“Actually, big guy, I’m friends with you because you’re one of the best people I know.” The Hulk’s too tall, and Tony’s too short, to sling an arm around his shoulders like the way he would with Bruce. So he improvises by stepping up beside him and just leaning against him, like a full-body nudge to the side. “And trust me, I know a lot of people. And have unrealistically high standards. The number of people I trust I can count on my hands with fingers to spare. But you’re one of them.”

He will never understand the belief that the Hulk is a monster. He’ll never understand the fear that he inspires in so many people.

“I’ll take Bruce. No hesitation or argument from me there. But I’m not the one who makes him better.” Tony lifts his eyebrows as he looks pointedly up at the Hulk’s eyes. “You are. This world has been nothing but miserable to you and to him, but you don’t let it stop you. You still help protect it. It doesn’t deserve your help or your protection, but here you are anyway. There aren’t many people like that out there, who have that much heart to care about strangers and assholes. That’s why you’re my friend.”