Bruce Banner leaned against the railing of the luxurious cruise ship, staring out at the endless expanse of ocean. The gentle rocking of the ship and the sound of waves lapping against the hull were supposed to be relaxing, but he felt a growing unease deep within him. He tried to focus on the horizon, hoping the tranquility of the sea would calm his nerves."Hey," came a soft voice from behind him. Bruce turned to see Betty Ross approaching, her face lit up with a warm smile. She wore a light summer dress that fluttered in the sea breeze, her hair cascading over her shoulders. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.Bruce managed a weak smile. "Yeah, just... trying to relax," he replied, though the tension in his voice was unmistakable.Betty stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You've been feeling on edge since we boarded," she said gently. "Do you want to talk about it?"Bruce sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... it's hard to completely relax. The Hulk is always there, just beneath the surface. I thought this trip might help, but I can't shake the feeling."Betty nodded, understanding. "I know it's not easy, Bruce. But we're here together, and we'll get through it together. You've come a long way in controlling it. Just try to focus on the good things—like us being here, away from everything."Bruce took a deep breath, trying to absorb her words. He gazed at her, appreciating her strength and unwavering support. "You're right, Betty. I just need to keep reminding myself of that."They stood together in silence for a few moments, watching the sun dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the water. Betty leaned her head on Bruce's shoulder, and he felt a wave of calm wash over him."How about we go to dinner?" Betty suggested after a while. "I heard the restaurant has a fantastic view of the sunset."Bruce nodded, grateful for the distraction. "That sounds perfect."They made their way to the ship's elegant dining room, where they were seated by a large window with a panoramic view of the ocean. The sunset painted the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink, and Bruce felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could find some peace on this trip.As they enjoyed their meal, Bruce felt himself slowly unwind. He and Betty talked about everything and nothing, laughing and reminiscing about old times. For a moment, it felt like the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders.But as the night wore on, Bruce's unease began to creep back. A group of rowdy passengers nearby was getting louder, their laughter and shouts jarring his nerves. He tried to focus on Betty, on their conversation, but his irritation grew with each passing minute."Bruce?" Betty's voice broke through his thoughts, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"He forced a smile, but it felt strained. "Yeah, just... feeling a bit on edge."Betty reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. "Let's go for a walk on the deck. Get some fresh air."Bruce nodded, grateful for the suggestion. They left the dining room and made their way to the upper deck, where the cool night air and the gentle sound of the waves provided a welcome contrast to the noise of the dining room.As they walked, Bruce felt the tension slowly ebbing away. Betty's presence was a grounding force, a reminder that he wasn't alone in his struggles. They stopped by the railing, looking out at the moonlit ocean."It's beautiful out here," Betty said softly, leaning against him."It is," Bruce agreed, wrapping an arm around her. He took a deep breath, savoring the salty sea air. For a moment, he felt a glimmer of hope that he could find peace, even if it was just for a little while.But then, without warning, the ship lurched violently, throwing passengers off balance. Bruce grabbed the railing to steady himself, his heart pounding. "What the hell?" he muttered, looking around in confusion.The ship's alarm blared, and a voice crackled over the intercom. "Attention all passengers, please remain calm. We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please follow the crew's instructions."Panic spread through the crowd as people scrambled to find out what was happening. Bruce felt a familiar surge of adrenaline, the Hulk clawing at the edges of his consciousness. He clenched his fists, struggling to stay in control."Bruce, we need to get to a safe area," Betty said urgently, her grip on his arm tightening.He nodded, his mind racing. They made their way through the chaos, following the crew's directions to a designated safe zone. Bruce could feel his anger rising, the stress and fear of the situation pushing him to the brink."Stay with me, Bruce," Betty whispered, her voice a lifeline. "You can do this."They reached the safe zone, a large lounge area where passengers were gathering. Bruce's breathing was ragged, his vision tinged with green. He fought to stay calm, to keep the Hulk at bay.But then he saw a crew member struggling with a jammed door, panic written all over his face. The frustration and fear in the room were palpable, and Bruce felt his control slipping."No, not now," he whispered, gripping his head."Bruce, look at me," Betty said, cupping his face in her hands. "Focus on me. You can control this."But it was too late. The Hulk roared to life, bursting forth in a violent transformation. Passengers screamed and scattered as Bruce's body expanded, his skin turning green and his muscles bulging. In moments, the Hulk stood where Bruce had been, his eyes wild with rage.The Hulk's roar echoed through the room, and he began smashing furniture, his anger uncontrollable. Betty stood her ground, her eyes filled with determination. "Bruce, I know you're in there! You need to calm down!"The Hulk paused, his gaze locking onto Betty. For a moment, her words seemed to reach him, and his rampage slowed. But the panic in the room reignited his fury, and he roared again, turning to destroy more of the surroundings.Betty approached slowly, her hands raised. "Bruce, listen to me. You need to calm down. Focus on my voice."The Hulk's breathing was heavy, his eyes flickering with recognition. He took a step back, the rage slowly ebbing away. Betty's presence, her unwavering belief in him, was a beacon of hope.As the Hulk began to shrink, Bruce's form re-emerged, collapsing to the floor in exhaustion. Betty was at his side in an instant, holding him as he struggled to catch his breath."It's okay, Bruce," she whispered, her voice soothing. "You're okay."Bruce looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Betty. I couldn't control it."She shook her head, her expression filled with love and compassion. "You did your best. We'll get through this, together."As the ship's crew worked to restore order and calm the passengers, Bruce and Betty sat together, their bond stronger than ever. Despite the chaos and fear, Bruce knew he wasn't alone. With Betty by his side, he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
