Eddie's PoV -

- Flashback -

     Sleeper appears to bluff to a possessed Vulcan. Dylan is no weakling. He may not look it but he is a very powerful host. Knull left Dylan because he knew he was too powerful and posed a threat.

     What does Sleeper mean by that? It seemed like Sleeper was bluffing but from what I know of the young symbiot is that he is very prim. He scarcely jokes and seems to only state truths.

——————

     I need to ask Sleeper about that soon. I lay in bed wondering about Sleeper's words. The daylight shines in through the crack in the curtains. Venom peacefully sleeps on my chest making little snores. I gently pet my symbiote which wakes Venom. "Hey, Vee. Good morning."

Good morning, Eddie. Is something on your mind?

     "Yeah, just look at my thoughts, love," I state not wanting Sleeper or Dylan to overhear us talking about them.

Oh. Despite his young age, Sleeper is a very knowledgeable symbiot. He has traveled the universe more than any of my other spawns or myself. He will be able to answer your question. However, since Dylan's birth, I have sensed a symbiot presence in him but I thought it was simply due to his bond with Vulcan.

     "Hmmm. Thanks, Vee."

     I quickly dress and ready myself for the day. I walk into the living room to find Michel and Sleeper already awake. Michel sits on the couch writing in his new journal while Sleeper is cuddled around his shoulders. "Good morning, kiddos," I state as I walk over to the coffee maker to brew a pot of coffee.

     "Good morning, Eddie," Michel replies.

We sense you have something to tell us, Eddie. Sleeper replies.

     God, that's creepy. "How did you know?"

Your pulse is heightened, your heart beats fast, you seem figgity, and I heard mumbling from your bedroom indicating you were being uncharacteristically quiet and thus secretive. That is what tells me.

     "Slow down, Sherlock," Michel chuckles before bringing his symbiot into his arms and gently petting, Sleeper.

     I walk over and sit beside Michel on the couch. I quietly sip my coffee and Venom cuddles me as he sits curled around my left shoulder. "Sleeper, something you said during our fight with Knull stuck with me. You said Dylan was powerful and Knull feared him. What did you mean by that?"

I first noticed it when I tried to bond with Dylan in the hospital. His body rejected me, painfully forcing me away. This is very odd. A symbiot can bond with anyone, though unless the host is a complete match the bond will only be temporary. It seems that only Vulcan can bond with Dylan. Dylan is a personified version of the symbiot codex and thus, even without Vulcan's influence, holds symbiot powers of his own.

     "Is he okay? Should I be worried about him?" I question.

Dylan is fine. However, as he grows older he may begin to notice his powers and try to understand them.

     "What powers does Dylan have?"

Besides being unable to bond with any other symbiot. He can forcibly control other symbiots against their will.

     "Oh... but he's safe and healthy?" I'm still worried about my son.

Yes, no need to worry. Dylan is perfectly safe and healthy so long as he is with Vulcan.

     "Thanks, Sleeper," I state, and Venom cuddles closer around me sensing my unease about finding out new information about our son.

Dylan's PoV -

I'm about to walk into the living room and say hello to everyone when I hear my name mentioned. Deciding to listen I crouch down by the door with my ear to the wood.

I'm powerful?
Codex?
What's a codex?
I have symbiote powers of my own?
Cool.
What powers do I have?
I can control other symbiots?

     Woah. I don't know what to think of this new information. I can't let dad know that I know. He's obviously worried about me and doesn't want me to know.

     "Vulcan, why didn't you tell me about this?" I whisper to my symbiot.

We are just as young as you. We were unaware of you being a Codex, Dylan. Vulcan cuddles around me and purrs. I snuggle into my symbiot. I want to practice my powers but as Sleeper mentioned it's mean. I would never want Vulcan to be controlled against his will.

Finally, I find the courage to open the door. I have to act normal. "Good morning, everyone!" I make a show of rubbing my eyes so they think I was just asleep.

"Good morning, baby," dad smiles.

I make my way to the bathroom to get ready. I've been trying to be more independent lately. With Vulcan's help I manage pretty well.

     Once I'm dressed I find dad and papa making breakfast. We all sit down to eat but this new knowledge takes away my appetite. I want to learn more about my new powers but I don't want to hurt Vulcan or any of my family. Maybe I'll wait till my dads are asleep so I can ask Sleeper and Michel.

      —————

     I lay in bed on my right side staring at my alarm clock. Dad tucked me into bed 20 minutes ago. He and papa are probably still up watching TV and will be for the next hour. I can't fall asleep until then.

Do you want me to make sure you don't get tired until then. I can block your melatonin receptors. Vulcan asks.

     "Yes, please. Thank you, Vulcan," I whisper to my other.

     Suddenly, I feel wide awake. We pass time, specifically 2 hours, by making up stories and telling each other. Finally, I'm certain that dad and papa are in bed asleep. I creep out of my room. Vulcan is half formed next to me and together we tiptoe to Michel and Sleeper's room. I quietly knock on the door before opening it. Inside I find Michel fast asleep with Sleeper cuddled under his neck also snoozing. I shut the door behind me. "Michel, Sleeper, I want to talk to you..." I state quietly.

    No response.

     "Michel, can I talk to you?" I state a little louder.

     Man, these two are sound sleepers. Michel probably gets that from his symbiot. I walk over to the two and gently shake Michel. Michel wakes startled with a small yelp, which in turn wakes Sleeper. "Oh, hey, Dylan, what's up?"

     "I wanted to talk to you two. I heard Sleeper talking to our dads this morning saying I was a Codex and had symbiot powers. Can you tell me more about that?" I ask.

"Of course. I don't think Eddie wanted you to know but I guess since you heard it's better to tell you now," Michel replies, "Sleeper would you mind telling Dylan and Vulcan?"

Of course. As you heard from eavesdropping this morning, you have symbiot powers of your own. You are the first off spring of a human and symbiot and thus though you look human, symbiot blood runs through your DNA. Basically, you have the power to control symbiots against our will. However, obviously, unless absolutely necessary I encourage you to avoid doing so. Sleeper informs.

"But how do I use my powers?" I question.

I don't mind, Dylan, practicing with me. I fully trust him. Vulcan states, gently cuddling around me.

Okay, I guess I'll help you practice with Vulcan. Sleeper states. Dylan, concentrate on what you want Vulcan to do.

I think about Vulcan sitting on my head like a hat. "Okay."

Visualize you intention and try to send that thought to your symbiot. Vulcan, though you can read Dylan's mind don't do what he's thinking. Let him make you do it.

Okay.

"Okay."

Now, put all your effort into trying to make Vulcan do your intention.

      I do as I'm instructed. Suddenly, Vulcan slithers onto my head and sits there. My heart is racing. I did it but through our bond I can tell that Vulcan seems mildly uneasy about my act. I take a mental note to never control Vulcan again. I happily pick Vulcan up and cuddle him close to me. "We did it!"

Good job, Dylan! Vulcan praises me and snuggles into the cuddle.

I must remind you, Dylan. Please don't forcibly control any symbiot unless it is necessary for your safety. Sleeper states.

     "Of course, I will be responsible. Thank you for teaching me Sleeper. Please don't tell my dads that I know. They'll worry about me," I state.

     "I think it's a little to late for that, kiddo," I quickly turn around to find Eddie and Venom standing in the doorway.

     "I'm sorry, dads, I overheard you talking this morning and I was curious. Please don't worry about me."

     "Of course, we worry about you. It's our job but so long as you promise to be safe I will try not to worry too much," Eddie crouches down next to me and ruffles my hair. I hug my dad and Venom cuddles around us too.

     "Now, it's late, let's get you both tucked in to bed, again," Dad states and I nod in agreement. I hurry to my room and snuggle into my bed.

     Eddie and Venom tuck us in and kiss me goodnight before heading back to their own bed.

     Vulcan finally releases the melatonin he has been blocking inside me and tiredness quickly overcomes me. I mutter a small 'Goodnight' to Vulcan before falling fast asleep.