[ him, a nightmare? if we're going by definition, sure. izumi's a nightmare to deal with on worst days, and even on normal days he's just too much of a killjoy to have fun with. which is why leo is there to balance them out.

but right now the scales are starting to tip. this path is looking less like a catwalk that izumi can walk down with sheer confidence, and more like a tightrope that they're both struggling to stay on. and leo just knew where to hurt him with a couple of words, but izumi would expect no less from someone who can make weapons at a drop of a hat. ]

Do you hear yourself just now? Or did you already forget what happened earlier? You went too far, Leo-kun! We both did! And now that guy--

[ he wonders if cole made it out okay, now that this world's effect on him has subsided. but did it ever leave him?

he swallows around the bile that's building up in his throat. he's so sick. ]

I know you didn't mean it, but... You have no idea how scared I was. [ and, relunctantly, he lets go of leo's hand despite his words. ] I still am.