Hawk had never felt the passage of time so slow before.
But now he felt it.
During the Christmas holiday, because the Children's Home had a few caring staff who gave out some cheap little gifts every Christmas Eve, his sister Anya liked Christmas Eve and Christmas very much.
Hawk, in turn, had come to like them too.
But since September 10th, 2009, after his sister Anya left, he secretly went to the cemetery to spend Christmas Eve with Anya that year.
Since then, he didn't like Christmas anymore.
Not only did he dislike it, he even found the holiday to be noisy.
But this year, Hawk was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Christmas holiday.
But time is just like that.
The more you focus on it, the slower it moves, and only when you don't focus on it do you suddenly realize it's gone in a flash.
So once Hawk realized this, he forced himself not to focus on time and made himself maintain his previous life rhythm.
Finally!
One week before Christmas, Midtown High School finally announced the holiday break.
Hawk went home with Gwen.
Originally, he was impatiently eager to head to New Jersey that day to catch Hulk, but Gwen's mom warmly invited him, and he couldn't think of a reason to refuse.
However, when Hawk and Gwen arrived at Goring Apartments, George hadn't returned, so Hawk followed Gwen to her second-floor bedroom.
Hawk was already familiar with Gwen's bedroom.
Once inside, Hawk naturally sat on the edge of the bed, while Gwen pulled over her study chair and sat down, talking on the phone she had just opened with Mary.
After a while.
Gwen ended the call with a smile, then put her phone aside, sitting sideways on the study chair, looking towards Hawk: "Mary asked if we have any plans for the Christmas holiday. Maybe the four of us could form a group."
Hawk raised an eyebrow.
"Four?"
"Her and Peter."
"Oh, good grief."
Hawk was initially taken aback, then laughed: "When did this happen?"
Gwen's face turned serious as she gossiped with Hawk: "You'd never guess, it was today, after attending Norman Osborn's funeral. And you probably wouldn't guess, it was Mary who confessed first."
Hawk looked somewhat surprised.
"Really?"
"Hard to believe, right?"
"Indeed."
Hawk instinctively nodded.
He indeed didn't expect that in this lifetime Peter would accept Mary's confession.
However...
Hawk recalled how last Sunday night Peter knocked on his window, then came inside to tell him about killing his good friend's dad.
Yes.
Just like the original storyline, the old Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, still died.
The way he died was the same too; he died on his own Green Goblin glider as he tried to counterattack after Peter spared him.
However, one thing differed from the original storyline.
In the original plot, Peter placed the old Green Goblin's body back, then was spotted by Harry, after which, he went home alone.
But here, Peter wasn't spotted by Harry; instead, after the incident, he turned to the Hawkes' home and recounted the event.
Hawk felt helpless.
That day, he had just returned from field investigation in New Jersey and desperately wanted a good night's sleep. Initially, he planned to drive Peter away, but seeing Peter looking lost and guilty due to his good friend's dad's death, he decided to act as a loyal listener, listening to Peter's woes while drinking Coke to console him.
And as a result...
This consolation brought about a butterfly effect.
Peter didn't refuse the confession from the goddess in his heart, but accepted it instead?
Oh, good grief.
Hawk internally exclaimed good grief.
But...
Hawk chuckled and said to Gwen: "That's good, Peter does really like Mary Jane."
"Mary's always known, but Peter..." Gwen paused here, furrowing her brow, then seemed to think of something, looking at Hawk: "Just like someone, clearly cares, but pretends not to."
Hawk met Gwen's seemingly talking eyes.
Gwen's mouth curled upwards.
"Am I wrong?"
"No."
Hawk shook his head.
Gwen laughed, then blinked, looking at Hawk: "So you're admitting you had feelings for me since the start of school? Mr. Hawk?"
Hawk chuckled and looked at Gwen.
"Yes."
"Just as I thought."
Having gotten the answer she wanted, Gwen's smile became even more joyful, then she slightly tilted her head, leaning against the study chair, looking at Hawk: "Because I felt the same way."
She understood why Peter had feelings for Mary but had yet to act.
Because she had experienced it.
Gwen's mouth curled up.
"I'm now sure Peter is Spider-Man."
"Because if Peter isn't, he wouldn't have the courage to be with Mary."
"Right."
"..."
Hawk looked at Gwen, who was once again confirming Peter's Spider Spirit identity, and smiled as he gave the same response: "Again, I don't admit, nor do I deny, unless he wants to expose his identity himself."
Gwen shrugged: "Doesn't matter, Peter and Mary are together now, sooner or later, Mary will know, and Mary will definitely tell me."
Mary is so gossipy, once she knows, she might not share it with others, but will definitely with me.
Gwen thought inwardly, then recalled Mary's inquiry during their phone call just now.
"By the way, you haven't said whether to respond to them?"
"What?"
"Twenty-one days of holiday; should the four of us form a group and find a place to have fun?"
Gwen spoke, looking at Hawk with anticipation.
She felt Mary's suggestion was quite good.
A couple's group outing.
Seemed pretty nice.
Hawk didn't reply immediately, but slightly frowned.
Gwen noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure yet."
Hawk thought about it and gave Gwen an apologetic smile: "This holiday, I have something to do, but I'm not sure which day yet."
Gwen blinked.
"Something to do?"
"Yes."
"..."
Gwen watched Hawk nod and turned her head slightly, looking at him: "If I ask what you have to do, will you tell me?"
Listening to Gwen's words, Hawk looked at her.
Gwen looked at him without blinking.
Their eyes met.
Hawk's thoughts quickly turned, then he chuckled, nodded: "If you ask, I'll tell you."
Gwen nodded at his words.
In the next second.
With a determined gaze, she looked at Hawk: "Okay, I want to know, Hawk."
Faced with Gwen's gaze, Hawk fell silent.
After some time.
He spat out two words.
"Murder!"
"..."