Eddie Brock sat at his cluttered kitchen table, eyes glued to his laptop screen, fingers hovering uselessly over the keyboard. The deadline loomed over him, the pressure building, and all he needed was one clean sentence to get started, just one—
"Smash the fucking laptop."
Venom’s voice slithered into his mind, way too excited about the idea.
Eddie sighed, rubbing his temple. "No. I need this laptop. It’s literally the only thing keeping me employed."
"You need a break. Or, you know what would really help? Punching a hole through the wall."
"I'm not punching anything!" Eddie whispered harshly, as if someone could overhear him even though he was alone. "I need to work."
"Work?" Venom sounded disgusted. "Work’s bullshit."
Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to focus on the words that refused to come. "Can you just—can you stop? Just for once?"
"No, Eddie. I’m in your head. I’m not going anywhere."
Eddie gritted his teeth. "You’re gonna get me fired."
"Who gives a fuck?" Venom sneered. "We could eat your boss. Rip his head off. Problem solved."
"Venom—"
"Tell him to fuck off. You’ve wanted to." Venom interrupted,
"Venom!"
"God, you’re such a pussy, Eddie. Can’t even quit your stupid job. Fuck’s sake."
"I like my job," Eddie mumbled weakly, glancing at the bland text on his screen. He didn’t even believe himself anymore.
"No, you don’t. Set something on fire."
Eddie groaned, sinking deeper into his chair. "I’m not going to fucking start a fire!"
"Boring."Venom hissed, clearly annoyed. " Flip the desk. Eat the laptop."
Eddie blinked. "Eat the laptop?"
"Yeah," Venom purred. "Just a little bite. I bet it tastes like shit, but we’ve had worse."
Eddie buried his face in his hands, taking a deep breath. "Jesus, man. I just need to get through this."
"You’re no fun," Venom growled. "I’m trying to help."
"You’re really not."
"You don’t appreciate my genius," Venom snapped. "You know what would be fucking awesome? Headbutting your computer. Or better yet, headbutt your neighbor."
"I’m not headbutting anyone!" Eddie hissed under his breath.
"Fine. We’ll do it later," Venom muttered, his voice fading momentarily.
Eddie rubbed his temples, eyes drifting back to the glowing screen, his deadline feeling more impossible with every passing second. "I just need to finish this. One paragraph. That’s it."
"Yeah, finish your little article on whatever the fuck," Venom growled dismissively. "Or better yet, stand up, scream ‘Fuck this job!’ at the top of your lungs, and walk out. Maybe punch someone on the way."
Eddie clenched his jaw. "I’m not punching anyone."
"Fine, but you’re going to lose your shit. And I’ll be right here."
Eddie tried to ignore the voice, his fingers hovering over the keys. "Let me just… get through this."
"One paragraph?" Venom snickered. ""Write, ‘I’m Eddie Brock, and I don’t give a fuck.’"
Eddie blinked, his hands frozen above the keyboard. "That’s your idea?"
"Fuck yes, Eddie. You’re sitting here playing by the rules. Fuck the rules. We’re so much better than that."
"Can you give me peace and quiet for five minutes?" Eddie muttered, exasperated.
"Never gonna happen, Eddie," Venom chuckled darkly. "Now, about that chair…"
Eddie groaned, fingers back on the keyboard, trying his best to ignore the world’s most unhelpful, foul-mouthed symbiote.