Edward feels his own eyes leak with more tears, even after he had been certain he couldn't produce them anymore- that they had all been used up. His heart aches. Well... his entire body aches. He wants to fall forward onto the soft furniture and trap Stede beneath him, limbs locked together. Sleep it off, maybe. Well... assuming he can even sleep. Assuming, of course, that whatever it is in his system that's making the need to touch Stede so irresistible doesn't make him want to do something else first.

Easy, now.

"I can't--" he squeaks out, his voice cracking slightly. He realizes in the moment that telling Stede to leave would probably be smart. Mature, even. The right move but also the move that puts distance between them, that could mean never seeing him again. Saying goodbye. He can't bear it.

He's always ran from his problems. actually. He'd run away from home, leaving his mother behind after the incident with his father. He'd fled Hornigold's ship where he'd endured sometimes tremendous pain. He'd chased after Stede to escape the disenchantment he'd felt. A pirate's life was one on the run. Stede running almost seems normal, even if Ed fucking hates it. Maybe his own fucking ego is why it makes it so difficult for Ed to accept it.

"I don't want you to leave." he admits, barely a whisper. It's honest. Maybe the most honest he's been since they started this whole conversation.