Hello everyone!
I'm posting this next chapter today, since I'm going to a cousin's wedding tomorrow and can't post it then. This is a Christmas chapter, and in the spirit of the season, I have a little present for y'all: a new cover image!
The cover image was drawn by an artist on Twitter ( elitesaiyanart) and colored in by me, and features our favorite pair of best friends! I hope you all like it, and enjoy the chapter!
Venom and the Meaning of Christmas
HURRY UP, LET'S GO, Venom said impatiently.
"Give me a minute," Eddie replied, still putting on his shoes. "The fun stuff isn't going anywhere soon."
BUT WE WANNA GO NOW, the symbiote complained, shooting a tentacle from the teenager's back and grabbing the doorknob. The next thing Eddie knew, he was being pulled across the room, flipping once through the air before landing on his back.
"... Ow," the boy groaned as the alien poked his head out of his chest.
"SORRY," Venom said, though he still looked anxious to leave. "JUST WANTED TO HURRY THINGS UP; YOU'RE VERY SLOW."
"Maybe, but I'm a human being, not a marionette," Eddie replied sorely, sitting up and holding the back of his head. "You trying to break my neck or something?"
"OF COURSE NOT," the alien replied, disappearing back into his host's chest. BUT WE CAN FIX YOUR BACK REAL QUICK, SINCE YOU'RE BEING SUCH A BABY! The pain vanished at that moment.
"Keep acting like that and I'll stay here instead of going to Union Square," the teenager stated, frowning a little.
The symbiote's attitude instantly changed, and he poke his head out of the boy's shoulder.
"WE'RE SORRY, WE'RE SORRY," Venom said quickly. "PLEASE, WE WANNA SEE THE CHRISTMAS TREE!"
"Don't worry, V," Eddie replied, chuckling a little. "I forgive you. Besides, I know how excited you've been for tonight."
"YEAH!" He vanished back into his host's body. "NOW LET'S GET CHRISTMAS-ING!"
"That's not a word," the teen reminded him.
"NOW IT IS!"
The boy chuckled. "Okay, then. Let's go, then."
A little over an hour later, Eddie was doing his best to keep the symbiote from poking out of his shoulders or chest so he could get a better look at all the sights of Christmas in the city.
It being Venom's first Christmas, the teenager was determined to show his friend all that it was about. He decided Union Square would be a great place; there were a lights there, a giant Christmas Tree, and even an ice skating rink. Nearby stores has Christmas and holiday displays, making the area awash with green, red, and white lights. At first, the number of people and noise made the alien uneasy and frightened, but he quickly got over it when he spotted a nearby hot chocolate stand.
WHY ARE WE JUST NOW LEARNING OF THIS, he asked. DRINK-ABLE CHOCOLATE?!
"I take it you want a cup," Eddie muttered, smiling a little.
WE WANT TWO! He sensed his host's slight frown. WE WANT TWO PLEASE.
"Close enough. Coming right up!"
They spent the next couple hours wandering around, with the human pointing out and explaining things to his extraterrestrial friend. Venom especially liked the tree, which was over thirty feet tall and covered in bright lights and ornaments. Despite the unusually cold weather, there was a street musician playing a guitar and singing Christmas carols. The whole atmosphere was bright and cheery, and if the alien were allowed to poke his head out, he would no doubt have wide eyes and the biggest smile on his face.
WOW, Venom said as Eddie was sitting on a bench after ice skating for a while. THIS IS GREAT! NOTHING LIKE WE'VE EVER SEEN AGAIN!
"I take it they don't have something like Christmas on your planet," Eddie asked, still a little worn out from skating.
NO WAY! A DAY OF CELEBRATING DECORATED TREES AND PRESENTS? NO ONE BACK HOME WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT.
"I guess so," the boy replied, sighing a little. "But I don't think you've really gotten the concept of Christmas."
YES WE HAVE, the symbiote protested. IT'S ALL ABOUT PRESENTS AND CHOCOLATE AND BRIGHT LIGHTS AND SINGING! WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE ABOUT?
Eddie was quiet for a bit, as if deep in thought. Then he got to his feet, walking with purpose to the nearest bus stop. The sudden seriousness of his host made Venom wonder if he had said something wrong. However, he couldn't sense any anger or disappointment from the teenager, and decided to see where they were going. Getting on a bus, they rode back towards the area where Eddie lived, getting off in front of a large building the alien recognized.
EDDIE'S CHURCH, he thought as the human climbed the front steps and through the front door.
The church was large and beautiful, with high ceilings, colorful windows, and a high altar in the front with a solitary man hanging from a wooden cross. After quickly genuflecting, Eddie headed towards a area off to the side but near the altar. It was something the symbiote hadn't noticed before (he usually didn't pay much attention whenever Eddie and his father went here), and he recognized it as something he had spotted a few times earlier that day.
WHAT IS THAT AGAIN, Venom asked as Eddie knelt in front of it, looking at the figures in the small wooden structure.
It's a manger scene, the teenager replied, not speaking aloud. It shows the origin of Christmas.
REALLY? WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY PRESENTS OR A TREE OR ANYTHING.
Because that's not what Christmas is about, Eddie explained. It's about Him. He indicated to the baby laying in the center of the scene. It's about the birth of the Savior of the World.
SAVIOR OF THE... WE THOUGHT YOU SAID HE'S GUY ON THAT CROSS UP THERE.
It is, but Christmas is about His birth. He couldn't have died for us if He wasn't born first. This holiday celebrates that, as well as family. He looked over at the mother and father that looked down at the child with heartfelt expressions. Happiness and love, being together, fathers and mothers and children... The gifts and the lights remind us of what we have to be happy about, and show our thanks for the blessings we have. Blessings given to us by Him
Venom thought over his host's words, unfamiliar with the feeling of family and togetherness. As if sensing his confusion, the boy continued.
Remember that one song you liked, Eddie asked. The one that guy sang?
YES.
The teenager nodded in reply, then started to hum along. The symbiote liked the noise and tune of the song, and it made him happy. He looked back at the manger scene, still thinking over Eddie's words and what they meant. A holiday not about presents and material things, but rather the love of being in a family? His own family weren't loving, and he couldn't imagine what it'd be like to be a part of one that was.
BUT EDDIE'S HAPPY, the alien thought, noticing the warmth in his host's chest as he smiled and hummed tune of the song. AND HE'S MADE ME FEEL HAPPY SINCE ARRIVING HERE. MAYBE... WE CAN CELBRATE WITH HIM. HE AND HIS DAD CAN BE OUR FAMILY.
Eddie continued to hum on, the soft glow and warmth of the church surrounding him and Venom like a warm blanket.
Joy to the world!
The Lord has come!
Let Earth receive her King!
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
and Heav'n and nature sing,
and Heav'n and nature sing,
and Heav'n, and Heav'n and nature sing!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!
-aggiefrogger