Just reread this, and realized what I'd forgotten to add:

I'll definitely tighten up that section, because that's *supposed* to be the first indication that Ed's disapproval/fear makes Roy willing to throw his life away.

Err, did you mean that? That reads like Roy is willing to throw his life away because of Ed's disapproval or fear. As though Ed's reaction makes Roy's life less important? I'm guessing that's just typing one thing and thinking something else, because it doesn't make sense to me. Or it does, but not in a good way. Heh.