Disclaimer - Labyrinth isn't mine. I just borrow the characters and make them dance to my tune.
Chapter 1 – A New Game
"It's weird living in New York. Have you noticed there are no stars?"
The Goblin King looked up from the paper he had been flicking aimlessly through and raised an elegantly arched eyebrow.
"They're still there, silly girl. There is merely too much light pollution in this godforsaken city for them to be noticeable to human eyes."
Sarah turned from her positon by the window and glared at him, stung. Her eyes of green fire flashed at the sight of him reclining regally on her sofa, high heeled boots resting on her coffee table. The drama of his outfit (today, a crimson poet shirt and the impossibly tight pants she had learned to accept as his trademark) clashed considerably with the mundanity of her cheap, faux leather sofa purchased at the local thrift store. As unwilling as she was to admit it, he certainly added a certain flair to the otherwise underwhelming apartment she had begun to call home.
"I know that, thanks," she muttered, stung. "I'm homesick, not an imbecile."
"Then desist from making such inane observations. If you loathe residing in New York so very much," Jareth replied, his tone positively dripping with distaste, "then perhaps you should have refrained from leaving your childhood home at the very first opportunity you came across. As I remember, there was a time you were not so very pleased at your circumstances. I do believe the words 'I hate this house' were uttered on numerous occasions."
Despite her brewing anger, Sarah gave the Goblin King a saccharine smile, knowing it would infuriate him.
"That is so sweet, Jareth. Do you remember everything I say?"
Jareth rolled his mismatched eyes, but swallowed his retort. He did so enjoy the way those lips formed to say his name, the teasing lilt that the years of visitations and tentative friendship had allowed.
"And really, if it's such a chore," she continued triumphantly, "I really wouldn't want to subject you to my 'inane observations' for a moment longer. Not when I know the kind of witty repartee waiting Underground for you. The Goblins really do have such a sparkling wit, and don't even get me started on the Chickens –-"
Quick as a flash, Jareth was beside her, so close his feathery blonde hair was tickling the back of her neck. Sarah shivered. Jareth saw and smirked smugly, his velvet voice filtering into her ear.
"Really, precious thing," he murmured, "so sensitive. I can give you my word that you are much more charmingly verbose than the chickens and that your company is infinitely preferred. Even if you do complain even more than your dear vertically challenged Hogbrain."
"Hoggle," corrected Sarah, automatically.
"Mm, yes," replied Jareth, agreeably. Sarah supressed another shiver as hot breath caressed her neck. "Besides, if the apparent absence of the stars offends you so, something could perhaps be done."
At this, she turned to face him, incredulous. She forced a lightness into her tone that she did not feel, attempting to mimic their usual easy teasing that they had slowly developed since she had called him to her two years ago on her 18th Birthday.
"I thought," she said slowly, "that you moved the stars for no-one?"
His gaze bored into her and Sarah, mesmerised, could not look away from those mismatched, crystalline eyes. She looked at his face, studying him, trying to gage his emotion. There was an odd expression on his otherworldly face. A touch of bitterness, and…something else. Longing? Surely not. Since they had been reunited, he hadn't even tried to kiss her. Sarah told herself resolutely that this did not bother her. A small part of her quietly acknowledged that she was a dirty rotten liar.
After a moment, the intensity of his expression was replaced by his usual mask of indifference. A smirk developed, giving his eyes a familiar glint of mischief.
"Really Sarah," he said mockingly, "that is perfectly adorable. Do you remember everything I say?"
Sarah gulped, very aware of the proximity between herself and the Goblin King and feeling like a particularly tasty mouse that had been taunting a lion.
"Only the stuff you say to me in terrifying rooms where gravity ceases to exist."
He chuckled, a deep throaty sound. They were so close she could feel the vibration the sound made in his chest. She usually enjoyed making Jareth laugh. This felt different. Dangerous, and worryingly enjoyable.
"On your count, Sarah," he murmured silkily, "I may be able to make an exception."
She melted.
"If you do something for me first, naturally."
She solidified. Of course Jareth wouldn't do something for nothing. It was not in his nature.
"You know what?" she muttered, "I think I'm good. I'm pleased with the starless sky. I really don't have too many baby brothers left to barter."
He pouted, the wolfish look in his eyes looking incongruous with the mock petulance of his expression.
"But you haven't even heard what I would ask of you," he replied, his tone filling with an affected level of hurt.
"It's not going to be anything good."
"Ah, so narrow minded. You do so distrust me, even after all these years. So cruel."
"Yeah, I have such unwarranted trust issues. I mean it's not like you've ever drugged me, stalked me in owl form, sent the Cleaners after me or stolen my baby brother."
Jareth grimaced briefly. "Details, Precious thing, details! Besides, I didn't steal dear Toby. You, in a fit of selfish adolescent fury wished him to me, and I generously complied."
Sarah opened her mouth furiously but was shocked when a gloved hand covered it.
"And this brings me nicely to my offer. I will gladly rearrange the stars to your liking in this abysmally unimpressive sky, if you agree to play a little game with me."
Sarah looked at him, dubious.
"What sort of game?" she asked warily.
"Oh really Sarah, you do look so suspicious. I am wounded." He placed an elegant hand on his chest as if in pain to further illustrate his point.
When she did not respond, Jareth sighed as if robbed of some particularly enjoyable entertainment.
"Merely a game of truth."
"Why?"
"I am a curious creature."
"Couldn't we just play Scrabble?" she asked hopefully.
"Really Sarah, I ask for so little."
"No," she replied softly after a moment.
He paused, and something akin to a genuine sadness darkened his eyes.
Something inside Sarah wavered.
"Please?" he murmured, so quietly she almost thought she had imagined it.
Sarah's last shred of resolve, after a courageous attempt, withered and died. She shrugged, feigning nonchalance.
"Okay, Okay. Fine. If it means that much to you, I guess…I guess we can play."
Jareth grinned a dangerous grin and Sarah could not help wonder if she had made a grave error. 'What's said is said,' she thought to herself wryly. No turning back now. The game was on.