It stung fiercely to hear, and she felt stupid for a moment. Her fingers curled under her palm, sliding off of his hand, and she looked down. He had a point. She was always aware of the fact that he'd barely been with the X-Men back home, but after the time they'd spent on the island, and the time she'd known him back home, it was impossible to think of him that way.

Liken an acquaintance. Or like she didn't know him. She shook her head and fanned her fingers out to cross his again, squeezing his hand and turning her face back toward him.

"Maybe so. I was the same. They hated me when I joined up, even the professor didn't like me. Thought I'd be in 'n out 'n they became my family. 'n maybe that hasn't happened for you yet, so Ah- I can't expect you to... feel the same, but I know the capacity for good you got in you. I know it, even if you don't."