Crush
It was a relaxing day at the park, there were a lot of people out today- running around, playing, enjoying themselves. It feels like it’s been a long time since they’ve done this. Eddie smiled and laughed a little as Sleeper made yet another daring attempt to abandon the safety of the picnic blanket. The baby crawled to the edge and gleefully ran his hands through the soft green grass, plucking out some blades here and there and laughing and waving them around when he did. Eddie leaned his weight onto his elbows, Venom making up the black material of his t-shirt, both of them enjoying the feeling of cool breeze and the warm sunshine.
Their other kids were wreaking havoc on the playground with the many other children whose parents brought them here today. Scream was currently standing at the top of the slide asserting her supreme rule but it looked like Phage, climbing his way up the slide, was about to kick her off her throne while Agony and Lasher cheered him on.
“I think our daughter is a tyrant.”
“I think you might be right.” Eddie laughed as they watched her reign get challenged by usurping siblings.
Before they could further discuss the political ramifications of Phage, Lasher and Agony wrestling the throne of an imaginary kingdom out of Scream’s hands, Carnage was stomping over to them looking incredibly displeased.
“What’s wrong Car?” Eddie asked.
Instead of an answer Eddie got an angry huff, followed by Carnage planting themselves behind him and burying their head under his shirt. Venom was confused and tried to pull away from where Carnage was holding them over their head but Carnage tightened their grip. Eddie tried to twist around to look at Carnage but they were determined to stay behind him and partially buried.
“Carnage?”
“Nothing. I’m not here. Go back to what you were doing.” They replied.
“Carnage, what’s wrong? Why are you trying to hide under my shirt?”
“I said I’m not here. Go back to talking about how much you love each other or whatever.”
“Carnage you are very obviously here. Why are you insistent that you are not?”
Sleeper’s interest was also piqued, the baby scooted across the blanket to where Carnage was and tried earnestly to hide under Eddie’s shirt too.
“Sleeper we’re not playing right now.” Carnage grumbled at Sleeper’s mistaking their odd behavior for a game.
“I think I may know what this is about.”
Venom pulled Eddie’s attention across the span of green, grassy maw to the edge of the playground where a small grouping of three little girls Carnage’s age were inconspicuously looking over at them and giggling to each other. One of the girls, the tallest one, was breaking off from the other two and walking over to their blanket. Eddie and Venom were no strangers to unique children and this little girl certainly fit that bill. Her skin was snowy white and she had long black hair- not entirely unusual by themselves but she also had a black diamond covering her left eye like a very peculiar bruise or birthmark and her lips were tinged blue.
“What’s your name?” She asked, rather demandingly.
“I’m Eddie.”
“Eddie, are you Carnage’s dad?”
“I am.”
“Well can you tell Carnage that they should come back and play with us?”
“Yes, I can tell them.”
She nodded like his answer was satisfactory.
“And tell them we don’t think they’re dumb.” She added before she ran off.
“Car, are you hiding because you’re afraid they think you’re dumb?” Eddie was piecing things together.
“They do think I’m dumb. So I’m staying here.”
“She just said that they do not think that. Who was that and why would they think you are dumb?”
“Her name is Shriek. We were all playing Truth or Dare and I picked dare and she dared me to pick truth so I did.”
“And…?” Eddie prodded.
“She asked who I like. Like...like like.”
“Uh huh.” Okay, Eddie could start to see where the embarrassment was coming from.
“And I didn’t know what to say so I came over here and now everyone thinks I’m dumb!”
“Carnage, is Shriek the one you like like?” Eddie asked innocently.
“NO!” That was definitely a yes.
Venom warmed up in his chest, they didn’t think Carnage would have a crush on anyone for a while so this was cute. Carnage, however, decided that it was not cute at all and was in fact very embarrassing and lame. Unfortunately for Carnage, Eddie was finding it cute too.
“She wants you to play with them. You should go play. Just pretend that nothing happened.”
“You should listen to your father, Carnage. He does many dumb things.”
“Thank you.” Eddie knew where his expertise lies.
Carnage came out from under his shirt so that was a positive step. They peeked around his shoulder at where the girls were still standing and giggling, their claws still gripping steadfast to his shirt.
“Dad, they’re laughing at me.” They grumbled into Eddie’s shoulder.
“Take Sleeper over there and ask them if they want to play with him.” Eddie instructed.
“Why?” Carnage sulked.
“Just trust me.”
Carnage groaned and picked Sleeper up who was very glad that Carnage seemed ready to play now. Carnage slowly and reluctantly made their way back over to Shriek and her friends with Sleeper in tow. Just like Eddie predicted- the girls forgot all about Carnage’s previous social faux pas and were focused solely on playing with Sleeper. Carnage looked over at their parents like they couldn’t believe that actually worked.
“How did you know that would work?”
“Cuddling Sleeper fixes everything.” Eddie shrugged.
“We are going to tease them for this crush when we get home, correct?”
“Correct.”