As The World Falls Down

Chapter 6

As usual, Sarah had proved right when she had said the dinner would be delicious. Maybe it was just because you were ravenous, but you ate quickly and were helped to a second plate by a meek goblin with a tiny apron.

"I'm glad my goblins could provide a meal to your standards, Y/N," Jareth commented from the head of the long, mahogany table you three were seated at. "Although I'm sure it's nothing like the fairy food you've had until now."

"That's a high standard to live up to," you replied, taking a (hopefully) dainty sip from your chalice, finding it to be full of a refreshing, tart wine. "But, yes, it was very good. Aren't you going to have some?"

"He never eats," Sarah explained, folding her napkin neatly over her dirtied plate. "I thought it was a fairy thing but I suppose it's just a Jareth thing."

"I've been alive for millenia, I've simply lived beyond the need for it," Jareth explained, sounding slightly annoyed. "I will admit, every once in a while, I do get a...craving. Usually something sweet." He winked at you then and you tried desperately not to choke on the wine in your mouth, finding the control to swallow it while you crossed your legs under the table.

After a new round of kitchen goblins came to clear the dishes and pull the napkins and placemats, Sarah got to her feet first and woke the sleeping dog beside her, hiking the strap of her satchel up with purpose.

"Merlin and I will be off, then," she said, smiling at you and nodding to Jareth. "I'll be back to visit soon, Y/N, I promise."

"How soon?" you blurted, realizing how dependent you had become on her. Plus, you were getting nervous already thinking about being alone in the castle with Jareth, hoping to elongate the time before that happened.

"I can't promise you anything, but maybe in a month?"

"A month?" you hissed under your breath, widening your eyes at her as if to say 'Really? You're gonna leave me with him for a whole month? Why are you doing this to me?'

"I'm in school, Y/N, and I have exams and appointments for the next coming weeks," Sarah explained, gently slapping the side of her satchel. "I was studying when we met, matter of fact. But once this month is past, I promise I'll be free."

"Yes, yes, we can't wait," Jareth said sarcastically, laboriously getting to his feet and coming to stand by Sarah, towering over you still sitting in your seat. "Ready to go?"

"Yes, Jareth," Sarah replied unenthusiastically, but she stood still and right there in the dining room, Jareth flicked his wrist and she was simply gone. Gone without a trace.

"Just because I can do that doesn't mean it's not weird to watch," you said after a moment of silence, examining the ground on which Sarah had just stood. You recalled you and your friends zipping each other around the forest as children, back when you weren't even in the triple digits yet.

"Indeed," Jareth murmured, looking at the same spot as you, until the silence passed a moment too long and he looked down at you again. "Shall we retire to bed?" Your mouth went dry and parted a little just as it had in your room, but you shut it quicker this time and got to your feet so you could face him properly.

"Yes," you said carefully. "Me to mine, and you to yours."

"Of course," he whispered, before holding out the crook of his arm to you. "Please, allow me to show you to your room. I wouldn't want you getting lost."

"I'm sure there's some places you wouldn't mind me getting lost in," you replied coolly, lacing your arm with his, shivering deliciously at the contact. You felt him staring at your profile, the attraction in his gaze practically tickling your neck as you strolled out of the dining room and into a hallway. "I think you'd get a kick out of watching me struggle."

"Hm," he hummed neutrally, keeping his eyes in front of him. Passing a window, you could see that it had become night as suddenly as it had become day when you entered the Goblin City, and the realization that the night could last as long as Jareth chose made your stomach turn with an equal mix of fear and excitement.