself with them, surely.
[Is there anything quite as ridiculous as being told to hold your own leash? And yet, Yukimiya reacts simply with a startled laugh.
The thought does occur to him, to try to strangle Endo with the leash. To unclip it from the collar and run. To raise an awful fuss. It's what many of the other Blue Lock players would probably do.
Yukimiya, instead, watches Endo, and stands there holding the leash.]
[Is there anything quite as ridiculous as being told to hold your own leash? And yet, Yukimiya reacts simply with a startled laugh.
The thought does occur to him, to try to strangle Endo with the leash. To unclip it from the collar and run. To raise an awful fuss. It's what many of the other Blue Lock players would probably do.
Yukimiya, instead, watches Endo, and stands there holding the leash.]
[ Oh, he'll look into them. But that'll come later.
For now, Endo gives him a little approving grin, feeling as though he picked himself a good one. Everything that's to follow will be a lot easier with a guy who more or less does what he's told. He doesn't have to be eager to please, but Endo isn't looking for a slave who has a strong desire to fight. This is for something different entirely.
He walks over to the car to speak to the driver, giving him specific instructions, then motions Yukimiya over, after which he unclips the leash — but leaves the collar. ]
Go ahead and get in.
For now, Endo gives him a little approving grin, feeling as though he picked himself a good one. Everything that's to follow will be a lot easier with a guy who more or less does what he's told. He doesn't have to be eager to please, but Endo isn't looking for a slave who has a strong desire to fight. This is for something different entirely.
He walks over to the car to speak to the driver, giving him specific instructions, then motions Yukimiya over, after which he unclips the leash — but leaves the collar. ]
Go ahead and get in.
[Yukimiya climbs into the car, folding his hands in his lap once he's in his seat. He has questions, but this hardly feels like the time to be asking them. He has thoughts, but they're buzzing in a swarm rather than getting into a nice orderly line. On the surface, he might even seem calm about what's happening to him.
Or in shock.]
Or in shock.]
[ Endo gets in beside him. He takes a good look at Yukimiya, noting that he seems eerily calm and looking for any tells that he's putting on an act. Ultimately, though, it doesn't matter much; regardless of what's going on inside Yukimiya's head, his real purpose is going to start here, in the darkened privacy of the back seat.
Endo says: ]
Hold my hand.
[ And upturns his own on the seat between them. ]
Endo says: ]
Hold my hand.
[ And upturns his own on the seat between them. ]
[Yukimiya hesitates only a moment before turning to look at that hand, and then placing his own atop it, fingers curling gently. His cheeks warm somewhat. Which is weird--this is probably going to get a lot more intimate than hand holding at some point, but that order manages to get him somehow.]
What do you want me for?
[After all, Endo said he didn't spill trade secrets without a contract. There's one in place now. It's worth trying to ask again.]
What do you want me for?
[After all, Endo said he didn't spill trade secrets without a contract. There's one in place now. It's worth trying to ask again.]
[ He's right: there is a contract now. But Endo explains not because of that, but because Yukimiya has to know what's expected of him in order to pull off what Endo wants — and make it believable.
In a cheerful tone, as he holds his hand: ]
Your job is to touch me, and to make me feel like that's all you ever wanted to do.
[ Soft touches. Intimate touches. A hand in his hair, on his cheek, at the small of his back. A head on his shoulder. A kiss, fingers slipping under the hem of his clothes.
Endo bought himself a pet simply because he wants to be wanted. And the only way he'll get a taste of that — and get to keep it — is by literally owning another human being. ]
You'll live nicely. I'll give you everything you want, except for your freedom. You'll eat well and live a nice life.
But only if you convince me.
[ Otherwise, he's getting handed off to someone from Noroshi. An employment of the month gift. ]
In a cheerful tone, as he holds his hand: ]
Your job is to touch me, and to make me feel like that's all you ever wanted to do.
[ Soft touches. Intimate touches. A hand in his hair, on his cheek, at the small of his back. A head on his shoulder. A kiss, fingers slipping under the hem of his clothes.
Endo bought himself a pet simply because he wants to be wanted. And the only way he'll get a taste of that — and get to keep it — is by literally owning another human being. ]
You'll live nicely. I'll give you everything you want, except for your freedom. You'll eat well and live a nice life.
But only if you convince me.
[ Otherwise, he's getting handed off to someone from Noroshi. An employment of the month gift. ]
I...see.
[Or at least, he comprehends what's being asked of him, and what's being offered in exchange. Though he's not certain if it's possible for him to live a nice life, without freedom.]
It'll be a bit of an adjustment for me. You realize that, right?
[Or at least, he comprehends what's being asked of him, and what's being offered in exchange. Though he's not certain if it's possible for him to live a nice life, without freedom.]
It'll be a bit of an adjustment for me. You realize that, right?
I don't expect miracles.
[ Not at the beginning, and truly, not even when he's gotten used to it. Endo doesn't expect it to be world-class acting; he isn't anticipating that he'll truly feel wanted. He just wants to be able to convince himself for a while, and to do that, he needs Yukimiya to put on a good show. ]
But I'm not gonna wait forever, either. You'll practice like this [ he squeezes his hand ] every day and we'll work up to it. But if you're not trying, or you're not making progress, that's it for you. Got it?
[ Not at the beginning, and truly, not even when he's gotten used to it. Endo doesn't expect it to be world-class acting; he isn't anticipating that he'll truly feel wanted. He just wants to be able to convince himself for a while, and to do that, he needs Yukimiya to put on a good show. ]
But I'm not gonna wait forever, either. You'll practice like this [ he squeezes his hand ] every day and we'll work up to it. But if you're not trying, or you're not making progress, that's it for you. Got it?
[Reflexively, he squeezes back against Endo's hand.]
I understand.
[Or at least, he thinks he does. It'll take some doing, in practice.]
I understand.
[Or at least, he thinks he does. It'll take some doing, in practice.]
[ Endo's in the process of getting a hold over himself when Accelerator makes that slight, near-laugh sound, and it makes him laugh again — not quite as hard, but definitely building off of his still-lingering mirth. This whole situation is pretty ridiculous, all things considered — from where they started, to where they are now — but all these little interactions feel like wins. It is progress, even though Endo's not currently framing it that way. Though he pays no mind to it now, later he'll have to do some thinking about the fact that he's genuinely having a good time — no complications, no frills. Hell, even his more immediate goals have taken somewhat of a backseat; not out of mind or off the table, but Endo's more rooted in the present than three steps ahead.
When he finally feels like he can get a breath in without jostling his ribs, he says: ]
Nah.
[ Because Accelerator is right: there's no way he'd want to be treated with kid gloves. Not here, not during a fight. If he's remotely interested in someone, whether due to their strength or god-like wings, he wants to see what they dish out, regardless of the form it comes in. That includes teasing — which will open more doors for Endo later, when he's capable of analyzing all these moments with a clear head. ]
This is better.
[ He lies back on the bed, all that laughing having taken a lot out of him. The urge to nap is suddenly strong, but he finally reaches for the bag that was sitting on his lap, but now sits toward the edge of the bed. Peeking inside, he raises his eyebrows. ]
Whoa — you guessed right.
[ New and expensive is Endo's taste, alright. He changes phones a lot to keep up with the new models — and for other reasons, too. He hadn't given Accelerator specific instructions about the purchase, but if he had made a direct demand, the newest iPhone would've been at the top of his list. ]
Guess you were thinking hard about me, huh? Tryin' to figure me out?
[ Accelerator gets only the briefest teasing smile before Endo takes the box out of the bag and begins opening it — one-handed, of course. ]
When he finally feels like he can get a breath in without jostling his ribs, he says: ]
Nah.
[ Because Accelerator is right: there's no way he'd want to be treated with kid gloves. Not here, not during a fight. If he's remotely interested in someone, whether due to their strength or god-like wings, he wants to see what they dish out, regardless of the form it comes in. That includes teasing — which will open more doors for Endo later, when he's capable of analyzing all these moments with a clear head. ]
This is better.
[ He lies back on the bed, all that laughing having taken a lot out of him. The urge to nap is suddenly strong, but he finally reaches for the bag that was sitting on his lap, but now sits toward the edge of the bed. Peeking inside, he raises his eyebrows. ]
Whoa — you guessed right.
[ New and expensive is Endo's taste, alright. He changes phones a lot to keep up with the new models — and for other reasons, too. He hadn't given Accelerator specific instructions about the purchase, but if he had made a direct demand, the newest iPhone would've been at the top of his list. ]
Guess you were thinking hard about me, huh? Tryin' to figure me out?
[ Accelerator gets only the briefest teasing smile before Endo takes the box out of the bag and begins opening it — one-handed, of course. ]
[ Endo doesn't expect him to commit to the bit so early, so the squeeze is a little surprise, enough to make him drop his smile and widen his eyes a little — after which he gives a much stronger squeeze. And grins, naturally. ]
Of course you do! 'Cause I picked right.
[ He is a bad judge of character, though, so who's to say what this will look like long-term. Still, the early squeeze is promising. They may work up to what he really wants after all. ]
Something else you gotta know — I live with another guy. Stay out of his way.
[ And don't ever make commentary about Endo's relationship with him. But Endo doesn't elaborate beyond that. ]
Of course you do! 'Cause I picked right.
[ He is a bad judge of character, though, so who's to say what this will look like long-term. Still, the early squeeze is promising. They may work up to what he really wants after all. ]
Something else you gotta know — I live with another guy. Stay out of his way.
[ And don't ever make commentary about Endo's relationship with him. But Endo doesn't elaborate beyond that. ]
Page 6 of 12