Striving to write

Imagine that you have boarded the ship, joining the crew. It is clear that in this universe its not seen as bad luck for women to board ships, as proven with Captain Amelia and that one pirate lass. This is a large vessel and a not so orderly crew, so you managed to convince Dr. Doppler to hire you as a cabin girl. You expected to be alone, until the captain ordered Jim to work alongside the cook Mr. Silver, so you managed to split the cabin work with the boy; you would stay up on the deck with the mop and brushes, and he would be down in the kitchens.

You had your own reasons to be a part of this. Not just for the adventure, but for the gold. Perhaps like Jim, your parent(s) wasn't in the picture, and you had to fend for yourself. Perhaps the last man you trusted broke your trust along with your heart, and you vow you won't let your heart be torn again. Maybe with your earnings, you intend to go back to school? Build your dream house? Start the business you've yearned for? Anything is possible with the loot of a thousand worlds...

You're the one on the deck this time during the fog. You try to smile and wave to the crew members, seeing no harm in attempting to be friendly. Though no one seemed to reciprocate your polite demeanor, and for some peculiar reason the crew even found it suspicious. As if they had something to hide (but surely they didn't. The good doctor wouldn't have carelessly hired a savage crew, would he?). One crew member in particular did not take to your approach kindly, "Scullery maids shouldn't wander about so blindly..."

You were scared, who wouldn't be with the way this alien creature hissed as he descended the mast with a predatory purpose whith his golden, insect eyes boring down at you. Though you forced your racing heart to calm and simply tilted your head up at him, not giving him the satisfaction of your quivering form, "All I wanted was to say hi. You looked lonely up there in your little web." And it took everything in you to not crack a grin when he was taken aback by such an innocently care free reply.

This became a routine between you and the rigger- known as Mr. Scroop as you had learned. It seemed after that first meeting, the arachnid was determined to shake you, as you could feel his eyes on you as you performed your duties. Having been on the streets, you knew when a dangerous gaze was on you. And you knew you should have stayed away. Though there was something about Scroop that drew you to him... You told yourself you were just challenging him in your own way whenever you look right at him with a smile and ask him if he'd like to join you in swabbing the deck, "Since you appear to be rather fascinated with my work." You hadn't anticipated this when you had boarded Captain Amelias ship, though you can't say you're disappointed. Months in space would be awfully lonely if you hadn't made a... An acquaintance.

Whilst Silver taught Jim everything he knew, you supposed Scroop was trying to determine if you were entertainment or a nuisance. And you had no clue what he thought of you. Though one night, you realized that there always seemed to be an extra purp just for you, and how your chances of missing dinner due to your workload and greedy crew members had decreased. And you had no idea who it was after Silver denied any credit for your improved conditions. But when Scroop was the one who saved you before you fell into the black hole, the pieces all began to click.

Despite the tragic loss of Mr. Arrow, you and Scroop had grown closer after that near death experience. He hadn't lost his harsh tone with you, but he was sparing you more than ten words at a time, so that had to be a plus, right? You saved your purps, tucking them in your blouse and waiting until most of the crew were asleep before finding Mr. Scroop and offering to split the sweet fruit with him, and he would accept your offering without threatening to shove you out into the starry abyss. One night in fact, you were so exhuasted that you didn't even realize that you had fallen asleep in Scroops perch until the next morning, when you woke up in your cot with a few scratches that could have only have come from a certain aliens claws.

It was easy to pretend the intimacy between you two wasn't growing. You had been thinking about the one who hurt you more as you grew more attached to Scroop, and everything in you was screaming at you to pull back before you got hurt again. That men like Scroop who couldn't even admit their own softness would only harm you... And god, do you wish you had listened.

Now, you were with Jim, the doctor, and your captain. Stranded on Treasure Planet with a faulty robot named B.E.N. and running from the very crew that Amelia had referred to as driveling galoots. Not only had they all been pirates all along, but... Scroop...

"... You say I've gone soft, yet you've been getting rather close with the lass, haven't you Mr. Scroop?"

"... She's just a warm body, too stupid for her own good. I've not let her keep me from the treasure, unlike you. She'll be tossed overboard soon enough."

Just a warm body. An idiot. That's what he had called you. And he was ready to kill you for the treasure...

Your cheeks had been wet and your heart was ready to burst the entire time as you all had escaped a horrid death. As Doppler tended to the injured captain and Jim thought up a plan to slip past Silvers crew, you tucked yourself away to the back of B.E.N.s home. The many memories you had made with Scroop were all replaying in your mind, wondering how could you be so blind? You had been exposed to cruelty before, and yet you fell for it all over again. Telling yourself Scroop just had no filter, how he must have been a hurt soul like you. You really believed that maybe, just maybe, the two of you could have healed and built something meaningful together. You had even told him you would like him to be a part of the business you yearned to open...

You really were just a stupid warm body, huh?

...

You weren't supposed to be eavesdropping. Damn it, damn it all. Why were you right there and heard everything?!

He had it all figured out, how he would keep you locked away during the mutiny. How you would end up being the sole survivor, and Silver would let you live since you were just a simple scullery maid, and he would have suggested you would stay woth them- they could use an extra pair of hands anyway. And you would have become a part of his crew and by his side where you belong.

You wouldn't enjoy it at all at first. He knew you were too good hearted to take to a pirates life quickly. But you were his person now; he wasn't going to just let you go for the sake of the treasure now. You were part of his loot now.

But all that is changed now. He knew the second you had bolted alongside Jim towards the captains quarters that, and he very nearly snipped the sails away with how tightly he gripped the ropes. He had refused to stay on the boat as Silver ordered, he needed to find you and get you back before anyone else fires a plasma bullet into your skull.

Alright, lets get one thing out of the way. I know a lot of us HC him to be gay, but I personally get bisexual vibes off of him. So these headcannons can apply to men and women ^^

Grendel is the type of guy who looks like a big sleaze at a glance. He's got that oily, weasely look about him that actually stems from his lack of self care. But since we see in game and the comic (based off the game, not Fables since I have yet to read that) he is fiercely loyal to those he cares about, I'm certain his mother raised him to be a gentleman.

Again, it may not seem like it at first. He calls it like he sees it, as loud as he's feeling, and he is more brash in his speech and mannerisms. But he will not harass someone when they show no interest, and he knows the meaning of consent. He'd be a real hypocrite if he, the guy who just wants to be left alone, wouldn't stop bothering you, huh?

Don't expect big romantic gestures. He's not the kind of guy who will show up with a bouquet and handwritten poetry. But the fact that he already doesn't mind you sitting next to him speaks volumes. He'll pay for your drink, he will defend you from anyone who gives you a hard time, and he'll actually engage in conversation with you. He gives short answers a lot of the time, but still! The first time it happened, Holly very nearly dropped the glass she was cleaning.

He has to work hard to keep him glamor, but he won't forget to take care of you. If you are down on your luck at work and your hours were cut or you need to find another job, he's got your back. If you try to bring up how he's struggling, he'll try to shrug you off "So are you, and everyone else in this shithole. Doesn't mean I can't help."

And I must emphasize that he is LOYAL. He may call Bigby a lapdog, but his loyalty is akin to the sheriffs. Even when he's high or drunk, he will throw someone propositioning him across the room before cheating on you. And he will never forget who you are- because your voice is the only one he actually loves to hear 🥺

Also very protective. You see how he sticks up for his friends and covers for them? Multiply that times 10 with you. He sees you're uncomfortable or if you even glance in his direction a certain way, you bet Grendel will get in the other person's face while pushing you behind him. Though anyone who knows who he is don't need much to be scared off by him. And when crime is rising in your side of town, at home or work, you'll see your troll coming by more often, even if your manager banned him. He doesn't care what anyone might say, he needs to make sure you're ok. Especially after Lily's disappearance.

If you try to take care of himz he may appear as ungrateful at first, "You're not my mother..." he mumbles. But if you know him, you know that thats him telling you you shouldn't worry about him. Its not that he isn't greatful, it's just... You shouldn't worry about him. He's a troll, he's survived his arm getting torn off. He can handle the mundy streets...

Speaking of which, do not hesitate to visit him at work!!! Bring him lunch while he's on break or just pop in for a visit. Yeah, he may mumble something about how cheesy this is, but you can catch the tiniest hint of a smile on his face as he sits with you... Considering how easy it is to get on his nerves, you may have saved a coworkers or annoying customers life by getting Grendels attention and pulling him out of his blind rage.

Not exactly a fan of dates that require going out. I mean, he deals with enough noise at work, why would he want his ears grating when he's with you? But that doesn't mean you guys can't get creative. At-home theater nights or dinner dates is a great compromise. Or taking a nice walk at night through the park when very few are around. But honestly, Grendel would be most happy just... Being with you. No music, no sound, nothing. Just you leaning your head on his shoulder or even laying on him, with the only sound he can hear is your breathing (maybe even your heartbeat if you're close enough? Grendels hearing is pretty sensitive 🤔). Just your weight on him, proof that you are real and you want to be here with him, is the best way to end the day for this troll.

Watch this man melt when you see his glamor fall and you still lovingly stroke his cheek. Even if the law states he has to keep his glamor up, Grendel needs nights at home when he can be a troll and you still come to him. He wishes you two could have met in the Homelands; how you two could have settled together in the bog, you could have met his mother, and you two could have built a life together free from capitalism and legal corruption... You could have known him before he was a struggling, substance abusing asshole. Yeah he was still a prick back then, but he could have provided for you better than he is now.