but she didn't ever hold me

She would make an interesting suggestion for him, and he paused, considering it. She sounded more teasing, but he took it seriously. It was a good idea. The kids, children of the Empress were competitive, they might well enjoy such a competition. He would secretly be rooting for Venom, but no point breathing that outloud. He gave her ear a gentle tug. “this is why you're the brains of the operation” He teased.

“I’ll see what I can organise, but I might need your help wrangling them” he pointed out, moving was a slow process sort of ordeal at the moment. Still, he enjoyed the idea. Just as he enjoyed this quiet moment with Deathbelle, awkwardness and all. He would take on any sort of hardship to be able to spend time with her, what she meant to him would never diminish.