Chapter 3 is here! Thank you to everyone for reading, the favs, the follows and the reviews. It really means a lot.
Chapter 3
Harry was surprised how well he got on with Eddie and Venom. They had been meeting for a few weeks now, here and there.
They had talked politics and science, Venom telling stories about his home world and their rather army-like tendencies. Harry found it fascinating that there was a whole other race out there in the universes and galaxies.
He'd never given it much thought, after all, here on earth there were already many wonders and magic.
But Venom was a surprising conversationalist, and had knowledge and experiences that Harry was rather enraptured to hear. While the stories were under cut with lewd and rather perverse stories and innuendo which merely made Harry smirk or laugh.
Eddie was no better really. It seemed human and Symbiote had teamed up as wingman and wingman to help them both get into Harry's pants.
Harry could say honestly that it was rather humbling and exciting that they were so enamoured with him. So Harry kept saying yes to every invite.
There were many interesting ideas that also sprung to mind with the discussions on how Symbiotes worked and shared a host body and the abilities that came from it too.
Harry had originally thought Venom to be a parasite of sorts, with base instincts to grow and reproduce and to overtake the host body, but he had been proven wrong quite quickly. He also was stumped with the hiccup in his plan that not many bodies could assimilate to having a Symbiote share their body. It was something he has spent many hours reading and researching.
Between the late nights bent over books, Eddie would turn up at his office at random hours between his own work and would cajole Harry into going out for food or drinks or even just a ride on his bike.
Harry knew he'd soon have to start returning the interest more proactively. So Harry texted Eddie a time and place and had made sure to wear the tightest suit possible just to see the man and symbiote's reaction.
The Wizard had been holding out, enjoying watching both of them try to seduce him, stumbling and talking over each other at times in their excitement and haste.
But it was one evening, lounging back in his barstool, his fingers wrapped around the crystal of his whisky glass, that Harry knew that it was tonight.
"Want to continue drinks at my place?" Harry asked, taking a sip. He had many things in mind, the first being that he needed to be more honest, with Eddie, Venom, and himself.
Eddie seemed to jerk to a stop through his story, his eyes widening and his lips slowly curling into that smirk that had made Harry shiver.
They didn't take long to pay their bill, split evenly as always, as they made their way to the cab rank. Neither were drunk, but neither were they sober enough to take their car or bike home.
Harry and Eddie clambered into the back seat of the cab that pulled up, Harry knowingly pressing his side up against Eddie.
The low growl that tumbled from Eddie was soon drowned out with lips.
Harry could see the driver shoot them an amused glance when he pulled back and he made sure to keep his hands and lips to himself for the rest of the ride.
Eddie had wound his arm around Harry's shoulders, tucking him against his side. His lips and face were pressed into Harry's wild curls and he could tell the man and Symbiote both were breathing in his scent.
As they came to the bottom of Harry's driveway, they quickly paid the driver and tipped generously for the rather impolite display they had made and hastily exited the yellow cab.
Harry felt his wards flare up at the guest, soothing it with his magic to alert that Eddie was an invited and welcomed guest. He walked up the short drive to the front door, the large wooden doors towering up to the second story.
"You're certainly rich." Eddie said as he eyed the size of the place. It wasn't as ostentatious as some on the others around the area, but it was a large double story white stone house with dark wood decking and black tiles on the roof.
I can fit through this door. Our mate got this for us. So smart. Our mate.
Eddie ignored the Symbiote and his ramblings, instead looking around.
He could see even in the darkness the wall running around either side of the property and the well kept gardens.
Harry could only roll his eyes with a smile, unlocking the door with a tap of his ring against the wood.
"Haven't you realised by now, Mr Brock, that I am a rich man?" Harry teased.
Eddie didn't waste anytime, pushing Harry up against the wooden door as it began to open, using the inward movement to press the Englishman inside.
Venom was already purring, almost vibrating with his want to burst forth and shred that impossibly tight suit that still hugged every curve and sharp line without somehow splitting at the seams.
Eddie pressed his hands against Harry's hips and his nose was buried in the crook of his neck. His lips and tongue swiped over the exposed neck, travelling up to his ear and inhaling the whiff of musky cologne.
"Wait-" Harry started, even as he was pressed back into the door, his hips rising to meet Eddie's on instinct as he tilted his head to the side. His breathy moans seemed to only spur his large guest on and Harry chuckled as he felt the teeth elongate and scrape against his neck.
"He isn't going to bite me, is he?" Harry asked Eddie.
"You can ask me yourself." Venom's dark voice rumbled out against the sensitive skin of Harry's neck.
Harry shuddered and felt the hands on his hips tighten, forcing a gasp from his lips.
"Oh no, Mister. I'm not letting you have your way just yet." Harry said with a smirk, a quick burst of magic forcing the man back.
Harry could see the mid-morph of Eddie and Venom, sharing their face and body. He moved to the parlour where his bar was fully stocked, knowing his guest would follow. Shedding his jacket and throwing it over the back of a large armchair, he loosened the top button of his shirt and ran his fingers through his hair. He had to take a moment as he walked to just breathe and calm his racing heart.
Eddie followed at a more sedate pace, willing Venom back as well. He didn't want the Symbiote ripping the man's shirt open just to get to more of that skin.
Need to mark him. He needs to be ours, Eddie.
Eddie couldn't help but agree, even as he watched the other man, in this rather modestly decorated home. There wasn't anything too ostentatious nor did anything look to have been bought with the purpose to impress, like some of the other famous people in the area who'd buy gold statues of anything just to have people ooh and ahh over them.
Harry poured them both a glass of whiskey, straight, as he handed it to the other man and took a seat in one of the armchairs.
"So, did you want to actually start the observations soon? I think we'll have a free period of a few days next week as my story has finished and is now in the editing phase. I should be able to come down to your labs?" Eddie asked, going back to their conversation from earlier at the bar just to fill the heavy silence.
"That would be great. I'll just want to run some tests, see how great Venom is compared to all his boasting."
I am great. I'm the greatest! Venom growled out at the slight although he was held at bay by Harry's teasing tone and smirk.
Harry sipped his whiskey, watching the man before him. He really did feel a strong attraction to Eddie, and the more time spent with Venom he could sense the pull that was there.
Maybe it was their base instinct to lure their mates in, but with no real understanding or research into Symbiote's Harry really had no clue. So he just went on his own instincts and knowing his luck, he usually was pretty on point with it.
Harry sipped at his glass, feeling satisfaction tingle in his lower gut as Eddie's eyes followed every movement, even the bob in his throat as he swallowed.
"I do find myself attracted to you," Harry stated upfront, seeing Eddie enraptured with his every word.
"That's great news. You know the feeling is more than mutual."
"I know, Eddie, which is why I think it's time for me to put aside just my scientific side who's quite interested in Venom and Symbiotes and what that will mean for my research, and to face you as, well, just Harry."
He swirled his whiskey and took another sip before continuing. "You've never brought up how I have been able to fend you off, nor all the other strange occurrences that sometimes happen, which I know you notice, for which I am grateful. So I want to be honest and tell you, about me, my real story."
And so Harry did, knowing that revealing this to a muggle, a muggle with an alien parasite, but a muggle nonetheless was breaking the statute but, to hell with it. Eddie seemed shocked at first, but kept silent and let Harry fill in all the gaps from stories they'd talked about already. How Harry's alma mater was actually a school for witchcraft and wizardry and the moving staircases and towers and paintings and how all of that was why Hugo wasn't able to go.
Of his parents and the war for light and how much he had to go through to finally defeat Voldermort, and how despite everything he and his friends had given up and fought for, they were now faced with their worst challenge yet in the form of little Hugo. How he had held his friends when they had first had the diagnosis, had helped renovate their house to accomodate a child with a disability and was there with every magical potion and spell he could with all his healer training.
"And that despite magic being able to do practically everything, the one thing it can't seem to do is cure Hugo."
Harry knew his voice was getting raw with talking and emotion and his drink had long since been emptied.
Eddie had sat across from him the whole time, his face betraying none of what he likely felt but it was the fact he listened all the same which meant, well, everything to Harry.
It dawned on him then just how much Eddie and Venom had come to mean to him in the past month or so.
"Harry, you're amazing." Eddie said bluntly, standing and taking the two strides to come and kneel before his armchair. "What you've been through has made you the man you are today, and I think that you're damn resilient to still be fighting for Hugo. Thank you for telling me. It's a bit much to all take in but I'll get there, and let me tell you it only took me less than 24 hours to come to terms with V, so I'm confident I'll get there. I have a whole bunch of questions, but those can wait. Right now, you look like you need your bed."
And for once, Venom was silent with his usual quips. It seemed the revelation was also a shock to the Symbiote.
Eddie helped Harry to his room, leaving him at the bedroom doorway. Their flirting and banter was gone in the wake of this more somber, but enlightening mood.
"I'll come by the office tomorrow as usual?" Eddie asked as Harry walked towards his bed, the fireplace against the wall coming to life.
His words seemed to halt Harry, who turned back, his face in the dim light of the room looking tired. "Won't you stay? I'm not up for anything more… physical, but the company would be nice."
Eddie didn't hesitate to cross the threshold, already shutting the door behind him. "Of course I'll stay."
As they shed their clothes til they were in their boxers and briefs, they lay down, facing together, arms around each other both and their legs entwined.
It was the first time they both fell asleep without any worries, content in each other's arms.
/
It hadn't taken them long for their baser instincts and attraction to pull them back to bed. It had actually only been on Friday, a few days after the big magic revelation that Eddie had showed up at his office, soaking wet but holding the large bag of take-out Chinese under his leather jacket.
Harry had been to the gym earlier and had gotten caught in the rain too, having had a shower in his bathroom off to the side of his office. He wore his sweatpants that slung low on his hips and a black t-shirt. He knew Eddie would be coming and he didn't have anywhere else to go after this, so he'd kept himself comfortable for the evening.
It was just about 6:30pm when Eddie came through the elevator, his hair sticking to his forehead and dripping rain off his jacket. Harry couldn't help but laugh at the sorry look Eddie made, knowing the Symbiote and man both were unhappy with the downpour which slashed against the windows.
It was already past sunset, let alone the storm which made the world seem all the more dark, the flashes of lightening that light up the city was the only way to see out into the downpour.
"Hopefully the egg rolls aren't soggy." Eddie complained even as he placed the plastic bag on the large glass coffee table, the rain drops already pooling on the glass.
Eddie shrugged off his jack and shook his head to get his hair to not stick to his forehead so much. Running his fingers through it to push the locks back he could feel Harry's eyes on him. He only lifted a brow with a cheeky smirk, knowing that Harry was already rolling his eyes even as he caught the towel the Brit threw to him.
"I'm sure it's fine." Harry waved a hand, the bag and food drying and reheating instantly.
Venom shivered. He always shivered when Harry used magic.
Since the big revelation, Eddie had awoken to Harry walking into the bedroom floating a tray of food and coffee, a jug of juice following behind it as it settled on the large ottoman at the end of the bed.
Eddie shed his jacket and toweled his hair, trying to make himself a little more presentable. He felt a tingle rush over him as Harry dried his clothes, the American shooting the Brit a grateful smile to be rid of his soaked jeans from sticking to him thighs.
As they sat and ate, side by side on the leather couch it dawned on Eddie how normal this now felt. Gone were the nights of sitting at home with V and watching random reality TV. This past month with Harry had actually been the most fun he'd had in ages, and the most he'd gotten out and actually enjoyed himself. Eddie looked over at Harry, always in awe of the man.
Harry could feel the eyes on him so he raised a brow in silent question, even as he scooped another mouthful of fried rice into his mouth.
"Just realised that I've seen you well, nearly every day since we've met." Eddie started to explain, setting aside his box of food. "I mean, it's not a bad thing. I like you, a lot. I think it just hit me again that I'm serious about this. More than I've ever been. I want you, Harrison Potter-Black. More than I've ever wanted anything."
Harry blinked at the sudden revelation from Eddie but he smiled, so tender and sweet he even shocked himself at the warmth blooming in chest. He set aside his take out, leaning forward to kiss Eddie. It was soft and gentle, as he tried to convey his feelings through the press of his lips.
When Harry pulled back he let his hand brush over the stubble of Eddie's chin. "I want you too Eddie. And Venom. It's been a strange and exhilarating experience, this past month, but I trust you and for me, that's everything I need."
Eddie didn't waste any time, pushing Harry back into the couch, his body pressed to Harry's, his lips and tongue already exploring. Harry didn't hesitate in responding, his arms wrapped around the broad body above him as they tangled themselves up, lost in their lines of where who stopped and who began.
There was heat and urgency and pain, sharp like the lightening that crashed outside the window but it was soothed away with hands and lips, and the underlying emotion that permeated the air was of trust and acceptance and so much want.
Two, who became three, who became one.