Because he’s watching him, he sees the way his hands clench and he wonders how he’s feeling. Really feeling. Is he angry? Sad? Scared? Tony can’t tell. He’s never been particularly good at reading people and now that there are emotions involved here, his own emotions, what little skill he possesses is practically useless. Instincts, though. Tony’s good at following his instincts. Sometimes they get him into trouble, but he isn’t in the habit of second guessing them.

His instincts are telling him to act now. So he does.

Setting the bowl down on the counter, he wipes his hands against his jeans and moves away from the sink. He keeps moving, steps up behind Bruce and slides his arms around his waist. It’s loose enough that Bruce can slip away if the contact isn’t welcome, but on the off-chance that it is, Tony isn’t going to veer from this course of action.

Loose as the embrace is, it’s there. He’s there. And he leans his head forward so that he can say quietly, near to his ear, “You’re not alone anymore, Bruce. I swear, as long as you want me, I’m here. I won’t leave you alone.”