Stede doesn’t flinch this time in the face of Ed’s heightened emotion. Instead, as Ed leans forward, Stede meets his pain and anger head-on. The man deserves that much, and Stede has no right to look away just because of how it makes guilt and self-loathing roil in his stomach.

“I can see that now. I’m sorry, Ed.” His voice cracks on the apology, his own eyes welling up. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. Everything I touch, it…” He stops short, shaking his head. There he does, making it about him again. Isn’t he always doing that?

“I only wanted the best for you.”