I rub some lipstick onto my lips, watching myself in the mirror as Hannah and the rest of the girls rush around the room, finishing up their hair and makeup. I stare at myself in the mirror, remembering the scene from last night. It hits me in flashes, anxiety for today churns in my stomach. I worry about Grant causing problems for Bruce—or for me. He's up to something, he always is. This is supposed to be Hannah's day. I can't help but feel like I'm ruining it. I remember when I was simply worried about seeing Hannah again in general, having to sort of explain myself quietly when it came to the importance of my job--the importance of my under-the-radar behavior. Now I have an entirely new fear--which is the damage Grant could do if he really wanted to. My mind is racing on the inside, like chaos. On the outside, you'd never be able to tell.

"Do I look stupid?" Hannah asks as she stands behind me, looking at herself in the mirror I'm using. I roll my eyes, laughing. I snap out of my worried daze. "Are you kidding? You look stunning. Stop worrying and just take it in. You look beautiful." I feel like a hypocrite telling her not to worry. I give her a warm smile, standing up from my chair to face her. I fluff up her curls a bit, moving a few strands of her hair and checking her flowery hair clips. I want to cry. She looks beautiful. My beautiful best friend. We've been through so much together. And now we're here for her wedding.

"I'm so nervous. I'm gonna puke, Ari. Swear to God. It's coming." Hannah says as she takes a deep, shaky breath. I console her, "Hush, don't be. This is your day. You've wanted this for so long. It's gonna be perfect. Absolutely perfect." I smile again, giving her arm a squeeze before I sit back down to finish the finishing touches to my makeup.

Hannah stands behind me, watching me. "You okay after last night?" She asks with a concerned tone. I nod, "I'm fine. I have Bruce. I think Grant is afraid of him...deep down at least."

She notices my unnerving expression and quickly changes the subject.

"Speaking of Bruce, you two gonna get it on tonight?" She smirks, attempting to lighten the mood.

I laugh, grinning as my cheeks flush a light pink.

"Shut up, Han!" I giggle. "Maybe." I smirk, she laughs again before walking over to check on her cousins—Cecelia and Rachelle. They're just about done getting ready as well. The wedding is due to start in thirty minutes. We're right on the dot, here. I try to be excited.

[[Bruce P.O.V.]]

I tighten my tie, checking myself in the mirror as Tony slides on his suit jacket behind me. "I'm telling you, Tony, something isn't right with this guy." I complain worriedly. "Of course not. He's your girl's ex." Tony shrugs. "We know he treated her like shit."

"No--well, yeah--I mean, I don't know. I think there's more to him. He seems very...brave. He wasn't a damn bit scared of me last night. He was doing everything in his power to push me over the edge--to make me angry. In fact, I think he wanted me to lose it. To create chaos...or--I don't know. Something is up, Tony. I think he's up to something." I try to explain, turning to face him as I finish my tie. His expression changes from an amused one to a more serious one as he realizes the real concern I have.

"I'll have Rogers look into him back at the base. I'm sure everything's fine--just your average egotistical dickhead." He nods, furrowing his brows as he pulls out his phone to text Steve. I sigh, pushing my hands into my pockets as I watch him text.

"He put his hands on her, Tony." As soon as the words leave my mouth Tony's eyes shoot up from his phone screen. "Is that so?" He says as his demeanor immediately becomes an angry one. He lowers the phone, watching me squirm in my own skin. I take a deep breath as I feel the anger pulsating through me, remembering what I saw last night, which is nothing compared to what he might have done to her before. I try to keep myself calm. Tony notices my struggle, "Now she has you. And me. And all of us. Not only that, but the girl can kick some ass. If he tries any funny business we'll take care of it." He reassures me, putting his phone into his pocket as he walks up to me. He places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a quick pat. "Let's try to have a good day for best friend Hannah. Some normalcy. For Arielle, hell, for all of us." He nods, giving me a half smile. I exhale deeply, nodding in agreement. He's right.

[[ Arielle P.O.V. ]]

I peak out from inside the small first floor indoor area of the boat. The setup is stunning. So stunning that I think I might copy her decorations on my wedding day. Hannah's mother stands with her for a few moments, preparing to walk her down the aisle. Hannah's father left them when she was only 7, which puts her mother in line to walk her--I think it's beautiful. I stand in front of her cousins. "Are we ready girls?" I giggle quietly, the music starting just outside. We get in line, ready to go out before Hannah does. "I'm With You" by Vance Joy plays over the speakers, and I begin to walk down the aisle first. I look on either side of me, watching people as they watch me. I see random people, some people I kind of remember like some of Hannah's distant family, and then I see Tony and Bruce. Bruce smiles at me warmly, looking me over at he eyes my dress.

There's only one person I don't notice--Grant, which I feel is on purpose. How could I notice something so negative when I'm in the middle of something so positive? This ceremony couldn't be any more perfect.

*one hour later*

And just like that Hannah is a married woman. The reception begins.

I look for Bruce and Tony among the crowd of people, ready to get my drink on. All of my previous worries and concerns melt away--at least I seem to have forced them to. "Woah, tiger. Where ya headed?" I hear Bruce joking from behind me, his hands wrapping around my waist and pulling me backward. I giggle, falling into him. I lift my head to look up at him, his grin comforting before he leans in to give me a quick peck on the lips. I turn around to face him, letting myself lean into his arms. He feels warm—cozy. Safe. I notice Tony walking over to us from the bar, three drinks in his hands. It looks like dark liquor—bourbon, maybe? This could be a bad idea.

"Are we ready to get completely plastered drunk, kids?" He jokes, an excited smirk stretched across his face as he hands Bruce and I our own glasses. Bruce lets go of me, the three of us standing together as we take our first sips of the strong liquor. Bruce chuckles at Tony, shaking his head as if he's laughing at a wild child. I look across the boat, noticing Hannah dancing away with her new husband. The way they are with each other...I want that someday. I can't help but watch them, and, hope to have what they have eventually. I look at Bruce again, smiling, watching him. "Your friend looks so happy." Bruce says, watching her giggle and dance and bump against Jay. Hannah takes a drink of the bottled bud light in her hand, just before glancing over at us across the boat. Her eyes widen as she rushes towards us. "Is she drunk already?" Tony asks as we watch her come our way. She bounces on over to us, stopping just ahead of me.

"Are you guys gonna dance or are you just gonna stand over here like losers?" She slurs slightly. Yep. She's drunk. I burst into a small fit of  laughter, "Seriously, Hannah? We've been here not even ten minutes and you're drunker than me? At least give me a chance to catch up." I tease her, downing the rest of my glass. Bruce raises his brows at me, beginning to laugh as I scrunch up my face. "Too strong for you?" He teases.

"Tony why don't you dance with me. Imagine the stories I'll get to tell my children--I danced with Tony Stark; freaking Ironman, at my wedding." She says excitedly, grabbing a hold of his hand. He sarcastically rolls his eyes, "I mean if you insist." He chuckles, following her into the crowd.

Bruce and I follow, all of us dancing in the middle of everyone. Drinks, music, friends, lovers--it's all so normal, and fun. I forget how much I miss the normalcy I used to have sometimes. The first dance with Hannah and Jaw, the toast, the cutting of the cake. It's all so magical. I breakaway from the group for a moment to grab another drink, as I head over to the open bar.

I order a gummy bear martini, which is sour, laced with watermelon liquor. When they pour it into the glass it's a bright green. I take a few sips to taste it, the flavor pleasing the tip of my tongue. I smile at the bartender, thanking him.

"You know, you really shouldn't be standing here alone like this." I hear that disgusting familiar voice speaking to me from behind. He moves closer, now standing directly beside me.

I turn to face him, giving him an intense glare--a look of hatred. "What do you want." I state angrily.

"Just to talk to you, you look stunning in that dress. So sexy, if I could just rip you out of I I'd--." Hands grab a hold of Grant's shoulders from behind, pulling him backward and away from me aggressively. I gasp, turning to see Tony. He pushes Grant backward, moving in front of me as if he's guarding me. "Listen here, kumquat. You're gonna fuck off for the rest of the night or you're gonna get thrown into that ocean faster than you can take another stupid breath. How many times does someone have to tell you to leave Arielle alone? You're like a fucking toddler with whatever it is you want from her." Tony hisses at him, his hands clenched into fists. "This boat? It's the big boys only club, and you're a little boy--you have little jewels. Now get lost." Tony speaks quickly and with a rising anger, but he keeps the volume of his voice down in order to not cause a scene. He pushes Grant again, but Grant doesn't leave.

"Whatever I want from her?" Grant begins to laugh, shaking his head as if everything Tony has said has been stupid and ignorant. "I don't want anything from her. I'm having fun with her. She isn't what I want. I want something else." He smirks.

I notice Bruce making his way over to us, a concerned look covering his face. He begins to rush once he sees Grant standing in front of Tony and I. Tony's phone begins to ring but he ignores it. Bruce reaches us, "What's going on here?" He asks, standing too close for comfort to Grant. He gives Grant a threatening look--another warning. I can tell he's on edge, that he could snap. I really begin to worry now. Bruce leans in closer to Grant, Tony's phone begins to ring a second time. "I think it's time for you to leave." Bruce says quietly and calmly to Grant, but his jaw is clenched and his fists are pressed so tightly that his knuckles turn white. Tony continues to ignore his phone. The ringing starts to irritate me. "Bruce." Tony warns, very much aware of what could happen next. My breathing quickens as I watch the tense scene unfolding in front of me. Grant looks calm--too calm--satisfied, almost. Ton'y phone begins to ring a third time.

"Are you gonna get that?" Grant asks, his eyes not leaving Bruce's eyes for even a second. Bruce's eyes flash a bright green.

"Ooooo..." Grant chuckles, a smirk forming. "There he is." He whispers happily.

Tony finally grabs his phone, "It's Steve." He states, giving Bruce a look. Bruce looks away from Grant, breaking the intense and threatening eye contact. He seems to snap out of it, but Grant stays steady. Tony moves a few feet away from us for a moment, holding the phone to his ear. "What'dya got for me, Cap?" He says as he watches us. I look over at him, taking a deep breath. I look back to Bruce and Grant, Bruce moves closer to me but he keeps a steady watch on Grant.

Suddenly, Tony's eyes widen.

"Hail Hydra." Grant says simply, before turning to me and taking an enormous wack to my face.

I fall backward, as if in slow motion. The memories coming back of all the times he'd hit me before. I see it all--all over again. The slow motion stops, and as soon as my back hits the floor the entire boat begins to shake. A loud boom met with flames on the back of the boat explode--a bomb.

Fuck.

My vision becomes blurry, my ears ringing loudly. My forehead along with my nose throbs. I hear running and screaming, but it's like it's in the distance. The sounds of chaos echo all around me...as if it's just a dream. But it's not.

My head turns over, looking to find someone, anyone. I see Bruce hit the floor, onto his knees first--his fists pounding loudly as he lets out an enraged growl. His skin turns green, his fists growing, his eyes are a bright, radioactive green. "A-Ari--" He manages to grunt before his suit rips open, his muscles straining against his white button up. He rips off his tie, pounding the floor once more as he grunts, groaning as he loses control--turning into the Hulk.

"B-Bruce..." I groan in pain, watching as he fully transforms in front of me. Tony goes fro Grant but Grant runs at a speed I've only seen Captain America running at.

Hail Hydra he said. Hydra. It should've clicked with me...Hannah said some creepy cult in Germany. Why didn't it click for me. I could've stopped this. '

Oh God--Hannah.

The hulk rushes away after Grant along with Stark, the boat breaking apart as more bombs go off and the hulk tears through everything. I roll over, pushing myself up and off the floor. I feel blood running down my nose and my forehead, everything is still sounding strange, my ears must be messed up--my eardrums busted?

"Hannah?" I call out for her with no idea if I'm even screaming loud enough. My own voice sounds muffled--like I'm underwater. The boat shakes violently, and I hold onto different sections of the walls as I move around the boat--looking for her.

"Hannah?" I call out once more.

I look around me, people screaming and running--jumping off the boat and into the water. People fall into the water, the boat catches on fire. Bodies--there's bodies sprawled out on the deck. My eyes widen, my mind racing as the chaos is so intense I'm not even sure where to begin to help these people--if I even can help myself in this state. I grunt, pushing myself off the wall as I walk onto the main deck again, towards the tip of the boat. I see Hannah screaming and running, looking for Jay. She's crying, screeching at the top of her lungs searching for him.

Grant runs towards her, so fast that he practically appears behind her.

He gives me a quick smirk and I realize exactly what's about to happen.

"HANNAH NO!" I scream at the top of my lungs, trying my best to rush towards her.

Grant grabs her, shoving his fist through her chest from behind, her heart sits in his head.

My eyes widen, my jaw dropped--I freeze. I gasp for air, it's gone--my chest tightens as my windpipe begins to close on me with agony and shock. How in the fuck did he just do that?

Hannah's screaming stops, and the life leaves her face as the rest of her tears roll down her cheeks.

I feel as if I could hurl.

Hannah's lifeless body drops to the floor knees first, her white wedding dress soaking with blood. Grants moves from her, and I rush to her. More bombs going off from behind me.