She tastes how she always does, like electricity running through his blood and the possibility of change, sweetened by warm milk and chocolate and city-approved drugs, and the faint trace of Scott, which only makes it better. But he feels the moment where she stiffens with surprise and the way she reaches back for the man behind her, like she's been pulled adrift and needs a safe place to hold on to.

He's closed his eyes and he opens them again as he pulls back, letting her go as he does so. His heart sinks in his chest. He can't stand to look at Scott in that moment, but he can feel the pressure of his attention from behind those shades, probably already preparing to tell him what he knew the minute Jean tensed up in his arms. Maybe before that, if he's truly honest. He hasn't seen her in black in so long.

He reaches up with one hand to touch her cheek with his fingertips, looking into her eyes.

"Guess it ain't ever that easy for either of us, darlin'," he murmurs, half to himself. He glances over at Scott, disappointment closing up his expression like a steel trap, resigned and tired all of a sudden.

"Krakoa's gonna be a surprise for both of you, huh?"