Chapter Text
Snow fell from the sky in gentle flurries, the flakes clinging to anything and everything in sight. Trees became icy shadows, sidewalks became snowbanks. Cheerful holiday melodies floated through the air from nearby stores along the streets of New York City.
Peter nearly skipped down the sidewalk, dragging his boyfriend behind him. “Come on, come on! You’re so slow,” Peter whined, tugging on the hand tightly clutched in his own.
“Maybe you’re walking too fast,” Eddie said teasingly. He and his Other both knew how excited the season made Peter. The hero was itching to show Eddie the Christmas tree he’d found.
Neither Peter or Eddie were particularly religious, but they did appreciate the joy that the Christmas season had to bring. Peter seemed to love it the most. He absolutely adored the holidays. The snow, the decorations, the music . . . It was always a time when he felt the most relaxed. He couldn’t have been more excited to share his first Christmas with his boyfriend.
It turned out that Peter was harbouring the same hidden feelings that Eddie was. Once the two had finally worked up enough courage to confess, they were able to move onto the next phase in their relationship. After six months of dating, a septic issue in Peter’s apartment caused him to move in with Eddie for the time being. It was soon in their relationship, but Peter didn’t want to start looking for another apartment yet and he didn’t want to bother his Aunt May. Thus, Eddie had offered for Peter to stay with him until he could figure out other living arrangements. Not that the two minded being together all of the time, it was quite the opposite. But neither wanted to push their new relationship too much in the beginning.
Patrolling was extremely hard for both of them. Peter’s morals clashed with Eddie and his Other’s. Granted, the symbiote didn’t necessarily have morals, but Eddie was at least helping it develop some. Peter believed that even the worst of the worst deserved to live, whereas Eddie and Venom saw them as the perfect snack. The two tried not to discuss the issue of their ethics too often, because it would only lead to fighting. Peter stayed in his corner, webbing all the baddies to the police station. Eddie and Venom stayed in their corner, enjoying the souls of the rotten.
“In here!” Peter said eagerly, moving behind Eddie so he could shove him towards the shop’s door.
Eddie’s laughter echoed throughout the quaint shop as the two lovers passed the entryway. The entire place was decked out for the holidays; colourful string lights, ornaments strung here and there, trees standing at every corner, and more. Pure joy was all Eddie and Venom could see on Peter’s face as they slipped into the room with the most Christmas trees. Peter proudly presented his favourite tree to Eddie.
“What do you think?” he asked, bouncing on his heels. He fixed Eddie with a hopeful, expectant gaze.
“It’s almost as cute as you,” Eddie said fondly, watching as Peter blushed and pouted in response.
“I am not cute,” Peter grumbled, crossing his arms in annoyance. “Do you like the tree?” he asked hopefully.
Eddie studied Peter’s expression then turned his attention back to the tree in front of them. It was a medium-sized tree, definitely a lot taller than Peter and only about half a foot taller than himself. The leaves were a dark green, resembling a real tree. Warm lights were strung around the branches. With the proper decorations, it would look amazing in their apartment.
Their apartment. Eddie hoped that Peter would call it theirs one day.
“I think it would look great back home,” Eddie said, watching Peter beam at him.
And that was how they ended up carrying a Christmas tree home.
* * *
“Babe, can you hand me another string of lights?”
Peter stood on his tiptoes, brushing some fake holly berries along a shelf. Eddie came up behind him, wrapping an arm around his waist.
“You’re so short,” the blonde said teasingly, pressing a kiss to Peter’s temple. He handed his little spider the string of lights he’d asked for.
“I’m not short!” Peter huffed, snatching the lights.
“Oh yeah? Let me watch you get those up there then,” Eddie said with a smirk. “Without a step stool.”
Peter flushed. “I can reach just fine!” To try and prove his point, he reached up as far as he could.
He fell short. By a lot.
Eddie’s laughter reached his ears, and he huffed in embarrassment. “I know what to do,” he snapped, climbing up the wall. He used one hand to lay the lights along the shelf while the other kept himself steady. He stuck his tongue out at his boyfriend.
“Cheater,” Eddie smirked. “You still didn’t prove to me that you aren’t short since you still needed a boost.”
Peter hopped off of the wall. “I still got them up,” he sassed back.
“Whatever you say, darling.” Eddie yanked Peter closer to him and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Shortie,” he murmured, allowing Peter to push him away in annoyance.
By the time the two finished their decorating, it was much later. They had been watching a holiday movie, something cheesy. One of those typical ones where the girl and the guy are snowed-in some romantic log cabin on Christmas Eve and end up falling in love. Peter made comments throughout the entire movie, entertaining his boyfriend quite well. But the hero was exhausted and had drifted to sleep, resting his head in Eddie’s lap.
Eddie stared down at the hero, running a hand lazily through his hair. Fondness spread through his chest, shared by both he and the symbiote.
We must protect him, Eddie. Always.
Eddie smiled, brushing a hand along Peter’s cheekbone. He couldn’t think of a greater honour than protecting the person that meant the most to him in his life.
“Always.” He never agreed with anything more.