Even Dee shrunk back at that outburst, enough that he fell backwards off the last step. Which, honestly, was a couple of inches off the ground at most. He'd be fine.

Minoru jumped in the now-open space to stand between them. Hands out, he would keep them physically apart if he had to.

"Nope. Never did. You're totally right about that. But I had a pretty good idea what I was getting into when I sought you out to be my coach. You honestly think he'd do what I did? Willingly?"

Minoru glanced over his shoulder, making damn sure Dee kept his mouth shut. Dee, meanwhile, just gulped as he pushed himself up on his elbows. He shook his head no.

He sighed, "I get it. But some timelines just are what they are. You can't rehab an injury any faster than a body heals. You can't always make someone swim by throwing them in the deep end. Sometimes it works, sure. But some of them just drown."

He stepped back off the steps, motioning that the way was definitely clear now.