Work Text:
“Snow’s getting heavier.” You commented, as you took a sip of your hot chocolate.
Eddie looked up from his laptop at your comment. The windows were being pelted with snow as the wind swirled around small cyclones through the streets. Glancing at the time on his screen he looked back outside “Looks dark for only being five.”
“Next time it calms down a bit we should go Eddie.”
He nodded, “Yeah okay.”
‘I don’t think it’s going to calm down’ Venom’s voice rang through his head and Eddie frowned “Of course it will.” He whispered. As you glanced over at him, he just pointed to his head and you understood. Eddie continued to type out the story as you looked over the articles of information.
“Eddie, we should go now.” You said as you looked out. The snow was still coming down, but the wind had calmed.
Eddie glanced at the time, 5:57pm, and then out the window “Alright, yeah. I can work on this at my apartment.”
As you left the small coffee shop and entered into the cold, both of you let out heavy breaths as the cold hit you. You wrapped your scarf a bit tighter around yourself as Eddie zipped up his jacket. “Maybe we should get a cab?” Eddie said as he looked around.
“There aren’t any!” You said back as you began to walk faster down the street “Besides, you only live like three blocks from here, come on!” You called back to him.
‘Race.’ Venom’s voice spoke, and Eddie rolled his eyes “Shut up.” He said with mild exasperation.
“What?” You asked as you looked back at him.
Eddie shook his head as he walked up to you “He suggested we race.” He said in a matter of fact tone.
“Good idea!” You said suddenly as you began to job away from him.
“Wha- Hey!” Eddie called out as you did so. ‘What are you doing standing still Eddie?! Catch up!’ Venom screamed and Eddie let out an exasperated sigh “I hate both of you.” You said as he began to run towards you.
When you looked back at him with an amused grin, Eddie couldn’t help but smile. You were adorable. ‘Why are you going so slowly?!’ Venom asked, angry. “Don’t you think I should let Y/n win? It’d be nice, right?” He asked quickly. ‘Wuss.’ Venom’s voice said back. “Dude. Not cool.” Eddie whined, as he moved a little faster as the snow began to pick up a bit.
As you both got to a crosswalk you slowed down as you crossed, and just as you got to the other side you both stopped and looked around as everything went out. The light posts, the ad screens on the buildings, the traffic lights, everything.
“Uh-oh.” You said as you looked around.
“Black out.” Eddie said “Must be from the storm.”
“It is getting pretty bad.” You said as you buried your face in your scarf. The wind had begun to pick up again as the snow got thicker.
Eddie gently grabbed your arm as he pulled you down the sidewalk “Come on, we’re almost there.”
With the race no longer on your mind, you both moved as quickly as you could with the little visibility you had. Shoulders pressed together as you fought against the wind. Your hands were tucked away, but still hurting from the cold as your eyes began to water.
Seeing Eddie’s building finally come into view, you both silently moved a bit faster. And as you got into the lobby you both let out relieved groans as the change in temperature was felt immediately. The lobby was still cold due to the power outage, but it was still warmer than being outside.
Finally getting into Eddie’s apartment, you dropped your bag and stripped off your now soaking wet jacket, scarf and shoes. Eddie did the same as he let out an exaggerated shiver “I’ll get you something warm.” He said as he moved through the house. You smiled to yourself as you heard him bump into something with a whispered curse.
Finding your way to the windows, you opened up the blinds to let in what light you could. You could see nothing through the white sheets of snow covering the window. ‘Well I’m definitely not getting home in this’ You thought to yourself.
Turning when you heard Eddie come back in, you saw him carrying a large sweatshirt of his. Taking it you thanked him before slipping it on, grateful for the warmth it provided. You noted the familiar scent of Eddie’s cologne as you slipped it over your head.
Glancing at Eddie, you saw him staring at you before suddenly looking away, clearly after realizing that he was staring. You smiled to yourself as you felt your cheeks heat up a bit.
“I’m gonna grab some candles and a couple flashlights before it gets too dark.” He said as he began to rummage around.
“Are you alright with me staying here tonight?” You asked a bit awkwardly “I don’t think I’ll be able to get home in this.”
‘“Of course!” He said as he came back with various candles and a couple flashlights. Dumping them on the table he looked over at you “You can take my room.”
“No, no, I’ll take the couch, it’s fine.”
“Lighter, we’ll need a lighter, or matches…do I have matches?” Eddie talked to himself before he turned back to you “You don’t want the couch.” He said while pointing at you.
You glanced at him and then at the couch with a frown “…What’s wrong with it?”
“Oh, nothing, it’s just not that comfortable. But I’m used to it, I fall asleep there all the time. Please, take the bed, I insist.” He said as he came back, lighting one of the candles in the center of the table.
You nodded in acceptance. “Okay, thank you.”
He sighed as he stood up “Well. I guess I’m not finishing my article.” He said as he glanced around his room. Looking at you he shrugged “Scrabble?” You paused for a moment before letting out a laugh, which he smiled at.
- - - - -
“I can’t believe you won three times in a row.” Eddie said, a bit defeated as he rested his head on his hands. You giggled softly as you absent-mindedly wrapped your arms around yourself. The power was still out, the snow still coming down, and it was getting colder. Eddie seemed to notice as he lifted his head “Are you cold?”
“Huh?…Oh, yeah a bit.” You smiled softly.
“Let me get you a blanket.” He said, standing quickly. Before you could protest, he was gone, rummaging through his cupboards. A few moments later he came back with a blanket in hand. Sitting down next to you, he draped it over your shoulders, and gently rubbed your arms a bit as he did so “There ya’ go.”
You smiled at him, hoping your heavy beating heart was not audible as it pounded in your ears “Thanks Eddie.” As you wrapped the blanket around you, you felt a chill crawl up your body “It really did get cold fast didn’t it?” You said as you looked at the window. The sky had darkened as the evening came, but the white flakes could still be seen bouncing off and sticking to the windows.
Eddie watched you as he saw another chill come over you as you shivered. “Wow, you really are cold.” He chuckled.
You smiled a bit at him “The cold always gets to me pretty easily.” You admitted.
Eddie scooted a bit closer as he wrapped his arm around your shoulder, rubbing your arms again in an attempt to warm you a bit. As he did so, you could feel warmth radiating from him, and subconsciously leaned in a bit. “How are you so warm?” You asked.
“Oh, uh-” He let out an awkward laugh “It has to do with Venom. My body temperature is higher now that he…well, now.”
“Oh, I see.” You nodded before smiling “You’re like a human heater.”
He chuckled again, “At least he can do something useful.” ‘Hey!’ Venom retaliated immediately, but Eddie ignored him, feeling his cheeks get hotter as you giggled at his comment. Realizing how close he was to you, as well as that he had you practically wrapped in his arms made him suddenly nervous. Slowly pulling away, he reached to the table “I should put this away. And I’m gonna see how many blankets I have.” He said as he rose, you nodded and watched him walk away, your heart still beating rapidly as you noted the disappointment once he let you go.
A few minutes later, Eddie came back with a perplexed look on his face “What’s wrong?” You asked.
“Uh, well, I only have like three blankets…” He trailed off.
“Three?” You asked amused. “Someones never had their heating go out.”
He shrugged a bit “But it’s okay, you can have them. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“No, Eddie, you’ll need some too. Venom can’t possibly keep you that warm, plus we have no idea how long this power outage will last. It might get freezing in here.” You trailed off for a moment as he scratched his head “I don’t mind if we share the bed…I mean, if you don’t mind that is.”
Eddie’s eyes shot up at this and he adjusted his stance ‘Oh, do it, say yes.’ Venom insisted, Eddie absent-mindley smacked the side of his head before taking a few steps over to you “Are you sure? That you won’t be..uncomfortable?”
You shook your head “I won’t. It’s not like we’re strangers Eddie.” You said with a bit of amusement. “Plus, I’d rather neither of us freeze to death.”
Eddie seemed to weigh it in his head for a moment before nodding “Okay. But, if I kick you in the middle of the night, or steal the blankets, feel free to push me out of the bed.” He said with a smile, making you giggle.
- - - - -
After a while of talking about the story, and how Eddie should finish writing it, you both grew tired and headed into the bedroom.
Eddie gave you some of his sweatpants to wear, as well as a sweater. After you changed you came into the bedroom with Eddie sorting out the bed, placing the blankets he had evenly on the bed. Looking up at you he smiled a bit as he noted how cute you looked in his clothes.
He cleared his throat a bit, “Do you have a favorite side?”
You smiled a little “No, not really.”
“Good, ‘cause I’m a lefty.” He said, making you chuckle.
After climbing into the bed, you shivered a bit as the cold sheets seemed to reach through your clothes and to your skin. As you got comfortable you laid facing the wall, Eddie behind you. “Goodnight Eddie.” You said softly.
“Goodnight.” He replied.
You knew you were tired, but your mind refused to let you sleep, so you stared into the darkness of the room. The awareness of Eddie’s presence in the bed behind you, almost overwhelming. As you tried to get your mind off of it and get yourself to fall asleep, you felt the cold seeping into the blankets as you curled up a bit, a shiver running through your body uncontrollably.
After a few more minutes of shivering, you felt Eddie turn over in the bed. Making you aware again of his presence. “Y/n?” His voice suddenly said, quietly and much closer than you would expect.
“Yeah?” You asked.
“You’re really cold aren’t you? I can feel you shivering from over here.”
You let out a soft chuckle. “Yeah, sorry.”
“No, no, it’s okay, I’m not bothered by it, I just…Do you mind if I..I mean, I can, since I’m warm, like a heater…”
Before he could really get the words out, you turned around and faced him. You could just make out his silhouette in the darkness. “Yes please. I hate being cold.“ You said with a soft laugh, though for a moment, heat was provided to you by your own nervousness.
You heard him let out a soft laugh before he scooted closer to you. As you felt his arm wrap around you, you scooted closer as well, your head pressing into his chest, as he rested his own head on top of yours. You were immediately engulfed by his warmth, and his familiar scent calmed your nervousness a bit. “Thank you Eddie.” You said, though your voice was muffled by his sweatshirt.
“Any time Y/n.” Eddie said softly as he tightened his arms around you a bit.
As your shivering began to stop, you felt sleepiness begin to take over again as your eyes grew heavy. The warmth of Eddie’s embrace, the sound of his steady breathing, and the sound of his heartbeat seemed to lull you to sleep.
As Eddie held you and felt himself beginning to fall asleep, he couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. He always desired to hold you in his arms like this, and knew it would be nice. And now knowing that it was better than nice, he never really wanted to let you go.