Holy Crap I'm Back! Sorry! Life dragged me around for a while but I'm ready to write again! I'll try not to get swept away in the process. By the way there is smut in this one, an apology for my absence, but if you're not into that, just go ahead and skip it. This is a long chapter so there is that! I hope you like it!
Chapter 8: Swimming with Monsters
I don't know what time I got home that night, but I was shaken up by everything that had transpired, thoroughly exhausted. I could still smell of cigarettes with a hint of blood from the Sheriff's wound stuck up my nose. Now, I was standing outside the Trip Trap wondering how I was going to explain how I was over an hour late.
From the other side of the door I could hear a lot of chatting, but I couldn't hear exactly what or who was talking, so with a deep breath I entered the bar with the bell announcing my arrival. Everything went completely quiet, which made me cautiously peek around the corner to find everyone looking in my direction. Holly, Gren, Jack and Woody were all there seeming surprised by my appearance, "Hey..." I trailed off shyly with a small wave only to watch everyone run to me, "We were about to send out a search party! I went to get ya and your door was busted wide fucking open! What happened?" I opened my mouth to speak, wanting to tell them everything, but I came to find myself at a loss for words, because there was so much to process all I could say was, "Can I get a drink first?" It seemed my voice had left me as well because it was oddly gentle even for me. Of course that only worried them more when they looked at one another and then back to me, "Sure." Everyone separated and joined at the bar. I sat my bag in the back and started to put my hair up, feeling disheveled. Holly poured me a shot of whiskey and without hesitation I drank it down in one slide. It was bitter and burned my throat for all it was worth, and yet I wished for another, "Come on don't keep us waiting, the suspense is killing me." Jack said placing a hand over his heart as if he had been wounded, but all I could do was lean forward against the table and lace my fingers together close to my lips as I looked straight ahead, reminiscing on what had happened at the Sheriff's office. I started there, on how I had heard someone breaking down my door and in the fear of thinking that it was someone trying to hurt me, I ended up attacking the Sheriff Bigby Wolf who had come searching for Henry, also known as Augeus.
I remember poorly patching his wound after he effortlessly removed the bullet from his shoulder, all while I couldn't stop apologizing for my careless mistake.
I was petrified of what he may do to me for actions, but he seemed understanding and once I was finished with the bandages he asked me if I would come down to the Woodlands for a chat. I couldn't very much say 'no' so I smiled and agreed to follow him. "Sorry about your door," He said, "I'll call someone to repair it. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes."
"Oh, right, yeah, no problem." I don't know why I said it wasn't a problem, it certainly was! Anyone could break in while I was away but he assured me that the place would be fine, "I'll submit a damage report to Crane. It should be repaired by the time you get back. Do you mind taking a walk?" He asked.
"I have a car if that's better." He raised his brows in surprise lifting his cigarette to his mouth and shrugging.
"Sure." The whole way we didn't really speak. I decided to turn on the radio for a distraction and tried to stay calm as I felt his eyes shift to me every once in a while. I knew I was going to have to tell him something... about Henry, and who he really was, hell, the only way I would probably find out what was going on was by sinking a few ships if I wanted to keep myself from getting into any more trouble. I was going to have to keep my identity a secret though, somehow.
Like on que, he suddenly asked what had been on his mind, "Mind if I ask what Fable are you?" I nearly panicked quietly to myself when I started thinking of all the stories I could think of. "Oh-, I don't think you would know me." I said nearly breathless out of nerves.
"You'd be surprised." I could feel his gaze upon me again, watching my face closely causing me to look at him as well. I sighed softly and nodded, "Alright..." I gave him my name, there would be no harm in that, "I'm..." I tried to come up with something quick off the top of my head, and what came to mind was kind of silly, but it was the only thing that I could think of, "The Elf Maiden."
"Really? That's-, interesting."
"It is?" I asked trying to stay calm seeing that we were already getting close to the Woodlands.
"Last time I heard you were at the farm."
"O-oh, that...Yeah, you know it didn't really work out. If you can believe that." I said trying to pay the part with a wide smile. He seemed to agree nodding and chuckling softly under his breath, "Oh, I believe it. I've heard the Fables there have been at each other's throats for weeks ever since King Cole disappeared."
King Cole...King Cole... It took me a second to realize who he was talking about, but I nodded all the same, "Glad I left when I did then." The conversation stopped there until we arrived in front of the Woodlands. We both exited the cat and with a gestured hand he said, "Follow me." I did. I followed him pass the gates, through the entrance way and into the elevator, but not before noticing a security guard sleeping in front of a desk just near the doorway. He didn't move or stir as the elevator dinged and opened to let us enter. "Does he..." I pointed to the security guard only for the Sheriff to follow the direction of where I was pointing and nodded smirking almost knowingly, "Almost always." The doors closed and I felt the entire elevator shift as we descended to what I assumed was an interrogation room or his office, either one was anxiety inducing, after all, I hadn't been in an official building like this since the police had picked me up from my parents house. It gave me the same eerie, gut wretching feeling as it did then, and all I could do was close my eyes and take a deep breath, hopefully to my discretion.
When I opened them again the elevator dinged once more and the doors opened for us. Bigby went first, I followed second down the narrow corridor and into a shockingly small cramped office that had a desk, a lamp, a coat rack, and about a million other cases and pieces of papers tacked against the walls. When I entered the threshold of the place it smelled lightly of cigarettes, and of a musky earthy cologne.
He offered me the seat in front of the desk while he took the other sitting with a pad of paper and a pen in his hands. He had crushed the butt of his cigarette into an already full tray and kicked up his leg, "So, I know this can be a little intense, but I really need to know what you can tell me about Augeus." When he paused I began to rub the side of my arm, "How long have you two known each other?"
"A few years." I replied honestly, "But, recently he's been very distant, and he won't even tell me anything. He wouldn't even tell me where he works."
"Well that is suspicious. Any particular reason why he wouldn't tell you?"
I gave a scoff shaking my head, "Probably because we had been fighting."
"About what?"
"At first I thought it was because I started working at the Trip Trap, but...I really think Henry's been relapsing."
"Henry?" At first I didn't understand what the problem was until I realized I had used his fake name and felt the pain of that betrayal I had been withholding for a while rise to the surface, but only for a second, "He-," I quickly caught myself biting my lip before continuing, "He lied to me. About his name, his identity, I mean everything. I had the impression we were turning our lives around and instead it went right back to square one."
When his eyes squinted I raised my shoulders in shame, "We-, we didn't start in a good place, and I wanted to change. I wanted better for us, for myself. I guess he didn't want that." He looked at me with what almost looked like a hint of sadness and pity, but I didn't want that. I didn't want him to feel sorry for me, "I found a few things of his that may help." The Sheriff's eyes flicked up at me from his paper work when I said this , "It's back at my place, but it's how I found out about everything. That's all I have.."
"I would appreciate that. It might give us a step in the right direction to what we're looking for." I was curious to know what that was, but I was too scared to ask. At first at least, "What are you looking for? What was he doing?" He hesitated sitting up right and stiffened before relaxing his shoulders, "I don't want to beat around the bush, he might have been into some pretty disturbing things."
When he said this I felt my mouth go completely dry, and so I swallowed, "Like?"
"Fable trafficking, accomplice to forced prostitution, murder, the list is pretty long." He said never leaving my gaze, even as my eyes widened in utter shock and disgust.
"What? Are you serious?!" My whole body felt as if it had jerked out of itself at what I heard. I started to think about all those things I found in the lockbox, and every single piece started to become clearer. I felt a sense of fear for what that meant for me and for those before me.
Had he been trying to lure me here this whole time? For what? Why? My eyes stung and my throat suddenly closed up so tight that when I swallowed again it hurt, but I quickly shook my head, "I didn't know...He never told me anything like that, I swear." I was as sincere as possible, my hands shaking so badly I laced my hands and squeezed them together, "But...If that's true, he..." I trailed off unable to finish my sentence. It was too cruel, too real, and the ache I felt in my chest only became evident. Bigby grabbed a box of tissues and hummed, "Where did you two meet again?"
"At a gas station. I was roaming the streets after...My family's murder."
"Murdered? How soon after?" He asked suspiciously. I looked up to think about it. Now that I did, it was obviously convenient, "Three weeks, I think, a little longer than that." I was unsure but it was certainly close. "Three months maybe? I don't-," I could see that he was thinking the same thing I was, but before I could say more I suddenly heard a high pitched ultrasound coming from my head...Or was it my ears?
It pierced my skull like a stab to my brain, causing me to pinch my eyes shut and grunt in pain as I rubbed my temple and then my eye lids when it wouldn't go away, "Are you okay, miss?" His voice sounded distant and muffled by the high pitch sound over lapping it but I caught the question of concern nonetheless, "Just a headache." I hoped it would stop, but it only got more intense, more painful, the ultrasound nearly unbearable when I heard voices topple on top of more voices. Some of them were familiar but some of them weren't, and one of them seemed to be my own. Faint, but they were there.
What the hell was going on with me? It was all I could think of, wanting to gouge my own brain out of my skull just to make it stop, "I-I'm sorry, do you have any water by chance?"
"There's a water cooler outside in the hall. Sit tight, I'll be right back." I was starting to feel sick to my stomach now and for unknown and mysterious reasons, the noises were starting to cause a cold sweat down my face and neck. I felt my whole body start to twitch and when I went to wipe my face I saw blood smear across my hand.
I almost didn't believe it was there before wondering where it had come from. It was then I felt something drip down my upper lip and gasped as I threw my head back when I realized what was happening.
I was having a bloody nose.
I grabbed some tissues and placed them under my nostrils, confused. The sheriff didn't take long to come back with a cup in his hand but when he entered I could've sworn I heard him sniff the air as he approached me. He brought me the cup and as I reached for it he immediately became concerned when he saw the blood, "What happened?"
"Bloody nose, I guess...I don't know. To be honest I'm not feeling so great. Is there any way we can save this for tomorrow? I still have work too." My heart leaped when I didn't know the time. For all I knew it was late and I was about to get my ass handed to me by Holly when I got back. "I don't think driving home is such a good idea. Can I call you a cab?"
"Yeah that's fine I'll just, pick it up tomorrow when I come back."
"I think that's best. Come on, I'll help you up to the front desk while I make a call." I nodded as he gave me a hand up, "Thank you sir."
"Sir? That's a first."
"I was always taught to use my manners, Sheriff."
"Just surprised is all. Here." He held my elbow for safe measure as we made our way back up the elevator. We hit the first floor and with a light head I plopped down on one of the waiting room seats. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." I nodded with a heavy sigh and laid my head back gently when the ultrasound making my head hurt had disappeared finally.
I gave a sigh of relief as I relaxed against the cushioned seat I was laying on. Everything was starting to go back to normal now, and with a slow movement I tried to sit up with caution.
That was the first time something like that had ever happened to me, and it frightened me how crippling it was, so much so that my nose bled. What could cause something like that? Before I had a chance to think about it someone strolled into the building with a loud clop of their feet, walking as if they had owned the place.
I looked to see a bald man in all nice dressing attire. He wore glass with a red vest, dress pants and a white, crisp, clean dress shirt to match, but the one thing that stood out to me more than anything was his blue beard he had growing out on his chin. He looked as though he had seldom ever smiled, and when his light brown eyes set on me I felt an icy cold chill down my spine, "Who are you?" He asked demandingly.
I only cocked a eyebrow at him though, "Excuse me?" His face soured and he frowned even harder, if that was even possible, but I was unperturbed.
"I said who are you?" He asked again.
"Um, Elf Maiden? Who the hell are you?"
"I own this establishment. My money goes into this place so our community doesn't fall into chaos. So watch your tongue!" I crossed my arms, feeling my blood boil the way he spoke to me. I glared back feeling my face scrunch up in anger then, "I don't care who you are, I don't work for you!"
"Why, you little-"
"Bluebeard, leave her be." We both turned around to see the Sheriff coming in towards us, and he looked none too pleased to see the guy he called Bluebeard. Now the beard made all the more sense, and jolted a sudden deep utter fear in me.
From what I remembered of his tale, the monster would marry and then kill his wives. After getting remarried over and over again, one of them had actually found the bodies of his former wives when he had gone out on a trip, and when he came back he could tell that she had messed with the door, which meant she had found out about his dirty little secret. Her story didn't end well, and the moral of the story was to always obey your husbands or bad things could happen.
What a crock.
Bluebeard? This guy owns Fabletown? What the hell is going on in this place?
"Ah, Mr. Sheriff, what a pleasant surprise." His smirk was frightening and pretentious, it actually made my skin crawl.
"Cut the crap, what are you doing here?" Bigby asked as if he had smelled something fowl coming from Bluebeard's direction.
"That's none of your concern, Wolf, although I'd like to know about why this woman is just sitting here, twiddling her thumbs? I don't believe I've ever seen you here before." He eyed me suspiciously as his gaze scanned me up and down as if somehow that would tell him all he needed to know about me.
"It's none of your business." The sheriff used the man's own words against him which made Blackbeard growl with disdain, "Mock me all you want Sheriff," He spat, "but don't forget who's keeping Fabletown afloat. I have a right to know who comes in and out of here just as much as Crane, as much as you don't like it."
"We haven't forgotten, kind of hard to." Bigby and Bluebeard both stared the other down for what felt like forever. Both of these men were extremely scary, and scarier when provoked I didn't need to be a genius to figure that one out.
Luckily Bluebeard gave an annoyed grunt and made his way to the elevator, giving us both one last bar of his teeth as the doors closed with a ding. I hardly realized I was holding my breath until I released it, and looked up at Bigby shaking my head, "Is he always like that?" I asked as I stood up when I saw a yellow taxi pull up, "I don't think there's ever been a time he wasn't like that." I tried not to smile as I walked towards the doors with the sheriff following me out, but it was too tempting not to, "Thanks again for coming down here, and I'm sorry you had to find out about Augeus this way."
"Yeah...Me too." I felt a tinge of ache again, but as I turned from the taxi to Bigby I smiled and extended my hand, "Thank you as well for showing me the truth. I guess you can never be too sure about someone, no matter how well you think you know them." He looked down at my hand and shook it.
"Don't let his fuck up get you down. He was always a piece of shit." I didn't say anything to his reply, I just wore my smile the best I could and got in the taxi, and that was that.
By the time I had finished telling the others this Jack had his mouth open wide in disbelief. Woody was shaking his head while slugging back some of his beer and Gren looked very alarmed. Holly was stewing at the front of the bar before refilling my shot. Confused, I looked up at her only to see she had smiled softly, "That's for the spaghetti." It took me a second to understand what she meant. My cheeks flared as I felt a genuine smile paint my lips, and without looking at her I twisted the glass in between my fingers and lifted it to her, "Thank you." I took it with no complaint, as much as I wanted to pay her for it, I felt like this wasn't the time for me to be modest. If I was going to get through the night I wanted to be slightly buzzed to numb the physical pain. Maybe emotionally too. So much was raging inside of me. A wave of emotions thrashed up and down like a thunderstorm during a hurricane. I felt as though I had jumped off a one story building and slammed into the ground along with it. "So, what's on the list for tonight, boss?"
"Hon, you're not working. Hell no, not in the shape you're in."
"I'm fine. I can still do some light work. I need the money." I tried to convince her.
"Take a sick day then. One day ain't gonna kill ya."
"If I stay at home, I'll go crazy." Not meaning to my voice quivered admitting how I was truly feeling. "Please let me stay." Holly's eyes widened for a moment before giving me a sad smile as she nodded. No more was said, and for a good hour or so I was doing good. I know I told Bigby I was going home but I really needed to be around friends, no matter how things were with me and Gren.
Speaking of him, as I swept under the pool table with concentration I heard him place his drink on the top of the surface and leaned in to the table, "Hey."
"Hi." After what had occurred between the two of us I felt embarrassed by everything that had transpired, so I refused to make eye contact. We both didn't know what to say at first but when I didn't hear anything I looked back to see a shameful expression all over his face. Maybe guilt? I wasn't sure until he opened his mouth almost at a lost for words before saying, "I fucked up. I should've stayed." I gazed back at him, ashamed, and was a little bashful from my own actions, "It was my fault. I should've told you the truth."
"Can't say I don't know how I would have reacted if someone close to me died. I was a little pushy. I-..." He leaned back against the pool table and began to rub the back of his neck as he always did when he seemed to come to realize how this may have been avoided, "We both could have handled it better. I know I could have. I'm sorry for that." I said softly.
"I'm s-sorry too. I haven't been a very good friend to ya, and for that I can't...I don't know if..." He could get the words out and stopped as he threw a hand up almost wanting to give up on trying to express what he meant, but I knew, and to reassure him I put my hand on top of his, the one holding onto the side of the table for dear life before I felt it relax under my touch. I smiled at him as soon as our eyes met, instantly it was like I saw a wall melt away behind those dual colored eyes, "I'd like to try again, if that's okay with you." I said hopefully. I could see his mind going a mile a minute before he sighed softly through his nose and gave a nod, "Second times the charm, Little Fish." As he smiled my lips broadened as well. I only hoped and crossed my fingers that this time we could grow for next time.
I needed to get a hold of myself, and with help I believed I could find a way to better not just myself, but others, "You still need someone to walk ya home?" I felt my cheeks burn red but I nodded with the feel of butterflies in my stomach, "Why? Are you offering?" I asked trying to push away that butterfly fluttering in my stomach. The same sensation I felt when he looked at me the way he was now.
It felt so right, yet so wrong, especially with what happened to Henry. Yet after everything I found out...
Why couldn't I?
He never loved me and I knew that now, and in his last moments it was still about him. It was time to do something for me, and yet, I didn't think it was...Healthy for any of us.
Maybe I shouldn't have felt this way because it wasn't just about me. What about Grendel?
We had just met, and I couldn't say in confidence that he felt the same. But, I couldn't deny this strong pull I felt when I was with him. He made my heart skip a beat, and made shivers roll down my spine, especially when he had gotten so close earlier today when he said I had lied to him.
Granted, it wasn't a good time to be thinking such things, but when his face was so close to mine I could smell his cologne. It smelled so incredibly familiar, and smelled so enticing. My mind worked over time like I had smelled it before and it drove me mad just thinking about it. Even now I could smell whatever it was and it still filled my senses with intoxication.
"When do you get off?" He suddenly asked in a tone that was almost lower and heavier than he had meant to. It caught me off guard when I looked back from scanning the bar I felt that same shover from before and attempted to hide the smirk behind a bite of my lip feeling unexpectedly giddy, and excited Maybe he did feel that same spark, "Late..." I said softly enough for him to hear me, "But you don't have to-,"
"I want to." He suddenly said before I could finish catching me off guard.
I didn't realize I had let out a small chuckle, breathless and grinning like an idiot. I had to look away just to grab my composure. Without any of our hands pulling away I felt Gren's thumb run over my fingers, "Think of it as a way of making it up to ya."
"Thank you, Gren."
"Eh, forget about it." A little part of me wanted to talk more, to really let us get to reconcile, unfortunately this wasn't the time or place, and just when I became aware of our surroundings I realized Jack was looking straight at us with a grin that stretched from ear to ear, "Didn't realize you guys were getting so chummy. Especially you Gren, I'm surprised."
"Shut up, Jack." Gren pulled his hand away and grabbed his drink before walking back to his seat at the bar, and I went back to sweeping under the pool table taking what I brushed up in the dust pan with me.
After that I looked around for anything to do until Holly demanded I sit down and take it easy. Reluctantly I did, deciding to take a seat between Gren and Woody while they drank and bullshitted around for a good hour before starting up a game of darts. It was Gren, Jack, Me, Holly, and Woody. "Ah crap."
"Try your luck next time, Jackie boy." Gren laughed watching his dart miss the mark.
The rest of the night was pretty quiet, a few fables came in but nothing I couldn't handle. Every once in a while I would make a drink or two and catch Gren out of the corner of my eye seeing him look from me to the other side of the room and back to me again. I smiled when he attempted to look away and pretend he'd been looking everywhere else but me, and once I went to wipe down the counters our eyes had finally met. He lifted his glass to me with a smirk. I smiled back with a nod, unable to bring myself to stop smiling afterwards.
By the end of the night Holly had let me off two hours early when she saw me stumble a bit. I told her I had accidentally tripped over my own two feet but wouldn't hear of it. "Come on, I'll take you home." I heard Grendel get up out of his seat and shoot back his last shot as he waved me over to follow him.
I grabbed up my bag and said good night to everyone as I was heading for the door. Jack looked like he was about to give a smart alick remark, but Holly put her hand over his mouth and told him to stuff it.
With a last wave for the night I closed the door behind us and Gren and I headed up the steps and straight towards my apartment. We both walked side by side in silence for a bit, content and pretty exhausted after what went on today, I know I sure was. I gave a big yawn as we waited for the elevator and when we got on it we were a level away when suddenly Gren gazed at me with a soft expression, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm a little dizzy, but I think I'm okay. I just need some rest, that's all." I tried to reassure him, but I wasn't really sure if that worked or not."
"Heh, I'm pretty beat myself." He said with hands shoved in his pockets. I nodded in agreement, but as I did I felt the whole room spin around me. I didn't want him to worry about him, so I tried to reach the door as normal as possible, but unfortunately Gren had noticed my stumbling and quickly grabbed for me the moment my knees buckled underneath myself, "Hey, hey easy. Come on, let me carry ya." I didn't protest and instead I let him. To him I must've weighed less to nothing because when he lifted me up from under my legs and into his arms, it was so light, and airy, "Just hold on to me." He assured me tightening his hold to make sure I would not fall, and I did the same by wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
"I'm sorry, I didn't expect that."
"You pushed yourself there, Little Fish. Better take it slow for the next few days."
"Oh you're a doctor now are you?" I said grinning from ear to ear.
"Me? Ha, fuck no. The only doctor I know is Swineheart, but hopefully we won't need to call him for anything." He almost seemed confident about his statement until he wasn't. The worry on his face made me stifle a giggle as I found myself leaning close against him, "No, I'm okay, really." The conversation had fallen silent until I looked from the hallway to Gren, studying his face, the worry more obvious in his expression than I ever had. I couldn't believe how much he seemed to care for me. In a way it was enduring to see coming from a guy like him, and before I knew it I made a quick decision, "You can crash on my couch if you need." This caused Gren to smile to himself and chuckle deeply, "Already wanting me to stay so badly, eh?" I rolled my eyes but giggled all the same until we reached those few more steps to finally reach my place. I was actually shocked to see the door had already been repaired as if nothing had ever been damaged in the first place, "Wow, they really didn't waste any time, did they?"
"That's fable service for you. Repairs are fast, but everything else in this dung heap takes for-fucking-ever." I gave a nervous titter grabbing my key from my purse, or attempted to at least, "A fickle bunch this place can be." I added.
"Ha ha! Too true." Gren put me down gently, making it a bit easier for me to find what I was looking for and I opened the door with a click of the lock. The lights were off and everything looked like nothing had been stolen, lost, or misplaced, which was a relief to see. The last thing I wanted to come home to was my apartment being ransacked.
"Oh my God, I've never been so relieved to be home!" I exclaimed happily, only to have it quickly extinguish all that energy I had with a light head. Unintentionally, I fell into Grendel who caught me just as I stumbled, "Oh shit, lady calm down, you want to pass out on the floor?"
"Sorry. I'm over doing it again, aren't I?"
"Oh, you think?" His sarcasm had an undertone of concern, the sentiment made my heart swell with guilt as I looked at him, "It's nice to know you care so much." It was thoughtful of him, truly, but I hadn't realized how tenderly I had said it, and his gaze went from the couch to me which caused him to stub his foot into the night stand next to the arm of the couch and nearly dropped us both, but he caught himself and redirected us right onto the couch with him landing right on top of me, but making sure his weigh didn't crush me, "Ugh, Damn it! You alright?"
"Yeah...yeah, I think so. You?" We were both tangled in each other by mere accident, out of breath from the scare and staring at one another when it finally hit us both, "Am I okay..." He chuckled, "Do you know who I am?" He asked obviously not being serious as he smirked at me. A very handsome one at that.
"Yes, but I'm still going to ask." I said smiling back and adjusted myself so my back laid flat against the couch, cradled by the arm of it
"Well, aren't you sweet." He trailed off seeming to shuffle around nervously before preparing to lift himself up, until I stopped him. I knew why I did but the action caused both of our breaths to hitch taking pause to study the others face. And then, with my head screaming at me to do something, anything, I lick my lip and said with a shaky voice, "I know we've already apologized and all, but I still feel so stupid for earlier. I'm not making a very good impression, and...I don't want to burden you with my problems when you have your own. I just-," He softly hushed me, stroking the side of my head. It was such a simple gesture, but it made my heart skip a beat, "Stop apologizing would ya?" His voice wasn't frustrated like it usually would have, instead it was deep, and soft almost at a murmur as he spoke. His eyes like before were burning into mine causing my face to grow hot, and my heart to pound hard against my ribcage, "I get it now, and there ain't no reason, so just relax." I couldn't find any words to retort with and so in response I smiled with a soft nod, "You're right." I finally said in a soft whisper noticing his face was getting very close, but he seemed to stop just as our noses were about to touch, hesitant and fighting with himself.
I could tell because his eyes were shifting between mine, his hands scratched against the couch fabric and his breath became ragged as he grinded the back of his teeth. It was kind of a turn-on, but he wasn't the only one second guessing themselves. A war of emotions was raging through me, one of guilt and one of wanting to let it go.
I wanted to move in and press that boundary. For almost a year I hadn't been touched, and after the last few weeks being this physically close to someone it was more than enough to set my skin on fire. Henry had shown me he didn't care, while Gren, regardless of our differences, had been more concerned for me than my own lover, what did that show me? What did that mean? Did it justify me wanting to break free? To make a brash decision?
Just then, Gren's hazy, glossy eyes closed tightly and he gave a deep sigh in his chest shaking his head as he slowly opened them again, "Sorry, must be the booze."
"Don't be." I said just above a whisper, the sound of the rain picking up from just outside the window. It wasn't that back earlier but the sudden weather picked up out of nowhere, and yet, it made the ambience that much more tranquil, quiet and calm.
"What about..." He trailed off not even wanting to say what it was, but I had a good feeling what it was. He wanted to know about Henry, about my state of mind. I could tell by the way his face began to curdle like sour milk, and I shuffled underneath him uncomfortably. Not because of him of course, but because he wasn't the only one to have that sentiment, "To be honest we haven't been 'together' for a long time. I mean, we were together, but-, He hasn't-, we haven't-,..." I felt like my tongue had tied in knots trying to think of a way to articulate that we hadn't done anything in a while, (maybe I should've just said that!) but instead Gren just gave a boastful chuckle and whispered back with a wolfish grin, "I got it." A breathy sound came out of me like I had laughed myself, blushing, I tried to look down but my eyes were pulled back to his, especially his glossy white one. It reminded me of mist, unknown and mysterious, and left me in a stupor.
That's when I took the leap and I brushed passed his lips to test the waters first, to see if maybe I was just imagining things.
And so, I kissed his cheek and pulled away to look back into his now lustful eyes, orbs so full of hunger that I felt warmth spread throughout my entire body. A jolt of something primal excited me to my very core.
I felt Grendel's chest vibrate when he growled, a low tone that made me gasp when his hands grabbed onto my waist and leaned his head into mine. We stayed like that for what felt like forever, until he pulled away and looked back at me, ashamed, and almost reluctantly, "Maybe...We shouldn't."
"Maybe." I agreed, "But I'm not afraid if that's what is bothering you. I know this could just lead to a one night stand." His brow quirked at me, "I think you're worth more than that." That caught me off guard, so he elaborated, "I mean I've been pretty obvious I would hope, but...I also didn't-, I mean I don't want to step on any toes." He muttered that last part, but I caught it.
"You aren't. I kind of wish you were, something that told me he may have cared for me, so I could fight for something I thought we both believed in, but...There wasn't." I had to be honest with him, with myself, "I was an idiot. There were never any toes to step on." I said out loud, again coming to the realization of what the truth was once more, "It wasn't real." I tried to sound normal, unnerved by any of the trauma I had come to endure, but it still broke my heart. My voice gave me away not soon after it shook and tightened, "He used me." Gen's brow knitted tight as he frowned remorsefully.
I gazed deeply into his eyes now with tears streaming down my face, and I quickly wiped them away, "Well, fuck him then..." He paused flicking his eyes between the two of mine until he sighed with a deep exhale through his nostrils and softly touched my hair, almost looking as if he was afraid I might break, "I care." He said just above a whisper. All I could do was nod with conviction, and found myself smiling at him sincerely, "Thank you."
"For what?" He asked curiously.
"For being here... with me." I wanted to cry again, but instead I sniffled softly seeing a slanted smile take his face as he cupped the side of mine and breathed in hard as he studied my face closely.
The air around us fell suddenly heavy then, he was thinking hard about something, but before I could ask what it was I froze as he pressed his lips to mine. I muffled a soft sound, finding myself closing my eyes and letting him close the gap.
A heavy sigh came from him and he deepened the kiss with his tongue as it pressed hungrily passed my lips and entered my mouth to find my own appendage. He found it, and I ran my fingers through his hair when I tasted him. His flavor was that of alcohol, tobacco, and a sweetness that I couldn't explain, but none the less, the taste had me wanting more. I couldn't tell whether it was just because it had been such a long time since anyone has truly given me such attention or if it was something more.
I could see Grendel's intentions weren't as lecherous as some would think, quite the opposite. The moment he opened his eyes again he gazed down at me and pulled away to suck in a bit of air and only to go back in again, this time rougher.
A part of me wanted to pull back and rethink this, assuming that in some way I might ruin what we had again.
We just met.
What if it's not real either?
What if he finds out I'm not a Fable?
I sit here and speak of betrayal when I myself am betraying him. I have no right to say I am a victim.
But...It felt so good. I tried to pull away a bit, muffling words that I hoped would come out as say 'no' or 'stop', but instead I didn't, I couldn't.
This was too surreal, too hot, too wonderful. I found myself unable to do so as his lips perfectly shaped with mine in a sloppy needy kiss, the moment growing ever more hungry and wanting, the both of us falling deeper and deeper into each other until we were totally and blissfully gone.
My heart was beating in my ears, I could only release a soft whimpering sound as he moaned and held me tighter, his chest rose and fell with each rumble that grew until he had pressed something hard between my legs I gasped and let out a sound I hadn't heard in a while, one that made the man above me shiver and huff as he did it again. My mouth opened with a needy response, my head swam almost deliriously when I reached into his hair and ran my nails ever so softly against his scalp. His eyes rolled into the back of head, gasping back before he grabbed for my hands. It made me giggle because all he could do was pant and laugh to himself as well, "Too much..."
"In a good or bad way?" His eyes slowly opened with almost a guilty expression as he cleared his throat, "Oh, it was definitely good...Too good. Fuck, maybe we should stop, I'm not at all a prince charmin'. Expectations are pretty low." He laughed it off but I could tell he almost looked as though he was ashamed of himself, as if he really meant it with self-loathing.
"You don't have to be a prince charming. I just want something that's real." I heard myself say hazily, almost sounding drunk as I took a breath, making him chuckle again as he lifted himself a bit to get a better look at me, something that made the butterfly wings in my tummy flutter, "Well, sure you say that now." I stifled a laugh still unmoved from him when suddenly he cupped my face, his brows furrowing together as he studied me, "You're a sweet woman, but I'm telling ya..." His words trailed off before he found his nerve again, his eyes looking deeply into mine as he let me know what was on his mind, "I'm not...Sweet, I mean." The word made him cringe to himself, but I only put my hand over his, the one that brushed a thumb against my cheek, "I'm an ugly monster, with an ugly temper, and an ugly past... Do you really want that?"
I stared back at him with just as much resolve, boundaries laid bare before him and me, "I don't care about that. Monsters can love, and hurt, and grow just like anybody else." I finally said softly, my other hand sneakily coming to the side of his head. I saw him try to restrain a shiver and pulled my hand into his to hold to his chest. "You must not know a lot of monsters then." He laughed, but his heart was thumping hard, his gaze soft, and it made me want to kiss him again, but I reframed, "We don't have to make any decisions now. Nothing is set in stone, so let's just enjoy each other's company." I had raised my head to his and let my bottom lip ghost over his as I spoke, every touch of ours left my words slightly muffled, but he must've heard them because the next thing I felt was his hands tangle in my hair and pull my head back softly until my neck and collarbone were exposed. I made a small noise almost like a whimper which caused Gren to return it with a heavy grunt, "If you're a monster, be a monster." I said more confidently, wrapping my arms around his neck just to hear a growl from him. A feral growl, something so deep it sent a shiver down my spine and set the embers within me ablaze. My core was with such a throbbing ache that all I could do was helplessly tighten my legs around his hips pulling him closer to me until we were pressed completely against one another, my heart racing a mile a minute. One of his hands trailed to my thigh and squeezed as he deepened the kiss, this time his tongue no longer asking but demanding entrance until my lips parted for him with ease. When we had pulled away to take another breath all that slipped from my mouth was, "Take me like a monster." I heard a rumble from him just as his whole body shuttered against me, nuzzling his forehead to mine as if trying to resist his urges.
Me? I was way pass that. God I'd never felt such a rush with such yearning for one person. It was almost too much to bare that I was shaking from it, and I'm sure Gren could feel my trembling.
Hell, I sure could feel him with that bulge pressing up against me. It was begging to be touched, and so was I, "You don't know what you're asking." His deep, gruff voice was quick against my ear, his tone warning me of what was to come as his hot breath filled my ear with want. A powerful surge of arousal came over me and I nearly lost my breath. My hands were under his jacket touching his chest and arms. The more we fell into each other the more I wanted this, the more I didn't want him to stop.
I wanted more. More of him.
"Are you saying no, then?" I asked breathless, my voice shaky from the sweet teases that were driving me wild.
He smirked, chuckling darkly, "Just making sure you know what that entails, doll."
"Why don't you tell me then?" My question seemed to make him pause, staring back at me as he contemplated something, "Once I start...I won't be able to stop." I gulped back saying nothing, that's all he needed to give me a Cheshire cat-like grin, "You think you can handle that?" In response, I gave a small pout face, my lips slanting to the side as I took the moment to think about it. This wasn't a fantasy, this was real. I could get hurt if we weren't careful.
I must've been a fool, a careless, stupid fool because before I could even give it a second thought I bucked my hips into him and rolled them over and over again until Grendel was clenching his teeth together when he gave out a sound that resembled both a moan and a growl stuck in his throat, "Oh, that was dirty." He said huskily.
All I could do was smile cheekily and giggle as I began to drag my nails down his shirt pulling softly on his fabrics to get him nose to nose with me, "What're you going to do about it?" I teased with a wispy soft voice.
He glared at me, not maliciously, but with a hint of daringness. To my surprise he smashed his lips against mine and consumed my mouth with his own. His hands greedily grabbed for the hem of my dress shirt and ripped it open. I heard the buttons fly everywhere, scattering across the wall and the floor. My body jumped at the sudden action but I also felt a fire flare up within me. I grabbed for his jacket and pulled it down for him to shrug his shoulders with a quickness and discard it.
His tongue dominated my mouth nearly suffocating me, taking every inch until it was nearly down my throat, but I didn't care. I only muffled a moan and searched for his belt to take off the next piece of attire. My fingers fumbled with it sloppily while his mouth pulled back to attack my jawline with bites and open mouth kisses. When he noticed my hands were still having trouble with it I felt him smirk against my skin, "Need some help there, gorgeous?" A breathy giggle left me as I shook my head once I actually got the hang of it and slipped the leather open. The rest was easier to relieve, and before long he was kicking his pants off along with his boots.
He had already pulled up my skirt not bothering to remove it and ripped my panties.
I rolled my head back against the arm of the couch and shivered the moment he touched me. He hummed against my collarbone when he felt how wet I was and how bashful as I was about it. My entire body couldn't help the way he made me feel, how he made me react with every hot kiss against my skin. Each peck and sound sent me into a near frenzy. I arched and gasped when his fingers brushed against my clit. He applied more pressure there to the point I was nearly whining with my legs involuntarily closing around him, "So sensitive. Hm, you're going to be fun to toy with."
"So you're going to torture me is that it?" He just chuckled at me, leaning in closer to my chest and flicked his eyes up at me while he released my bra to reveal my breast. I swallowed back and gasped even louder the moment I felt his mouth engulf my nipple. His hot appendage flicked and swirled around the sensitive nub and sucked it as he slipped a finger into me. I was a crying mess then, panting and writhing against the cushions as he thrust into me. Slowly he progressed his pace watching my face closely. I fell deeper and deeper into the pleasure he was giving me.
I melted into his hands and tossed my head to the side when I felt him insert another finger having me arch and moan underneath him. His gaze was eating me up alive, a small gratified smile tugging at the side of his mouth. That damn cocky smile of his...How is it that he could get me so riled up, and so flustered?
I tried to shut my eyes and turn my face away, embarrassed by the noises that were slipping from me, from my body, but he stopped me and instead pulled me into another sloppy opened mouth kiss. I took that opportunity to reach down between his legs and wrapped my hand around his cock making him to hiss back and give a groan, "Fuck." He was by no means small, not at all, quite the opposite, but it was still enough to intimidate me. I bit my lip as I began to move my hand up and down his length. The more I pumped and squeezed the more he hissed and groaned, especially when I began to play with his head, "Sh-Shit...you really know how to work that hand of yours." I grinned at the praise and kissed his chin close to his goat-y as each stroke seemed to take his breath away, "I think the word you're looking for is, 'skillful'." I whispered trying to smile through him fucking me with his fingers.
"Yeah? Well, right now..." He gave me a few more pumps surprisingly already nearly sending me over the edge before he pulled out and tasted my juices. I whimpered, buckling my knees together before he groaned at my taste and stared down at me like a piece of meat before pulling my legs open, roughly, "I just want to be fucking you." I started panting at his words, his grip positioning me so he could rub against my folds and line himself up against my core. This was it, there was no going back, and I had no regrets, "Do it." I began to pant faster due to my elevated heart rate, "Please...Do it!" I begged unable to control myself, affirming it by wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him, hard, getting him to take the hint and slide the head of his cock into me.
Inch by inch I felt him slip in and stretch me in the most indescribable way. Our mouths soon pulled away, gasping and moaning back between one another until he was fully seated inside me, "Hah, ngh, fuck." He groaned.
My back wanted to arch and my hips wanted to sway. I could feel my eyes getting misty as I sighed in bliss. Mist that was done by the kindling, the indescribable pleasure of him, feeling as though he was tearing me apart to the point that my arms started to show goosebumps, my core taking him in as if he had been inside me once before.
I immediately fell into him, and adjusted to his size as he steeled himself, staying there for what felt like forever, drunk on the high himself before he began to thrust deeply into me, his eyes burning with lust and hunger.
I gasped back, moaned, and whined with each pounding, his hips slamming into mine until he leaned back and let his eyes fall between our connection, "Fuck, that's hot." I felt my walls flutter around him squeezing tighter until he growled, "That's it, suck me off with that pretty little cunt of yours."
"Grendel~!" If my face wasn't the color of a tomato, it was now, how can he talk like that so casually?!
"Poor baby, I haven't even started yet." His heavy taunting voice had my ears turning red and my cheeks showing the same beaming color, I was sure of it. I'd never known someone to speak so dirty to me and it ripped tidal waves of ecstasy crashing through me. My voice didn't even sound like my own, it was a weak, panting, and a shaky mess, even more so as he grinded against me. He was right there, right there and all he wanted to do was torture me. He would pull all the way back and thrust right back in. Slow, and fast, and then slow again keeping me tittering on the edge until finally he decided to press his thumb against my clit and rub vigorously. My whole body gave tremors and shakes while he kept up the pattern, still keeping me from hitting that crescendo. I could feel it, it was so close, just a few more powerful thrusts away and I would crumble under him, but, yet again, he kept me tittering on the brink of ecstasy until his grunts reached my ears, and his lips pressed hard against mine, our tongues swirling around one another's as he continued his brutal rhythm.
I never knew a man to be so vocal. Never. I wish it was just that Henry was a silent lover, but now that I've learned what I have that just wasn't the case. It was hollow for him. It had always been hollow.
As for Gren? Gren wasn't afraid to show his pleasure, and it gave me a boost of confidence that I hadn't felt in ages. I felt as if I was doing something right, and it wasn't just me being unable to give him that wonderful feeling, and I loved it. I loved the feeling of it. I loved the feeling of him taking me and filling me up.
How could I feel that spark, so quickly?
Suddenly that question was erased from my mind when Gren buried his face between my breasts. A soft moan escaped me when he plucked my nipple with his teeth and sucked on it. The whole world melted away within an instant and again I found my hands buried in his hair causing some of it to fall out of place. Looking so disheveled like that... It really gave him a dashing kind of look, and made him look even more devilishly handsome, but none of that compared to how he looked at me as he leaned into my touch, inhaling deeply while I gently scrapped my nails against his scalp and cupped the side of his face. It was as if he had never known that kind of touch and for a moment it felt bittersweet. My heart ached at the thought of him never knowing that sort of affection.
I began to angle my hips to have him hit that one special spot just right, and it caused me to shutter and make us both moan out unabashedly. I brought one of my hands to the one playing with me and started to work on myself. He seemed surprised at first but grinned and lifted my legs over his shoulders holding my hips down as he slipped back in with a huff and began a hard rhythmic pace, "Ya doin' alright there?" I gave a curt nod unable to really form any words for him, "Yeah?" He nodded, and began to peck my lips never stopping, slamming deep and deeper until I heard the sound of slapping in my ears, "Good." The words were muffled once more by our lip lock, and I whimpered underneath him, feeling trapped and confined in such a way that it felt erotic, and exposing. He could have his way with me and I wouldn't be able to stop him
...And I'd let him.
Why? The small voice in the back of my head would say, but I shut my eyes to push it back and felt his thumb at my bud to make me roll my head against his. His eyes were completely fixed on me, his mouth partly open seeming almost lost. I didn't know if that was due to him being drunk but...
He seemed to notice the droplets of sweat accumulating between us and cleaned my neck with his tongue, humming as I sighed with my chest rising and falling. I tried not to dig my nails into his back but I was beginning to spiral. A small cry released from me as he sped up, both of his hands now at my hips and my own hand taking pleasure in myself. He chuckled and sighed dreamily while he partook in the sight of me, his eyes filling with a feral hunger, lust spilling from both of his dual colored eyes. They were very expressive, it made me wonder how he could ever look this way towards me.
In that moment, I felt as if I wasn't in my own body and the longer I stared at him the more I felt a strong sense of deja vu'. The feeling became surreal as my climax, something that approached so abruptly I tried to, unsuccessfully, pull away shaking my head as his short heavy breaths and the sound of skin smacking against one another was the only thing I could hear, along with the smell of perfumes, sweat, and sex in the air.
When he was as close as I was he pulled me in and deepened his thrusts in such a way that it gave me that sweet release I had been silently begging for, my legs convulsing and shaking all around him. He followed soon after and released himself on my pelvic with a satisfying moan. It petered off wave after wave until he collapsed on top of me, huffing heavily into my skin.
I didn't mind it, I just pulled him in and closed my eyes and let our high dissipation into the early morning. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and for goodness knows how long he laid on me like this, we both didn't seem to want to leave each other's company, "If the deal still stands..." Gren had started before looking up at me from his place between my neck and jawline, "I'd like to take up the offer." Being thoroughly tranquil after the tension was all beside us, I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth and nodded with a shrug, "You can still stay here...For now." I teased the last part seeing a cheeky grin take his face and with a slow movement he removed himself from me grabbing some tissues from the coffee table, and offered me a few as well. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." After tidying up I grabbed my clothes and tossed them into my hamper in the room, my ruined shirt I put to the side for repairs. Gren went to retrieve his clothing as well, and as he was about to put them back on I cleared my throat standing near the entrance of the bathroom, my head peeking out from the bit of wall that, "If you want to take a shower you're more than welcome to." I said softly flicking on the light.
"Is there enough room for two in there?" I smiled trying not to grin like an idiot when he asked that, but I poked my head from outside the door and nodded to him, calling him in.
He smirked and wasted no time following me in.
After the shower we both laid in bed, and we laid there with his head against my chest while I grazed my fingers through his wet damp hair, brushing through it so softly that I could see it was putting the big lug to sleep. I had to admit, I too was slowly drifting away, still feeling the after effects of what we had just done. "You know..." His gruff voice pulled me back from sleep and my eyes immediately went to him, "I've never had a dame touch me like this before. If I have, I certainly don't remember it." I had guessed right, and with a bittersweet smile I only continued my actions, "I'm an affectionate person, what can I say?" I said this with a soft gentle voice, but Grendel gazed up at me and turned over to sit up on his elbows, studying me as if he was debating whether I was real or not, "It's more than that, you know. I wish I could explain it." He paused attempting to open his mouth and say the next words, but instead he just opened and closed his mouth as if he were a fish gasping for air, "Out with it already." I tittered shaking his shoulder to get him to do the same.
"I'm tryin', but I just don't want to sound like I'm fuckin' bonkers."
"Well, how will I know you're 'bonkers' if you don't tell me what's on your mind?" Again there was a great lengthy pause before he eventually sighed causing me to grow slightly concern, "I got this crazy gut feeling I've fuckin' seen you somewhere before." All I could do was start back at him mouth agape almost swallowing my own tongue, "The first day I met ya, it was like I couldn't take my eyes off you. It's been fuckin' nagging at me and it won't go away, and now? Now I want to know if maybe, just maybe... I'm not losing my mind." I felt goosebumps crawl up my skin and my heart pound against my chest with anxiety. I knew that it couldn't be true. I hadn't lived here long enough, and we both had lived in totally different worlds for a long while. This entire Fable thing was incredibly new to me, believe me I would've remembered a big guy like Gren to know if I had met him, or any Fable for that matter.
And yet...
He continued, speaking with the tip of his fingers hitting his chest, "The feeling has been itching at me, that's all. What do you think?" I pondered thoughtfully, and smiled, trying not to show my doubt about his question, "You never know, maybe we have in another life." I said optimistically, seeing him smirk and hum, "You believe in that after life crap?"
"No, but..It sure as hell feels like it. I guess we'll have to wait and see." Grendel only groaned under his breath and put his head back down on my chest almost as if he was listening to my heart beat as he grumbled, "That's all you have to say to that?"
"Yep!" I pronounced my 'p' with a pop and grinned at him cheekily, "Patience is a virtue after all."
"Not for me. I hate waiting." His small little pout made me stifle a giggle, and I closed my eyes to this peaceful moment, something we both seemed to have needed considering the last few days, "Angel Fish?"
"Mm-hmm?" I could barely respond, exhausted, and trying hard not to doze off just yet. He splade his hand across one of my legs, and created small abstract patterns against it. I felt a small warm sensation against one of my breasts, not realizing it was him kissing it until he had pulled away a bit and breathed against my skin, "Nah, nevermind." I peeked down at Grendel, giving him a chance to say more if he needed to, but all he did was nuzzle against me, inhaling and exhaling deeply.
As we laid there in the neon multi colored lights illuminating the room, I found myself wondering about the shape shifting 'monster' entangled in my arms. How many times did he really get a chance like this? How often did it last? Honestly, it just seemed so surreal.
Slowly as I drifted off to sleep he was the only thing I could think about, ever since he mentioned him feeling as if he knew me, and before long I was fast asleep dreaming of a grey shadowy figure calling my name, something running at me, while the roar of yells and clashing of steel echoed throughout a red bleeding sky.
The next afternoon went by pretty quick, and I felt a bit giddy getting to spend the day with Grendel again, even if it was dark and raining. Guess it comes with spring weather. He seemed to be fond of the idea too, although he didn't say it. He even talked me out of missing school for the day. Instead I convinced Gren to go on a walk with me to the park so I could clear my mind, since being stuck in the house all day made me feel trapped. Seeing how much I was fidgeting he finally agreed and that's how we ended up here now, on the river bank that was no bigger than the small park itself. It wasn't the cleanest, but the ducks and small critters seemed to think it was just fine for them. I pulled out a small camera for the occasion and began taking pictures. The shutter made a small clicking sound for each one I took, and after I finished I looked at Grendel with a smile, slightly embarrassed to see him watching me the whole time, "Sorry, I need references for my next project. I can always do this another day though, if you want to leave." I wanted to give him the option. It wouldn't be right of me to make him suffer.
"Don't mind me, just observin'. I don't get what you see in this."
"Not your thing, huh? That's okay. For me, It's relaxing. It gives me peace when I feel there is none and once you get the hang of it, you can let your imagination do the rest." I said this all while taking a quick picture of him when he turned to look around the water. He turned to me though when he heard the click and growled under his breath, glaring at me, "I couldn't resist." I admitted timidly.
"Not a fan of my picture being taken." He told me, shifting uncomfortably under the umbrella I had let him borrow, and to this I felt a sudden and utter feeling of guilt, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel..."
"Don't worry about it, angel, just remember for next time." I respected his wishes and I stood up to take in the scene, "No more pictures, I promise." I touched his shoulder and gave a soft squeeze before I had found another spot.
"Good." He smirked then, making me feel more at ease. The conversation soon fell on the topic of home while we walked all over the area until I had found a bed of flowers that were covered in small rain droplets. I could hear Grendel following behind me, feeling his eyes on me even though I wasn't looking directly at him. To make sure of this I bent down lower to get a close up of a small droplet hanging on by a thread to a black orchid petal and pressed down on the shutter with a finger.
Once I took the picture I looked back at Gren to see his dual colored eyes gazing back at me, widening when I saw him looking back and slyly trying to look at everything else but me. I felt a smile tug at my lips but went back to what I was doing. I took a few more before finally feeling I'd tortured Gren enough with being outside with me, "You want to go get some chop cheeses?"
"With coffee, I'm fuckin' beat." He said that rubbing his eyes.
"From last night?"
"Yeah a little." When he realized why I asked he looked over at me and roamed his eyes around anxiously as they widened, "Not sayin' I'm regretting it, because I'm not. I'm talkin' about something else." I must've been wearing a face of doubt because he walked right up to me and gripped my chin softly and stared into my eyes sternly, but not harshly, "I'd do what we did a hundred times over..." His voice lowered, husky and hushed, it made goosebumps form on my skin and heat bloomed from between my legs to my cheeks.
I held his arm with a gentle hand and smiled through the bashfulness, "Well, I'm glad you enjoy my company." Gren leaned in with a smirk, nodding with his eyes never leaving mine, "A Lot." Leaning in closer he brought his mouth to my ear, and made me tremble. His gaze began to devour me, as if at any moment he'd take me to one of the park trees and make good on his words.
He must've read my mind because his eyes looked to a big willow tree behind me and he gave me a sly grin. I had to turn away biting my lip and took a deep breath, trying not to embellish it further, so to change the subject I tap my fingers against my camera and I raised my shoulders, "What if we make our way to the diner, and then I'll go get my car. It's still at the Woodlands, unfortunately.
"You're call, Little Fish." He might've been saying that but the tone was something entirely different, so with glossy eyes I gazed back, put my camera back in its case and wrapped my hand around his arm, "I'm famished."
Together we walked in content, both of us huddled under the umbrella to keep each other dry, and yet the calm, cloud covered sky was more than enough to have us both enjoying the moment, "So tell me, what was home like for you?" I asked this even though I really had no idea where Fables came from. Have they always been here?
"Heh heh, you know how it was."
"Not really. It's been so long I can hardly remember." That seemed to make him frown but he nodded understandingly and hummed, "Yeah...Me too." I thought maybe he would elaborate a little more on the topic, but before I could say anything Gren came to an abrupt halt which caused me to do the same in concern. I noticed he was looking over across the street so I followed his gaze to see what he had seen, "What is it?" I took a long gander, only to widen my eyes when I saw Lily and some guy arguing down an alleyway, out of sight of almost anyone to see.
Thank goodness Grendel had better senses than I did, because I would have missed her completely.
From what we could tell they were arguing, Lily seemed to calm the man down but he only rubbed his eyes and pointed a finger in her face, his teeth barred and angry. "This is a big fucking deal! If things go south it'll be your head whore, not mine!" Was all the guy said. He wore a bowler hat and was covered in tattoos from his arms to his face, and he fashioned himself in a black tank top with matching pants. He looked cruel, and from the looks of it, violent.
I felt a deep gutted sensation of rage and held tight to Gren as my mind raced with possibilities. I heard her say something along the lines of, "You're mad at me because she went to the sheriff? How is that my fault? I haven't talked to her since yesterday! She doesn't even know nothin'!" He made a face and leaned in close, glaring down at her as if he wanted to hit her hard, "If shit goes fucking sour, you're dead. Got me?" Lily nodded frowning trying to keep her composure.
At this point we were both walking up to the opening of the alleyway, and Grendel immediately made himself known, "The fuck you doin' here Georgie? Ya girl ain't peggin' you enough?"
"Oh very fuckin' funny. You're a real clown, mate." The guy said before looking over to me and freezing. His eyes widened and for a split second I thought I saw his face pale, but he just went back to glaring daggers back at Lily, who was aimlessly staring at the ground, her mouth twisted in a disgusted and loathing frown.
Georgie then began to lift up his hands in surrender and backing away slowly, "Hey, I'm not here to step on toes. It's just business."
"I don't care what the fuck it is, get the fuck outta here before I splatter your inners on the wall." He nudged his head at the wall next to him, but that only made the asshole smirked chuckling, and then laughing, "Oh sure, sure, but then you'd be fucked wouldn't ya? What with your gambling problem, eh big boy?" Gren's eyes widened, and like a ticking time bomb he exploded, sizing him up nearly nose to nose, "How the hell do you know about that?!"
"Oh, I know a lot of things, boyo. A lot of things. Best you remember that." It wasn't just a threat, it was promise. I see it in his face, regardless of how cocky he acted.
"I'll still fucking kill ya if you piss me off enough! Now get the fuck outta here before I break ya!" He snarled angrily.
"Heh, suit yourself." He shrugged, "I've got more important things to do anyway." I could've sworn I saw his eyes dart to me, but I wasn't sure it had happened too fast to catch. Just before he left he gave Lily one more look and a tip of his hat, stalking off as if he did the place. He didn't sit well with any of us, and by the way he treated my friend, I certainly wasn't happy about it. It left a gut wrenching knot in my stomach, and even more so when I realized who Georgie was.
Again, something to stew over later.
Was he right? Was he implying that Grendel had a gambling problem? Was he in debt?
I pushed the thought to the back of my mind when I heard Grendel walk up to Lily and grab the bicep, "Please don't tell me you're still working for him?!"
Still? I knew that she was stripping, but as the pieces started to fall into place I suddenly jumped when Lily snapped, "You might've just cost me my ass, you know that?!" She was saying it directly towards me but Grendel hadn't seemed to notice since she was looking away. Only I could see her eyes seething with rage.
"Answer my question Lily, are you working for him?" He voice stayed the same but this time she pulled away violently and barred her teeth...her real teeth that were starting to show through her glamour, "What's it to you!"
"What's it to me? Your my friend, Lily, for fuck sake! You think I like seeing a piece of shit like Georgie treat you like that?"
"Well then do me a favor, Gren? Look away. Don't bother me again! You hear me!"
"Hold on, Lily, don't say things you can't take back, please? We were both worried about you, that's all."
"I can take care of myself. Fuck, I need a cigarette." She began to walk off down the sidewalk away from the alley this time, but with it was both me and Grendel looking back at one another speechless before following behind her, "Listen, if you want just stay at my house for tonight. You can gather your thoughts and we can-,"
"I just want some peace! Is that so much to ask for?!" I wanted to scream at her, ask her why she was acting like this? But then I realized what was happening, and instead I slowed my breath and nodded softly, "No, no it's not. You deserve peace, Lily. Everyone does. Life-, is just really rough right now, but we'll figure it out. Okay? We'll find a way to get you out of it." She seemed frustrated, but also, she was beginning to calm herself. She didn't know what to say and instead punched the wall next to her and yelled.
"Please, Lily." Gren pleaded, "Let's go see Holly."
"I don't want to see my sister." Gren looked back to me this time, sensing there must've been some unknown dispute, and I agreed with that. So as I pursed my lips I contemplated what I could do to help, because as much as Lily hated it, I cared for her regardless of our problems. If this had anything to do with what's been going on, what we had discussed, it meant something a lot worse, and that this whole thing was a lot bigger than I ever imagined.
But, I wanted to help Lily first. That was my main priority, "Gren and I were going to go get some food. Maybe we can all go? I'll pay, my treat. What do you say?" She didn't say anything at first, even glared back at me for a minute before seeming to sense I meant it, and I did. She wiped her face with one hand, then sighed without turning to us, "I hope this isn't out of fucking pity for me."
"Never. Everyone has their bad days." I said softly squeezing my hands together to wait for her next move. "It's up to you, you know. You get to make the choice." I added to let her know she had control, it was a small thing but I wanted to make it known, to enforce that for her, and when she looked at me she hid a sad smile as she finally walked up to us, arms crossed and shoulders hunched. She seemed ashamed of herself, but I smiled back and pulled her under my arm and squeezed her close, all while Gren handed me the other opened umbrella so we could all stay dry as we walked to the sidewalk and down the street. I believed at this point we were all just hoping that the joy of some warm food and good friends could uplift us poor unfortunate souls.
The next part should be out quicker this time. I've been working on a few different chapters of different stories so keep an eye out! Thanks for reading!!