Hey everyone!

My thesis is FINALLY finished! Hooray! To celebrate that, AND the upcoming holiday of Thanksgiving, here's a chapter about Venom's first Thanksgiving!

Hope you all like it, and Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate it!

Venom's First Thanksgiving

CAN WE GO NOW, Venom asked, stirring irritably in Eddie's chest.

You know we can't, Eddie thought back. We're not leaving until Saturday.

BUT WE WANNA GO NOW, the symbiote whined. IT'S BORING HERE! NOT TO MENTION THERE'S ALL THESE BRATS RUNNING AROUND!

They're not brats, the young teenager protested.

At that moment, three of Eddie's younger cousins ran past him, laughing and playfully shoving one another as they ran into another part of his aunt's house. The house was much bigger than the Brock residence back in San Francisco, and it had to be; his aunt had six children of her own, and with all the other relatives that had come for Thanksgiving, the house was filled to the brim with kids.

WE STILL DON'T SEE WHY EVERYONE'S HERE JUST FOR A SINGLE MEAL, the alien continued, flinching a little as one of the kids let out a high-pitched squeal. AND IF WE HAVE TO BE HERE, WHY IT HAS TO BE OPEN TO TINY HUMANS THAT RELIEVE THEMSELVES IN THEIR OWN CLOTHES?

It's something we do here in America, Eddie replied, wandering down the hall in the direction of the guest room he and a few other cousins were sharing.

GREAT! SO WE CRASH-LAND IN AMERICA, AND NOW WE HAVE TO GO TO A STUPID MEAL!

Dude, Thanksgiving is one of the BEST meals you'll ever eat!

BUT THERE'S NO CHOCOLATE OR TATER TOTS! The boy could sense the symbiote's annoyance. HOW CAN A MEAL BE 'THE BEST' IF THERE'S NO TATER TOTS OR CHOCOLATE?!

But there's a bunch of other stuff, the young teenager reminded him. There's turkey, butter and rolls, pumpkin pie-

WE DON'T WANT ANY OF THAT STUFF, Venom snapped, a few wriggling tendrils appearing out of Eddie's back.

"Chill, V," the boy whispered out loud, closing the door to the room behind him; thankfully it was empty. "You need to stop acting like a spoiled child; you're giving me a headache!"

"WE'RE GIVING YOU A HEADACHE," the alien replied, sticking his head out of his host's shoulders, bringing it around to face him. "THIS WHOLE PLACE IS MAKING US UPSET! SCREAMING KIDS, GOSSIPING RELATIVES, AND DISGUSTING FOOD-"

"That you've never tried before," Eddie reminded him. "Seriously, dude! You keep complaining about the cousins, but you're acting just like them!"

"WHAT?! NO WE AREN'T!"

"Yes, you are!"

"WE DON'T WET OURSELVES WHEN WE SLEEP!"

"You're a literal blob of goo!"

"WE STILL DON'T WET OURSELVES!"

The young teenager face-palmed, taking a deep breath as he tried to reason with the parasitic alien.

"Okay, I understand you don't like it here," he said. "But please, can you at least make it through Thanksgiving dinner without complaining? It'll be easier once it's over; I think one of my uncles mentioned watching a Christmas movie later tonight!"

The symbiote grumbled, baring his teeth a little.

"How about this," Eddie suggested. "My aunt has a cat; if you behave, I'll let you take over it and have some time out around the property." The symbiote liked taking over cats, since he could attack smaller animals with his 'predatory' instincts, as well as act like a jerk without anyone getting mad at him.

"REALLY," Venom asked, seeming to brighten up at the prospect. "WE THOUGHT YOU SAID WE COULDN'T TAKE OVER CATS AFTER WHAT WE DID TO THE NEIGHBOR'S!"

"Then consider this an incentive to be on your best behavior," the boy replied. "Though don't kill the cat; my aunt likes that animal more than most people."

The alien grinned widely, which made his host both relieved and worried. "WE PROMISE TO BE MORE CAREFUL THIS TIME! AND WE WON'T COMPLAIN AT ALL!"

"You sure," the young teen asked, arching an eyebrow. "You don't think its too difficult?"

"HA," the alien scoffed. "WE CAN HANDLE ANYTHING! ESPECIALLY A FEW KIDS AND SOME BAD FOOD!"

"You sure were complaining about them a minute ago-"

"WE ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE," Venom said, sinking back into Eddie's shoulder. NOW LET'S HURRY THIS UP; WE NOTICED A FLOCK OF CROWS OUTSIDE EARLIER, AND WE WANT SOME!

The boy sighed, opening the door and leaving the room. This was going to be a long day.

[][][]

In all honesty, Venom WAS determined to fulfil his promise to his host, but he may have exaggerated how easy and willing he was to go along with it.

It didn't help that there were a lot of kids around, relatives of Eddie's. Their high-pitched screams made the symbiote grit his metaphorical teeth, but every time he came close to complaining, he remembered his promise. Though Eddie wasn't making it any easier, volunteering to supervise and participate in a human game called 'football' with the younger cousins outside.

However, Venom soon found himself having fun, and could not help but enjoy spending more time with Eddie's younger cousins. He wondered if any of them would be suitable hosts, but he figured that a black blob creature crawling into their skin would probably cause them to panic.

Dinner, the part he had been dreading the most, was actually enjoyable. After a prayer, everyone went around the table saying something they were thankful for. Apparently, this whole holiday was a time for humans to get together and be grateful for all the good things they had. Eddie, on his turn, simply mentioned that he was grateful for 'good friends,' and the alien felt warm with happiness and gratitude.

Afterwards, there was the food. Turns out, all the food there was MUCH better than Venom could have ever imagined. Even better than tater tots! And there was more food in one place than he had ever seen before; sides of potatoes, casseroles, rolls, and cranberry sauce. There was also a giant turkey, whose meat was leaner than beef and pork, but still delicious. And who knew that pie made from a squash could taste so good? Venom ended up prodding Eddie to eat seconds of everything, just so he could taste everything again.

YOU HUMANS AREN'T VERY SMART, Venom said delicately after the meal as the two of them sat on a couch. WHY CAN'T YOU HAVE THIS MEAL EVERY NIGHT? WHY ONLY ONCE A YEAR?

It's a history thing, Eddie thought back. Though I take by your comment that you liked the dinner? He smiled a little. I noticed you wanted me to eat a third slice of pumpkin pie!

WE WANTED IT, the symbiote replied. EVERYTHING WAS SO GOOD! WHY HAVE YOU NOT TOLD US ABOUT THIS DELICIOUS FOOD SOONER?!

Uh, I did, and you complained and said tater tots were better!

TATER TOTS! The alien shifted around the boy's stomach. HOW CAN WE GO BACK TO THAT AFTER THIS?

Welcome to being an American, his host replied. We only do this once a year, though we also have similar big meals at Christmas and Easter.

GOOD… GOOD. Venom paused. EDDIE?

Yeah, V?

WE… ARE SORRY FOR INSULTING YOUR FAMILY AND FOOD EARLIER, the alien said honestly and sincerely. AND FOR LYING BY SAYING WE COULD HANDLE IT. YOUR COUSINS ARE NOT SO ANNOYING, AND THERE IS FOOD BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE BARS.

Thanks, dude, the young teenager thought, smiling a little. That's nice of you to say. And I forgive you.

AND, SINCE WE DIDN'T GET TO SAY ANYTHING EARLIER, WE ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE YOU AS OUR HOST.

Eddie smiled, holding up his hand as a miniature tendril poked itself out of his palm and waved at him.

"Same to you," he whispered as the tendril disappeared. "But I guess you'll want to take over that cat now?" He made to get up from his seat. "I can try to find it-"

NO, the alien said. YOU MENTIONED WATCHING A CHRISTMAS MOVIE EARLIER; WE HADN'T PLANNED ON LIKING YOUR 'CHRISTMAS' TRADITIONS, BUT NOW WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE!

Really? The boy nodded. Okay, then! Though why you'd hate a holiday that gives you presents is beyond me!

WAIT… WE GET PRESENTS?!

Have a great day, everyone!

-aggiefrogger