Author's note: Sick, miserable and out of commission but found this story slightly uplifting. I do not own any characters or material from Labyrinth, but I am grateful that I can still be inspired by it.
"I'm sorry, babe," Sarah waltzed in upon the lounging Goblin King with a conciliatory slink in her gate.
Jareth blinked and deliberately licked a finger tip before turning a page of his open book.
"You know you don't make it easier that way," Sarah's peace-making efforts waxed a touch ornery.
"I didn't know apologies came with complimentary guilt trips," Jareth lanced her with his arched eyebrows over the edge of his ostensibly engrossing text.
"Damn you, even when you're difficult I still can't help myself in front of you!" Sarah huffed and put her hands on her hips.
"Now what is that supposed to mean?" A corner of his lip upturned, he finally decided upon setting down his book.
Sarah sighed and relinquished her war-stance.
"Jareth…?"
"Yes…" He replied with all the patience his voice was capable of exuding.
"I'm sorry I hid your crystals. They kept playing tricks on me and you thought it was funny."
"You're sorry, what of it?" His hand tapped the book-cover absentmindedly.
"You'll get them back, I promise," Sarah edged nearer to him almost insensibly, drawn as she was to the magnetic force he naturally exerted on her.
"Will I?" the Goblin King eyed his prize skeptically.
"I know where they are. They're safe. The goblins won't bother them." Sarah had now inched so close to Jareth her palm was free to brush the leather flap of Jareth's book.
Jareth was considering her reaction should he attempt a surprise attack and bundle her up in his arms.
"And what do you want in return, little earth child?" He knew the tone of mischief in her voice like nothing else.
"No more tricks, can't you just be nice?" Her fingertips edged tentatively the arm of his chair.
"Nice?" he scoffed with mock incredulity. "Do I look like a nice sort of person, now?"
Sarah grinned and shot back, "Not really, but I know you better."
Jareth gave a self-satisfied growl before collecting her in a little pile on his lap.
Sarah purred against his ear and stole a few kisses from his cheek before nestling her chin down into the crook of his shoulder. Her hands languidly spread across his chest and twined up behind his neck into his ridiculous hair.
"Be nice. I like you." She mewed petulantly.
"My dear, I like you too. That's why I can't help being occasionally a little cruel," his throat rumbled as he ran his fingers through her hair and clasped his lips to hers.