Death By Chocolate: Miguel O'Hara/Venom X reader

Chapter 2

NOTE: While there is no 'in the moment' domestic violence, the topic is addressed in this fic and in this chapter. Take care and take caution. I will never glorify or sexualize DV. It is only ever mentioned as a past experience that YN is healing from.

YN POV

The bell above the door chimes, halting your hands twisting a block of fudge in plastic wrap on the cool, stone counter. The chocolate shop has been slow all day, so, when you walk out of the back room to the front, tugging your gloves off and shoving them in the pocket of your apron to join the other dirty gloves, you do so with a smile.

The smile falters when you make it behind the front counter and see the familiar face walk into your shop. Swallowing, you push past the stumbling thoughts in your head. "Welcome to Death by Chocolate!" You clear your throat to lower your strained voice back to normal. "How are you today?"

You have a new regular. A man who's been coming in a couple times a week for the last two months. And every time, he takes the breath out of you. He's so tall that you have to tilt your chin up just to look at his face. Which is hard because it's chiseled from sun-kissed stone. His brown eyes are always intense. Just as intense as the rest of his sharp features. The flowing brown hair looks so so soft, but it doesn't make it any easier to look at him. His tall body is made of bulging muscles that can't hide under even the biggest trench coat. Not that he tries to hide them. His waist tapers, only to flare back out into solid thighs.

Needless to say, he's the highlight of your week. Mostly because of the amount of money he drops every time he comes in.

His stride is long as he comes up to the counter with a tightening of his lips. Never a smile. Which is fine because his voice is so low and smooth, like perfectly tempered chocolate. "Morning."

Your smile returns in full force. "It's two PM, actually. But I can still accept the pleasantries."

He blinks with his long lashes and looks around in confusion for a second. Trying to act casual despite your pounding heart, you plant your hands on the cool stone counter and lean your weight over your arms. "Anything special in mind today?"

His gaze goes distant for a second, then it snaps to you. You refrain from wilting under it, but only just. "What?"

With a swallow, you say, "anything special in mind today? Truffles, nut clusters, fudge...?"

His gaze goes distant again, then he frowns to himself. "No, just dark chocolate bark. And some milk chocolate bark. And m&m bark."

"Sure thing," you laugh. Same ole, same ole.

"And a party platter," he adds.

Your brows jerk up as you look at his handsome face. "Wow! Going crazy today!"

He sighs and crosses his huge arms over his huge chest. The seams of his blue t-shirt strain, and it takes you a long second before you get over yourself and lean away from the counter to get to work. It always takes a long time to package up this man's order. You wish you could set up a scheduled pick up with him, but he's never broached the subject. In fact, you hardly talk at all as you wrap up his enormous order.

You've at least had the sense to stock up on the plain chocolate bark he always orders. Enough that you've had to place extra orders for cacao beans. Tugging a fresh pair of black gloves on your hands, you head to the far display cabinet where the usually untouched bark is. The muttering starts up after a few moments. He always mutters to himself and paces the chocolate shop. The first time he came in and demanded all your chocolate, you didn't ask what it was for. He was in a sour mood then, and you were intent on getting him his chocolate as quickly as possible. But he was much calmer the next time... until you asked him what the chocolate was for. You haven't asked since.