Title: The Closest Thing to Love
Fandom: Labyrinth
Rating: PG-13 M Mostly rated for safety, though. You know what I mean!
Summary: Alternate Ending! Sarah couldn't find Toby. Jareth, finding this absolutely delightful, happily keeps the boy and raises him to the next Goblin King.
Warnings: May contain some slash and hints of femmeslash.
Author Notes: This is a twisted take on Jareth/Sarah. I decided to do my own thing with this and I hope you really enjoy it. I will make this multi-chapter and try my hardest to update. I'm totally swamped with finals lately. But, I will try to make each chapter long and juicy and wonderful. That's the best promise I can make. When you review, always tell me what I can improve. I like to make the reader happy, yo!
Chapter One
How to Raise a Goblin
The boy was raised to live up to Jareth's expectations. His clothing always displayed a certain flamboyancy of class; long coats, glitter streaked across his eyes. True, and complete beauty. Toby's hair was grown out into long, brown locks; as if he was a match to his older, long-forgotten sister. His seventeen year old body was petite and slender and gave off a distinct aura of femininity. The face of the boy was even more amazing; it was pale and soft and showed no hints of blemish as many boys his age experienced. His lips were a color of pink that was inhuman, as were the color of his violent, violet eyes. They spoke of the horrors he could not remember. Toby had no memories of his sister coming to save him. He had no memories of the 'normal' world. All he had was Jareth; someone who provided him with constant comforting. Every time the goblins would sneer at Toby with jealousy at the attention he received, the sensitive boy would find himself comforted by the soft stroke of the King's hand on his cheek.
Looks did not make kings. And, Toby knew since he was a young boy, that Jareth was raising him to the heir. Jareth wanted nothing less but to turn this boy into the perfect example of what all Goblins should look up; beauty, class, and perfection. Toby was now walking up to his Master's chambers. His footsteps were light as they hit the ground with a distinct clack. The environment that surrounded him up the stairs was nothing but typical. Brown walls with the occasional picture hung up were typical. But on other, more strange days, Toby was occasionally greeted by several staircases leading up to different areas than the King's room. Though, it wasn't truly strange. This was Toby's life. He was accustomed to it. Everyday of his life he was greeted with these things that anyone from Sarah's world would consider odd.
Finally he reached Jareth's room. It was a big, brown door made of large slabs of wood that gave off a very 'medieval' feel. Toby wanted to come in and surprise Jareth with the heat of another sneaking up on him. But, throughout the years, the beautiful boy had learned to knock on the door and wait for his King to answer. It was almost as though, regardless of the affections he received, he was still a child to Jareth—something that would never truly grow up. Lifting up the handle of the golden knocker on the door; Toby swayed it to make a knock, knock, knock.
Toby waited with patience for a few seconds that absolutely taunted him. He hated the way Jareth would take so long to greet his prince. It was completely tantalizing. It was if the older man enjoyed making the boy wait with anticipation just to see his face again. Looking back on his past, Toby wasn't sure when this desire began. He was raised by the man; to anyone else the man would be practically a father. But, in this strange world, there was no such thing as father or mother. There were companions. And, at some point during his teenage years, the feelings for the older man grew from admiration to affection. Jareth took it well and returned the kisses and hugs and touches with no problem. Toby didn't know how he actually felt, but through his young life, he truly felt like the King must love him. Why else would he show so much love?
The creek of the door caused the violet eyes of Toby to look up and stare the charming man in the face. He was perfection. His blonde hair stuck out in every direction; giving off a distinctly charming feel of rebel. His eyes were carefully brought out by the beautiful shades of silver and blue that were applied on his eyelids. Then, there were Jareth's lips. The dark crimson caused Toby to stare back at the ground as a blush formed on his cheeks. "Toby," his voice came off dark, and almost smoky as he spoke to his protégé, "I wasn't expecting you." Standing by his words, Jareth did not exit the doorway to let the boy in. Rather he stood there. The Goblin King's body slumped against the edge of the door as he awaited some sort of explanation for the arrival of the darling human who stood at the doors of his personal chambers.
Blocking the blush from continuing to form; Toby looked up with a lack of conviction, "I wanted to see you," he stood on his toes to match the other man's height, "What else?" The last words were purred into Jareth's ears. The ringing voice that Jareth heard was heavenly. The young one quickly took on the older man's accent; but he still spoke in such a higher octave. It was almost feminine. It was almost as beautiful as a certain female he had lost so many years ago. This boy was clearly a replacement. No one would ever realize that, though. And, Toby, who knew nothing of his older sister would never even begin to suspect the real reason his hero doted on him so and accepted his affections with such 'honesty.'
The King's voice echoed with laughter as he grabbed the collar of Toby's coat and happily dragged him into his room; the room that sent shivers of joy down the brunette's spine as he entered it. It provided a sort of ecstasy that Toby never could place. It was more than love. It was something heavenly. Something divine. How did this king manage to do such things to him? Violet eyes peered to the surroundings. Though the basic shape stayed the same; it was constantly changing. Occasionally there would be a new portrait or some new coat draped on the bed. Toby didn't know where his beloved got such things but always found joy when Jareth brought something for young Toby.
There was one portrait that always caught Toby's eyes. It was of a beautiful girl adorned in a golden dress and her hair put up perfectly. Though, regardless of this beauty, Toby always felt that she looked horribly sad and almost melancholy. The girl looked like Toby, though he would never consciously acknowledge it. Staring at the picture, he would assume it was some old friend. Surely not a lover. For, with all the honestly placed in the innocent one's heart, he felt that he was the only one for Jareth. This girl…she had no place with him.
"You always come to visit me, love," Jareth spoke as he pushed the petite boy on the bed with a sudden thrust. The King could stare at the boy for hours on end. He was incredibly beautiful. Charming. Beautiful. Toby's body easily fell on the soft bed as he head looked upward at the lustful creature who had just thrown him on the bed adorned with silk, purple sheets. The Goblin King sat next to the boy lightly kissing his neck.
Toby felt joy just from the licks and kisses on the man on his neck. It was horrible. It was soft and perfect and charming. He moaned ever so lightly as he felt Jareth's mouth on his ear; gnawing lightly. "Actually," he began as a hand slipped to his chest in a movement that sent electric sensations throughout Toby's body, "I was wondering about something."
Jareth groaned and pulled away. His fun was quickly ended by talk like this. There were days, long ago, when all Toby would do was visit him for pleasure and companionship. But, as of late, that was not all the younger boy wanted. It was as if he was beginning to try to build a bond with the King. Some sort of true love. Jareth didn't understand it. This was his prince and lover. He always had felt they loved in a way that did not require communication—a purely physical love.
Wide eyes of disappointment greeted Jareth as he pulled his love away from the brunette. Jareth did not speak. He stared at Toby; awaiting whatever question the boy was going ask. Toby spoke up in a voice that imitated an angry, stubborn child, "Well," he said with a shrug that faked apathy, "I want to talk to you. We used to talk. You used to teach me. But now," Toby stopped his façade of indifference with watery eyes, "Do you love me?"
Jareth smiled, whispering to the boy, "I love you more than life itself. I love you more than anyone else! I love you more than any other goblin. Man. Woman. More than anything!" He quickly pushed the boy to lay down on the bed. Toby's hair snaking across the pillow. With that; Jared happily began placing affectionate kisses and hands all across the boy's, who now believed in the man's love, body.
As Jareth straddled the boy, the look that swarmed onto Toby's features reminded him of his true love. With the moment of passion coming upon him, Jareth let it slip as he screamed out in ecstasy, "Sarah!"
Author Notes: If this concept gets enough support, I'll try to go onto chapter two. Which, I will happily tell you what's in store. Sarah is coming back, to begin with. And there will be a little Sarah/Jareth going on. So please, read and review and enjoy.