Chapter Text
The red eyes of a young symbiote scan the city below. He is sitting on a rooftop of a familiar building. He calls it 'his second home'. He spends a lot of his time in one of these apartments. The sun had set a couple of minutes ago, the sunlight was replaced by the city artificial lights. A smile spreads across his face, he loves the city at night. It’s when he can leave his home to explore the city.
Sleeper Brock is a young adult now. Some time ago he learned how to hold a form without a host, for a period of time. His dad, Venom, was proud of his accomplishment, but worried because he is too young. And his father, Eddie Brock... Well, he lectured him about ‘how going out without a host is dangerous’ for 30 minutes. He growled and rolled his eyes the whole time. Sleeper partially understands his parents' worries, but he is not a baby anymore! He is an adult now, but his family still treats him like a baby.
But his parents' concerns doesn't stop Sleeper from adventuring outside. He is stubborn, he’s his father’s son after all. After some time, and a lot of begging, his parents allowed him to go out to hunt criminals with them. The whole time he could sense their worried eyes, watching his every move, like he was going slip and fall to his death. He growls annoyed. Just a baby...
“Hey little buddy, sorry I am late. The traffic was a mess.” Sleeper turns to look at the newcomer. It’s Eugene “Flash” Thompson or, like he calls him, uncle Flash.
Sleeper remembers the day he met his uncle. He was just a sproutling, he didn’t know how to communicate with words yet and barely understand what was happening around him, but somehow, he knew that the blond man, smiling at him through the glass was important to his family, and so, he was important to him too. Uncle Flash is his best friend, he can count on him for anything. He spends a lot of his time with his uncle. His father is always muttering: ‘You spend too much time with Thompson’. Sleeper grins, he knows it’s just the jealousy talking.
“Yeah, I heard about the car crash on the avenue.” He watches his uncle sit beside him.
“Yep. Fortunately, no one was gravely injured.” Flash informs and pulls two chocolate bars out of the bag he is carrying. He gives one to Sleeper. They open them, and savor the sweet in a peaceful silence, watching the city down below.
“So, what do you want to tell me uncle Flash? ” Sleeper asks, breaking the silence.
“Oh yeah, yesterday I spoke to Peter Quill, remember him?”
“Hm... Star-Lord, right? “ He remembers the man from the stories his uncle used to tell him when he was a kid.
“Yep.” Flash nods in agreement. “He told me he is coming to Earth in a few weeks. The Guardians need to check something with the Alpha Flight or something.”
“And? “
“And, my little nephew, I asked him if they could give you a ride, you know? Out of this planet.” Flash smiles proudly.
Sleeper is stunned for a few seconds, he looks at his uncle excepting the 'Ha April Fools!' joke or some shit. “Wait, what? You did what!? Wait! What!? W-what did they tell you? ”
Flash smile grows ten times bigger. “They agreed to give you a ride wherever you want.”
“This... this... No, this can't be true. Why would they agree with that? Are they really going to give a strange klyntar a ride? For free? ”
“Don’t worry about it little buddy. Your uncle here, sorted out everything. I have some influences here and there.” Flash smiles, and turns to put his hand on his nephew shoulder. “This is your chance buddy. This is your chance to join the Agents of the Cosmos.”
Sleeper can’t believe what he is hearing. He is one step closer to fulfill his dream. To become an agent, just like his dad and uncle once were. He wants to explore the universe, discover new things, meet different kind of people, he wants to see what is out there. Well, it’s easier said than done, there a few things separating him from his dream. First, he can’t just simply ask to borrow a spaceship from someone. No one is going to lend him anything, he is just a symbiote. The entire world thinks they are mindless beasts. And second, it’s just the worst thing he could face in this entire universe...
“Oh shit... I gotta tell my parents... Father is going to kill me.”
“Yeaaah, about that, it’s not going to be easy. At least you have time to think how you are going to tell them.” Flash claps his nephew on the back.
“When are they coming? ”
“In exactly two weeks.”
Two weeks... Fourteen days. He can do this! He just needs to find the perfect moment to tell them the news. Easy peasy. His dad will be proud and his father will not start a tantrum. Nope. He is going to take the news as any civilized father would. He will not shout at him, he will not shatter his dream right in front of his eyes. And definitely, he will not point a finger in his face and telling he is the worst son someone could have. No, he wil--
“Hey, hey look at me.” His uncle shakes his arm to get his attention. He grabs both of his hands and holds tightly. “I know what you are thinking, don’t worry Sleeps. They are your parents, they will be proud of you. Maybe Eddie will not be very happy about it at first, it might take some time to convince him, but he is your father, he will support you, no matter what.”
“I-I know uncle Flash. I know, but I can't help but think... What if he hates me for leaving? “
Flash snorts loudly. “Your father hating you? That will never happen, little buddy. He loves you too much. Yes, he is super overprotective of you, but you can’t blame him. You know he had a rough childhood with his dad, he is just trying to be the best father he can be. It’s going to be hard for him to let you leave, but this is his son’s dream, he will understand.”
“Yeah, I know...” He loves his father, the last thing he wants is to hurt him or his family. They’ve done so much for him. It pains him to leave the planet, but can feel, in every fiber of his being, that something is calling out to him. He knows his destiny is out there. He looks up at the sky, one small star shines at him. ”You’re right uncle. I cannot let my father stop me. I know he will understand, I’m going to make him understand! ”
“That’s my boy!” Flash grins proudly. He hugs Sleeper tightly. “Everything thing is going to okay, don't worry!”
Sleeper smiles. Yeah, he can do this.
-
10 days later
Sleeper is sprawled on his bed, sulking. Yeah I can do this... Right...
It's been ten days since his uncle told him about the Guardians and he still hasn't said anything to his parents. Every time he tries, he simply freezes, he can’t pronounce the words. His parents keep waiting for what he has to say, but he just ends up saying: Oh it’s nothing. And he hates himself everytime. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Sleeper is frustrated and almost out time. Thanks the heavens his uncle has a plan. A family dinner. Uncle Flash and auntie Andi will be there to give him moral support. He just hopes this works.