Oh, Now Why the Concern?

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Super Soaker Joker

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They were doing it again, acting weird. The same way they had been acting the night he and Sarah found Jareth in the woods and (now that he really thought about it) last night when he woke up in the dark. From the opposite end of the pool, Toby watched his sister turn bright red as she floated face to face with Jareth in the deep end. Their lips were moving, but he couldn't hear what they said since they kept their voices low.

Probably something weird anyway. He huffed and burrowed his chin farther into his palm.

When Sarah first joined him in the water (towing a paler than usual Jareth behind her), Toby had been excited. She rarely went swimming anymore (even before That Day). She just lay by edge "catching rays" as she called it.

Stupid sun. Stupid older sisters. He splashed some water away from him, creating a small wave.

So he was happy his fun-loving sister was finally back to horse around with him; Jareth would make it twice as fun. Unfortunately, things didn't quite work out the way he'd hoped. They rarely did when you're the little kid, he was beginning to understand.

A few minutes after they walked down the steps, each deeper level of water making Jareth's eyes widen further as he trailed Sarah, his hand clasped in hers, they both starting saying odd things to each other. Things Toby didn't understand. Things he was starting to suspect he wasn't supposed to understand. Things said to deliberately keep him from understanding. He really didn't like that, but neither seemed to notice his vocal pouting.

Then Sarah dunked Jareth and Toby thought pool fun was finally starting (alright!) and eagerly joined in by splashing Sarah. But she scowled and told him to go play with his water toys. But then Jareth hadn't seemed all that interested in playing with him either. He hadn't even look at him as he entered the water and his usually caring eyes were glued to Sarah's bathing suit, which Toby thought was even weirder 'cause it wasn't that awesome of a bikini, just basic blue. It didn't even shimmer like her special, fancy one she liked back home.

She was such a grouch, and Jareth was acting like he didn't exist. Why did adults act so weird all the time?

This was supposed to be fun, dang it! And they're ruining it.

A soaked Jareth, his usually silvery hair plastered to his head by streams of chlorine water ribboning down, came up for air with a reverse explosion of water, dousing Sarah in return. No more pristine, dry chestnut hair for his sister. An involuntary laugh busted out of Toby, maybe Jareth did want to play. But then the stupid Goblin King continued to ignore him, laughed but watched Sarah's reaction and ignored him!

That's when they really started acting weird again, with the whole eyeing each other thing and the stupid blushing and swimming around circles but not touching. What was that all about? How can you play with someone without touching them? Quickly, they drifted to the deep where Toby couldn't go without his floaties (which were inconveniently at home – swimming was still a challenge for him. Mom and Dad had promised swimming lessons at the YMCA this summer, but well…)

"They are so weird," he muttered, and kicked an imaginary fish near his dangling feet. He sat on the entry steps, his legs floating midway in the water as he leaned on the smooth tile wall of the pool.

Even he knew he pouted; he couldn't help it. Where was the fun? This was supposed to be a sort of vacation away from their crappy new life while Jareth recovered. Sure, a surprise vacation in their home town after the Banshees attacked, but he'd always wanted to play in this pool, try out the waterslide, sounded like a good deal to him.

"This sucks…" Leaning forward, he peeked around the corner. They were still circling each other, arms and legs working to keep them afloat yet just far enough apart.

"What are they doing? They're not even playing any games. That looks boring." Adults are weird. He decided right then and there, he never wanted to grow up if that's what being an adult meant. Floating around a pool with a friend you don't touch. How lame. No, thanks.

"Why even be in the water?" He settled back on the stairs. "I mean, it's not like they're doing anything." His lower lip pooched out and he knew if Sarah saw it she'd tease him for pouting. He kind of hoped she'd swim over and say something, even if it was mean and grouchy.

Maybe he should play with his pool toys. She had spent money on a few things for him at Wal-mart and, whether or not Sarah realized it, he did have a clue how tight money was after the ... accident. Sitting up straight, he spied his small pile of plastic toys over the lip of the concrete edge, and a smile crept over his lips.

Sarah, had she been nearby enough to notice, would've called it his "devious brother smirk".

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"That quite devilish of you, Sarah," Jareth said, eyes narrowed, arms and legs scooping leisurely as he treaded water. "Sneaking up on me as you did and pushing me beneath the water. You might have drowned me."

"Right; I doubt a little dunking in the shallow end would harm the Goblin King." She smiled and drifted an inch closer.

"I might have been harmed by striking my head on the unforgiving surface below…"

"That hard head of yours?"

"…Been knocked senseless…" His eyes sparkled and he grinned.

"You have senses to lose?" she asked quietly, then dropped her gaze as his intensified.

"Only around you…" One of his hands brushed hers, the cool water buffering the sensation – but only just.

Without a snappy comeback, Sarah felt her face warm and she kept her eyes on the rippling water between them. The sun reflected off the mini waves, made Jareth's skin sparkle in an oddly attractive way. It was easy to forget he wasn't human, especially now when he acted so normal.

"Oh," she whispered as his fingers teased hers again, a bit more pressure, lingering. The heat in her face transferred to her chest, made her heart thump rapidly.

"Does that surprise you?" he asked, his own voice huskier than normal.

She shrugged and bit her lower lip.

"Sarah?" He sounded much closer than before, velvet voice murmuring in her ear. She imagined she could feel his body heat radiating through the water; he was so close yet not touching more than her hand. "Suddenly so speechless?"

"No…" She brought her head up. Practically nose-to-nose to her, she focused on the moisture collecting at the top of his pale, patrician nose. It should've looked comical; it didn't. Jareth, somehow, added class to everything, even water dripping from his nose. It wasn't fair how beautiful he was. She never stood a chance against him.

"So quiet," he said, leaning closer. "So beautiful."

He thinks I'm beautiful? "Jareth…"She heard the quaver in her voice and wondered if she looked as shaky.

"Shhh…" His breath caressed the shell of her ear. It was warm while the water was cool, and the contrast made goose bumps prickle along her skin. She caught herself mid-inhalation; her chest burned. "All is well, all will be well…" His voice acted like a mild sedative, relaxing and calming her anxieties.

So close, yet still only his fingers touched hers as he hovered well within her personal space. Was it only a few weeks ago when his presence upset her? It seemed like a lifetime ago.

What's happening? Why do I feel this way? Though the questions, she knew, were irrelevant.

His lips touched the edge of her ear; she choked back a moan, resisted the urge to stop treading water and cling to Jareth instead. His hand moved below the water, encircled and rested on her waist. The water wasn't enough to buffer all the sensations generated by this contact. His nose nuzzled the shell of her ear, then moved lower and her thoughts fuzzed. Automatically, she tilted her head into his, seeking more contact.

"Jar-ETH!" Her back arched as a large splat of too warm liquid splashed over her from behind. The contrast to the chillier pool was acute, and she inadvertently shoved Jareth away when she jumped. The hysterical cackling of her brother filtered into her shocked brain, along with the confused and upset blustering of Jareth. Visions of mini super soakers danced in her head as she connected the very wet, very frustrated dots and spun around in place.

"Why you little…!"

Toby stood at the edge of the deep end of the pool, mini super soaker water gun aimed in their direction. But of course, he'd hit her first. Aiming for the Goblin King was near sacrilegious! She was just the annoying older sister, therefore open season.

"To-by!" she yelled, holding back a growl. Meanwhile, Jareth was already swimming towards him, fast, sure strokes cutting his lithe form through the water.

"To-bias Will-iams!"

Toby's amused expression quickly melted into distress as he added up his miscalculation, the two adults' attention now firmly focused on him (but not in a good way or not the way he wanted/imagined). Her brother's surprised squeal bounced off the concrete encrusted pool area as he hot-footed it away, weaving in between the lounge chairs in that flexible, slinky manner only little kids and gymnast are capable of.

Sarah watched as Jareth pulled himself over the side of the pool in one smooth jerk, water cascading over his bare back and swim trucks, which clung to other parts of backside. She swallowed hard, trying not to imagine what lie beneath the thin layer of water-resistant material (although it left little work for her imagination).

I should've bought thicker swim trucks for him, she thought, swimming slowing to the same side of the pool.

The sun suddenly felt cool in comparison to her over-heated face, and the splashing water was positively icy. If she didn't already suspect how much Toby meant to Jareth, she'd worry about how fast he was racing after him (and tripping over the same lounge chairs – apparently non-magic fea lacked the agility of nine-year-old mortals). She chuckled at the spectacle of a clumsy Jareth.

You'd better mentally record this. He'll never admit to it later.

She'd never seen Jareth so frustrated including their final twisted room encounter, (not that she really knew him all that well, she admitted privately). Though what Toby interrupted probably had more to do with Jareth's frustration than the water gun attack itself. Sarah sighed at that thought as she reached out to grasp the rough pool edge. The sun-warmed concrete abraded her fingertips; normally she hated the feeling, but the buzzing in her head superseded all else. And he hadn't even kissed her this time.

"Wow…" She rested her chin on her forearms over the pool edge. The rest of her body floated in the water, rubbing against the smooth side. The pool gate slammed shut behind Jareth with a metal-on-metal bang, echoing. She enjoyed the view of him chasing after her yelping brother.

"You'd better hide well, Toby. I doubt Jareth's in a forgiving mood right now," a sly grin sneak over her lips as lay her head on its side, "Not. At. All."

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Jareth hated being without his magic. Too think a mortal child was currently out running him - a sin against the natural order! Normally, his powers made running irrelevant. Just a twist and snap and he teleported whenever/whenever he wanted. Unfortunately, he was reduced to chasing after the offensive Toby on foot, bare feet to be exact.

"OW! Bloody hell!" He howled in pain the moment one of his big toes stubbed over some non-existent yet fully corporal object. Hopping on his uninjured foot, Jareth ground his teeth on a few more choice curses, wouldn't due for Toby to accidentally overhear him. He was grateful their room's location was around a corner, thus hiding him from Sarah's view during his inglorious moment.

Perhaps she might find my new vulnerability alluring?

"No!" he said to the thought as soon as it arose. "No more vulnerability than strictly necessary." Besides a stubbed toe was so … so … pathetically mortal; he was the Goblin King confound it, not some useless git bound by mundane rules.

Taking a deep breath, Jareth steadied himself with one hand flat to the stucco wall, head hanging slightly. He must regain control of his emotions before he choose a regretful path when dealing with Tobias. Ah, Tobias…

Jareth closed his eyes, seeking serenity in the midst of his extreme frustration. Sarah materialized in his mind, her dewy skin exposed by the barely there clothing she dubbed a "bikini". A subtle smile pulled at his lips. The vibrant blue of her bikini was now emblazoned upon his memory for the remainder of his immortal days. What a man might do to see his Love attired thusly.

How had he never stumbled across such an amazing article of clothing before today? He could only be glad he saw Sarah in one as it produced a very … pronounced (he shifted and fidgeted) reaction. One in which he longed to pursue further in the very near future.

Water dripped in rivulets down his legs, the odd shorts clinging to him in damp patches in private locations. He frowned as the uncomfortable sensation yanked him from his reverie of Sarah. At least he felt calmer and more in control after taking a moment. He could face Tobias now without fear of over-reaction.

Walking along the sidewalk (harsh to his sensitive feet), he came to their room and found the door cracked open. At some point before spraying them, Tobias must have collected the key knowing he'd require a hiding place. But why leave the door unlatched? Jareth cautiously pushed the door open with a neglected screech, bright lines of sunlight cut into the darkened room.

One broad stripe fell over a small huddled form in a far corner, his plastic weapon of choice discarded haphazardly near his feet. He was the picture of dejection and Jareth's compassion suddenly overwhelmed his anger. Replaying the last hour, a flash of insight snapped to Jareth; he and Sarah had neglected him due to their own mutual attraction.

"Tobias." Jareth's shoulders slumped as he walked closer and crouched. A little sniffle escaped Tobias' face which was shoved into his crossed arms, supported by his bent knees. "My apologies."

Two tear-bright eyes peeked up. "You're not mad?"

"Not … anymore." Jareth shrugged. "Your sister and I were distracted and … forgot…"

"About me?"

"Yes," Jareth said humbly, a tall admission for him.

"That's mean."

"Yes." He nodded and settled in next to Tobias, both leaning against the wall. They sat together in silence for quite a while until Sarah poked her head through the door.

"What's going on in here?" she asked, wary.