Confession Of Love

"Can you love me back, Scarlet?" Jareth asked, and time seemed to stand still for Scarlet. She prayed it wasn't happening, but before she could stop him, he uttered the words she feared.

"Is that too much to ask? That's all I want from you," he added, his eyes locked on Scarlet's.

"You know what?" He paused, his brows furrowing with emotion. "I thought I had found love with Vera, but it wasn't right. The idea of saying "I do" scared me. Then you came into my life, and suddenly, I felt fearless. It's hard to put into words, but loving you feels like the simplest truth. When I look into your eyes, the world lights up. You make me cherish each sunrise, knowing I could spend another day with you by my side."

Before he could finish, Scarlet rose to meet Jareth, capturing his lips with hers. She pulled back momentarily, but Jareth silenced her with another kiss, his hand gently guiding her closer.

His lips twirled inside hers, and Scarlet's hand slid to his shoulder as Jareth pulled her closer, his hands firm on her waist. The kiss sent a rush of sensation through her, his warm breath grazing her cheek.

As they finally broke apart, their breaths were shaky.

"I love you, Scarlet," Jareth confessed in a husky voice, his fingers tenderly brushing her cheeks as he gazed into her eyes.

Scarlet bit her lip, cheeks flushing at Jareth's confession of love. Her heart raced, replaying the tender moment they had just shared.

She glanced down at his tempting lips, feeling a sudden warmth. "You must really like my lips, wifey," he teased, lowering himself to her eye level, giving her a clear view of his mouth.

Scarlet's heart skipped a beat, her eyes locked with his, hearing him refer to her as his 'wifey.' It was a mix of emotions, both sweet and overwhelming. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but with Jareth in her heart, she felt ready to face anything.

She looked down at his lips again, feeling an irresistible urge to bite them all day long, a desire that didn't escape Jareth's notice. "Should we start now?" he teased.

"What?" Scarlet raised an eyebrow, tearing her gaze away from his lips to meet his blue eyes.

"Biting my lips all day," Jareth grinned mischievously.

"Are you ever going to respect privacy?" Scarlet asked, trying to hide her amusement with a hint of annoyance.

Jareth pouted playfully. "I don't always get to hear your thoughts, wifey."

Scarlet struggled to contain her laughter at Jareth's adorable pout, but she couldn't hold it in for long. Her laughter echoed, her cheeks aching from joy.

Seeing Scarlet laugh was something Jareth cherished deeply and hoped to witness again and again.

"Let's go back home, wifey," Jareth said, gently holding Scarlet's hand.She smiled at the mention of 'home.'

"Jareth," Scarlet called out, her face a mix of happiness and uncertainty.

"What is it, wifey?" He asked, hoping Scarlet hadn't changed her mind.

Scarlet's eyes filled with hope as she spoke again, "I should at least say goodbye to Edward."

Jareth's eyebrow furrowed at the mention of Edward, a twinge of jealousy flashing through him. He pulled her closer, their bodies pressed together.

"Don't keep me waiting, wifey. And Riley is conscious, you shouldn't keep him worried," he said casually, masking the effort it took him to say it.

Scarlet pulled him down to her eye level and planted a soft kiss on Jareth's lips before playfully darting away, leaving Jareth with flushed cheeks.

He followed Scarlet inside with slow, deliberate steps, unlike Scarlet who had rushed in ahead. His mind was consumed with how Edward had managed to persuade Scarlet to stay. He could hardly believe that if he had waited just two more days, Scarlet would have returned to him. He wouldn't have being able to leave without her.

****

"I thought you said you didn't want to go back," Athena teased, nudging Scarlet playfully.

"What could I do when he came searching for me himself," Scarlet replied with a hint of laughter in her voice.

The door creaked open, revealing Jareth's face. He glanced around before his eyes settled on Scarlet's radiant face. He raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner, and Scarlet turned to Edward, knowing Jareth's time was limited.

"Thank you," she murmured, and Edward nodded, concealing his emotions.

She then walked over to Jareth and linked hands with him before Edward stopped them both.

"Take care of Scarlet," he said to Jareth.

Jareth slid his hands around Scarlet's waist. "Do I need to be reminded to take care of my woman?" he replied, his brows furrowed.

Noticing the tension building between Jareth and Edward, Athena interjected, "You should get going, Scarlet. I'll catch up with you."

Scarlet nodded and led Jareth outside. He helped her onto the horse, and their ride was slow and silent, neither speaking.

"Are you jealous, hubby?" Scarlet teased, turning to face Jareth.

Jareth remained silent, refusing to speak. "Hubby," Scarlet pouted, playing with the edge of his cloak.

Jareth's face flushed as he pressed his lips together. The mention of 'hubby' was really pleasing to his ears that he didn't want scarlet to stop calling him that.

****

Edward stared out of the window, waiting until Scarlet and Jareth's figures were out of sight.

"What are you doing?" Athena's voice broke Edward out of his thoughts.

"Nothing. You should have gone with them. You don't want Scarlet suspecting we know each other, do you?" Edward replied, forcing a smile.

"I doubt she knows anything," Athena reassured him.

Edward nodded and walked to the dining room to get some water. On his way back, he nearly tripped over a stool, but Athena caught him just in time.

"Need a shoulder to cry on?" Athena asked gently.

Edward couldn't hold back anymore. Tears he had been holding in came rushing out. There was no turning back for him now. He had promised himself he would accept whatever decision Scarlet made, but here he was, crying helplessly.

It hurt so much that Scarlet couldn't see his love for her. He continued to cry, and Athena gently patted his back, offering him comfort.

"It's going to be fine," Athena said calmly, continuing to pat his back.

Edward buried his head in her shoulder, tears staining her cloth.

----

Jareth helped Scarlet down from his horse and escorted her to her chamber. "Rest now. I'll return tonight to check on you," he softly assured her.

Scarlet nodded absentmindedly, her heart quickening as she realized his promise to visit her later that night. Opening her chamber door, she was startled by Ilvia's weary face. She let out a loud scream, not recognizing the exhausted look on Ilvia's face, still clad in the same clothes she had worn when she left.

Ilvia leaped forward in joy, embracing Scarlet tightly. "Scarlet, where have you been?" Ilvia asked through tears streaming down her face.

Scarlet gently wiped away Ilvia's tears, saying, "I'm sorry for worrying you."

Ilvia sobbed uncontrollably, and Scarlet comforted her with a reassuring hand on her back.

----

Later that night, after bathing and settling into bed, Scarlet's eyes grew heavy. She yawned repeatedly, her thoughts consumed by Jareth. Where could he be?

Maybe she had let her thoughts wander too far, Scarlet thought to herself.

Slowly, she drifted off to sleep. Just then, Jareth quietly entered the room, noticing that the light was still on. His eyes found Scarlet, peacefully asleep in bed.

Carefully, he laid down beside her, trying not to disturb her. Unconsciously, Scarlet turned towards Jareth, and a smile crept onto his face.

As if sensing his presence, she opened her eyes to find Jareth gazing at her. "Why did you just come now?" she murmured sleepily.

"I'm sorry for making you wait," Jareth replied softly, his breath tickling her cheeks as his fingers gently brushed through her hair.

Scarlet's heart fluttered at his words, and she pulled him closer as Jareth's hands wrapped around her, drawing her tightly to his chest. Their bodies pressed together, igniting waves of sparks between them.

Jareth's cool hand grazed Scarlet's cheek, their eyes locked in a tender gaze. Slowly, he reached for her lips, kissing her gently yet passionately, savoring every moment as if time stood still.

As their lips met, Scarlet's senses were overwhelmed with the warmth of his touch and the sweetness of his lips. She melted into the kiss, her heart racing with love and longing. Jareth held her close, deepening the kiss, each movement filled with tenderness and desire.

She eagerly responded, parting her lips to grant Jareth deeper access, their breaths mingling in a dance of intimacy. In that fleeting moment, surrounded by the quiet embrace of their love, Scarlet knew she had found a connection that transcended words—a love that spoke through every touch, every heartbeat shared between them.