The comics never excuse it, the readers typically do, I’m just annoyed that whenever Clinton flubs, people are quick to slam him hard and without mercy (and not in a fun way)
I see it too often in the world---these forums included---that it's absence from the comic would have my compliments to God. I think one of the issues is that we don't see any underlying issues with Clinton, only behaviour, so that's what we criticize, though it would be more effective to merely note the behaviour, and watch for other clues as they might arise---to wait until there's enough data to say something deeper about why, maybe, those behaviours are thus. The second biggest problem I see with Clinton's behaviour in row 3 frame 2, is that he's gesticulating with a glass of beer. Last time, some splashed on a big-guy's shirt, who threatened corporal violence in response. It's a nice detail, actually, because (d) he's kinda doing the same thing---emotionally---to Elliot, and (r) it reminds us that Elliot already displayed to Clinton what Yaaaaaaaay Newfriend proposed to pose for.
The biggest problem is loose talk, but many a character suffers that flaw.
And Elliot? Well.. his face in that last frame looks to me like a "You're half a pint from seeing the doorway from a horizontal plane!"
Well, I think there's some verity to the idea that Elliot's immediate reaction is about finding out that a person he's attracted to is not attracted to him---Clinton reacted similarly---but we'll see if it sticks with him. As for Clinton's being upset about Brun expressing (which may be, as earlier noted, Brun's mistaking something related---a lack of sexual-fantastic pleasure---as) unattraction to Clinton, we have no indication that it stuck with him past that first reaction: he could well be simply relieved. I agree that the speculation has focused too much on that possibility.
So, firstly, he has implied strongly that he would have dumped Elliot on the spot and left with Brun if she'd returned his feelings.
Nuh-uh!---I mean *clears throat* that's not necessarily what would have happened. It's definitely high-grade asshattery---mentioning what may be construed, especially by someone as self-insecure as Elliot, as an attempt to `steal' the other's crush---but I think this could be further set-up for the polycule. I don't think he's making fun of Elliot's attraction, but not recognizing, in that state of mind, that maybe Elliot won't feel the same way about it.
If there are any errors in this message: the keyboard has been drinking---not me.