Chapter Text
You headed upstairs, suitcase in hand, ready to settle into your new apartment. It had been a long trip and you were looking forward to melting onto a couch, or chair, or even the floor since the apartment should actually be empty. You got to the door noticing another right across the hall from you, your neighbor. You made a note to greet them tomorrow.
You put your suitcase down and grabbed the keys in your pocket, trying two before you got the right one. When you opened the door you kicked your bag inside and stepped into your apartment, empty. You looked around to start familiarizing yourself with the lay out. One bedroom, one bathroom, small kitchen and some open space to fill.
The moving truck was about an hour behind you, so you sat on the kitchen counter to catch a break. When the truck arrived you helped the movers bring up the furniture and boxes. Once it was all in the apartment you stayed up late unpacking and rearranging the furniture. You started with your bedroom and worked your way out to the rest of the apartment. Of course you didn’t finish.
You fixed your room first with the idea that you’d be able to sleep in your bed, but instead you passed out on the couch. In the morning you woke up to your cat sitting on your chest, meowing, its paws hitting your cheek gently. You groaned and stared at it for a moment.
“I’m alive silly.” You sat up and set them down next to you. “Usually I’d ignore your cries for food but I know you haven’t actually eaten anything, so, breakfast then.”
You got up and looked through the fridge, the cabinets and boxes. You didn’t find cat food.
“Oh shit. I need to run out and get you some food. I’ll be back.”
You pet your cats head and grabbed your wallet and keys. When you stepped out of the building you looked around for a store, glad to find one on the block.
♥♥♥♥♥
Eddie woke up to see black tentacles poking out from under the blanket and leading out of the bedroom. The rest of his senses slowly waking up and then he become aware of the all too familiar sound of the fridge and cabinets opening.
“Venom!”
The black tentacles retracted and Venom came back into the room, smile on his face.
“Good morning, Eddie.”
“V… we’ve talked about this, you can’t be going through the fridge in the middle of the night.”
“I was hungry, you were sleeping.”
“So you wait till I wake up.”
“You sleep for hours!”
“I need sleep! And it’s very clear you don’t.”
“I do, just not as much as you.”
“Okay, okay, fine.”
Eddie rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up, getting out of bed. He was stumbling a bit, like he always did, so Venom took control of his legs, hurrying him into the kitchen. Eddie noticed the mess of frozen dinner boxes on the counter, a few empty.
“At least you didn’t leave any food on the floor.”
“I wouldn’t waste any food.”
“Clearly. You could at least pick up.”
“I left it out for you.”
“I don’t eat as much as you.”
He grabbed some boxes, putting them back in the fridge, keeping one out and putting it in the microwave. While he did that Venom started up the coffee machine. Eddie then went over and sat down on the couch, opening his laptop to start work. When the microwave beeped Venom brought over the food.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
While Eddie typed Venom stayed by the kitchen, waiting for the coffee pot to be done. He poured a cup and brought it over to Eddie, then turned on the TV. He found a movie to watch and settled. Suddenly he heard clawing at the door.
“Eddie.”
“Hm?”
“Something’s at the door.”
“What?”
Eddie got up, and went to the door, Venom hanging around behind him. When Eddie looked through the peephole he didn’t see anything.
“Do we open it?”
“There is something on the other side of of the door, but I am no sure what.”
“Then get ready.”
Venom disappeared into Eddie, getting ready to protect him. Eddie opened the door, ready to fight but nothing happened. He then heard a meow and looked down to see a cat walking into his apartment.
“Food?”
“No, it’s a cat, it belongs to someone.” Eddie closed the door. “Come here kitty.”
He reached down to grab the cat but it ran off. It didn’t get far before Venom grabbed it and brought it into Eddie’s hands. He gently pet the cat, looking at the collar getting its name and a phone number to call.
“Can you hand me my phone V.”
“Yes.”
A black tentacle reached over to the coffee table and grabbed the phone. Eddie called the number.
♥♥♥♥♥
You were paying for cat food and other frozen foods when you felt your phone vibrate in your pocket. You smiled at the cashier and answered, handing over some money.
“Hello?”
“Hi, yes, hi, I believe I have your cat.”
“My cat? Fuck, sorry, sorry, I didn’t think they could… I didn’t close the door properly did I? Shit.”
“Um… yeah, okay, sorry to hear about that. I got your cat so um… you gonna come pick them up.”
“Yes, yes of course. Can I get your address?”
“Yeah.”
You walked out of the store, bag in hand, as you spoke. When you got the address you stopped, going quiet.
“Um… hello? When can I expect you? Hello?”
“In a few minutes actually.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll be there in five.”
You hung up and rushed inside your apartment building. You were relieved that your cat didn’t get far, but also annoyed at your stupidity. Then nervous cause your cat had made its way into your neighbor’s house, this was going to be a great first impression.
♥♥♥♥♥
You quickly got upstairs and found your apartment door ajar. You rolled your eyes and went inside, putting down the bags then going across the hall and knocking on the door. When it opened you smiled.
“Hi- oh my you’re Eddie Brock.”
“Yes?”
“I am a huge fan of your work. The old stuff and the new stuff. It’s such an honor to meet you.”
You held out your hand then heard your cat and saw them behind Eddie. You walked into the place and grabbed them, scolding them for a moment then looking over at Eddie, he seemed confused.
“I am sorry, I just barged into your place.” You walked out back into the hallway. “Thank you so much for finding my cat, I really appreciate it. It was nice to meet you, so… have a good day.”
You rushed back into your apartment and shut the door. You leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor, you were shaking. Since Eddie first started out as a reporter you kept up with him. You lived nowhere near San Francisco but you admired his work. You knew he lived in the area, you figured maybe you one day you’d bump into, not that he would live right across the hall from your new apartment.
Your cat meowed and got out of your hands. They walked over to the grocery bag. You got up and grabbed their bowl, filling it with food. You put the rest of the groceries away then realized you never actually introduced yourself to Eddie.
“You’re a fucken idiot.”
♥♥♥♥♥
“We have a new neighbor.”
“Yeah. Didn’t know the other guy moved out. Then again he saw you and the bodies we left behind so makes sense he got the hell out of dodge.”
Eddie went back to his work, Venom going back to the TV, but after a moment he spoke.
“What was their name?”
“Who’s?”
“Our new neighbor.”
“I… I have no fucken idea. I don’t think they said.”
“Rude. But they seem to be a fan of you.”
“I get that every now and then.”
“They seem like a really big fan.”
“Your point?”
“We should get to know them better.”
“I really don’t want to think about how having sex with anyone would work now that I have you in my life.”
“Would I not get to participate?”
“I doubt anyone would be into that. You’d scared them off.”
“You clearly haven’t been on the internet.”
“And you’ve been on it too much.”
“I just think you’d enjoy some company.”
“Are you getting tired of me?”
“No.”
“Good. Now go back to watching your cartoons or something. We’ll go out to eat later.”
♥♥♥♥♥
After eating some toaster waffles you finished unpacking your boxes. You apartment was all set, which meant that soon you’d need to get back to work. You collapsed on the couch and turned on the TV. You weren’t really paying attention, the embarrassment of earlier running through your head.
You needed some air so you decided to go do some actual grocery shopping. This time you made sure the door was locked and drove out to the store. You came back a few hours later, carrying up your grocery bags. You glanced at Eddie’s door for a moment before you went into your apartment.
Once you put the food away you grabbed what you wanted to eat for later. The embarrassment kept gnawing at you and you knew it wouldn’t leave you alone. As you heated up some frozen foods you went over and knocked on Eddie’s door. It took a moment but then he answered.
“Hi… I just… I really… I didn’t introduce myself this morning, I’m sorry. So, um, hi.” You held your hand out. “I’m y/n, your new neighbor.”
Eddie shook your hand. “Hi, I’m Eddie, you already knew that, but nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” An awkward silence fell between you. “So um, I’m sorry about my cat bothering you and- wait you’re not allergic right?”
“No, no I’m not allergic to cats.”
“Good, I was worried for a moment. So… I should thank you for finding my cat.”
“Nah, it’s fine, it didn’t go far.”
“Still, I feel like I should repay you somehow… so, maybe dinner?”
“Dinner?”
“Yeah now that I say it out loud and you do too I realize how bad that sounds. Not that it would be like a real dinner, I moved in yesterday and haven’t really settled in yet so dinner for now is tater tots and chicken tenders.”
“Say yes.”
“I-”
“No, I put you on the spot, you don’t have to say yes to dinner. I’m so sorry, I’m just a mess right now.”
“I can smell the tater tots Eddie and I want them!”
“Look, y/n was it?”
“Yeah.”
“Tater tots and chicken tenders sounds like my usual dinner. If the offer is still on the table I wouldn’t mind eating with you.”
You blushed a bit. “Yeah, the offer is still on the table.”
“Okay. I’ll be over in five?”
“That works… I’ll see you then.”
Eddie smiled and shut the door. You rushed back into your apartment. You couldn’t believe you actually did that, and the fact that he said yes. You quickly rushed to set the table then locked your cat in your room. You were shaking again but took a moment to calm yourself down and wait for Eddie to come over.
♥♥♥♥♥
“If we’re doing this you need to be quiet.”
Venom came out of Eddie’s back and curved around to face him.
“Don’t be so mean, I got you a date.”
“No, you just want food.”
“I also want to get to know our neighbor. Y/n, lovely name don’t you agree?”
“Yeah, but still. You stay quiet and you stay hidden. If I see you sneaking around I will have us leave.”
“Fine. I’ll behave.”
“Good.”
Eddie walked over to the door but Venom got in his way.
“What are you doing?”
“Going over to y/n’s place?”
“No. You need to change, freshen up a bit.”
“This is not a date V!”
“You should still make a good impression.”
“I don’t-”
Venom took control of his legs and had him walk back to his bedroom.
“I hate when you do this.”
“You’ll thank me later.”
Eddie rolled his eyes. He went through his wardrobe with Venom, picking out something relatively nice and taking a quick shower.
“Happy now?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, well now we’re running late.”
“Get them a gift.”
“I can’t go out and buy them something right now.”
“There’s the small plant in your room. You don’t take care of it.”
“You want me to give them a dying plant.”
“House warming gift. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”
“No, now let’s go.”
Eddie got out of his apartment and knocked on the door. Before it opened Venom shoved the little plant into his hands and disappeared.
“I told you-” The door opened. “Hey! Sorry I’m late.”
“You’re fine. When you said five minutes I didn’t think you really meant five minutes.” You noticed the plant in his hand. “Is that-”
“A house warming gift.” He handed it to you. “You said you were new so I thought… you might like it.”
You blushed and took the plant. “That’s very kind of you, please, come in.”
Eddie walked in, taking a look around the place. You shut the door behind him and placed the plant on the coffee table. You gestured for him to sit down at the little round dinner table you had.
“You said you moved in yesterday right?”
“Yeah. I’ve spent all my free time unpacking. The sooner I get done the better.”
“Smart.”
You walked over to the table and put down a bowl of tater tots and a bowl of tenders.
“Take as much as you like. I doubt I’d be able to finish this on my own anyway.”
“Good thing you got me then.”
“Yeah. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Some water would be nice.”
“On it.”
Eddie started to fill his plate. “So, where did you call home before?”
“Um… Chicago actually.”
“Wow. I’ve always wanted to visit there.”
“It’s nice all year round, but you gotta be prepared for all kinds of weather.”
“Yeah I’ve read the news and that kinda stuff.”
You put down a glass of water for him and yourself then sat down, filling your plate.
“So, why did you move out here? Job? Family?”
“It’s more… well honestly I don’t have a really good explanation.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to push.”
“No, no, you’re fine. I just wanted a change of scenery, I’m a P.I. you see.”
“Private investigator, that’s cool.”
“Well… it can be a fun job at times.”
“Yeah, you must have those cases where someone wants you to follow their spouse.”
“Those are the most common things I get if I’m honest.”
“Fun. If you ever need someone to spill some gossip to, you got my ear.”
You spent the next few hours just getting to know each other. You talked about how you got to where you are now. A fascination with detective books and films from a young age that drove you to become an actual detective. You worked with the police for a few years before you decided to do things your own way.
Eddie talked about his past too, but you didn’t pry so much about what went down with the Life Foundation, since you already knew what happened to him in regards to that. But you enjoyed hearing about he started up and got into investigative reporting. The next thing you knew it was half past midnight and you walked him out.
“It was nice talking with you tonight.” Eddie said. “The food was good too.”
“Well, maybe one day soon I can actually cook for you.”
“I look forward to that and thanks for the leftovers.”
“No problem. Good morning.”
“What?”
“It’s half past midnight Eddie, its morning.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah right, totally lost track of time.”
“We did.”
“Good morning then.”
You smiled and waved as Eddie went into his own apartment. You shut the door and headed to bed, melting onto the mattress. Your cat came over and curled up on your chest, you gently pet it and slowly drifted off to sleep.
♥♥♥♥♥
Once the door shut Venom took the container of leftovers from Eddie and dug in.
“Don’t make a mess.”
“I won’t.”
Eddie made his way to bed, undressing and washing up. After a while he heard the sink turn on in the kitchen then Venom came over.
“Good food.”
“You should have saved it for your midnight cravings.”
“I just satisfied it.”
“Alright then.”
“You seem to have enjoyed dinner.”
“Yeah… it was nice.”
“I like y/n.”
“Yeah... me too.”