Her smile caught him and he released a breath of relief, glad she hadn't taken offense by his words. He was likes child in a sense, eager to learn and with that came curiosity. Then questions of al caliber. But Bruce would try his hardest to remain tactful; Liv was a person and was not some rude science experiment unleashed on the world. He would study her but not like a rat, she was more than a large, whiskered rodent.
"Hot sauce," Bruce repeated, nodding. That was a new one. A zombie that liked hot peppers or spicy food. He wondered if she had ever eaten Indian, there was enough zip in the cuisine that she might take to it like a natural. "They could make ice cream with red pepper. Or jelly. Have you ever had red pepper jelly?" He remembered that his Aunt used to can some when he was younger. It had a bite to it, but also a sweetness. It had been quite good on toast.
Bruce had begun to protest but a stern look from his new friend warranted him keeping his mouth shut, so he ordered instead, something less firey and more tame. Udon with vegetables, mostly.
The scientist plucked a pair of chopsticks from a nearby container and carried his bowl to a table, setting down across from Liv. He pressed the chopsticks into the noodles and lifted his gaze to Liv, watching her move. Her concerns weighed on his heart and Bruce nodded. "I know how you feel. It's hard to love someone knowing that if you ever disagreed you might turn them into a splatter."