Five o'clock in the afternoon.
New York, John F. Kennedy, often referred to as Kennedy International Airport.
Feeling like he's about to go insane, Chief George Stacy of the New York Police Department's Nineteen Division is pacing near the arrivals gate.
What a disaster.
The little cabbage he's nurtured with great effort is finally being eyed by a wild boar from outside.
And it's a wild wild boar.
But that's not the main point.
The main point is that, from the current situation, it seems, as if, maybe, his little cabbage actively sought out that wild boar.
George finds it hard to understand, but that's no longer the focus.
At this very moment, George has only one thought in his mind.
He wants to shoot that wild boar who took his cabbage away.
Just then.
The flight from Maryland's Hagerstown Regional Airport to New York begins to disembark passengers.
Pacing back and forth, George takes a deep breath and stands at the arrivals gate, looking inside.
The next moment.
His breathing involuntarily quickens again.
Jesus Christ.
What did he see?
His precious daughter holding hands with a wild... handsome boar from who knows where?
George's face instantly darkens.
Others at the arrivals gate seem to feel some sort of chill, instinctively glance at George, and then instinctively distance themselves from him.
Finally.
The couple, who recently confirmed their relationship, stepped off the plane and also felt the overwhelming chill coming straight at them.
Gwen instinctively looked towards the chill's direction, then quickly released Hawk's right hand with a snap: "Shit, it's Dad."
Hawk also immediately saw Chief George Stacy, standing at the arrival gate in a black suit, radiating cold air despite his righteous demeanor.
Their eyes met.
He could see the vigilance and scrutiny in Chief George Stacy's gaze upon him.
It's understandable.
Hawk thought, if it were him, his daughter suddenly running off and returning with a man, he'd probably be angrier than Chief George Stacy.
Breaking the wild boar's leg would be pretty mild.
What?
Now the wild boar is him?
Well, then it's fine.
Hawk thought.
But he's still a bit curious as to how he got to the point of holding hands with Gwen.
His memory is messy.
But...
He's happy.
Still the same as before.
Hawk has thought about romance, especially with Marvel's number one recognized girlfriend, Gwen Stacy.
But before, he didn't have the confidence.
But now he does.
Not only does he have it, but it's substantial.
Once he gathers the meteorites, gets Vibranium from Wakanda, and crafts his Phoenix Holy Armor, it'll be even more significant.
So!
Hawk sees Gwen sprint ahead to George Stacy, pulling George's arm, his expression unchanged, maintaining eye contact with George while walking towards him, and first extends his right hand.
"Mr. Stacy, I'm Hawk, sorry for worrying you."
"..."
George doesn't speak, nor does he shake Hawk's hand; he just glances at him and then ignores him, turning to look at Gwen beside him.
"Let's go, Helen is still waiting at home."
"Dad!"
"It's okay, Gwen."
Hawk calmly retracts his right hand, then says to Gwen: "You go home with Mr. Stacy first."
He understands George, and right now, not shaking hands is the least of it; even if George wants to make a move against him, at most, he'd dodge and not retaliate.
After all, he's the wild boar.
So...
After speaking, Hawk smiles slightly at Gwen again, and after saying goodbye to Mr. Stacy, he leaves voluntarily, not making things difficult for Gwen.
An hour later.
Hawk returns to his apartment at Queensboro Bridge Park.
Turns on the lights.
He originally thought after twenty days away, his room would be covered in dust.
But...
There's not much dust, and even the shorts he had hanging outside the window were neatly folded on the sofa.
On the folded shorts, there's an envelope.
This should be the letter Gwen mentioned over the phone, entrusted by Dr. Connor for her to deliver.
Hawk thought, sitting on the sofa, then picks up the envelope and takes out a handwritten letter inside.
This is a recommendation letter Dr. Connor wrote for New York University.
Hawk then remembers Dr. Connor's doctorate seems to be from New York University.
"Oh!"
"This gift is quite heavy."
Hawk blinked.
To be honest, this gift indeed carries weight.
Although with Dr. Connor's reputation it's more of a cherry on top, it's still a cherry, and others might not easily get such a recommendation letter.
After all, in the West, recommendation letters essentially mean a favor exchange.
So...
If it were before Hawk awakened his Little Cosmos, getting this recommendation letter would have thrilled him.
But now.
Hawk isn't concerned about whether he can attend New York University anymore.
But he hasn't decided to drop out; he's just more relaxed now.
Lucky if he gets it, fate if not.
After all, he's seen a different and more colorful future now.
Though...
Thinking aside, at least this recommendation letter from Dr. Connor necessitates a thank-you call.
Hawk turns the envelope over, and Gwen's handwritten number for Dr. Connor is on it.
He pulls out his phone from his pocket, looks at the black screen, chuckles, and gets up from the sofa heading to the bedroom.
In the bedroom.
Hawk connects the phone to the charger and sits on the bed, waiting for it to turn on.
Then his peripheral vision catches the photo frame on his nightstand that seems slightly moved.
Hawk raises an eyebrow, reaches over to adjust the frame's position, angling it back towards his headboard.
For no particular reason.
When he sleeps, he prefers to lie sideways, setting the frame this way, there's a seventy percent chance he'll see the photo frame first when he opens his eyes each day.
Settled.
After positioning the photo frame, Hawk smiles slightly, and as the phone powers on, he calls Dr. Connor.
The phone connects soon.
"This is Curtis..."
"Dr. Connor, it's me, Hawk."
Hawk introduces himself and apologizes for being away, saying that he just got back and saw the recommendation letter.
The voice on the other end, Dr. Connor, sounds quite happy.
Hawk chats with Dr. Connor briefly over the call and casually asks, "Dr. Connor sounds happy, did the experiment succeed?"
Dr. Connor laughs heartily.
"Almost, a lab mouse has shown me hope for success."
"...Well, congratulations in advance, Doctor."
"Thank you, alright, Hawk, I need to get back to work."
"Okay, you go ahead."
"..."