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Gwen's mouth hung slightly open.
She watched in disbelief as the dust, illuminated by the sunbeam, hung in the air for a moment—still perfectly in the shape of the heavy bag—before slowly dissipating.
Hawk stood his ground, slowly exhaling a breath before turning to face her.
At that moment, Gwen's gaze shifted back to him.
Their eyes met.
Looking at him—forehead glistening with a light sweat, clad in a white tank top that accentuated his powerful physique, hands wrapped in tape—Gwen felt a strange, indescribable feeling.
Hawk, on the other hand, was just surprised to see her here.
"Can I help you?"
"Nope."
Gwen shook her head. With her hands behind her back, she started walking toward him, taking in the surroundings of the old gymnasium she hadn't visited since the new one was built. "The new gym has air conditioning. Why don't you train there?"
Hawk thought for a moment.
"It's quiet here."
"It is, isn't it?"
Gwen nodded, accepting his explanation.
Hawk watched as she walked over to the bench where he'd left his backpack and sat down, a look of confusion on his face.
"Are you sure you don't need something, Gwen?"
"I'm sure."
Gwen, leaning back on her hands, smiled at him. "I had some free time, so I thought I'd come and watch my friend train."
Hawk raised an eyebrow.
He looked at her smiling face and felt like there was something more to it.
But...
Whatever. Training was more important.
He shook his head, pulled his focus away from Gwen, and turned back to the heavy bag, ready to finish his daily ten-thousand-punch routine.
He'd been almost done, after all.
Then Gwen walked in.
And now...
He had to start all over again.
Hawk took a deep breath. He didn't draw on his Cosmo, relying only on his physical strength to complete the task.
As for Gwen?
If she wanted to watch, let her. This was a public gym. He couldn't exactly kick her out.
He had no right to.
Soon.
As Hawk began to throw punches again, the rhythmic, impactful sounds of his strikes echoed through the old gym once more.
This time, however, wanting to finish quickly, he subconsciously picked up the pace.
One punch, then another, and another.
And then...
The afterimages appeared.
Sitting on the bench, Gwen felt her vision blur. She stared, dumbfounded, at the storm of phantom fists that had materialized before her.
What's happening?
I didn't even blink.
She thought, instinctively pulling her phone from her pocket and aiming it at Hawk.
Hawk, still focused on his training, caught the movement out of the corner of his eye.
"No videos."
"...Oh."
Gwen heard his voice—calm and steady, even though he hadn't stopped or even looked in her direction. She blinked, wondering if she'd imagined it, but lowered her phone anyway.
A little while later.
The storm of fists gradually faded, and Hawk's movements came to a stop. The old gym fell silent once more.
He unhooked the heavy bag from its chain, swung it with one hand, and tossed it effortlessly back into the corner. Then, with Gwen's eyes still on him, he walked to the bench, pulled a towel from the side pocket of his backpack, and looked at her.
He hesitated for a second, then asked again, "Are you sure there's nothing you need, Gwen?"
Gwen nodded.
"There is."
"..."
The corner of Hawk's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
But Gwen caught it.
She smiled.
Not wanting to tease him any further, she got straight to the point. "They're doing the headcount for this year's prom. Are you going?"
Midtown Tech might be an elite private school, but it still had all the usual dances and parties—homecoming, masquerades, and of course, prom.
Gwen asked him every year.
And every year, Hawk said no.
He was a lone wolf. He preferred quiet. He hated loud, crowded places.
That was the polite way of putting it.
The real reason was much simpler.
He was broke. He didn't have money for a tux, he didn't have a car, and he didn't even have a license. He couldn't exactly walk his date home after the dance.
And most importantly.
He didn't have a date.
Why would he go to prom alone? To watch couples make out and feel miserable?
This year was no different.
...
"No."
Hawk shook his head without a moment's hesitation.
He'd rather be on his rooftop, watching the stars, than go to some stupid dance.
It was quiet.
And It was free.
Save where you can, spend where you must. He was legally independent now, which meant no more federal aid. Between renting a new place and buying basic necessities, his savings had taken a serious hit this week.
He was even starting to think that his idea of buying a car had been a bit reckless.
He had already given up on that plan.
It was better to keep some money saved for emergencies.
Besides, the school bus had a stop near Queensbridge Park. Who needed a car?
He didn't even have a license.
He couldn't drive it even if he bought it.
...
Maybe I should just rob a bank. I need money to buy that meteorite, after all.
No, wait.
If I'm already planning on stealing something, why not just steal the meteorite directly? Why bother robbing a bank?
I'm not going to rob a bank just to use the money to buy a stolen meteorite from some rich guy.
That's just stupid.
Hawk's thoughts began to drift.
He was now seriously considering the feasibility of just stealing the meteorite.
The Wakandans were never going to give him their Vibranium willingly.
He'd probably have to steal that too.
So if he's stealing the Vibranium, and he's stealing the meteorite... what's one more bank robbery on top of that?
Gwen watched as Hawk, after shaking his head about prom, suddenly seemed to zone out, a distant look in his eyes. She was curious.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Robbing a bank."
"..."
Gwen's eyebrow arched.
Hawk snapped back to reality and looked at her.
Their eyes met.
A moment later.
A thoughtful, amused expression crossed Gwen's face. "So, which bank are you planning to hit? I'd recommend the Pacific Standard in the 19th Precinct."
Hawk frowned slightly.
"Is that one an easy target?"
"No."
Gwen's smile was radiant. "But my dad's the captain of the 19th Precinct."
Hawk fell silent.
After a long moment.
He looked at Gwen with a dead serious expression. "I was kidding."
Okay, new plan. If I ever do rob a bank, I'm staying the hell away from the 19th Precinct.
Gwen's smile widened. She stood up from the bench, but just as she was about to say something, her phone rang.
"Mrs. Snow..."
"Hawk?"
"Okay."
"I know where he is."
A moment later.
Gwen hung up and looked at Hawk. "Come on. Mrs. Snow is looking for you."
Hawk: "..."
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