Marvel: The Enlightened One-Chapter 64: [] - A Christmas Killing

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Time had never moved so slowly for Hawk before.

But it was now.

Christmas had always been a special time. Back at the group home, his sister, Anya, had loved it. Every Christmas Eve, a few kind-hearted staff members would hand out small, cheap gifts, and for her, it was magical.

Because of her, Hawk had come to love it too.

But after she was gone—after September 10th, 2009—he had spent that first Christmas Eve alone, having snuck into the cemetery to be with her.

Since then, he hated the holiday.

He didn’t just dislike it, he found the noise and forced cheer of the holiday unbearable. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

But this year, Hawk was desperately, impatiently waiting for it to arrive.

Time has a funny way of working, though. The more you watch it, the slower it goes. It’s only when you’re not paying attention that it seems to vanish in a flash.

Realizing this, Hawk forced himself to stop counting the days, to lock himself back into his usual, relentless routine.

And finally, the week before Christmas, Midtown Tech officially let out for the holidays.

Hawk went home with Gwen.

His plan had been to head straight to New Jersey that same day, to begin his stakeout for the Hulk. But Gwen’s mother had been so insistent with her invitation that he couldn’t find a polite way to refuse.

...

When they got back to the Goring Building. George hadn’t returned from work yet, so Hawk went with Gwen up to her room.

He was familiar with her bedroom by now.

He walked in and sat down on the edge of her bed as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Gwen pulled her desk chair over and sat down, calling Mary Jane.

A few minutes later. Gwen ended the call with a laugh, set her phone aside, and turned to Hawk. "MJ was asking if we had any plans for the break. She suggested the four of us could do something together."

Hawk said. "Four of us?"

"Her and Peter."

"Well, I’ll be damned..."

Hawk was taken aback for a second, then a grin spread across his face. "When did that happen?"

Gwen leaned in, her expression serious. "You’re not going to believe this. Today. Right after Norman Osborn’s funeral. And get this—MJ was the one who made the first move."

A look of genuine surprise crossed Hawk’s face.

"For real?"

"I know, right?"

"Wow." Hawk nodded slowly. He really hadn’t expected the Peter of this world to actually say yes to MJ.

But then, He thought back to last Sunday night, when Peter had tapped on his window, seeking him out to confess that he had just killed his best friend’s father.

Just like in the original story, the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, was dead.

And he had died in the same way—killed by his own glider after a failed attempt to stab Peter in the back, even after Peter had spared him.

But one detail was different.

In the original version, Harry had walked in on Peter returning his father’s body. Here, that hadn’t happened. Instead, right after it was over, Peter had come straight to Hawk’s apartment and told him everything.

Hawk, who had just returned from his own recon trip to New Jersey, had been exhausted and in no mood for company.

He was ready to tell Peter to get lost, but the look on his face—haunted, lost, and heavy with guilt over his best friend’s father’s death—made him pause...

Instead, he cracked open a couple of Cokes and let Peter talk it all out.

And now, It seemed his intervention had caused a butterfly effect. Peter hadn’t rejected the girl of his dreams... he had actually accepted her confession.

...

Hawk smiled and said to Gwen, "That’s great. Peter’s always been crazy about her."

"MJ always knew," Gwen said, then her brow furrowed. She looked at Hawk, a knowing glint in her eye. "But Peter... he’s just like a certain someone I know. Pretending he doesn’t care when he actually cares a lot."

Hawk met her gaze, which seemed to speak volumes.

Gwen’s lips curved into a smile.

"Am I wrong?"

"No."

Hawk shook his head.

Gwen’s smile widened. She blinked slowly, her eyes sparkling. "So you admit it? You’ve had a thing for me since freshman year?"

Hawk held her gaze, a slow smile forming on his own face. "Yes."

"I knew it." Gwen had the answer she wanted, and her happiness was radiant. She leaned her head to the side, resting it against her chair. "It was the same for me."

She understood Peter’s hesitation with Mary Jane perfectly. Because she’d been through it herself.

Her smile grew more confident. "And now I’m absolutely certain Peter is Spider-Man."

"Because if he wasn’t, he never would have found the courage to be with MJ."

"Right??"

"..."

Hawk looked at Gwen, who was once again trying to get him to confirm Peter’s identity. He gave her the same, practiced answer. "Again, I’m not confirming anything, and I’m not denying."

Gwen shrugged. "Whatever. Now that he’s with MJ, it’s only a matter of time before she finds out. And when she does, she’ll definitely tell me."

MJ was the biggest gossip. She might not tell anyone else, but she would absolutely tell her.

Gwen’s thoughts then returned to the phone call. "So, what should I tell them? A twenty-one-day break is a long time. A couples’ trip could be fun."

She looked at him, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Hawk didn’t answer right away. A slight frown creased his forehead.

Gwen noticed. "What’s wrong?"

"I’m not sure yet." Hawk thought for a moment, then gave her an apologetic smile. "I have something I need to take care of over the break. I just don’t know which day it’s going to be yet."

Gwen blinked. "Something you need to do?"

"Yes."

"..." Gwen watched him, then tilted her head slightly. "If I asked you what it was, would you tell me?"

Hawk met her gaze. She stared back. Their eyes locked for a long moment. He let out a soft chuckle and nodded. "If you’re asking, I’ll tell you."

Gwen nodded back. The next second, her expression became serious. "Okay, then. I’m asking, Hawk. Tell me."

After a long moment of silence. He spoke two words.

"Killing someone."

"..."

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