Broken Boulder as I walk out on the ledge

No matter how hard he coughed, the leaves would not dislodge from his throat. Alarian was starting to panic now, growing lightheaded from the lack of air. The boy's gag reflex kicked in at some point, and he began to gag between coughs. Salty, stinging tears soaked his face from the force of his choking.
The Governor's chest felt tight, constricted; it heaved in desperate search of oxygen. He backed away from Korei, trying and failing to form words. K— Kor— It caught in his throat, and a beat of silence passed. Then— with a harsh, hacking cough, he expelled the remaining leaves. Only a few had lingered, but it had been enough.
He wheezed, breaths coming fast and ragged as he recovered; he didn't dare look at Korei. God, why did she always have to see his most embarrassing moments?