The small, cozy bedroom radiated warmth.
Hawk and Gwen were still holding each other, eyes locked.
"Don't become a bad person—try to be a good one," Gwen's words echoed in Hawk's mind like an angel's whisper.
He pressed his lips together. "I've never wanted to be a bad person."
"I know," Gwen replied without hesitation, her arms tight around him, eyes steady. "So keep it that way. Keep being good, Hawk."
Good and evil… people defined them by the majority's perception.
Spider-Man was "good" because most loved him. Hydra was "evil" because most despised them.
But there were those who hated Spider-Man too, just like there were those who admired Hydra.
Good and bad shifted with perspective.
But kindness—that was different.
Kindness meant facing yourself without guilt, laying your head down at night without nightmares.
Meeting Gwen's gaze, Hawk nodded. "All right."
"Thank you."
Her smile bloomed like sunlight, and she pressed her face into his chest.
Just then, the door creaked open.
"Gwen, dinner's—oh…"
Helen froze in the doorway, catching the two mid-embrace. Gwen leapt back like a startled deer. Helen chuckled, eyes twinkling. "Sorry, sorry—carry on. But Gwen, next time put up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign."
"Mom!" Gwen groaned, face red, chasing her mother out.
Hawk couldn't help but laugh, then followed them downstairs.
Dinner that night was lively. Unlike his first time at their table—when things had been stiff, divided into separate portions—tonight was a family-style meal, filled with chatter and laughter.
Gwen's younger brothers, nine-year-old Howard and eight-year-old Simon, dominated the conversation, excitedly debating where the family should go for their holiday trip.
Helen smiled warmly as she listened, occasionally glancing at Hawk. "Hawk, do you have plans this holiday? If not, you could come with us. Right, George?"
George looked up, stoic as ever. "I don't mind."
He wasn't against Hawk himself—just against the "wild boar" stealing his little girl. Objectively, Hawk had done well. Orphan or not, he'd clawed his way up, earned a full scholarship to NYU Law, and had a bright future ahead. As long as he didn't throw it away on idealism or charity law, his path to wealth and stability was assured.
Still, George stayed gruff. That was his job as father.
Hawk opened his mouth to politely refuse, but Gwen cut in smoothly.
"Mom, Hawk and I don't have time. Mary invited us to join her and Peter for a trip. We haven't decided on the details yet."
Helen blinked. "Mary? She's… dating Peter now, isn't she?"
"Mm-hm." Gwen's eyes sparkled as she launched into the gossip, steering her mother's attention effortlessly.
As expected, gossip knew no age limit. Helen eagerly joined in, and Hawk just sat back, amused.
After dinner, Gwen walked Hawk downstairs, like always.
"I thought you said you'd get a license? Why are you still taking the subway?"
"I'll do it after I get back," Hawk said with a smile. After Hulk is dead, after I've sent him to Anya… then I can think about everything else.
Gwen nodded. "So when are you going to Jersey?"
"Don't know yet," Hawk admitted. "I'm waiting for the call."
If Anna hadn't called yet, it meant Banner and Betty's plans were unchanged. That was good—very good. He needed Hulk to show up at Carlfo Lake, the perfect battleground: secluded, quiet, with little chance of hurting innocents.
Hawk clenched his jaw. Banner's fight once cost me my sister. I won't let my own fight take someone else's.
Just then, his phone rang.
Anna.
Hawk raised an eyebrow, met Gwen's eyes, then answered.
"Hello."
"…All right. Where?"
"Fine."
"See you there."
…
(End of Chapter)
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