2This is being cross-posted from Ao3. it was originally posted on 23 December 2022.
Thank you to GaeilgeRua for allowing me the use of her Grammarly subscription to read this over. Any other mistakes are definitely my own.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury, and Warner Bros. Vemom belongs to Columbia Pictures in association with Marvel and Tencent Pictures, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. No copyright infringement is intended.
Prompt: Eddie Brock/Harry Potter + Roommate AU + Mutual Pining
Song Recommendation: The Christmas Song by Nat "King" Cole
I'm hungry.
"You're always hungry,"' Eddie told Venom, quietly talking to himself. He was sitting in his room trying to type up his latest article. "I told you we'd go and get something to eat after I file this piece. Be patient."
That was four hours ago. Your article sucks. I want to eat now.
"Jesus…" Eddie squeezed his eyes closed and tried to keep from losing his ever-loving mind. "This article is due in less than an hour. So just shut up for a minute and let me think." He sighed with relief when Venom was quiet, but not even five minutes later, he interrupted again.
If I can't eat, I want to talk to Magic Boy. He just got home, and he smells delicious…
"Are you serious right now?" Eddie sat back in his chair. "Please tell me you're not thinking of eating, my roommate. Also, his name is Harry, and he is the best roommate we've found, so please don't screw this up for us."
I don't want to eat him, but he does smell exceptionally tasty. It's his magic.
"Well, he's a wizard, which you know," Eddie said, opening his eyes to try and finish his article. "Now shove off for a minute so I can finish this and be done for the holidays."
Then we eat!
"Then we eat," seconded Eddie, finally working on his final paragraph.
When Harry returned to his new flat, he could hear Eddie talking to Venom in his room. Of course, he knew all about the symbiote and what he could do. However, after everything he'd been through, Harry wasn't afraid of living in such close proximity. He'd grown rather fond of Eddie over the past few months.
Harry and Eddie had a lot of fun watching the same movies and even chatting about the trauma and drama they'd been through. There was one thing, though… Harry had never had the chance to actually talk to Venom. Nevertheless, he was immensely curious about the symbiote and hoped that Eddie would introduce them soon.
That was why Harry had gone to the shop this evening. He knew Eddie was working on his article and would be hungry for dinner after he finished. It was Christmas Eve, so Harry planned to cook a turkey dinner for them. Well, three of them, if you counted Venom. With any hope, Harry could finally meet him, and then the three of them could live more comfortably instead of Eddie feeling like he had to hide the symbiote from him.
Listening to Eddie continue to scold Venom, Harry chuckled and began preparing dinner…
You've rewritten that final paragraph seven times. It's trash.
"I swear if you don't-"
Eddie didn't get a chance to finish his threat because it was then that Venom took control of his body and began typing furiously. He watched as his cohabitant fleshed out a well-rounded paragraph that would leave his readers wanting more. Eddie would never admit it, but it was damn good, and he was thankful for the help.
There. Send it to your editor. Now we can eat.
"You're something else, you know that?" Eddie asked, but he did as Venom said. He didn't even bother to add a personal message to the email because he knew that while his editor wanted it tonight, he wouldn't bother reading it until the day after Christmas.
Food. Food. Food. I smell FOOOOOOOD!
Actually, Eddie smelled food too. "Hmmm. I think Harry might be cooking." He stood up from the computer chair and stretched, ignoring his back cracking. "Let's go and see what he's up to, shall we?"
He entered the living room and saw Harry in the kitchen area fast at work. There was a big bowl of mashed potatoes, a plate of roasted veggies, and even gravy. Harry lifted a turkey out of the oven, fully cooked and ready to go. He must have used his magic to get this all done in the short time he'd been home, which was fantastic but wild at the same time.
"Hey," Harry said, spotting Eddie standing there. He set the turkey down on the table with everything else and added, "I hope you're hungry because I made us a Christmas feast."
"This is great," Eddie said, moving toward the table. He grabbed the back of the chair and watched Harry sit down, ready to carve into the turkey. "How did you do all of this?"
"A bit of magic," Harry said, winking.
Who cares how he did it. Let's eat!
"Don't be rude," Eddie hissed to Venom, not meeting Harry's stare. Then, to Harry, he said, "Sorry. Also, you didn't have to do all this. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Harry replied, swallowing and glancing away. He cared for Eddie and hoped that someday he might return the affection.
Whoa! Magic Boy likes you. I can smell his pheromones. You should kiss him. Then we can eat.
"I'm not going to do that," Eddie said, his eyes wide as he stared at Harry with a new light. He'd known the wizard had been showing signs of liking him for some time, but he'd tried not to act on anything. Eddie loved him as a roommate and desperately feared messing up their friendship.
"What is Venom saying?" Harry asked, watching Eddie closely.
"He can, uh, smell you," Eddie said, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. "He says that you like me. I'm sorry."
Harry simply laughed and shook his head. Then, getting up from the table and coming around to stand in front of Eddie, he said, "Can I talk to him? How does it work?"
He wants to talk to me?
"Apparently, so you better be nice," Eddie warned, tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling. "No eating him, or even trying to take a nibble or no Christmas turkey for you."
Spoilsport.
To Harry, Eddie said, "I'll let him come out for a minute, and you can talk to him."
Harry nodded, and before his eyes, the symbiote oozed out and took control of Eddie. "Whoa," Harry whispered, taking a step back so he could see him fully. "Hello. Nice to meet you."
Eddie likes you. He's scared to tell you.
Harry laughed and crossed his arms. "Well, I supposed he knows I like him too now," Harry said, shaking his head. "I wasn't sure how he'd react if I told him how I felt, so I cooked you dinner instead."
I love food. Can I eat turkey now?
"I think maybe we should all share, don't you think?" Harry asked, tilting his head. He was entirely intrigued by Venom. He loved that Eddie had this symbiote attached to him and could shift back and forth.
I guess. You seem cool. I'll see you later. I want dinner.
"You too, Venom," Harry replied and watched as Eddie reappeared. "That was something I never thought I'd see."
"I still can't believe it myself some days," Eddie said, rubbing a hand over his face. "I guess maybe we have some things to talk about?"
"We can do that later," Harry said, moving back to the table. "Let's eat dinner and then watch some Christmas movies. We can talk then."
"Yeah, alright," Eddie said and smiled. He was glad when Harry returned to smile as he sat across from him.
Inside his mind, he could hear Venom humming with happiness as they dished out food and began to eat. Eddie hadn't expected to learn about Harry's feelings and hadn't been ready to address his own. He supposed if ever there was a time to get close to the people you cared for, then the holidays were it. They'd figure it out one way or another.
While they ate their Christmas dinner, music played softly in the background.
And though it's been said many times, many ways… Merry Christmas… To you…