Chapter Text
Art By Evelyn Carter
"Beetlejuice..." Lydia slowly released her hug on him and stepped away. "Beetlejuice..." She held his hands and for the first time since they'd met, she kissed his cheek. She closed her eyes and gave a sigh, hating herself for what she was about to do next. She knew it was unfair because he wouldn't have a chance to respond, if she even said it loud enough he could hear it. But, then, he didn't have to respond, she'd seen what he would go through for her, she already knew the answer, and unlike last time, she knew she could also call him back. She released his hands. "I love you Beetlejuice."
Beetlejuice had pressed his hand to his cheek where Lydia had kissed him and froze in place. Before he realized it, he was back in the Road House, staring at the front door. "Beetlejuice, you're back?" Donnie exclaimed, jumping off the couch behind Beetlejuice and rushing to his brother's side. Beetlejuice simply stood, frozen in place.
"She... She kissed me...?" Beetlejuice finally said, still unmoving. What she'd said still hadn't registered with him yet.
"Uh... Beetlejuice...?" Donnie waved a hand in the older spectator's face.
Beetlejuice, still not registering anything else, grabbed his little brother and excitedly pulled him into a bear hug. "DONNIE, SHE ACTUALLY KISSED ME!" he exclaimed, levitating a few feet off the ground.
"I hope you're talking about, Miss Lydia?" Donnie asked, worried about the girl he hadn't seen since she left looking for Beetlejuice no more than 2 weeks ago.
"Of course I'm talking about Lizz! Who else would I be ta...? Wait a minute..." Beetlejuice finally realized where he was. He let go of Donnie, who landed with a thud on the floor. He looked back down at his brother. "What are you still doing here?" he demanded.
"House sitting?" Donnie answered with a shrug.
"Huh...?" Beetlejuice looked around and screamed as his head started spinning. During the 2 weeks he'd been alone in the Road House, Donnie had cleaned the place so it was spotless.
"But, I'm glad Miss Lydia found you," Donnie pointed his brother back on track. "I was worried she might not find you in time."
"And YOU," Beetlejuice said, dangerously, "You let her go looking for me by herself!?" He grabbed Donnie in a choke hold, "If you weren't already dead, I'd kill you myself!"
"I offered to go with her," Donnie defended himself, "But she wouldn't let me. She was afraid I would slow her down. She wouldn't let me go and leave her here, either, thought you'd try to avoid me."
"That's an awful thing to say!" Beetlejuice deflected. "Course, it's true, but still awful," he admitted, quietly. Beetlejuice released his brother and put his hand back to his cheek. "But, still, Lizz kissed me," he boasted once more, "I don't think I'll ever wash this cheek again." He flopped on the couch.
"Not like you ever intended to before," Donnie muttered.
"Donnie, pinch me! Make sure I'm not dreaming?" Beetlejuice requested.
"Do you usually dream about me?" Donnie countered.
"No?" Beetlejuice replied.
Donnie smirked, realizing what his brother just gave him permission to do. "Then do I really need to do... THIS!?" He pinched Beetlejuice as hard as he could.
"YEOW!" Beetlejuice exclaimed rubbing the spot Donnie pinched. "I get your point. But, do you gotta pinch so hard?"
Donnie stifled a laugh. "Sorry, it's just been a long time since I've been able to be a little brother."
"Enjoy it while you can," Beetlejuice grumbled.
Donnie smiled and hugged Beetlejuice. "Still, this means you're not dreaming. I'm happy for you, Big Brother."