The paranoia ate his friends.
The dismal signs of continuing friendship were but an ember's glow.
Yet he tried, shakily at first but then slowly, the ember grew.
Careful to be in control of it, because the ember needed a wick to grow on. Because a wick is all that the relationship could be at its best, now. A single flame. Not like before, the intensely passionate and uncontrollable fire that it was. All systems were called to put it out, and it nearly died, completely. But it couldve been worse. It couldve taken out the two who created it.
Nobody in close proximity of the fire and it's damage were fine. Everybody was in shock, the few main bodies involved were traumatised, to say the least.

Never leave a fire, even a flame, unattended. Caution can be likened to paranoia, but there is a difference. One is acted upon out of care (best interest) for the majority and the other out of selfishness.