Completely Under Control

Y’know, he never thought he’d be saying this, but they could really be using the help of his sister right about now. Sure, Scorn’s not the most reliable, having drank Carnage’s kool-aid, but she’s all about that tech life, and could give the ship a well-needed, well, everything.

Alas, they’re left to their own devices, being pursued by space cops, but this sort of split-second decision making, that rush of adrenaline is exactly what he lives for. And, so, before Sleeper’s very eyes, Toxin begins to morph into a more militarised form, looking something between a SWAT member and a SHIELD agent. Agent Toxin.

When your average stays tend to be a good day- or hours, if they really had some business to get to- you tend to find the most entertainment out of the dullest things. Not that earth was particularly boring but one could describe it the most tame- in comparison to their many other space adventures. “You think I’d deal with my brother? I might be a bit risky at times but I’m not a fool. Your father isn’t going anywhere near me, not at all, and I’m keeping it that way!” 

Though, they do wonder about him sometimes. He’s a horrible thing, yes, but there’s something about growing up so close to humans in their early life that really hammered in the whole ‘family’ thing that none of the others really got. And it sucks because Sleeper doesn’t really have anyone to share their mixtape with! Or to show off their hand-made human radio! It plays disk, cassette, USB, whatever those floppy things from the fifteenth-planet-over are!

“My secrets? I’m not that interesting. The space cops want me for a multitude of reasons.” Their hand gestures a bit, mentioning it nonchalantly. “Working with a war criminal is on the top of their list, though I believe they don’t realise the… arrangement… we’ve set up. Not exactly in his favour, but it’s not like he deserves any better.”

“As you promised, what’s your secret in exchange?”

“ Hate to be the bearer of bad news and all, but, uh, it doesn’t really work like that. ” Don’t get him wrong, if it were as simple as keeping his distance from Carnage, he would’ve cut ties with the bastard months ago! But, his father’s bloodlust and insecurities don’t really allow for such arrangements, evidenced by the countless memo notes he’s been ignoring! “ If Pops wants you, trust me, he’s gonna find you. And, it ain’t gonna be pretty. ” 

Talking from experience there. Back in the day, he’d tried to alienate himself from the family - well, further than they already had - as a means of denying any and all connection to Carnage. { There’s a lot of shit riding on that Son of Carnage mantle, y’know - he’ll be lucky if there’s anyone in the known universe willing to hire him! } He already had a dad, a good, human dad. But, no matter how often he tried to fight it, to deny his parentage, there was still that...juvenile need to impress, surpass his father, just like Pat had.

And, so, these days, instead of running from the truth, he’s embraced it, running with it. Cos, what better way to piss off a dad that doesn’t want you, than openly regarding him as Dad? Doesn’t win him any favours in being left the fuck alone, mind you - Carnage is far too petty, impulsive to ever take the hint - but it establishes him as a formidable rival, which he’s sure Pops’d be proud of. 

Anyways...

For a brief moment, Toxin wonders if he’s the one being accused of being a war criminal, but, then, he recalls that not every host is as agreeable or perfect as Pat. Even the word host grosses him out, cos...eww, it’s not like he’s holding him hostage or anything, they’re one and the same, brothers, partners, more. Still, he’s not gonna deny that Sleeper’s host, for all his faults, sounds frickin’ awesome, a boisterous grin playing away on his features.

They didn’t think it was the end to that story but they figured they could leave the detective work to another day. It was… kind of sweet, how their parents still thought of them- and, by extension, their batshit insane brother. It kind of made all their visits worth it; if they had a loving relationship with some part of their family, it made them content. “I suppose, if you say so… then consider me a superhero!”

It’s endearing, too, how their nephew took such great interest in them at all. Despite family tradition, they really did want to connect with some part of family outside of their parents- and they knew clearly that they existed just not where they were. Not to mention, Sleeper was always interested in going off about their interests and whatnot. Doesn’t hurt to sprinkle a detail here or there…

“Space is where I belong but not many can deny that… coming home always brings a bit of relief, does it not?” Sleeper wasn’t as involved in the family feuds as Carnage was. Not to mention, Carnage had a host with insane bloodlust. Tel-Kar, on the other hand, couldn’t say anything. That made things easier. “Space is very big. What else would one expect of it? But there is something… exhausting about exploring it sometimes. Being here allows me to rest a while, if that makes sense. I won’t have to hide from space-cops here, after all. Not yet, at least.”

Wowza! His own Uncle Sleeper, a bona fide superhero. Who’da thought? Sure makes a change from the questionable, predatory antics of his elders, who’d, in all honesty, take issue with his fondness for the other. It isn’t the Klyntar way, they’d claim. You’re far too human. Well, first off, he fails to see why that’s even a bad thing - Pat’s the bestest guy he’s ever met! - and, second, when you’ve already been written off by the rest of the family, may as well have some fun with it.

Oh, he can’t wait to see everyone’s face when they find out he spoke to Venom’s kid!

“ Well, if it’s rest and recreation you’re here for, you came to the wrong planet. If Pops ain’t busting outta jail again, the whole multiverse is going to shit, or that deli place on 3rd’s shut early! Can’t catch a break, I tell ya! ” Kicking ass and solving crime works up one helluva appetite, y’know. But, on the bright side, they save on dry-cleaning.

They’ve felt it once or twice, the slight tingle that signalled family, but that was only around their parent and their brother who- for lack of a better term- was batshit insane. This, however, was different. It didn’t take a genius to figure that out, and the symbiote was quick to perk up at the mention of their own name. Oh, how precious! And they weren’t fighting, either. Incredible.

“Of course! I wouldn’t doubt your grandparents would’ve spoken of me, yes?” And the mere thought that they had family at all? Beyond just their parents and their sibling? Most Klyntar would see this bond as disgusting, for how close they were, but Sleeper saw it as an opportunity for a loving and caring relationship. “I don’t kick ass as much as you think I do, probably.”

They joked, though it was the truth. Their space travels were never on the violent side, despite their family tradition of fucking-shit-up and fighting to be a hero. No, they were a hero in a different way. Their nephew was so excitable and it was adorable, they had to admit; it was a stark contrast to their short visits, where they’d see their parents for a while and then leave.

But perhaps they’d extend their stay just a bit. If they didn’t stay long enough to have known about their nephew, what else were they missing out? Or perhaps they weren’t paying attention well enough; when you’re busy making repairs to a stolen Skrull spaceship with the brain of a Kree war criminal, you tend to be concentrated on other things. 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been home. Space exploration, and whatnot. It gets busy up there sometimes.” 

Oh, this fella doesn’t pull any punches. Skipping over the small-talk, going right in for the juicy deets. Refreshing, really, considering most interactions with his elders wind up in feral displays of strength, dominance, and being yeeted across town. Not that he’d ever want to jump to conclusions, of course, but...he could totally see himself getting used to this.

“ Ehh...That’s one way of putting it... ” What’s he supposed to say - your brother and dad kinda-sorta-maybe tried to kill me three separate times? Nah, he may be prone to brood on that from time to time, but he does not want to taint the interaction by bringing up their names. Just one healthy connection. Please. 

Y’know, it’s so rare that he’s ever approached by humans, let alone spoken to, so, for the most fleeting of moments, a rarity unto itself, Toxin is lost for words. It’s a concept he’s thrown around with Pat at length, what he is, his purpose, but, truthfully, they’ve just been taking things as they come, rolling with the punches - and dishing them out, too! -  so he can’t exactly give the brave little human an answer.Still, with all his natural charisma - gosh knows where he gets it - he’s sure he can give her something to work with.

“Secret detective stuff…like you stole a pack of gum but they sealed your juvie record?“

“I can understand that. i suppose even if I had any idea of who you were, I would be similarly underwhelmed at this point in time.“

no-one: 

literally no-one: 

“Black is the new red, kid. ‘Sides, can’t really be out all night wearing something as bright as that now, can I?”