Another scoff, as if he's heard it all before. "So changeable," he whines almost mockingly, "You knew you had to leave, you knew you had to come back... who cares what I want? How long until you know you need to leave again?"

And that's it, really. It isn't up to Edward... as much as he wishes it was. Because it doesn't matter if he wants it as long as there's a possibility for Stede to fuck off again. If there is, he wants to be as far away from him as possible and protect himself from harm.

"You're asking me for a chance," he shakes his head, "A chance to what... earn my trust?"