Steve's eyes narrow as well, just at the 'Freak' comment. He might not be 'mutant' but he knows acutely what it's like to grow up with the world looking at you like you're a mistake. He wonders if the Steve Tommy knew ever shared those stories.

"You're not a freak," he says firmly. "You being special doesn't make you less or more than anyone else. You have powers which give you additional responsibilities and different experiences than others. But that doesn't make you a 'freak'."