Edmund's face was nowhere near it's normal color, but Francis' words made it burn anew again.  This is exactly what he meant before.  He figured when his inhibitions were lowered, he would care less about what he said and how he acted, how other people would think of him, but sober once again he couldn't help but worry.  Nervous was his default.

He hoped Francis wouldn't think of him as annoying because of it, but Edmund wouldn't blame him if he did.

"I just wanted to say that - that you really are a kind and handsome man, is all."  Seeing clearly and so close, Francis' eyes were blue as the sky.  Edmund could still remember how his stubble felt against his own face and hands, and he had to look away from the other man again.

"Also... I do know your feelings, but I don't know my own yet.  I know they're not - not opposed, obviously, but I don't know how far they'll go.  How far I'll go.  I don't want to accidentally hurt you, now or later, so I just - I wanted to tell you that, too."