Completely Under Control

Patrick Mulligan | Toxin | Private Detective | Son of Carnage | 18+

[symbitoxic]

@spaceslcpt { x } 

Y’know, he never thought he’d be saying this, but they could really be using the help of his sister right about now. Sure, Scorn’s not the most reliable, having drank Carnage’s kool-aid, but she’s all about that tech life, and could give the ship a well-needed, well, everything.

Alas, they’re left to their own devices, being pursued by space cops, but this sort of split-second decision making, that rush of adrenaline is exactly what he lives for. And, so, before Sleeper’s very eyes, Toxin begins to morph into a more militarised form, looking something between a SWAT member and a SHIELD agent. Agent Toxin.

“ Look, they’re gonna keep tailing us, wherever we go. The best I can do’s buy you and Papa Smurf enough time to get the hell outta dodge. ” 

[symbitoxic]

spaceslcpt‌:

When your average stays tend to be a good day- or hours, if they really had some business to get to- you tend to find the most entertainment out of the dullest things. Not that earth was particularly boring but one could describe it the most tame- in comparison to their many other space adventures. “You think I’d deal with my brother? I might be a bit risky at times but I’m not a fool. Your father isn’t going anywhere near me, not at all, and I’m keeping it that way!” 

Though, they do wonder about him sometimes. He’s a horrible thing, yes, but there’s something about growing up so close to humans in their early life that really hammered in the whole ‘family’ thing that none of the others really got. And it sucks because Sleeper doesn’t really have anyone to share their mixtape with! Or to show off their hand-made human radio! It plays disk, cassette, USB, whatever those floppy things from the fifteenth-planet-over are!

“My secrets? I’m not that interesting. The space cops want me for a multitude of reasons.” Their hand gestures a bit, mentioning it nonchalantly. “Working with a war criminal is on the top of their list, though I believe they don’t realise the… arrangement… we’ve set up. Not exactly in his favour, but it’s not like he deserves any better.”

“As you promised, what’s your secret in exchange?”

“ Hate to be the bearer of bad news and all, but, uh, it doesn’t really work like that. ” Don’t get him wrong, if it were as simple as keeping his distance from Carnage, he would’ve cut ties with the bastard months ago! But, his father’s bloodlust and insecurities don’t really allow for such arrangements, evidenced by the countless memo notes he’s been ignoring! “ If Pops wants you, trust me, he’s gonna find you. And, it ain’t gonna be pretty. ” 

Talking from experience there. Back in the day, he’d tried to alienate himself from the family - well, further than they already had - as a means of denying any and all connection to Carnage. { There’s a lot of shit riding on that Son of Carnage mantle, y’know - he’ll be lucky if there’s anyone in the known universe willing to hire him! } He already had a dad, a good, human dad. But, no matter how often he tried to fight it, to deny his parentage, there was still that...juvenile need to impress, surpass his father, just like Pat had.

And, so, these days, instead of running from the truth, he’s embraced it, running with it. Cos, what better way to piss off a dad that doesn’t want you, than openly regarding him as Dad? Doesn’t win him any favours in being left the fuck alone, mind you - Carnage is far too petty, impulsive to ever take the hint - but it establishes him as a formidable rival, which he’s sure Pops’d be proud of. 

Anyways...

For a brief moment, Toxin wonders if he’s the one being accused of being a war criminal, but, then, he recalls that not every host is as agreeable or perfect as Pat. Even the word host grosses him out, cos...eww, it’s not like he’s holding him hostage or anything, they’re one and the same, brothers, partners, more. Still, he’s not gonna deny that Sleeper’s host, for all his faults, sounds frickin’ awesome, a boisterous grin playing away on his features.

“ OK, OK, that’s a pretty good secret! But, I got one that’s gonna floor you! ” Hold onto your hats, people! “ Underneath all this...I’m a detective! ” 

[symbitoxic]

spaceslcpt‌:

They didn’t think it was the end to that story but they figured they could leave the detective work to another day. It was… kind of sweet, how their parents still thought of them- and, by extension, their batshit insane brother. It kind of made all their visits worth it; if they had a loving relationship with some part of their family, it made them content. “I suppose, if you say so… then consider me a superhero!”

It’s endearing, too, how their nephew took such great interest in them at all. Despite family tradition, they really did want to connect with some part of family outside of their parents- and they knew clearly that they existed just not where they were. Not to mention, Sleeper was always interested in going off about their interests and whatnot. Doesn’t hurt to sprinkle a detail here or there…

“Space is where I belong but not many can deny that… coming home always brings a bit of relief, does it not?” Sleeper wasn’t as involved in the family feuds as Carnage was. Not to mention, Carnage had a host with insane bloodlust. Tel-Kar, on the other hand, couldn’t say anything. That made things easier. “Space is very big. What else would one expect of it? But there is something… exhausting about exploring it sometimes. Being here allows me to rest a while, if that makes sense. I won’t have to hide from space-cops here, after all. Not yet, at least.”

Wowza! His own Uncle Sleeper, a bona fide superhero. Who’da thought? Sure makes a change from the questionable, predatory antics of his elders, who’d, in all honesty, take issue with his fondness for the other. It isn’t the Klyntar way, they’d claim. You’re far too human. Well, first off, he fails to see why that’s even a bad thing - Pat’s the bestest guy he’s ever met! - and, second, when you’ve already been written off by the rest of the family, may as well have some fun with it.

Oh, he can’t wait to see everyone’s face when they find out he spoke to Venom’s kid!

“ Well, if it’s rest and recreation you’re here for, you came to the wrong planet. If Pops ain’t busting outta jail again, the whole multiverse is going to shit, or that deli place on 3rd’s shut early! Can’t catch a break, I tell ya! ” Kicking ass and solving crime works up one helluva appetite, y’know. But, on the bright side, they save on dry-cleaning.

“ Space cops? ” If he’d been intrigued before, he’s now well and truly hooked, clambering upon the wall in excitement, before sloooowly lowering himself from an inverted position. Voice low, of course, in a stage whisper. Don’t want to attract any unwanted attention, now. “ C'mon, don’t leave me hangin’. You share your secrets, I’ll share mine!...Except what I put in my face-melting spicy curry. That’s completely under wraps. ” 

[onlyrpmemes]

Do I have headcanons? Oh, no, no, no. 

I have multiple volumes of encyclopedic text that extend and encompass canon into a cohesive unit, occasionally rearranging and reformatting information when necessary. 

There is yet no word for this.

[fyeahsalex]

[symbitoxic]

spaceslcpt‌:

They’ve felt it once or twice, the slight tingle that signalled family, but that was only around their parent and their brother who- for lack of a better term- was batshit insane. This, however, was different. It didn’t take a genius to figure that out, and the symbiote was quick to perk up at the mention of their own name. Oh, how precious! And they weren’t fighting, either. Incredible.

“Of course! I wouldn’t doubt your grandparents would’ve spoken of me, yes?” And the mere thought that they had family at all? Beyond just their parents and their sibling? Most Klyntar would see this bond as disgusting, for how close they were, but Sleeper saw it as an opportunity for a loving and caring relationship. “I don’t kick ass as much as you think I do, probably.”

They joked, though it was the truth. Their space travels were never on the violent side, despite their family tradition of fucking-shit-up and fighting to be a hero. No, they were a hero in a different way. Their nephew was so excitable and it was adorable, they had to admit; it was a stark contrast to their short visits, where they’d see their parents for a while and then leave.

But perhaps they’d extend their stay just a bit. If they didn’t stay long enough to have known about their nephew, what else were they missing out? Or perhaps they weren’t paying attention well enough; when you’re busy making repairs to a stolen Skrull spaceship with the brain of a Kree war criminal, you tend to be concentrated on other things. 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been home. Space exploration, and whatnot. It gets busy up there sometimes.” 

Oh, this fella doesn’t pull any punches. Skipping over the small-talk, going right in for the juicy deets. Refreshing, really, considering most interactions with his elders wind up in feral displays of strength, dominance, and being yeeted across town. Not that he’d ever want to jump to conclusions, of course, but...he could totally see himself getting used to this.

“ Ehh...That’s one way of putting it... ” What’s he supposed to say - your brother and dad kinda-sorta-maybe tried to kill me three separate times? Nah, he may be prone to brood on that from time to time, but he does not want to taint the interaction by bringing up their names. Just one healthy connection. Please. 

“ Oh, c’mon. You’re totally a kick-ass superhero! Trust me, I’ve got enough sci-fi behind me to know when I see one! ” God bless that Star Wars binge! Which reminds him to ask if there are alien teddy bears out there, but...maybe some other time. “ Why’d you bother coming back anyways? ” A beat. “ Not that I don’t want you to, just...Sheesh, Brooklyn, y’know? Why come to this dump when you got the open road ahead of you? ” 

[spaceslcpt-deactivated20191218]

@symbitoxic​

“If I am not mistaken, you are my nephew?”Their tendrils sway in curiosity, chirping lightly in the excitement. Most Klyntar fought their family; it was the norm, after all. But Sleeper never found interest in such a thing. If their sibling wished to do so, then so be it, but it would prove to be a fruitless task. Not to mention, time consuming and disadvantageous. “My nephew…”

“You can call me your uncle, if you wish,” they say, eyes curving up with a smile. While they’d always had some idea of having a nephew, they’d never thought their visit to earth would actually provide such a thing, something calming after a bit of space exploration. “I am Sleeper. What’s your name?”

[symbitoxic]

Reason tells him that he should’ve seen this coming, that, somewhere out there, way deep down, he always knew of Sleeper’s existence. Eddie’d mentioned them in passing, made a not-so-subtle comment that he’d prefer if Toxin keep his distance, but, hey, first off: rude; second: when has he ever stuck by Eddie’s word? 

If anything, it’d filled his head with ideas of what could be, were the family not so laughably dysfunctional. I mean, how often is it you come across a relative that isn’t out for blood, or lost in spaaace, spaaaace, spaaace...? After a while, he even started to doubt if Sleeper was real, given how little they were brought up, but, as he makes his way across Brooklyn, stealthy as can be, there’s just no denying the presence of family. 

An odd sensation, really. He can’t see them for shit, but...They’re there. Somehow, he just knows. A sixth sense, if you will. And, it prompts him to act with caution, limbs tense, masking his scent, praying that he hasn’t screwed up. Like, geez, what if it turns out to be one of his sisters?! God, he couldn’t handle that kind of reunion...

Fortunately, such doubts are put to rest when Sleeper announce themselves. Releasing a silent breath of relief, the symbiote rises to his full height, stepping from the shadows with a reserved peak of the eyes. So far, so good, given five seconds have passed without dismemberment!

And, then, the reality of the situation hits him. Oof!

“ ...Woah, woah, woah. Sleeper? As in...baby uncle Sleeper? Space-fairin’, ass-kickin’, Eddie’s-gonna-kill-me-for-breathin’-the-same-air-as-you uncle Sleeper? That’s awesome! ” Wey-hey! After taking so much heat from his elders, looks like the universe has gone and done him a solid. “ I’m Toxin! Y’know, thousandth-generation-of-Klyntar Toxin, son-of-Carnage Toxin, but I leave that part out of my resume! ” 

[symbitoxic]

"Just what are you?" (For Tox. Also, hi dear!)

Y’know, it’s so rare that he’s ever approached by humans, let alone spoken to, so, for the most fleeting of moments, a rarity unto itself, Toxin is lost for words. It’s a concept he’s thrown around with Pat at length, what he is, his purpose, but, truthfully, they’ve just been taking things as they come, rolling with the punches - and dishing them out, too! -  so he can’t exactly give the brave little human an answer.Still, with all his natural charisma - gosh knows where he gets it - he’s sure he can give her something to work with.

“ Different folks’ll give you different answers. I prefer the best human to ever live, bonded to the coolest hunk of space jello, united in badassery and a mutual love for kicking ass. Oh, and justice. That gets us off, too. But, honestly, it doesn’t pay the bills, so, ehh…Brooklyn, am I right? ” 

[planet-onfire]

[symbitoxic]

vespula-particula‌:

“Secret detective stuff…like you stole a pack of gum but they sealed your juvie record?“

“ ...Hey, how did you-? ” Well, time to call it a day, folks. He’s been outed! So much for discretion... “ No. I’m talking psycho nutjob grooming li’l’ orphans to fight to the death in an underground circuit kind of secret detective stuff. But, that’s way beneath your pay-grade, so I wouldn’t go looking into it. Best leave it to the professionals. ”

[symbitoxic]

vespula-particula‌:

“I can understand that. i suppose even if I had any idea of who you were, I would be similarly underwhelmed at this point in time.“

“ Woah, woah, woah. Listen up, buster. I’m kind of a big deal ‘round here. ” For better or worse. “ Only reason you haven’t heard of me’s cos I don’t want you to, cos, uh, uber-secret detective stuff, so there. ” 

[symbitoxic]

@vespula-particula

“ Y’know, I’m starting to get why they always say you should never meet your heroes. I mean, how many dreams have you crushed when kids show up to meet Average-Sized Man, or Generic-Guy-in-Black-and-Yellow-Spandex Dude? C’mon, you’re killing me here! ” 

[symbitoxic]

@chokethelight

“ This is your daily reminder that…huh, lemme see…You ain’t my dad, I hate you…Oh, and you suck! ” 

[chokethelight]

“Are you done yet? I am your father - you might not believe it right now, but with out me? You wouldn’t be here now.”

[symbitoxic]

A black talon raps against the symbiote’s chin in a gesture of exaggerated thought.

“ True, true...But, here’s a hot take for ya, Popsicle - I never asked to be born, so there! ” Checkmate, atheists. “ Plus, you still suck. Like, a lot. Might wanna look into that, the neighbours’ll start talking! ” And, then, he’d need to lie, and say Venom’s his father! Eesh, what a fiasco that’d be.

“ Still, ” he’s crawling along the wall now, regarding the crook with a narrowed gaze, “ you ain’t balls-deep in psychotic shenanigans, right? ” Ooh, try saying that ten times fast! “ Cos, that’s all the excuse I’d need to start kickin’ ass! ” 

[symbitoxic]

@transformedlizard

no-one: 

literally no-one: 

andre: i heard u like pain

[symbitoxic]

@chokethelight

“ This is your daily reminder that...huh, lemme see...You ain’t my dad, I hate you...Oh, and you suck! ” 

[planet-onfire]

[symbitoxic]

corruptedspider‌:

“Black is the new red, kid. ‘Sides, can’t really be out all night wearing something as bright as that now, can I?”

Eesh! There’s just no accounting for taste. Haven’t seen this much edge since Alice freakin’ Cooper. “ Hey, watch it, buster! Maybe I don’t need to go uber-tryhard stealth mode with the threads. Maybe I’m surprisingly good at keeping a low pr- ” Snort. “ OK, OK, you got me there. But, shouldn’t you be off laying eggs or something? ”