"I know, I'm sorry I brought this up while dressed like this, but we're geniuses, we can look past ridiculous things." It is pretty ridiculous, but it's not the strangest thing they've done. This is a bizarre forced Halloween party. Outside of the fact he can't see Tony's face through a mask, which he really wish he could. His friend is far, far better at hiding his thoughts, but Bruce is usually good at reading him.

He rubs the back of his neck. "Love is ... pushing it. I have a very strong romantic attachment to her, and I love her as a friend and person, but we're not in love. We could be. We could also be a disaster." Bruce is a pessimist and he can't imagine a world where he is allowed to be happy. "But I do know that Nat and I are both people who do not have feelings for others easily or often. The fact that we developed those feelings for each other, despite reasons we shouldn't, is significant." Neither of them are in and out of relationships or romances. They are picky and guarded and difficult.

"I could absolutely go back to being friends with her. I gave her that option if it's what she prefers. I just want her in my life, however that happens." And he means it without a doubt. Bruce doesn't need romance or relationships. He's been platonic for a long time now, and before Betty he was too. "But I still want it, because this is my only real chance to be with her, Tony. The Hulk will always be in the way back home."