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It's a Saturday, because of fucking course it would be an ordinary Saturday night when Beetlejuice learns one of the most important things about himself that puts almost his whole life into perspective.
They've just had one of their Traditional Deetz-Maitland-Juice horror movie marathons, which should actually be called Deetz-Juice horror movie marathons because at the first sight of horror the Maitlands excuse themselves.
Tonight's selection has left Beetlejuice buzzing under his skin with the need to scare, he looks to Charles for permission lest he get sent to the roof for the night, he stretches his grin to inhuman lengths when Charles realises not letting him release this energy could result in a emergency room visit inducing scare, and gives him a hesitant nod.
He decides to start of small, using the tone 'Coraline' (yes Coraline, children's film!, he scoffs at how easily scared Charles, the Maitlands and the author are) to create a spooky atmosphere tampon. A blue tinted mist has started curling on the floor blocking any sight below the calves and the shadows are creeping in, moving in indistinct patterns and casting haunting tree like figures around the room and look like they move under the mist, the temperature has been lowered a few degrees while the atmosphere is filled with a subtle electric energy.
Beetlejuice himself has changed to fit in with the movie, his face is paler and more gaunt making the shadows of his face more pronounced. He's added a few more thin limbs that pronounce his jerky movements. He's replaced his eyes with large luminous buttons, he's kept his unnatural smile.
By the time they get to 'Us' Beetlejuice has altered the speakers to echo every line the clone says. He himself has brought forth his understudy, they have softened their physical forms so they look a little blurryand glitchy around the edges. They've kept the Coraline buttons but now pitch black tar goo dripping from them.
The movie finishes and the living room is left in pitch black silence for a minute before he gets up and stretches and dismisses qll the horror aspect of himself while flicking all the lights on to get one last suprised scream from everyone, except Lydia who has fallen asleep like the bore she is.
Charles could be a ghost with how pale he's become. His stubby nails are gripping the sofa so hard bj wonders if it'll rip under his hands. He looks as if he regrets every moment that's ever led to this moment.
He chuckles and heads to the kitchen to riffle through the cupboards for his special bug mix. He gives verbal directions for the other him to get to the roof. He promises that he'll be up soon.
He returns from the kitchen, with snacks in tow, and plonks himself onto the sofa.
Delia has taken Lydia to her room and has gone to 'Cleanse the bad energy from her soul'. The maitlands are deep in conversation with Charles, presumably to forget. He's content to let their chatter fall into the background as he munches on the delectable treat.
He does start to listen when the other people in the room expectantly turn towards him.
"Huh?" He says with a mouthful of bugs
"how about you BJ? what do you do when the rest of the household is asleep?" Adam asks with almost a sheepish look on his face, as if he's scared of his answer, which first of all rude! And second of all completely understandable and justifiable.
He scoffs and shoves more maggots in his mouth
"No murder if that's what your worried about, well except for that one time but Mervin deserved it, he was also a moth so I don't think it counts" he spares a second to revel in their confused expression, and to swallow his mouthful"anyway sometimes I sleep although I mainly plan or pull off pranks and teach sandy tricks. Ooo sometimes I teach her pranks! Heh Chuck hates when I do that"
Charles gives him a wry look from the corner of his eye, still too scared to move and look at him properly.
"Oh that's all? I mean I'm surprised you didn't delve into a very explicit account of your sex life. Not that we need to know!!! Or want to hear about it, I'm just surprised"
He shrugs and swallows another mouthful of bugs “eh the whole sex thing got really boring after a few years, it wasnt as much of a thrill as people claimed it to be. Don’t get me wrong the Bugman fucks when he;s really bored but i usually leave it up to the other beebleboose”
“Then why have I heard moaning coming from your room in the dead of night bug“
Adam please don’t tell me you’ve never felt the euphoria that is a q-tip in your ear before, or it could have been the clones, i may not be interested all the time but some of the clones sure are they’ll get it on anywhere, which is great because i get the residual pleasure without participating”
"Bug, if you dont want to have sex with us then why all the agressive kissing, and calling yourself Daddy around adam.” Barbara pipes in.
“I thought that was the way you greeted each other. When i watched you for the six months before you died you always kissed each other when you came into the house so i thought that's how you guys said hi. And as for the other thing figured if it makes me uncomfy it would wind Adam up. Mission accomplished”
Adam lets out an exasperated sight and throws his hands up into the air
“ that's not how it works Beej, well i know it works but it’s not for that reason, i thought you were flirting with me, which made me uncomfortable"
"Oh"
Something shifts in the air and a look of realisation passes over Barbaras face
"Beetlejuice are you asexual?" Barbra asks cautiously.
"I just told you I don't engage in sex and the first thing you ask me is if I'm sexual, what the fuck?"
Barbra snorts and beetlejuice feels like he's missing something. She takes pity on him and takes his hand while explaining " no Bug, it means that you have little to no desire to have or engage in sexual acts. Y'know like Adam" when he's mentioned Adam gives him a little proud wave and a smile.
"But I don't mind engaging in the act. It's just eh. Do I still qualify?" He scrunches his face in confusion. He may not know what this asexual thing is but god/satan is he desperate to be a part of something. Besides this sounds familiar and he feels a knot loosening somewhere inside him in recognition that this may be a category he falls into.
Adam gives a huff of amusement "some asexuals dabble in the act sometimes bug. It's the lack of interest in sex that makes you asexual, you can still have some desires and be considered asexual. I think you fit into the category if you want to call yourself asexual, you don't have to though"
He thinks over all the times hes been baffled by the amount of time humans spend being horny and having sex and just chalked it up to him being a twice dead demon. And thinks of all the times he's thought people were faking their over enthusiastic reactions to sex because he's just felt like it was whatever, not the mind blowing shit people brag about.
He gives a slow nod before nodding, not at all sheepishly because he's a big bad demon who doesn't do sheepish.
" I think I might be asexual, I'm not that interested in actually having sex" he repeats it again with a bright smile when the rightness of the sentence settles into his bones. "You guys I think I'm asexual!"
The immediate pride in the Maitlands/Charles’ gaze (Hah! gays ) has him feeling icky, gross and loved so he diverts the conversation out of the realms of self discovery to something easier to deal with.
“Besides all the extra time has some perks sometimes, like that time i saw Chuck doing all of the choreography to Single Ladies at three am, while wearing a very flattering wig”
Charles groans, actually groans while lifting his head in dignity.
“First off let’s get things straight” he pointedly ignores the demon’s cry of “I can’t, I’m queer”
“I was incredibly tipsy that night. Besides, I’m a grown man; if i want to dance to pop music with a wig on in my own house I will. I don’t owe any of you an explanation.” he looks a bit sheepish as he states the next part of his sentence, ducking his head slightly “not that i need to explain but i will say that i like the way the wig makes me feel, it makes me feel strong with it on
Beejthlejuice, being as emotionally constipated as he is, doesn't know what to say to such an honest confession. So he turns to pick apart the bits he knows how to respond to .
"Firstly, this is technically the Maitlands house. Secondly, Your tispy excuse doesn't work Chuck, that’s not the only time you dance to pop music is it? Or are you going to tell me you get
The older man goes red and starts avoiding all eye contact. Beetlejuice pauses.
“It… it is dancing isn't it Chuck? That’s why there’s so much crashing and collision noises. Right Charles ” The demon looks to the others for reassurances but comes up empty. Adam looks like he’s trying to become one with the cushions and barbara’s eyebrows are so high on her face the demon worries they’ll get stuck there. Charles just rolls his eyes.and finally gets up to go to bed, or do the non dancing banging with Delia.
He grimaces, Gross.
Damn maybe he is asexual, what he does know for sure is that he is very confused in this moment. So he gets up to do the one thing that will help clear things up.
He goes to talk to himself.
He finds beetlejuice on the roof giving scritches to a very pleased looking sandy. He situates himself next to his taller self, with Sandy on top of his legs and conjures up a tub of maggots. They sit in silence, eating their snacks and feeding their ghosts to the snake in their laps.
“Do you think there are other demons like me out there” he’s not ashamed to be the only demon who doesn't feel the need to participate in the pleasures of the flesh, but it would nice not to be the only one.
The other him gives him a knowing toothy grin “definitely. but who cares? just think of it this way, you really are disappointing Juno now, nothing she’d hate more than her demon son” he brings forth two extra limbs to make quotation marks “not demoning properly”
He mulls it over in his head, she would be livid; everything she insisted he’d never have, that he wasn't worthy of, is surrounding him he’s got a family that he cares about and that loves him in turn, he’s part of a community and he’s definitely has more than one convoluted use.
Juno is definitely rolling around in her sandworm shit grave at his success.
He tips his head back and with a mouthful of worms, lets out a chuckle. He throws out into the silent black sky.
“Ha! Get fucked mum, i certainly won’t be anytime soon.”
“Speaking of, i’ve got someone waiting for me back at home i’ll see you later” the taller demon fist bumps him then dislodges himself from the sandworm to roll into the void space between worlds.
He turns to the now wriggling Sandworm with a shit eating grin.
"How pissed do you think Chuck will be if we fill you with glitter and you surprise him in the morning like a glitter cannon”
June finally arrives and they’re getting ready to go to pride.
Beetlejuice can’t contain his excitement,he’s been talking about the parade to anyone who will listen, or anyone in a 5 mile radius unfortunate to have ears. His excitement only gets worse when Lydia gifts him with an ace flag for the wall in his room. If she ends up with a collection of dead rainbow bugs on her windowsill it’s her own fault for spoiling him.
It's not his first pride
That's a lie it is, he’s watched many prides seen them parading through the streets but he hasn’t been tangible enough to actually join one.
This is his first time actually joining one, being seen being part of the celebration, being among the celebrated with all of him on display without being judged. And to (do a totally undemon-like thing and) tell the truth, he’s terrified. Not that hell ever admit it outloud, he's a big bad demon who scares others; he’s definitely not scared of not being enough, of not having enough to be proud of, and yes he knows it’s all bullshit (Because it is, aro aces deserve to have their place in pride, deserve to be seen and celebrated) but he still can’t dispel the nagging of his mind mother.
Charles, the big dad saint that he is, seems to read his mind (read his hair more like, stupid fucking folicals) and places a hand on his sholders then turns him towards the full length mirror
“I couldn't be more proud to have you as my son. You’ve changed so much from when you first arrived here, you have that to be proud of. And don't you dare even think of listening to the internet or what other people think. Not having those desires doesn't make you any less worthy of being part of this celebration. You still have to explain yourself to straight people, you are every bit as queer as the rest of the people at this festival. You’re perfect the way you are”
Before Beetlejuice can run from the disgusting amount of sentimentality coming from his younger dad figure, Charles regards him smugly
“ y’know a stinky trash eating gremlin. besides i dont think i could put up with all of your sexual advances if you werent asexual”
He doesn't even refute the statement (because it's true); he’s too preoccupied with basking in the fact that he now has a parental figure who’s happy to clutch him to his side, while stating they’re proud of him.
Charles gives him one last squeeze then leaves and he takes note of himself in the mirror.
In true beetlejuice fashion hes gone all out for pride.
He already has most of the aroace colours on his suit (it's his special curtain call suit, its margainly cleaner but more importantly it holds a lot of glitter, that he will absolutely use on homophobes if he has to) he makes a few minor tweaks such as adding purple to his cuffs and making his lapels grey and purple striped. He's got goldish green and purple eyeshadow that's outlined by a glitter gold eyeliner. Rainbow glitter dusts his cheek bones and his lips are coated with a purple sheen.
Surprisingly he's not the only one from the household who's gone all out; Lydias who usually dons all black has swapped her usual dress for a lesbian spiderweb shawl with trans themed makeup, courtesy of Barbara. Delia has gone full Deila by fasioning a pansexual themed crystal headband and a polyamourous themed cape.
Adam and Barbara are also dressed up.Sandy has agreed to let them go if she can also come to pride, even if that means she has to be shrunken.
Barbra has donned a bisexual dress and killer high heels since she doesnt need her ankles anyway. Adam in all his ‘pottery barn and dry white wine glory’ has gone for a simple flag tied around his shoulders and some glitter, he justifies it by saying no one will see him anyway but beetlejuice knows it’s because he's a basic bitch; he wouldn't have him any other way.
Even charles is dressed up;as much as charles can be anyway he’s sporting a glittering suit with holographic undertones, he’s got bracelets and and badges that say ‘I love my queer kids’ he’s even got a free dad hugs t-shirt that he wears proudly, and while he’s let Delia dust his eyes in a gold glitter hes still very reluctant to give in and wear a wig, no matter how many Beej conjures onto his scalp that he looks out longingly. He’s still a bit to nervous about peoples judgement. Which, if he’s being honest, Beej finds to be a bit hypocritical of the younger man but he doesn't have any do-gooder speeches that will make Chuck feel any better so he leaves him to it with a promise to break the nose of anyone who makes his dad feel small.
The whole family convenes in the living room while they wait for the demon to shrink the resident sandworm. When he joins them Lydia gives the sandworm around his neck a trans rights flag and they make their way to the festival.
The first thing he notices as they enter the parade, apart from the blinding smiles on the maitlands faces at being outside for the first time in six years, is the sheer amount of people at the parade, he’s flanked on all sides by cheering, dancing happy gays and God/Satan if this isn’t what hes been wanting his whole afterlife.
He lets out an ecstatic yell and nearly sobs when a sizable chunk of people yell with him.
This is it. He’s no longer the invisible loner on the roof; he’s seen, he’s accepted here. And when he goes home he’ll be seen and accepted, and despite what he’s previously wanted he couldn’t be happier that no one is scared for their safety around him. They actually interact with him in ways no one has before: people are patting him on the back, giving him high fives and fist bumps cheering for aroace rights as they walk past him.
HE’S FUCKING ESTATIC! Fuck screams of fear these are the only screams he wants to hear right now, cheers that are full of life and hope and promises that thins are and can get better.
He’s not the person being seen today either, they’re little over halfway through the parade when Charles, who has been getting a decent amount of hugs, decides to take off his blazes so his shirt can be read better. Within ten minutes He. gets. Swamped. People of all ages are lining up to get a hug or fist bump. At first Charles looks overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. But after listening to people tell him their stories, he finds that giving people reassurance that someone loves them and he’s so proud of them for being who they are so openly with every hug and fist bump fills people with an unmatched hope while they march with their heads just a little bit higher. He watches every single person go with a watery smile, he’s got tears in his eyes but he’s holding it together.
Until he isn’t; a boy who’s probably a few years older than Lydia approaches him, but unlike everybody else he’s tentative about actually hugging him, he looks up at him for permission and he nods and meets him halfway. he almost cuts off his air circulation with how tightly he’s holding him, he squeezes back in solidarity. He's a quarter of a way through his reasurrences when the boy bursts out into inconsolable sobbing.
Charles freezes scared that he’s said something wrong, he looks to his family who look on just as concerned; he turns back to the child and babbles out a stream of apologies. Barbara, ever the doting mother, makes her way over to try and console the boy, forgetting that she cannot be seen.
Eventually he calms down enough to speak
“It’s not your fault, you didn't do anything wrong I'm sorry”
He immediately shuts down the boy's attempts to apologise saying he has nothing to be sorry for. He listens to Barbara when she tells him to ask her if she’s comfortable saying what was wrong, he echoes the statement to him and waits for his answer.
“It’s just that this is my first pride and seeing everyone being so open and happy about it, is so overwhelming. Even some of the straight parents have a bit of makeup on, like you for example. It makes me believe that one day I’ll have the confidence to experiment with my looks without caring what other people think, even if it's not today.”
The kid runs off but his words have clearly affected Charles, he looks on after the boy as he runs away, through the welling tears there's a pensive look on his face.
He strides back to his family with determination on his face and silently takes the bag from Delias shoulder, and digs through it till he procured what he’s been looking for.
The wig.
It’s a wavy black wig with blonde tips.
“There has to be other kids that feel that way, and if just one sees me and believes that it’s okay to be who they are, it will make the fear of wearing this worth it” he puffs up his chest in false bravado as he puts the hair on “besides i’m a grown ass man, i shouldn’t be worried about what other people think. They should all be worried that I'll be too much of a bad bitch”
And while Beetlejuice would usually be flawed by Charles delivering not one but two swears in one sentence, the look on the younger man's face betrays how nervous he really is. Let it never be said that Charles is a small man but the way he’s hunched in on himself has beetlejuice feeling like the bigger person. Bj is not the only one who spots it apparently because Delia takes his hand while Adam takes his other hand and they continue the march. With some sickly sweet reassurances from Delia that beetlejuice feels sick about reciting, Charles starts to come out (again heh! Come out) of his metaphorical shell, his head lifts and his strides get longer till he’s almost honest to god/satan strutting down the parade with the strands of the wig bouncing behind him.
Bj doesn't think he’s ever seen anything bigger than a small smirk on Charles’s face but now he’s got a thousand watt smile on his face and he looks so much younger, lighter and free. It looks good on him.
Beetlejuice conjures a pair of red glittering heels onto Charles’ feet to help with the badassery and almost immediately dismisses them when Charles's ankles try to imitate wet spaghetti; Beej settles for putting him some short black wedges.
There's been a crowd forming either side of them since Charles put his wig on and they cheer him on as he makes his way through Pride, which fuels his confidence so much so that he starts doing small moves to the music that's blaring from the speakers.
Near the end of the day, Charles has let go of any inhibitions and is full on dancing to a house number, Bj shouts over the thunderous music “Hey Charles, you’re going to need a stage to show off your moves”
That’s how Charles ends up dancing his heart out on a suspiciously Beetlejuice shaped float; he invites Adam, Barbara, Delia and Lydia to the ‘stage’ and the demon can not stop himself from shouting “always knew you wanted to ride me” as the adults climb on his floating form . Sure it’s not how Beetlejuice imagined today going but his family is happy and he’s having a blast converting his mouth into a speaker and screaming songs out into the parade.
And if you ask Beej what his most cherished memory from that night is, he’ll tell you that it’s definitely not trying to get the glitter off of him (not even magic will save him from glitter’s grasping hands).
It is, however, definitely a tie between watching a wigged Charles forget himself and slut drop to ‘Wap’. and watching Lydia's utter horrified expression after the fact.