It's six months before Sarah calls for him again.
She is learning how to manage the pain of losing her family and she has really begun to move on with her life.
She has argued with herself the entire day, between unpacking and painting, she finally just wishes, and he pops into existence in the kitchen.
Immediately a wide smile cracks his face, and she is suddenly too aware of how she must look to him. Covered in paint and dust, with her hair pulled back by an old bandanna, Sarah is a mess.
"Not one word!" She says and tries to fight the blush rising in her face. She is quick to gesture around the room of her childhood home.
As the Goblin King takes in the tarp on the floor and tape on the walls, Sarah pats her shirt down while he is distracted.
"I... own it... I mean my parents left it to me in their will. I love this place...it
just..."
She takes a deep breath, and he nods for her to continue when she is ready.
She clears her throat. "It needed something new. Something to help the memories, ya know?"
"Yes." Jareth says quietly.
Her home should be as bright as her personality, but he keeps that thought to himself.
"The color is lovely, Precious. Might I suggest a pop here and there? An accent? A mural perhaps?" He says instead. Sarah gives the walls a critical eye. As
she taps her finger against her chin, Jareth leans against the counter to watch her with an elegant brow arched in question.
"Not that it isn't lovely to see you, Sarah, but may I inquire as to why I am here?" He asks.
She curses under her breath for pulling him away from his kingdom for something so … simple.
Oh well, what's done is done, she thinks.
"Last time you were here, it really wasn't on your terms. Or the best terms at all. I wanted to thank you for taking care of me. I know it could not have been...easy...especially after, well you know. So, yeah, thank you."
The Goblin King's eyebrows raise in surprise before opening his mouth to speak, but Sarah is quick to interrupt him with a wave of her hand.
"I also have been thinking about this whole situation. I owe you for what you did for me. Really. I really do not want us to be enemies. Actually, I'd really like it if we could be...friends?" She asks, and he sees the uncertainty in her eyes.
"Friends." He repeats. Sarah's face drops.
"Yea. Look, I have thought a lot about my Run, and what you actually did for me. Will you consider it, at least?"
Her expression is melancholy as she remembers Toby, but she waits for his decision.
He had not truly ever considered them enemies; everyone had a part to play. Even when that part was toppling half his damn Kingdom and had his subjects
committing treason. He had to admit that having her no longer view him as the villain in her story is a relief that he did not know he needed. In fact,
having her companionship is incredibly appealing. So often his only company are goblins and screaming children. The other nobles rarely glanced down their nose at his Kingdom unless it was required for their own lands to prosper.
Seeing the uncertainty begin to turn to despair on her face pulls Jareth from his thoughts.
His gloved hands close over hers gently. A small, almost boyish grin pulls at the corner of his mouth.
Her answering smile is dazzling.
They chat for some time before she starts to feel a little guilty. He is a King after all, and surely, he has better things to do than waste his time with a lowly mortal. Jareth merely smiles, and with a flourish, his clothes have changed, and he holds out a hand expectantly.
Sarah stares, having never seen him in anything but tight-fitting outfits. The shirt is baggy, and his pants are rolled to the shin. His wild hair secured at the base of his neck by a ribbon. He quirks an eyebrow at her scrutiny and she can't help but ask,
"What exactly do you think you're doing?"
He snorts, hands on his hips. "You will teach me." He looks at her likes it's the most obvious thing in the world. She immediately bursts out laughing, but a glance at his stone serious face sobers her up and she gingerly hands over the paint roller. Jareth slaps it onto the center of the wall and then looks back at her expectantly. Sarah sighs, grabs a brush and stands next to him. She demonstrates with her brush what he needs to do. He nods and tries a few steady strokes with the roller. They work together silently, on Sarah's part, the absurdity of the Goblin King partaking in manual labor has her stunned silent.
After no time at all, they have the room and eventually the rest of the house repainted and looking fresh. Sarah is somber but proud at the end. She has to admit that he definitely has an eye for things. The forest green walls here and there really add a warmth to the place she hasn't felt since her family walked the halls. It fills her with a melancholy sort of happiness, and she watches the Goblin King with new eyes. When the mess from the paint is cleaned with a bit of magic, Sarah offers Jareth a light lunch. She never thought she would be learning what his preferences are for a sandwich, but surprises can often be present. She finds that his presence in her life feels like a breath of fresh air, and she laughs. Really laughs for the first time in months. Jareth thinks it's an entirely endearing sound.
"I appreciate the meal. I do not think I have had the...what do you call the yellow sauce?" Jareth asks
"mustard?" Sarah answers
"yes, mustard. It was a welcome addition to my sandwich. I do thank you for the suggestion, precious." He says before he takes her hand gently in his. She knows she has kept him for too long already, and yet she is sad to see the day end. Jareth squeezes her fingers for a moment before he stands and takes her up with him. "The Underground calls, however and I believe my attendants will already be vying for my head if I do not return." Sarah nods, and before she can think any better of it, pulls him into a hug.
"Thank you for everything today, Goblin King." She says before tightening her hold for a minute and then pulling away. Her cheeks are red, but she is happy that he didn't shy away. In an exaggerated gesture, a crystal is in his hands and then rolling on the floor.
"Of course, precious. Shall I expect another call from you soon?" He asked, his mismatched eyes searching hers. She nods.
"Oh, I don't doubt I'm going to be quite the thorn in your side after this. You don't know what you've signed up for." The Goblin King arches an eyebrow but merely smiles as he starts to fade.
"Oh, and Sarah?" He asks, before he is almost completely transparent. She tilts her head, confused. "Call me Jareth." Her mouth pops open in surprise and she can still hear his chuckle long after he has gone.