OoOooooO
Chapter
OoOOoOoO
Jareth tried to move, but pain shot through his neck and down into his shoulder. He groaned and slumped forward, finally righting himself from his completely ungainly position. He was next to a pool of water, but kept from drowning in it by a large turquoise scaled and white furred body.
Then he remembered. He grabbed his head with his hands, curled his elbows around his knees and started to keen in misery.
Something touched his shoulder and against all possibility, he felt a swell of hope in his breast. He looked up, trying not to feel anything but curiosity as it could NOT be what he wanted it to be.
Gekko tilted his head at Jareth. "Are you done soaking yourself in salt water?" The dragon asked.
Jareth just laughed. Hysterically, brokenly.
Gekko huffed in annoyance. "You lost, you know. That was a pathetic showing. Most Runners can get out of that within a few rounds."
Jareth just dropped his head back onto his knees. He couldn't stop crying.
A tongue swept across his cheeks and Jareth fell back, sputtering.
"Hmm." Gekko commented. "What an odd secretion."
Jareth growled at him unintelligibly and tried to get up, propping himself up on the dragon's side. He managed to get into a half- standing position before he gave up. It was sort of nice to be against something warm. He still couldn't stop crying, but now he felt hollow inside, not so terribly raw. He was sure that would come again, but for now he enjoyed the reprieve.
"If you think I am going to continue guarding you while you have a dramatic moment, you are wrong." stated Gekko. Jareth did not respond for a long time.
"I just want it to be real." Jareth whispered raggedly. "I just want her to be real."
"That's foolish." Gekko replied.
Right. Foolish. Of course it was. Uncaring creatures more force of nature than being didn't turn into women. Didn't suddenly become compassionate and caring. Certainly didn't lick tears away to soote, hold tight to protect, or... or... love... Jareth justl ooked at his hands, bleak.
When nothing more was forthcoming, the dragon stood and moved away. Jareth staggered but managed to remain somewhat upright.
"As expected, water wins. Water always wins, in the end." Gekko said. "Rock puts up a better fight." He said in disgust. "Pull yourself together, Goblin King. You still need to do your job. I have no desire to."
"You wouldn't be able to." Jareth frowned faintly. He didn't seem to have enough emotion to be properly worked up about this.
"You surrendered your power to me." Gekko snapped. "So I will have to, won't I?" And with that, he slipped into that water and was gone.
Jareth stared at the pond until all the ripples faded away. He knew the dragon was right. He felt weak from more than just grief. His power was filtered, now. He had let it go.
There was nothing he could do about it- nothing he wanted to do. It was all over.