Chapter Text
Eddie Brock sat in an ornate room, green walls lined with shelves overflowing with books. Across from him sat Dr Hannibal Lecter, a notable psychologist who worked with the FBI as a supervisor to Will Graham.
“So...” Eddie said, his worn notebook in one hand, pen in the other. “How did you first get into the, uh, business of working with the FBI?” he asked, twirling his pen for a moment before putting it to paper.
Dr Hannibal narrowed his eyes slightly, contemplating his answer. “Well, part of that reason is confidential. After all, it involves my patients, of which I am under oath not to talk about. But I am someone who likes to help. And if I could help catch killers on these cases, I thought it was a worthy use of my time.” Eddie wrote it down, and flicked the page in his book to his questions - all researched thoroughly of course. He didn’t want a repeat of New York. Or San Francisco. Even if he had been right about San Francisco.
“Is there anything you can say about your investigations? Either ones you’ve worked on previously, or uh, ones you’re currently working on?” Eddie’s grip on his pen tightened, ever so slightly, which caught Dr Hannibal’s attention. And Venom’s.
You’re doing fine, love. Relax. Besides, if he tries anything, we’ll just eat him.
“Do not worry, Mr Brock. I have no intention of trying to run you out of town if you step over any lines. That would be rude. I detest rudeness.” Hannibal replied smoothly, and Eddie’s hand relaxed, albeit not from his words.
Eddie let out a small laugh. “You guys hear about that all the way here too, huh.... Why’d you agree to do this interview, then?”
“Call it an act of good will. And you’re an interesting man, Mr Brock. I’ve watched a few of your stories. You’re a good journalist, and I only wish to be interviewed by the best.”
Letting out a small sigh, Eddie let his posture relax more. “Well, I think my readers and I are curious about any stories you may have to share about your time with the FBI. Any you can tell us?”
“Not really. At least, not until the trials are over. And even then, patient doctor confidentiality would keep me from speaking up.”
“So then why agree to be interviewed by a guy known for doing interviews on this sort of shit?”
“I can talk about certain things, like the locations, but not who I worked with.”
“Then talk about that. I asked for stories Dr Lecter, not people's life stories.”
After the interview was over, and both Eddie and Hannibal were satisfied with the results, Eddie packed his bag up, placing his book and phone away.
“Mr Brock, if I may have a moment of your time?”
Eddie looked over his shoulder to Hannibal. “Yeah sure, and call me Eddie. Only debt collectors call me Mr Brock.”
“Well then... Eddie. I’m having dinner tonight with some of my colleagues. Perhaps you would join us? Off the record of course.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “You sure you can trust me to keep it “Off record” Dr Lecter?” Eddie asked, amused.
“Of course I can Eddie. Come to my house around 7. I'll send you the address.”
“Yeah... sure. See you then Dr Lecter.”
“Please, call me Hannibal.”
At 7pm sharp, Eddie knocked on Hannibal’s door, adjusting his bow tie his other had so helpfully made. It helped ease his racing thoughts to be able to touch Venom. Hannibal opened the door, wearing a smart tweed suit beneath a pristine apron. “Welcome Eddie, you're just on time.”
“Thanks for inviting me Doctor. Who else is comin'?”
“Will Graham - I'm sure you've heard of him. Mr Jack Crawford, head of behavioral sciences and Ms Alana Bloom. I enjoy entertaining so love having over as many people as possible. Come now, they're waiting inside.”
Eddie followed behind Hannibal, passing by some unsettling pictures and animal heads before they found themselves in a large dining room with 3 other people already there, talking about nothing in particular.
“Friends, this is Eddie Brock. Eddie, to my right is Mr Jack Crawford, next to him is Ms Alana Bloom, and to my left is Mr Will Graham. Feel free to sit wherever while I bring out dinner.”
He did as he was told and sat next to Will, noting how everything in Hannibal house had a sense of order to it, figuring that the man would appreciate his dinner table being balanced. The man next to him seemed tense, but knowing who he was made him feel he knew the reason why. “Uh, hi guys. I'm Eddie. Nice to meet you all.”
Jack and Alana blinked and looked at each other, before Jack turned his attention back to Eddie and gave a small guarded smile. “Nice to meet you Eddie.”
Silence fell over the table until Hannibal carted out what looked to be roasted meat sliced thickly with black things sprinkled on top, and a smear on the side of the plate. “A simple meal tonight I'm afraid. But might I present to you roasted lamb with eggplant caviar, and white miso and tomato reduced into a gel. Enjoy.” As he spoke, he placed the dishes in front of his guests. Once everyone was served, Hannibal took his place at the head of the table. “Bon Appétit.”
Eddie internally raised a brow, cutting off a piece and placing it into his mouth. It only took him a moment to realize however that what they were eating was not lamb.
Eddie, this is human. And not even good human like the liver or brain. Or a head.
“ Yeah, figured that one out buddy.” Swallowing, he looked at the other guests, happily eating and chatting amongst themselves. Should he say something? Did the others know? But then how could he bring up the fact that he knew what people tasted like without bringing up his other? His hesitation was easy for Hannibal to pick up on.
“Is something wrong with your food, Eddie?”
“Uh, no noooo. Just never tasted lamb like this before is all. My palate isn't as refined as you guys I guess.” As if to make a point of it, he cut off another piece and placed it in his mouth. Everyone at the table seemed to be satisfied with the answer, save for Hannibal, who narrowed his eyes for just a moment, before relaxing again.
“And here I thought reporters dined well” Hannibal said jokingly.
“'Fraid not, at least not in my case. Piss too many people off to eat nicely.” A cool lie. Well, half truth. He really did have a habit of pissing off people after all.
“I see” Hannibal replied, leaning back slightly in his chair.
Eager to change the subject, Eddie looked to the other guests in the room. “So, uh, Mr Crawford, I hear you’re in charge of behavioral science. What kind of gig is that like? Off record of course.”
Jack paused in his conversation with Alana, turning to Eddie. “Well...” he said, choosing his words carefully. “It's a rewarding job, but very grueling. Looking for a change of careers, Mr Brock?”
“Eddie, and, no. Just curious. I mean, I’ve done investigating on serial killers myself- not like a hobby or something!” He raised his utensils slightly, before remembering his manners and lowering them. “Just, I mean, I reported on them, so I had to know about them.”
Ironic now isn’t it, now that we could be considered serial killers .
‘ Yeah but we only eat bad people. ’
Jack nodded, smiling slightly. “I didn’t take you for a fanatic, don’t worry. People who idolize serial killers are strange. Trying to get into their heads...”
Will made a face at Jack. So did Hannibal, though his was more subtle.
“...Present company excluded, of course. And it’s not like you idolize them, Will.”
“But I can be highly empathetic, which is how we catch them.”
Sensing the tension in the room, Alana calmly cleared her throat.
“Hannibal. This meal is delicious. You must give me the recipe some time.”
“Ah Alana, you know I couldn’t. We do this song and dance every time.”
“Because your food is good.”
Eddie looked down at his plate. ‘ Right, the cooked people on my plate. Almost forgot about that. ’
I wonder if there’s chocolate for dessert?
‘ I’m more concerned with the person on my plate than dessert. Think you can... Eat it somehow? ’
Eddie, if you wanted me in your mouth, you only had to ask.
Eddie felt his cheeks flush slightly.
“Are you alright?” Will asked, looking at him head on.
“I’m.. fine. Just late nights as a reporter, you know. Wear you down. I’m fine though.”
Will’s eyes seemed to bore into him for a moment before turning away, seemingly satisfied with his answer.
As the dinner party came to a close, Hannibal stared at Eddie. “May I talk to you in private, Eddie?”
Not wanting to be rude, Eddie nodded. “Sure, what’s up.”
Hannibal shook his head, gesturing at Ed to follow. “Please, a talk should be in comfort, not awkwardly hovering at the threshold.”
“Uh, sure” he said, awkwardly rubbing his bow tie for reassurance.
If he tries anything, we eat him.
‘ And then I get done for murder ’
Self defense?
Hannibal gestured at a lush green couch for Eddie to sit on, as he sat on the chair opposite.
“I know you were lying about my food this evening. I’m a psychologist. I’m trained to know how to spot a lie. Tell me the truth, Eddie . You know what it actually tastes like.”
Panic set in. ‘ Don’t say the truth. Don’t say the truth. ’
“ You eat people. You served up people. Not even the good bits. ”
“What are you doing!”
“ He wanted to know, so we will tell him. ”
“Good fucking job. Now he’s gonna have to do a whole villain monologue about how now that we know he’s gotta silence us!”
“ If he tries, we will just eat him. ”
Hannibal watched Eddie carefully, listened to his voice change.
“You could try to kill me, but better men than you have tried. Not to mention, if you succeed, you’ll be the prime suspect.”
Eddie looked at Hannibal fully. He had already considered that, but here the bastard was, spelling it out.
“ Alternatively, we let Carnage have fun with him, after we leave. ”
“Carnage is still trying to kill us. Wouldn’t recommend it.”
“ Then we transform, eat him and leave, love. ”
“Transform, yes. Eat? No.” Eddie stood up, his form already rippling as his other slid out from his skin, engulfing him. “I doubt people would believe you if you mentioned this. Oh yeah, kill another person and we’ll definitely be back to actually eat you.” There was a pause. “Hannibal the Cannibal.” His transformation was complete.
“ I’ll make sure to eat your liver first. Then your lungs. And your eyes and then your brain. All the delicious parts. ” And with that, Venom left, transforming back at the door, safe away from Hannibal.
As they got into the car and drove away, Eddie sighed. “If he tries anything, we’ll make good on that promise, okay?”