A/N: Sooo, IDK where this story came from, I haven't even seen Venom because I can't get anything from the library right now. So I've just been watching snippets on youtube and reading everyone's fanfiction, cuz I don't give two hoots about spoilers. Next thing I know, I have a document open and I'm writing a story for a movie I haven't even seen? But it wrote itself so smoothly that I figured I may as well publish it. So here you go I guess, enjoy. Don't own Venom, R&R, etc.

"WHAT IS THIS PLACE?"

Eddie glanced up at the store he was walking past, "This is a pet store. It's where people get things for their pets. Food, toys, supplies, that kinda thing. You can get pets here as well."

Eddie could feel Venom's curiosity growing and walked into the store before the symbiote said anything. Figuring the detour wouldn't hurt.

An employee glanced up from the register. "Sir, we're closing in a few minutes. Can I help you find anything?"

"No, I won't be long, just a quick look around."

Eddie wandered through the aisles, glancing over dog toys, lizard food, and a vast assortment of fish tank decorations. His companion was quiet until they reached the wall of fish tanks, then Eddie felt a spike of interest in his mind and Venom finally spoke.

"WHY ARE ALL THE TINY FISH HERE?"

"They're here for people to buy, to take home."

"CAN WE EAT THEM?"

"No, we can't eat the fish."

"THEN WHAT ARE THEY FOR?"

Eddie shrugged as he continued strolling past the tanks full of brightly colored fish, "People like keeping them as pets; like cats or dogs."

"BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY PURPOSE LIKE CATS OR DOGS. ALL THEY DO IS SWIM."

"People like looking at them. They like the colors and stuff, and they're lower maintenance than other pets, or if you don't have the room for larger animals. People like having another living thing around, sometimes just plants or a little fish is enough."

Eddie stopped and looked into the tanks in front of him, watching the colorful fish swirl around. He felt Venom emerge from his shoulder and quickly pulled his hood up to cover the small head of the symbiote. The pet store was almost empty this close to closing, so Eddie didn't mind Venom appearing. He allowed Venom to show himself in emptier places sometimes, knowing that the symbiote liked seeing things with his own eyes when discovering something new, but he did take precautions whenever he appeared.

Venom's small head now hovered just below Eddie's ear, hidden in the shadows of the hood, watching the fish along with the human. Eddie felt a nudge in his mind and anticipated the symbiote's intent; complying when Venom nudged his feet forward, smoothly bringing them closer to the tanks. He could hear curious gurgles from his companion as they stood there, the shimmer and dance of the fish mildly hypnotic as they watched.

"AND THEY ARE NOT FOR EATING."

A statement more than a question, "No, not for eating."

Venom hummed; eyes still fixed on the fish. Watching them, Eddie was reminded of Venom's own body. The way the fish moved together, especially the darker fish, gave the same visual effect Venom had. A glance in the corner of his eye at his companion furthered the comparison, as Venom began to weave back and forth slightly with the fish he was watching.

Eddie glanced at his watch, "It's closing time bud. You want to go get something to eat on the way home?"

"CAN WE GET FISH?"

"Sure buddy, we can get some fish."

Eddie felt Venom disappear again as he approached the front of the store. He nodded to the employee at the register and made his way outside.

"I can't promise high-quality fish, but we'll find something. Any type in particular? Salmon, tuna, shrimp? Take your pick."

"LOBSTER?"

Eddie couldn't suppress the mild shudder that ran through him, "Nuh-uh. I'm not touching lobster for at least another ten years. How about we get some crab or shrimp and call it even?"

"FAIR ENOUGH."

Eddie nodded as he walked down the street, "Fair enough."