He could see the anger, knew a younger version of himself well enough to consider just which buttons to push- unaware this Ed was more prone to anger and violence than even he was in his youth - but the effort the kid was putting into holding back? That riled up something dangerous in him, and if he'd been sober he might be more aware of it.

It was when the teen stepped back that Ed paused, reconsidered if maybe he shouldn't be so intentionally antagonistic. It wasn't his fault any of this happened, but he was something to focus on in the moment and Edward was latching onto that. Someone he could antagonize that wasn't Zenith? Seemed like a good idea. The guy was practically asking for it, getting into his business like this. Besides, he'd hoped the word of warning at least sunk in, don't be as stupid as him, it's not worth it.

At those words something flashed in his eyes, easily mistaken for anger before his expression cracked from restrained to outright amused again. The laugh this time was shorter, a bark of amusement before retorting quietly. "Jay? Yeah, I think calling you a dick is exactly how he'd want me to honor his memory." That's kind of why he'd done it, it reminded him of Jason - sounded like something he'd say - and the younger Ed was practically asking for it at this point.