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[b][center][color=ROYALBLUE]VENOM[/color][/center][/b][/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=ROYALBLUE][I]THE ALCOVE, ALPHABET CITY[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=ROYALBLUE][b]PLENTY OF TIME[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][INDENT][hr][/INDENT]
[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][color=DARKGRAY]The blissful sleep lasted for only a few hours due to the sound of random honking in the dead of night. Eddie was almost tempted to inspect the source and take his frustration out on the driver. But it had died down almost in an instant. Now, he was standing in his apartment, irritated that he was wide awake. His partner, however, was in perfect spirits as if nothing more than a minor inconvenience had occurred mere moments ago.

[color=ADD8E6][b]Thought you'd never wake up, sleepyhead.[/b][/color] Venom purred teasingly.

Eddie chose to avoid the sarcasm and grumbled softly as he trudged to the kitchen. He swung open the fridge and rummaged through the shelves for a cold bottle of coffee. [color=WHITE]"Well, I do need my sleep,"[/color] he said, closing the fridge with a slight thud. After taking a long, satisfying sip, Eddie raised an eyebrow at the symbiote. [color=WHITE]"Kinda surprised you aren't in your dormant state. What's got you up and about?"[/color]

[color=ADD8E6][b]Boredom strikes us fast.[/b][/color] Venom dismissed, already prowling towards the window, his excitement palpable. [color=ADD8E6][b]So come on, let's hit the town![/b][/color]

[color=WHITE]"It's still night,"[/color] Eddie shot back before grabbing his phone off the floor, noticing it was unplugged from the charger. He winced at the sight.

[color=ADD8E6][b]And?[/b][/color] Venom pressed, his eagerness undeterred.

Suppressing a sigh, Eddie distracted himself by unlocking the phone, where a notification immediately caught his eye—a robbery in progress in Lower Manhattan, courtesy of Step Forward. His irritation deepened. The NYPD's latest initiative was nothing but an anxiety-generator tool designed to benefit from people's fears. Selling safety as a commodity that embraces unverifiable reports tainted by biases and prejudices. All the while, the symbiote's insatiable desire for crime-fighting became apparent. Venom sensed the change in Eddie's demeanor- [color=WHITE]"I thought we talked about this,"[/color] Eddie said, his voice tense as he plugged his phone back in.

[color=ADD8E6][b]Then why bother coming back home?[/b][/color] Venom countered, pressing on. [color=ADD8E6][b]Deep down, we know why. It isn't just about keeping a low profile-[/b][/color]

[color=WHITE]"Stop."[/color]

[color=ADD8E6][b]-or evading the police or even the webhead. It has always been the fear of-[/b][/color]

[color=WHITE]"Please, just stop."[/color] Eddie's voice trembled.

[color=ADD8E6][b]Why? You said it's liberating to face your fears head-on. Yours, in particular, is something we can tackle together. We could be a lethal protector, not driven by malice or spite but by a genuine desire to protect the innocent. Protect them from-[/b][/color]

Suddenly, Eddie flung open the window; the sheer force rattled the frame, letting the cool night air wash over him. He stood there, body shaking, wrestling with his anger, each breath coming in sharp and ragged. It took him a minute to steady himself and take deep breaths. Another to find the words he needed to say. [color=WHITE]"Never do that shit again, okay? [b]Never.[/b]"[/color]

[color=ADD8E6][b]Understood.[/b][/color] Venom replied, his voice strangely sincere.

[color=WHITE]"You're right, though,"[/color] Eddie admitted, his tone shifting. [color=WHITE]"Facing your fears is supposed to be liberating—at least, that's what all those self-help books claim. But maybe I'm just afraid of confronting them. Maybe I am being a coward again. It won't surprise me, quite honestly. I've disappointed myself and others enough times already. But hey, at least I recognize it for once, you know. So I guess that counts for something. I don't want to hide anymore, not in this cramped apartment or anywhere else. So, if you think stepping up as a protector will help me fight my fears, why the hell not? It might just be one of the better ideas you've had in a while."[/color]

Venom was silent, realizing what they had just done. A promise made years ago was broken tonight, and all for petty reasons. Admittedly, they fucked up. [color=ADD8E6][b]Eddie, we-[/b][/color]

[color=WHITE]"Come,"[/color] Eddie said bitterly and then climbed out of the window onto a fire escape. [color=WHITE]"The night's young."[/color][/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]
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