DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Labyrinth
A/U: and yet another...this is more of a character development/romance story in case you haven't noticed.
It's morning. The second morning I've been here. I need to get home soon. I don't how much longer I can deal with the King's charades. I really thought it would be more relaxing than this but I also didn't think Tommin would be brought up either. I don't understand how Jareth can even get jealous. He wasn't very forthcoming before. I sighed. I need to grow up and figure this out. I'm sick of the games.
I went straight to Jareth's office after Grime told me where he was.
I didn't even knock before I came in. Jareth looked at me like he was expecting me to barge in this morning.
"Okay," I said. "You are not a very nice person when you get jealous. I don't know if you're jealous of me or your brother or me with your brother but you need to figure it out. Unfortunately for me, I really seem to like you. I hate it. But I do. Nothing will ever come of it, though, if you keep acting like a spoiled brat."
He calmly eyed me. I'm surprised he wasn't more shocked by my outburst.
"Sarah, I wasn't jealous of anything."
Wow, he's in denial.
"I just thought that maybe Tommin could use a little reminder about who's boss around here. I needed to show him otherwise he would think he's better and could take over my kingdom."
"My God. Who raised you to be this paranoid? There is no way that Tommin would ever do that!"
Rolling his eyes he added, "It never hurts to be too cautious here where a title means something and the right of birth is constantly questioned."
"Questioned? Is there something I should know about?"
He smiled. "Nothing at all. Your company is enough. Sit down and stay awhile. I rarely get to talk to you when you're being pleasant."
Another jab at me. Figures.
"Alright. What are you working on?"
"Nothing, really. I was reading because I feel a little foolish for getting as drunk as I did last night. Reading helps me to believe I am more sophisticated than that. Today the rouse is not working, though. It's rather annoying."
"Is it maybe because you know that you were being ridiculous for all the wrong reasons?"
"Oh hush, Sarah. We all make mistakes. Just like that movie you once showed me."
"Oh, yeah, I remember that."
"I should think so. Very few people have gotten me to sit down for a movie."
"Why is that?"
"I have busy hands and a busy mind. Too busy for television."
"That was back when I knew Emmett."
"Yes, that scoundrel."
I started remembering all the goodness that was in our relationship but forced myself to stop because tears were beginning to build. I didn't want to cry in front of Jareth. He's not the comforting type. Unfortunately, he still saw my eyes and closed his book.
"Sarah, I want to ask you out on a date."
"Jareth, I don't know that that's a good-"
"I promise it will make you feel better."
"Really? A date that will remind me of my last romance will make me feel better?"
"But it's not him. It's me. I'm a category of spectacular things that is in a total other realm from mere mortal men. I"m magnificent. What is there to think about?"
"Umm...the fact that you abandoned me when I really needed you. That's just a start. I'm sure there's a whole list I could think of."
"Sarah, I think it would be beneficial for the both of us to go to dinner. This is no longer a request but a demand. You are in my kingdom so you shall follow my orders."
"..."
"Good, I see you agree. See you at 6."
Poof.
That son of a bitch. How am I supposed to feel for someone who bosses me around. He's just as bad as my parents. You know what? I don't need to show up. He may be the damn King in all this but I still have free will. He has no power over me. I'm standing up for myself for the first time since I got here.
"Saaaaarah." He stood at my open door, leaning on the trim.
Shit. "Yes?"
"Do you know what time it is?"
"I believe it is 6:13" I smiled.
"Yes. 6:13. Late to your romantic evening. Although, if I didn't know better it would seem as if you're skipping out on our date even though I commanded you to attend this get together. But this wouldn't be so, would it Sarah?"
"It would be so. I refuse to attend something I'm not ready for."
"You would be ready if you would agree to see me eye to eye on this dating thing."
"No. Get out of my room, Jareth. I don't give a flying hell if you are the King. I know I have one thing over you that no one else does. You're interested in my wellbeing. You're romantically invested so you need to respect my wishes."
"Darling, I don't think you understand the concept."
He snapped his fingers and I was in a sapphire dress. Perfect for a fancy romantic evening.
"Jareth. Stop. I said I don't want to go on a date with you. I'm not ready."
"Too bad."
Snap.
All of a sudden we were at an immaculate dinner table with great smelling food in front of us.
I could only glare at Jareth. He may have transported us here against my will but he can't force me to talk.
"Well, now, Sarah. Isn't this a lovely time?"
I started eating my food in silence.
"Sarah, don't be like that. The food is magnificent and the mood in here is to die for. It's everything that a woman would want."
Therefore implying I am still a girl. He's not cracking my quiet.
"Fine. We shall enjoy each other's company in silence then since you clearly haven't matured over the years. I'm sure it's 'not fair' that I transported you here against your will and all that nonsense from the past."
Okay, that one hurt.
"Jareth, why are you like this? I don't know about you, but I have grown up. I've moved on. I know that I would like you to remain in my life but I've accepted that it might not happen if things like this keep happening. I'll eat dinner with you but I"m not pleased about it."
I think that resonated with him more easily than most of the other things I say because he had a look of understanding. He finally realized that I'm not the same person he knew even three or four years back.
"You're right Sarah."
I almost fell out of my chair.
"Sarah, I've wronged you so many times and I know that lately I've been caught up in my own foolish behavior that I haven't stopped to realize that you're a woman now. You deserve to be treated with more respect than what I've previously allowed. If you would please forgive me, we could end dinner if you would like or go about it in silence."
"No, we can continue."
"I would like that."