There's more familiar faces here than he has the names to go with. It's surreal to see that many mutants in one place. For the same reason no less. The same joy and hope and ambition for whatever this place is to them now. It still feels too soon to call it home exactly, but maybe that's just cautious pessimism speaking.

Things do feel different this time though. Even he can't deny that. It takes something more than a pretty speech and a promise to inspire some of the smiles and handshakes he catches himself eavesdropping on. It's hard to imagine a bridge strong enough to bear the weight of what's being built upon it.

There's only one drink left, dangling from his six pack holder when the desire to step back from the noise a while is interrupted by a familiar face, uncharacteristically alone in the crowd.

He slings a heavy arm around Kurt's neck and speaks with his lips against the man's ear to keep from having to shout over all else.

"Came back with everything in the right place I hope."