Chapter Text
The next morning Beetlejuice awoke early. He very rarely did this and when he did he usually went straight back to sleep. This morning, however, was different. His black-haired beauty was next to him sound asleep. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as he recalled the previous night in his head. Perfect, that was the only way to describe it. It had been perfect. When he had gone to rescue her from Scott, bedding her had been the last thing on his mind. It was all he could do to even think of confessing his feelings... yet both had happened in the space of a few hours. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was. But he was also worried. Would she wake up and regret what had happened. Would things be weird between them now? He couldn’t bear the thought of her not wanting to know him, not after last night. But it was so much more than the sex. He had always loved her, he realised that much. Not as a lover, obviously but on a so much deeper level. She had stirred something in that long dead heart and he didn’t want to lose that now... it was the most wonderful feeling.
At length, she stirred next to him and her eyes sleepily fluttered open. At first, she seemed confused and then smiled at him.
‘Good morning B.J.’ Relief flooded through him as she reached an arm over his chest and snuggled closer to him. He wrapped an arm around her. He could get used to this.
‘Morning babes. Sleep alright?’
‘Like the dead,’ she winked.
‘Hey, bad puns are my thing!’ They both laughed.
‘How about you? Sleep okay?’ He nodded.
‘Possibly the best sleep I’ve had in years,’ he admitted. He paused. ‘So you’re alright?’ he asked tentatively. ‘No regrets?’ Lydia looked up at him.
‘What? No of course not.’ She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek that sent little shivers running through him. She blushed slightly as she added; ‘I really enjoyed last night. Every second with you was... magical.’ It was his turn to blush now. Neither of them said anymore, both lying in each other’s arms lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, a loud rumble issued. Beetlejuice grinned sheepishly.
‘My stomach says it’s out of beetles. How about I make us both some breakfast?’ Lydia hadn’t realised how hungry she was until that moment and she looked at him surprised.
‘Do you have food safe for human consumption?’ she half-joked. Beetlejuice looked offended.
‘I’m sure I can rustle something up.’
‘Fair enough.’ Lydia gave him a short kiss on the lips before they both got up. Beetlejuice threw on his boxers from the night before, as Lydia picked up her dress and lingerie. Beetlejuice stole a look across. He couldn’t help it. He could have stolen a peep here and there over the years through the mirror or even turn himself invisible and watch her get dressed after a shower... but he never did. He loved her too much for that. Now, to be allowed to do this? It was a liberty he was certainly going to take advantage of. He saw her go to pull the dress over her head and had an idea. He cleared his throat.
‘Y’know, rather than pour yourself into that thing again, feel free to borrow one of my shirts. Just till you can get dressed back home.’
‘Really? Thanks, Beej. You’re the best.’ She walked over to the closet and opened it. Rows of pinstriped suits and magenta shirts greeted her. She grabbed a shirt and closed the doors. ‘I always thought you wore the same suit,’ she said with a smile.
‘I got a few spares, just in case. I don’t hear you complaining- oh... Lyds.’ The shirt hung to just below her thighs not leaving much to the imagination at all. She rolled up the sleeves and left the top few buttons undone. With her un-brushed hair ruffled dressed in only his shirt and her panties, she looked like a knockout. She saw him look at her.
‘What?’ Beetlejuice went to stammer out something but failed to string a coherent sentence together. Lydia giggled at him. ‘If this is all I had to do to get your attention I should have done it years ago.’
‘Oh be quiet you little minx and get here.’ He briefly chased her around the room as both of them laughed. He eventually caught her round the middle and pulled her close passionately kissing the back of her neck. Eventually, the kissing slowed down and he allowed Lydia to turn and face him. She reached up and they both enjoyed another steamy kiss. Another rumble issued from the ghosts stomach. Lydia broke off giggling.
‘We’re totally failing at breakfast, she smiled.
‘Yep. I’m on it,’ he grinned back. He strode out of the room as Lydia followed only to be greeted by Jacques and Ginger, quietly cleaning the remainder of the mess. ‘Guys,’ protested Beetlejuice, ‘you really don’t have to...’
‘We are doing it because we are friends,’ said Jacques with his back to him. ‘Believe it or – Lydia?’ he had turned around with a bag full of rubbish. At the sight of their friend in their roommate's shirt, both he and Ginger looked at first stunned.
‘Morning Jacques,’ smiled Lydia as she walked past Beetlejuice towards the kitchen. Jacques stared at the ghost who beamed back at him.
‘Well, well, well,’ smiled the skeleton. ‘Considering you weren’t going to say anything...’
‘I know, came the response. ‘She kind of forced it out of me.’
‘Safe to say she felt the same?’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Be-atle juice you are both positively beaming. Plus – you know coming out of your bedroom both partially dressed, with her in one of your shirts...’
‘I knew it,’ beamed Ginger. ‘I told you huh didn’t I tell you?’
‘Alriiiight... yeah fine. We’re a thing now. Are you happy is that what you wanted to hear?’ He was trying not to smile as he said these words, still hardly able to believe he was saying them but he was saved as Lydia appeared beside him and tugged his hand.
‘Come on casanova. I’m making coffee; you take care of the food.’ He shrugged as she turned.
‘My lady summons me,’ he grinned. ‘Later bozos.’ He disappeared into the kitchen as Jacques and Ginger exclaimed happy glances. He was back to his rotten old self again.
‘I’ll be about an hour.’
‘You’re sure you don’t want me to come with you?’
‘Beej I’m going home to get showered and dressed, I think I’ll manage.’
‘But after last night there...’
‘I’ll be fine.’ She stroked the side of his face. She held her dress over her other arm. ‘I’ll call you as soon as I’m ready, I promise.
‘Well okay. Any idea where you want to go yet?’ Lydia pondered.
‘Maybe we could go to the shocking mall and see if we can find a new picture frame,’ she suggested. ‘We can choose it together. A new start.’ Beetlejuice nodded in agreement.
‘You got it babes,’ he smiled that wonderful, toothy, lopsided grin and Lydia reached out and gave him a hug as she had done so many times in the past, before kissing him passionately. Things had changed between them so much now, and they knew their future wouldn’t come without opposition, Lydia’s parents for one wouldn’t be too thrilled, and then having to try and keep him a secret when she returned to college to finish her final semester. But all that seemed light-years away. Right now it was just the two of them, as it always had been. The ultimate double act and best friends now turned lovers. Lydia broke away first.
‘One hour,’ she promised.
'I'll be counting,’ he smiled. One second more and I’ll be popping up in that mirror so better make sure you’re dressed... actually,’ he paused, ‘don’t worry about that too much.’ He winked at her. Lydia rolled her eyes, before uttering;
‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,’ and she was gone. Beetlejuice stood alone for a few seconds wondering if she would call him after all. When it became apparent she wouldn’t, he turned back from the doors just in time to see a big beetle emerge and make a mad dash from freedom.
‘Oh no you don’t buddy,’ he grinned snatching up the insect. He threw it into his mouth with a resounding crunch that even his neighbours heard.
Oh yes, the afterlife was good he decided. And one thing was certain now – it was going to get a whole lot better. ‘Oh yeah!’ he shouted aloud. ‘Iiiiiit’s showtime!’