Break
I turned quickly, trying to make it back around the corner to Feanor before he—
Something crashed just out of sight, ending with a shatter that could only be caused by a very delicate something smashing into a zillion jagged little pieces.
I closed my eyes, lowered my head to the wall, and exhaled slowly.
"You should take a break more often." Jareth's voice slid down my skin.
I held up a finger. It wasn't the index finger.
"Feisty. Was that a suggestion for how you'd like to spend your break? I'm more than happy to oblige."
I tapped my forehead against the wall again, though my lips twitched.
The familiar scent of nighttime forests, frost, and cardamom settled over me as Jareth rested his chin on my shoulder and nibbled my ear.
I batted at him half-heartedly. "I don't suppose we could revisit the idea of wrapping our active toddler son in bubble wrap?"
"Tsk, he doesn't need it."
"But I do. As do many highly-breakable things in this castle."
Heated breath caressed my neck. "Let them break."
"You say that now. You don't even know what just crashed around the corner."
"I don't. Nor do I care. I advise you to do the same."
"Easier said than done."
"I'm sure I can help." Dextrous fingers were working their way down my back in just the right spots, causing little flurries of sensation to zip right down my spine into places much more exciting. "Shall I help?"
"Tempting…"
"Papa?" Feanor's voice had just a tinge of uncertainty. "Mama okay?"
And just like that, dextrous fingers were back in child-appropriate places along the tops of my shoulders. "She'll be right as rain, my little lad. She just needs a hug."
"Oh." I felt the sudden pressure of tiny hands and legs wrapped around my leg. "Here, Mama."
"Oh sweetheart...I love you, too." I turned my head to brush Jareth's fingers gently with a kiss. "I love both of you." I caught Jareth's eye and mouthed, Raincheck for tonight?
He winked. Wouldn't miss it.