Eddie, why are the people outside wearing plastic bags! Is that the fashion on this floating rock?
Eddie groaned. “Those are raincoats. To protect yourself from the rain. And the big circle things are umbrellas, they do the same thing.”
Oh, yes! Of course. Rain is unpleasant, and it would be smart to wear something to reflect the rain off. Humans brains are not as impotent as we thought.
“You think my brain is impotent?”
Most of the time.
He rolled his eyes. If this was Venom’s way of making conversation, maybe they should pay more attention to the soapy TV shows they binged on Netflix. Venom could learn a thing or two.
Eddie fidgeted with the bracelets on his wrist. He wasn’t good with thunderstorms. Anne had taught him a bunch of tactics to keep his anxiety in check while the storm ran its rounds, but when it came time to use them, his mind went blank.
Your pulse has quickened and you’re shaking. What is wrong, Eddie?
“Nothing.” He said blankly, but how could he lie to an alien that’d turned his body into an apartment? They were each other, and Venom could sense when something was off. Though, he and Eddie came to an agreement that every part of Eddie could be shared except his memories. He made it abundantly clear that he did not want Venom poking around in his head. So whatever Venom wanted to know, they would have to ask.
Secrets, Eddie. We do not like those. If you tell us what is wrong, we can help.
Eddie couldn’t determine if he was having a heart attack or if his heart swelled fives times the normal size, but all he did know was that sometimes, Venom could be a sweetheart when they're not begging Eddie to eat someones brains or throwing his TV out the window. Nonetheless, maybe the symbiote was right; maybe they could help.
“Alright,” Eddie said, “Here goes.” He thought of what to say, and how to phrase it so he didn’t sound like such a pussy. But either way it came out, it would sound like that. Especially to Venom.
The symbiote must’ve noticed his hesitance because they quickly materialized into the head Eddie grew so fond of. They rubbed their head against Eddie’s cheek, and he could’ve swore he heard some purring. This was a spitting image of what Mr. Belvedere used to do Anne. It made Eddie’s heart bloom. Who would’ve thought he would find an 8-foot man-eater so endearing.
Eddie?
”I’m afraid of thunderstorms. Okay? Don’t ask me why, I’ve been like this since I was young.” Eddie blurted out. He was expecting a laugh or a snicker. Literally anything. But there was silence from Venom. And this was something that didn’t occur very often. He would only get this silence when he was sleeping, or if he’d been suffering from a hangover and Venom understood the silence he needed. Eddie so desperately wished he knew what Venom was thinking.
We will not call you a pussy, if that was what you were expecting. You cannot help the fears you harbor. It is okay.
Venom seeped back into Eddie as tendrils wrapped around Eddie’s bicep and more wrapped around his torso. The pressure replicated one of a weighted blanket. It was nice, though Eddie would never admit it. The touch brought him comfort he would’ve never imagined Venom could give. He felt safe and content being held like this. He felt safe with Venom.
That lasted until another burst of lightning struck, undoing all of the progress he’d made with Venom. He jumped and the shaking started immediately after.
Eddie.
“I’m sorry, Venom. I’m trying.”
Do not apologize. If you want, We can tweak your nervous system and help you calm down. It will not hurt.
Eddie mentally shook his head. He didn’t want to lose Venom’s touch so soon. The embrace felt so good and so sweet. Eddie could’ve sworn he was about to ascend into the clouds.
Eddie?
”No, this is fine. We can stay just like this.”
They felt into silence once again. But, this was of a comfortable one. They were at their best with they were like this. So in sync. So close to each other. So symbiotic.
Eddie had managed to block the sounds of thunder out, and focused on his breathing. The sounds of his heartbeat lulled him into the state of ease Venom provided.
We can see that your heart beat is almost back to its resting heart rate. This helped you.
Eddie nodded.
Use your words, Eddie.
He blushed deeply. He knew Venom probably didn’t mean it like that, but their words did have a toll on him.
“Yes, you helped. Happy?”
Yes. You are not reacting to the storm anymore. We will take this into consideration for the next time we are in this scenario.
Eddie hummed in agreement. The storm was now reduced to raindrops on the window. Though Venom noticed that Eddie no longer needed their help, they were still wrapped around him. Not that Eddie minded, he could die just like this.
What do you want to do now? Are you tired? It is getting late and we have a paper to get started on tomorrow.
He couldn’t help but smile. Venom’s regard for him made him happy. But then again, they shared a body so if Eddie wasn’t catering to his needs, Venom had to. He tried not to think like that, that Venom cared about him because they wanted to, and not because they were obligated to. Sometimes he wondered what would happen if Venom got tired of him. Would they just slip out of his meat suit, or would he ring him out. Just as Venom did to the other hosts that weren’t a match for them.
We do not know what you are thinking, but it is making us upset. We know that humans prefer to converse about their troubles, so we are listening.
“Why.”
Why what, Eddie.
Eddie scratched the back of his neck. He wasn’t sure he wanted to have this conversation.
“Why do you take care of me?”
Venoms tendrils unloosened from Eddie’s body and retracted back into his chest. A black blob curled out of his hand and formed Venom’s head once again, with all of his sharp teeth. But the symbiote didn’t speak a word. They just silently stared at Eddie like they were waiting for him or something. So, he took the silence as a chance for him to continue.
“I doubt Carlton Drake’s symbiote cooked breakfast for him. Or brushed his teeth.” Eddie laughed a little bit. Saying this stuff out loud sounded ridiculous.
Venom tilted their head, Yes. You are right. Our kind isn’t known for our compassion for others, let alone a human. But in the months we’ve been together, We have learned a lot from you. You tend to care about others that you could not benefit from in the slightest. You use your voice for others that cannot be heard. This sympathy can be seen as a weakness to others of our kind, but not to us. Yes, you are a host. But you are not only a host to us. You are a friend, a companion, a partner. We care about you because we want to. You deserve it, Eddie.
Now, if Eddie hadn’t known any better, he would think this was Venom’s way of saying they loved him. Venom’s little heart warming speech was definitely reassuring, and tugged at his heartstrings. Hearing them say they cared about Eddie was definitely something he wished he would’ve heard earlier. It would’ve saved him all the heart-ache.
“Thanks, V. It’s nice to know that you don’t want to eat me.”
We did not say we did not want to eat you. That option is still on the table.
“Way to ruin the mood.” Eddie whined, playfully shoving the symbiote back. Venom moved to lick a long stride on his face before comfortably placing themself on his shoulder. He groaned and swatted at the mass.
Venom snickered, We are kidding. We would never hurt you, Eddie.
Eddie hummed and patted the head on his shoulder. Venom was right though, it was getting late and he did have a paper to work on tomorrow. God knows that another late night would probably kill him. Replacing sleep with coffee wasn’t good for him, and Venom knew it too.
“Venom.”
Eddie.
“Could you..” God, Eddie really had to get that telepathy thing between he and Venom down.
Finally tired, Eddie? Need us to take you to bed?
“Please.” He replied quietly.
Venom obliged and quickly look control of Eddie, carefully guiding him to the bedroom they shared and laying him down on the bed. Eddie smiled in contentment as he found a comfortable position in the bed, alongside Venom who’d wrapped him in the warm embrace that he so desperately needed, just like earlier.
The soft patter of the rain along with the hold his symbiote had him in pulled him into a calming trance. Venom was enjoying this too. He could feel them vibrating underneath him.
“Goodnight, V.”
Goodnight, Eddie. Love you.