Unnaturally Beautiful

Chapter 13: Decisions

The room was a bit warm when he woke due to the numerous lit candles. Tobias didn’t mind, he stretched his limbs out over the sheets, a smile on his face. It had been so wonderful! He laughed to himself, reaching out. He blinked into wakefulness, sitting up. Jareth wasn’t beside him.

It wasn’t a big surprise. The Goblin King often woke first, leaving him to sleep late. Tobias slid to the edge of the bed, feeling a bit awkward being completely naked. Rising to his feet, he felt a slight stab of pain in his nether regions. Ah, he supposed that was to be expected. After stretching again, his arms reaching towards the ceiling, he made his way to the bathroom.

A glance in the mirror brought on a surprise. What remaining make-up he’d slept in had smeared, raccoon-eyes giving him a very gothic appearance, and his hair was tousled. But that wasn’t the surprise. There was a dark hickey on his neck near his collarbone. There were several smaller ones upon his chest as well. Looking closer, there were also marks on his inner thighs near his groin. He blushed at the memory, remembering the sensation of Jareth’s skilled mouth pressed there against his flesh, licking and sucking.

“God…” Tobias whispered, closing his eyes and shaking his head. He was getting aroused, he had to calm down. He turned and went to the tub. It was full, but the water looked a little murky, soap bubbles gracing the surface. Jareth must have taken a bath as well, Tobias thought, slipping his hand into the water. It was getting cool. He leaned down and saw that the coals were dying. After stoking them, Tobias went to work selecting soaps and shampoos, placing them near the tub for easy reach.

Slipping into the bath was like heaven. He used a gentle bar soap to run over his entire body, feeling the soreness in his muscles relax. He leaned back, resting the back of his head on the edge of the porcelain, remembering. He traced his fingers over his collarbone. That’s right, Jareth had paid particular attention here, and here… He ran his hand down to his nipples, and his hip bones, and the insides of his thighs. That’s right, Jareth had really taken his time there, nipping gently at the supple flesh of his thighs, so close to his groin.

Tobias sucked in a shallow breath, closing his eyes, slipping his hand lower. He’d cleaned the sticky substance away. He pressed a finger to his entrance, his arousal stirring to life. He pressed on, telling himself he was merely cleaning, curious as to the extent of his soreness, but really, he was reliving the moment. He came easily enough with the addition of his other hand on his arousal. He felt even more relaxed then, but it was nothing compared to the orgasm Jareth had given him.

He dipped his head below the water’s surface, soaking his hair and coming up feeling refreshed, awake. He applied a generous amount of shampoo, not too surprised to find that the dye he’d used before on his roots was washing out, the water stained a dark violet.

Finally rinsed and finished, he climbed out of the tub, grabbing a towel from the rack beside the basin. Indeed, upon looking in the mirror, it seemed his roots had returned to his natural color, a bright, strawberry blonde. With a sigh, he tried to ignore it as he went back into the bedroom.

The covers and their clothing were still strewn on the floor, the bed rumpled. Tobias smiled and went for his chest of clothes. He selected a pair loose-fitting, black jeans, a red, faded T-shirt with a strawberry printed on the front, and his plain, black flip-flops. Back in the bathroom, he combed through his drying hair, applied a little black eyeliner, and was ready for the night.

He found Lyn hard at work in the kitchen, as usual. Her face brightened upon his entrance, “Tobias! How was it? Did you have fun?”

Tobias wasn’t sure about all that. He had enjoyed the ball, but maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to go. Things with Jareth were absolutely fabulous though, and he couldn’t help but grin and nod, “Yeah, I had lots of fun.”

She laughed, setting a large bowl of strange fruits before him, all peeled and sliced, “That’s good. I was worried about you.”

He smiled, shaking his head as if to say there was no need for that. The fruit, though strange, was familiar to him now, and he knew already that he liked the white fleshed bits the best and then the red ones.

“I’d thought that everyone would still be up when we got back.” Tobias said through a mouth full.

She laughed again, straightening her apron as she leaned against her work counter, watching him eat, “The sun was up and the others were thinking you and Jareth would want to be alone.”

He instantly blushed, “Oh…”

Lyn looked down at her hands, wiping them on her apron again, “You might want to keep clear of Miss Wren.”

“Hm? But I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“She’s been up and about, just keeping her distance from you. She’s pretty upset. You know, she’s always had this idea in her mind that her and Jareth… Well, you know. The point is, it’d be pretty upsetting for her if she saw you with that mark on your neck.”

Tobias blushed again, instantly putting a hand to his neck, covering the mark, “But I can’t help…”

“I know, honey, but it might be for the best if you just avoid her for the time being.”

Tobias slumped in his seat, staring at the fruit. He didn’t feel like eating anymore. Why did he have to avoid Wren? He didn’t do anything wrong. Was it his fault she got offended? He rose from his seat, “I’m going to go look for Julianne. If you see Jareth, tell him I’m in the garden.”

Lyn smiled, “Of course.”

Sighing, Tobias made the trek through the halls, passed the empty throne room, and down the stairs. He knew Lyn was being sincere, worrying over him, but it kind of offended him what she’d said. Was it really her business whether or not he had a mark on his neck? He’d have been happier if she hadn’t mentioned it, hadn’t noticed.

The garden was as lovely as ever in the dim light of the half-moon, however, Julianne was nowhere to be seen. He walked the entire perimeter, finally selecting a bench near the entrance so that he might see her should she come in. He wanted desperately to talk to someone happy for him, someone full of cheerfulness.

Lyn had upset him somehow. He was worried about Wren, worried about the ball, about what had been said. He missed Sarah. He loved Jareth, a one-sided love. As joyous as it had been to share such intimacy with the Goblin King, he still had so many worries. They seemed to multiplying.

Hours passed as he remained on that stone bench, thinking. He was lying on his back now, staring up at the stars, unable to recognize any of the constellations. His emotions were wavering so strangely. He was happy but sad at the same time. In love but lonely. He felt like drawing, painting, venting, but he didn’t feel like moving either. He closed his eyes, imagining the cool stone to be Jareth’s skin, that he was still in bed, lying against his lover.

“Tobias!”

He blinked into wakefulness.

“Tobias, what are you doing? Have you been here all this time?”

He sat up to find Julianne hurrying over, “I… I must have fallen asleep.”

She sat next to him, smiling, “We’ve all had dinner already. We were worried when you didn’t show up. Jareth’s been pacing the halls.”

He couldn’t help but laugh, “I’m sorry. I came here looking for you earlier. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“Looking for me?” She asked, a bit surprised.

He nodded, “I thought you’d be excited and what to hear about the ball.”

She laughed, leaning forward, her rich, chocolate curls falling around her shoulders, “Oh, of course! I wanted to ask Jareth, but he seemed a bit on edge.”

“It was really awesome. The palace was huge and white. There were people everywhere, and the ladies were all wearing these massive dresses. The ballroom was completely gold, and there was glitter everywhere!”

“So, it went well?” She said, sitting back, laughing.

Tobias sighed, “Sort of. I mean, I enjoyed going, but there were people that didn’t want me there. I think Jareth’s in trouble. I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone, but I really wanted to.”

Julianne got the sense that something had indeed gone terribly wrong. She’d gotten this feeling from Jareth too, “What happened?”

He shook his head, “I don’t really want to talk about the bad. I’m sorry, it’s just too…”

Placing a hand to his arm, she smiled, shaking her head, “You don’t have to. Come on, let’s go inside. You need to get something to eat, and let Jareth know you’re fine.”

He nodded, rising to his feet along with the lovely Julianne. He felt better suddenly. Was it her smiling face? He suspected so, that and her good nature. He didn’t think about his worries as he climbed the stairs.

They found Jareth in the sitting room along with Merik, Talbot, and Trei. Merik and Trei were discussing something but stopped upon their entry.

“I found him sleeping in the garden.” Julianne said through a wide smile and cheerful eyes.

Jareth sighed, “Right. Would you mind having Lyn prepare something for him.” It wasn’t a question.

Julianne nodded, giving a slight bow, “Of course.”

“No, I’m not hungry. It’s fine.” Tobias said, stepping further into the room. He approached his art station, looking over the shuffle of sketches upon his desk and his unfinished painting.

“Are you sure?” Jareth asked skeptically.

He nodded, lifting his sketch book, “Yeah, I’m fine. I just… I wanted to get some sketching done today, but since I fell asleep…” He paused, noting that all eyes were on him, “I’m just going to go downstairs and draw a little before the sun comes up.”

“Portraits of those goblin friends of yours?” Jareth asked, standing.

Tobias nodded, tucking his sketch book under his arm, pencil and eraser in hand. He hadn’t really planned this, but he didn’t feel like troubling Lyn or seeing her. He could remain and sketch at his desk, but he didn’t like everyone’s eyes staring his way. They seemed to be thinking about him, as if they knew but couldn’t ask. Of course, how could they not know? The mark gave it away.

“I’ll be back before sunrise.” And with that he was out the door, leaving them all behind. How strange. His emotions were riding a rollercoaster.

………………………………...

Julianne sighed, stepping over to the desk and peering at Tobias’ numerous drawings, all extremely impressive. Most of them were of either Jareth or various goblins, “He seems troubled.”

Merik chuckled, “How could he not be? We’re all on edge around him.”

“Plus,” Trei said, his voice deep and serious, “All our thoughts are on Wren. Dr. Lazlo is still keeping an eye on her.”

“It’s ridiculous behavior.” Jareth muttered, sitting back, crossing his legs.

Julianne sighed again, “You can’t blame her. She was devastated that you took Tobias to the ball.”

“As if I’d take her. The woman is…” It was Jareth’s turn to sigh.

“It’s not so much that she expected you to take her, it’s just that you chose Tobias over her. She can’t understand you choosing a male from Aboveground over her.” Julianne explained.

“What exactly did she do?” Jareth asked, still leery about hearing the details.

Merik stood, pacing somewhat, “She went mad. She was storming the halls, ranting at the top of her lungs. Then she started cursing Tobias. We couldn’t calm her. She began throwing things about, getting violent…”

“She was hurting herself. So, Dr. Lazlo provided a tranquilizer of sorts. We had to force feed it to her.” Trei finished.

Julianne turned from the desk to face the others, “She’s still sleeping. Each time she wakes, she begins talking madness and Dr. Lazlo gives her more of the drug in a drink.”

Jareth nodded, “I should see to her.”

“Have you warned Tobias to keep away from her?” Merik asked, obviously concerned.

Julianne spoke up first, “Lyn mentioned warning Tobias this morning.”

“There’s no reason for that.” Jareth said, standing, “As long as she keeps to her room, there won’t be a problem.”

“We’re just being cautious. We’re worried about Wren as well. Should she find out about you and Tobias…” Julianne let the sentence fade, preferring not to think on the possibilities.

Jareth eyed them all skeptically.

“Come Jareth, how are we not supposed to know? The mark on that boy’s neck could be seen from another kingdom.” Merik said, gesturing to the window and the kingdom that lie far beyond the endless landscape.

The Goblin King literally growled, “I’ve been sharing my bed with him for more than a month. A mark shouldn’t be so shocking.”

“But we all know you’re different with this boy. We all hear the servants talk about how you haven’t had sex yet, until now. And Wren knows this, and seeing him the way he is now… It may be traumatizing for her.” Julianne explained, speaking calmly, careful not to upset her king.

“I wish to be alone.” He said, glaring. Trei rose and they all started for the door. Only Julianne turned at the last moment as if to say something more. He raised a hand to silence her, “I’ll speak to him about it.”

She smiled and nodded, and they all left him alone as he wished. How frustrating all this was! He turned towards the window and walked out onto the balcony. The sky was already lightening. The sun would be up in a couple of hours. The courtyard below was empty, the fountain was turned off. It looked lonely and desolate down there, yet it held such beauty. He loved the smooth, stone landscape, the few hedges, the intricate stone benches. He’d first seen Tobias after all those years standing there, looking lost in a dream. Things just had to work out, they had to.

He turned and headed for his bedroom. He’d change and lie down and calm himself. Too many thoughts flowed through his mind.

………………………………...

Tobias slumped down against the wall of one of the smaller common rooms. This one held numerous pieces furniture but was without the barrels of ale. Therefore the goblins were simply lounging about, talking with one another, playing various board games and what not. The room was pleasant without the loud roughhousing

This suited him perfectly. Tobias wanted to calm his mind, concentrate on his drawing. Sure enough, just as always happened when he ventured downstairs, San, Grim, and Lobe found him.

“It’s our little human goblin!” San exclaimed, trotting into the room to crouch before him and peer at his drawing.

Grim slumped beside him, his voice deep as ever, “How was the ball?”

“That’s right! Did you have fun? Did you dress up?” San asked, the curious female as always. Her bright eyes, brown, almost orange, were simply alight.

Tobias chuckled, “It was nice but troublesome too. I have a lot of things on my mind.”

Grim chuckled as well, his dark skin appearing black in the dim room, “I can see that by the mark on your neck.”

San gasped, “There is a mark!” She moved closer still, pulling at the neck of his T-shirt, poking gently at the violet blotch of skin, “Did the king do this?”

He nodded, pulling away gently.

“Why are you sad?” Lobe asked, shuffling closer, his voice nasally, his words slow.

Tobias shrugged, “I don’t know. I just… I have a lot on my mind.”

“You said that already.” San said, almost a whisper as she moved close enough that the sides of their bodies touched. She leaned her head against his shoulder, “Don’t think about bad things. Think about good things. Like… You must be happy the king did this.” She reached up, gently touch the mark on his neck again, almost caressing it.

“Yes,” He said, tentatively touching the mark as well, “This does make me happy, but… He doesn’t love me.”

Grim shook his head, “The Goblin King can’t love.”

The tears came to his eyes and he hid them instantly by pressing his arm to his face. San frowned, taking the sketchbook, closing, and setting it aside with the pencil and eraser. Tobias slumped against her, and she motioned to Lobe to fetch the cushions from a nearby chair. Once they were strew about them, San moved Tobias to the makeshift bedding.

“You need to cry it out.” San said, rubbing his back, “There’s nothing that can be helped. The king has never loved.”

“I know,” Tobias sobbed, gripping the cushions, “I just thought…”

His sounds were strangled and on the loud side. He felt horrible and embarrassed and confused and so sad. He felt a weight on the cushion and saw that Grim had sidled up against him and was peering at his face.

“Tobias loves the king?” Lobe asked, his huge form slumping down to the floor, his head moving to rest against another of the cushions.

Grim nodded, curious of the tears that flowed so beautifully from the boy’s sparkling, blue eyes, “He’ll be okay though.”

Tobias closed his eyes, ashamed before such close scrutiny.

Grim reached out with his small hand and lightly patted Tobias cheek, “Don’t, it’s good to share pain instead of have it all for yourself.”

“That’s right.” San said, moving in to lie beside Tobias, sidling up against him as well, continuing to rub his back.

Tobias sniffed, his tears slowed. He felt so comforted, better than he had with Julianne’s few words, better than the bath. “Do you think I could sleep here?”

“We don’t mind, but… The king…” San said, the last in a whisper.

“Please, he’ll let me. Just, could someone tell him?” Tobias pleaded, noticing that a number of other goblins had drawn near.

San smiled and nodded, turning to another female goblin, giving her instructions. She turned back to Tobias as the young goblin scampered out of the room, “There,” She said, “It’s done.”

Tobias smiled and nodded, “Thanks…” He mumbled, lying his head back down, feeling sleep upon him. He was so tired. Strange, he’d slept so long in the garden.

………………………………...

Jareth was sitting at his desk, going over some papers when a gentle tapping came from the door. Tobias? No, Tobias wouldn’t knock. He rose, his sleep-pants hanging on his hips. He opened the door, surprised to find a goblin in the hall. The goblins were restricted to the first floor and the throne room only.

Anger began in him, “What are you doing here?”

The young female bowed suddenly, shaking with fear, “I’m supposed to give you a message from the human goblin.”

Jareth’s anger melted at this strange term, “Human goblin?”

She nodded, looking up to him with adorable, dark eyes, “He says he wants to sleep downstairs with his friends.”

It dawned on him, “You mean, Tobias?”

“Yes, yes.” She said, nodding, bowing again.

He fought a growl, “Very well.” With that she was scampering off back down the hall. What the hell was that all about? Why did Tobias wish to sleep with the goblins? When he’d first come to the Underground, he’d been fearful of them. Jareth knew he’d grown used to them, even made a few friends, but he hadn’t realized they’d become so close.

A strange emotion burned in him. He didn’t want Tobias to sleep elsewhere. He wanted to hold the boy in his arms, keep him all to himself. And what was all that nonsense about his lover being called the human goblin? Was that how the goblins saw Tobias?

He slammed the door and went back to his desk, determined to busy himself with paperwork.

………………………………...

Three nights passed this way. Jareth hardly saw his lover. Tobias was skipping his meals upstairs. He’d been informed that the boy was eating a dinner with the goblins at least. He spotted him lounging in the garden at times, and most often, found him at work in the sitting room, drawing or painting, completely absorbed.

He questioned Tobias, asked him why he refused to eat or sleep in his company. Tobias, however, would answer simply that he was thinking about things and needed to be where he could think, that it had nothing to do with anything Jareth had said or done, he was just confused.

The Goblin King found this hard to believe. He wasn’t sure how to go about all this. Normally, he’d demand Tobias return, force him if necessary, but he didn’t want to hurt his lover. He already got the sense that Tobias was troubled, pained.

Jareth felt that way himself lately. Not only because of Tobias’ distance but because of all his worries. He was so unsure as to what to do, what problem to approach first and how.

It was the fourth night now, the sun already rising, and he was again, sitting at his desk, keeping his mind busy on the kingdom’s situation. A hard knock at the door had his attention instantly.

He pulled the door open with more force than necessary. Merik and Julianne stood before him, stricken with worry, “It’s Wren. She’s become violent again. Trei is restraining her while Dr. Lazlo and Talbot attempt to calm her with the drug.”

Jareth snorted, “And what concern is this of mine?”

“But,” Julianne said, pleading with her arms in an open gesture, “She says she’s seen Tobias. That’s why she’s gone mad. Who knows what she said to him.”

“I’ve looked everywhere, but I can’t find him.” Merik said, glad to see that the king was finally alert, concerned.

Jareth frowned, “I know where he is.” And with that he started down the hall, walking briskly, the two at his heels hurrying after him.

As they started down the stairs, Merik spoke up, “He’s not in the garden, sire.” But he quickly learned that they weren’t headed for the garden. They took a sharp right and started down a hallway within the first floor. There were few torches, and it was hard to see.

“Jareth?” Julianne asked, confused and a bit frightened in the filthy atmosphere. Only the Goblin King was without fear in such a place. She glanced back to see even Merik was a bit shaken.

He stopped short and snatched a small goblin from the floor, holding the little thing up by the scruff of his neck, “Where’s Tobias?”

It look completely horrid, fearful and confused. Julianne placed a hand on her king’s arm, “Jareth, stop. You’re scaring it!”

“My King, please… How would a goblin know where he is?” Merik said, trying another approach to calming his king.

Jareth growled, “Where is the human goblin?”

Realization dawned in the little creature’s eyes, and he pointed down the hall to the left, “He is down that way, the small common room.”

Jareth dropped the creature and continued on. Julianne looked to Merik, “The human goblin? Is that what Tobias is?”

Merik shrugged and they hurried on. It was just as the little goblin said. They rushed into a small room littered with goblins, most of them already asleep, lying helter-skelter over worn pieces of furniture. Torn sofa cushions were strewn about on the floor and more goblins covered them. It took a moment to see in the darkness, but there was Tobias, amidst them, his eyes closed, his cheeks stained with tears. The goblins about him lie close, their bodies touching, limbs thrown about over one another. Tobias himself had his arm over a young female. It was strange to see, Tobias’ pale form tangled in the numerous dark-skinned bodies of the goblins.

San awoke suddenly, sitting up with Tobias’ arm in her lap, “King?”

Jareth strode into the room, anger plain as day on his fine features, “How many days have passed this way?”

She looked confused for a moment, “Four?”

He growled and again felt Julianne’s hand on his arm, “I demand this end.”

The lovely goblin pulled her body from the boy’s grasp, rising to stand and approach her king, “He is very sad.”

This seemed to soothe Jareth, who paused to look again at his young lover asleep, tears still on his cheeks, “Does he cry every night?”

San shook her head, “Just the first night, and this night. I think someone was ugly to him. He wouldn’t say.”

The king nodded, stepping forward, careful not to crush any goblins beneath his boots. He crouched down once he was close to the boy, peering at his lover’s sleeping form. How odd it was that Tobias found comfort in such a place. He reached forward then, slipping his arms beneath the boy and lifting carefully so as not to wake him. When Tobias began to shift in his sleep, Jareth cast a quick, gentle spell to keep him from waking.

“You’re taking him?” A large goblin asked, sitting up.

Jareth nodded, “He is my lover.”

San grinned, “Yes, he has said this.”

This brought a smirk to Jareth lips. He nodded again and turned to go. Julianne and Merik were staring in awe, but remained silent, following him out of the room and back upstairs. They followed him all the way to his bedroom, watching from the door as their king put the boy in bed.

“How long has Tobias kept such company?” Julianne asked, still astonished.

Jareth shrugged, “Don’t worry on it, Juli. He likes them.”

Merik shook his head, “He’s been so distant lately. I hadn’t realized…”

Lifting a hand to silence the two, “Let me alone with him.”

Julianne smiled, nodding, “Yes, of course.” She took Merik’s arm and started down the hall. Hopefully, tomorrow night, things would be returning to normal.

The Goblin King closed the door and went to stand by the bed. Tobias was still under his spell, sleeping sound. The room was alight with the morning sun seeping through the curtains. He thought for a moment to lift the magic, allow the boy to wake, question, argue maybe… Then he thought better of it, deciding he wished no ill will on this lovely creature.

With skilled hands, he removed the boy’s clothes. He was glad to see that some of his marks remained, faint bruises. There was the one on his neck and a few still on those pale thighs. He supposed his young lover had sensitive skin or a slow healing process. Either way, he didn’t want the marks to fade.

Stripping his own clothes off, Jareth climbed into bed, pulling Tobias to him, their bodies fitted together snugly. He leaned over and pressed his lips to the soft skin of his lover’s neck, kissing and then sucking, recreating his mark in the very same place. It was a simple task that left satisfying results. He wanted to brighten the ones on the boy’s thighs as well, but thought better of it. That should be done when they were in the throes of ecstasy.

Breathing deep of the falsely-colored hair, Jareth felt sleep creeping in. He held Tobias to him, kissing him chastely on the lips before willing the spell away. Together, naturally, they slept in one another’s arms.

………………………………...

Tobias wasn’t too surprised to wake in the huge bed, but he was rather shocked to find the Goblin King beside him. Even when they had been sleeping together consistently, rarely did the arrogant man remain in bed so they might wake together.

“What happened?” Tobias asked, turning so that they were face to face. He wondered how long Jareth had been awake.

“That’s what I want to ask you. I heard Wren saw you, became upset.”

Tobias remembered suddenly. Yes, he’d been walking idly from the sitting room, heading for the stairs. It was still a bit early for bed, so he’d taken a detour, rememorizing the intricate stone halls. He passed through the hall containing all the many bedrooms of the others, and Wren’s door had been opened. Dr. Lazlo was stepping out, looking rather grim, his glasses low on his nose. Wren had been sitting in bed, she’d looked up at just the right moment, saw him passing.

She’d rushed to the door, throwing it open wide, gasping before him, pointing, “It’s true! It’s true!” She screamed.

Trei came out of nowhere, holding her back. Dr. Lazlo was standing back, having dropped a small tray he’d been carrying. He was utterly amazed with Wren’s sudden, wild behavior.

“What is it?” Julianne had asked, emerging from her room a few doors down.

“It’s true!” Wren screamed again.

“What’s true?” Julianne asked, hurrying toward the commotion, obviously confused.

“They’ve done it! They’ve been together! They’ve had sex! I didn’t believe the servants. I couldn’t. But it’s true!”

“Oh, dear, please… Calm down. Wasn’t this expected?” Julianne said, placing her hands to Wren’s face, brushing the red-orange hair back soothingly.

Wren seemed to calm at once, but Trei kept his hold on her, “He’s just a boy, Juli. A boy from Aboveground. He’s skinny and strange. I don’t understand! I’ve loved Jareth for so long…” She broke down in tears at once.

Tobias had felt the tears building in his own eyes, “Wren, I never meant…” He wasn’t sure what he was going to say, but he never got the chance to finish. She started screaming again, kicking her legs out. Julianne backed away, clearly upset. Dr. Lazlo stood back as well, unsure as to what he should do.

“You stole him from me! Why would he want to lie with such a creature?” The ranting continued on this way.

Tobias was unable to stick around for much more, he turned to run, but ran smack into Merik, “Whoa, whoa… What’s going on? Tobias?”

He shoved himself away from Merik, “She’s right… I don’t know why…” He hurried off then, heading for his sanctuary among the goblins. Even as he trotted down the stairs he could hear Wren’s screaming.

………………………………...

Jareth reached out and brushed the boy’s hair back behind his ears, “Don’t cry.”

Tobias sniffed, fighting the tears, “I’m just so confused. All these problems keep building up.”

“I know,” he said through a sigh, frustration pulling his eyebrows together in a scowl, “I’m not sure where to start.”

Seeing pain their behind that mask of anger, Tobias drew close to his king, touch sharp cheekbones with hesitant fingers, running the delicate touch down until he held the older man’s chin in both hands. He pulled their lips together in a chaste kiss, “I can’t push my worries away anymore.” Tobias whispered before leaning in for another kiss.

Jareth wanted to take hold of his lover, ravage him but knew now was not the time, “It’s less than three months until the next ball. I must either send you home or turn you into a goblin or come up with some other solution. Perhaps hide you away or temporarily send you away. I must make it clear to the Great King and Queen, that I will not be without you.” It was all said in a whisper, they faces touching, Jareth’s hands at his sides, Tobias holding his jaw still.

“I love you too much and it hurts that it’s one-sided. I’ve been staying away to think, to sort out these emotions. God, they’re so strong.” Tobias admitted, scooting closer, his knees now touching Jareth’s.

“And I know you miss your sister and your world…” Jareth murmured, his soul aching at the idea that had been building in his mind, “Should I send you home in three months? Give you time to think? Allow you to visit your sister? Perhaps give me time to persuade the Great King and Queen?”

Tobias’ eyes went wide and he pulled back to look into the mismatched eyes of his lover, “Are you serious?”

Jareth wrapped his arms about the boy’s waist, pulling them together ungracefully, “What if you don’t come back?” The Goblin King whispered, sorrow in his voice, his face pressed into the crook of his lover’s neck.

Unable to fight a smile, Tobias brushed the man’s long hair back and down his back, “Even if you never love me, I’ll always come back.”

Putting his fears away, locked in his heart where they belonged, Jareth pulled back to look again into those brilliant blue eyes, “It’s decided then?”

Tobias nodded, “And for the three months until I leave, let’s be happy.”

To be continued…

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