Once he knows that the touch is welcome, Tony doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arms more firmly around Bruce. If simply by holding him like this, he could somehow shield him from the world and the wounds it has inflicted upon him, he would. He knows he can’t. He knows they can’t hide in this kitchen forever, and that when they leave, he can’t be the shield he thinks Bruce needs. But he thinks that even still, he’ll try.

He’s just as eager to kiss him as he is to embrace him, and he’d like nothing more than to keep kissing him. Tony knows talking about the Hulk isn’t always the easiest thing for Bruce to do; the last thing he wants to do is upset him, and judging from how uncomfortable Tony thinks he looks, he’s afraid that that might be unavoidable.

“The truth,” he begins, lips curving upward into a brief smile. “And something the Hulk said to me makes me think it’s something you needed to hear. Possibly multiple times. While prove the veracity of my words. It’s not just empty talk.”

And now he’s rambling. “Want me to start at the beginning or just skip to the highlights?”