Work Text:
Lydia huffed as she shook the snow from her coat and hair while dragging her now soggy suitcase in behind herself before closing the door with a slam. She slowly started unbundling with a frown.
“Babes? Thought you’d be halfway to Connecticut by now.” Beetlejuice asked as he sat up from his lounging position on the couch to fix her a confused look.
Lydia had been going home for Christmas to spend it with her father, Delia, and the Maitlands but the weather had other plans.
“Yeah, well the blizzard warning kinda decided I’m staying put.”
The demon smirked, “You Breathers and your silly travel machines breaking down because of a little bad weather.”
Lydia crossed into her living room and dropped down beside her paranormal roommate, “Okay, Mr. Braggart why can’t your demon magic help me with my little travel problem again?”
Beetlejuice sniffed indignantly as he folded his arms, “I told you it doesn’t work like that unless-” he smiled wickedly at her, “You want to join me on the otherside.”
The brunette rolled her eyes, “I’m sure that’ll go over great, ‘Hey family here I am dead for the travel perks oh and I brought Beetlejuice too!’ That’ll certainly bring holiday cheer.”
“Awww babes, you were gonna bring me along in the death cab scenario?” the demon crooned.
Lydia shook her head with a smile, “Might as well, maybe all the excitement will make my dad keel over and then we can all be dead for the holidays.”
Beetlejuice grinned as he appeared to toss the idea around, “But how do we get Red to become the afterlife of the party?”
The young goth smirked, “Oh she’ll off herself if we just ask nicely.”
“That easy, huh?”
“I mean, she is kind of a follower.”
They each laughed loudly.
Lydia sighed as she leaned her head against the back of the couch, “I can’t believe I’m not gonna be with my dad this Christmas, I knew I shouldn’t have waited until last minute to fly.”
She felt Beetlejuice shift beside her, no doubt mirroring her own pose, “Don’t beat yourself up Lyds, you and I both know that photoshoot gig was way too good to turn down.”
She knew he was right, that shoot had made her a nice chunk of change and those photos were gonna feature in a major ad campaign which, fingers crossed, meant Lydia would be booked and busy in the new year.
“I just- I’ve never been alone on Christmas before.”
Beetlejuice immediately sat up and shoved her arm, “Hey! What the fuck am I? Just a hot piece of ass to decorate your apartment?”
Lydia sat up and shoved him as well, “Even that’s giving you too much credit!”
He was still smiling but purple was starting to curl in his hair around his ears. Lydia quickly grabbed his arm and leaned on his shoulder, “I’m only kidding, I- I honestly don’t think I would be handling this as well without you here.”
Beetlejuice did that soft bashful smile he’d only do when Lydia would compliment him, “Ah shucks, babes.”
A comfortable silence passed between them before her striped companion asked, “I have been meaning to ask, what exactly do you know do on Christmas?”
Lydia pulled away in an instant to stare at him incredulously, “You’re fucking with me.”
The color changing demon’s locks had turned a bright shade of embarrassed pink, “Well I’ve seen movies and stuff I’ve just never ya know done it.”
There was no typical sparkle of mischief in his eye that always accompanied Beetlejuice when he was trying to pull a fast one. “You’re actually serious.”
Beetlejuice made an annoyed pouty face, “When, where, and who the fuck would I celebrate with hmmm?”
That ache in her chest stirred again, this strange monster on her living room couch might have a thousand years on her, buy Lydia was certain she was the first person to actually care about him.
She of course would never come out and say it so instead Lydia retorted with, “And how is that my fault?”
He obviously wasn’t expecting that response as he gave her an offended look before recovering to wave his hand flippantly, “Forget I asked! You can have your lonely little holiday all to yourself.”
She grabbed his hand with a smile as Lydia tried to cajole him out of his snit, “Don’t get all pissy on me now, I was only joking.”
Beetlejuice continued to pout.
“Pleeeaaase?”
He rolled his eyes but the corners of his mouth were starting to turn upwards.
Lydia theatrically wrapped her arms around his shoulders, “Oh Beetlejuice please celebrate Christmas with me! I’m so lonely without yoooouuuu.”
“I guess-“ Beetlejuice was fully grinning at this point, “I can join in on the festivities, but only for your sake, okay?”
The goth put on a very serious expression, “Of course, strictly for my benefit.”
~~~~~~~~~
The first order of business was retrieving her less than stellar Christmas tree and decorations from her storage locker in the basement. Lydia had bought them all on steep clearance last year after the holiday in the hopes maybe she’d finally decorate her home but after the insane whirlwind of December she just hadn’t bothered.
“Ya know you could help me look, right?”
Beetlejuice glanced up from the spider he was studying intently building a web in the corner, “Uhhh I thought you were supposed to be giving me Christmas not the other way around.”
Lydia continued moving boxes to get to the one labeled “X-mas Decor”, “Wild concept but the holidays are actually about togetherness and showing people you care about how you feel.”
She didn’t really pay attention to her words as her frustration mounted as she tried to yank her tree box free but definitely noticed Beetlejuice’s sharp intake of breath.
“How you feel?”
Lydia wiped her forehead in triumph as she freed the long box containing her fake pine tree, “Yeah, of course.”
Beetlejuice furrowed his brow as he nodded, “Oh.”
“C’mon, you can at least help me drag this upstairs.” Lydia added as she shoved the decor box into his chest.
The stripped menace shook his head as if clearing his thoughts, “Anything for you, babes.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Okay, and done!” Lydia stepped back to admire her freshly assembled and decorated tree.
Beetlejuice stood beside her and flicked a glass ornament with his blackened finger nails, “This really how it’s supposed to look?”
She could admit it wasn’t the most impressive tree but it was still her own, “Yes, you jerk!”
The demon gave her a wolfish smile, “Don’t get all heated, I was only joking.”
“Good, because otherwise you wouldn’t get your gift.”
Beetlejuice blinked in confusion, “Gift?”
Lydia laughed as she went to sit down on her couch and began reaching in between the cushions, “Yes, a gift! I was gonna give it to you when I got back for New Year’s but actual Christmas works much better.” She continued digging until she found the small box she hid specifically so her paranormal roommate couldn’t find it.
Brandishing it with a slight flair, Lydia handed it to Beetlejuice with a grin, “Merry Christmas.”
The demon looked at the small wrapped package in surprise, “Wow, you like actually got me a gift and wrapped it and everything.”
The brunette gave him a small shove, “Only the best for you, now open it.”
Needing no further encouragement, Beetlejuice ripped the red paper off the box and flipped the lid revealing the red corded bracelet inside. He furrowed his brows as he removed the piece of jewelry and studied it.
Lydia gave him a small smile trying to hide her nerves about whether he liked it or not. It was just a dumb art project, she’d cut up small strips of that ridiculous red dress she had worn to their strange wedding all those years ago. She had found it hidden in her closest, somehow having moved with her all the way front Connecticut, and braided it together to make a bracelet. Maybe it was overly silly and sentimental but Lydia thought Beetlejuice might like it.
“Hopefully Miss Argentina doesn’t mind she’s definitely not getting her outfit back now.”
Beetlejuice’s mouth open and closed a few time before he cleared his throat, “Why- uh why’d ya use that to make it?”
She could feel her cheeks burn at the question, it was obvious to her why she chose such an object, but Lydia felt too embarrassed to say it.
An awkward silence passed between them before Beetlejuice extended his hand towards her, “Mind doing the honors?”
Glad for the break in silence, Lydia took the bracelet from the demon and carefully fastened it around his left wrist. When she was done Beetlejuice quickly threaded his cool fingers through her own to prevent her from moving away, “Thank you.”
His words made her blush grow even hotter, she didn’t think she’d ever heard Beetlejuice say them before, “Of course, I mean it is Christmas.” Lydia quickly glanced away from his face, his golden eyes feeling way too intense to look into directly.
Beetlejuice sighed as he shook his head, “No, not just that I-”
Lydia peaked back at him to see what made him trail off only to see the demon grinning like an idiot.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Beetlejuice replied before tilting his head, “I just feel bad I didn’t get you anything.”
She snorted at that, “Didn’t know you were capable of ‘feeling bad’.”
“I have my moments.”
Lydia chuckled until she remembered Beetlejuice was still holding her hand and attempted to pull away but the moment she did he didn’t let go, she opened her mouth to question why but quickly shut it again when his free hand brushed along her cheek.
“I suppose I could always do something for you.”
Her mouth had suddenly gone dry and her heart was hammering in her chest, she couldn’t speak if she wanted to.
A part of her assumed he’d suddenly turn back into his usual unserious self, making this all be a joke about doing her laundry or something but the bob of his Adam’s apple as he licked his lips made her realize he was as nervous as she was and Lydia decided to meet him halfway and pressed her lips to his.
The kiss was extremely modest, but it thrilled her more than any of the more passionate ones she’d ever received. His fingers danced through her hair before stilling when they pulled apart. Lydia realized he was trying to gage her reaction with his wide eyed stare and couldn’t help but laugh which in turn made the demon brightly smile.
“And to think I didn’t even tell you about mistletoe yet.” Lydia quipped.
Beetlejuice gave a wolfish smile, “I hope that is a Christmas sex thing.”
Lydia laughed again as she pecked him on the lips, “Play your cards right and it could be.”
The demon’s hands quickly wrapped around her waist, “Sounds like a merry Christmas to me.”
Lydia laughed and a part of her couldn’t be happier about the blizzard raging outside that stranded her home.