"You're really not." Tony cocked his head to the side, brows lifted. "Support, sure, I need that, but calling my out on my shit is also something you do regularly. Doesn't make you a bad friend. It can be annoying in the moment but-"

He shrugged. It was what it was, their different life experiences and opinions didn't always line up. That was fine. Wrapping himself in similar ideals and constant approval wasn't really Tony's bag- he'd fallen into that hole when he was younger, bad times were had, lessons were learned. The guy that stood next to you no matter what but slapped you upside the head when you were being a dumbass? That guy was invaluable. And right now it was down to Banner who didn't normally handle shit on this particular field since- it hadn't been an issue in all the years he'd known him.

Happily monogamous had been a good word, a good look, a good life for Tony. Stepping out was a move done out of desperation for...something. Anything. "You're not failing at anything, Bruce. Kinda surprised you're not yelling at me for it- don't-"

Well shit. He reached over, hand settling on his back. "Don't turn this around into something to kick yourself for. It's not stupid, it's a difference in perspectives. And that was-uh. It was a literary reference? Though I don't think it applies since it's less crucible and more scarlet letter. So it was a muddled one."

And maybe he should've spent more time thinking of Pepper, of how she'd feel when, not if, she found out if she ever showed up. It's not the kind of thing he'd hide from her. He hadn't...really been thinking much at all.