Eugh. Strange is making this really difficult, saying things like that. It makes him feel really sad inside, and he's been trying so hard to stay upbeat. He doesn't want to feel like he did as a Harbinger ever again.

He wraps his arms around his knees. Part of him is already saying, look how nice he's being! It must have been a fluke, a mistake. It must have been your fault. It was because you started it. You should give him another chance.

His stomach turns.

"I..." he starts in a small voice, shrinking at the shoulders. "...I don't know if I can be your friend, right now."

That's what this is, isn't it? Trying to be his friend? Or had he just been misreading Strange's interactions with him before? Probably. Dumb.