AN: I went through, correcting a great many errors in the first three chapters. Perhaps I should ease up on the speed posting. Anyways, in response to the reviews I've been getting: Yes, I've read GND. While I've read a few pages of Roommates, I find myself enjoying the life of the girls, with Jareth as slightly crazy stalker, always using his crystals to peep on girls in the bath.
I've actually received reviews from several names I recognize from the jdbfangirlharem, so I figured I should say hi to them XD Huge thanks to Clare, for her reviews, as well as being beta for another of my stories, and thanks CoffeeKris as well, for your review. Everyone, thanks so much for your words of encouragement, and favorites, etc 3 I'm very glad everyone's enjoying this. Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint ^_^
Disclaimer: None of the Labyrinth issues are the property of the Jim Henson Co. Any other resemblances to other characters/series are simply the result of me being really bad at thinking of names...
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The Devil Does Exist
By: DemonSaya
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Jareth always arrived to class well before the students. He would spend the hour skimming the work he would assign for the day, and begin writing the points he desired for them to pay attention to. Today, however, he found he could not force himself to move. He sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair, staring into nothing. His class had begun trickling in moments ago, but he still found that he simply didn't care.
His mind was continuously replaying that point when her lips had hungrily been perusing his neck and chest and shoulders, moments before her interfering roommate wandered in, unknowingly killing the moment. He could still remember the delicious taste of her mouth, the soft way it had given just slightly beneath his.
Several of his students were murmuring in confusion. It was not out of character for him to stare vacantly into space, while letting his imagination take him where all too often his life did not. Unfortunately, this habit was going to interfere with his class today. Ah, perhaps an exam would distract him from his current pondering, while giving him the opportunity to consider how to corner Sarah into a similar situation today. Perhaps after the other students left, find a reason to keep her after, pin her against the door, and happily reexamine the corners of her mouth with his tongue.
He smiled in a way that caused a shiver to go through every student in the class.
Yes, that would do nicely.
He stood, pulling that handy stack of exams he had conjured out of nowhere from his desk and moving forward. "Since I'm in such good spirits today, I thought an examination was in order." He proclaimed, hearing the unanimous grown of misery that went up in the class. Several students muttered something about him being a sadistic bastard. He pretended he didn't hear, setting a stack of paper upon each desk in passing. Upon reaching Sarah's he frowned, noting the girl's absence. He glanced towards her roommate. "Miss Williams would be where today?"
There was something about the broad grin on her friends face that caused a tingle of anticipation to run through him. "She wasn't feeling well." She lied, and from the look on her face, she knew he would see it as a lie.
Interesting. "Well, I suppose she will have to make it up at a later date." He said, moving forward once again. When the tests were finished being passed out, he returned to his desk, watching the irritation in the students face flicker as they took the exam. Sarah, precious, what mischief are you planning, he wondered, his lips curled up in that devastating smirk. He could find out. He wanted to find out. Had he known she was planning something for him, he would have told the class they could come back next week, while he rushed home to see if the minx was in the process of cooking up some delightful magic.
Opening his desk drawer, he saw the crystal with her delightful pictures from the party floating around inside. A faint smirk turned up the corners of his lips. He had some sinister plans for that delightful body she normally kept hidden beneath such conservative clothes.
A sudden prickle caused the hair on the back of his neck to raise and he glanced towards the student whom was glaring at him and found Marc's black gaze meeting his own.
Hm, it was possible the youth recognized him from the hallway. He had stopped time quickly, but he was a little unmistakable. It was with no small amount of arrogance he thought that.
He glanced up as a test was slammed down on his desk with an exceptional amount of violence. He found Marc glaring down at him as though the man would like nothing more than to reach over the desk and tear his throat out. He gave the man a mild look. "If you're finished, you may go."
Marc snarled at him, leaning towards him. His hand lunged forward, gripping the front of Jareth's shirt and he leaned forward, ignoring the general exclamation of shock round the room.
"Young man, I would not do this if I were you." Jareth said calmly, looking at him.
The boy took several deep breaths. "You stay away from my girl!" He hissed quietly.
"Your girl?" The professor inclined his head to the side. "Of whom do you speak?"
"Sarah!" The boy snapped, obviously furious.
Jareth smiled in an inane manner, wrapping his hand lightly around the hand that was tangled in his shirt and began to apply pressure. He didn't speak, simply staring into the boy's eyes, letting the glamour flicker ever so slightly. Enough to reveal his ordinarily feral eyes, looking up into Marc's, not looking away. "I'm going to say this one last time, Marc." He crooned softly. "You do not wish to do this."
Indecision flickered through the boy's eyes and his hand reflexively released him. Then, he bolted from the room.
He surveyed the now uneasy class, his eyes pausing on Sarah's friends, who were more speculative than uneasy. "Well, that was a rather rude thing for your classmate to do, distracting you all from your tests like that. Go ahead and finish up." He gesticulated with his hand, indicating they could continue.
Christine examined him a little bit longer before returning to her test.
Hm, what had his precious Sarah told her roommate in regards to him?
It didn't truly matter. After all, as long as the mortal did not interfere with his plans for the evening, she could speculate all she wished.
Slowly, other students finished their tests, bringing the exam to the front of the room and dropping it on Marc's. Afterwards, the student would wander back to their desk, collect their belongings and leave the room. In the end, only Christine and Elizabeth remained, and they finished at the same time. They walked up to his desk, dastardly smiles on their faces and as they dropped their tests on his desk, they chirped, "Have a nice evening, professor!" Then, gathering their belongings, they left.
How positively cryptic.
He stood, setting the tests in his briefcase, and decided to walk home. It would give the delightful minx a little more time with whatever she had planned.
His mind raced through possible scenarios she could plan – her mind had always been delightfully creative – and he found himself hoping she would include that delightful little corset she wore when she attended that party somewhere within it.
He entered his apartment, gave the guard a cheerful wave, moving towards the elevator, entering it and pressing the button for his floor. It seemed to take forever, and just when he was, again, considering simply using his powers to get him to her side, the doors opened, and he hurried down the hallway.
He gave his door a wave and it unlocked, and opened the doorknob slowly, peering inside the apartment.
It was dark.
He frowned, wondering if Christine had been right and Sarah was merely unwell, when he noticed the faintest flicker of candles. He pushed open the door and found himself smiling at the scene. Of course, she'd want romance. He closed the door silently, kicked off his shoes, deciding to go find the lady. What he found and what he expected were drastically different.
Sarah stood miserably in the middle of his kitchen, tears in her eyes, her lower lip trembling, looking hopelessly down at a charred, blackened mess. There was an open book off to her side, and he could see it was a cookbook. "What did I do wrong?!" She wailed. "I know I followed the instructions!"
Jareth moved forward, slipping his hands over hers, preventing her from dropping the dish in shock. "Precious, are you alright?"
She twisted, looking up at him, then looked back down at the dish. "You're...early."
"You're crying." He said, stunned. He turned her in his hands, taking the dish from her and setting it down on the stove. "Why the tears, precious?"
She lowered her eyes, sniffled. "I...was trying to make dinner. I wanted to do a good job. I was really careful, I followed the recipe!" Her insistence made him smile. Unfortunately, that seemed to make her think he was mocking her attempt. "Oh, is it funny!? I was trying to do something for...for..."
He cupped her face, searching it for a long moment. "Precious, I would not laugh at you for this. Your actions are only further evidence of the romantic heart you have." He brushed his lips across her cheeks, down to her jaw, finding her rapid pulse in her neck. It was pounding frantically against his lips. He pulled back, seeing the dazed look on her face. "Are those the steaks I'd purchased?" He inquired mildly.
She nodded. She looked so upset, even with those dazed eyes.
He smiled, wrapping his arms around her, hugging her against his chest. "May I make a suggestion, precious?"
"I suppose you will regardless..."
"Bring me the phone book. That time living alone, I've discovered that when distraught and distracted, it is better to order take away."
Sarah stared at him, and after a moment, a grudging grin turned up the corner of her lips. "And what would his majesty prefer?"
He smirked at the faint sarcasm in her voice, pretending to ponder. "I've rather developed a taste for mongolian beef." He saw the look of disbelief in her eyes and chuckled. "And what would my lady care to eat?"
She flushed when he'd addressed her as such, but put on a good show, tapping her chin, looking away, as if food were truly what was on her mind. "Honestly? I always preferred sweet and sour with a side of egg drop soup." She said in a laughing voice.
"Ah, so you prefer to take the good things with the bad?" At her confused expression, he smirked. "Precious, with all due respect, Sweet and Sour is nearly the most vile thing on the menu." Her jaw dropped and he laughed outright. "Perhaps we should explore other options on the menu?"
"Pizza?"
"Your preference?"
She blinked innocently. "Hawaiian."
"What is it about you and pineapple?" He asked, his voice incredulous. "First your Sweet and Sour, now your Hawaiian Pizza! Do you eat anything edible?"
She whacked his chest lightly. "How about gyros?"
"I was unaware that there was Greek delivery in the area."
She smiled broadly. "It's near my apartment and they make a decent sandwich, and a fantastic baklava."
At the mention of the sweet desert, he smiled wickedly. "It's not the pineapple, is it? My dear, you have a sweet tooth!"
She blushed. "What of it?"
He purred softly, bringing her close to him. "Oh, I'm sure we can satisfy that sweet tooth of yours." He liked the way her eyes dilated in awareness.
"And what of my lesson?"
"Hm?" He inquired, pondering the fingers which were resting on his chest. He wanted to lean down and nibble upon them. "What was that, precious?"
"My lesson? With the crystals?" There was a delightful glint in her eyes.
"Oh, I'm sure we can squeeze in a lesson between dinner and dessert..." His eyes swept down her figure, which was still wearing a silly apron over a t-shirt with California written upon it, and blue jeans on her legs. When he looked up at her, she had a slightly arched eyebrow. "Didn't I mention that I have a sweet tooth as well?"
Sarah's cheeks darkened, and she self-consciously wet her lips.
He smiled at the motion. This was simply delightful.
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Two hours later, after eating their meal and fighting half-heartedly over the last bite of the dessert, their dishes had been abandoned in the sink, and Sarah was staring down at the little crystal ball which rolled around her palms. Her face was a mask of concentration, but her body was very, very distracted. It did not help that behind her, holding his hands under hers as she stared at the little ball, sat the Goblin King, who was extremely happy with his own situation.
He'd first taken that position, saying it would make learning the complicated skill simpler. His chest had come into contact with her back, as his hands slid down her arms, beneath her own. His hands acted like a guide, and his sharp gaze had caught the crystal moments before a fall several times already.
They both sat upon his couch, her sitting on the edge, him sitting, his legs on either side of hers, which left her entire body very aware of how close she sat to him. Ordinarily, the whole situation would have set off her fight or flight response, but once her initial nervousness wore off, she found being in the arms of the Goblin King a delightful place to be.
"Okay. I think I'm ready to try without help..." She said, still moving her hands in that little figure eight as the ball danced on her palm. His hands slowly slipped away and she found she missed them, found herself wishing he would put his arms around her and just hold her. She frowned faintly, concentrating on her hands, instead of the man who was causing that electric sensation in her body. Her brows shot up, and she smiled. "Hey, I'm doing it!" She turned to show him.
When their eyes met, time seemed to stop. Maybe it had. Sarah felt herself go still and the crystal began to roll off her palm. Jareth's hand caught it as it left her palm, sliding it between his own. His lips were smiling down at her and there was that heated look in his eyes. He made the smallest movement and had it sliding up the back of one hand, over his fingertips and down his palm.
She was mesmerized by him. Despite everything else she'd ever said about the man, this single thing had always been true. He was beautiful and mesmerizing and she'd lost herself to him at some point. He was why she'd never been able to have a proper relationship. He was her dreams personified and wrapped in leather.
She never stood a chance.
She felt his eyes searching her own and placed her hand over the crystal, turning to face him and pressing her lips against his. She could feel his lips twist into a smile and pulled back, looking up at him uncertainly. His eyes were warm, and that arrogant smirk was on his face and she found she didn't care. She swallowed hard, pulling the crystal from his hand, moving and setting it safely within a bowl on the counter. Then, she walked back to him, standing above him, eyes not leaving his.
He leaned back slightly, simply looking up at her, that infuriating smirk still in place. It broadened and he lightly patted his lap.
Swallowing, she sat down on the leather-clad thighs, surprised when his arms went around her, hugging her against his chest. She looked at him, eyes wide.
"You have given me a delightful evening." He said softly, searching her eyes. "Whatever have I done to deserve it?"
She found her eyes flicking down to his lips and when she met his gaze once again, those mis-matched pools were bright and hot. "Everything." She said quietly, her voice soft. "You've done so much for me, and I've been ungrateful." She caressed his face, watching his eyes fall shut in response. "And last night..." She glanced away.
His eyes popped open and he found her unable to look at him any longer. "Sarah." He called gently, catching her chin, turning her to face him. "I don't expect anything, precious. Nothing I've done since we've been together again has been through ulterior motive."
"Except the pictures?" She asked, sounding a little tart.
He smirked. "I shall not apologize for those pictures, precious. I plan on keeping them indefinitely."
Her eyes widened and she stared at him. "Why?"
"Because, my dear, you are beautiful." He brushed the hair from her face, looking at her closely. "You were always beautiful. Even banning me from you, that brilliantly inspired look on your face was lovely." She looked so stunned, he had to laugh. "Did you not know?" He called the crystal back to him, throwing an image from his mind onto it's surface. The scene played again and again, and her fifteen year old self said he had no power over her.
Sarah's eyes widened and she looked up at him, her full lips parted slightly. His face was pained, but he stared unblinking at her image, saying those words over and over. She'd hurt him, she realized. Gently, she reached forward, touching his face. Her other hand covered the crystal. Her lips balked at forming his name, but she wanted to say it, she wanted to call him back from that other time, to her. "J-Jareth..." She finally whispered.
His eyes snapped to her face, startled. He flicked his wrist and the crystal vanished. He slipped one hand into her hair, pulling her mouth against his, plundering her thoroughly.
Sarah gasped when his mouth crushed hers, insistent and demanding. His other hand was flat against her back and she could feel the leather against her skin. A moan left her, and his tongue invaded her mouth, as though he were claiming her. She fisted her hands in his hair, shifting on his lap, putting her thighs on either side of his, putting her face over his. Gently, she pulled away, looking down into his face. "We could both get into trouble for this."
He seemed to consider that, examining her closely. "Does it bother you?" He asked, his chest heaving.
She shook her head and said, "I made my decision last night, after you left. It's why I came here today. For as long as I can, I want to be with you." She saw the warmth in his eyes and swallowed hard. She ran her hands over his face, leaning down, brushing her lips lightly against his. "Jareth." She breathed against his lips, watching as his eyes fell closed and he smiled.
"Precious, I've waited ages to hear you say my name, and to hear it that way is positively wonderful." His arms were suddenly around her, one hand under her backside, the other flat between her shoulders. She gasped as he stood in a single motion. "I want you, Sarah." He said softly, looking into her eyes, his face serious.
She shivered slightly, pressing her face into his hair. There was only one answer, but she was so afraid. "Then have me." She finally whispered, closing her eyes tightly.
He moved confidently through his apartment, waved his hand to open his door and brought her into his room, setting her amongst the regal sheets. A wave of his hand sent his door closing silently.
Sarah watched him stand over her, his eyes slightly reflecting the minimal light. He was so perfect, it almost hurt to look at him. When he moved towards her, she propped herself up on her elbows, unable to take her eyes off of him. If he did this to her fully dressed, what would it be like when the clothing started coming off?
He knelt on the bed near her feet, crawling up her body slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. Her throat had gone very dry and she found herself very nervous. When he settled against her, she let out a startled gasp. His lips quirked up slightly and then grazed her own, very gently. "Sarah." He breathed, one hand sliding up her arm, leaving a tingling trail in it's wake.
She swallowed hard as he pulled her into a seated position, those wicked hands of his finding the edge of her shirt, inching it up over her skin. She let him divest her of her shirt, her face flushing when his eyes swept over her. She moved to cover her exposed skin, but he caught her arms, pinning them against her sides. "Don't stare..." She mumbled, glancing away, her face flushed darkly.
He smiled faintly. "Precious, I am not intending on rushing through this like some foolhardy adolescent. I intend to do a great deal of looking, touching, kissing, and nibbling, long before we...get down to business."
She felt her cheeks heat but before she could look away, his lips caressed hers, and she wound her arms around his neck, moaning into his mouth as his fingers wandered down her ribs. "Jareth..."
He shivered at the sound of his name on her lips and he lifted his gaze to hers. "Yes, precious?"
"Be gentle?" She whispered, watching his eyes warm, his lips turn up into that devastating smile.
He leaned forward, answering her concern by brushing his lips gently against hers. "Naturally, my dear." He purred, his eyes heated. "Always. But only for you."
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an: Yes, I did just cut it off right there. I figured that's as far as it can go on here and keep a T rating. I'll put the full and uncut version on or when I get around to it. XD Hope you enjoyed it.