At least Steven has the benefit of being able to sense the general mood, so that he can know that Strange isn't secretly fostering anger or resentment at what Steven just said. The fact that he just accepted it makes it even more awkward and difficult in a way, though.

He's always so nice... except for when he's not.

"I, just..." Steven tries, feeling incredibly shitty, "...I thought you were going to be different. After the stuff you said when we got back from Portland. I thought you wanted to be friends. But..."

He shifts his position on the sand, his tail curling around him.

"Whenever something happens... it feels like you don't care at all." He's quiet for a few more moments, before: "When you said that to me... it made me really want to go after Nightshade myself, and... I couldn't get the feelings to stop. And I don't know what would have happened to me if I'd tried."