He can hear the xenophages coming closer, can see the hyperacid just a few feet away. He and Venom have decided, and together they step out of the helicopter together. Venom wraps around him, and they take form. It is certain death, and this is the calmest Eddie has felt all week.
After this it will be over. These people - the scientists, Martin and his family. Mrs. C, and Ann and Dan. After this they'll all be safe. And he won't fuck anything up, ever again.
He had sort of figured his death would be his fault. Motorcycle crash, or a story too dangerous for his own good. Even before, in high school, he would think about it constantly. About all the ways he could go, if he wanted to. And in them all, he was alone.
Here, now, he is not alone. He is inside Venom, he is Venom. And Venom is him. 'Til the end, they had said. The xenophages are clambering inside of them, desperate to escape. But together, Venom and Eddie hold on. Eddie is so focused on holding this mass of creatures together, that he doesn't notice his body moving away from the mass, doesn't realize that Venom is setting him down. Not until his connection starts to fade and he can't hold onto the xenophages anymore.
I'm sorry, he hears. And suddenly, he is just Eddie again. Small, and alone.
It is jarring, to go from Venom's alien senses and awareness, to his own two eyes looking up at the great inky mess in front of him. NO, he wants to scream. But he is just himself. It's cold outside. Cold inside his body, too. And empty. He is suddenly aware of how weak he feels, how tired, and just how much he hurts. He tries to sit, to scrabble towards Venom, but his body just won't do it. All his body will do, is hurt.
Venom turns, rumbling towards him. "I will never forget you." Venom is struggling to get out the words. "Don't forget me either, Eddie."
This isn't goodbye - why does it sound like goodbye?
Venom grins. "It's just bye for now" As the acid activates, Venom lets out a shriek. Watching Venom writhe in pain is worse, so much worse than the physical pain. Eddie can only sit here, unable to help, separated from Venom. It rips him open, a wound that not even Venom could fix.
Why?, he cries inside his head. I thought we would do this together, please. Desperate to be with his other half, weak and struggling, he stretches out his arm. How could you leave me?
Venom reaches back, and Eddie begins to hope again. Mere inches separate them. He is so close to being whole again. Don't you love me?
The tentacle diverts. I do love you, Eddie. Venom picks up a blast door, laying it on top of him. That is why.