[ Even if he weren't dulled by pain medication, Endo wouldn't necessarily temper the excited smile that takes over his face as Accelerator processes this information — and his quip. He might've been more careful about it, though — more measured, or better in timing, or even not that intense, since too much too fast is only going to scare Accelerator away. It's not like Accelerator's fully comfortable around him yet. Endo's positive that he considered leaving earlier; meds aren't to fully turn off his tendency to analyze people.
But as before, the medication is just enough to shave off an edge to Endo's actions, and therefore he beams at Accelerator, entirely charmed and very pleased with his reaction — and himself. Because truthfully, Endo was teasing without putting a whole lot of forethought into his phrasing, thanks to the drugs, and he hadn't even meant to imply that Accelerator should be jealous of the women. Elated, Endo doesn't correct him. He keeps it to himself like a treasured little secret, absolutely reveling in the fact that Accelerator took it that way. This means that he's grown on Accelerator more than he anticipated.
He's in a really good mood now, so he happily chatters away. ]
I'm dating 'em 'cause I like 'em. And 'cause they're loaded. Why else?
[ Like it's the most natural thing in the world for a teenager to spend evening hours with women who're a good bit older than him. ]
And no, man, I'm not in high school anymore. I dropped out over a year ago. But I was dating 'em when I was a first-year, too. A couple of 'em would drive me to school in the mornings.
[ He drifts in thought a little, remembering one in particular, but then he snaps his attention back to Accelerator again to assure him: ]
Don't worry. It's all casual. I'm a free man.
[ Is it casual? Yes. Is Endo a free man? Not at all. But as he is right now, he doesn't intend it as a lie. Takiishi is separate, and he's loaded up on enough pain meds to avoid any deep thoughts about him. He's just happily in the present moment. ]
no subject
But as before, the medication is just enough to shave off an edge to Endo's actions, and therefore he beams at Accelerator, entirely charmed and very pleased with his reaction — and himself. Because truthfully, Endo was teasing without putting a whole lot of forethought into his phrasing, thanks to the drugs, and he hadn't even meant to imply that Accelerator should be jealous of the women. Elated, Endo doesn't correct him. He keeps it to himself like a treasured little secret, absolutely reveling in the fact that Accelerator took it that way. This means that he's grown on Accelerator more than he anticipated.
He's in a really good mood now, so he happily chatters away. ]
I'm dating 'em 'cause I like 'em. And 'cause they're loaded. Why else?
[ Like it's the most natural thing in the world for a teenager to spend evening hours with women who're a good bit older than him. ]
And no, man, I'm not in high school anymore. I dropped out over a year ago. But I was dating 'em when I was a first-year, too. A couple of 'em would drive me to school in the mornings.
[ He drifts in thought a little, remembering one in particular, but then he snaps his attention back to Accelerator again to assure him: ]
Don't worry. It's all casual. I'm a free man.
[ Is it casual? Yes. Is Endo a free man? Not at all. But as he is right now, he doesn't intend it as a lie. Takiishi is separate, and he's loaded up on enough pain meds to avoid any deep thoughts about him. He's just happily in the present moment. ]