He watched understanding dawn on her face: first surprise and possible concern or fear as she took in the threats that their powers could pose then deep sympathy as she realized what it could have meant for her friend growing up. Despite everything they had shared so far, he still half expected some sort of blowback over how dangerous mutants' powers could be. When it never came, he was left with only a vague sense of guilt for being forced to share some measure of Athena's possible pain with her.

The idea that his own pain may have hit her almost as hard never occurred to him.

"Sorry," he said, softly. "I didn't want to upset you. It may not have been that bad for her. Every person's experience is different. It depends a lot on the nature of their powers, their support system at home, and the environment they grew up in. Maybe she had help learning to cope?"

He gave her a wan smile and spread his hands. "When my parents adopted me, I was already every bit the charmer that's hidden under this disguise." He gave a playful flip of his bangs, struggling to bring a little levity to a heavy subject. "Can you imagine what it must have been like for them to protect a social, energetic toddler who looked like a demon and could teleport away from them on a whim? I don't know how they managed it, but they kept me safe. And even though I understood the outside world may not always welcome me, I never had to question whether I was worthy of love. Family and friends can make all the difference."