Every time Eddie woke up to Flash laying beside him, his heart squeezed and his mind reeled.
His arm was stuck underneath the other man, the other arm trapped against Flash’s ribs, generously tangled in alien goo. Eddie could feel the slow rise and fall of Flash’s chest between them, alongside the soft breaths against his collar. He took a minute to count each one, Flash showing no signs of wakefulness, limp in his arms but breathing steadily. Both of them had developed reassurance methods after a few too many nightmares, evident through the hand that had snuck under Eddie’s neck, fingertips pressed against his own pulse.
Flash didn’t move much in his sleep and trained habits, such as light sleeping, often got in the way of a full rest. Meanwhile, Eddie reached for warmth in his own sleep and had an inconsistent sleep schedule. It had taken a long while before adjusting to each other’s sleeping practices. In the early days of them sharing a bed, Flash had become the one to initiate cuddling before falling asleep. It prevented Eddie waking him with his sleepy neediness.
Nowadays, Eddie had gotten over his own stubborn aversion to touch and would often embrace Flash as a non-verbal sign that he wanted to sleep. He also did it when he wanted Flash to sleep, seeing as the other man had some rather reckless habits that Eddie blamed Spider-man full-heartedly for.
The symbiote flowed between them in their sleep, monitoring them with an unconcealed affection that caused it to wrap around them, entwining with their limbs and sinking into their skin. Eddie had been surprised to find himself jealous of their other, being able to move and admire Flash without waking him up. Venom liked sharing however, and would sometimes let Eddie feel what it felt, from Flash’s heartbeat to the emotions that came with his dreams. It was a mutual situation, Flash confessing to having done the same out of needless shame.
The morning air was quiet and humid. Eddie didn’t mind it but made a mental note to open the window. For now, he let his fingers idly drift through the shiny, ebony mass that had curled around them in place of blankets, the actual blankets having been kicked down to the foot of the bed. Tendrils reached out in turn, shimmying in between his fingers to clasp his hand in its own half-formed one.
He could tell when Flash began resuming wakefulness as he shifted about, curling forward into Eddie’s arms. Eddie smiled when Flash let out a groggy groan, the fingers against his pulse pressing down for a short amount of time before coming loose. Flash relinquished his hold and leaned back, head tilting up to meet Eddie.
“Sleep well?” Eddie asked, pecking Flash’s lips. Slow blinks met his gaze, Flash’s mouth moving mutely before making the most small, needy noise and pressing forward to kiss Eddie properly.
“Too well, Starfish.” Flash mumbled, relaxing for a moment before deciding to snuggle closer. Eddie let out a light laugh, gently squeezing Flash. The nickname was a rare one, usually only used when Flash was especially delirious with sleep. Or when he was being a little shit.
“Would you like me to get you coffee?” Eddie enquired, his tone teasing.
Flash, unaffected by his joshing, answered simply, “Yes.”
Eddie hummed his acknowledgement, carefully retracting his arms and sitting up, much to Flash’s dismay. Arms wrapped around Eddie’s waist tightly and he snorted as Flash mumbled incoherently.
“No, don’t move.” The agent complained, squeezing and saying something else that Eddie couldn’t begin to understand. The black substance curling around Flash gave him the general gist however, and he reached down. Soft tentacles stretched up to meet his hands, enveloping them and forming a new, familiar shape. The process continued up his body and they soon were picking Flash up.
The other man squirmed as they gently put him over their shoulder while they stood. There were no more complaints as they placed a hand over Flash’s rear. They didn’t squeeze much, their motions more like they were stroking Flash. A shame that there was a layer of fabric in the way.
(Could always fix it.)
No, Flash would still be mad.
One time too many of Flash admonishing them both for their absent care and respect when it came to clothes. Or lack of said clothes. How was any of them meant to know that their date night would be interrupted by some random bat-themed villain? Flash had seen Eddie naked plenty of times before in public; he didn’t need to act so appalled.
They soon made their way to the kitchen, setting Flash down on the counter carefully. Tendrils stayed connected to Flash, just as clingy as the sleepy man. Eddie went about getting the coffee ready, taking the time needed to wait to press kisses all over Flash’s face, despite half-telligible complaints.
Eddie remembered a time where Flash would sooner threaten someone than show a hint of need. When he would hide his injuries rather than admit to being in pain. It had taken a lot of patience to get to the point they were now. Flash still hid, still masked his vulnerabilities- but not for Eddie.
Eddie was used to having his own vulnerabilities bare to the world, without his permission. He was used to constantly growing past them, to stop others from hurting him. It was exhausting. Flash, however, helped him grow without the pain. Helped him be a better man.
At first, Eddie only accepted change through violence. Flash had recognised his fear, the fear of lacking control. And he gave Eddie control. Albeit in a very self-destructive way that made Eddie highly concerned. Then he was keeping an eye on Flash and they only grew closer. Turns out, he and Flash were good for each other.
Little moments, little gifts, little touches; he already had those. Flash didn’t do those nearly as much as their other. He was loud with his love. Eddie didn’t really know how to explain it. It made him feel human. Sometimes it made him feel like a teenager on their first date. Sometimes it made him feel like the capable adult he should be.
Eddie went about making breakfast, Flash tentatively sipping coffee, too impatient to let it cool. Their other reached out to help Eddie, picking up the items he needed.
This was quite perfect.