Identity Crisis

In The Closet

NOTES: Amazing Spider-Man and Venom take place in the same universe. Venom taking place in California while Spider-Man goes on in New York. This happens after No Way Home meaning that all characters involved are safely over 18. With Peter Parker/Spiderman being 25 and Eddie Brock being 32. The symbiote is an adult for its species and is well over 18 years old. I'm using 90s era Val Kilmer as a faceclaim for Eddie but all events of the Tom Hardy films are unedited.

Chapter One: In The Closet

The streets are busy in Queens. The hustle and bustle, brushing shoulders with Eddie and his constant companion. Each time sends a chill up the human's spine as Venom traverses under his skin, ready to defend. The car horns give Eddie a migraine courtesy of Venom. With a box of cubicle knickknacks and the jaded attitude of someone twice his age, Eddie steps into the building.

It's one of those older skyscrapers. The ones that house twenty companies, leasing out half a floor to each. The first floor is the general receptionist's desk, an open lounge and building management. Eddie nods to the girl at the front desk and gets no response. He forgot that much about New York. Everybody acts too busy to give a shit. A general apathy for others hangs in the air like a cloud.

He looks at the information board on the wall. 'The Daily Bugle - 5a'. Eddie steps onto the elevator with a tired expression. He's never been a fan of Daily publications. The Bugle was always a joke to him, seemingly more interested in making people mad than reporting any actual news. Maintaining an edgy brand reputation all about 'exposing the truth no one else is brave enough to show'. Which is probably the only reason they hired Eddie Brock at all. So they could brag about taking the blacklisted rebel reporter who's not afraid to get his hands dirty. Something along those lines.

Just before the elevator door closes, a young, fluffy-haired man in a blue flannel comes running towards it. Calling out for it to hold. Eddie sticks his foot between the door, holding it open. Flannel boy jogs in, letting out a  "Thank you" in a sort of sing-songy voice.

"What floor?" Eddie asks, slipping seamlessly back into the New York attitude.

"Five." Flannel boy stiffens up, also taking on a very New York attitude. He quickly breaks character, glancing to the side as Eddie struggles to press the button. Raising an eyebrow as he leans over to press the button for the older guy. Eddie looks like a thirty-something that's seen some shit. Probably because that's exactly what he is. "That's a lot of stuff you got there."

"It's not heavy."

"You new? You don't seem like you're from around here. I'm Peter by the way." Peter awkwardly fumbles over this social interaction. He knows he's seen this guy before. He can't remember where from.

"From the Bronx. Left New York for a long while. It's meaner than I remember."

"Everybody says that, but I dunno. I've never lived anywhere else."

"California is mean too. New York turns a blind eye, keeps walking. California can't mind its own business. Mean because they care."

Peter squints at the blonde before making the connection. He saw this guy on TV a few years ago. It's hard to recognize him without his rugged leather jacket. Seeing the guy in a tie and dress pants is kind of alien. "Are you Eddie Brock?"

Eddie knows by now that most people who know him by name don't think too highly of him. "No, that's some other asshole." He lies. He looks around the elevator as if searching for an exit. The elevator has a door on two sides. One for the a and b sections of any given floor.

Finally, the door opens. The notorious J. Jonah Jameson is having a one sided shouting match with what Eddie would assume is the editor. Eddie can't help but flinch at the noise. Jameson stops his tangent in his tracks. "Mr. Brock! Where have you been!" The man is still shouting but Eddie can at least tell the guy is joking around, "I needed you in here years ago!"