TIM BURTON CHARACTERS X READER

dead serious | beetlejuice x reader

summary ; beetlejuice thought it was just a bit of fun—until one day, he realizes he's dead serious about you

It all started with Beetlejuice trying to marry you.

The memory was a bit of a haze, him in that ridiculous striped tux, a minister who'd looked like he'd stepped out of a Halloween party, and a whole lot of confusion. Of course, the whole "marriage for freedom" thing didn't work out, and somewhere between you foiling his plan and that wicked glint in his eye, Beetlejuice decided you were worth sticking around for.

Over the years, you two had... an arrangement. It was strange, fun, sometimes loud, and weirdly comfortable. You became roommates of sorts, though he tended to crash wherever suited his mood—on the couch, on the floor, in random places all over your home. You'd gone from reluctantly amused by him to genuinely fond of him. The playful insults, the late nights, the times you both ended up in each other's arms—it all somehow just worked.

And despite both of you calling it "friends with benefits", anyone who saw you two together assumed you were a couple. You two acted the part without even realizing it: hanging off each other, teasing, little gestures that were oddly affectionate. Beetlejuice's arm often found its way around your shoulders, or you'd catch him leaning into your space with that wolfish grin of his, not minding any extra closeness.

Every time someone would go, "Oh, so you two are together?" Beetlejuice would just flash his sharp grin and shrug, "They just can't get enough of me." And you? You'd just roll your eyes and play along, half-laughing, "Someone's gotta put up with him, right?"

But then one day, Beetlejuice started realizing that his feelings were a little too real. Maybe it was the time you calmed him down after he'd picked a fight with some Neitherworld spirits, gently telling him to stop being such an idiot as he just grinned at you, too close for comfort. Or maybe it was the time he woke up, half-sprawled across your lap, and you'd fallen asleep right beside him, looking peaceful in a way that made something in his long-dead heart flicker.

But the moment that hit him hardest was the time a stranger came up and assumed you were married.

"Oh, how long have you two been together?" they asked, clearly mistaking the two of you as something much more than a casual fling. Beetlejuice looked at you, wondering if you'd laugh it off as usual, but instead, you just shrugged with a grin, "Feels like forever, doesn't it, Beej?"

"Yeah," he murmured, caught off guard by the sudden warmth he felt in his chest. "Forever and then some."

That was the beginning of the end—he couldn't deny it anymore. He didn't just want to mess around, have his fun, or even just be free from the Neitherworld. He wanted you. He wanted to be the one who could make you laugh, who you'd come home to, who you'd stick around for.

You two were in your usual rhythm when it happened. You were in the kitchen, cooking up something simple, and he was leaning against the counter, watching you with a smirk.

"Ya know," he said, "you're real cute when you're domestic."

You raised an eyebrow, flipping something in the pan. "Thanks, I guess? You've seen me make breakfast, like, a hundred times."

"Yeah, but it's still cute," he said, brushing it off like it was no big deal. He got that look in his eye, though—the one that said he was winding up for something.

As you turned to grab something from the fridge, you felt him sidle up behind you. His hands rested on either side of you, and he dipped his head down, voice going surprisingly soft.

"I think I'm in love with you."

You froze. For a moment, you thought maybe he was joking, this was so random, but something in his tone was different, almost... vulnerable.

"Uh," you said, turning around to face him, a smile tugging at the corner of your lips, "are you serious?"

He gave a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head. "As serious as I get, babe! Which, y'know, is pretty serious." There was a nervous glint in his eye, something real.

You stared at him, feeling a rush of emotions you hadn't fully let yourself consider before. He was looking at you like he'd just discovered something precious.

"You mean it?" you asked, still not entirely believing it.

He groaned, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, mushy stuff. I mean it, alright? I'm not saying it just to, y'know..." He shrugged, looking off to the side, "get outta the Neitherworld or whatever. I just... want to."

A warmth spread in your chest. "Well, I... I love you too."

His eyes lit up, and his grin widened until it looked like it would split his face. "See? We're a match made in—well, not heaven, but close enough!"

You chuckled, rolling your eyes. "How romantic."

"Oh, you love it," he said, pulling you into a kiss that was surprisingly soft, lingering in a way that felt different from all the other times. When you broke apart, he looked at you with a glimmer of something new, something genuine. But still... ew.

"Say, what d'you think about actually making it official?" he asked, voice a little gruffer than usual. "I know the whole marriage thing didn't pan out last time, but what if we tried again? For real."

You blinked, taking a moment to process. "You're not just doing this to get out of—"

"Nah," he interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "I mean, yeah, I'd love to get free of the Neitherworld for good, but that's not why I'm asking now. I'm askin' 'cause... well, it's you."

A lump formed in your throat, and you nodded. "Alright. Let's do it."