1995
Sarah had seen Jareth several times over the years, though they mostly spoke mind to mind. Their conversations had been light, although they both flirted shamelessly. Despite the flirting, their friendship had grown stronger, and along with it, their magical connection. He helped her set boundaries, showing her how to create a barrier for when she did not want him in her thoughts. Through careful practice, she found that she was powerful enough to keep him out of her brain when she wanted to be alone.
This was a good thing, she thought, because he most likely wouldn't approve of her lifestyle choices. She'd started to venture out, mixing with the party scene. While still unable, or unwilling, to get too close with anyone, she had found herself comfortably in the company of a small group of friends who went out together on the weekends. She had experimented with party drugs, and found that she rather enjoyed them. They lit her body on fire in a way that only Jareth's flirting had been able to before. While she watched others become hyper sexual and amorous while under the influence, she just wanted to dance. Sometimes, she'd initiate hugs or hand holding with friends, but nothing more.
In the days following a party night, she would feel low and sad. She'd call on Jareth then, reaching out with only her thoughts. She knew better than to call him to her in person lest he figure out what she was doing. He would soothe her, offering tender words of comfort. While clearly confused over her shifting moods, he never pressed her too hard. He'd asked her once if she was depressed and she had laughed it off. If she was being honest, she was depressed. Even when she was sober and not hungover, she felt a tugging emptiness that kept her in a cycle of self medicating. But, she wasn't being honest. Not with Jareth, and not with herself.
Sarah stood in front of her mirror, the mirror, the one she had hauled from her dad's to her one bedroom apartment years ago. She shimmied into a neon purple latex mini skirt and matching tube top. She had twisted her hair up into two buns before spraying the whole thing with glitter. Her skin, too, shimmered in her low bedroom lighting. She had sketched purple glow-in-the-dark eyeliner across her lids in a cat's eye shape. She turned to the side to study her silhouette, then turned around, looking over her shoulder to check out her butt. After stepping into her favorite pair of silver platform sandals, she twirled for good measure.
She danced around her room half-heartedly to the music coming from her stereo, trying to get in the mood for a night of partying. Despite her efforts to rile herself up, she sighed resignedly. Glancing down at her nightstand, she frowned at the small smiley face emblazoned baggie with the two pressed pills inside. I'd rather be dancing with Jareth than with some creepy randoms trying to feel me up.
She stopped dancing abruptly, eyes wide. "Damn," she cursed out loud and waited with bated breath.
Creepy randoms trying to feel you up?
Sarah closed her eyes as if it could prevent the line of questioning she had tried so carefully to avoid over the past few months. She had let her guard slip and she knew there was no stopping what was coming.
After a beat, she sighed. Hi, Jareth.
His voice in her mind was calm, but left no room to be defied. Invite me, Sarah.
She considered denying him, but knew he would keep pestering her until he had answers. Finally, she rolled her eyes. "Fine, Jareth. Come over. But I don't need a lec—"
Jareth was standing in front of her, a hand on his hip, before she could finish.
"—ture," she concluded.
"Sarah," he greeted. He wore a version of what Sarah had come to refer to as his 'casual clothes': tight back leggings, black riding boots, and black gloves. The gray flowing shirt he wore lay open, exposing his smooth chest.
His gaze roamed from her glittery head down to her platformed feet, and back up to meet her eyes. "Going somewhere?"
She crossed her arms, a bit uneasy under his penetrating stare. "Undecided."
"You resemble someone who is going somewhere." He gave her a pointed look.
"I was going to go out dancing, but I found myself suddenly uninspired," she admitted, forcing herself to uncross her arms.
"I see. I will have to keep you company then." He raised an eyebrow. "If you will have me."
"I called you, didn't I?" After catching him giving her another once over, she asked, "Something wrong?"
He shrugged, letting the arm that was at his hip fall to his side. "I admit, I am a bit surprised by your current attire. Your clothing is usually just as modest as you are."
She pouted and gave him a little spin. "Don't approve?"
"I said I was surprised. I did not say I was not pleased." He paused, giving her an appreciative look. "You look ravishing."
She blushed a little. "Thank you."
"Truly, Sarah, while your figure needs no favors, that skirt does little to hide it, in the best of ways." He circled her. "And your top leaves nothing to the imagination—" He stopped in front of her, eyes glittering with mischief, "—and I do have quite a good imagination."
Feeling daring, Sarah tipped her chin up and met his eyes. "Prove it."
He licked his lips, the tip of his tongue resting on the edge of a canine as he regarded her. "Are you flirting with me, Sarah Williams?"
"How could I not? When your compliments leave me so breathless." She put a hand up to her brow to mimic fainting.
Jareth grinned wickedly at that. "Come closer, and perhaps I will prove to you just how good my imagination can be."
Sarah swallowed as the mood in the room shifted from playful, to something thick with mutual desire. They had flirted before, but never with such unguarded purpose. A wave of fear and excitement buzzed through her at the danger in his words. She knew something had changed, and she felt ready to encourage it. Steeling herself, she stepped forward, less than a foot away from him.
Jareth's grin grew wider, sharp teeth on display. Leaning in, he hissed, low in her ear, "Tell me what you want to happen next, Sarah. Your move." Pulling away, he studied her face for her reaction.
She contemplated her next words carefully. "I want you—" she reached out her hand and trailed a finger up his bare chest, resting it on his collarbone, "—to dance with me." She felt a little overwhelmed at the feeling of his chest beneath her fingers, having never touched him like that before outside of moments of comfort. She couldn't help but let a small smile play on her lips at her own nerve in making the first contact.
He smiled, taking her hand to hold it in his own. "Ah, yes, of course. The request that brought me here." He slid his other hand around to rest on the exposed skin of her lower back, just above her skirt.
Sarah shivered at the contact and placed her other hand on his shoulder. She was reminded of a time, so many years ago, when he had held her like this. Much less intimately, of course, as was appropriate to her age at the time. She had fantasized about that dance for years, always trying to push it from her mind for fear that he would know. Now that she was in his arms again, she wanted to feel more of him. After a pause, she closed the distance between them and pressed her body fully against his.
Jareth made a small sound of surprise at her sudden forwardness. This is new, he thought.
She moved away, expression growing distant with worry. "New, and unwanted?"
"Come back here." He pulled her back against him. "You are reading my thoughts, now? I did not send that to you."
Sarah laughed, reassured by his firm hold on her. She swayed her hips to the rhythm of the music, feeling his hips move with hers. "It seems so. I guess you should have never told me how powerful I am."
He looked at her seriously. "All I want is for you to know how powerful you are, Sarah."
"All you want?" Withdrawing her hand from his, she turned her body so he was at her back. She reached up behind her to loop her arms around his neck and lightly bumped her ass against him. "Are you sure about that, Jareth?"
He growled low in his chest as she writhed slowly against his growing erection. "Perhaps—" his arms went to her hips, gripping her tightly, "—not all I want."
"Tell me more about that." She ground back into him again, thrilled by the evidence of his lust pressing against her.
"How about," He ghosted his lips across her bare neck briefly, "you first tell me what 'creepy randoms' would be 'feeling you up' this evening, and why."
She pulled away from him, but he caught her wrist gently. "Sarah, I only wish to understand." He dropped her wrist immediately. He became suddenly aware of a pang of jealousy in his chest and he did not want it to show in his actions.
Sarah turned to face him. "Men sometimes… want me. To have me."
"I don't doubt that—"
"—And it's not uncommon for them to act on it." Her eyes begged him to fill in the blanks.
He tilted his head. "And you… welcome these affections?"
She laughed, deflecting. "I wouldn't call it 'affection'. I would call it 'groping'. And no, I don't like it or appreciate it."
"Hence why you called them 'creepy randoms'"?
Sarah sighed impatiently. "Yes, Jareth. Creepy randoms." She slipped her hands behind his neck. "Can you just dance with me, please?"
He let out his own sigh and placed his hands back on her hips, rubbing smooth patterns with his thumbs. They moved together slowly for a moment before he asked, "And what about when they are not 'randoms'? Then, do you welcome their affections?"
There was something in his question that she couldn't quite place. He almost sounded nervous. She rested her head on his chest before saying, "I don't know who this 'they' is that you're speaking of, but there is no one." She pushed closer against him, still swaying. "There never has been."
"Hmm." He murmured at her temple. "Why is that?"
She could feel his heartbeat quickening beneath her cheek. Wondering at this, she became aware of her own increased heart rate as she gathered herself for what she said next. "There is only one person I have ever truly wanted."
He took a sharp breath. "Tell me about this person."
"Well, he's kind of annoying, really. Asks a lot of questions." She smiled against his chest.
"I see." He remarked cooly, determined to not ask her another question.
Sarah continued, feeling suddenly brazen. "He's very serious. Overly flirtatious. Moody, but in an endearing way. He makes me feel seen. And—" she laced the fingers of one hand through the hair at the back of his neck, "—he's a really good dancer."
She lifted her head slightly to look at him, expecting to see a self-satisfied grin on his features. Instead, his expression was dark and full of desire as his eyes bore into hers. One of his hands left her waist to cup her face. "Tell me what you want to happen next, Sarah." He repeated his earlier words.
I want you to kiss me.
Say it.
Sarah nuzzled her cheek into his palm, looking up at him from beneath her lashes. "Kiss me, Goblin King."
Holding her gaze, Jareth leaned forward and softly pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. Pulling away, he searched her face questioningly.
Sarah licked her lips unconsciously, pulling his face back to hers. Their lips touched, tentatively, then began to move together in a slow rhythm.
Jareth let her adjust to the kiss before he made any moves to deepen it. After a few wonderful moments of exchanging chaste kisses, he pulled her bottom lip between his own and sucked, lightly.
Sarah's fingers tightened in his hair with her growing need. She gave a soft whimper and rolled her body into his, grinding against him unconsciously.
Jareth pulled away to examine her face, growing harder against her with the lust he saw there.
Her eyes grew wide in confusion at his momentary retreat, misconstruing the action. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… I don't know what I am doing—"
"No need to be sorry, precious. Trust your body."
He leaned back in and ran his tongue across her pouty mouth, gently urging her lips to part for him. When they did, he cautiously moved his tongue into her mouth to find her own. Massaging her tongue softy with his, he rubbed small soothing circles into the skin of her back.
Sarah melted against him at the new sensations. She became aware of a dull ache spreading between her legs as he delicately probed the inside of her mouth. This felt so good, better than she could have ever imagined. The dull ache turned into a noticeable slickness in her panties as he softly sucked at her tongue. She moaned before she could stop herself.
He drew away to look at her. "Is this too much?" He asked, concerned.
"I want you to take me to bed." She announced, abruptly.
Jareth gave a low growl and dropped his hands to cup her ass, lifting her into his arms. Without hesitation, she wrapped her legs around his hips as if they had done this many times before. He swept over to her bed, but before depositing them both onto it, he froze. "What are those?"
"What?" Sarah asked foggily, before following his gaze to the pills on her night stand. She looked back at him, color draining from her face. "Oh. Nothing."
He released her, letting her slide to her feet. He crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow, frowning. "Are you lying to me?"
Sarah looked down, toeing the rug in a habit that was suddenly resurfacing from childhood. "Pills," she offered, weakly.
He tapped a foot impatiently. "I can see that, Sarah. Tell me about them."
"Pressed pills of the homemade chemistry lab variety," she clarified, still catching her breath.
"Look at me," he demanded.
She cautiously glanced up at him and sighed. "I'm sorry I lied."
Jareth uncrossed his arms and took her hand. "Thank you. Now, please, tell me the truth of it."
Sarah reached up to run a hand through her hair, but remembered she had her hair up. Instead, she shifted her weight awkwardly from foot to foot. "Ecstasy."
He nodded, slowly. "And… how does this ecstasy make you feel?"
"It makes me feel… warm and good, loved, even. Everything just feels better when I take it. I feel more alive," she explained.
"I see. And what happens when you come down from this drug?" he asked.
Sarah sighed again. "I feel… the opposite. Cold, unloveable. Sad." She looked at him. "I usually call for you when I am feeling that way."
"You have been sounding that way more frequently as of late. I have been concerned, I thought you were depressed." His tone was gentle, not accusatory.
"I have been depressed. I've been lonely. I think that's part of why I do it." This was the first time she had admitted this to herself, and she felt a little empowered admitting it to him as well.
He squeezed her hand. "Thank you for telling me. I wish you wouldn't do this. I fear for you."
She didn't have anything to say to that, so she remained silent.
After a heavy pause, Jareth took a step closer, eyes growing dark with desire once more. "Sarah," he purred, tracing a finger over her bruised lips, "you can feel warm, and good, and loved, without the use of drugs."
She felt the familiar warmth between her thighs again and pressed her body forward against his. "How's that?"
He gently pushed her down onto the bed, following her. "Hmm." He mused, as though truly pondering her question. "May I ask you something?"
She laughed, lying on her side as he lay on his, facing her. "Of course."
"You once shared that you do not pleasure yourself. Is that still the case?" He trailed his hand from her shoulder to her hip.
Sarah shuddered at the caress. "No. I mean, yes, it's still the case."
"And why is that?"
"Honestly? This is a two-parter. The first part is that it's never been that fulfilling for me."
Jareth nodded. "And the second part?"
She took a deep breath. "The second part… Well, whenever I do want to, I am always thinking of you, and I've been scared you'll hear me."
Suddenly, he was laughing, and after a moment, she was laughing along with him at the absurdity of it all. Then, he was kissing her, hungrily, and she was kissing him back with just as much fervor. He nipped her bottom lip lightly before murmuring against her mouth, "Would you like to take me up on that lesson?"
She pulled away to look at his face. "Seriously?"
He tucked a fallen strand of hair behind her ear. "I have perhaps never been more serious about something in my long life."
"I wouldn't know where to start." A warm blush crept into her cheeks.
"Answer the question, Sarah." He rolled her earlobe between his fingers. "Do you want me to teach you?"
Sarah bit her lip, considering. "Yes."
"All right." He pulled his hands back to rest in front of him, no longer touching her. "You can start by removing your top."
Sarah hooked her fingers along the underneath of her tube top. She paused, nervously, and looked at him. When he said nothing, she obediently pulled it over her head, freeing her breasts.
Jareth sucked in a sharp breath as he drank in the sight of her. "Gods, you are beautiful. I want you to make yourself feel as beautiful as you are to me."
She just continued to look at him, willing her hands to stop as they made to cover herself.
He noticed the small movement. "We can stop."
She reached out to him then, pulling his lips to hers for encouragement. He kissed her back reassuringly.
"I don't want to stop," she breathed, "teach me how to feel good."
He smiled against her lips. "Graze your breasts with the flat of your palms until your nipples respond. No need to rush. Just enjoy the touch."
Sarah brushed her hands over her nipples, feeling them pucker against her palms.
Jareth kissed her jaw. "Does that feel good?"
"Yes," she moaned, "what now?"
"Increase the friction, move your palms in circular motions." He trailed kisses along the column of her neck, sucking at her pulse point briefly.
She did, surprised at how good it felt. She squirmed a little as she felt her panties dampen further.
"Good. That's it." He pulled back to watch her. "When you feel ready, take your breasts in your hands and knead them gently. Allow yourself time to enjoy it."
Sarah palmed her breasts and squeezed them. Her mouth opened slightly at the pleasure of it.
"Good, Sarah. How does that feel?"
"It feels good," she panted, trying to control her body's reactions.
He noticed her struggle to compose herself. "Sarah, let it go. Just let your body accept this love from your hands. When you feel like you want more, pinch your nipples, lightly at first. Then roll them between your thumb and forefinger."
She did as he suggested, arching into her own hands as she pinched. When she began to roll her nipples, a small moan escaped her lips.
"Yes. Good. Keep going," he encouraged.
"Jareth," she pleaded, "I want more."
He growled in satisfaction. "If you are comfortable, take off your skirt. Leave your panties on, Precious."
Her eyes darted to his, then down at her skirt. She chewed her lip for a moment before shimmying out of it.
"Gods, you gorgeous thing." Jareth made a rumbling sound of approval low in his chest. "All right, now, continue your attention to your breasts with your left hand. With your right hand, caress your body. Do what feels good. No rush."
Sarah moved her hand to trace her collarbones. She danced her fingers across her ribcage, enjoying the feeling. Finally, she glided her hand along her belly. She sucked in a breath.
"Good." His voice was low. "Touch the flesh of your beautiful thighs. Tease the skin there. Squeeze."
She reached lower, trailing her fingers lightly against the insides of her legs, then squeezed, pinching her nipple hard simultaneously. "Oh," she whimpered, "I didn't know this could feel so good."
"Do you want to feel more?" he asked, eyes dancing.
"Yes," she whispered, "I want you to tell me what to do."
His expression was lecherous. "Tap your clit lightly over your panties. See how it feels."
She did, feeling a shock jolt through her. In all of her previous fumblings, she had never responded as much as she was to those brief, swift movements. She found herself craving more.
"Does that feel good?" He purred, sucking on her earlobe.
"Yes. What now?" She moved her hand to her other breast, rolling and pinching her nipple.
Jareth leaned back to study her closely. "Take your panties off, precious."
Sarah slid out of her panties, feeling a little self conscious at how the slick material clung to her skin. She flung the betraying item to the floor and looked at him.
"Gods, Sarah, you are so wet." His nostrils flared and she watched as the smaller pupil expanded to match the size of the other.
Can you smell me?
Oh, yes. And how sweet you smell, Sarah.
Sarah blushed, closing her legs.
He smiled at her guiltily. "Sorry."
She sighed, letting her legs fall back apart. "Just tell me what to do next, Jareth."
"Take your forefinger and middle finger and press lightly on your clit. Explore. Find your sensitive spots. Take your time. Some places will feel better than others, that is all right."
Sarah hesitantly reached down and did as he suggested, pressing her fingers onto her now throbbing clit. After a moment, she let out a small whimper.
"Ah, you found it." He grinned at her, sharp teeth flashing. "When you are ready, lock your wrist and rub your clit in circular motions, paying extra attention to that most sensitive area you discovered."
She did, bowing against her fingers. "Jareth," she gasped, "that feels so good."
Jareth's grin grew wolfish. "Dip your fingers in your honey, Precious, then try again."
Sarah trailed her fingers between the heat of her thighs, spreading some of her wetness onto them. When she felt the sensation of her slick fingers against her clit, she cried out.
"That's it, Sarah. Find your rhythm. Don't stop."
Sarah was writhing now, bucking up against her fingers. "I need more, Jareth. I need a release."
He brushed his fingers against her cheek as he watched. "You are doing just fine, Sarah. Relax, enjoy yourself."
"Please," she begged.
Jareth pulled her left hand away from her breast and sucked her first two fingers into his mouth, eliciting a moan from Sarah. "Keep rubbing your clit as you are now. Take this hand and slide a finger inside your entrance, just one to start. See how that feels."
Sarah slipped her hand between her legs and tentatively pushed her finger inside of herself. She let out a sharp breath as she adjusted to the feeling.
"Feel all right, Precious?"
"Yes," she breathed, "now what?"
"Curl your finger towards your front wall, as though you are trying to meet your clit. You should feel a group of nerves with a different texture, almost rippled. Rub that area with the pad of your finger, matching the rhythm that you are using on your clit."
Sarah curled her finger, searching, still working her clit. She found the sensitive area after a moment, and rubbed. "Oh my god," she cried, "what the fuck."
"Quite." He beamed down at her. "Steady, Sarah. Keep your pace and only increase it when you feel yourself coming close to climax."
"How am I—Oh!—how am I supposed to know when I am close to climax?"
"You will know," he reassured her, "try not to worry about it, just listen to your body."
Without his prompting, she eased her middle finger in to join the first. She groaned throatily, grinding against her hand. Wet sounds filled the room as she continued to thrust her curled fingers inside of herself.
"Jareth, I think—" And she shattered, letting out a cry.
"That's right, Sarah," he coaxed, "let it go, Love."
Sweat gathered at her temples and glistened across her flesh. Moans tore from her throat that she did nothing to try and stifle. Her body jerked with pleasure and her toes curled. She snapped her legs shut around her hand, riding it, still rubbing at her swollen clit.
When her orgasm subsided, she looked over at him. "Wait, did you just call me—"
His lips were on hers before she could finish the sentence, so she thought it to him.
—'Love'?
A/N: Please let me know what you think!
