[What he heard went deeper than he'd imagined it would, and even though he wasn't trying to get a word in edgewise he had never thought of her as a problem. Intimidating, yes, very likely to reasonably hate him, yes. So he waited until after she had said her piece, unflinching but also pretty unsure as to what to say. Once it was fairly clear she had stated her mind, he nodded, reaching up to rub the back of his neck]

I've never thought you're a problem. And I am genuinely sorry for... perpetuating this. I'm sorry for my part in hurting you, Rogue.

[because she was a person, and she had a name, and somehow he wanted to let her know he thought of her in these terms, not as a problem.]

Mainly, I... was pretty convinced that if I asked anything about you, you wouldn't want anything to do with me, anyway. I can't and don't blame you, if I were in your shoes, I'd feel the same. So I was trying to avoid that kind of conflict. Which is why I haven't tried to get to know you.