WE Are (Veddie)

Trifle

“My hair is fine.” Eddie insists (for the tenth time, in the small amount of time it takes her walk across the parking lot.)

‘I told you to take the subway or let me bring us. But nooo.’ Venom’s tone is somewhere between snooty and sarcastic. ‘Instead, you take that stupid motorcycle and wear that stupid helmet – that you don’t even need – and now, your hair is all flat!’

Eddie scoffs, pauses just a few yards from the entrance to the building (away from other ears and eyes...) “My hair is fine, V.” She bites out through gritted teeth.

‘No!’

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Eddie hisses when she feels a tiny tendril shooting out of either side of her neck.

‘Shut up and thank me.’ Venom ignores her protests. In fact, he doesn’t even give her time to protest any further. He works quickly, the ends of his tendrils splitting into three little digits. His makeshift inky hands gently tug the hairband, low ponytail loosening and her dark blonde curls spilling over her shoulders. He ignores the lovely tickling feeling as her thick locks brush over his tendrils. Instead, he gently scrapes her hair up into a messy bun on top of her head. ‘Ta-da!’ He exclaims gleefully (proudly), tendrils both shooting instantly back (snugly) into her. ‘Now, it’s all fluffy and good again.’

Eddie’s eyes narrow in both suspicion and suspense. She quickly pulls her phone out of her stupid little clutch purse – because one needs a purse when one is wearing a goddamn dress with no pockets and no goddamn bra. She pulls up the camera, arches brow at her reflection. She’s surprised, somewhat impressed. “Huh.” She chirps, turns her head from side to side for different angles. She nods approvingly at him as she slips her phone back into her clutch. “Not bad.”

‘Of course not. It shows off your elegant neckline.’ Venom says, all business. He’s not even really complementing her. He’s just saying what he sees.

Eddie wrinkles her nose, while fighting a blush (though, she doesn’t know why she bothers, because he can still feel her blood rushing.) “Elegant? Really?” She asks, sounds disbelieving. “My lovely old man always used to tell me I was too muscular-lookin’ for a girl.” She scoffs loudly. “Kinda rich comin’ from him, considerin’ what he did to me.” She jokes, and not-so secretly (of course) is deeply comforted by the fact that she can so easily talk about it with her “other half” – as Anne likes to (teasingly) call him.

‘Because I am your other half. Even Annie knows it. Because she is smart. Because she is a lawyer.’ Venom states without a stutter (not that he ever really stutters anyway... unless Eddie or Annie are making fun of him!) He enjoys her pretty laugh – because it’s him making her laugh like that... or at all. He then, tells her, ‘I’m not even going to dignify your pathetic excuse for a sperm donor by giving into my fury over a dead man. He is forever with the rot of the earth, where he belongs.’ His slightly fierce tone suddenly softens as he then, tells her, ‘You are perfect, Eddie. And I’m not just saying that because I think so, but because you are.’

“I’m really not.” Eddie chuckles when she hears him grunt in annoyance. “But you’re sweet, V.”

‘I know.’ Venom (too) happily chimes.

Eddie chuckles. “And very vain – hey!” Her eyes narrow into a glare when he takes over for just long enough to straighten her posture. She jerks upright, t**s almost spilling out of this damn stupid dress.

‘It’s not a stupid dress, Eddie. I told you – you look perfect.’ Comes Venom’s rather solemn response. ‘You should show off more. I’m not the only one who finds your form pleasing to look at.’

Eddie scoffs lightly as she slowly, but finally makes her way into the building. ‘As if you would ever even let me consider bein’ with someone else.’ Eddie’s thoughts are snippy, even as she slaps on a bright and polite smile to the hired doorman – Anne and Dan really did go all out with the decor (she briefly wonders how grand their actual wedding will be.)

‘Have you forgotten how much I like to show off, Eddie?’

Eddie grits her teeth, still smiling as she snatches up a flute of champagne from the first waiter she spots. ‘So, what? I’m just some trophy?’ She scoffs again, gulps down half the flute. “Typical male.” She mutters, quickly downing the rest of the bubbly booze in two gulps.

‘Not a trophy. Nothing so crass. Is it so bad to be proud of what is mine?’ Venom asks, sounds genuinely beat.

Eddie sighs. “If you were a human male, I’d totally call you out on your macho bullshit. Thankfully, I know you’re just an idiot... a sweet idiot.” She adds when she hears him grumbling, purses her lips to keep from smirking when he grumbles again.

“Eddie!”

Eddie swirls around at the sound of Dan’s ever cheerful voice. Bless him – Eddie thinks – always so happy.

‘It’s annoying, isn’t it?’

Eddie holds onto another smirk. Instead, smiles cheerfully back. “Hi, Dan.” She offers a little wave with her free hand.

“I’m so glad you could make it – that you could both make it, of course!” Dan beams, knows that Anne will be thrilled... thrilled that Eddie’s actually on time for something. “I mean –“ He looks slightly unsure, shoots her a searching look. He leans forward, whispers, ”– Venom’s still with you, right?”

‘He doesn’t want me here, Eddie! I knew it!’

Eddie frowns at both the question and the hurt she feels from her symbiote counterpart. “Yeah. Why?” She tries not to sound so defensive, but can’t help it.

Dan throws both hands up in surrender, smile now slightly sheepish. But still (annoyingly) cheerful. “No, I’m glad. Anne said you two have bickering more than usual.” He shoots the woman a pointed look. “She worries about you both. And I know you and I aren’t exactly best friends, but I know that you’re very special to Anne...” He blushes slightly as he adds, “And that makes you special to me, too.” He chuckles as he then, adds, “And that includes your weirdly adorable alien other half.”

Eddie isn’t the only one who is speechless for a moment there. She can here silence on Venom’s end, too.

‘Awh. That was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to us, Eddie... and it came from Dan.’

Eddie can’t help choking out a little chuckle at the alien’s surprised tone. She tries to hold off on the tears, because – yeah, V’s right – not many people have many nice things to say about her.

‘You’re a journalist. You wouldn’t be doing your job right if you didn’t piss off at least a few people.’ Venom tells her. It’s a fact, but he’s also trying to make her feel less shitty.

True – Eddie thinks.

“What’s he saying?” Dan asks, smirk playing on the ends of his lips and brow raised in waiting. No doubt – he thinks – the alien is probably roasting him, like he usually does. And what is with the random slapping? What the hell did he ever do?!

“He liked what you said.” Eddie chuckles again, then, admits, “He’s just surprised it came from you.”

“Well, that’s... an improvement on what I usually receive.” Dan stares into Eddie’s eyes as he says, “So, thank you, Venom.”

‘Welcome.’ Venom gruffly, almost dismissively replies. His tone then quickly switches to excitement as he thinks, ‘Now, let’s go destroy that chocolate trifle I saw on the way in, Eddie!’

“You can have a slice.” Eddie firmly snips out. “That trifle is for everyone.”

‘No!’

Dan chuckles, glances over to the large buffet tables. “Was wondering how long it would take for him to notice my nana’s trifle.”

Eddie sighs loudly. “I’m gonna need a thousand more of these.” She motions to the empty flute still in her left hand.

“Not a problem.” Dan swoops over to the nearest waiter, gracefully and ever politely snatches up a couple of flutes from their tray. He turns back to Eddie, holds one out to her. He smiles back when she smiles gratefully, holds his flute up to her. “Cheers?”

Eddie smiles, nods. “A toast –“ She lifts her flute at the ready. ”– to Anne and Dan. We wish you a long and happy life together. Cheers, Dan.” She raises her flute with his, both glasses tapping gently.

Dan smiles brightly, is rather touched. This coming from Eddie, of all people, really does mean a lot to him. He always thought she just hated him. Or at least thought he was just a loser. Honestly, until Anne came into his life, he would have agreed with her. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Eddie can only nod – ugh! Why is she so awkward?

‘Because the trauma from what your father did to you makes it hard for you to accept when people are genuinely being nice to you.’

‘Yes... Thank you, V!’

‘Wha – I – no! I wasn’t trying to be an asshole, Eddie!’ Venom is slightly panicking, but she’s already cutting him off.

‘Too late.’

“Hey, are you OK? You look a little pale.” Dan takes a small step towards her, looks rather concerned.

Eddie somehow forces on a reassuring smile. “Just, uh, my time of the month, y’know? I’m just feelin’ a little lightheaded. I’m just, uh, I’m gonna go visit the ladies room real quick.”

Dan nods, takes the flute when she hands it over to him. “Just let me know if you need anything!” He calls after her, frowns as he watches her all but run off through the small crowds.

Eddie waves her hand to let him know she’s heard him, but otherwise doesn’t bother looking back. She quickly finds the ladies bathroom, thankfully, finds it empty for the time being. She quickly locks herself in the first stall leans back against the door and lets out a deep breath to calm herself.

‘Eddie...’

His voice is so small and unsure, it makes Eddie’s heart ache ever more than it already does. She sighs deeply, tells him “I know you don’t mean to upset me, V. But can you just not even mention my father, please – like ever? Not unless I wanna talk about him, OK?”

‘OK, Eddie.’

Eddie smiles when his noodle-head seeps out of the small of her back, slowly wraps around her waist and hugs her tight.

“I promise.” Venom tells her, eyes level with hers as his head hovers in front of her.

“Thanks.” Eddie smiles, sweetly adds, “Love.” She chuckles quietly when he shoots her his usual toothy grin.

“Now, let’s go show off that fabulous rack and booty of yours, while I make quick work of that trifle!”

“No.” Eddie smirks when his excitement clearly deflates as his head dips and his childish (gleeful) grin drops with it. She chuckles, eyes narrowed in a playful glare as she tells him, “You think you can distract me with the first half of that sentence, while you get away with the second half? Not happening, smart-ass.”

“Then, I will just have to wait until you get drunk enough.” Venom snootily scoffs out, little arm-shaped tendrils folding over a non-existent chest.

Eddie has to purse her lips at the utter adorableness of his petulant little display. “We’re on a date, and you’re waiting for me to get drunk enough so you can make your moves a chocolate trifle.” She can’t help chuckling loudly, shakes her head when he huffs, large white orbs slowly narrowing. “V, sweetheart, this is actually the best date I’ve ever been on.”

“It is?” Venom’s crossed tendrils disappear, eyes lighting up just as instantly. “Y’know how we can make it even better?”

Eddie shoots his dopey-ass grin a withering look. “We’re not eating the whole trifle!”

“Grr! Fine!”