"Aunt Mei doesn't approve of Peter and Mary?"
"What else?"
Hawk shrugged.
This was also why he didn't seem too concerned about Peter's disappearance after meeting Aunt Mei.
Mary's urgency was genuine.
But Aunt Mei's urgency...
Somewhat fake.
Of course, it wasn't exactly fake, just that compared to Mary, who knew nothing about the situation, Aunt Mei's urgency didn't seem all that urgent.
Hawk thought Aunt Mei might know more than Mary after seeing her.
As usual.
In general, he was too lazy to meddle in other people's affairs.
What if Peter's disappearance was to create a surprise for Mary?
It's not impossible.
So Hawk chose silence at the time.
Now, knowing the truth, why Aunt Mei didn't tell Mary could really be the same as Mary just said.
It's a Parker family matter, and Mary Jane is an outsider.
"But Mary is Peter's girlfriend?"
"Yes."
Hawk nodded, looking at Gwen who was speaking for her friend Mary: "I can guarantee Peter's first girlfriend is Mary and will be the last one, but can you guarantee that for Mary?"
Gwen glanced sideways at Hawk, meeting his gaze.
She instinctively opened her mouth, tempted to make a guarantee for her friend Mary like Hawk effortlessly did for his buddy Peter.
But...
This guarantee, Gwen really couldn't make.
Because she couldn't guarantee her friend Mary would go all the way with Peter as Hawk guaranteed for Peter.
Peter is great.
Mary is great too.
It's the truth and the fact, but compared to Peter's introverted personality, Mary's personality seems a bit bold and glamorous.
Mary studies dance and has always longed to perform her dance on the spotlight stage of Broadway.
And Mary has always worked hard towards this direction.
But Peter is an honest kid, who even prefers to wear a mask when doing good deeds.
So...
Gwen quickly analyzed, then decisively chose to give up, shaking her head: "Forget it, you're right, this is their private affair, we better not intervene."
Hawk smiled slightly.
"Figured it out?"
"What else?"
Gwen rolled her eyes, then looked at Hawk whose face carried a semi-amused expression: "Wait a minute, so you're saying you also don't approve of Peter and Mary?"
Hawk shrugged: "Guys' first loves often end in failure."
Gwen raised her eyebrow.
"I'm your first love too."
"Uh..."
Hawk was slightly stunned, facing his fiancée's increasingly dangerous emerald eyes, hurriedly justified: "We're different."
Gwen hummed, continued to look at Hawk with a dangerous gaze.
Hawk's thoughts turned.
In the next moment.
He directly turned around.
Gwen was dumbfounded.
"Not going home, where to?"
"Las Vegas."
"...What to do there?"
"It's legal to register for marriage at eighteen there."
Hawk spoke seriously, with a solemn expression.
No choice.
This was currently the only way he could think of to make up for himself.
You see.
This is why he doesn't like meddling in other people's private affairs, because if things go awry, one misstep and the flame ends up on himself.
Just like now.
But...
The two ultimately didn't make it to Las Vegas.
Not because Hawk changed his mind.
But Gwen was a bit worried that after their trip, the consequences of registering could trigger a chain reaction.
Like an angry father-in-law showing up with a gun.
After all, taking without telling is called eloping.
Running away to elope.
Currently, George has already tacitly accepted their relationship as fiancés, but if they eloped to Las Vegas without saying a word, George would go crazy.
And Helen probably wouldn't be happy either.
Plus.
Classes at the university start tomorrow, and if they drive to Las Vegas now, they probably won't make it back to New York City in time.
The most important point.
Gwen was just casually mentioning it.
She couldn't guarantee for Mary, but she was confident she would stay with Hawk to the end because Hawk was the future she chose herself.
However, seeing Hawk almost instantly ready to head to Las Vegas to register still made Gwen happy.
Thus Hawk didn't hesitate at all.
That was enough.
She will be Madam Phoenix.
It might also be the only one, but it'll take some time.
For now.
Studies come first.
The next day.
Hawk and Gwen woke up early, had breakfast, and then, like usual when heading to school, Gwen drove her Toyota Corolla in the front while Hawk drove his Audi A8 behind, one after the other out of the garage, heading toward New York University and Imperial University, which are next to each other.
After the first class of the new semester, Hawk, carrying a shoulder bag, walked out of the tiered classroom and answered a call from his fiancée attending the neighboring university.
"Hey, Gwen."
"In the morning, Felicia's assistant came to school to help Peter apply for leave, saying Peter is helping them with a project research."
"How long is the leave for?"
"One semester."
"Whoa!"
Hawk took a deep breath, somewhat curious: "Does Mary know?"
Gwen on the other end sighed: "That's what I really want to say; Mary said she broke up with Peter over the phone last night."
Upon hearing this, Hawk raised an eyebrow.
"Really broke up?"
"Yes."
Gwen nodded and then said, "Don't come over at noon; I'm afraid Mary will be hurt seeing us together. Goodbye."
As he listened to the busy signal on the phone, Hawk fell into silence.
Goodness.
This is like the city gates catching fire, affecting the fish in the moat.
It's Mary and Peter who broke up, not him and Gwen...
Bah, bah, bah!
Hawk quickly shook his head, cutting off the chaotic thoughts he just had, and refocused, putting the phone back in his pocket and walking toward the tiered classroom for the second class of the morning.
In the evening.
Gwen put down her book, tied up her golden ponytail, and started making tonight's dinner in the bright kitchen.
Just like always.
Originally helping out, Hawk was seen by Gwen as more of a hindrance than help, so once again she sent him over to sit on the high stool by the island counter.
Hawk was holding a smooth onion, while admiring his busy wife in front, he asked about Mary and Peter.
"Really broke up, no room for reconciliation?"
"Peter said he didn't tell Mary the truth because he didn't want her to worry, and said he did tell Mary about leaving New York."
"He did mention it."
Hawk spoke up for his good buddy Peter: "Didn't Mary also say so? She said Peter told her he's got something going on these days, so she didn't call."
Gwen took the roasted beef out of the oven, turned around with a carving knife, and looked at Hawk: "Mary said the main reason for the breakup wasn't because of this, but because of Aunt Mei."
Upon hearing this, Hawk's eyes lit up. He brought the knife and roasted beef in front of him, cutting the meat while seriously looking at Gwen.
He didn't speak, but his expression was filled with two words.
Elaborate.
Gwen chuckled, wiped her hands, took out a plate, emptied the supermarket-purchased vegetable package into it, and squeezed salad dressing on it, mixing while sharing her lunchtime conversation with Mary.
"Who do you think is more important to Peter, Aunt Mei or Mary?"
"Aunt Mei."
"So if those two actually got married and Aunt Mei conflicted with Mary, who would Peter side with?"
"Aunt Mei."
Hawk answered decisively.
Since Uncle Ben's death, partly due to his reason, Aunt Mei has become the one he cares and values the most.
So in Peter's mind, no doubt, regardless of anything, Aunt Mei would come first.
Not only for Spider Spirit, but for The Amazing Spider-Man and Tech Spider-Man too, Aunt Mei has always been the most cared-for first place in their hearts.
Gwen then said, "So, Mary said, through Aunt Mei keeping this from her, it shows that Aunt Mei never considered her as part of the family. Mary said before things get out of control later, it's better to end things on good terms early, which is better for everyone."
Upon hearing this, Hawk thought for a moment, then looked at Gwen: "Mary is very clear-headed."
Gwen shrugged.
"Mary always knows what she wants."
"What about Peter, did he just agree to this?"
"Mary didn't say."
Gwen placed the mixed salad bowl aside: "Peter likely agreed; even if he didn't, there's nothing he could do, since Mary had already straightened out her emotions and went to the school opening dance in the afternoon."
Hawk nodded with admiration.
"Remarkable."
"Let's leave it at that."
Gwen looked at the beef sliced by Hawk on the cutting board, seeing that he still planned to cut thin slices, she quickly stopped him: "Wash your hands, then let's eat."
Hawk responded with a hum, put down the carving knife, walked toward the sink while curiously saying, "Wanna bet on when Mary will start a new relationship?"
Gwen rolled her eyes directly at Hawk.
"That's my best friend, why don't you bet on your best buddy?"
"That's fine too."
Hawk shrugged indifferently.
Gwen chuckled lightly: "Peter is lucky to have a buddy like you."
Upon hearing this, Hawk looked at Gwen, his expression serious.
"I think so too."
"..."
Gwen looked at the serious Hawk, completely speechless.
However...
Even though they didn't end up betting on when Mary Jane would start a new relationship, two months later when Mary Jane truly began a new romance, it still left both of them stunned.
Especially after knowing the identity of Mary Jane's new boyfriend.
"Flash Thompson?"
"Flash?"
"Really?"
"..."