Sarah twirled in her little room, pleased with her attire for the evening.
Tonight was the night of the Masquerade gala, hosted by her university. It was the event of the year. Everyone scrambled to get the highly affordable tickets that included amazing food and drinks.
For the occasion, Sarah chose a long, formal, cowl-necked, sleeveless dress with a mermaid cut. The velvet brought out the deep royal blue color. It highlighted her best features and hid the worst ones.
She accessorized it with long, crystal chandelier earrings, silver heels, and a sparkly blue shawl that matched the color of her dress.
To put it all together, she donned a silver mask over her eyes.
She touched the full-length mirror, amazed with how she appeared, and sighed dreamily.
"I don't think I've ever felt this beautiful. This is the most amazing dress I've ever worn."
Almost instantly, her head was filled with visions of another dress. That one had been a large, silver iridescent ball gown, reminiscent of the fashions of her childhood and from the princess stories she so adored. Her hair had been done in large, airy curls, adorned with silver leaves and ribbons.
The dress, however, had paled in comparison to her dance partner.
She could still see his face, the shiny glitter on his cheeks, and the highlights of blue on his hair. He had worn a midnight-blue jacket with a long coat like those Byronic Heroes from the 19th century, she had read so much about.
Sarah could still feel his hand around her waist, pulling her close to him. The scent of peaches and some sort of spice made her head spin with want. She could almost feel the vibrations of his voice as he sang the most beautiful song to her…
She shook her head, bringing herself out of the daydream.
How many times had she thought of him?
How many times had she dreamed of that dance, the dance that had made it impossible for her to date any other man?
Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she placed her hands on the mirror to steady herself, struggling not to cry, lest her eye makeup be ruined.
"Oh, how could I think of him now?" she asked herself out loud.
She knew that, with the limited experience and knowledge she had at the time, that she had made the right choice. She had to take Toby home; it was the only way to amend her terrible behavior towards her brother, a baby, who knew nothing. Even without Toby, had she accepted the offer, the king would have had an upper hand over her.
She had seen first hand what a marriage of unequal footing was like through her parents.
Had she been older, she would have asked the Goblin King why he made such an offer.
Was it pretend?
Was he only fulfilling his role as the Granter of Wishes due to his role and his nature as one of the fae?
Was it a test for Sarah?
What would've happened to Toby?
Would he be one of the goblins as the little red book said?
*HONK!*
Sarah, shook out of her stupor, realized that her group of girl friends must be in their cars, waiting for her to come out.
"Coming!"
Tonight, she was going to have fun with her friends at the gala.
She would contemplate the Goblin King later.
"How are you enjoying the evening?" Amy asked, taking a sip of her margarita.
Sarah beamed. "I'm having so much fun. It's so nice to see our classmates dressed to the nines."
Indeed, it was a pleasant night, so far. The food was as wonderful as everyone had said it would be; her heels didn't hurt her feet yet, and she received many compliments on her dress. Throughout the evening, she and her friends took many photos with their disposable cameras.
One of those friends, Amy, shared a knowing look with Gina.
"Are you enjoying it to the best of your abilities, Sarah?"
Sarah made a face, her upper lip curling in befuddlement.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Gina nudged Sarah with her elbow, though harder than expected.
"Ow," Sarah quietly complained. "What the hell was that for?"
"Why did you reject every guy that asked you to dance?" Rosa questioned rather bluntly. She never beat around the bush. "And you can't say it's because they're stupid and smelly. Many of them were really cool."
"And you look so beautiful tonight, Sarah!" Amy clapped her hands together. "It would be a waste to not have at least one dance with someone."
Sarah shrugged. "I don't know them, and with masks, it's hard to tell who some of them even are."
It was the truth, but not the full truth.
Gina scoffed, taking Sarah's hand and practically dragging her to a table.
Sarah nearly tripped. "You're so handsy tonight, Gina."
"Sit!" her friend commanded.
Sarah did as told, even though the rebellious side of her was not having it.
"You could have asked, you know?"
Rosa sighed, sitting next to her. "Ever since we've known you, yes, you've been studious and focused on yourself, but you're also a romantic. How are you supposed to find your guy if you turn everyone down? I mean, what's even the point if you won't even dance?"
"Hey, it's fun to dress up. Why do I need a guy?" Sarah countered with a shrug. "And don't act like I haven't gone on dates and whatnot in the past, I just gave up because none of it felt right."
"You're avoiding the question," Rosa threw her hands up in the air.
"Are you afraid of dating or commitment?" Gina chugged the rest of her drink.
"You know, I can set you up on a date!" Amy bounced up and down in her seat. "I know a guy that's super cute! You know-"
"NO!"
Sarah swept her arms out, nearly knocking over Rosa's drink.
She had responded so forcefully that all three of her friends were stunned. They sheepishly sank into their seats.
"I, oh, boy," Sarah groaned, rubbing her temple. "Sorry. It's just… well…"
She played with her shawl, her hands needing something to do.
"Hey, it's okay," Amy patted her shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have pushed you."
"It's not that," Sarah shook her head. "It's just… it's a past experience. That's why."
Amy nodded. "We're here for you. Tell us what happened."
"Yeah, you look like you need it," Gina coaxed gently, feeling the weight of the situation now.
Sarah wasn't sure if she should say it out loud, especially when she was careful to not even write her experiences down in a journal.
She learned to always be careful with her words.
"Come on, we're your friends," Rosa encouraged, taking one of Sarah's hands to steady it. "Who was it, and what did he do? I'll beat him up for you. You know I'm a black belt in taekwondo, right?"
That made Sarah instantly laugh, imagining Rosa trying to fight the Goblin King. It was definitely something her friend would do.
She shrugged. What the hell? It had been years and she was surrounded by friends. She needed to let it out somehow.
"Well, there was this guy a while back. It was only one night, and so unforgettable."
Amy's eyes nearly popped out of her skull.
"GET IT, GIRL!" Gina shouted, transitioning from tipsy to drunk.
"No, no!" Sarah blushed profusely, just now realizing how that would have sounded like to her friends.
She tried so very hard to not think about the Goblin King's tight pants and the colorful dreams she had of him in and out of them…
"It wasn't like that. All we did was dance. And no," she clamped a hand on Gina's mouth before her friend could make some drunken lewd comment, "It wasn't some dirty club dancing, it was this polite ballroom dancing."
"Wait, wait," Rosa put a hand up. "When did this happen?"
"Shh!" Amy hushed Rosa. "Let her finish then ask questions."
Amy seemed worried that Sarah would clam up again.
Rosa settled back into her seat, not happy but resigned.
"Anyway," Sarah continued. "But there was this… situation we were in that made it hard for us to actually get to know each other well. There was a misunderstanding, that's the easiest way of explaining it. We didn't leave on the best of terms. But since that night, he's ruined me for anyone else."
A few drops of tears appeared on her eyelashes, but Sarah didn't care anymore.
"He was so handsome, so charming and dreamy. I've never seen anyone with more beautiful and strange eyes. One of them is dilated, so it almost looks like he has one blue eye and one brown eye, even though they're both some unique shade of blue. I mean it; he's like the Prince Charmings we see in Disney movies or read in story books, singing to me as we dance."
She realized her mistake immediately.
"No, not a prince. A king. He sings with not just his impeccable voice, but with his heart. He's sweet to children, and I know that he hides himself behind this tough exterior."
She knew this from talking to her three companions that night and the goblins.
"We connected, and the way he and I seemed to understand each other. I can't really explain it. I know it's not something I would say, but with him, I feel confident that he's a kind-hearted man, even though I didn't get a chance to really talk to him and know him that way."
She shook her head. "Maybe it's a fantasy that I've built up in my head, but I feel like I don't have closure from him. I know that he would be honest with me about his feelings. Sometimes, I wonder if he's moved on from that night, or if it meant anything to him in the first place. If I could, I would move on too, but it's not that easy for me."
How does a girl move on after dancing with the man of her dreams?
Sarah wasn't sure what else to say, so she just sank back into her chair.
All three girls smiled, sympathetically.
"Wow, he made a big impression on you then," Gina spoke first.
"Yeah, he did," Sarah agreed, her eyes not focusing on her friends anymore. In fact, they seemed far away. "It just feels… magical with him. And we didn't kiss, nothing like that. We danced, and he had gloves on even. He was a gentleman in a sea of boys. That's why I can't get over him."
She couldn't deny it. The Goblin King was the man of her very dreams.
"Well…" Amy tapped her fingers against her knee, trying to find the right words. "If he could be here tonight, would you want him to? Would you really want to talk to him again?"
Sarah already knew her answer.
"Absolutely. Without question. I-"
It was now or never.
"In fact, I wish he would show."
For a moment, Sarah could almost feel the magic in her bones, the same way she felt when he first appeared in Toby's room way back then.
She imagined he would saunter towards her, seductive and frightening, attempting to provoke her to reveal her true thoughts on him, his intense blue eyes never leaving her.
To her utter disappointment, there was no shower of glitter or dramatic entrance by him.
Sarah couldn't even blame it on the alcohol, as she chose to drink mocktails for the evening, wanting to keep her wits about her.
Perhaps she should get one after she was done with this depressive conversation.
"What would you ask him?" Rosa leaned in, completely invested now.
Sarah dryly laughed, trying to hide her constantly shifting eyes that were attempting to seek him out.
"What would I ask? Oh, so many things. I would start off by wondering how he feels about me. Both, his actual feelings, and what he thinks of me as a person. He didn't exactly see the best side of me that night. If anything, I think he saw the worst sides of me. I want to know if he feels the same way. Does he ever think of me, from time to time? Or was I just one of the many who danced with him that night?"
"You sure he's not married or something right now?" Amy tenderly inquired, as if Sarah were a wounded animal.
Suddenly, Sarah's heart sank like a thousand stones in the deepest parts of the ocean.
In all her years of contemplating what might happen if they met, she never considered that he would be married.
He was a king, after all.
Why wouldn't he be married? Of course that was a possibility. It was expected of any monarch, especially one as sensual and passionate as he.
Perhaps she cared for him more than she allowed herself to admit.
Her face must have given her thoughts away, for her friends were gently speaking to her, but Sarah couldn't hear their words.
If the Goblin King was married, then she had no right to ruin such a thing. She refused to break up a relationship. Aside from that, she was worth more than being some side piece, assuming he would even entertain that insulting notion.
"I suppose it's arrogant for me to assume that he would be single this whole time. A man like that, he has to have a ton of admirers. Yeah, I guess I would ask him that too."
She suppressed the urge to sob uncontrollably, thinking of the two voluptuous women he was sandwiched between when she found him, right before he left them to dance with her.
How could she ever compare to faerie women with all their magic and their sensual nature?If given the choice, would he not choose to be with someone who was from his own world, who understood his culture, was glamorous, and experienced as a lover?
How could she even hope for him to seriously look in her direction when those women would be all over him the first chance they got?
The three girls shared a look with each other, silently agreeing to do something to cheer Sarah up.
"Sarah," Rosa tried to get her attention. "You know, we can go-"
"Excuse me, ladies," a low, melodious voice addressed them.
All four women turned, silently gaping.
Standing there was a man who was tall, dressed in a bedazzled blue jacket atop a high-collared cravat, paired with black tights, and black heeled boots.
He wore makeup, seeming incredibly masculine, even with the peach-colored lip gloss, highlighter on his cheeks, and eyeshadow on his strange, upswept eyebrows.
He was the most gorgeous man they had ever seen.
The four friends weren't the only ones who noticed. Everyone seemed to be craning their necks to see who this incredibly attractive, opulently-dressed stranger was.
There was something about him that made him stand out, even without the outfit. He just seemed… different. As if he was from another world.
To top it off, he held himself with an air of confidence and authority, like that of a king.
In his right hand was a venetian-style mask, complete with a stick at the end.
He brought both hands behind his back, his smile enchanting yet a little off, as if he was unsure of himself. That lack of confidence felt out of place for such a magnificent creature.
"I apologize for the interruption but I am hoping to speak with Sarah."
The friends hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. They turned to Sarah for guidance, but her eyes were fixated directly on him.
Sarah wasn't sure how she was still breathing.
He was here!
The Goblin King was here!
He was not entertaining any other dancers or was in the arms of another woman. His eyes were fixed on her and her alone.
Amy tapped her shoulder. "Is this him?" she mouthed.
Sarah nodded quickly, turning back to him. "Uh, yeah, of course!"
She wanted to kick herself for how nervous she sounded.
He smiled sweetly towards her. "I was wondering…"
He brought out his free hand from behind his back.
"May I have this dance?"
Sarah nodded, too astonished to speak. She placed a shaky hand in his, allowing him to pull her up.
He tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, gazing at her as if she was the only one in the room.
As they walked away, the friends stared at them in awe.
"Who the hell is he?" Gina squealed.
"And how did he just… suddenly show up?" Rosa was always skeptical.
"I just want to know how he made his mask disappear." Amy looked around to see if he somehow placed it on a chair or something. "It's like he used magic to make the thing go away."
Sarah swallowed, telling herself to calm down, but finding that to be impossible.
"Oh, my god, he's here! The Goblin King is here! And he's… Oh, lord…"
He smoothly slid the arm she was holding around her waist, then taking her other hand into his as Sarah placed her hand on his shoulder, just like they had done so many years ago.
His eyes were still the same shade of blue.
They were also every bit as sad as they had been back then.
"You're here," she breathed, still amazed. "You really came."
"Stupid!" Sarah yelled at herself internally. "Of all the times you rehearsed this reunion in your head, this is how you decided to start talking?"
He seemed amused, a touch of sadness etched on his brow. "Of course, I did. Did you not want me to be here?"
The facade of the detached, aloof Goblin King disappeared, leaving behind something very vulnerable.
Sarah was reminded of the Escher Room, when he sang that haunting song to her, singing every word in a breathless plea to her to turn around and look at him.
She only had caught glimpses of it, paying attention to Toby, but it still had made an impression.
"Yes, I do," she reassured him. "I just… I wasn't sure if you'd show."
He looked down, composing himself, then back at her again.
"For you, Sarah, I would appear whenever you asked it of me. All you need is to express it with your words, and I am here. For any reason at all."
Sarah sharply inhaled, her heart fluttering as her head once again swam with his scent of peaches and spice.
"Goblin King-"
"Jareth," he quickly corrected her.
His eyes dropped, becoming even sadder.
"Please, call me by my name, Sarah. It would mean a lot to me if you did."
His plea was so soft-spoken, Sarah almost couldn't hear it.
Sarah nodded, trying to smile.
"Jareth?"
He nodded encouragingly.
"Well, you haven't come before."
"You never wished for it until tonight."
Though Sarah expected him to evade the answer, like the fae that he was, she would not allow him to go without actually answering the question. She did not hesitate to ask him directly.
"Must I be the one to wish for it?"
"Yes," he twirled her, bringing her close to him. "It's because of the… words… you said to me at the end. I cannot come to you unless called."
You have no power over me!
He didn't seem upset over it, just resigned.
"Oh," she replied in a small voice.
She remembered those words, how they needed to be said, and how she quickly did so to make sure Toby would be safe.
It wasn't until the morning after that she had realized how broken he seemed after she had sealed their fates. She had been too scared to ask to see him again.
This was getting depressing.
She shook her head, as if to shake off the awkwardness.
He was back in her life, and now she was in his arms. She would not allow this opportunity to be wasted.
"Well, you did take longer this time around," she teased, winking. "You appeared much quicker last time and even had a spectacular entrance of glitter and wind."
Jareth flashed a smile. A true smile, not one that was mocking her.
"I was getting dressed for this ball. I shall keep in mind how much you like my dramatic entrances."
"Getting dressed in this outfit? Feeling nostalgic?"
She brushed her finger against his jacket, making him laugh.
"How quick-witted you are," he complimented with pride. "Would it be so terrible if I was, in fact, feeling nostalgic?"
Once again, he was not answering directly.
Sarah shook her head, relaxing more and more.
"I really like this look on you. You look very handsome."
She couldn't help but look away for a little, worried that she was too bold with her compliment.
She needn't worry.
He preened. "Thank you, my lady. As for yourself, I quite like this look on you as well. We match."
Indeed, their respective blue attires complemented each other quite well. Had they told the other guests that they arrived at the gala as a couple, everyone would have believed it.
He leaned into her, his lips by her ear, causing Sarah to take in a sharp breath.
"Last time we danced, you wore a dress that was a young girl's vision of a ball, inspired by your own imagination. Tonight, you are dressed perfectly: a beautiful and elegant dress fit for the woman that you have become. I quite prefer this version."
He leaned back, taking in every detail of her body with his eyes, making her feel warm all over.
Sarah raised a playful eyebrow. "You are quite talented at flattery."
"Is it flattery if I mean every single word? I am sincere: I'll have you know. Do you not believe me?"
He didn't break eye contact as he took her hand, pressing his lips to her knuckles.
Sarah gazed at him softly, the fortified cages around her heart falling to the wayside.
"I do," she whispered.
Sensing the change from playful to pensive, Jareth carefully lowered their hands, interlocking their fingers together.
Sarah bashfully looked to the side, realizing that he was not wearing gloves.
"I mean, I know I technically shouldn't just take your word for it, but I do believe that you're sincere. That you're honest with me."
Without realizing it, she was shaking with anxiety.
To freely admit trust in someone in such a way was incredibly vulnerable. If she was wrong to trust him, it opened up various avenues for him to hurt her.
It wouldn't be the first time she had her trust betrayed by someone.
Jareth almost couldn't believe his ears.
Sarah trusted him?
Already?
He thought it would take longer to win her trust.
Oh, how fortunate he was.
He promised himself that he would not let her down.
For years after her journey, he spent every day thinking of her.
It was maddening, for no one had ever caught his attention in such a way. Even at a young age, Sarah was strong in her convictions and did what few runners of the Labyrinth would have done: reject her dreams to do the right thing.
He had played to her expectations, leaned into the villain role that she needed to oppose.
After she had eaten the peach, the most surprising thing had happened:
She had dreamt of him dancing and singing 'As the World Falls Down'.
He never had a runner dream of him before, and especially not bring forth the song that resided deep in his heart. He had composed it many years ago, never once allowing anyone to hear the melody or learn of the lyrics, for they were his and his alone.
Back then, he believed that he would never find love. He was not fated for such a blessing in his life, burying the song deep in the recesses of his mind, trying to forget that part of him.
When it played in Sarah's dream, it was a sign, and Jareth knew. There was something special about Sarah, something that connected the two of them beyond time and space; the song linking their souls together.
For years, he wanted to get to know her, to contact her. He wanted to be her friend the way his own goblins and the others had been called friends the night she had won Toby back. He was filled with curiosity and wonder.
Then, tonight, he got his wish through hers.
He had been lying in bed, contemplating his life and role as king, trying his best to dissipate the thought of Sarah accompanying him as he fulfilled his duties while he supported her in her own role when the wish was made.
At first, he couldn't believe it. How could he, when he had imagined it so many times?
His medallion gleamed, signifying that this was no hallucination.
This was real.
In a daze, Jareth quickly snapped his fingers to get dressed, the magic taking longer than he had anticipated due to how flustered he was.
Sarah had called him, and he could not look any less than his absolute best.
He heard her musings, making him ecstatic, knowing that she thought so much about him the way he thought of her.
Without realizing it, he had dressed himself in the same ballroom attire he had worn during her enchanted crystal dream.
It was as good as any, he supposed. He often replayed that dance in his head which would explain why he was now wearing it.
Perhaps this would bring some nostalgia to Sarah too.
He could almost taste her sadness as her friend inquired whether he was a married man.
Married?
Him?
Sarah was right to assume that he had admirers, but they were all superficial. It was why he never married. He had been betrothed a few times, at the insistence of his parents when he was younger, but he never went through with the arrangements.
How could he, when he witnessed love between families and couples in his kingdom? A love that lasted beyond the grave and loyalty that was won through kindness and mutual understandings instead of fear.
As Goblin King, he witnessed the worst of humanity.
He also witnessed the best.
Quickly, he transported to the Above, amused to find himself at a masquerade ball.
Flicking his wrist, he conjured a mask.
The patrons of the party parted for him, many staring in awe, some in jealousy, some even in lust.
His natural magic made him even more alluring.
However, he didn't care. He wasn't here for them.
He was here for Sarah.
Transversing the crowd, he caught a glance of her perched on a rather uncomfortable looking chair draped in fabric in an attempt for the damn thing to seem elegant. Three other women surrounded her, seemingly comforting her.
He stopped, taking a breath.
She was even more beautiful than he could have ever imagined.
She had grown quite beautifully, her body perfect. Her dress gave him a glimpse of the generous curves that developed throughout the years. Her black hair seemed shinier, and her movements seemed more graceful.
In short, she was now a woman.
More than that. She looked like a queen.
With a pang of jealousy, Jareth perceived that the single men around her also desired her and waited their turn to request for a dance.
Not that he blamed them. Any man who did not see her beauty was a fool.
He would be even more of a fool if he allowed one of them to initiate contact before he did.
He approached her, asking for a dance. She had looked up with the saddest eyes that lit up instantly when she placed her hand in his.
Even with the mask on, he could see the glorious green eyes peeking through, fixating only on him.
Now, having her dance in his arms again, he was almost glad that they had been separated for years. It had given Sarah the time to grow up, to be aware of the world, and to develop her identity outside of him.
He placed a finger under her chin, wanting her to look into his eyes as he said his next sentence.
"Thank you, Sarah. For trusting me. That means more to me than you'll ever know. I vow to never betray the trust you have in me and will do what I can to fully earn that trust."
Her shoulders relaxed, the tension fading away. Her hand on his shoulder seemed to subconsciously bring them closer, much to his delight.
He brazenly reached behind her head, his thumb and index finger reaching for the ends of the ties of her mask, silently motioning for permission.
With Sarah's nodding consent, he tugged on the ties, the mask falling from her face. With a wave of his hand, the mask disappeared.
His breath stopped, under the spell of her resplendent eyes.
Sarah looked at him gratefully, her dazzling green eyes sparkling under his observant gaze.
Jareth thought of those eyes so often. They were a unique shade of jade-green, and he never found anything that could replicate the color, let alone capture the softness and fierceness that were in them.
He had forgotten how incomparable they were in person.
"I guess… I do have some questions," she finally settled. "If that's okay?"
"Positively. I am more than amenable to that."
He could sense her tensing up again, her eyes fluttering to the side. "Did you hear my conversation with my friends?"
Through his years of being a Prince of the High Court and now Goblin King, Jareth was quite adept at keeping his face neutral, despite any wars waging on his emotions inside.
Currently, he appeared calm and collected.
Internally, he was dying to respond to all the questions Sarah had for him that he had overheard.
"Only the parts after you made the wish. Not before."
"Do you remember the questions I wanted to ask about you?"
Even though her eyes shifted nervously, Sarah's voice was confident, ready to accept any answer he gave her.
She is making it rather difficult for me to keep my feelings for her in check.
"Yes, I do. To answer one of your questions, I think highly of you."
That seemed to surprise her by the way her eyes widened, her face settling into a calm smile.
"Care to elaborate, Jareth?"
He almost didn't hear her, doing his best to memorize every part of her, in case this was the last time they would meet, fearing that maybe she had outgrown her interest in his world and himself.
"I would, actually. You were persistent in getting Toby back because of your deep love for him, not because you feared getting in trouble or for some other selfish reason, even if one could argue that selfishness was why you wished him away in the first place."
He paused, needing to gather his strength before saying his next part.
Sarah waited patiently, encouraging him with that adorable smile of hers.
"Sarah, you must understand that the runners I see never win. None of them, except you. If they wished away children for a noble reason, it was because they wanted to give them a better life and forfeited the right to run the Labyrinth. If they did it out of malice, then they were not good people and did not try their best. They were easily distracted by their dreams. You say that I saw your worst, but I would argue that I saw your best to do what is right, trading your dreams for your brother. How can I think poorly of you?"
Her smile widened, and Jareth always wanted to be the cause of that smile.
"Thank you, Jareth. That alleviates a lot of my worries. It's kind of you to say."
"And true, Sarah."
Her hand reached for his hair, picking off a piece of confetti that had fallen from the ceiling. Jareth swallowed thickly, his heart fluttering at her little touch.
"I know, I trust you, remember?"
She flicked the confetti off. "I know you said that you offered to answer my questions, and I do have more, but I want you to ask your questions too. After all, I do care about things being fair."
Jareth chuckled, loving the way Sarah did not hesitate to poke fun at herself.
"Well, if you so insist, I do have some questions. Many, actually. I am most curious as to how your relationship with Toby turned out."
Sarah giggled. "Toby? Oh, where to start with him? I love him so much. He's still a kid, so not quite embarrassed by me or his parents just yet. I'm quite protective of him, as you can imagine. We love to play with his toys together, and I would read stories to him. I lived near home during college, so I visited him often. It sucks to be so much older than him because I don't see him as often as I want, but I'm happy when I do. He's so sweet and smart."
She was so enchanting, the way her eyes lit up.
Sarah might have called him dreamy and charming, but she was the one who charmed his heart.
With a jolt, Jareth realized that it finally had happened.
For the first time, he was in LOVE.
For all his life, he was sure that he would never fall in love. He guarded his heart too closely, even though he desired companionship. He had not made the best of decisions when he had courted women in the past, resigning to believing that love belonged to everyone else.
He used to be afraid of the idea of falling in love. He wasn't afraid because of love itself or the commitment like so many men were.
He was afraid that he would not be loved back.
Now, he was no longer afraid.
Regardless of whether Sarah would love him or not, she still meant the world to him. He would accept being in her life however she wanted.
Of course, he had feelings for her before, but not until now had he been able to converse with her on equal footing and allowed himself the chance at imagining something more with her.
"Jareth?"
"Hmm?"
He blinked, blushing when he registered how deep in thought he had been.
"Deep in thought?" she gently inquired.
"I apologize, my lady. Yes, it seems that my thoughts have taken over. I am most glad to hear of your good relationship with your brother."
"Maybe one of these days, I can show you a photo or two of him?" she offered.
He nearly exploded with joy over her words. That meant that she wanted to see him in the future.
"I should like that," he said warmly. "Sarah, you had another question about me that I would like to answer right now."
"Which question?"
The most important one!
"You wanted to know if I am married."
He spun her around, catching her in his arms.
Her gaze became more and more intense, the anticipation building between the both of them.
Not once did Jareth blink as he brought her back up.
"I am not and never was married. Sarah, I haven't courted anyone since before I met you. I believe my heart was waiting, all this time, for you."
Sarah could scarcely breathe.
Did he really say that?
She melted in his arms, his face coming close to hers. Both of his hands gripped her waist, his thumbs resting on her hip bones.
"Sarah," he whispered, his voice low and husky.
"Yes, Jareth?" she whispered back, their noses almost touching.
One of his hands took hers, squeezing it desperately. He then let go, his hand sliding up the length of her arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
He observed her carefully, now holding her neck and the back of her head, his thumb caressing her jawline.
Sarah hopelessly stared into his eyes, parting her lips slightly.
The world did not exist except for the two of them.
"I understand and respect you if you cannot, will not, or need more time. But I cannot wait any longer to tell you, and it wouldn't be right if we continued getting to know each other if my feelings carried on without your knowledge."
He pressed his forehead to hers. "Sarah, I beseech you, open your heart to me, for I have given you mine."
Sarah couldn't breathe.
"There is no one else for me, no one but you. For as long as I breathe, Precious, there will not be anyone else for the rest of my existence, regardless of what you decide to do. None of them could ever hope to win my affection. You outshine them all in my eyes."
He did not move, waiting for her decision.
Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting the tears to fall.
In the years after her adventure, she went on dates and was no ingenue. She was an experienced young adult, but quickly put a stop to it. It felt wrong, and now she knew why.
Now she could relish in knowing that he would not have wandering eyes. Despite the attention he could freely receive, he chose her and only her.
There was only one response she could give.
"Jareth, my heart has been yours. You are the king of my dreams and no man has or will ever measure up to you. I want you."
Jareth exhaled with relief, her words granting him the joy he so yearned for. He rubbed their noses together, her little laugh forever imprinted upon his heart.
Filled with euphoria, Jareth tilted her face up and pressed his lips to hers, Sarah eagerly reciprocating.
His hand slid down, both hands now holding her waist, savoring the softness of her lips and the scent of her sweet perfume. He pulled her closer to him, feeling rather warm with the way her body fit against his.
His hands did not stay on her waist long. They traveled around her back, her arms, her neck, everywhere he could touch that was still appropriate for the public. He lamented that he only had two hands, for he wanted to touch her everywhere at the same time.
Carefully, he probed her lips with his tongue, awaiting permission to taste her.
Sarah was sure that she would have slid to the ground had Jareth not been holding her up. She had fantasized so many times what it would be like to kiss him, and none compared to the magic that was reality.
They did not kiss with just their lips, but their whole heart.
She pressed her body against his, hands tangling in his feathery hair, caressing his face, neck, and pointy ears.
Then, he pressed his tongue to her lips, and she was a goner.
She opened her lips, his skilled tongue exploring the roof of her mouth, nibbling her top lip, and sliding against her own tongue.
Sarah could not accurately describe the way he tasted, except that he was addicting, almost intoxicating, reminiscent of earthy red wine. She wanted to spend the rest of time being consumed by him.
They pulled apart for air, eyes hooded and breaths shallow.
Sarah placed one hand behind Jareth's neck, the other resting on his chest.
"Jareth," she breathed his name in endless longing.
The sound of his name from her lips was a sound he would never tire of. "Yes, my love?"
Sarah really didn't have anything to say, her brain short-circuiting already, even more so when he called her "love" with such earnestness that it made her heart crave for more.
She pulled his face down, kissing under his ear. Her lips slid down his neck, finding a pulse, a slight moan deep in his throat. Then on his jaw, up his cheek, and to the other side.
When she placed one last kiss on his forehead, she buried her head in his chest, sighing as she swayed with him to the song.
It took her a bit to realize that he was singing.
Jareth eagerly accepted her kisses with reverence. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he could tell that, like himself, she never kissed anyone with such gentle passion. She tasted like warm honey, comforting and sweet.
Once again, he was reminded of how fortunate he was that Sarah had wished for their reunion.
He waved a hand, his own music flowing through the dance floor.
The DJs looked at each other in confusion, unsure of where the music was coming from and why their own sound system seemed to stop working.
The other dancers were none the wiser.
"There's such a fooled heart,
beating so fast
in search of new dreams,
a love that would last"
Sarah tilted her head up, making eye contact with him. The bright realization in her eyes told him that indeed, she recalled the song he sang to her.
The only one he would ever sing this song to.
"I'll paint you mornings of gold
I'll spin you Valentine evenings
Though we're strangers 'til now
We're choosing the path
Between the stars
I'll leave my love
Between the stars"
With a jolt, Jareth realized that she joined him for the last chorus, her voice a little shaky but no less sweet.
"As the pain sweeps through
Makes no sense for you
Every thrill is gone
Wasn't too much fun at all
But I'll be there for you
As the world falls down"
They shared one more kiss on the dance floor, the couples around them wondering what this beautiful new song was.
Miraculously, the DJs sound system was fixed the moment the mystery song ended.
Arm in arm, they made their way to the fountain, enjoying the fresh air. They giggled and conversed, as if they had known each other for all their lives, and as if time between them hadn't passed at all.
Other guests noticed the attractive, unmasked couple, whispering about the mystery man who had caught Sarah's eye. Not that it came as a surprise for the single and some not so single women to flick lecherous glances at him.
It did not matter, for the Goblin King and his Champion had eyes only for each other.
Jareth took both of her hands in his, his thumbs stroking her knuckles.
"What would you like to do next, Love?"
Sarah couldn't help but blush again.
"I was thinking, going back to my apartment if that's okay with you? I have so many more questions. I want to know everything about you. I want to know how you became king, what your childhood was like, what food do you eat when you're sad or what brings you a smile."
She squeezed his hands. "I just want to be with you."
Jareth lit up. His eyes were no longer full of melancholy like they were when the night started.
She desired to know him for who he was. Not for some snippet of information that she may use for gain later, like many others have, but because she wanted to know him for who he was.
"And you shall. With you and only you, Sarah, will I freely show who I am to you. As for me, I want to know all of who you are as well. I want to know what makes you happy, so that I can always make sure that I fulfill your dreams. Court me, Love, let us get to know one another and see what the future brings for us together. We can take however much time we need to do so."
They kissed again, the moon and stars smiling upon the pair as they embark on a new journey with each other.
"One more thing," Sarah patted his shoulder. "I have to let my friends know first. Then we can be on our way."
Jareth bent down, kissing Sarah's hand like a gentleman.
"I'll await you, my precious love."
Sarah joined her friends, who were doing a terrible job of pretending that they weren't totally spying on her and Jareth the entire time.
"Hey, guys," Sarah greeted them with a hug.
"You are glowing!" Amy squealed. "You are pure bliss, Missy! I want details."
"Another time," she promised. "But for now, I'm actually going back to my apartment with Jareth."
"GET IT GIRL!" Gina made whooping noises. "The only detail I want to know is if he stuffed his pants!"
"GINA!" Amy tried to hush her, but Sarah was doubling over, laughing.
"I'm sorry!" Gina shrugged, clearly wasted now. "I'm not trying to look but that man is wearing such tight pants that I swear I saw that damn thing before his big ass hair."
Sarah patted Gina's back, still laughing. "Duly noted. Anyway, are you all okay? I'm sorry that I was a bit of a downer earlier, and will leave before the night ends."
"Just go, we'll be fine," Amy reassured her. "We're having a great time. I'm just glad that you're feeling better and the man who ruined all other men for you is here for you. So romantic," she sighed.
"Yeah, it's all good," Rosa agreed. "But if he does anything stupid, don't be afraid to let us know. The offer to beat him up is still on the table if needed."
Sarah stifled her laugh, knowing that Rosa was serious.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you so much."
"So long as he makes you happy, we're happy," Rosa nodded. "Introduce us to your man sometime."
"I will, his name is Jareth!" Sarah called out, waving goodbye.
She made her way back to Jareth, holding her hand out and interlocking their fingers.
"Shall we go home? I mean, my apartment?"
Jareth brought their joined hands up to his lips.
"Home is correct. You are my home, Sarah. Where you are, that is home to me."
Hand in hand, they slowly faded away from the gala and into Sarah's apartment, where they would spend the rest of their evening.
Thank you all for reading! It was meant to be a Valentine's Day story but uh… it's a little late for that LOL but here's a fun fic anyway!
This story is, hilariously enough, a little of a self insert since I just went to a winter gala in a blue dress, lol. But not nearly as pretty as Jennifer Connelly would have been! I had a great night but would've been better if, ya know, Jareth actually showed up. If you're a Brooklyn Nine-Nine fan, you may have noticed that I use the names of the main female characters as Sarah's friends. Mostly because I couldn't think of anything, lol.
I haven't had as much fun writing a fic in so long. For the past many fics, I've had to struggle through them, but I was almost completely immersed in this story as I wrote it in three sittings (not counting editing).
Big thanks to RMBiehl for being my beta! I appreciate all her help. Go read her fics if you haven't already!