Bruce Banner stood at the railing of the cruise ship, watching the sun dip below the horizon, its golden light shimmering across the endless expanse of the ocean. The gentle sway of the ship and the rhythmic sound of the waves were meant to be soothing, but he felt a familiar tension gnawing at him. He had joined Tony Stark on this trip in the hopes of finding some peace, but tranquility was elusive."Hey, Bruce," Tony's voice called out from behind him. Bruce turned to see Tony strolling over, holding two drinks in hand. "Thought you could use this," Tony said, handing him one."Thanks, Tony," Bruce replied, taking the glass. He managed a small smile, but his tension was unmistakable.Tony raised an eyebrow, sensing his friend's unease. "You look like you're about to burst, buddy. What's going on?"Bruce sighed, staring into his drink. "It's just hard to relax. The Hulk is always there, just beneath the surface. I can't fully unwind."Tony leaned against the railing beside him, taking a sip of his drink. "I get it. But we're out in the middle of nowhere. No threats, no emergencies. Just you, me, and a whole lot of ocean. You need to let go a little."Bruce nodded, appreciating Tony's attempt at reassurance. "I'll try."They stood in companionable silence for a while, watching the sky turn from gold to deep purple. Tony's presence was oddly comforting—his confidence and irreverence often helped to ground Bruce, reminding him that not everything was a crisis."Come on," Tony said suddenly, clapping Bruce on the back. "Let's get some dinner. I heard the restaurant onboard has some killer seafood."Bruce chuckled. "Alright, lead the way."They made their way to the ship's elegant dining room, where they were seated by a large window offering a breathtaking view of the ocean. The setting sun painted the sky in vibrant hues, and Bruce found himself momentarily distracted by the beauty of it all.As they enjoyed their meal, Tony regaled Bruce with stories of their past adventures and his latest technological innovations. For a while, Bruce managed to relax, laughing at Tony's antics and savoring the delicious food. But as the evening wore on, Bruce's unease began to creep back. The crowded dining room, the clinking of silverware, and the murmur of conversation started to grate on his nerves.Tony noticed the change in Bruce's demeanor. "You okay, buddy?"Bruce took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Yeah, just... feeling a bit overwhelmed."Tony's expression softened. "Let's get some fresh air. Clear your head."They left the dining room and headed to the upper deck, where the cool night air and the gentle sound of the waves provided a welcome respite from the bustling atmosphere inside. Bruce leaned against the railing, taking deep breaths to calm himself."Thanks, Tony," he said quietly. "I just needed to get out of there."Tony nodded, leaning beside him. "No problem. I know this isn't easy for you. But you're doing great. Just focus on the here and now."Bruce tried to follow Tony's advice, but the tension in his chest wouldn't dissipate. His thoughts raced, and he felt a growing anger that he couldn't quite control. He clenched his fists, his breathing becoming ragged."Bruce?" Tony's voice was tinged with concern. "Talk to me.""I can't—" Bruce started, but his words were cut off as a violent shudder ran through his body. He doubled over, clutching the railing as the transformation began. His muscles bulged, his skin turning a deep shade of green."Bruce, no!" Tony shouted, stepping back. He watched in horror as Bruce transformed into the Hulk, the massive green behemoth roaring in fury.The Hulk's eyes were wild with confusion and anger. He turned and saw Tony, his mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. The anger surged, and he roared again, smashing a nearby deck chair with a single swipe."Bruce, it's me! Tony!" Tony shouted, trying to reach through the haze of the Hulk's rage. "Calm down!"But the Hulk was beyond reasoning. He grabbed a section of the railing and tore it free, brandishing it like a weapon. Tony, realizing the danger, activated his watch, summoning his Iron Man suit. Within seconds, he was encased in the familiar red and gold armor, ready to defend himself."Alright, big guy," Tony said through the suit's speakers, his voice steady despite the situation. "You need to calm down. We don't want to hurt anyone."The Hulk roared again, charging at Tony with the makeshift weapon. Tony dodged, using his repulsors to keep the Hulk at bay. He didn't want to hurt Bruce, but he had to protect the other passengers.As the fight raged on, the ship's crew and passengers fled in terror, trying to find safety. Tony focused on containing the Hulk, using every trick in his arsenal to subdue him without causing serious harm. He fired a non-lethal sonic blast, hoping to disorient the Hulk long enough to talk him down.The Hulk staggered, dropping the railing and clutching his head. Tony seized the opportunity, landing in front of him and raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Bruce, listen to me. You need to calm down. It's me, Tony. You're safe."The Hulk's eyes flickered with recognition, his breathing heavy. The rage began to ebb, and he slowly started to shrink, his green skin fading back to its normal color. Within moments, Bruce Banner was kneeling on the deck, panting and exhausted.Tony deactivated his suit and knelt beside Bruce, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you okay?"Bruce looked up, his eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry, Tony. I couldn't control it."Tony shook his head, his expression filled with empathy. "It's okay, Bruce. We're going to get through this. You just need to trust me."Bruce nodded, his body trembling. "Thank you."Tony helped Bruce to his feet, guiding him back inside to a quieter, more private area of the ship. As they sat together, Tony called for medical assistance, making sure Bruce received the care he needed."We'll figure this out, Bruce," Tony said firmly. "You're not alone in this. We'll find a way to help you control the Hulk."Bruce looked at Tony, feeling a surge of gratitude. Despite the chaos and the fear, he knew he had a friend who would stand by him, no matter what. And with Tony's help, he felt a glimmer of hope that he could find a way to live with the Hulk, without letting the anger consume him.As the ship continued its journey across the ocean, Bruce resolved to keep fighting for control, for peace, and for the chance to live a life without fear. And with Tony by his side, he knew he had the strength to keep going.Hours later, Bruce awoke in his cabin, feeling disoriented but calmer. He sat up, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. The events of the evening played back in his mind, and he felt a pang of guilt and frustration. He had hoped for a peaceful trip, but the Hulk's presence was a constant reminder of the battle within him.A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Bruce? It's Tony. Can I come in?""Yeah, come in," Bruce called, rubbing his temples.Tony entered, carrying a tray with two cups of coffee. "Thought you could use a pick-me-up."Bruce managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Tony."They sat in silence for a few moments, sipping their coffee. Tony's presence was reassuring, a reminder that he wasn't facing this alone."How are you feeling?" Tony asked gently.Bruce sighed. "Better, I think. Still on edge, though. It's always there, just beneath the surface."Tony nodded. "I know. But you did great tonight. You managed to come back before things got too out of hand. That's progress."Bruce looked at Tony, appreciating his friend's optimism. "Thanks for being there, Tony. I don't know what I would have done without you."Tony shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Hey, we're a team. We've got each other's backs, right?""Right," Bruce agreed, feeling a bit lighter.Just then, the ship shuddered, and Bruce's heart skipped a beat. His muscles tensed, and he felt a surge of panic. "Not again," he whispered, clutching the edge of the table.Tony's eyes widened. "Bruce, stay with me. Focus on my voice. You're safe."Bruce tried to take deep breaths, but the familiar pressure was building too quickly. His vision tinged with green, and he felt the Hulk clawing to the surface. "I can't... I can't control it," he gasped."Yes, you can," Tony said firmly, standing and placing a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "You've got this. Focus on me, on my voice. We're in this together."But the transformation was already happening. Bruce's muscles bulged, his skin turning green as he grew in size. The Hulk emerged with a roar, the cabin's walls barely containing his massive frame.Tony stepped back, his heart pounding. "Bruce, listen to me. You need to calm down. It's okay."The Hulk's eyes were wild with confusion and anger, but there was a flicker of recognition. He looked at Tony, his breathing heavy. The rage was still there, but Tony's voice seemed to reach him, grounding him in the present."Focus, big guy," Tony said, his voice steady. "You're safe. We're going to get
