>> I think it's probably more that it helps him to avoid feeling trapped, as it gives him a direction to go should he need it. <<

Exactly.

>> It doesn't really matter that he won't need it here, or that these people would move to let him go. Feelings are what they are. <<

You feel what you feel, but sometimes feelings lie to you. Bruce's feelings are lying to him a lot, and it is making some things difficult. However, it helps to have people who shift around as needed, who let him out when he needs an out.

>> He may eventually feel safe being surrounded by these people, as trust builds between them, but I don't think he's quite there yet. <<

The positive experiences are gradually adding up. The other Avengers have done a lot of trustbuilding work.

>> Being surrounded has generally not been a good thing for him. <<

Thank you Fury for adding to that bullshit.

>> Note that I'm talking about Bruce here, I suspect Hulk already trusts them more, and may already be fine with being surrounded by them. <<

Hulk likes having people pile onto him. Remember how happy he was when everyone was washing him? While his early memories are as bad as Bruce's, Hulk learns much faster on emotional levels. So Hulk is able to adapt to "Avengers puppy pile = safe" whereas Bruce is still "people touching me on all sides = panic."

>> However, Bruce wouldn't really know this - he has trouble understanding Hulk - and even if he knew, it might not help. His own feelings matter too, and he's the one in front right now. <<

True. Bruce's reception from Hulk is improving but still not great. Whoever is fronting is supposed to make the decisions. The problem is, Bruce never wants to let Hulk have a real turn and the backseat driving undermines Hulk's opportunity to form his own healthy relationships.