Description: Eddie’s tired, he’d even go so far as to say exhausted. But, articles don’t write themselves.AKA: Eddie needs sleep and Venom is a big cuddle-bug.
Eddie lets out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping for the first time all day, muscles sore and raw from holding too much tension.
He can feel the liquid warmth of Venom, slipping around his middle, up his back and shoulders, just under his Tee. It feels good, truthfully. The touch is far from foreign, instead comforting and close. His own hands on his skin feels more strange than V’s ever present touches and hum, like a tiny vibration at the base of Eddie’s skull. The symbiote become quickly grounding, a familiar presence that Eddie isn’t quite sure what he’d do without.
Relax.
“Yeah, yeah,” Eddie breathes, rubbing his eyes until his vision dances with tiny spots.
more.
Eddie huffs. “Don’t be so bossy,” he mumbles, pulling his hands away from his face and letting his vision come back into focus. His laptop is open in front of him in the same place its been all day. The document blinks in front of him, taunting, and Eddie lets out a defeated groan, slouching over and into his desk. “This is shit.”
Take a break.
“Can’t.”
Eddie feels the way Venom bristles unhappily under his skin, the possessive wrap of his slender, black tendrils pulling a bit tighter at his chest.
Rest. We’re tired.
Eddie sighs. “Yeah, and we have a lot to do still. This thing isn’t writing itself.”
The assignment was stupid from day one. Eddie half suspects he was given the article simply because no one else wanted it. He wasn’t at the highest ranks as of late. The people he’d interviewed were dull and shared no real quote worthy information. When he tried to edge that there wasn’t a real story there, his higher up laughed and shrugged. ‘That’s media, kid.’ He’d said around a forkful of his salad.
So yeah, Eddie’s tired of the article and the job and staring at a practically blank screen as the clock continues to tick off minutes to his deadline.
You don’t like it.
“It’s still my job,” Eddie reminds, running a hand through his hair as he looks over what little he has written.
we hate it.
Eddie snorts. “Only sometimes, V. Only sometimes.”
He feels it thrum against his skin, a tiny vibration that he can feel in his bones and nerves. Almost like a purr.
we can write later, Eddie. We can relax now.
Eddie doesn’t even flinch when he feels the slender line of one of Venoms tendrils snake up his neck from under the collar of his shirt. It expands and comes to cradle his head, only making him aware of the dull ache behind his eyes.
“I gotta finish this, love,” Eddie tries lamely but Venom’s past listening to his sad excuses.
we take care of Eddie. Make you feel better.
Venom slowly expands and warps around him and in the end it’s almost like a hug. His body is cocooned in the soft silk of Venoms hold and it’s instantly relaxing, intoxicating. Eddie could get lost in it.
“Yeah, I know,” Eddie says, eyes fluttering. Every inch of skin and muscle Venom touches turns to jelly under him, pliant and lazy. “Always so good to me, aren’t ya?”
we like when you are happy, Eddie.
It says and even with the drawn growl, it sounds sweet, almost like a coo. Eddie smiles.
“yeah?”
Yes.
“Like it when you’re not bitin’ heads off,” Eddie comments, slouching back in his chair as there’s a gentle stroke to the side of his face where his stubble is starting to grow out.
why? The heads are good. Very good. We like the heads, Eddie.
Eddie wrinkles his nose and cracks an eye open to see Venoms face, formed clearly in front of him, coming easily from under the collar of his shirt and around his chest. There’s a tilt to Venoms head that makes it look like a confused puppy.
“Yeah, I know, I know,” Eddie chuckles and Venom swipes the tip of its tongue across its teeth. “Trust me, I know.”
they make such good snapping sounds-
“Okay, okay, more than enough, thank you!” Eddie grimaces and Venom grins, teeth glittering in the light of his laptop.
we can eat your boss. No more stupid articles.
“We’ve been over this,” Eddie sighs, though there’s a lazy grin spreading across his face anyways.
Why.
“Because, he’s not bad,” Eddie says with a shrug. “Just... kind of a dick.”
we have eaten dicks before too.
Eddie chokes, eyes flying open to glance up at the face that’s formed to hover over him, white teeth glimmering. Eddie’s too scared to ask what he’s referring too.
“Yeah- uh, well, I don’t like it. Even when they do deserve it.”
you dislike it but you let us anyways, right Eddie?
Eddie shrugs. It’s not really something he thinks about. In fact, it’s something he’s been really focused on not thinking about. The less time he spends thinking about the people he helps and allows to be killed and eaten, no matter how bad they are- is better for his already very bad mental health. “You need it.”
Venom hums, making Eddie’s body vibrate. It’s warm and Eddie slumps comfortably. His laptop falls asleep and Eddie can’t find it in him to care.
Yes. You take care of us too, right Eddie? You are kind. But We need you too.
“I know, V. Need you too,” Eddie chuckles, reaching up to run his fingers gently along the line of Venoms face.
Venom presses his head against Eddie’s cheek, similar to a cat seeking attention.
You are Happy? it growls, inquisitive.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess so,” Eddie smiles.
good. Then it is working.
“What is?” He asks, smiling dumbly still.
Our plan. Help you relax.
Eddie just chuckles and lets venom hold him in the makeshift hug, faces pressed together. He Lets his stress and tension leach from his body until he feels calm enough he could slip to sleep if he wanted.
“You’re pretty good at it,” Eddie admits and venom purrs lowly in response.
We take care of our host, Eddie. You are a good host.
“Yeah, I’m pretty great,” Eddie grins and Venom lets a tendril cover his mouth to stop the teasing. Eddie just smiles.
Bed.
“Yeah, Yeah, okay,” Eddie sighs, too comfortable in his seat, snuggled up to Venom to really care. “Bed it is.”
Venom trills, almost excitedly, and easily scoops Eddie up, moving them from the table to their bed in a fluid movement that only takes a couple of seconds. Venom dips Eddie into the bed and tugs the covers up with a tendril.
Eddie yawns, smiling as he pulls the blankets closer to himself. “V?” Eddie asks as Venom slowly retracts back into his skin, settling somewhere at the base of his skull.
Yes?
“You uh- you wanna stay, tonight?” Eddie asks, a little awkwardly. Thankfully, Venom knows Eddie’s mind better than himself and he’s apparently not in the mood for teasing, so instead the Symbiote just growls thoughtfully and forms around Eddie again, mostly from behind, like an awkward spoon.
like this, Eddie? venom asks, head hovering over the side of Eddie’s face that isn’t buried in pillows.
Tags: High school AU, punk Bucky, Nerd Steve, First kiss, first date, drop out Bucky, artist Steve, pre-serum Steve, asthma, fluff, charity auction, diners, and milkshakes.
warnings: None
Description: Bucky helps out his sister, Becca, with her school auction fundraiser and it doesn’t actually suck.
Bucky’s still not sure how he got himself roped into this mess. Maybe the fact that he had never learned to say no to Rebecca was to blame, but all she ever had to do was batter her sweet blue eyes at him and he was gone. Becca had been through enough in her life already, Bucky didn’t need to leave her feeling alone too. Still, he wishes he’d denied her this, as he’s walking up the steps to the large building on the end of 1st street. On a day to day basis, Bucky couldn’t tell you what the building was for, but it was rented out often for town events such as this.
The particular event that Bucky wasn’t just attending but being forced to participate in was some kind of fundraiser. Becca had said it was for her school if he remembers right. The event was set up to be like some kind of auction. Girls and boys from Becca's school would choose to either be up for auction or to bid. Several girls and boys will walk out onto a platform and people will have a chance to bid on them. Once there’s a winner, the money bid being given to the charity, the two have the option to go on a dinner “date” paid for by the school. The whole thing sounded bizarre but Bucky had been willing to help out until he realized exactly what helping entailed.
“Becca, come on,” Bucky whined desperately, dragging his feet as he followed behind her into the building. They were here early (per her request) and the place was already stuffed full of high school and middle school students. “No one is gonna care if I’m not here.”
She spun on her heels to flash him a glare. “Yes, they will. I put your name on the roster. Come on, James, you promised.”
“That was before I realized helping you meant I had to be one of the things being auctioned off,” Bucky reminded, following her close with his hands jammed in his pockets. He was wearing a dress shirt with his leather jacket over it and some jeans, nothing fancy, even though she tried to wrangle him into a suit. She looked much nicer than he did, her long hair tied into a bun and dressed in heels and a long navy blue dress.
“It’s for a good cause,” she said, smiling. “It’ll be fine, everyone here still knows you.”
“Was that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Come on, I’ll be up there too.”
Bucky sighed. “Yeah, okay. You owe me.”
She laughed as she waved at someone she knew, lining up behind the other people ready for the auction. “No, I don’t,” she said simply before pulling him into line with her.
There were about a dozen people ahead of them so he had time before he had to step out in front of a bunch of people he didn’t really know and then let them bid actual money on him. There was no way he was doing dinner, though. No girl could be cute enough to talk him into that when he could go home and lay in bed, cursing his sisters' name. They could have the whole thing to themselves.
Bucky waited somewhat anxiously in line for what seemed like ages before the auction even began, after that everything was so loud he just tuned it all out and waited for his sentence. He could hear the thump of music playing and guys and girls hollering and cheering over some man raffling off numbers faster than Bucky could understand. Rebecca seemed very much in her element though, bouncing in place, chatting happily with the girl in front of her.
Seeing her so happy almost made it all worth it until the man was loudly announcing the next group and Rebecca was tugging at his arm to follow. “Come on, that’s us!”
Bucky followed like some kind of pack animal onto the platform, which felt much higher up than it had seemed from the ground. There were stage lights on overhead that made it almost impossible for Bucky to see, especially out into the audience. They lined up and everyone clapped and cheered and Bucky wanted to sink into the floor. He hadn’t seen almost 90% of these kids since he dropped out last year and really, he didn’t miss it.
The man shouted out their numbers, 15-22, Bucky being 19 and Becca 20, and then the bidding began. It started at only two bucks, which seemed ridiculous but it didn’t actually take that long before the girl a few people down from him was being bet on with numbers well up in the twenties. She was auctioned off in the end to one of her friends, who was laughing hysterically as she forked over thirty-two bucks. The bidding went on down the line in similar fashion, some only getting up to ten dollars and some nearly at fifty. It seemed like a perfect setup for hurt feelings and bad self-confidence but he shut his mouth.
When the bidding reached Bucky, his face was hot and he was more than ready to get the hell off the stage. There were one or two small bids placed after several long and agonizing seconds, likely from people not knowing who the hell he was. But then, like a fucking blessing from above, a voice shouted out over the music and hollered, “fifty bucks!”
A lot of people started whooping and clapping, including his sister who jabbed him in the side with her elbow, grinning ear to ear at him. Unsurprisingly, no one topped the ridiculous bid and then Bucky was helped off the stage and lead to the bidder. Now he just had to excuse himself from the night and leave the person with a lot of food.
“Here’s the coupon, just give it to the restaurant after you eat and they’ll comp it, have fun,” the woman said, handing it to Bucky, who looked like she was probably a teacher that had been roped into the ordeal.
“Oh, right, thanks,” he mumbled, looking up to find a guy grinning at him when they stopped walking. It took him way to long to realize that the guy in front of him, wearing a nice blue dress shirt, hair all combed nicely, was who’d won the bid. “Is this some kind of joke?” Bucky asked dryly.
“What?” the teen asked in response, raising an eyebrow.
“Is this some kind of joke,” Bucky repeated. “Because I’m not interested in playing some ‘hah, gay guy’ kinda joke, alright?”
The guy laughed softly in response, cheeks getting pink as he ducked his head. “No, no, it isn’t uh, it isn’t a joke, actually.”
“Then what?”
“I’m Steve,” he offered instead, jutting a slender hand out. He was tall, about Bucky’s height, lean and actually rather handsome. “We had an art class together before you uh-”
“Dropped out,” Bucky finished, shaking Steve’s hand awkwardly. “Right, sorry last year is kind of a blur, honestly.”
“No, no! It’s fine!” Steve said, quickly shaking his head. “I didn’t expect you to remember me, we never really talked.”
“You remembered me,” Bucky pointed out with a shrug. Steve just turned redder in response.
“I just saw you and uh, you looked really miserable, honestly?”
Bucky snorted, jerking his head at the door. “Wanna talk outside, where it isn’t deafening?”
“Huh? Oh, yes, please,” Steve smiled widely, following Bucky out.
Once they were outside, leaning against the wall around the corner, Bucky lit of a cigarette and tried to relax. “Want one,” he asked, holding the pack out, to which Steve quickly shook his head.
“No, thanks. I don’t smoke. Asthma.”
Bucky chuckled and nodded. “Alright. So, did you really just blow fifty dollars just to get me off stage from looking uncomfortable?”
Steve scratched the back of his head, staring pointedly at his feet. “Well, I mean, no. not exactly, anyway.”
“Then, why?”
“Honestly?”
“Yeah, for real,” Bucky nodded, blowing smoke slowly out his nose. “No bull.”
Steve exhaled, biting at his lip before opening his mouth. “Honestly, I was kinda hoping you’d go to that dinner with me?” he admitted, eyeing Bucky nervously.
“What? as what?”
“As…” Steve hesitated. “Maybe as a date?”
Bucky nearly choked on an inhale of smoke, coughing as he looked at Steve, but there wasn’t any trace of a joke there. Steve looked sincere and like he was maybe ready to hide under a rock. “Wow, you’re fuckin’ serious.”
“I mean, yeah.”
“You don’t even know me,” Bucky said, feeling a little awkward. The guy seemed really sincere and sweet but it all still felt really strange and set up. He could maybe remember seeing him in the hall a couple times before when he was still in school, but he couldn’t remember a single time they’d spoken before now.
Steve shrugged. “I’ve had a crush on you since seventh grade,” Steve laughed awkwardly. He was beet red now and it was making Bucky feel kind of bad. “And James, I’d really like to get to know you.”
“Bucky,” he said, waving a hand off at him. “Only my sister calls me James, honestly.”
“Bucky,” Steve mimics, smiling a little wider. “I think I’d like to get to know you a little better.” he tugged at the cuff of his shirt nervously before adjusting the thick-framed glasses perched on his nose.
Bucky smiled a little as he put the butt of his cigarette out on the wall behind him. Steve was beyond awkward, someone Bucky probably would have openly avoided in high school, but he seemed sweet and it wasn’t like he was still in contact with anyone from his previous high school clique. Becca was probably already off with a friend or some boy and she’d text him when she was ready anyway. “Yeah, alright, why not?”
“For real?” Steve gaped and Bucky laughed out loud, nodding.
“Yeah, let’s go eat, I’m starved.”
“Yeah, yeah!” Steve agreed feverishly, grinning so wide Bucky thought it might hurt his face. “Me too- I’m hungry.”
“Alright, dork,” Bucky shook his head and headed towards his car. “I’ll drive us there.”
Steve climbed into the passenger seat without any grace, even fumbling with the seatbelt while Bucky started up the car, letting the engine whine in protest for a moment before backing out of the parking lot. “So, there’s like five restaurants doing this coupon thing,” Bucky said, turning on the radio. “Where do you wanna go?”
Steve was bouncing his knee, looking out the window as Bucky drove. “Oh, uh, Kathy’s?”
“The diner?”
“Yeah, if that works?”
Bucky nodded and headed towards the small restaurant towards the edge of town. Bucky had only been there a few times before but the food had always been good and the music and decor made it feel like the ’60s. When they pulled in, it looked mostly empty, which was fine by Bucky. The fewer people he had to see, the better.
They headed in, nabbing a table towards the back and the waitress took the coupon and their drink orders before leaving them to talk.
“You didn’t get a milkshake?” Steve asked, almost in disbelief.
“No?”
“Have you ever had one from here before?”
“No, why? It’s just a milkshake, I don’t think my Dr. Pepper is gonna kill me,” Bucky chuckled, checking his phone briefly for any texts or calls from Rebecca.
“No, but you’re missing out,” Steve said, smiling as he propped his chin on his hand. “The milkshakes here are the best.” almost on queue, the waitress returned with their drinks, sliding them across the table.
“Need a few more minutes?” she asked, smiling sweetly.
“Uh, please,” Bucky mumbled and she nodded, leaving to help another table.
“Here, try it,” Steve said, pushing his milkshake over to Bucky. “It’s just chocolate.”
Bucky hesitated before taking a sip through the straw. It was thick and honestly, really freaking good. It was creamy and rich, and Bucky nodded. “Alright, you win, it’s good.”
“It’s great,” Steve corrected, nabbing it back to take a drink of his own, humming happily.
“Right,” Bucky chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “So, we had an art class together?”
Steve nodded, messing with his silverware. “Yeah, last year, third period with Mr. Dandaferd.”
Bucky didn’t remember that much truthfully, except that he’d been a terrible student that entire year- or what little of it he was there for.
“You sat at the front,” Steve said.
“Right,” he recalled, running a hand through his hair as he laughed nervously. “He moved me up there after-”
“-You were on your phone, yeah,” Steve smiled.
“How do you remember that and I don’t?”
“Maybe because you were always high?”
“Okay, okay, take it easy,” Bucky snorted.
“Sorry,” Steve flushed, though he was still grinning. “Anyways, I sat at the back, so you probably didn’t really even notice me.”
“If it makes things any better, I didn’t really pay attention to anything last year.”
“I’m not upset,” Steve shrugged, smiling to himself as he poked his finger against the prongs of his fork. “I guess I just wish I’d had the nerve to say something to you before you left. Honestly, when I saw you at the thing tonight, I couldn’t believe it, it was like, here it is, this is a second chance, and I just sorta shouted it out.”
Bucky could feel how warm his face was, listening to Steve ramble. It was weird thinking that someone like Steve, or anyone at all really, had a crush on Bucky while he was at school still, let alone enough of one for Steve to bet fifty dollars on him. “Was it worth it?” Bucky asked before he could really stop himself.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I think so.”
Bucky smiled. “Cool, I’m glad.”
“You’re glad you came?”
“Yeah, I think I am, honestly. I haven’t gotten out a lot recently unless Becca’s dragging me somewhere.”
“Becca?” Steve asked, taking a sip of his milkshake.
“Rebecca, she’s my little sister,” Bucky explained, swirling his straw around his drink, watching the soda bubbles pop and fizz.
“Oh, she’s in advanced history,” Steve nodded. “Sophmore, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, she’s crazy smart,” Bucky grinned.
Steve smiled back and they just looked at each other for a minute. It didn’t feel weird or tense, Bucky actually felt strangely more at ease. He was out, more or less. His sister knew he was bi and most of the school did too, but it felt good to be around another guy who actually liked him. He’d slept with a couple of guys before, mostly when they were all drunk as hell anyway, but this was worlds different. It felt like a normal relationship, like how he felt walking around with his (now ex) girlfriend on his arm, he felt confident.
“Are we ready to order now, gentlemen?” the waitress asked as she approached the table, pulling her pen out of her apron. Steve and Bucky both pulled their attention away from each other and nodded, clearing their throats awkwardly.
Bucky had hardly even looked at the menu. “Uh, the number five, please? With bacon.”
“Sure thing, and for you?” she asked, looking at Steve, who was fiddling with his glasses again.
“Um, I’ll have pancakes, please? Extra strawberries?”
She nodded happily. “Alright, I’ll have that right out.”
Bucky glanced back at Steve once she’d left. “Breakfast for dinner, huh?”
Steve shrugged. “Pancakes are good.”
“Burgers might be better,” Bucky argued lightly.
“Ehh, not if you don’t eat meat.”
Bucky gawked, leaning over the table to look closely at Steve, who was giggling softly, also leaning in, like there was some big secret. “You’re a freakin’ vegan?”
“Vegetarian,” Steve corrected.
“And that’s better?”
“I took a lot of animal health classes,” Steve explained shyly. “I just can’t get myself to eat meat now, I guess?”
“This might be a deal breaker, here,” Bucky teased and a look of worry crossed over Steve’s face before he realized Bucky was grinning and he punched him lightly, just on his shoulder.
“Fuck off,” Steve blushed, leaning back so he was sitting properly in his seat again.
“Nah, it’s cute, I guess.”
“Cute?”
Bucky made a so-so motion with his hand. “Yeah. you’re compassionate and shit, right? I think it’s cute.”
“Oh,” Steve breathed, his ears turning a shade darker than even his face.
“You always this pink?” Bucky asked, poking a finger into Steve’s thin cheek.
“What? No? Screw off, seriously,” Steve shrieked, though he couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “You’re a jerk.”
“You’re just now figuring that out?”
“No, I guess not, you were a jerk in school too,” Steve deadpanned and Bucky laughed, finishing off the last of his soda.
Their food arrived only a moment later and they dug in almost immediately. Bucky hadn’t realized how hungry he was but he was sure glad to be stuffing his face now. Even Steve’s plate of pancakes stacked up and dripping with sugary sweet strawberries looked good.
“Can I ask you something?” Steve asked around a mouthful of pancakes.
“Shoot,” Bucky said, popping a french fry into his mouth as he checked his phone again. This time he actually did have a text from his sister but it just read, HEYY! Going to the movies with my friends and a guy! I’ll be home later, hope whoever you’re with that their cute! Bucky just shook his head and smiled.
“How come you dropped out?” Steve asked. “I mean, you were almost there, right? You’d be graduating this year, with me.”
Bucky sighed. It wasn’t exactly the direction he’d wanted the conversation to go, but it wasn’t a new question. He was asked that same question almost every day. “I dunno, I was going one way and school was like, completely another way. I don’t have something that I feel like I could ever go to school for and do for the rest of my life. Becca’s already applying for scholarships in engineering, ya know? I was never like that. I don’t have that same determination or drive, so I just felt like I was wasting my time there. I wasn’t ever gonna use that education anyways, and honestly, my grades were bad enough it wouldn’t have mattered.”
Steve looked a little sad, brow creased as he chewed another forkful of food. “You don’t have anything you want to do?”
“Nope.”
Steve sighed, visibly thinking for a moment. “Maybe you just haven’t found it yet. So yeah, you got high and fucked off when you should’ve been doing school work, but you don’t have to go to college for everything. There’s lots of stuff out there. I bet we could find something you like without even having to worry about school.”
Bucky just stared for a while. He’d only been talking to Steve for less than an hour and here he was, putting more dedication into his life than his parents had in the past several years. Bucky hadn’t found an easy talent that he loved and would make money, nothing ever interested him enough and it didn’t take very long before he was just burnt out. Sure, his dad was on his ass about grades a lot, but he didn’t care too much if the grades weren’t working towards anything.
“Like what?” Bucky asked, finishing off his fries. Steve lit up a little.
“Well, what kinda stuff do you like?”
“What do I like?” Bucky copied back, unsure.
“Yeah, sure. Like, what do you do all day when you aren’t at school?”
“Sleep.”
Steve laughed, louder and more open than he’d been all night. He was still crimson, but he seemed worlds more comfortable than when he’d first approached Bucky with the whole dinner idea. “Yeah, not what I meant.”
“I don’t know,” Bucky said honestly, trying to think. “Sometimes I get high? I watch way too much Netflix? I work out sometimes? That’s about it.”
“Okay, do you like working out?” he asked, bouncing in his seat a little.
Bucky scrunched his nose up. “Not enough to be a, like, personal trainer or anything.”
“Okay, do you like film?”
“I watch horror movies and Rick and Morty, Steve, I’m not a cinematic maniac.”
Steve hummed. “Do you like being around me?”
Bucky chuckled. “What?”
Steve shrugged, looking down at his plate, not that it hid his little smile or how red he was. “Do you like being around me?”
Bucky grinned. “Yeah, it’s pretty okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I have good news, then,” Steve said, glancing back at Bucky, glasses slipping down to perch on the edge of his nose. He had to resist the urge to reach across the table and push them back up himself.
“Yeah, and what’s that?”
“You don’t have to go to college to see me.”
Bucky flicked a bit of his burger bun at Steve with a laugh. “Get out of here.”
“It’s true!”
“Yeah, yeah. Very helpful, punk.”
Steve just looked pleased as he finished off the last couple abandoned strawberries off his plate. “I could help you find something you really like to do though, I can tutor you even.”
“Why would you do that?” Bucky shook his head.
“What? Because, you have potential and I think you’re worth it, duh.”
“Don’t get cocky, I just met you and now you want to help me get my life together?”
“Kinda, yeah. I really like you, and it’s kinda scary, but I really wanna try.”
“Try?”
“Try ‘us’?”
Bucky couldn’t help the little bubble of laughter from his throat. “You wanna like, date-date me?”
Steve frowned and placed his silverware neatly on his plate. “No, I don’t know. I’m sorry, I got too ahead of myself- you just met me.”
Bucky pushed aside both of their plates so he could lean closer. “It wouldn’t be the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”
Steve looked at him closely, hands fidgeting nervously. “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”
“What, a date?”
“I mean, yeah?”
“You’ve never been on a date?”
Steve shook his head. “Nope.”
“How??”
Steve laughed and made a vague gesture to himself. “I’m trying for an art scholarship, Bucky, I’m not playing football or something.”
“Who gives a fuck about that stuff?”
“You did,” Steve offered meekly and Bucky frowned because he wasn’t wrong.
“I don’t anymore. That’s part of why I left, all the stereotypes and the pushing to just be something? I hated it. I mean, they were all so pushy, I didn’t smoke before I met Brock or anyone.”
“So… what are you saying?”
“I don’t know, honestly,” Bucky laughed and Steve mirrored his smile. “But you like me and I just met you and I already like you, so fuck it, let’s try it.”
Steve couldn’t seem to contain the excited little gasp that came from him as he grabbed Bucky’s hands excitedly. “Really? You’re serious?”
Bucky shook him off of his hands while laughing, nodding. Steve was redder than a tomato and he looked stupid happy. “Yeah, I’m serious.”
“Like date how?” Steve asked urgently, fingers twisting at his shirt collar, all nervous and excited energy bubbling over. “Date as in we try dinner again and see how it goes, or date like I can hold your hand and I can wear your stupid leather jacket kind of date?”
Bucky burst out laughing then, which successfully drew the attention of several people to their table, seeming to mortify Steve as he sunk down in his seat, flushing. “Which kind do you want?”
“Uhh, both, I guess? Like, uh, I wanna still go to lunch with you and get to know you but I wanna know you aren’t gonna be doing the same thing an hour later with someone else. Is that- is that fair?”
Bucky watched Steve twist himself into a puddle of anxiety before he smiled softly and just shrugged. “Yeah, I think that’s fair.”
“Is everyone still staring?” Steve asked nervously, refusing to look away from Bucky.
“Huh? No.”
“Can I kiss you?”
Bucky raised an eyebrow at the teen across from him, beet red and wide-eyed behind his glasses and slightly frazzled hair. “Here?”
“N-not if you don’t want to.”
“Go ahead.”
“Really? What if someone sees?”
“So? Fuck them.”
Steve laughed nervously, eyes a little brighter with determination. “Right, okay. Fuck them,” he breathed as he leaned over to meet Bucky across the table, letting their lips brush before he pressed his gently to Buckys’.
It was more of a brush of their lips, a quick peck, than a real kiss, but it was still sweet and nice, and that alone made Steve look like he might die on the spot, so Bucky let him pull away, back into his own seat. “So?”
“That- it was good- I liked it-” Steve stammered shyly as he pulled his inhaler from his pocket and took a couple puffs.
“You gonna be okay?” Bucky grinned and Steve nodded quickly before putting the inhaler away again.
“Sorry- I’ve been wanting to do that since I met you- and uh, yeah.”
“You’re a nerd.”
“Technically I’m your nerd now though, right?” Steve asked with a soft smile, ducking his head a little so he didn't have to look directly at Bucky.
“Yeah, technically.” he smiled. “Let’s go, huh? I wanna kiss you in my car for real.”
Description: Eddie's just trying to find Dan and Anne a Christmas present. He really doesn't need Venom analyzing his thoughts. His very gay thoughts.
Word Count: 1711
It's snowing. Big, fluffy flakes of snow are spiraling from the sky and building up on the streets and sidewalks with surprising speed. The sky is bright for how late in the day it is, the clouds covering the sky in a thick sheet are brighter than rain clouds ever are. Even despite the weather, the streets are filled with the usual amount of people, everyone pushing and rushing to get shopping done after work before Christmas. Eddie is fairly indifferent about weather, it doesn’t bother him if it’s raining buckets or sunny as hell itself. He’s usually working in an office most days anyways. Still, Eddie won’t deny it’s freezing out.
The sun is quickly lowering in the sky, and even though it was masked by clouds all day anyways, the darker and later it is, the colder. Eddie could also probably blame the fact that he can’t feel his feet, or nose, or fingers, on either his poor outfit choice, because jeans and a hoodie only insulate so well, or he could blame it on the fact he waited so long to do his Christmas shopping. All of those play key rolls in why he’s walking the street, teeth chattering like crazy.
He wouldn’t have to be out at all, especially Christmas shopping, but somehow (maybe because Eddie can’t say no to Anne) got roped into Christmas at her place. It doesn’t sound all that bad, really. It’s better than spending Christmas in bed, he supposes, but he’s not a huge fan of gift giving, or sitting around his ex and her new fancy boyfriend- so yeah, Merry Christmas.
Spending Christmas alone would be easier, at least.
Not alone.
Eddie sighs, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. I know, V."
Why are we here, then? It's cold.
"Because, I have to get Anne and Dan a Christmas present," Eddie muttered, not that any of the people rushing by him would've noticed him talking to himself. He can practically feel the rumble of a displeased sigh rattle through him and Eddie hardly refrains from rolling his eyes. "It won't take long."
Why do you have to get them a gift, Eddie?
Eddie hears equal parts curiosity and annoyance in Venom's voice but humors him anyways in answering. "I don't know, it's tradition?" Eddie shrugged, checking his phone briefly for the time. 7:12. He had plenty of time still.
They are not important.
"What? yes they are- what does that have to do with anything?"
Why buy them presents if they are not important? We are cold.
Eddie sighed, walking into a store he'd followed Anne to a number of times. Luckily, it was packed with people, so he didn't have to dodge women trying to sell him expensive perfume. "Because, V, it's what you do on Christmas. It's what you do when you care about someone, I guess."
Because you care about Anne? Venom prompted, though he didn't sound terribly surprised.
"Yeah, yeah, I do," Eddie shrugged.
You love her.
Eddie grumbled, dodging a woman restocking a shelf so he could wander down an empty isle. he was hardly even paying attention to shopping anymore. "No, I don't."
Eddie could feel the way Venom vibrated, which was becoming less terrifying the more it happened and more annoying and kind of weird. he could feel it in the back of his head, through his body like a not quite physical feeling. Why do you lie to us? We're one. I know what you think, what you feel.
"Okay, alright, I got it, V, thanks," Eddie muttered, pretending to study a rack of fuzzy socks.
Love us too. Venom says, and it rolls around in the back of Eddie's head like a long purr.
Eddie admittedly feels himself flush as he quickly moves to look at something else. Funny you can't escape a conversation in your head. "what the hell does that mean, huh?" Eddie asks, pulling a box of fairly nice looking earrings from one of the displays to look over. They would look nice on Anne. she isn't huge on jewelry, but she does like earrings and the occasional necklace. It would be a nice present for her, without seeming too.. boyfriend-ish.
We are bonded, Eddie. You were bonded to Anne too.
"I- no, Anne and I were engaged. We were in a relationship."
He feels Venom press at the back of his brain, almost like he's making himself more known.
There is no difference in your feelings towards us and Anne. Venom says simply, like he's genuinely confused- he probably is, but Christ, how long as Venom been thinking that they were, what? Engaged? Eddie would probably rather die than admit that it doesn't sound as wrong and weird as it should. Eddie guesses he doesn't really have much of a basis for normal or weird anymore, though, since he literally has an alien living in his body.
"Yeah, well, it's complicated," Eddie mumbles, deciding the earrings will work fine. he still has to get Dan a gift too and he doesn't have any idea where to start.
How is it complicated, Eddie?
Eddie ignores the question until after he's done purchasing the gift and having the nice woman even wrap it for him. By then, after he's stepped back out into the cold and can feel the annoyance practically rolling off of Venom at this point.
Eddie.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya big guy." Eddie sighs. "I don't know- nothing about this or us or whatever is easy."
We take care of each other, Eddie. Venom says smoothly and Eddie nods as he heads back down the street.
"Yeah, I know, but there's a difference between those two things."
Venom grumbles and Eddie can feel him materialize slowly, snug under his hoodie, just a vague presence resting against his back and neck, hidden from by passers but Eddie can still see him if he turns his head to the side. You are mine.
"We've been over this," Eddie sighs but Venom doesn't really let him finish.
You love us too. we are like Anne, but we are better.
"Dude, chill out, not cool," Eddie says, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Maybe he'll head home. If he actually gets up before noon he can find time to get Dan a present before he has to be there for Christmas Eve dinner.
You are lonely. Venom presses and Eddie groans. He doesn't want to be having this conversation or acknowledging this. At all. We will make sure you are never lonely. You will always have us, Eddie.
Eddie's resolve slips enough he lets a small smile slip. Venom already fixes the lonely factor, mostly. Venom, oddly enough, has been a nice presence. Venom is comforting. Annoying, but comforting. Eddie doesn't mind the nagging for food or sleep, Venom is a good reminder to take care of himself. Venom is actually a fair conversationalist too, even if half the time they're arguing and half of the time it's over why Venom can't eat the desk lady's cat- but still. Eddie just has a connection, like a bond that he can't begin to understand or explain, but it's there and it isn't going away. Apparently, Eddie isn't the only one that noticed it, either.
You are lacking the attention you crave. Physical attention, Eddie?
Eddie nearly chokes on air, walking back to his apartment with the gift bag in his hand. He can't feel his entire torso by now, he's fucking cold. He really isn't sure he likes where the conversation seems to be going, though. This is really not something he wants to discuss in detail with the symbiote curled up his shoulder and around his neck. "What does that mean, exactly?" Eddie croaks.
You enjoy touch? Venom says, like he's unsure. His tendrils expand fluidly under his hoodie until he's wrapped around Eddie like a second shirt. It effectively stops the teeth chattering, with better insulation and Eddie's grateful for the gesture.
"I mean, sure," Eddie says awkwardly. "Sex is... nice."
Not sex.
Eddie stops walking. he's less than a block away from his house by now anyways. "what?"
You like when we hold you. when we touch.
Venom sounds so confident in his words. Eddie doesn't sense any underlying mockery in his voice either and it takes him a long moment to realize that Venom isn't entirely wrong, either. he does like the way Venom so easily wraps around his body, from around his wrist or all of him- it feels like a constant comfort. he feels protected around Venom all the time, but there's something about the physical contact that's a much needed reminder. He does like having Venom there, he'd like to have Venom closer- in a sense. It's just a very odd feeling, considering Venom's literally taking up residency in his body for life.
"I mean, yeah." Eddie nods and Venom's head pokes out beside the neck of Eddie's hoodie.
Venom grins, eyes narrowing happily. it reminds Eddie of a cat, oddly.
We make you happy.
Eddie snorts out a laugh and shrugs. "Yeah, guess so."
Venom vibrates happily, the sound resonating along Eddie's bones, like both a physical and mental feeling. It's almost like purring, Eddie thinks. Maybe it is.
Eddie makes Venom happy.
"Yeah? You a big softy now?" Eddie teases and the symbiote glares, though it comes across more like a pout. "We make each other pretty happy though, huh?" Eddie reasons, more with himself than with Venom. His life is crazy enough as it is, what's adding a relationship with an alien, at this point? Venom makes another pleased purring sound, the little head over his shoulder giving a small nod in response.
It's dark out by now and the street is only lit under pools of light from street lamps lining the sidewalk. The snow is still piling up too, coming down heavier. It's sticking to Eddie's hair and clothes, though it beads instantly on Venom, somehow. Eddie doesn't think before he acts, he rarely ever has honestly, and he does what feels natural and presses a kiss to Venom's head, gentle and quick. Venom grins, a shiny mouth full of teeth glimmering at him and Eddie chuckles. "Let's get home, love."
Hey! So, tumblr sucks and I can’t edit my own fics.
Sooo, that means I can’t add a specific tag you can look up my fics by... I was gonna do this instead of my master list, since that’s broken too, but noooooo. Soo, all new fics will be under “bees fanfics” and I’ll let ya know when I can fix the issue with the rest.
Time passes vaguely, slowly. He doesn’t know when it’s day or night, he just knows he’s constantly tired, kept too drugged to do anything but hang from his binds, laying back against the tilted lab table. He knows he’s been here too long, though. They administer the dose of whatever is in the vials, regularly, spaced out enough that around the time he’s coming to his senses again, they’re ready with another syringe. He’s only seen two people since his arrival at the base, wherever that is. He’s seen the doctor, who no longer gives him any information or even attempts to poke and prod with dry humor, he just drugs Steve and leaves again, silent. Then, there’s another man, who he sees less. They’re dressed more professionally, in a combat suit with several large weapons that Steve thinks he wears for show, more than anything. His face is tight and aging poorly, hair graying at his temples.
When that other man comes in, he’s there to feed him. Steve hates it, but he learned quickly enough it’s useless to fight him. He doesn’t get food often enough to be picky and fight him. He really found that out after he fought him too much and he was left for what must’ve been days without any food. The IV in his arm and neck, close to where they inject him (why they don’t add it into the IV is beyond him) keep him hydrated enough they don’t ever really bother with water, and it leaves Steve’s mouth stone dry and raw tasting.
As for Bucky, no one talks about him and Steve hasn’t heard anything in a very long time, not even a single scream. Sometimes he tries dragging something, anything, out of the doctor, but he just chuckles and shakes his head. He’s no longer so scared of Bucky dying, knowing they have use of him, now he’s terrified that the silence means they’ve got Bucky right where they want him, broken down and vulnerable. A weapon.
He’s been counting the amount of injections before each meal comes, and so far it hasn’t failed him. It’s become regular, uniform. He’s had time to plan, even if it’s a weak plan, it’s still a plan, and he’s taking his chances today.
Steve’s head isn’t secured down, not held in place, and that’s about all he has going for him, but it’s better than nothing, right? Even with his hands tied, his body stuck down against the table with metal bands and big, thick, leather straps, he has his teeth and the force of his head. He’ll do whatever he can. He’ll get something out of someone, at the very least.
When the door slides open, Steve’s head is slightly less foggy than usual, a little more alert, both from the drugs slowly wearing off after running its course (he’s due for more soon), and the adrenaline pumping through his body. The same man as always walks through, doesn’t even look at Steve as he grabs the tiny dish of whatever slop he’s going to shove down Steve’s throat.
“Quiet today?” He asks, glancing up briefly. Steve stays silent, just stiffens up a little, tries fruitlessly to look less weak than he feels. “That’s probably best, huh?”
Steve bites his tongue.
“You’ve got someone coming to see you.”
Steve’s body twitches and he feels his heart thump awkwardly in his chest, he can feel it in his throat. “What?” Steve asks stupidly, but he hasn’t ever had a ‘visitor’, not anyone but those two men, over and over. Steve’s whole plan, whatever it really was, suddenly seems too soon, too unplanned and unimportant. Maybe this is a chance to get information, maybe he can crank it out of some fragile, newbie.
“Don’t look so excited,” the man snorts, shoving the spoon past Steve’s lips abruptly. He chokes, spluttering momentarily before forcing it down his throat. It tastes bland, thick and a little sour at the end. He fixes the man with a stern, angry look, but says nothing. “You do know the guy, though. Maybe it’ll be a nice lil reunion.”
“Who?” Steve snaps, eyes looking directly at the mans own. Steve never looks at him unless he’s forced, especially not in his face.
He laughs dryly. “Guess you’ll get to wait and see, you greedy pig.”
Steve stays silent for the rest of his meal and when the man leaves, Steve feels his body go slack. He wracks his brain instantly, trying to figure out who he might know. Steve doesn’t know many people, really. Outside of the Avengers, he tries to keep to himself, and he can’t possibly think of who might be here.
Steve waits in tense agony, minutes passing slower than molasses. He can feel his heart thundering in his chest, an echo in his ears. The drugs are tapering slightly still, but nowhere near enough that he could function right or even think about a fight. Eventually, when the door makes an automatic sort of humming noise, the clinking noise that’s grown familiar, Steve sucks in a breath, holds it subconsciously as he waits.
The door opens then, slowly and tortuously, as it slides back into the panel in the wall. Steve stares down, like if he doesn’t look, maybe it’ll make it less real, but the corner of his vision still catches the toes of heavy, black, combat boots sauntering in and standing there, right in the doorway, not letting it close. Steve can practically taste the freedom from where he is, like it’s being dangled in front of him. It is being dangled in front of him.
“Hey there, soldier boy,” says the voice, gruff and smug. “Lookin’ good as ever.”
Steve’s entire body goes rigid.
“What? Didn’t ya miss me?” Rumlow asks from the entryway, stepping forward and into Steve’s view, letting the door slide shut behind him.
Bucky lays back against the motel couch, the cushions are stiff and uncomfortable but the guy sucking him off, face currently buried between his thighs is distracting enough. He’s young, cute enough too, but he’s nothing special, they never are. He moans around Bucky’s cock and his hips jerk instinctively, making the guy choke a little, but he doesn’t stop sucking either, working his head up and down. Bucky fists the guys short, dirty hair and forces him a little deeper, the guy sputters and continues to moan, spit dribbling down his chin.
Bucky doesn’t even know the guys name, he just picked him up from some shady bar. He doesn’t need to know his name, it isn’t like he’ll ever see him again. They won’t exchange numbers and Bucky won’t spend the night in the hotel.
“Fuck, come on,” Bucky growls, twisting his hair sharply. The kid whines, body contorting oddly to try and move into the action instead of letting Bucky yank him around by his scalp. He laps eagerly at Bucky’s cock, eyes flicking up to meet Bucky’s. He looks expectant, tongue flicking out to swipe over the head. He looks like Steve when they do this.
Bucky shoves him off then, the guy falls back without grace and scrapes his elbows against the rough carpet. He gasps and there’s drool all over his bare chest and it’s still shiny on his lips. Bucky’s hard-on is gone already as he stands and tucks himself away.
“What- what did I do?” he stammers, pulling himself up so he’s sitting awkwardly on the floor. He’d come with the guy because he had seemed composed, but now he looks skittish and hungry for affection that Bucky isn’t willing to give.
“Nothin’,” Bucky grunts, grabbing his backpack and heading to the door. He’ll call a taxi or catch a bus, he isn’t staying in here. “You can stay here tonight, it’s prepaid.”
Bucky doesn’t glance back as he yanks the door open but he hears the guy scoff. “Seriously? Sure, dude, good luck finding someone else willing to suck your dick.”
I already do Bucky thinks bitterly and leaves, tossing the keys to him before shutting the door.
He takes two cabs and a bus to get back to his apartment. He’s quiet coming in, incase Steve is home and asleep.
“Hey, Buck, you home?” Steve calls out. He hears him no matter what, Bucky isn’t sure why he even tries.
He swallows down his guilt and smiles, and now he feels fine. “Hey, Steve.”
“You’re home late,” he comments but he doesn’t sound accusatory or concerned.
“Yeah, sorry,” Bucky says but he doesn’t comment further. He doesn’t need to, really. Steve doesn’t question him because, fuck all, he trusts him. He knows he goes drinking sometimes, goes for walks, whatever, and that’s enough for Steve.
“It’s fine, Buck,” Steve says and when Bucky walks in he can see he’s reclined on the sofa watching TV. “have fun?”
Bucky shrugs and flops down besides Steve. “I guess.” by that, apparently he means ‘I got my dick sucked by a stranger but I didn’t even finish because it wasn’t you, it’s supposed to be you’. He’s so absolutely fucked in the head and he can’t even blame it on HYDRA.
“Well, I’m glad you’re back,” he hums and snuggles into Bucky’s side. He cuddles him back and they share a gentle little kiss. “You taste like beer.”
Bucky forces a little laugh and kisses him again. “Yeah?”
“Lil bit, yeah,” he chuckles. “I love you.”
Bucky stomach twists and he smiles against Steve’s neck. Hopefully it doesn’t look as forced as it feels. “I love you too.”
