Toxic is my trait, My husband is always late, I'm pretty dark mind you, But scarlet portrays me too

When you hear or read me, you don't understand. But you speak and write me with ease

A hunter's game, A republic's name, A failure in jest, informally, I gobble up meanings, did you catch me?

A secret, a bonus or a joke, I appear though I don't belong, In films and games, I'm hidden neat, On holidays, I'm quite the treat,

A bought friend, I offer ears, Time I lend, for burdens and fears, But split me wrong, and you will find, A heinous figure among your kind