Sarah shifted away slightly to study him.

He considered her with an intensity that made her stomach drop. "Sarah," he started, "I am not sure what you want to hear."

She looked at him, surprised. "What I want to hear? I just want the truth. Did you call me 'love' because it aligns with your feelings, or was that just an in-the-moment endearment?"

Jareth closed his eyes slowly, his mouth a hard line. She could see his eyes moving back and forth beneath his lids as though deep in thought.

"It shouldn't be such a hard question, Jareth." His lack of transparency suddenly making her feel exposed, she pulled up the throw blanket from the foot of her bed and slipped underneath it.

His brow furrowed, but he said nothing.

She scooted away from him a bit. "You're making me nervous. I've never seen you at a lack for words."

Jareth opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long breath.

Sarah sighed, reaching a hand out for her top. "Look, Goblin King, I don't need you to love me. I had just hoped you could be vulnerable with me after I just trusted you enough to talk me off."

His eyes snapped to hers, widening at her word choice. He did his best to not let the corner of his lips twitch. "Sarah," he finally said, "I do not intend to be withholding. I treasure your trust. It means more to me than I can say."

"Can you try?" Sarah was growing flushed with frustration. She slipped her tube top on and pulled the throw back up, tucking it under her arms.

He reached out a hand to trace her cheek. "You know I care about you deeply, do you not?"

She didn't hesitate. "Yes."

"Good. I have told you that I have feelings for you, have I not?" His eyebrow raised.

She shot him a glare. "You have mentioned feelings, and that I would one day learn of them. Doesn't that sound a bit ambiguous to you? Is it really fair of you to leave me to assume what those feelings are?"

"Ah," he tutted, "I have not heard you mention fairness in quite some time. I thought you had outgrown that." His tone was teasing, but his words cut her.

Sarah made to climb out of the bed, taking the blanket with her and wrapping it tightly around herself. "I think you should go." She pointed to her window, even though it had been years since he had used it.

"Sarah, wait." He rose up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "My words were cruel. That was unintended and regrettable."

Sarah remained where she stood, but the hand pointing to the window dropped. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I am not a child you can just patronize. If I say something isn't fair, it's because I have carefully considered it."

"You are right. I apologize." He looked up at her from his seat at the edge of her bed. "Please understand, it is not that I do not wish to answer you. I fear giving you the wrong answer."

Sarah threw her hands in the air in exasperation, only catching the falling blanket just in time before it dropped to the floor. "Jareth, the truthful answer is the right answer."

Jareth sighed. "It is not as simple as it may seem."

"Feelings aren't simple, I never said they were."

"Perhaps I should start at the beginning. I have always admired you. When I first met you, you intrigued me. Obviously, there was nothing more to it than that as you were only a child. A strong, willful child who defied me at every turn when no one else would dare. Once I started to visit you in the Aboveground, my feelings shifted. It was complicated, as you were navigating traumas in your life. There was no place or time for me to initiate anything between us, and my role seemed cemented as your protector. I was all right with that, as you were still very young, and I cared about you more than I did my own selfish desires." He looked at her a moment, and when she said nothing, he continued. "The last few years, we have grown close. The bond between us has only strengthened. Mixed in with the friendship has been a generous amount of flirting. I know I initiated it, but after a time, you began to reciprocate in kind. I wondered at this more often than I care to admit. And then this evening, you—" he broke off.

Sarah was fighting back a smile now. "I came on to you? You can say it."

He blinked at her in surprise. "I would not have put it so bluntly, but, yes. You have never been so forward with me, so confident. I have waited for you to give me a clear indication that you wanted me as more than a friend and mentor for quite some time now, never sure if your flirting was rooted in a childhood crush or something more. I think, to be honest, I am still not sure." He looked at her, the unspoken question in his blue eyes.

Sarah said nothing to this, unwilling to confide her own feelings before he finished his explanation. Her body language had softened. She still held the blanket tightly around herself, but her arms weren't crossed quite so aggressively and her posture had loosened slightly.

"I worry," he continued, "that if I speak of my true feelings, I will frighten you away and ruin this bond we have built together. Sex can already complicate things enough, but feelings have the power to change things substantially."

"We haven't had sex," she reminded him, "and you don't scare me, Goblin King. You never have."

He looked almost hurt. "True, we have not had sex. But what we have shared is worlds more intimate than sex can often be between two people." After a moment, he asked, nervously, "Do you not feel closer to me now after what we just shared together?"

Sarah shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "Of course I do."

"I am relieved to hear it. Do you not feel as though things are a little more complicated for you as well?"

She considered this, now afraid of giving the wrong answer herself. "Yes, my feelings are all stirred up. I admit it, I am confused. But I am more confused by why you're dragging this out so long when you could just simply tell me you love me as a friend instead of avoiding it. I don't need you to spare my mortal feelings."

"Sarah," he started, "you are not hearing me. Yes, I do love you as a friend, but there is much more to it than that. My feelings for you… they are strong and unyielding. They surpass friendship and lust. I have had enough time struggling with them to know the difference."

"What are you saying, Jareth?" Her voice was small, but demanding. She took an unconscious step closer to where he sat.

Jareth let out a breath. "I am in love with you, Sarah Williams. I have been for years."

She stared at him, dumbfounded, her mouth falling open a bit.

When she did not reply, Jareth shifted uncomfortably before asking, "How does it feel to hear that from me?"

"It feels…" she trailed off for a moment, unsure of how to answer, "It feels good to hear it. Thank you for telling me."

Jareth put his face in his hands and groaned. "I should not have told you. You do not feel the same."

"Wait," she said, "hold on. I didn't say that."

"'Thank you for telling me'?" he repeated her words back to her, "you did not have to say it."

"Jareth," she began, "I have been in love with you since I was a teenager. There has never been a doubt in my mind. Do you know how difficult it has been to keep that from you, especially with you digging around in my brain all the time? Almost impossible."

He looked up at her then, searching her face.

She gave him a sheepish smile, and he smiled back at her.

"Why were you so afraid to tell me?" she asked, "I still don't understand."

Jareth ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I worry that I cannot give you what you need. I cannot provide for you the stable mortal courtship that you deserve."

Sarah felt an angry heat rise in her face. "So you're deciding what I need, now?"

He held up a hand. "No, I did not mean to imply—"

She huffed. "But you did. I can't decide what is best for me?"

"I am concerned you may not fully understand the gravity of what it means for a mortal to be involved with a fae, Sarah. I will live an indeterminably long time. You have a finite amount of years to live out your experiences and make memories before you inevitably pass. That spells a recipe of pain and grief for the both of us."

Tears welled in Sarah's eyes at his morbid words. "Isn't there room for any happiness in all of that?"

"Of course there is. But still, I worry for you, and your big heart. How could I let you get in over your head without warning you?"

She wiped away her tears. "Is there any other option aside from me withering away on this mortal plane of existence? Does my magic… can my magic prevent me from aging?"

Jareth looked at her, hard. After a pause, he began, "In a way, yes, there is an alternative. But Sarah, I need you to consider what that would be requiring of you. To remain young, in the body you are in now, while your loved ones age and die." He paused again. "While Toby ages and dies."

She swallowed. "Tell me more about this option. I want to know all of the information."

Jareth scrubbed a hand across his face, looking reluctant.

"Please."

He sighed. "Your magic is not just tied to me. It is tied to the Underground itself. If you were to return, that magic would extend your life indefinitely. You would remain as you are until something either causes your death or you end your own life. Essentially, you could live forever."

Sarah's eyes widened with realization and she whispered, "It's only forever, not long at all." The meaning of the words finally making sense to her after so long of playing them over and over again in her mind.

"Yes, Sarah."

She toyed with the blanket between her fingers nervously before asking, "Is that something you desire? I mean, putting aside your concern for me. Would you even want me with you forever?"

"Without a doubt," he confirmed quickly, but confidently, "an eternal lifetime of loving you still would not be long enough."

She grinned at him. "Well, I certainly have a lot to think about, then."

"There is no rush," he assured her. "now you know your options. Please do not forget that I have asked nothing from you, and I expect nothing."

"I know," she agreed, taking another step closer. Dropping the blanket, she straddled him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him in close for a hug. He nuzzled into her neck, returning the embrace. Sarah laced her fingers in his hair, guiding his face so their eyes met before saying, "But for tonight, I think there are still a few things left for me to learn, Goblin King."

Sarah expected him to grin at her devilishly, but his expression was soft. "Are you certain, Love?"

She laughed. "I have never been more sure."

He smiled, slipping his hands under her ass. He lifted her up swiftly, dumping her on the bed while she let out a pleased little squeal. He crawled on top of her, eyes growing dark with lust. Breath hitched in both of their chests as he hovered over her, his blue eyes staring into her green ones. "Tell me what you want, Sarah."

"I want to feel your hands on me," she answered, boldly, "I want to feel your skin beneath my hands. I want us to make each other feel good."

Jareth growled low in his chest at this confession. He leaned forward and kissed her hungrily. His tongue demanded her lips to part as he explored her mouth greedily. After a moment, he gathered himself and eased into a slower, more tender rhythm. Sarah instinctually pulled his lower lip into her mouth and grazed her teeth along it. He moaned, shocked, but pleased. He shifted to trace her jaw with kisses before moving down to her throat. He pressed soft kisses along her neck and sucked lightly at her pulse.

Sarah writhed against his attentions, bucking her hips up unconsciously and feeling his growing erection. She felt herself getting wet again, matching his arousal. Trailing a tentative hand down his chest, she tugged at the hem of his shirt.

Jareth lifted himself up to allow her room to pull it off. He hooked his fingers underneath her top and gave her a questioning look. Sarah nodded, sitting up a bit so he could peel it off of her. He stared down at her a moment, nostrils flaring. "You are so stunning, Sarah." Slowly, he splayed a hand on her hip, sliding it across her belly and ribs, letting it rest below her breast. "May I touch you?"

"Please," she breathed.

Jareth ran his hand underneath her breasts, then skimmed his palm over the peaks. Her nipples responded quickly, hardening under his touch. Leaning forward, he flicked his tongue lightly against her nipple, then blew air across it teasingly. He smirked as she arched towards him, her body seeking more. He ran his tongue around her nipple and took it fully into his mouth and sucked.

"Mmm," Sarah purred. Suddenly aware that her hands lay limply at her sides, she moved them to run along his chest.

He moaned against her breast at her new touches as he tugged at her nipple with his lips. He reached out his hand to knead her other breast.

Sarah felt an overwhelming urge to return the pleasure he was doting on her. Feeling empowered, she snaked her hand down the smooth plane of his stomach and traced the shape of his cock over his pants.

Jareth stifled a moan and drew away for a moment to look at her. "You don't need to—"

"I want to," she assured him.

He studied her face, emotions battling behind his eyes. Finally, he reached down and pulled off his leggings, releasing his erection. His cock slapped lightly against her stomach as he settled back over her, leaving a small trail of wetness.

He moved up to capture her lips with his, holding both of her breasts in his hands. He squeezed them gently, rubbing the pads of his thumbs across her nipples as he pressed kisses to her lips.

Sarah reached her hand down again to touch him tentatively. "Tell me how to touch you."

Jareth smiled against her lips. "Wet your thumb at the tip and rub it around my head."

Sarah did as instructed, enjoying the velvety texture of the skin beneath her finger.

"Yes, like that," he moaned, kissing her again. "Now, wrap your hand around my shaft, with your fingers running along the underneath of my cock. Move your hand up and down, tightening over my head as you slide your hand back down."

Sarah angled her wrist accordingly and gripped him at the base, sliding her hand up, then closed her hand a little tighter as she slipped it back down his sizable length. When he groaned in approval, she repeated the movement several times. After a few minutes, she hooked her leg around him, urging him to flip onto his back. When he resisted, she said, "Jareth, let me make you feel good."

He paused, then grabbed her hips, flipping them.

She looked down at him, taking in his nakedness. "You're beautiful, Goblin King."

"Thank you, my love," he said, sincerely, cupping her face and bringing it down to his for a kiss.

She dipped down and accepted the kiss readily. Moving to his ear, she nibbled his earlobe lightly before continuing to his neck. Mimicking his earlier affections, she traced her tongue along his pulse point before sucking.

Jareth groaned. "Bite me."

Sarah licked his pulse and bit down.

His hands at her hips tightened their grip as he tried to restrain himself from grinding into her wetness.

Encouraged by his reaction, she moved lower, scattering kisses along his collarbones, down his chest, and hovered over a nipple. Looking up at him, she licked it experimentally. When he moaned, she took it into her mouth and sucked, while at the same time reaching down between them to grasp his cock again. Driven by instinct, she cupped her hand over her cunt, capturing some of her juices, and rubbed them over his head and down his shaft.

"Gods," he gasped, "Sarah. That feels so good."

She grinned against his nipple, nibbling it slightly. While keeping up the rhythm of her hand, she moved her mouth lower to leave hot kisses along his belly. She stopped at his hipbones, giving each a kiss, before staring down at his glistening erection. She looked up at him, questioningly. "I don't know what I am doing."

He met her eyes and smiled warmly. "Yes, you do. Just follow your instincts."

She looked down, intimidated. Then, she leaned forward and traced her tongue along the ridge of his head.

"Yes," he sighed.

Sarah pouted her lips and placed them at the tip of his cock, letting the head slide into her mouth. She sucked it lightly.

"Oh," he cried. He reached down and deftly untied her buns, letting her hair spill across her shoulders. He wove his fingers in the hair at the back of her neck, but didn't use any force, letting her explore on her own.

She pulled more of him into her mouth, sucking, all while gripping the base of his shaft, sliding it up to meet her lips. While she sucked, she ran her tongue along a thick vein at the underside of his cock, and back up around his head.

Growing confident, she established a rhythm with her mouth and hand. His hands tightened in her hair. "I am close." He softly pushed her head away, taking his cock in his hand and letting himself spill across his chest and belly with a deep groan. When he was finished, he smiled at her wolfishly and said, "Tell me again how you don't know what you are doing."

Sarah grinned before dipping a finger into his come and tasting it.

Jareth's eyes flashed. "You little minx."

She laughed and shrugged her shoulders innocently.

He motioned to the mess on his torso, smiling. "Can you, uh, get me a cloth?"

She climbed out of bed, still smiling at him, and left the room briefly, returning with a washcloth. She handed it to him, lying back down beside him.

After cleaning himself off thoroughly, he pulled her tightly to his side, kissing the top of her head. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She nuzzled further into him. "I enjoyed it."

He chuckled. "That makes two of us." After a pause, he said, "Your turn." He was on top of her then, hands on her breasts as he kissed down her belly. He nipped at her hip bones before moving his attention to the crease of her thigh, leaving kisses along the flesh he found there. He looked up at her as he rolled her nipples between his fingers. "May I taste you?"

"Yes," Sarah breathed, locking eyes with him.

Jareth held her gaze and licked slowly across her folds, parting them, then dipped his tongue into her entrance. He pulled away long enough to say, "Fuck, you taste just as I imagined. So sweet." Dipping his tongue back into her cunt, he began moving it in and out, applying pressure against her front wall. He moved a hand away from her breast and tapped her clit lightly, watching her reaction.

Sarah arched against his mouth, panting. "Jareth, that feels so good."

He growled and reached for her hands, placing them on her breasts, encouragingly. "Touch yourself." His own hands roamed her body, settling on holding her shaking thighs. After a moment of watching her approvingly as she caressed her breasts, he lowered himself back down, hovering over her clit. He pouted his lips and kissed it, tenderly, gauging her sensitivity. When she didn't push him away, he carefully ran his tongue around her clit, paying close attention to the sensitive area she had discovered earlier.

"Oh my god," cried Sarah, eyes wide as she watched him. She pinched her nipples hard, adding to her pleasure.

After a moment of swirling his tongue around her clit, he pouted his lips again, pulling her clit in between them. Placing his tongue over the sensitive bundle of nerves, he sucked lightly.

"Fuck, your mouth," Sarah moaned, low and full of mounting desire.

He chuckled throatily, lifting his head up for a moment to shoot her a wicked grin. "That is the general idea, Precious." Lowering back down, he sucked her clit again, harder. Feeling her buck against his mouth eagerly, he increased the pressure and rhythm. He kneaded her thighs with his hands, pushing them back a little to lick her slick folds, before returning to her clit. He could feel her pleasure building as he alternated between sucking, licking, and kissing. Sweat began to bead at her temples and across her glittery skin. The scent of her arousal was intoxicating as he breathed her in. The sight and smell of her overwhelmed him for a moment as his already stiff cock throbbed. He ground it lightly into the mattress, letting out a rapturous groan.

Their eyes were still locked as he continued to suck her clit. Pulling away for a moment, he looked at her, his face wet with her juices. "May I put my fingers inside of you?"

Sarah moaned. "Fuck, yes."

Jareth smiled at her enthusiasm before moving his fingers up to her mouth. "Open."

She parted her lips, accepting his fingers.

"Suck." He commanded.

Sarah did as she was told, sucking his fingers and running her tongue along the length of them.

"Mmm, good." Jareth drawled, moving his hand back down between her legs. He teased her with a long finger, rubbing circles around her entrance. He then slowly pushed his finger inside her cunt, halfway, watching her closely.

She rocked against his hand unconsciously, seeking more.

Jareth eased the rest of his finger inside of her, curling it, finding her sensitive spot and rubbed. "How does that feel?"

Sarah's mouth was slightly slack as she moaned and touched her breasts. "So good."

Jareth moved over her clit again, still massaging her with his finger. Taking her clit back into his mouth, he sucked and pulled in rhythm with the movement of his hand. Wet sounds moved through the air as he made love to her with his mouth and fingers.

Sarah threw her head back, one hand flying to grip the back of his head. She wove her fingers into his hair and ground against his face before she knew what she was doing. Suddenly self conscious, she said, "Sorry, I—"

"No need. Listen to your body." He lifted his head for a moment to grin at her hungrily. "Do feel free to pull my hair, Precious. I rather enjoy it."

The shy smile she gave him in return broke into a moan as he continued his attentions. Tugging his hair lightly, she breathed, "I want to feel your other finger inside of me."

Jareth acquiesced, tenderly stretching her as he sank his second finger inside of her to join the first. Pumping his curled fingers in and out of her, he traced circles around her swollen clit with his tongue.

Her body arched up to meet his movements.

He hummed against her clit, increasing the pace of his lips, tongue, and fingers. Feeling her walls start to contract, he massaged her with his fingers and sucked her clit more persistently.

Sarah pulled his hair urgently, bucking against his face and hand. "Jareth," she whimpered, "don't stop."

They both moaned as she came, her walls contracting tightly around his fingers, her clit pulsating in his warm mouth.

He let her ride out the waves of her orgasm, eyes fastened to hers. When he felt her climax passing through her as her body relaxed, he eased the pressure of his mouth and slowed the thrusting of his fingers, watching her closely.

After a moment, she pulled his hair, guiding his face away. "Okay," she panted, "fuck."

Jareth withdrew his hand and sucked his fingers. He moved up her body, hovering over her, and kissed her deeply. After a moment, he drew away to look at her. "You are so beautiful when you come, Sarah."

She smiled up at him, licking her lips and tasting herself for the first time.

Catching the action, he grinned sinfully.

A content silence fell between them before he asked, "How do you feel?"

Sarah, still panting, whispered, "Amazing. I didn't know anything could ever feel so good."

He kissed her forehead. "I am glad to hear it."

"Jareth," she said in a shaky voice, "I want to feel you moving inside of me. Filling me."

Pulling away to fully look at her face, he frowned slightly, concerned. "Sarah, are you sure you are ready? I have no expectations—"

"I know. I'm sure." She pulled his head down for a reassuring kiss, capturing his lips with hers. They moved their mouths together, lovingly, for a time, before she broke the kiss. "Make love to me, Goblin King."

Jareth cupped her face with one hand, kissing her again. With his other hand, he pushed her quivering knees further apart. Grasping his cock, he slid it along her folds, then moved it back up to circle her clit. His eyes grew dark and his tone was serious as he said, "Sarah, I love you." He paused. "We can stop at any time. I just need you to let me know."

She covered the hand on her cheek with her own. "I love you, Jareth. I will let you know if I want to stop."

Satisfied with this promise, he moved the head of his cock to tease her entrance. He applied light pressure, easing the tip inside of her. He stilled, watching her face.

She made a small indiscernible sound, lacing her fingers through his tightly.

"How does this feel?" he asked.

She shifted slightly, adjusting to the feeling. "Good. I'm okay."

He took a deep breath. "This part may hurt, my love."

She nodded. "I know. I'm not afraid."

Jareth pushed into her further, carefully. When he stretched her fully, he paused, letting her acclimate to the new sensation.

Gasping, Sarah looked away.

Moving his free hand up to her face, he guided her eyes back to his, finding tears welling in the corners of her eyes. "Sarah, we can stop—"

"I'm not crying because of the pain. I'm sorry, I'm just overwhelmed. My feelings are all over the place."

He moved to pull out of her, but she wrapped her legs around his hips, holding him in place. "Please don't stop."

Jareth considered her. He leaned down and kissed her tears before slowly moving inside of her again. When she didn't look away or show indications of discomfort, he pumped into her once more.

While still holding one of his hands in hers, she took her other hand and gripped his shoulder. She began to instinctively push her hips up to meet his thrusts.

Jareth moved his hand down to cup her ass, tilting her pelvis so he could rub the tip of his cock along her front wall. They both moaned at the improved access.

"Touch yourself, Sarah," he urged, keeping a steady, slow pace.

Sarah dropped her hand from his shoulder, trailing it down between them. She locked her wrist and rubbed her clit with her fingers. Her mouth fell open at the combined feeling of his movements inside of her and the friction on her clit. "Oh my god," she cried, "this feels so fucking good."

"Tell me what you want," he purred, "I want to make you feel good."

"Faster," she panted.

He squeezed her hand and increased his pace as she rubbed her clit more quickly.

She bucked her hips more frantically, the intensity of the sensations driving her close to the edge. "You're going to make me come again," she breathed, staring into his mismatched eyes.

A guttural sound emanated from his chest. "Come for me, Sarah. I'll come with you."

"Harder," she begged.

Jareth obeyed, pounding into her while she rubbed her clit roughly with her fingers. She let out a choked sob of pleasure, coming hard around his thrusting cock.

He moaned at the sound of her cries and the feeling of her clenching around him. Finding his own climax, he groaned, grinding into her.

Sarah felt him throbbing and became aware that she was filling with his release. Her hand left her clit and curled around the back of his neck, pulling him close against her.

They kissed, their pace slowing to a stop as they came down from their mutual climax.

Jareth broke the kiss to study her face. When she smiled at him, he grinned back. Brushing her hair away from her flushed face, he whispered, "I love you."