A/N: Just an aside, I didn't mention before that these ficlets are not going to be connected to each other. They're separate, but I'm publishing them all under one story name so that I don't have a hundred little things clogging up my page.
Now, as to this chapter, the actual story is kind of loosely based on the theme, but really that's what this challenge is about, seeing what you come up with. So without further ado, here it is...
Challenge #2
#90: Triangle
It's said that bad things happen in threes. What wasn't said was that the bad things were usually caused by goblins. Sarah Williams had a healthy respect for supernatural beings, particularly goblins and their king, however the antics of the aforementioned goblins were beginning to annoy her. So far, the past two days had been plagued with bad things happening in threes. The first day it had started out with her alarm clock being unplugged resulting in her being late to work. At work that day someone tripped and spilt coffee on her white slacks, and the day had ended with her car dying on her. Day two hadn't been any better; in fact the incidents had gotten worse. The mechanic who she'd hired to fix her car had called to inform her the cost to repair it would be more than the car was worth; her cell phone mysteriously disappearing followed this. Sarah had wound up finding it five hours later tucked away under her bed where when she'd found it, she'd heard what sounded like the giggling of several small creatures. The day had concluded with Sarah walking home from the grocery store. She'd been standing on the curb, waiting for the light to change, when a car swerved on the road, hitting a rather large puddle and causing a six-foot wave of dirty water to drench her. The man driving the car had stopped and tried to apologize profusely, claiming he thought he saw a cat or something run in front of the car. Sarah however, knew there hadn't been any cat.
Today, Sarah had woken up hoping for things to start going right. She should have known better though. She later reasoned that after two days of bad things happening in threes, it was only logical that a third day of unfortunate events would follow. The day had started with finding out that her living room window had been left open all night and the heavy rains had blown in resulting in a completely soaked couch. Next, she hadn't been able to call someone to professionally clean her sofa because her phone lines had accidently been shut off; later she'd found out that it was her neighbors who hadn't paid their bill who were supposed to have their line disconnected. And finally, not three minutes ago, she'd walked into her bathroom to take a shower only to find that a pipe had burst and flooding had ensued.
After rushing down to the basement to shut the water off, she had marched into her living room, clenched her fists and not caring she was still only in a robe said in a deadly quiet voice, "I wish the Goblin King would come here, right now."
A velvet soft voice at her ear announced his arrival. "My, my Sarah. How fetching you look. Is this all for me?"
Sarah turned slowly to see the platinum blond Fae King dressed in a white poet shirt with a black vest, tight grey leggings, and knee high black boots. A satisfied smirk dominated his face. "Tell me Goblin King," Sarah said, crossing her arms across her chest. "Do you enjoy making me angry?"
"Why, whatever do you mean, Sarah dearest?" he mocked her.
Instead of answering, Sarah struck out at him, her fist connecting with his jaw faster than he could move to block her. The Goblin King slowly turned back to her, his face not nearly as amused as before. He gently brushed his fingers against his jaw, cringing when the contact brought pain. "Was that really necessary?" he asked lowering his hand.
"That was merely a taste of what I'd like to do."
"And why so much ire against me, my dear?"
"As if you don't know!" Sarah's hands moved to her hips. "You've been setting your goblins on me, making my life hell!" Jareth shrugged. "You're not even going to deny it?"
"I see no need to, honesty is healthy I've heard, however I do believe the soon-to-be bruising on my jaw might contradict that statement."
"Why!"
"Why what, love?"
"Why are you trying to make my life hell?"
"So that when I call upon you to come take your place as my Queen, you won't have any reason to stay here," he said looking her in the eye.
"Do you think I'm that stupid, Jareth? Did you really think I wouldn't figure out that it was you causing all of this to happen?"
"No, love, I believe quite the opposite actually. You are a very intelligent woman."
"Well then why the hell would I agree to come to the Underground with you?"
"Because if you don't, I'm not sure I could be held responsible for what my goblins might do next…" he said, a smirk forming again on his face.
"You would blackmail me into being your Queen? Is that how you want our relationship to be?"
"So you admit we do have a relationship?"
"What? You're putting words in my mouth!"
"Hmm… I can think of better uses for your mouth…" a seductive look accompanied this comment.
Sarah stepped back and waved a finger at him. "Oh no you don't; don't go trying to pull that seducing crap on me."
"Well if it works…"
Sarah gave him a smoldering look, "As if…"
Jareth took a step closer, "Sarah love, come back to the Underground with me. Can't you see how suited to each other we are?"
Sarah let out an exasperated sigh, "Jareth, we are constantly trying to bite each other's heads off, we never seem to agree on anything, and you have offered me this chance before and I said no. Why would I take it up this time?"
"Because this time, Toby doesn't need saving. This time, I've had years to think it over and get to know you a little better, and because I know you a little better it only serves to show I've made the right decision in choosing my Queen."
"Jareth…"
He took a step forward, placed a gloved finger over her mouth and cut her off. "Sarah, I know I am asking a lot of you. I know I'm asking you to leave all you've ever known and to be the queen of an unknown land and people. But will you not at least consider it? I know there has to be some semblance of love somewhere inside you towards me else you would have defenestrated me long ago."
Sarah gently grabbed his wrist and lowered his hand from her face. "Jareth, you're trying to move things along too fast. We barely know each other."
"Then permit me to court you here in the Aboveground where you are more comfortable."
"You mean like date me?"
"I believe that's the common term for it, yes." Sarah raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I promise we'll move as slowly as you wish, love."
Silence permeated the air as Sarah thought it over. Finally she looked up at him, "I'll date you on three conditions."
A broad smile emerged on Jareth's face. "Name them, love."
"You tell the goblins to stop making my life a living hell…"
He waved a hand dismissively, "Done."
"You clean up the water damage in my bathroom."
"Of course, my dear, and the third condition?"
Sarah paused before speaking, "You are completely honest with me while dating me. No lies, deceptions, half-truths, or white lies. I want to know I can trust you."
Jareth nodded after a second, "But only if you do me the same courtesy, love. No lies, deceptions, half-truths, or white lies from you either."
"Deal," Sarah agreed.
"Wonderful, now when shall we plan our first date? I'm free right now…"
"Jareth… remember what I said about moving slowly?"
He rolled his eyes, "Fine, how about fifteen minutes from now? I'll give you time to dress properly… or..."
"Don't finish that thought!" Sarah interrupted, eyes flashing.
"How do you know what I was going to say?" Jareth asked, his eyes gleaming mischief.
"I just know you Goblin King."
"Hmm… maybe it's better I wait outside. I shall return in fourteen minutes and twenty-six seconds. Please be ready, dear."
Sarah rolled her eyes as the Goblin King vanished from her living room and she moved to get ready for her first date with his royal Nibs, noticing on the way to her room that the bathroom had already been cleaned spotlessly. She smiled and thought to herself that this might actually work out.
o O o O o O o
Labyrinth (c) Henson & Froud
Part of the 100 Themes Challenge on jdbfangirlharem... go check 'em out!