You sprawled lazily on the grass, the soft green blades cushioning you as the sun's warmth wrapped around you like a cozy blanket. It was the kind of day that made your muscles melt and your brain forget its troubles—well, almost. Venom, your ever-present and utterly unpredictable partner, was wrapped snugly around you, his tendrils occasionally giving you a playful squeeze. His voice, dripping with amusement, purred in your ear.

"I'll admit it—I never thought you'd fold so easily," he teased, his tone equal parts affection and smugness.

A lopsided smile crept onto your face, and you let out a soft, tired laugh. "What can I say? You're persistent," you shot back, your voice carrying just enough sass to remind him who really wore the pants in this duo.

Venom chuckled, the sound vibrating pleasantly through your chest. His tendrils traced lazy patterns over you, like he was doodling on your skin. "Persistent? I prefer 'resourceful.' If I hadn't been, we'd never have gotten Spider-Man out of that mess."

The mention of Spidey jolted your brain out of its sun-soaked haze. Stretching like a cat, you propped yourself up on one elbow, staring into the serene meadow. "Speaking of," you mumbled, punctuating it with a big yawn, "I should probably get back. He's probably flipping out by now."

Venom shrugged, the picture of laid-back confidence. "That's your call. But do you really want to show your face after that little... meltdown?" His inky black eyes glinted with mischief, daring you to defend yourself.

You gnawed absentmindedly on your bottom lip, Venom's words hitting a little too close to home. The thought of Spidey witnessing your less-than-graceful outburst made your stomach flip. "Yeah... maybe not my best look," you admitted quietly.

Turning toward Venom, you fixed him with a searching look. "But hey," you started, your voice softer now, "can I ask you something? Would you ever... you know, pick someone else? Another host?"

His reaction was instant, his tendrils stiffening slightly as his eyes widened. "Another host?" he repeated, sounding almost offended. "Why would I even think about that? I have you, Y/N. You're my perfect partner. There's no one else I'd rather be stuck with."

His sincerity hit you like a warm breeze, and for a moment, you just stared at him, a small smile tugging at your lips. "Okay, okay," you said with a chuckle, sinking back into the grass. "You really know how to flatter a person."

Venom's laughter rumbled softly. "You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not."

And honestly? You were starting to like it.

SCENEBREAK

The alleys, bathed in shadow and reeking of rot, had become your begrudging home, their familiar decay a bitter reminder of how far you'd fallen. As you sifted through refuse, the low growl of your stomach was matched only by the low hum of despair in your chest. Then, like a crack of lightning in a midnight storm, an unfamiliar voice split the silence.

"You scrape the bottom of life's barrel," the voice mused, cool and authoritative, "but why? Is survival worth this indignity, when you could claim something far greater?"

Startled, you spun around, heart hammering. Standing there, as if plucked from some ancient myth, was a woman whose presence demanded attention. Her hair cascaded in a stark, snowy waterfall, framing sharp, piercing eyes. She wore black armor—gleaming, scaled, and unmistakably forged from the hide of some colossal beast. Behind her, a shadow stirred, and from it emerged a dragon. Its fiery eyes locked onto you with predatory focus, and its growl rumbled like distant thunder.

"Mother," the dragon hissed, its tongue flicking the air, "this one reeks of uncertainty. Danger even. Are you sure she's worth the risk?"

Venom, ever attuned to your peril, rippled across your body, forming jagged tendrils that coiled protectively. His voice dripped with venom, pun intended, as he snapped at the dragon. "Watch it, lizard-breath. You don't want to know what I can do."

The dragon hissed, fangs glinting as it reared its head, but before things could spiral, the woman raised her hand in a sharp, commanding gesture. "Enough," she said. Her voice didn't shout; it didn't need to. The sheer authority in her tone was enough to make even the dragon fall silent.

Her gaze softened—slightly—as she turned back to you. "I see something in you," she said. "Something worth saving. I can offer you more than this." She gestured to the grimy alley, her disdain evident. "But it's your choice."

You hesitated, glancing at Venom, who pulsed against your skin in silent tension. The woman's hand, outstretched and waiting, was an invitation. Behind her, the dragon's glowing eyes never left you, a reminder of the danger her world promised. But the glint in her gaze wasn't malice—it was belief.

It was tempting. Anything had to be better than this scavenger's life, right? You felt Venom's presence shift, less hostile, almost contemplative.

"You've got guts, offering us a hand," he murmured in your mind. "Maybe it's worth seeing where this goes."

With a deep breath, you reached out, your fingers brushing against hers. Her grip was firm, steady, and the warmth of it sent a spark of hope down your spine. "Alright," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. "I'll bite. What now?"

A smile ghosted across her lips. "Now," she said, pulling you forward with ease, "your real life begins."