In a small but cozy bedroom,Hawke and Gwen embraced, their eyes meeting .
"Don't be a bad person, try to be a good one. "
Gwen's words echoed in Hawke's mind like an angel's temptation.
Hawke pursed his lips.
"I never wanted to be a bad person."
"I know,"
Gwen said without hesitation, still holding Hawke close, continuing to look him in the eye.
"So please keep it up, keep being a good person, Hawke."
The definition of good and bad is perhaps based on the perceptions of most people.
For example, Spider-Man is a good person because most people like him.
Hydra is a classic villain because most people hate him.
But good and bad are defined by others' perceptions.
There are those who like Spider-Man, and naturally, there are those who hate him.
For example, the NYPD hates this vigilante Spider-Man.
And for example, some people hate Hydra, but there are also some who like Hydra.
But being a kind person doesn't require that.
A kind person is someone who is true to their conscience, who has no guilty conscience, and who doesn't wake up at night from nightmares about things they've done.
Hawke met Gwen's gaze and nodded.
"Okay."
"Thank you."
Gwen's smile, like an angel's, bloomed as she watched Hawke nod.
She hugged Hawke tightly, burying herself in his chest.
Just then,the half-open door was pushed open from the outside.
"Gwen, eat…"
"Uh…"
Helen opened the door, watching the two little ones practicing their hugging in the room.
She blinked, and seeing Gwen dart away from Hawke's arms like a startled fawn, her eyes crinkling with laughter.
"Sorry, you two continue. But Gwen, you should put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door."
With that, Helen smiled and closed the door again.
Gwen's ears turned slightly red. Hearing her mother's teasing, she said "Mom" somewhat speechlessly, then chased after her.
Hawke chuckled at Helen's teasing and followed Gwen out of the bedroom.
Tonight's dinner was mainly to celebrate Gwen and Hawke's vacation and, incidentally, to officially celebrate that they had both received invitations from their respective desired universities.
But it was different from Hawke's first time dining here.
The first time, dinner was served individually, but now it was a communal meal.
And compared to the somewhat tense and reserved atmosphere at the first table, the atmosphere now was very cheerful and lively.
However, it was mainly Gwen's two younger brothers who were the most lively, followed by Helen and Gwen.
George, as the patriarch, maintained his serious, unsmiling expression, upholding his patriarchal authority.
The two little ones, nine-year-old Howard and eight-year-old Simon, were discussing where they hoped to travel during this year's vacation.
After all, with George Stacy's salary as Sheriff of the 19th Precinct, he could afford to cover the family's expenses and even allow the whole family to travel two or three times a year.
Helen, chin resting on one hand, listened with a smile to Howard and Simon's chatter.
Then, as if struck by a thought, she looked at Hawke: "Hawk, what are your plans for the holidays this year? If not, you could come with us, right, George?"
George met Helen's gaze, glanced at Hawke, and said without a smile, "I have no objection."
His prejudice against Hawke stemmed from seeing a wild boar steal his sweetheart.
But putting that aside, Hawke was amazing.
This wasn't just polite talk.
Hawke's orphan background might have been a disadvantage before, but after receiving a full scholarship to NYU, it was no longer an obstacle.
In popular terms, Hawke, who started in hell, carved out a bright future for himself with his own two fists.
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A full university scholarship would ensure Hawke wouldn't have to worry about the hefty tuition fees while pursuing law school, and once he graduated and obtained his law license, a bright future would be within his grasp.
Of course,unless Hawke went insane and, after getting his license, became a public interest lawyer or devoted himself to representing the underprivileged, his connections at NYU Law School meant he could buy a car in six months, a house in a year, and achieve financial freedom in three years—it wouldn't be a dream.
Therefore, George's stern expression towards Hawke wasn't directed at Hawke himself, but rather at Hawke's wild, untamed nature.
Just as Hawke was about to refuse Helen's invitation,
Gwen, sitting beside him, spoke first.
"Mom, Hawke probably doesn't have time, and neither do I."
"What's wrong?"
"Mary invited Hawke and me to go on a trip together this holiday, but we haven't decided on a destination or time yet."
"Mary…"
"She's dating Peter."
"Peter, I know, you seem to…"
Helen paused for a moment, then remembered that Peter seemed to be Mary's neighbor, and the topic was successfully steered off course.
Gwen started gossiping with her mother about Mary and Peter's story.
Sure enough.
Gossip has no age limit for women.
Helen gossiped enthusiastically with Gwen.
Hawke was happy to oblige.
Soon.
Dinner ended, and as before, because Hawke had to catch the subway, Gwen drove him to his apartment building.
"Didn't you say you were going to take your driver's license test? Aren't you going to take it?"
"I'll take it when I get back."
Hawke said with a smile.
The biggest thing for this Christmas holiday was Hulk.
He wouldn't be able to eat or sleep until he got Hulk to his sister's place this Christmas holiday, let alone do anything else.
Gwen nodded. "Alright then, when are you planning to go to New Jersey?"
Hawke shook his head. "I don't know, I'm waiting for a call."
Anna had been keeping an eye out for him, and the fact that she hadn't called yet meant that Bruce Banner and Betty Ross's itinerary was still proceeding as planned.
In a way, no call was good news.
He hoped Hulk would appear at Lake Culver as promised; after all, the scenery there was indeed beautiful, perfect for a final resting place, and there were few outsiders, so even if a fight broke out, the possibility of other innocent civilians being affected was very low.
Hawke's sister had died because of the battle between Hulk and Abomination.
He didn't want innocent people to die because of his battle with Hulk.
Just then,the phone rang.
It was Anna.
Hawke raised an eyebrow, glanced at Gwen, and answered the phone.
"Hello."
"All done? No problem, where is it?"
"Sure."
"See you then!"
"..."
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