On a small scale, Tobey's claimed profession made him an "urban doctor," directly solving the city's foundational health crises.
On a grand scale, his work was entirely dedicated to the betterment of all humanity!
After all, what country in the world didn't have cities? And what city in the world wasn't plagued by the relentless spread of pests and vermin?
Instantly, a profound sense of awe and respect for Tobey welled up in Captain Stacy's heart.
This was a career every bit as noble as being a police officer—perhaps even greater!
He had originally assumed that this tall, intimidating young man was the cold, unfeeling outlier of the Parker family. He never expected Tobey to be the most remarkably selfless one of them all!
Captain Stacy had opened the front door fully intending to terrorize the boy. Now, the longer he looked at Tobey, the more he absolutely loved him.
His stern face broke into a warm, welcoming smile. He stepped aside and gestured into the apartment.
"Tobey—or rather, Dr. Parker. Since you arrived so early, I assume you haven't eaten breakfast yet. Would you care to join me?"
Tobey rubbed his genuinely empty stomach. Because Peter had violently interrupted his sleep schedule, Tobey had left the house long before May had started cooking. He really hadn't eaten.
Skipping the fake, polite refusals, Tobey nodded with a charming smile.
"Then I would be honored, Captain Stacy. However, please don't call me Doctor. I am merely making a microscopic contribution to cleaning up the Earth's environment. Just calling me Tobey or Parker is more than enough."
As a veteran police captain, George Stacy despised the fake, overly-curated modesty used by politicians and corporate executives. Tobey's direct, confident acceptance only multiplied the Captain's stellar impression of him.
He reached out and patted Tobey's broad shoulder approvingly.
"Alright, then I'll just call you Tobey. Come on in, Tobey. You're going to love Helen's Mexican crepes."
Helen Stacy was Gwen's mother.
So, when Gwen finally emerged from her bedroom less than ten minutes later—having executed a miraculous speed-run of picking out a cute outfit and applying flawless light makeup—she walked into the dining room to find Tobey and her famously strict father happily eating breakfast together.
Gwen: ?
She had been gone for less than ten minutes. What the hell just happened?
How did Tobey not only get inside her apartment, but also manage to end up chatting with her terrifyingly rigid police captain father as if they were long-lost brothers?!
Was she still asleep? Was this a dream?
"Hey, Gwen. Don't just stand there staring," Captain Stacy called out, gesturing for her to join them while simultaneously delivering a light scolding. "Tobey said he asked you out for lunch over a week ago. Not only did you sleep in, but you actually tried to shut the door in his face?"
Hearing this, Gwen's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
And to think she had actually been worried her dad wouldn't like Tobey...
Looking at the scene in front of her, it seemed her dad liked Tobey even more than she did!
But then again... Tobey was so perfect, how could anyone not love him?
After a brief 0.1-second pause of sheer speechlessness, Gwen practically skipped over to the table and happily squeezed into the chair right next to Tobey.
If Gwen had pressed herself this affectionately against any other boy, Captain Stacy's overprotective fatherly instincts would have instantly flared into a deep, raging displeasure.
But because the boy was Tobey—a young man who had flawlessly passed the Captain's hyper-critical evaluation—Stacy completely overlooked it.
Seeing that the two of them clearly wanted to be alone, Captain Stacy tactfully set down his milk glass and picked up his police cap.
"Tobey, you two take your time and enjoy your food. I have a major case on my desk. Two inhuman monsters tore up the Williamsburg Bridge last night, and the Mayor is breathing down my neck to find them. I need to get to the precinct immediately."
Tobey stood up and nodded respectfully. "Understood. Stay safe out there, Captain Stacy."
When Captain Stacy walked out the door, Mrs. Stacy took her two youngest sons and followed him out so she could drop the boys off at school.
In an instant, the bustling apartment was entirely empty, leaving only Gwen and Tobey.
With her family gone, Gwen could no longer suppress the overwhelming joy bubbling in her chest. Like a clinging sloth, she threw her arms around Tobey's neck.
"Tobey! Why did you come over so early without telling me? You hadn't texted me in days, I actually thought you forgot about our date today!"
Breathing in the faint, sweet scent of Gwen's blonde hair, Tobey didn't bother suppressing his own desires. He wrapped his arm around her incredibly slender waist—which he felt he could practically encircle with a single hand—and pulled her seamlessly from her chair and onto his lap.
The sudden, intense physical contact made Gwen's heart hammer wildly against her ribs. A deep, rosy flush rapidly crawled up her pale neck.
Compared to his blunt, verbal invitation last week, Tobey's aggressive physical intimacy today absolutely confirmed it. His intentions toward her were definitely not pure!
And that was... absolutely wonderful!
The man she had been desperately chasing for two entire years was finally hers!
"You..."
Curled up against Tobey's warm, muscular chest, Gwen looked up. She wanted to verbally confirm his feelings one last time, but before she could finish the sentence, Tobey lowered his head and captured her red lips.
Looking at Tobey's handsome face inches from her own, Gwen decided she didn't need to ask anymore.
Tobey had just used his actions to prove exactly how he felt...
However... why was Tobey carrying a hard baton in his pocket for self-defense? It was pressing against her and making her feel awfully uncomfortable...
Wait a minute! That wasn't right!!!
Eventually, Gwen walked out the front door with Tobey, looking completely satisfied but glaring at him with heavy, playful reproach.
Don't misunderstand, Gwen was simply finishing her breakfast...
As for what exactly that breakfast was, mind your own business...
After finally swallowing the "milk" in her mouth, Gwen's cheerful mood immediately returned.
"Tobey, it's still way too early for lunch," Gwen chirped, bouncing on her heels. "Where are you taking me?"
Tobey offered a mysterious, charming smile. "I'm taking you somewhere very familiar, and incredibly fun!"
Hearing this, Gwen's anticipation skyrocketed!
A place that was both familiar and fun? Could he be talking about... his bedroom?!
After all, the only place she felt truly familiar with when it came to Tobey was his house.
As for the 'fun' part...
Gwen's face flushed a brilliant shade of crimson.
Ten minutes later...
Gwen stood in front of the massive New York Auto Mall, staring at the endless rows of luxury vehicles. She could actually feel her fists hardening with rage.
"So this is your idea of a familiar and fun place?!"
Tobey simply shrugged and grinned. "Yeah. You shopped for a car with me here two years ago. Isn't it familiar?"
"And picking out your own dream car... isn't that fun?"
Gwen shot him a withering glare. "Tobey, do you honestly believe that for a teenage girl, shopping for a car is a romantic date activity?"
Tobey laughed out loud. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two premium VIP amusement park tickets he had purchased the day before.
"As compensation for my terrible planning, not only am I buying you dinner today, but I'm taking you to the amusement park. Deal?"
The moment Gwen saw the amusement park tickets, her sour expression vanished instantly, replaced by a radiant, highly motivated beam!
Without another word of complaint, she aggressively grabbed Tobey's hand and dragged him toward the dealership doors with the sheer, unstoppable momentum of a soldier charging into battle.
Today, she—Gwen Stacy, the brave warrior—would defeat the Auto Mall Demon King at maximum speed, so she could escort her beloved Princess Tobey to the magical amusement park castle!