Hello and welcome! Here it is, the first chapter of A Drink Too Sweet featuring Grendel from TWAU my new obsession. I don't know what my fascination is with this sexy beast but hot dang we're going to explore a few new kinks here because I don't Grendel gets enough love you guys. Monster smut is included so if you're not into that you can always skip those chapters. With our further ado, enjoy!

Chapter 1 : Lily

I had never been to a big city before. I heard they could be amazing, with its flaws like any other, but whatever part I was in seemed to be like a dream to me, despite it being knee deep in this part of New York. I remember Henry mentioning it the first time we even thought about moving out of state. Fabletown, he called it. The city towered over us, like giants standing still and made of all manners of glass and metals. Citizens were walking in and out of them, consumed by their daily lives and as they walked about the sidewalks.

The birds in the sky flew over the bridge as we entered. Not just seagulls but Pelicans, colorful ducks and other kinds that were too small to identify. When we got over it I saw the sign to the town, but the further we went into the more dingy and worn down the buildings began to look. Not all of them were like that mind you, but we were heading into the Bronx. I'd never been there but from what Henry had told me it wasn't exactly the prettiest place in the city. But I didn't care, it was going to be home, and I was okay with it for now, "What a ride huh?" Henry had noticed me gazing at the new scenery intently and I smiled with a nod, anxiously, "Yeah, after all this traveling I'm ready to stretch my legs and kick off my shoes."

"Don't tempt me I'll stop the car right here." His idol threat made me smile more and eye him with a challenged stare. He chuckled even more, rubbing my shoulder with love behind it before the laughter died down, and a new subject was replaced, "Hey, so-,once we get there I may need to stop by the store to pick up a few things that can last us the week. You think you can handle the movers and getting everything inside while I run this errand? I also wanted to stop by the Boss's shop to smooth a few things out."

"Yeah, I don't mind. I'll take care of it." The conversation seemed to patter off once again, and for some reason I had a distinct feeling in my gut when the silence hit us. I don't know what it was, but I surpressed the urge to find out.

The past few months had been very rocky for us. Despite my better judgement I thought this new move would do us some good. I wanted better for us, and I was naively hoping Henry wanted the same. But somehow..."The place should be right over this freeway and a few blocks away. Now, I'm just letting you know, again, this place isn't big, but it'll be ours." He said it so softly that I smiled, sensing that awkwardness from earlier dissipate, and began to twiddle with my fingers to keep my nerves of excitement calm. Or was it anxiety? I felt like I was nervous about everything, that was for certain, "You know I don't care how big it is. As long as we're together I'm happy." I genuinely meant it when I said it, and Henry merely chuckled nodding in agreement, "Together forever." I flushed at the thoughtfulness, yet I couldn't help but feel this instinctive sense that he might've just jinxed us saying that. I started to look out the window again as a means to distract myself. As we drove by I caught sight of a butcher shop, a diner and a few convient stores back in the review mirror. A lot of things were conviently in the area and I noted them all as we came closer to our destination. After all, I was going to need a job once Henry and I were settled in.

My boyfriend had one already waiting for him here, but oddly enough, I didn't know what it was. He just said it was something that could help us out financially. At least to start, so he said.

When we finally arrived in front of the apartment building we parked the car just outside the entrance, and my eyes immediately followed the structure all the way up to the top. It looked nice from the outside yet the stucture itself looked very old with a few cracks and faded paint, but I was too busy thinking of a new idea for a project that I could hardly notice the flaw. I thought it gave it more genuine and gave the building a history.

I exited the car with Henry to my left when we apprached the fron of our new home. He wrapped an arm around my waist leaning his head against mine while we admired it for what it was, "Well, what do you think?"

"It's home. That's all that matters to me." I said. I then looked at Henry for a moment recieving and returning a loving smile before gazing back at the apartment as if it were made of gold. Of course, it was far far from that, but to me it was a fresh start, and that in itself was precious, "Alright, let's go." He patted my shoulder and pushed me playfully inside still holding on to my hand as we entered the spacious interior. We had to press a buzzer in order to get the person inside to open the door, but with this in mind I felt alittle safer knowing that not just anyone could walk in.

The walls were of dark oak wood with a lighter flooring of linoleum. It was decorated with a few plants, a rug, and what looked like a small waiting area near a small sliding glass window. When we looked inside a man had been staring at a television sitting on one side of his counter with an irritated expression on his face. He seemed to be watching a game show mumbling to himself about how the game was rigged to shit.

When we came up to the window, Henry cleared his throat with a smile, "Hi there!" He started cheerfully, causing the guy to look up with a bored look on his face. I almost felt uncomfortable interrupting him, but Henry went on about being new tenants. The security guard, or whatever he was didn't move at first. He just stared at us both with a grunt and rustled out of his seat with a struggle.

What a charming fellow. "New tenants, huh?" He went to a huge binder full of names and other things relating to other tenants and began scrolling through it with a fat finger. He found ours down at the bottom and said them out loud, "Yes that's us."

"Alright. I'm the owner here, name's Nelson, so get to know my face. You don't need no good credit here or nothin', just a deposit and first months rent to start. So, let's get some ground rules down. No holes in my walls or ya got to repair it! No parties, no animals, and whatever you break ya bought, got it?"

"Yes sir." Was Henry's gentle reply for both of us. He then handed the stout man the money and got a receipt of proof we paid. "Alright then. Your apartment number is 1200. Lucky for you it's easy to remember. Come on, I'll show ya a quick tour of the place, free of charge." He exited his little office through a back door and came out another, which seemed to be his own apartment that connected to the office. I didn't think much of it considering he was descending up the stairs before I knew it.

On the way up the manager began to ask simple questions like where we were from and how we heard of his place. Of course Henry was generous enough to answer everything for the both of us, but something grabbed my attention as he talked about how he knew of it. He kept saying a friend told him. In fact, he lived here in the city. My brows furrowed confused considering I'd never heard of this friend before, and it made me a little uneasy that he didn't tell me about them, but this wasn't the time nor place to be getting into it. I was quickly distracted, and relieved to know we were on the third floor, it made me giddy in a way. When he opened the door the first thing I noticed was the wide space in the living room, and a fire escape that led out one of the windows to the left. The kitchen was to the right while the small hall led straight to the bathroom and bedroom. It was your basic apartment is what I'm saying, but the lay out had me looking at our new place in awe. We were really going to like it here, I could feel it. "So obviously there's a kitchen," the manager began, "The bathroom and bedroom are there. They're small but it should be plenty for you lot. No leaks, the fossets all work fine too. There's the fire escape, but mostly people use them to smoke their smokes. I don't care what you do just don't flippin' fall! Other than that if anything else comes up you let me know."

"It looks great. Thank you."

"Good. Do you have a truck comin' in or anythin'?" The manager began to eye me up and down, but quickly turned his attention to my boyfriend, "Uh, yes actually, it should be here shortly."

"Okay. Let me know when they arrive. I don't like strangers just wonderin' my halls.."

"We will." Henry must've been just as excited as I internally was because next thing I knew I was startled by the sound of his hands clapping together and shaking them in victory, "Our own place! Isn't this great! And if these job opportunities work out...Think of the possibilities!"

"I know it's alot to take in." I admitted looking up at the freshly painted walls and ceiling. It was painted white all over except for the silver ceiling fan that spun on its own accord.

Ibegan to walk over to the windows, next to the fire escape outside. I took in the view, eating it up even though all I could see was the buildings on the other side. Fabletown. It sounded like an imaginary place when I first heard of it, but Henry assured me this part of New York would be a good place to start. Like a happily ever after after all the unnecessary chaos that started this whole thing. I was very optimistic when we talked about it, and even more so when we started packing.

Everyone that was close to be was gone, but before I left I made sure to visit a few friends I had made telling me not to go, to worry about myself instead of a lost cause, that this would be the death of me. I wouldn't believe that, not yet. I was adament to not give up. Henry, you see, was a troubled man. He was a previous drug addict, amd still having a bit of coping after going to rehab, more than once. There were days where some how he found the strength to do better, even after he met me. I thought I could handle it, I wasn't a confrontational person, pretty understanding, and for a long time everything seemed to be going great. We were working and dating, and seeing eachother for so long that eventually we moved in with one another.

The first two years were wonderful. But then he began this routine of losing his jobs over the silliest of things, and although I may have thought of them that way at the time I made sure to consider his feelings. Plus, being that I didn't know his employers I could never make heads or tails of the situation.

It was rough, but I had hope. I was able to pick up some of the slack selling my paintings and working at the town bar. He always seemed to fall frustrated with me about it for some reason, unwarranted reasons. Maybe he felt as if I was emasculating him? It took him months to accept our predictament and that I wasn't going to just sit around and wait for life to hand us opportunities.

At some point when he wasn't being hired at all he'd escalated into this pit of despair no matter what I said or did. That's not what bothered me though, I understood this economy had fallen on hard times and living in an expensive state wasn't helping. What really started to bother me though were his ideal threats of hitting me. It wasn't right, and I made sure to voice it. I promised him if he ever hit me he'd have alot of trouble on his hands, and I'd leave him, no matter how much he begged.

He seemed to get it, at least I hoped he did, which is why we were here now, moving to the Bronx of New York, hoping for the best.

Gosh, I hadn't realized I had started to stare off absentmindedly, the next thing I knew my head was being turned towards Henry's and his lips pressed against mine. It was short and sweet, but I couldn't help but smile all the same. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and hugged me tightly as he sighed happily, "You seem so far away." The little smile I had widened to the landscape before me and in response I pointed a finger out to the buildings horizontally, "I was just thinking of what colors to use." He laughed at that, knowing what I meant, and scanned his gaze across the different buildings towering over and below us, "You know for an odd little town it ain't so bad."

"We haven't even ventured out yet." I lightheartedly reminded him. He hummed in agreement and kissed my shoulder before walking towards the front door, "Then I guess I'll just have to go scope out the scene for our sakes...By going to run this errand. Do you want anything special?" I shook my head to him, sending him off with a wave, "No. Just be safe, please?"

"I will." With a click of the handle I turned to face the living room and kitchen in delight. I was already picturing where I was going to put what for what felt like a good moment, taking in the place like a fresh canvas. After I had my fill I finally headed out myself.

With each step up and down the stairs I let myself get swept away in the process of unpacking. Henry hadn't taken the car, obviously for the reason so I could unpack what we had in it. First, a few boxes of clothes, then the canned goods. By the time I had come back for a box of knick knacks I felt a pair of eyes on me. I tried to ignore it but I had the urge to know if I was being silly.

I looked to the street in front of me, then behind me. When I gazed across the way, I saw two men talking to eachother and looking in my general direction. I was about to head inside when suddenly I heard a loud horn that nearly startled me out of my existence. It caused me to drop all of the knick knacks I had in my arms, everything from small plastic figurines to painting supplies, "Oh-, shit." With my heart a flutter I looked down at the mess only to make a deadpanned expression up to the truck in behind my car. It was the movers. Of course it was the movers!

It seemed my face told them everything they needed to know because the driver lifted his shoulders to his ears and waved apologetically. I couldn't help exasperating but none the less I waved back to reassure him, and began to pick up the mess I made.

As I was grabbing for a few canvases I saw a pair of purple heels approaching me. What stuck out to me more though was the holly tattoo that twisted elegantly around the woman's ankle, "You need some help there?"

"Oh, it's okay! I-It was my fault." I tried assure the stranger, but she either didn't hear me or decided otherwise because the next thing I knew I had a woman with shoulder length black hair, blue eyes and a purple ribbon wrapped around her neck in front me, helping me pick up the figurines and a few paint brushes that had scattered onto the sidewalk, "Thank you, really." I told her getting a flash of a pretty smile. It was very welcoming.

"Don't mention it. Those guys are jerks, scaring a girl like that." She nudged her head towards the movers exiting the truck as she placed the things back into the box, "Oh, I don't think they meant to do that. They were just trying to get my attention." I explained bashfully before I extended my hand to her and introduced myself. She looked at my hand for a moment before smiling back and shaking it, "Lily Underbridge. I take it you're new to the area, huh? Big move?" I looked up at my building and nodded shyly, "I am. I just moved here from Arizona with my boyfriend looking for a fresh start, so, here we are." I shrugged my shoulders as we slowly made baby steps towards the men opening up the back of the truck, "Are you a painter?" She asked abruptly, pointing to my things in my hands. I nodded again with a hum, "I'm just a novice though, but I'm very passionate about it."

"That's a very lovely skill to have. Do-,...Do you have any I could take a peek at? I'd love to see them!" My first thought was to refuse on account that this was a total stranger, and after looking at those men wearing pimp hats across the street I was starting to feel extremely paranoid. But my mother had always taught me that hospitality and kindness could go a long way. And so, I nudged my head towards the truck we had faced. One of the men already his arms filled with two boxes stacked on top of one another, and bowed his head sternly when he greeted us, "Afternoon ladies! I take it this is the place?"

"Yes, it's right up these steps. The manager said he'll let you in."

"Thank you ma'am. Come on this way!" He called out to his partner before heading off, meanwhile Lily was merely eyeing two paintings stacked against eachother and pointed to them curiously, "No way...These yours?" She sounded surprised but I nodded proudly, studying the colors of the floating island with a cherry blossom tree and a swing that hung off its branches while the moon hung ominously in the sky to reflect off the waterfall that just seemed to pour from the edges and into the solar system. Lily was in awe as she approached it to get a better look, and ran her hands over it with the gentlest of touches, "It's beautiful."

"Thank you. You flatter me, really." I was blushing, I could feel it. Lily was about to respond back but something had caught her eye as she looked to my hands. I thought maybe it was a bug or the fact that my hands were tatted in hannah, but instead she gasped mouth agape as she turned my hands over to inspect my finger nails, "Oh my gosh the shine on this is somethin' else! You have such a unique taste. I gotta say, if I could afford this I would get it in a heart beat." She sounded so excited, I couldn't help but grin at her reaction, and give her a better look at the color, "It's a water base too, so it comes off easy. And, the best part, no smell."

"Works for me. I'm constantly on the go and always in need of a change. Are you in any way a mancurist too?" Her joke caused us both to titter, and I attempted to hide it poorly as I realized, as much as I was enjoying the girl talk, I had to get back to bringing my things upstairs. Would it have been weird or a bad idea to bring a complete stranger up to my apartment? Probably, but a part of me wanted to make the effort to be friendly. I didn't have anyone out here, and to be honest, it would've been nice to make a fresh start with someone, "Tell you what, I know this is going to seem strange, but if you have a minute for tea? Or coffee? Maybe we can take a look at what the name of the nail polish is. I'm in the middle of moving and it may take a minute to find it, if you're not in a hurry I mean." Lily gave me a look as if hesitant, placing a hand on her purses strap before studying the other side of the street, "Well, I was going to head to my sister's, but...Ah what the hell! I got a minute."

"Oh, you have a sister?" I watched her pick up a crate that was a bit bigger than her filled with my large canvass. I hoped it wasn't too heavy for her, but amazingly enough she had no problem with it and began to walk swiftly.

"Yeah, she owns a bar called the Trip Trap, just across the street here. She usually runs it by herself, but as of late, she could make do with a second pair of hands, I swear that woman is gonna work herself to death with the way she's always pushing herself. But, I love her for it.." I nodded looking back at her as we ascended the stairs, already passing the second level.

"Well I'm sure she has you too, right?" I immediately regretted my question, feeling as if it was too soon to say such things, but Lily gave a laugh, "Well, of course, she's my sister and I love her more than anything, but... Holly and I have different ways of seeing things, which can cause alot ofh tension, if you know what I mean. I'm afraid the Trip Trap wouldn't stand a chance with the both of us there." She gave a hollowed laugh indicating I may had accidentally struck a cord. So I laughed too in comfort, nodding in understanding, "I get it. Sibling shit."

"Exactly!"

"Well, I've worked at a few bars myself. It definitely helps pay for what the paintings can't."

"Oh yeah?" She looked to me curiously once she placed the crate down, and then grinnedm ischievously, "I would never picture you for a stripper sweety." I could feel my face straight to burn, and began to laugh, "Not like that! I was a bartender." I explained causing Lily to fall into fits of laughter, "Funny how your face gets all red. It's adorable."

"Yeah well-, that's how I make my money." I teased again falling into fits of laughter. Really I was attempting to ease my fits before we headed down the stairs for more things. On the way back up Lily seemed like she wanted to ask me a question by the way she was looking at me, but I pretended not to notice until I looked her way, but by then she had her head turned some where else. I kept it to myself for the remainder of the time we were bringing things upstairs. When I had finally found my makeup box I gasped with glee, "Here it is!" I opened it up and handed her the two bottles, "If you promise to bring it back I'll let you borrow it?"

"That would awesome. Thank you." She looked at the color and moved it from side to side to endear the shades it changed into, and then turned it over to find the name printed at the bottom, "R.A.V. I love the shine one this one."

"I think you'll find their collection to your liking. Easier on your fingers too." I said with positive notion. Lily placed the two bottles in her purse and slowly began to stride as we headed back towards the apartments entrance again, hopefully for the last time. I couldn't think of anything else that was left behind, and the day had already turned to dusk, "I really appreciate you trusting me with this. It-, it's very rare now a days."

"I'm not worried about it. Materialistic things can be replaced. Plus-, it gives you an excuse to come back and hang out," There was a small pause between us, maybe because we both were just enjoying the breeze that strolled through the hot air before I turned my eyes to Lily, "By the way I always love getting knew ideas for my paintings. You have any ideas or pictures you'd like to see. I promise I'll pay you for the idea."

Lily looked to me as if confused and then chuckled, "You ain't got to pay me for that." I noticed she was uncomfortable by the offer, but I paid everyone who gave me their ideas for paintings. It wasn't much, but I was generous with my offers. It just never sat well with me to use someone elses ideas to make them my own, without giving proper respect and courtesy.

"I insist! It wouldn't feel right if I didn't. You've helped me make a vision come to life. It's the least I can do."

"How do you know if I'll be back?" She asked jokingly, of course, but I could hear the hint of curiousity.

"Were you planning on not coming back?" I quipped back getting her to laugh softly, "Nah, I was still gonna come back regardless. It's just usually people don't...Do this. And pay me for merely coming up with an idea? For a painting no less. I usually get paid for other things, but-, not this." As she said this her eyes spoke of a dark sadness that was eating her up inside, a frown etched into her lips that once held a beautiful smile, I know because I've known that expression well. But just like that, it was gone, and her smile had returned, "But I'm all for it." I noticed she was beginning to close her eyes and think for a few moments, before opening them again with a distant gaze in her eyes. "Could you-,...Could you paint a bridge?" I was surprised. I had drawn structures before but I was curious as to why a bridge. And which one? Well, it didn't matter. It was a lovely idea all the same. Bridges could be beautiful too, and they've told thousands of stories being around for so long.

I nodded happily, smiling so much my cheeks ached, "Sure! Any particular bridge?"

She began to look across the street, noticing a person walking into the bar, and it seemed to distracted her slightly before she answered the question, "Um, any bridge, with lots of lilies...And holly." I couldn't help the giggle thinking of both her and her sister's name. But the concept made me imagine something beautiful, and it made me even more giddy to get started, "Alright. A lovely bridge, with lilies and holly, coming up." She smiled, almost trying to contain her happiness as she looked away towards the bar across the way again. I looked over curiously, this time seeing a very tall man standing outside looking around before he looked over at us. "Hey Gren!" Lily called out with a wave of her hand, "Where've ya been Lily? You're sister's been worried sick about you!" They were yelling from across the way at eachother, which kind of made me supress a laugh as I watched them both.

Taking a quick gander at me Lily nudge her head in my direction, "Meeting your new neighbors!" She said getting her friend to look at me. I couldn't help the blush that pressed against my cheeks. I could feel his stare bruning into me and introductions always made me feel nervous, but who didn't? So to lighten the mood I waved over at him, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Gren!" I said with a nod and my best smile. He made an indication with his head, and a grunt, but other than that he began to wave Lily over again, "You comin' or what?"

"I will, give me a minute!" Gren merely shrugged his shoulders and turned towards another direction to finish his cigarette leaving me to shift my eyes to Lily and hers to me, both of us unable to help a soft laugh to ourselves, "He seems nice." I replied getting Lily to laugh even louder, "Who Grendel? Yeah, he's a big old softy that one. Once ya get to know him, but that's only if he likes you." Lily couldn't help but smirk at me then and lit up a cigarette right after, giving me a sudden tight hug that nearly cracked my back. God this woman had a grip on her. It amazed me to think she had that kind of strength. I'd hate to be the person who'd have to throw fists with her. "Well my dear, I hate that I missed that tea and coffee, but it was nice meeting you! Oh, I should give you my number! Do you have a phone?"

"Yeah, already set up before we got here." I told her nodding.

"Alright, let's swap numbers then!" She pulled out a pocket book from her purse and wrote down her number on one side, and I wrote mine in a slot she had left open for me. Once we were finished she ripped the paper with her number on it from the booklet and handed it to me, "Here. Don't be shy to call me now. I might not answer all the time, but I'll make sure to call you back as soon as I can. I promise." I nodded to her words giving her one last parting smile and a bowed of my head, "That's fine. I won't gripe you if you don't call me right away. Just be careful out there, okay?" Lily seemed almost touched by my words, or so it looked, before she nodded, patted my shoulder, and walked off, "Until next time, sweety."

I waved to her and waited until she was across the other side of the street with her friend and then waved to her one last time before heading over to the movers who were shutting the back of the truck close, ready to end the day and head home themselves, "Alright Miss, that's that. If there's anything else you need feel free to ask now."

"No, I believe that's it. Thank you so much for your help. I couldn't have done all this without you guys." I admitted nervously, but the older man smiled and tipped his hat, "Just doin' our jobs, Miss. You have yourself a good night."

"Thank you, you too." With the last goodbyes of the early evening I was off to the third floor, my humble abode awaiting.

Once upstairs I took a good long look around the room, sighing. I felt like I was in a dream being here. Something about this move made me feel scared, and excited all at once. I guess maybe because I couldn't predict what was to come, but that came with any moveing I suppose.

Then I thought about Lily, and something in me seemed to find the will to want to paint that bridge we talked about. So, I began to put the bedroom together first, knowing I had a whole night of rearranging ahead of me before I could even think about brushes and canvass.

Through the hours of the night I set up our bookcases, bed frame, dressers with our clothes, and even our gaming systems which I set in the living room. I even organized my desk the best I could but with everything so cluttered it took longer than expected to set, and the last thing to do was the bathroom and the kitchen.

By the time I was nearly done, something had began to eat away at me as I was putting my dragon figurines upon the mantles I screwed into the walls. I looked over my shoulder into the kitchen when I had positioned a wall clock above the fridge. My brows furrowed when I realized how late it was, and Henry hadn't returned home yet.

Where the hell is he?

To think an aquaintanceship could begin over something as simple as polish? But hey, it's not over yet. We have only just begun! More Grendel in the next one! Until next time!