Mornings of Gold, a Jareth x Reader

Chapter 1

I flip through a large box of books at a yard-sale I stumbled across a few minutes ago. Most of the books are young adult fantasy books that I have already read or own. Just when I was going to call it quits I notice a small red book. I tilt my head slightly as I grab the book and brush some dust off of the cover. Written in gold is "The Labyrinth", it had small gold details on the worn sides and spine, the signs of use let me know this book was well loved. I decide to take it. I walk up to the table where a teenager or young adult sat with her father . "Hello, I was wondering how much this book is?" I ask this and the girl looks at the book, then me. "You can have it, it's free, I haven't read it since I was 16." Her father looks just as shocked as me. "I'm going to college and need to move on, I think you'll like it." She smiles at me. I nod and return the smile "Thank you so much." She nods and sighs "If you can, check on Jareth, I don't think he ever moved on..." Her words confuse me, but I nod anyway and leave. I read the book for the first time as soon as I got home and I instantly fell in love with the story.

It's been a few months since I got the small red book at a yard sale, and it has been a life saver. My classes have been difficult and I've been struggling with my emotions so as I make my way back to my dorm all I can think about still is that book  again. I feel the need to reread it yet again to escape from my current emotions and my busy schedule, so I throw my purse down and walk pass the mountain of assignments I need to do. I flop down on my bed in the cramped dorm room and begin reading the book. I am immediately taken away by the beautiful story again, I read, and I read. This cycle has happened since I first got the book, whenever I am overwhelmed or upset or just sad I turn to this book. Time and time again now as I go through each chapter I grow closer to the so-called villain of the story, The Goblin King. I am interrupted from the book by my alarm, right I have classes. I place down the half read book and leave for class. I struggle through my lecture, everything seems to confuse me now with all of these classes, so it is not surprising that I am lost, but it is still a little disappointing. I went from being a great student to being an average student by the end of high school, and now in college I realize that I have gone from average to burned out and not caring anymore. I try to shake this thought away for now, and I keep checking the clock on the wall, counting down the minutes till I could go back to my dorm. I practically drag myself through the class, and when it is finally over my professor walks over to me. "Hello Miss, I've noticed that your grades are slipping and you seem distracted in class." I have a bad feeling that I know what is coming. "I suggest leaving my class and switching to another one that will hurt your GPA less, or becoming more focused and care a bit more about my class." He says this sternly, and I can't find any words to say in response, so I just nod and walk out. I feel my walking turn into speed walking through the chill of the evening air, I practically ran to get back to my dorm all to get lost in that book again. As I fumble with my key into the door I try not let the tears in my eyes spill. I hear a click and I open my door and throw my stuff down once again. I flip back onto the bed and I open that book up again. I read the rest of it and sigh, I felt bad for the goblin king, he was lonely and I could understand that. Somehow after reading mg worries and care seem to disappear. I wish I could find someone else who enjoys this book, someone who feels the same way I do. I walk over to my computer to look for more about this book and it's universe only to find dead ends, but my search is interrupted by an email. I open my inbox to see two messages, one from my job and the next from my school. I look at the job one first, turns out they were to overstaffed and decided I was the best bet to fire. As tears roll down my face I open the next email, my school wants me gone, all of my scholarships have been revoked and they want me fixed or gone. I let out a sob, as I slam my computer shut. "Damn it..." I whisper sob this and stand up. I lay down on my bed and just cry. I feel like I am running in circles, I tried to work on my classes but I couldn't. I don't know where I would be without that book providing at least a little joy to me. I continue to just sob, letting all of the anger and sadness that has overtaken my day slowly overtake me as well. I turn over to see that little red book and I pick it up and sigh. "I wish the goblin king would take me away..." I say this through my soft cries and before I know it feel wind hit me and my window slams open blowing assignments and notes everywhere as the room is filled with magic and I notice a beautiful man standing in front of me, the open window behind him making his hair blow. "Hello darling, I thought you might call." The tall blonde says this in a soft, gentle voice with a smile that seems to answer the question I was thinking and my jaw drops. I sit up on my bed and back up slightly. He kneels down to make eye contact with me. "Don't be afraid my dear." He whispers this and moves his hand up and looks to it then my tear soaked face and I nod as he brushes away the tear on my face. He moves his gloved hand back down and I practically leap off my bed into his arms. I keep crying as he stands up and rubs my back affectional but awkwardly at the same time, he did not expect this. He stays like this with me for a few minutes, gently swaying us and softly telling me everything is okay. "You actually came..." I mutter this into his shoulder and he chuckles. "Of course, I couldn't leave you here any longer. If you didn't call I might have came anyway." He says this with a soft laugh and I laugh a bit, this brings him some relief. "Well, now, you need to decide what you would prefer to do" I move from the hug and turn to what is now no longer my messy dorm, instead a vast labyrinth and a beautiful city with a castle in the middle, just like it is in the book. My eyes widen and I look around and turn back to Jareth. "What are my options?" I ask this with a smile, knowing fully well what my options are, and he smirks. "It's simple truly, either you can go through my labyrinth in 13 hours to win your access back to your home world, or you could come with me to my castle and live here in the goblin city." I laugh a bit and look up into his eyes. "I would love to stay here with you..." he looks pleased, but in his eyes there was an underlying shock, like he expected to be left alone. I move over to him again and he smiles. He carefully takes my hand, which he holds tightly as we teleport into the grounds of his castle. I tighten my grip on his hand and look around confused. He chuckles a bit and lets go of my hand and looks at me, "Magic is incredible isn't it?" He begins to lead me closer to the beautiful castle. "It is...I still can't believe this is all happening, how did you know me before I called for you, and how did you know when I called for you?" I question him and he stops as we make it to the front entrance. "You know me through my book, but I learn so much through you reading it and falling in love with my world. I know you and when you called because that book acts as a sort of bridge, for you to come home to me in a way." He explains this while adjusting his black cape. "You only know bits and pieces of me, and I only know bits and pieces about you." Suddenly all of this makes a bit more sense to me. "Now come, it is late and you have had a long day." He offers his hand again and I take his gloved hand in my smaller one. He walks me inside and I look around the castle, there are upside down doors and staircases, along with stairs going no where. I look around anxiously, already confused by my new home. "You will learn the layout in no time, it's overwhelming at first from what I've heard." He reassures me and leads me down a hall past a throne room. "I have lived here my whole life though, so I am not to sure on how long it takes to adjust, but you seem capable." I nod and keep my hand in his. We end up in a hall of two doors. "These are the two best rooms here, mine and what was once the guest room, which is now your room, there should be a maid in soon to help you get ready and to bed. If you need anything at all, my door is right across from you." He begins to walk away but I grab his hand again and hug him. "Thank you, thank you so much Jareth." He hugs me back and when we both let go he nods. "It is all I've wanted to do, good night darling." He walks into his room and when I see him vanish from my sight I open the door and walk into my new room.
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Word Count: 1816