Sometimes, it’s something dramatic that breaks his heart. The betrayal of someone he loved. Shards of shrapnel filleting his heart. And sometimes, it’s the Hulk telling him that he doesn’t want to be alone.

“Listen. This thing?” He taps a finger against his chest, hard enough to make the thunk of impact against the reactor’s casing audible through the layers of his clothes. “Can power my heart for fifty lifetimes. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I haven’t begun to see what I can do with this kind of technology yet. So here’s my point.”

He worms his way a little closer, invades the Hulk’s personal space like it’s the most natural thing in the world. On more even footing now with the Hulk sitting down, Tony leans in and reaches out to touch his face, trying to turn his head to meet his eyes.

“Long as I’m alive,” he says, his voice a vehement hiss. “You are never going to be alone. No matter what. I will always be here with you."