Author's Note: Don't come at me about whether there is or isn't enough phenethylamine in dead, cooked cow brain, please. In a world where an alien can take over a human's body and co-exist, and where tots and chocolate are enough(ish) to control Venom's hunger, I can bend the rules and make this a real thing, kay? ^_^

It wasn't a rare occurrence for Metz to grow homesick for a place that no longer existed. This was something they experienced since the day their parents passed, after all. Today there was the need for a taste of home, and they had donned their coat to search for the right ingredients. Gray sky threatened heavy rain despite the presence of the sun, and they grabbed their umbrella on their way out. The endeavor took longer than Metz expected and the sun had set even before they parked outside of the complex. Bag secure to their side, they opened the umbrella and stepped out of the car.

They paused, tilting their chin up and watching the downpour from the heavens. Something about rain always set their heart at ease. Maybe it was the rhythmic sound of it pounding the pavement or the way petrichor was triumphant over the usual acrid scent that came with a smog-filled city. With the way they'd been feeling, this almost felt like a sign that things would be okay, one day.

Turning their attention away, Metz hopped onto the sidewalk and looked up at the complex only to notice a familiar figure walking in front of them. They'd seen each other a handful of times throughout the last couple of weeks. Eddie had kept his word and brought pizza, sometimes Chinese, shared between them as he read through the binder and Metz worked on grading student papers. A smile grew on their lips and they quickened their step to catch up to the man. "Eddie?"

The man looked around, startled by the figure so close to him. He was not one to be sneaked up on, but he was too wrapped up in the latest news that he hadn't even heard Venom alert him. If he alerted him at all, that is. The symbiote had been exceptionally quiet itself on the rest of their ride home.

Eddie forced himself to smile, though he knew it must look fake as fuck. Still, he tried to keep it up as he turned fully towards his neighbor. "Hey."

Metz studied his features for a while before lifting their bag to Eddie's line of sight, their own eyes set on his. "Wanna have dinner with me?" Eddie's eyebrows drew together at the sudden invitation.

She is lonely, too.

He never knew if the symbiote was speaking the truth about Metz, but it certainly was right in that Eddie felt lonely. It took a few seconds for his brow to smoothen out, but he gave a slow nod. "Great. You like Mexican food?" Metz asked as they tugged on his jacket to pull him under the umbrella, despite his being thoroughly soaked through.

The two walked up the stairs as Metz talked to fill the silence, sharing recent stories about the students from their school. Unlocking the door, Metz walked in and closed it after Eddie came into the apartment, now chatting away about the writing they were revising. Metz paused to head into the bathroom to retrieve some towels. "You can hang your jacket in the shower if you want, for it to dry out," Metz said, laying down one off the towels on the couch. The extra they tossed atop the table and motioned towards it before heading to the kitchen. They gave a discreet glance over to Eddie and watched him drop into the couch lifelessly, not bothering with the second towel.

When he didn't move to dry himself off, Metz retraced their steps back to the couch and took a seat beside the man, grabbing the towel and carefully working it over his hair. Eddie didn't move or talk as Metz dried him off before gently urging him to lean forward to help remove the drenched jacket. They placed the towel over his shoulders and paused as they made to stand. "I know we've known each other for a really short time, and we're not even exactly friends, but if you need to an ear…"

The silence stretched out and they figured he wouldn't speak at all, but when they made to stand again, Eddie's hand clamped over theirs. "Anne," Eddie said. The single word was enough to enlighten Metz, watching their neighbor open his broken heart. Metz remained silent, though, waiting to see if he would continue to explain further. "She's engaged." Metz waited a moment longer before giving his hand a light squeeze. The motion startled Eddie out of his thoughts and he looked up at Metz. His expression struggled for a bit before he inhaled slowly. "We were together. For a long time. I was going to marry her. But I fucked up. Like, I really fucked up. Made us both lose our jobs. She ended things. As she should have, of course. I think… I think this was a long time coming, really, and I just, refused to see it. I wasn't good for her anywaay. I'm self-absorbed and stubborn, selfish and unable to commit to anything or anyone. We were going to crash eventually. That last fuck up just expedited the end."

Metz listened, their eyes never straying from Eddie's as he spoke. A part of them wanted to contradict his words, but really, how could they? They said it themselves – they knew each other for a grand total of two weeks, and even that was a stretch. His posture relaxed after that short explanation, though, shoulders resting into the couch, as if speaking the words aloud had unburdened him of them. Maybe someone to listen and keep him company was all he needed. When nothing else followed, Metz squeezed his hand gently before standing. "You're not a vegetarian, are you?"

"Not in the least," Eddie said, watching them from the couch as Metz went into the bathroom to hang his jacket.

Don't be a leech. Offer to help!

"Says the literal parasite," he muttered to himself.

"I AM NOT A PARASITE!"

Eddie wince, clearing his throat when Metz passed by to head to the kitchen.

"You need any help?"

"I don't, but if you need something to do, you can help dice up some veggies," Metz offered as they started pulling out items from the fridge. The two worked in a comfortable silence, interrupted occasionally when Metz directed Eddie with how to do something. The smell of meat began to rise in the air as Metz worked it on a stovetop grill, flipping tortillas on another pan. "Go sit," Metz said to Eddie when they noticed he was done and resting against the counter, simply watching them. "I'm almost done."

Eddie listened and took a seat at the dining table. "You always cook for strangers?"

"This definitely changes our current standing, wouldn't you say? I was thinking that grey area between acquaintances and friends," Metz replied. "You know, you checked on me. Now I'm checking on you, but I've one-upped you and made you a homemade meal. Plus, we've talked about pretty personal things already. That's gotta count for something, right?"

Can't we skip friends and go to dating?

They glanced over their shoulder with a growing smile when they heard Eddie's low laugh. Metz turned back to the stove, turning off the heat, then opened cabinets to pull out a cup and two plates. Eddie immediately stood and crossed the short distance to take the glass. "There's lemonade, soda, and beer. I'd recommend beer given the meal, and the situation, but I wanted you to know there were other options."

With that, Eddie set the cup back in the cabinet Metz grabbed it from. There was a smile on his lips, small but there, and more genuine than any they'd seen tonight. "I'll take your recommendation." He grabbed two beers from the fridge and opened them, setting one down for Metz even as he took a swig of his. "So, what's the meal?"

"I'll tell you after we finish it," Metz said with a slight laugh. Eddie raised a brow as Metz prepared half a dozen tacos, topping them with the pico de gallo Eddie prepared. They divided the tacos between the two plates before serving rice, beans and slices of avocado next to them and picking up both dishews. "Grab my beer?" Metz asked as they headed to the small dining table now.

Eddie waited until Metz was seated to do the same, placing the beer next to their plate. His eyes were on the meal, though, studying it as if he could discern what it was just by sight alone. When he cradled one of the tacos in two hands, Metz watched him in return, their eyes flicking over his features in anticipation as he took the first bite.

EDDIE, WHAT IS THIS?! WE MUST KNOW AND PROCURE AS MUCH OF IT AS POSSIBLE!

Eddie's pupils dilated to pinpoints after taking the bite, chewing almost in a trance. For the first time, he felt a dent – small, but a dent nonetheless – in the constantly present hunger. He scarfed down the taco in two more giant bites, barely seeming to chew as he picked up the second taco. "What is this? Holy fuck, what the hell?" he asked, eyes sharply turning to Metz. "This is it. No more fucking chocolate gorging if I can have this."

Metz couldn't help but burst into laughter at the last part, almost dropping their own taco. "Okay, okay," they said as they wiped at a weepy eye. "You have to promise to hold on to that delicious flavor covering your taste buds right now, alright? You got that gripped tight?" Metz asked. Eddie nodded eagerly, swallowing before devouring half of the next taco in one go. "It's a very popular Mexican dish. At least back home, it is. It's sesos. Cow brains."

At this, Eddie stopped chewing and stared at Metz again. They winced, waiting for the shoe to drop. "Cow brains."

"Cow brains," Metz echoed and took a big bite of their own taco, though not as big as Eddie's. They chewed, swallowed and were ready to assure Eddie he didn't have to eat it, but he beat them to the punch.

"That's fuckin' perfect," Eddie muttered before chowing down the other half of the taco, washing it down with a long swig of beer. "You're an absolute life saver, Metz," he added with a satisfied exhale and picked up the third taco. Metz beamed at that before adding a slice of avocado to the second bite of their own taco. "Can you teach me how to make this?"

"Really?" Metz asked, surprised now. "Uh, yeah. Sure. Okay," they agreed with a smile, going back to their meal.

We should have befriended her much sooner, Eddie. It would have saved us so much petty arguing.

"Wouldn't be an issue if you'd just mind the rules. Or if you had any patience whatsoever," Eddie muttered to himself even as he kept eating, and Metz glanced at him with a raised brow. He looked up, meeting Metz's eyes, and froze. A bright flush invaded his face when he found himself caught. "Sorry. Can't get rid of that habit, talking to myself out loud. A lot," he said after swallowing. "I'm not crazy," he added quickly.

"That's something a crazy person would say," Metz replied seriously. They watched his features grow pale and Metz laughed, holding up a hand in reassurance. "I'm joking, Eddie. I know you're not crazy." His shoulders relaxed once again and he blessed Metz with another one of those crooked smiles.

The two continued eating, Eddie cleaning off his plate just as Metz barely finished their second taco. Metz offered him the last taco on their plate and he looked embarrassed, but it wasn't enough to stop him from taking it. They finished dinner and Eddie insisted on helping Metz with the clean up.

"This was… nice," Eddie settled on after a moment.

Ask her about the date!

Eddie managed to continue, his eye twitching as he ignored the symbiote. "Thank you. I appreciate the meal and you listening to me."

"You're welcome. Thank you for accepting my invitation. It's been a while since I've cooked a meal for anyone," Metz said, turning and resting against the sink's counter. They were close after standing beside each other to wash dishes together. "It felt good."

Kiss! Kiss! KISS!

Eddie began to shuffle his feet, then looked around nervously. "Yeah. I'm glad. Of course." He cleared his throat and took a slight step back. "Right, well. It's late. I should go," Eddie said, heading to the front door even as he spoke. Metz nodded and followed to lock the door after him.

Ugh, you are so hopeless!

He stopped just as suddenly, turning fast enough that Metz almost ran into him. He mumbled a half-apology as his neighbor turned their face up at him expectantly, not moving back, and he began to wonder if maybe the symbiote was on to something again. It would be foolish, though, seeing how Metz mentioned not being interested in a romance. Not to mention his just confessed heartbreak. Anne's comment about Eddie never changing, about not loving anyone but himself reverberated in his head now. Even if what he wanted more than anything was to not sleep in an empty bed tonight, having a fling with the one person that could become a real friend seemed like a very bad idea. It was better to be alone, probably because all he wanted was someone next to him to fill the void.

Anne is wrong. We can change, Eddie.

Metz studied Eddie in the stretched silence, watching the emotions flickered in and out of his features. They waited patiently, though, remaining still to keep from being a distraction. He'd had a rough night. Hell, he'd had a rough couple of weeks at this point. They didn't mind giving him space to sort out whatever it is he wanted to say.

"Thanks. Again. Really. It meant a lot to me, having a solid acquaintance-friend to fall back on," he said, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. "So, thanks".

"Don't sweat it. I get the idea you'd do the same for me, if our situations were reversed," Metz said. Eddie nodded without hesitation. "Probably with less cooking and more take out, but it's the thought that counts, right?" Eddie laughed at the jab, Metz's own smile growing at how natural it sounded now.

"I'll make it up to you. After all, we're still on for that welcome tour, right?"

Oh, you snuck that in quite well!

"Yeah, of course, Eddie," Metz replied. "See you around?"

SUCCESS!

The symbiote seemed to have already forgotten its promise to change, but it didn't keep Eddie from smiling. "Good. Great! Yeah, I'll see you around," he said, finally stepping out of the apartment. "Night, Metz."