Bruce couldn't say what he's really feeling. Tired, maybe hollowed out, maybe contemplative, but that's like a non-feeling. Usually after a Hulking out, he's tired and just wants to relax somewhere, but this time it's even more intense than usual. It's like he has an emotional hangover.

He's glad when Tony slides into place behind him, and he leans against him gratefully, tilting his head back; he pulls Tony's arms tighter around him because he doesn't need a loose embrace here. He needs to feel like this body's his own again and that he belongs in it.

Tony's words, though, are kind of strange. Not strange in the sense that Bruce doesn't like to hear them, but they seem to come out of nowhere. It's easier to focus on that than on how they make him feel. He turns his head to kiss Tony, his response to the sentiment and the promise, and then he shifts so he can see Tony's face.

"What makes you say that?"