not maybe, definitely

Maverick waved away her gratitude, vagrantly disregarding the deep debt the Empress would owe to him. Venom didn’t think he would ever cease to surprise her. Not that she thought they would have many interactions past the first, this was completely the opposite of their last encounter. He ate with heart as she picked at her meal, her stomach still unsettled from her fall. As she slowly consumed her meal Mav spoke between bites. Defending himself like she was frightened of him, or considered him some kind of monster. Venom thought of him as some kind of vagabond; she didn’t think he was evil.

Part of her was uncertain though, especially as he mentioned not biting off anyone’s toes. As he admitted to pushing her buttons he’d do it again, and Venom would finally feel the humor in the situation. Or maybe it was just the drugs he’d given her. "I would.” She told him with a smirk and a giggle as she further began to loosen up instead of being the wounded animal she had been moments before.

Maverick cleaned up dinner after a while, telling her to forget the whole thing again. It didn’t sit right but she did let it slide. As Venom rested her head on her paws the man struck up another conversation. As she was relaxing he didn’t fail to notice. Her sunset gaze flicked up to his features as he settled close but not enough to encroach on her space. Mav didn’t take long to tease her about her current state either. She looked like she felt good, and he promised her a good night. She wondered why he might not be partaking as well, was he taking his role as guardian that seriously? If he was, Venom really did need to reassess her opinion of him.

He asked why she was all the way out here at this time of night and it was her turn to smirk a little in response. The fire wasn’t in her any longer, " You guess correctly. Scouting.. Mostly.” She shifted uncomfortably. "And gathering my thoughts, it's… easier when I am not within Ashen’s borders.” And that was no lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth. The memories still hurt, and she used the excuse of scouting when it hurt too much. "Maybe its late for you, but my family and I are more nocturnal than not. These are prime hours.” She revealed to him softly, hoping he wouldn’t decide to focus on her vague answer.

"Venom"