Title: Exasperation
Author: Shen
Rating: PG
Summary: Jareth is such a nuisance.
Author's Note: Somewhat accidentally inspired by the LiveJournal community, Drabble_LAS. Round One, Challenge Two. However, it's quite different in tone from "Trading Favors," which came from the same prompt.

Exasperation

Jareth appears to Sarah every few weeks. She thinks running a Goblin Kingdom must not be very labor-intensive, if he has the time to harass exasperated teenage girls as often as he does.

She almost jogs into him in the park. Practically falls out of her chair when his whisper – too close to her ear – suddenly interrupts her college applications. An owl landing on her bookbag causes a huge ruckus amongst her friends one day after school.

Oh yes, taunting his defeater with subtle digs and overt surprises must be his chief form of amusement. When he wasn't confusing her with small gifts, compliments, and dances. The cheat.

So, on a day when his lack of enthusiasm for their repartee leads to a lull, and he suddenly slumps over on their park bench, she doesn't know what to do. Eventually, unable to wish him back home and fearing how human doctors might harm a fae, she just puts his head on her lap and waits, stroking his hair. After a few minutes, his eyes flutter open.

"Thank god! Don't you scare me like that again! I thought you were dying." The shrillness of her tone makes him wince.

He croaks, "It was a nap. I've a bit of... let's call it Seelie flu. Not dying, other than of embarrassment. But I didn't know you cared, pet." Tiredly smirking, he makes a show of snuggling closer. It's a measure of her relief that she doesn't slap him.

"Well, duh. Who else is going to drive me up a glittery wall and keep me on my toes?"

END