[It had been one thing for Mantis, on the ship surrounded by a makeshift family (and that was what Drax had said, they were family, whether they liked it or not). There it been easier to feel like she belonged, like all was forgiven, and for the short time she had been able to experience that feeling, like the love within all of them it had a comforting sort of pain to it.

But here in this place her insecurities have returned, the stretch of nights in a room alone have given Mantis too much room to think, and to second guess, and to remember all that had happened to put her in this place. Having to explain it to new friends was also having an effect on her ability to make sense of who she had been and who she could now be, who she wanted to be.

She blinks at Peter's curse, blinks at him and listens to his words, and she takes them to heart.]

I understand. I know that I am not... but I needed to tell you, and I am sorry that I did not tell you sooner. Your friendship is important to me.

[And she does not hesitate to say so. Not least of which because no one else in her world would ever know Ego the same way that Peter did, even the little that he did. Ego who had raised her, and introduced her to the world, who had been her world for all of her years, and who she would never see again. It conjures a complex ball of emotions within her that Mantis does not know how to deal with, but somehow, talking with Peter seems to have released some of the tension inside that ball.]

I am sorry for any trouble I have caused you. [Mantis finally tears her gaze from his, landing instead on the patch in Peter's hands. At the very least, she has managed not to actually cry.] If you should ever wish to discuss it... I am willing.