Chapter Text
Chapter 1
It had been months since the incident with Beetlejuice and the wedding- Lydia assumed he was gone. Afterall he was swallowed up by a giant worm thing- a sandworm she believed Barbara called it. Even still though- she had suicidal ideation and it was always in the back of her mind. For awhile her relationship with her father seemed to have improved too but- he soon went back to his old ways. Delia while she was never cruel didn't understand Lydia and the two of them- were opposites, they didn't get along at all. They just tolerated each other's existence it seemed.
She had the Maitlands still but occasionally they had to leave for months at a time to the nether to talk with Juno- those months were the hardest. And school was another major stress Lydia had an life- people around there were awful. Though one-day was really bad- she couldn't even remember what triggered it but she had a black out. Next she knew she was put in a psych-ward at a mental hospital. Her parents signed off on it, figuring she'd be out of their hair for a while.
At first it didn't seem too bad- Lydia was hopeful this would be good for her. But she was so wrong- her doctor for one was a pervert it seemed worse than even Beetlejuice somehow. He gave her a journal to write in though- it was her's a private thing she owned she could write and vent in. Still Lydia didn't look forward to their therapy sessions and had taken up staying silent. This led to her therapist taking away the journal so he could read through it.
He looked at her smiling as he sat across from her. "So Lydia- how long have you been having these delusions?" Lydia looked up at him glaring, she felt sick to her stomach just looking at the man. She didn't know why but even Beetlejuice didn't make her feel this way. "What are you talking about?"
"I mean seeing these ghosts- or do you really talk to them?" Lydia stayed silent and just glared at the man. "Like this- Beetlejuice you described in the journal." A shiver ran up her spine at the name Beetlejuice. Lydia must've made some type of face too as it made her therapist smile. He reached over putting a hand on her thigh. "I can prove to you he's not real too- I mean how can anyone believe in this stuff Lydia... you are more damaged than I originally thought. But don't worry- I can help fix you. You just need to tell me... tell me what made you come up with this Beetlejuice?" He asked as crossed his legs staring at her.
Lydia shook her head. "Don't- Don't say his name again." She pleaded. She was worried if the ghost came back, he might come back with vengeance. Wanting some type of payback for being fed to a sandworm.
Her therapist only sighed and rolled his eyes. "He isn't real Lydia. I can prove to you, all I gotta do is say his name three times right?" He took a breath. "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice... see nothing happened." He said smiling.
He sat in his grave, wondering how this little brat had managed to trick him. His plan was perfect, to force the girl to marry, maybe sexually abuse her a bit and finally go on a dream vacation, to some warm countries. But it all went to shit when her spiritual mom stepped in, on a huge sandworm. How he hated them!
He turned the page of the newspaper again and lit a cigarette. Fortunately, although they had left this power to him, he would have died a second time if he couldn't smoke or at least have a cheap booze. "Fuck, I'll be bored to death in here." He said to himself, but who normally wouldn't start talking to himself after such a time of loneliness.
He was about to jump to another edition of the newspaper, or rather recall it, when someone said his name, once. He knew perfectly well that this was it, after all it was the only such strong feeling he had in him. Once again and finally the third time. He appeared in a bright room. The walls were white, and there were bars on the windows. Prison? He frowned as he looked around. He immediately saw the one, his beloved.
What else caught his eye was some old man's hand on a girl's thigh. "What the Fuck?" He asked as he walked over to them. "Who are you?!" The man in the smock said, and quickly pressed the button on the side of the chair to summon security. Betelgeuse merely laughed as he lit a cigarette. "The young one did not explain to you?" He took his hand off her thigh and squeezed it with great force. He was convinced he had broken his arm. He threw him off the chair and looked at the girl.
He grinned at her horror. His hand immediately landed on her throat, tightening gently. "Come on, who do we have here? Lydia, Lydia Deetz, my bride to be. I see ya locked up for talkin' to yourself? " She didn't have time to answer him because the door to his office swung open with a bang. BJ grabbed her hand and they were in a completely different place. Right in the afterlife, she couldn't recall him now, because she would be left for dead. But he had to keep her away from the others, after all, if anyone found out he escaped, he'd be fucked up. So the best solution was to take her to the woods in the middle of nowhere.
Lydia looked up at Beetlejuice wide eyed- frozen in fear. She had a look of fear and terror in her eyes- she felt like Beetlejuice was a hungry predator staring down at his prey. She knew running was pointless- she could say his name three more times and banish him- but she was too shaken up to say anything her brain wasn't working right. She let out a sudden gasp when he grabbed her throat. And teleported them right out in the woods.
She felt dazed and confused as she looked around- where were they? Her heart was pounding so fast and hard she felt any moment it was going to explode. This was it- wasn't it, surely he was gonna kill her. She tried to pull herself away from out of his grip looking at him- but it was useless. "I-If you're going to kill me just do it!" What did she have to lose anyways? It's not like she was doing anything good with her miserable life. "O-or what you plan to leave me here in the woods- let the wolves eat me alive?"
Honestly she didn't know where they were or how to get back- not that she wanted to go back to the mental ward. While she wanted to go see the Maitlands she wasn't sure which way was home either. She was completely and utterly fucked- she could go back to the mental ward. She gave up struggling in his grip- knowing she was just wasting her energy by trying to fight him.
She was no match for him- and while she hated to admit it. She was stuck with him and knowing what punishment the doctors would give her at the asylum. Beetlejuice was her best bet of being safe. It was shameful and humiliating relying on him for any type of help or seeing him as her only bet... but she doubted he had any intent as no doubt she was as good as dead. Regardless- she was gonna get what she wanted finally.
Lydia stared up at the ghost- looking into his green eyes trembling in his grip. Something she couldn't control but wish she did. The ghost could practically smell the fear coming off of her. But oddly Lydia's fear was starting to become more into relief- as he eyes calmed down and relaxed. Lydia wasn't sure what to do but a thought came into her mind. Maybe if she played her cards right- she could convince him to keep her alive.
Afterall- she wasn't the one who put the sandworm on him or ruined the wedding. Technically she didn't break their deal- other's just interfere on her behalf. "O-or d-do you still want the wedding?" She asked- it was either that or death. Either of which was better than going back to asylum.
He stared at her, still pinching her throat. He had to think about what to do with her, it's true that he was thinking about taking revenge on the girl from the moment he got into the monster's stomach. But that doesn't change the fact, he didn't think he would ever get a chance to win back. Each of her ideas to kill her was delicious, but he couldn't get rid of her yet. Alive, she was much more valuable to him.
She stopped squirming and looked him straight in the eye, he licked his lips as their eyes met, he had to admit he was excited by the mere thought of being alone in the same room with her, so many things could happen. His hand from her throat moved to her cheek, his thumb traced over her lower lip. "I can do whatever I want with ya, no one will hear yer screams." He said, for fun, to see her horror again in her eyes.
He suddenly moved away from her. "But if ya ask so nicely, we can get married, but it will only be the end of our contract. So ya won't pay for a few years wasted in this fucking hole." As he snapped his fingers, the room lit up. It could be likened to a wooden summer house.
He looked at her again with the same gaze he had the first time, full of desire. As he watched her, he had an idea. "Getting married is the last deal. Now let's hit one more. I will let ya live, even come back upstairs, as long as ya fulfill yer marriage obligations.
" Exactly, BJ knew every principle in the afterlife, there were a lot of them, each with ramifications and loopholes. Apart from those related to marriage, everyone had to obey, otherwise the soul would be doomed to eternal damnation.
"It's a good deal huh? Certainly better than spending yer life locked up." He translated, throwing himself onto the couch she was sitting on. Now his every power was back, so he didn't feel sorry for himself and summoned a couple of bottles of whiskey, some scotch, and vodka to start with. He knew he would not get drunk with it, after all, the dead couldn't, but the burning sensation in his throat was pleasant. Cigarette in his mouth, he poured one of the liquors into a glass and tilted it without hesitating, not even taking a drop. He was about to pour himself a second when he looked at the young girl. "Ya want?" He asked if he could get her drunk and make her have sex with him, it would be interesting.
He had to arrange a few things with the wedding, such as witnesses, wedding rings, priest. That trick wouldn't work anymore, everyone was punished for helping him get away, but BJ had several other people up his sleeve who owed him a favor. "Make yourself at home, daddy's on a break now." He said, puffing on his cigarette.
Lydia was relieved when she felt him let go of her throat. She clenched her shirt nervously, finding herself sitting on the couch and listened to what he was offered. "Marriage obligations? L-like what..." She knew what he wanted. "I-I'll marry you- besides there isn't much for me back up there...just wanna know what all I'm getting into."
She watched as he sat down next to her and summoned bottles of alcohol. When he offered her some she quickly shook her head, turning it down. "N-no thank you." While it was tempting she didn't wanna get drunk in front of him knowing full well he'd likely just take advantage of her.
Course- nothing was really stopping him from him doing that to her while she was sober but at least she wanted to have the right state of mind. She looked around the house- curiosity eating at her as to what sort of place Beetlejuice called home.
She felt tempted to get up and walked around- but even when allowed in common areas at the mental ward. They were super strict about her not stepping a single foot out of line that she grew accustomed to the routine of not going anywhere without permission. Also- while Beetlejuice for now seemed up to play nice and keep her alive. She felt like she was thin ice with him. And that he could change his mind at any given time. Especially if she did something intentional or not to piss him off.
She hesitated for a minute sitting next to him before she got the courage to get up off the couch and have a look around the place. The hospital clothing the mental ward gave her was cheap and simple light blue scrubs patients had to wear. She wasn't a big fan of it- she somewhat wondered about later asking Beetlejuice possibly for different clothes. "So... are we in the nether?" She asked knowing it was the place he resided at. If she was going to be down here for a while she may as well grow used to this place- and learn what rules Beetlejuice and what- 'marital obligation' he has for her.
She avoided making eye contact with Beetlejuice, a bit scared if she looked him in the eyes he'd snap at her or something. She was like a scared little mouse, keeping her footsteps quiet and hesitant to really even ask the dozen of questions she had in her mind. Mainly because she didn't wanna piss off Beetlejuice- knowing he wasn't happy about the last time. Still she was sure she could survive and handle this- though once he got what he wanted what was to stop him from killing her or just making her prisoner here. It was a damned if you do- damned if you don't. No matter what direction Lydia looked she was fucked- she had no choices other than to take her chances with him.
After the third glass of alcohol his nerves calmed down considerably, he watched the girl, watching her every move. She was acting like a frightened kitten, afraid to go out and see the new place. "Ya know, ya've to act like a wife, make food, clean the house, look after me." He mentioned, and another example came to mind. "For example, offering me sex." He winked at her, pretending to get up. He only shifted on the couch and laughed at her reaction.
The girl looked strange in hospital clothes, she could walk without clothes for him, but he knew that then he would not hold back and used her where she was standing. Another glass was behind him. Lydia paced the room curiously, but didn't dare to open any of the doors.
When she asked him a question, he stood up to her and reached for her hand. He pulled her to the window, "As ya can see, until we get married, ya'll have to sit here, and then who knows. Maybe we'll buy a nicer house upstairs. " He brought his face closer to her. He could feel her terror easily, and she smelled of gray soap that didn't suit her at all.
He stepped away from her after a while and walked to the first door, opening it, there was a large bed inside and just like the whole house it needed some proper cleaning. "We sleep here, both of us, in the same bed." These weren't questions, he stated the facts. Behind another door there was a bathroom with quite a large shower that BJ would be happy to use with her. "If ya manage to wash it off, ya can go ahead and take a shower, and if ya ask nicely, I will summon some lovely clothes for ya baby." The living room and kitchen were connected, so after a short round, he returned to the couch and poured himself another glass of whiskey.
He patted the seat beside him and told the girl to sit down.
On the table, apart from alcohol, there was a large pizza and several types of drinks, he knew that in the hospital they fed her carcass, so she could eat something unhealthy, but he hoped that the next time she would cook something for both of them. "I know you have a lot of questions, go ahead. After all, we'll be married soon, it'd be better to get to know each other. " He lit a cigarette, hoping that they would get to know their anatomy a little better at night.
When he brought up offering sex- she was almost certain he was gonna get up and do something to her. Which did startle her as she looked at him wide eyed. Than she realized he was just fuckin with her when he chuckled. Though it somewhat relieved her, eventually the dead man did get up and grab hold of her to give her a tour of the house.
He mentioned- buying one up in the living world. She wasn't sure how that would work though with his powers he could summon literally anything it seemed like. Then he mentioned sharing a bed to sleep in which she wasn't looking forward to. It seemed so clear- one way or another at some point. He was gonna push for her to sleep with him.
Then he showed her the bathroom- which was dirty and the shower looked like it hadn't been used in god knows how long. There was definitely some cleaning that had to be done to the place. Lydia couldn't handle living in filth- though she wasn't too surprised about the place not being the cleanest.
When he brought her back to the living room she noticed the drinks and pizza that weren't there before. Lydia looked underfed if anything and she was starving. Sometimes the psych war as punishment wouldn't feed their patients meals. And the food they did feed me sucked. And as much as she didn't like it she could help it besides she needed to eat. She sat down with him nervously. But realized she should ask. "Can I eat?" She had to ask for permission; she didn't wanna risk pissing him off.
She wasn't sure quite yet where to start off asking personal questions- though she was curious. "You need me- or well a living person to marry you to break your curse... so uh what exactly is going to happen when we're married?" She asked not sure if just meant his three name rule will be broken or what.
She figured it was a pretty basic question to ask and a good one to start out with. She just hoped he didn't get pissed off or annoyed with it. Already she felt like she was walking on eggshells with him to avoid him getting angry. Which she was- she didn't know if there were things that'd set him off or things he didn't like. Something else she supposed she'd ask him. However she didn't want to annoy him by flooding him with nothing but questions at once.
She shifted awkward next to him- she didn't wanna think about sex with him either but knew he was expecting it. And really she was sure at some point Beetlejuice would run out of patience for her and just take what he wants. She wasn't quite sure what she'd do to handle him but hoped she figured something out.
When she asked him the stupidest question he'd ever heard, he choked and spat out the liquor and started laughing. The girl was funnier than he thought. "Good Lyds!" He wiped his lips on the sleeve of his jacket and looked at the young one. When their eyes met, it turned out that the girl was not kidding. He sighed and replied; "Alcohol is enough for me, so the food is for you." He shook his head, so she was going to ask him about everything? Not that it bothered him, he liked submissive girls, but he always liked that Lydia had an opinion and would not accept orders, at least it was some reason to punish her when she did not obey him.
There was silence for a moment until she broke it with another question. "Lot to explain." He sighed, but continued anyway, after all, he didn't come across people who wanted to listen to him at all, very often. Probably if it weren't for the fact that the girl was scared, she would be excited about his presence and ask other, more complicated questions, just like she did with Maitlands. "Our souls will be bound and the curse will disappear. On top of that, there are a few rules like yer immortality and my perception of your emotions. " He spoke and looked at the girl. "As for the person, I wouldn't do it with just anyone!" He was slightly indignant. She was the first to whom he suggested it, after all, he wouldn't marry a blonde slut who would ride some other dick the next day.
Her tension was felt at a distance, she tried very hard not to upset him. "I feel yer under stress. Look, if I ever get mad at ya, just suck my dick and I'll forget I was angry right away. " He said with that typical smirk of his as he straightened his pants at the crotch. He could have bet her throat was as tight as her pussy, he would definitely want to find out at night.
After a short while, he asked her a question himself. "Why were ya locked up?" He knew her parents were aware that her ability to see the dead wasn't a trick to grab attention, so they must have had some other reason. Even though he knew her family for literally a few minutes, he could believe they'd put her in a facility just to get rid of her.
Lydia felt relieved when he allowed her to eat, and she went and grabbed herself a slice she was very clearly starving. She ate quietly and listened to him as he answered her questions. It seemed to make sense though- the immortality and perception of emotions were vague answers. Probably some clarification she could ask about later.
Then he picked up on how tense she was and brought the just suck my dick and I'll forget I was angry. His tone was light-hearted but he seemed serious about that too. Though it was likely knowing her- some point she use that to her advantage unless of course she really did something piss him off- that oral wouldn't fix. "I just figured you chose me because I was just there and your most convenient option." Which to be fair- she was.
She didn't mind him asking about her being locked up- she figured some point or another he want to know. She looked down. "I had a mental breakdown at school- I attacked someone too... I don't remember all the details I blacked-out." They figured since I had suicidal tendencies though and some others like- seeing dead people- they just stick me into the looney bin for a year."
She said, looked up at him. " - he was the one who summoned you- he'd given me a private journal to write in and found your name... I tried warning him." She muttered and looked away- she hated that place- Dr. Simon though she hated more so. When she said his name- she spoke it with disdain in her voice. "I was there for like two maybe three months." She clairfied- she was there for a while though. "But who knows they'd drug me up a lot so it may have been longer..."
She quietly returned to eating her slice of pizza silently thinking what other questions to ask the ghost. Then something came to her mind. "Who- or what was it that cursed you anyways and why?" She was just curious about that. As when he told her she didn't ask about it- she didn't really have the time too as she was trying to save the Maitlands. But right now, currently there was no rush or pressure- she could ask him more so anything.
He approached her a little slowly, even though she didn't smell the same as the first time they met, her warmth was still noticeable to him even from a distance, so he wanted to get the most out of it, although he was sure that at night he would literally be on her . He listened carefully to what she was talking about, he knew that she had suicidal thoughts, but to throw her into a psychiatrist for a year? He knew being locked up was shit, so he understood her perfectly well.
Their eyes met as she looked at him. Her dark big eyes could still melt his heart, she looked like a sad puppy. "The guy looked like a pedophile." He admitted puffing on his cigarette, seeing him touch her thigh and staring at her as if she were some prey he wanted to hit, it disgusted Betelgeuse. Honestly, he would very much like to read how the girl wrote about him. Maybe she had some wet dreams that BJ would be happy to know about, most of them he could probably fulfill. Besides, apparently reading erotica together helps in marital intimacy. However, he kept this information to himself and continued to listen to Lydia.
He shuddered at her question, not because he didn't want to talk about it, he just didn't quite know how it happened. "One day, Juno said that for my crimes I had to face the consequences, so she locked me in my own grave for 300 years. It turned out, however, that I can get out when someone has spoken my name three times. I doubt she would figure it out herself and put a 'spell', the curse has probably been with me for a long time, only nobody knew about it, not even me. " It might have been related to his mother or his birth, but it didn't matter to him and he was about to get married and get rid of the bothersome charm.
"My turn to ask." He thought for a moment. "What did ya write about me in your diary? Be honest, I know when yer lyin'." It was true, he could easily tell when she was lying, he was a professional cheater himself, after all.
Lydia looked down and nodded. "Well you aren't wrong about him being a pedophile." She almost wanted to comment towards him along the lines of. You'd know a thing or two about being one... But she held her tongue knowing it pissed him off and Lydia really didn't wanna suck his dick. "He'd like to drug girls and well- do things to them if wouldn't comply with whatever it was he wanted- " She said and looked down at the floor.
She listened to him quietly as explained the curse to him and nodded. Then he asked about her diary. She finished eating her pizza and then looked up at him. "I just about how odd you were- and how I made a deal with you to save the Maitlands. Which I stupidly agreed to marry you without even thinking."
She said and looked nervously, checking the table for any non-alcoholic beverages by chance. "The whole wedding and sandword thing... Barbara and Adam said Juno reassured them you weren't gonna come back- but I was still afraid of you somehow coming back to kill me or- something." It was all the truth and something told her it was best to be blunt and honest.
Dr. Simon and the way he looked at her- felt like how Beetlejuice looked at her when he put her into that red wedding dress. Lydia dreaded marrying him- and knew Beeltejuice was going to intend to let her go freely- she left one prison only to fly into another. But what choice did she have? "How... how did you manage to escape the sandworm anyways?" She asked. Though she wouldn't blame him if he didn't wanna talk about it.
When the sandworm came crashing through the roof the ghost seems terrified- something Lydia didn't quite expect. He could've moved away from sandworm coming down but he seemed literally frozen in fear. But she recalled the Maitlands explaining that Beetlejuice had mentioned how he hated sandworms- couldn't stand or tolerate them. So she just boiled it down to even the ghost having his own sort of fears, ironically.
The thought of her doctor disgusted him. It is known that BJ was not a saint, but he definitely did not molest anyone. Every person he has had sex with voluntarily agreed to it… for a small fee of course, but that doesn't count! Surely, when he is free, he will pay a visit to this pedophile to teach him a lesson. He may even take Lydia with him if she wants revenge.
He shifted on the couch, handing her the orange juice accidentally tucked behind the alcohol as he noticed she was looking for something on the table. "The decision wasn't stupid." He began taking a deep breath, then puffing on the cigarette. "Ya had no choice, so I took advantage of the situation. Nothing stupid about it. As for making sure I don't come back, well ya'd have to drop dead one day and I'd be the first to know about it. " He approached her, violating her personal space. "Believe me. Dead with me, ya'd be fucked, so much more than this. " He wouldn't have left her if she had died before their contract ended. She owed him this. "I'd find you, whether you wanted it or not. Nobody wants to be in my debt. " He added after a moment.
He laughed at her question. "Ya cannot kill someone who's long dead." He unbuttoned the shirt he was wearing, revealing his cut, hairy belly and all the wounds that had yet to heal. "Sandworms are the only thing, although more like a pet that's able to hurt ya after death, ya feel pain when they try to bite ya. Lot of pain." He explained. He had faced them more than once, he had always had to run for kilometers across the desert to end up being pushed down the throat with the spikes. The monster's stomach was filled with acid, which could burn skin quite well, which is why every skeleton in the afterlife hated Saturn.
"To get out, the animal must die, which happens three months after being eaten. Sometimes longer if a young individual was chasing ya. " He took a sip and put the glass back in its place.
He got up suddenly from his seat and snapped his fingers. "Bathroom is swept up, clothes are waiting for ya there. I'll see ya in the bedroom. " He smiled and wink at her, then took one of the full bottles and went to the other room. When he snapped his fingers a second time, the room was in order. He lunged onto the bed, changing clothes on the fly, wearing striped shorts and a pajama shirt. He preferred not to scare the girl with his wounds, and he intended to be very close to her.