As The World Falls Down

Chapter 4

"And you?"

"Well...I don't know what to say, really," you said uncomfortably as you and your crew began to weave through the inner city, your eyes never leaving Jareth as he strolled confidently, never looking back. Occasionally, goblins peeked out of their homes or yelled a greeting to your party, but quickly shut up when Jareth looked their way. You had to have some idea of where you were going, so you found yourself watching his every move.

"When you're a fairy, you live in the same circle your whole life and, y'know, I guess I got bored. There wasn't anything in particular that made me want to leave, I had a very good life. I had very nice things all the time. I was just so unsatisfied with it all. I wanted to go somewhere. Anywhere."

"It's hard to be grateful for nice things when you've never had anything bad, I think," Sarah said. "Having bad things happen can be a good thing, so you can have balance in your life."

"Yeah," you replied quietly, suddenly realizing you hadn't felt touched by anything bad since you had left the labyrinth. "I guess I never knew what you call balance."

"The only thing you'll need to balance tonight is a drink in each hand, Y/N," Jareth interjected, who you found to be suddenly walking backwards as Sarah had in the forest, watching you intently as he continued to stride with the utmost confidence in his directional skills.

"Isn't it considered bad manners for a fairy to use their telepathy on another fairy?" you asked, suddenly nervous he had caught a glimpse of your other thoughts from the past 5 minutes, specifically the ones that centered on how incredible he looked in his impossibly tight pants.

"Maybe, but it would seem we're the only two in the region, so nobody else is going to hold me accountable for it, are they?" he joked. "Besides, I wasn't using my telepathy, I simply happened to overhear you two chatting. I wouldn't want to embarrass you by exposing your unseemly thoughts in front of our Sarah after you just met, and especially not right before dinner." You stared him down, holding back a smile as you glared at him, tensing when he winked before spinning back around and continuing on his way forward, humming a song to himself.

"He is the worst," Sarah insisted, giving you a sympathetic smile. "But I can't promise he won't milk the whole fairy thing for as long as he possibly can. I can tell he's thrilled to have another one around."

"I heard that!" he called from ahead, and you both widened your eyes at each other in amusement. "Would you please stop gossiping to our guest and show her around while I get the kitchen in line once we're inside? Honestly, Sarah, I ask so little of you."

"So little? Do you need me to bring up the time when you asked me for my complete obedience to you after we had just met?" Sarah yelled incredulously and he waved his hand dismissively, quickly shutting up the goblins lingering at the side of the road who had started snickering. "I'll do it, but because I want to!"

"Please tell me we're close, I'm starving," you whispered to her. "I haven't eaten in about 12 hours now, I think."

"It's two blocks down, and I promise the dinner will be more than satisfying," Sarah told you, getting excited at the prospect of dinner. "Those goblins are nasty little things but they sure can cook. You can really taste the fear in each dish."