The way Stede presses into him is comforting, really. Edward feeds into it, opening himself up a little more with each new touch until he's managed to retire the impression of a turtle he'd been doing and embrace his situation a bit more comfortably.

Stede talking helps. Not just his voice, but the pleasant things in store for him. Stede's awe and the way he says the word married nearly makes Edward sigh wistfully in response, but he manages to hold it together.

"It's not a thing at home, either." he mutters stubbornly, "At least, not out at sea..." Not where pirates are concerned, he means.