[ It helps, that Angela never responds with shock or surprise. Where people would start sounding alarms or pulling at his sleeves for his pulse or perspiration, she remains attentive to her principles and their mutual comfort. The hand at his back and the mopping of his brow is practical, yes, but it never veers into the territory of clinical professionalism— Venom knows that whenever she feels for him, she's doing so because she wants to. Not just for some perceived quid pro quo, and not just for the benefit of her 'patient'.
The understanding stills Venom's hands. It helps him put things into perspective. He smells warm florals mixed with fountain water, like waking to a patch of flowers under the shade of an old tree in Zaire.
Angela always smells gentle.
And really, Venom knows he has nothing to prove when it comes to Angela, so he slowly peels his hands off from that familiar face, meets her smile head-on, and curls sideways towards where his companion is settled on his knee. ]
—You're good. [ A long, slow exhale, and Venom puts his hand on Angela's shoulder. ] I might want to use your shower when we get to yours.
[ Look at him, not even asking if he can. He knows she'll say yes. ]
HEADLOCKS U
The understanding stills Venom's hands. It helps him put things into perspective. He smells warm florals mixed with fountain water, like waking to a patch of flowers under the shade of an old tree in Zaire.
Angela always smells gentle.
And really, Venom knows he has nothing to prove when it comes to Angela, so he slowly peels his hands off from that familiar face, meets her smile head-on, and curls sideways towards where his companion is settled on his knee. ]
—You're good. [ A long, slow exhale, and Venom puts his hand on Angela's shoulder. ] I might want to use your shower when we get to yours.
[ Look at him, not even asking if he can. He knows she'll say yes. ]