Ned hears the branch snap, but he doesn't startle, doesn't recoil in fright. He looks up slowly, curiously; he doesn't know who he was expecting, but it certainly isn't Tony.

Ned had glanced at Tony's message to the network - something about his skin sparkling in the sunlight? - but he'd been rather busy with other matters at the time and, if he's honest with himself, avoiding thinking about how badly he'd bungled his last conversation with the man. It was simply easier for him to avoid the issue, rather than dwell and feel bad and wonder how he is going to apologize, and if it will matter. He told himself he was waiting for the opportune time.

But apparently, that time has come now, with or without his permission. Ned pulls out of the trance, smiling at Tony, hesitantly. "Tony, hi. It's good to see you." He cringes internally, thinking, too obvious, too fake, he's already screwing his apology up and he hasn't even started. "What brings you out here at this hour?"