It takes a second for Bruce to realize the he missed the joke, but when he does his cheeks turn a dusty pink and he ducks his head, embarrassed. There's a smile on his lips, though, and the warmth in his chest begins to seep out into the rest of his body. He shifts again, just a little, and it reminds him of how good Tony feels on top of him like this - in more ways than one.

He's still feeling embarrassed when they kiss again, though as the seconds tick by that feeling melts into something else. He steals a second kiss, even briefer than the first, before pulling back a little to take a breath.

Should he let this continue? It seems like Tony wants it, but Bruce is worried that continuing might make him panic again. Stopping doesn't exactly seem like the best idea, though, so he compromises by allowing his thumbs to brush up beneath the fabric of Tony's shirt, where they rub small circles over his hipbones.

"How did you mean it, then?" he asks, his own voice teasing but still affectionate. There's a glimmer of mischief in his expression that's all too easy to read.