>>280315017
I think he's long been a coward and it's part of his core personality. And it's fine for him to have it as a flaw. There's no need to defend this about him while he's messing things up.
But Axeman always lets Yor get hurt over and over while Loid is allowed to remain comfortable in their current arrangement whenever their relationship comes up. That's why the only satisfying way forward for them is for Loid to take more risks outside of his comfort zone too.