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"I think we deserve
a soft epilogue, my love.
We are good people
and we've suffered enough."
–Seventy Years of Sleep # 4. nikka ursula (n.t)
Eddie stood out at that pier. Alone. Without Venom. Staring at Lady Liberty. He stared until it got dark, and he couldn't see her anymore.
It felt so empty without him. He missed the familiar husk of his voice. The warmth of him settled in his chest. The feeling of safety, and of never being alone.
He wanted to wait, though. Wait for Venom to get back to him. Wait here, where Venom would surely know to find him.
Seeing Lady Liberty, like they talked about. Seeing her together.
Black covered the sky. Black like Venom. Surrounded him like Venom used to, when he took over. Only, it was cold. The breeze flowed through him. Not like being nestled inside Venom at all.
He had to leave. Didn't he? He didn't want to, didn't want to abandon the idea of meeting him here at the pier. But eventually his stomach rumbled, and he knew it was time to go and get something to eat.
He returned to the pier, every day. He still dreamed of Venom, meeting him here, embracing him, letting him back inside of him. But day after day, he remained alone.
It didn't matter. He'd come back every day, if that's what it took for Venom to find him. Even if it was fruitless. Even if Venom wasn't coming.
He had to come. He just had to.
Tears sprang to his eyes. He wanted to leap over the railing, dive into the water. Submerge himself, and cry mournfully, crying out for Venom.
He needed him. He fucking needed him right now, and he wasn't here.
Didn't they deserve better than this? Maybe they were fucked up, maybe they were bad people. But Eddie didn't feel bad. He felt misunderstood, by everyone else except Venom. He felt lonely. But he'd always at least tried to do good. Eat bad guys. Rescue animals. Save the innocent.
Fuck. This was pathetic.
A little voice in his head, that sounded like Venom but actually came from him, answered back, You are pathetic.
Eddie choked on a laugh, tears spilling. He could almost imagine Venom was still with him. It was something he felt Venom would say. Affectionately, perhaps.
But he wasn't here. He felt too cold.
"Please, baby..."
Baby? Since when did I call him baby? When did I stop calling him buddy?
"...come back to me. Please. I need you."
One day, it happened. That formless black head bobbed out of the water, by the rocks below the railing. It was early evening.
"Venom?!"
Eddie didn't hesitate. He jumped over the railing and scrambled down the rocks to him.
At the last moment he tripped. Falling, he grabbed onto Venom and they tumbled into the water together.
Eddie couldn't help grinning, laughing in the water, bubbles rising to the surface as Venom nestled into his chest. Home at last.
Baby. You came.
Since when did you call me baby?
Memories flashed through Eddie's mind. Showing them to Venom.
You said you'd be back. I wanted to make it easier for you to find me.
Maybe this is a second chance. Never to let them tear us apart again. To be together.
Not even death can tear us apart, answered Eddie. As long as we both shall live.
Venom's head swam before him. He kissed Eddie's lips, breathing life into him.
That's a fucking long time.
Fuck it. We deserve it.