Whatever Bruce was going to say in response, an offer to try to find small words or a lightly sarcastic returning joke about what would be in his top ten list, is lost when Jack throws his arms around him. He's so completely taken aback that he can't respond for a second. It's not that he never touches anyone-- there's a thousand small, unconscious touches that come with daily life-- but out and out hugging is extremely rare. Conscientious of who he lets into his personal space, Bruce is constantly looking for a potential confrontation, something that would provoke a transformation, and in pursuit of that he by rote keeps his distance. Physically and emotionally. Most people sense that his personal space bubble is fairly large, and respect that; and he hasn't for years been around the same person long enough to develop the kind of relationship where they'd feel free just hugging him out of the blue.

But it's not that he minds it. After that second, he starts to relax, tentatively bringing one arm up to return it in a half-embrace. His enthusiasm is nice, and a helpless, self-conscious smile scrawls across Bruce's face. “Just thought you could use something better than a freezer,” he downplays it, trying not to be too awkward but probably failing.