Hulkling did actually laugh, a sound that came out in a breath that visibly released the tension from his shoulders, letting him drop into a more natural slouch. If she knew how his (old? still? temporarily suspended?) teammates could be about puns, she might not have been so quick to joke about maiming. He was lucky to have Billy to let him be a dork was the moral of that story.
She was right about it being nice out; it was almost like spring. At her question Hulkling even smiled and had to wait to reply when he unfurled his wings again to jump into the air. The beat was like a roar and sent gravel scattering down over the edge of the roof again, but Hulkling didn't seem to notice. "Four out of five doctors agree it's good for you," he welcomed, and climbed higher. "That fifth one is Doom," he added with a shrug and a twisted grin.