The kick catches him solid and nearly knocks him off his feet. The ground is unsteady here and they're fighting in the equivalent of dress shoes. He'd call this performance sloppy and amateurish if he witnessed it, but what does it matter? He's already dead. This is nothing but a game to him, a little entertainment before whatever torment comes next. He's even laughing as he recovers, snapping back into stance to keep the pressure on.

"You're damn right it is. And you earned it. Every step of the way-"

A lunge, as though he's going for the knife. It's telegraphed so obviously that even in this half-hazy state, it can't actually be a real attempt.

"You were goddamn magnificent." His smile looks somewhere between vicious and fond. "I couldn't have been prouder. Leon."

There's a beat, then he moves in to sweep Leon's legs and take him down.