i answered this on a broad note just a minute ago, but i can attest to one more thing!
once the nature of his relationship with muds takes a sexual turn, grendel’s favorite sexual experience is the one wherein he loses his virginity. everything after that is more relaxed, more casual, less anxious – and honestly, as their libidos evolve and begin to revolve around one another, their sex life becomes objectively happier and more comfortable, too – but there’s something very significant about the first time he finally subjects himself to pleasure, finally lets himself be taken care of for a change.
it’s not even a sign of surrender so much as it is a sign of trust, and the fact that the sexual aspect of their relationship blossoms from that one single instance of mutual trust / respect lays the foundation for everything else to come.
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