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The Statue of Liberty is exactly how Eddie remembered it. Comforting, in a weird way. Like he’s being welcomed home to a place he hasn’t been in years. She’s doing her job of inviting travellers in, he supposes.
It’s more than that, now, though. Venom had wanted to see this sight, the view that had originally enthralled Eddie all those years ago and that still called to him during quiet moments. The promise that had kept the two of them going, despite everything that happened. When Eddie had felt hopeless, and like the entire universe was conspiring against them, Venom would ask him about New York City, and about Lady Liberty, and they would remind him of what they were doing this for.
It wasn’t just excitement for a trip to a part of the planet Venom hadn’t seen before, and it was deeper than Eddie wanting to relive his past. It would be a new start for them—together, as one, because there was only an “us” now. A new city, just for them, without the bad memories of the rocket explosion, or Riot and Carnage. A city filled with criminals and chances to be the Lethal Protector. A new beginning, for the two of them, together.
It was hope. For the first time since Carnage, they had hope. Everything would be okay. They would find a shitty apartment that wouldn’t bankrupt them, that they’d immediately kiss goodbye to the security deposit on because Venom and ceilings simply did not agree. Eddie would find a job he actually liked, one he enjoyed and where he felt like he was putting good into the world, finally. And the bad guys that weren’t newsworthy would still be put to good use, sating Venom’s endless hunger.
Eddie couldn’t deny that he was most excited for his and Venom’s… hunting. He’d been too scared in San Francisco—not only did people know his face, but he was scared of what it would mean for him to give Venom this. To kill people—bad people—with the specific intent of eating them. Worst of all, he knew he would enjoy it. There was a rush that came with fighting together. That was when they felt truly symbiotic, when one of them could have an idea, and the other would act on it as though it was their own. The feeling of their teeth cracking through skulls, exposing the delicious brains inside, sends a sick thrill through Eddie every time, one he couldn’t even admit to himself in San Fran.
New York would be better for them. It’s bigger, denser, with more bad guys roaming the streets. And Eddie has grown, too. He wouldn’t deny Venom any longer—wouldn’t deny himself, either.
And now they’re here. Together. Eddie’s sense of belonging mixes in his stomach with Venom’s excitability and hope and sheer joy—they can’t wait for whatever New York throws at them.
Eddie looks back at the Statue of Liberty. He thinks he should say something, because it is a miracle they’re even here at all. Nothing smart or funny springs to mind, though, so for once in his life, he says what he means. “I love you.”
His voice is quiet against the splash of the waves around them, and the gaggle of tourists snapping photos and chatting loudly. He exhales, lets his eyes wander up to the statue’s crown, wonders how long it will take Venom to climb up there. That will become their new spot, he thinks, for when they want to get away from the hustle and bustle and the smells of the city, and have some time to themselves.
“I love you,” Eddie says again, louder, with more conviction. Because he wants to do this, and he wants to do this well. “I watched you die, and… And I realised I’d never said it. I watched you die, and all I could think was, ‘God, I hope you know. I hope you know how much I love you.’. I couldn’t… You couldn’t die without knowing how much you mean to me. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I’d never said it back. You said it on the beach, and I felt it—I knew I loved you, I think I’ve loved you since Riot, since you betrayed your whole species to stay with me—but I was too much of a coward to say it back. I thought about it every day, it was on the tip of my tongue, in the forefront of my brain, and I honestly thought we’d have all the time in the world together, enough time for me to show you how I feel. And then, suddenly, it was too late for me to say anything at all.”
There’s a long pause. It’s been like this since Venom returned; they’re too weak, still healing after having almost all of their body destroyed in the acid. They can barely cover Eddie’s hands, much less his entire body, so eating anyone is out of the question for now. And Eddie’s come a long way since eating his first head, but he doesn’t quite fancy killing someone, cracking open their skull and eating their brains with his bare hands. Not unless it’s a last resort, at least.
So Venom’s been surviving on chocolate, slowly growing bigger and stronger. It’s slow going, but they’ve come a long way from where they were. And, more than anything else, they’re there, with Eddie, alive, and they’re together, and that’s all that matters.
Venom’s happiness warms Eddie’s stomach. They used to be better at hiding their emotions, Eddie thinks, and he doesn’t know if it’s a conscious choice to let Eddie feel what Venom’s feeling, or if it’s a consequence of their lack of strength. He finds he doesn’t mind it at all, is actually quite happy to have an insight into what Venom’s thinking.
I know, Eddie, Venom rumbles. They’re quieter than normal, almost whispering, as much as Venom can whisper. They speak less now, pushing thoughts and feelings and concepts over to Eddie, rather than expending the energy to create a voice. Eddie hopes that’s temporary; he misses Venom’s voice, the comforting growl suffusing throughout his body.
Venom makes an effort to move inside Eddie’s chest cavity, wrapping protectively around his heart. They want Eddie to feel it, to feel safe and held by them.
I have always known, Venom continues. There’s a pause, then the distinct sense of pure happiness. I love you, too.
Eddie places his hand over his heart, the closest he and Venom can get to touching without Venom spending the energy to come to the surface. He imagines the heat from his palm travelling down to where Venom is, deep in his chest, and warming them. He wants to say more—wants to repeat his love for Venom until he loses his voice. Wants to shout it from the rooftops so everyone can know.
He knows Venom wasn’t lying—Venom knows, has always known, has always been able to read Eddie’s emotions better than Eddie can read theirs. They can feel how Eddie’s full of love, now, nearly bursting with it. Can barely contain himself at the thought that they get to spend the rest of their life together.
Still, Eddie knows he didn’t imagine the spike of warmth and glee coming from Venom when he’d said those three words. He doesn’t want to waste another day not being completely open with Venom.
He turns away from Lady Liberty, casting his eyes over the skyline. The simple acts of returning home, cooking dinner, watching TV, falling asleep—they’re all intoxicating now that he can do them with Venom. He finds that, if the rest of their life consisted of just this, he would be the happiest man on Earth.
“Home, love?” Eddie suggests, because it’s gotten colder as the sun begins to set, and Venom doesn’t have the strength to regulate Eddie’s body temperature quite yet, and the cold affects them too, now, slowing them down even further.
There's a distinct thrill at the pet name Eddie used, but Venom doesn’t respond verbally. They hum, assenting.
Eddie grins, and turns to start the first day of the rest of their life.