Timeless *REWRITTEN* (Beetlejuice x Reader)

I waved goodbye to Harv from my front porch, smiling to myself as he pulled away. The night air was crisp and clear. I tilted my head back and inhaled deeply, closing my eyes. We were just far enough outside of the city for it to be quiet, but not far enough to see the stars, unfortunately. One of the many things I missed about my home in Italy was looking up at the canopy of twinkling lights unfurled in the sky above. It made the worries and trials seem a little more insignificant. It was comforting, in a way. 

My smile slipped a bit as I realized that I'd probably never have that experience again. Instead, I'd now have to settle for the dazzle of man-made lights that lit the city all hours of the night. No longer would I hear the laughter of my sisters as we caught lantern bugs near the bluff, the waves crashing against the rocks constant in the background. Even though I was truly happier here in America, there were moments where this overwhelming sadness would envelope me. It usually came when I saw something or had an experience that reminded me of my family and home. That feeling was only heightened by the sobering thought that I would more than likely never set foot on my homeland ever again. 

I jolted when the door opened behind me, the sound abrupt in the peaceful night. 

"Oh, (Y/N). Sorry to scare you," my uncle said, closing the door behind him. 

I smiled at him as I ascended the stairs and joined him on the porch. "It's alright. I was lost in thought and didn't hear you until you opened the door." 

He nodded, sitting on the porch steps and patting the spot next to him. I smiled again at the invitation and obliged, setting my purse next to me. He lit one of the skinny, small cigars I had seen before - I would learn they were called "cigarettes" - and blew out a puff of smoke. He held out the cigarette, offering it to me. I blinked at him. 

"Really?" 

He nodded. "We're in America, now, (Y/N)." 

I took the rolled tobacco and put the end in my mouth. I inhaled, immediately coughing and sputtering as the smoke filled my lungs and caught in my throat. My eyes watered as I quickly handed the cigarette back to my uncle, who was chuckling good-naturedly. He gently patted my back as I continued to cough. 

"It takes some getting used to," he told me, inhaling more smoke. 

I wiped at my eyes and cleared my throat, the tickle in my airways lesser now, but still present. "I can see that," I said hoarsely. 

"How was your evening with your friend... What was her name, again?" 

"Melody?" 

"Ah, yes! How was your evening with Melody?" he asked me curiously. 

"I had a wonderful time! I've even been asked to dinner this week by a man!" 

My uncle's eyebrows raised a bit. "You don't say?" 

I grinned and nodded. "We're planning to go out this Thursday evening. I'm very excited, but also a bit nervous," I admitted. 

My uncle smiled a small, encouraging smile over at me. "I can understand that. I know I was a bundle of nerves when I finally started seeing your aunt." 

"Really?" I asked, propping my elbow on my knee and chin in my hand. 

He nodded, looking back out into the night, a faraway look in his eyes. "We were close friends for many years, but I always admired her and secretly desired something more.

"I pursued her for a long while, rejected enough to let sleeping dogs lie. I was simply thankful she continued being a friend to me. Even though I wanted more, just being able to spend time with her was enough. It was difficult, but I wanted to see her happy, more than anything else. And if I couldn't bring that to her, who was I to stand in her way?"