Blackness draped across Chen Mo's palm, creeping along his thumb toward his wrist.
He could no longer feel the wound. Blood remained on his shoulder, and the inside of his armor was soaked.
Venom curled around the broken plate and pushed its edges away to keep them from digging farther into his skin.
Watching that small gesture, Chen Mo curled his fingers back, then opened them again.
Venom loved staying like this.
Sometimes he was only a slender strand poking out of Chen Mo's collar, resting against his neck, waiting for Chen Mo to touch him. Chen Mo found it hot and bothersome and would grab him and stuff him back into his clothes, only for Venom to sprout somewhere else.
The officer struggled in the restraint seat, making the clasps on the craft's frame creak under the pressure.
Superman braced a knee against the chest plate and held the jaw in place. Wonder Woman tightened the Lasso binding the arms and shifted half a step across the floor, avoiding a bolt that snapped free.
This was how they fought for a moment to breathe.
Chen Mo could hear metal rattling behind Superman. He lowered his head and cupped the strand of blackness resting on his hand, trying to speak a little faster.
"Stop going after Bat. Look, we really are starting to look like we're discussing a divorce, with a whole circle of people trying to break up the fight. Isn't that embarrassing?"
Venom raised his tip, bringing it close to Chen Mo's faceplate.
"Bat will lock you up."
Chen Mo pressed his tongue against the wound inside his mouth and did not answer right away.
"Bat watches you all the time."
"I know."
"He'll lock you up."
The white eye stretched wide across the officer's face. Venom tried