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rainbows-fanfics · 1 year

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Prompts, you say? 👀

Could you perhaps write a little AU scenario where it’s Jack who’s pining for an oblivious Sally? I am so weak for this trope.

Thanks in advance! 🖤

YYYEAAAHHHHHHH

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It was nearing sundown when the Pumpkin King walked over to Witches’ Goods. The Witch sisters, Helgamine and Zeldaborne, had been dozing off until they heard the familiar ring of their bell attached to the front door. They perked up behind the counter and eagerly leaned forward until they could spot the tall, thin figure of Jack Skellington strolling through their aisles.

They both sighed in bliss, eyes fluttering as the skeleton approached them. Their still hearts began beating as they cooed to him. He always managed to do that - get their blood flowing again until the vibrant green returned to their skin. Their King usually got his citizens riled up with his company…themselves included. He was such a debonair character - a gentleman at heart, who knew how to sway others with his charismatic smile. They couldn’t stop admiring his wide shoulders and thin frame, hidden under the elegant, pinstriped suit he wore.

“Why, Jack! You’ve come right before closing time.” Helgamine greeted, twirling a strand of her black hair with a finger.

“What is it we can do for you?” Zeldaborne added, observing his frame with devious eyes.

He gave the two a polite nod. “Good evening, ladies. I’ve come for the special batch of roses I ordered?”

Their postures fell as the sisters exchanged a weary glance. How could they forget Jack Skellington’s special order of three enchanted roses? When they first received it, they fought over *who* it could be for - Helgamine insisting the King had fallen for her charm, while Zeldaborne argued that he loved shorter girls. Their bickering ceased the moment he specified the color of red. He wanted them to be a shade of deep scarlet. When asked why, he simply insisted it was important and that he couldn’t accept the flowers otherwise.

It didn’t take them long to figure it out. The only place one could find this, beyond the drips of human blood, was on top of the Mad Scientist’s daughter’s hair. Helgamine and Zeldaborne couldn’t stomach this fact.

Zeldaborne sucked in a breath as she jumped off her tall stool. “I’ll get that for you right away!”

In her absence, Helgamine fingered small circles on the counter. “They came out terribly. Whoever you’re giving them to must be such an unlucky girl…!”

Jack sighed with melancholy. “If only she’ll accept them this time…”

It was frustrating to see the Pumpkin King completely enamored with Sally Finkelstein. The ragdoll couldn’t spot his affections if they were right in front of her! Whenever she was in town, the citizens had to watch their King run over to her like a lovesick thing - helping her down whatever stairs he could, offer her countless blood lollipops and moldy cheese, and remained at her beck and call at all times.

The infuriating part of it was - she was oblivious to the whole thing. It drove the Witches insane, to see him pine for someone who couldn’t differentiate him from a lamppost. If only they could ease him from this affliction…

“I don’t know why you bother with her, Jack! She’ll never realize how you feel. Why not go for someone who *does*..? Perhaps, someone you’ve known for a long ti-”

“--Here they are!”

Helgamine was interrupted when Zeldaborne came in, gently placing the roses in front of him. They were under a spell to remain alive and fresh for as long as possible, without any treatment, in order to maintain their vivid color. They wouldn’t wilt for many years, if things went right. A relatively simple spell they were more than happy to perform - but at a price…

He lit up at the sight. “Perfect! She’ll be sure to love these!”

Zeldaborne hesitated. “Jack, are you sure that-”

She couldn’t finish her sentence, as he scooped them up in his arms and headed straight for the door. “--I don’t know how to thank you two enough! I’ll be back again!”

The two women sighed as they watched him go, knowing that this night would go exactly as the others had….

—---------

Jack Skellington had a skip in his step as he hurried over to the Graveyard. If his instincts were right, Sally was there right now, escaping Doctor Finkelstein as she usually had to…he kept a close eye on her schedule(if one could call it that). It was rather sporadic - as the old man often had her grounded to her room. Sally risked everything for her freedom, where he would often find her in the gates of the Graveyard, sitting at the Spiral Hill. Other nights, she remained content in her isolation, singing to herself as she worked at her sewing machine all night. He remembered the times he remained below, content to just wait nearby as he listened to her soft voice several distances away.

He loved her dearly. He fell for her shortly after they met - her beautiful, stitched face haunting his mind as he slept at night, craving to run his bony hand through her long, yarn hair…replaying her voice in his dreams, hoping desperately that she returned his affections and he could kiss her lovely, ruby lips…

His grip on the roses tightened as he opened the gate and closed it quietly. He found Sally where she usually was - picking through the graves for fresh herbs, placing them gently in the wicker basket held in the crook of her arm. He stood where he was and watched her. Every time she bent down, she had to brush her hair behind her ear so as to not obscure her vision. He wanted to be the one moving the strands aside, urging closer to her face....

“Ruff!”

Jack was brought back to reality at the familiar bark of Zero. He watched the apparition surface from his grave and fly over to the ragdoll. Sally laughed when he jumped around and nuzzled her face. She ran her hand along his form, leaving a small kiss on the top of his white head. The dog followed after as she climbed the Spiral Hill, joining her side as she sat down and gazed at the stars forming in the sky.

Jack’s other hand clenched in his pocket, wondering why he felt jealous over his dog, of all people.

He wasted no time skipping after her, reaching the bottom of the hill and loudly clearing his throat. He earned her attention, as she turned around and looked at him curiously.

“Sally!” The name slid off his lips with a huge grin. “Would you like some company? I brought you a gift.”

She motioned to the spot beside her. “Go right ahead.”

He happily climbed up the hill and took his awaited seat. He bowed his skull as he offered her the roses, his sternum rattling in anticipation while she observed them.

“For you,” He offered. “I asked the Witches to make me some special roses. You see, they’re-”

“-Oh! How pretty!” She swiped them from his hands, catching the King off-guard. “Thank you very much.”

He chuckled. “Ah, as I was saying…these flowers are under a spell, which means they can never-”

“Ow!” She interrupted, wincing as she poked her finger on one of the thorns. “They’re so pointy..”

“Y-yes! Do be careful,” He worriedly reached for her hand and removed it from the stem. He melted at this contact, wishing to hold it as long as possible until she removed her touch. He held back a disappointed noise. “Anyway, they can never wilt, because they’re bewitched to remain as alive as long as possible…I hope you like them.”

“Really? I didn’t know that was possible,” She marveled at the gift, tracing her fingernail along one of the petals.

“The Witches will perform most spells upon request. This one cost me an arm and a leg, so-”

“-You could’ve just borrowed mine.” She interjected, undoing one of the threads in her arms and presenting the limb to him. “I wouldn’t mind; the Doctor has plenty of these.”

He marveled at how cute she was. He couldn’t stop himself from tittering at the offer. He motioned her arm down and she got the message, reluctantly sewing it back on. Zero watched the two from below and wagged his sheet at this exchange.

“No, no, I meant that it was costly. But I don’t mind…you’re absolutely worth it.” He insisted. She dipped her head down to smell one of them.

“They’re wonderful. You’re such a good friend for thinking of me.”

His smile fell and he fidgeted with his bat bow tie. “Actually, Sally…do you know what it means when someone gives you three roses?”

She blinked. “No. What?”

“Three roses mean…” He began to sweat, nervousness filling his entire beating. Could he confess to her now? Should he? What if she rejected him? These thoughts brought Jack to a panic, and he blurted out, “-You’re my best friend.”

“Your best friend?” She repeated.

For a moment, he worried about her reaction, but she threw her arms around his figure, pulling him in closely for a hug. His eye sockets widened as he gladly returned the embrace, absorbing her scent and ingraining this moment into his memories that will surely be replayed for months to come.

She was so soft…some of the textures of her dress were more coarse than others, but she fit into his arms perfectly. Like she was meant to be there. He immediately yearned for her the second she let go. She looked back down at the roses before smiling brightly.

“You’re my best friend, too, Jack. The Doctor will love these in his sitting room!”

His figure slumped. He was hoping she’d keep it for herself, maybe in her own room, close at all times…despite the disappointment, he wore a forced smile. “That’s great to hear.”

She stood from her spot, bending down one last time to pet Zero. Jack followed her movements and rose to his full height. The ghostly dog levitated above to meet them both. She tucked the roses into her wicker basket alongside the witch hazel and deadly nightshade. She was taking a step down - an obvious notion that she was prepared to leave.

“I have to go now. The Doctor will wake up any minute. I’d like to be there before he does.”

His bones ached. How badly he wanted to hold her again. “I-I can walk you to the Tower. It is getting awfully late-”

“-No, I’m fine. Thank you, though.” She waved to him as she climbed down the Spiral Hill. “I’ll see you later, Jack.”

He exhaled slowly, returning the wave weakly. “I’ll…see you soon.”

With that, she left the Graveyard, the sound of the gates closing echoing harshly in the skeleton’s nonexistent ears. He stood there for a long time, staring at the spot she once was in. Eventually, Zero nudged the side of his master with a confused ‘rrr?’, snapping him back to the present.

He sighed loudly and placed a contemplative finger on his lower jaw. “Perhaps, next time…I’ll get her twelve.”

Zero barked happily.

#the nightmare before christmas #nightmare before christmas #jack skellington #jack x sally #jack and sally #fanfiction #fanfic #anonymous #ask #request #tnbc #sally finkelstein #henry selick #tim burton #zero skellington #helgamine #zeldaborne

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rainbows-fanfics · 1 year

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(It's me, ask ls&b!) Prompt: Adoption 🤣

YES!!

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Jack Skellington paced near the front door of the Skellington Manor, exhaling as he fiddled with the button on his jacket. He was unsure of what to do with his hands as he clasped and unclasped them several times. Zero watched him from the floor inquisitively, wondering what could’ve driven his master to such restive behavior.

The skeleton stopped in his tracks and sighed gratefully when Sally entered the room. She wasn’t acting any better herself, chewing on her lower lip when she approached her husband. The thread on her wrist had been recently loosened from her toying with it. He noticed this and surfaced the needle and thread from his suit’s pocket, fastening the seam with tense fingers. She thanked him when he was done.

“Are you…ready?” She asked meekly. He swallowed the knot in his throat.

“I believe so. Are you all freshened up?”

“Yes.” She reached for his hand and clutched it firmly. “We should go now, while they’re still expecting us.”

“Alright,” He sucked in a breath of air, crouching until he was eye-level with their dog. “Zero, can you guard the house? We may be gone for a while.”

The ghostly apparition whined. He wanted to know what was going on. Jack and Sally exchanged a nervous glance. They’ve been dancing around the subject for awhile, but finally had a discussion about the possibility of adopting. Seeking out a little monster-in-need was an option they were willing to try, in order to expand their little family.

However, they were uncertain how it would go. Jack couldn’t live with the guilt if he told his pet to expect some new company, then came home empty-handed. He ruffled his dog’s hair with a bony hand, smiling as he played with his floppy ears.

“Don’t worry, boy! We’ll be alright. Take care of Ophelia while we’re away.”

He gave him a final pat and met his wife by the door. They left the Skellington Manor together, climbing down the steps and closing the tall gate behind them. They held each other’s hand while they walked, exchanging pleasant greetings to the citizens around them. The moment they were alone, the nervousness returned to their features.

“Jack, what do you know about the orphanage?” Sally whispered. They were keeping their voices low so as to not attract any…unwanted eavesdroppers.

“It’s a wonderful place, really. I visit every now and then to read books to the young ghouls.” He stopped to wave at a passing ghost. “Halloween Town has a tight community. There aren’t many children who aren’t taken care of around here. But things tend to happen, as they usually do…and some young souls find their way here with no one to take care of them.”

She held a hand to her lips. “How awful…”

“The Mayor and I had an orphanage built the moment we could. I wasn’t happy knowing there were children sleeping on the streets at night.” He frowned as his grip unconsciously tightened. “That issue was taken care of. Now they have uncomfortable beds and moldy bread to eat for a lifetime!”

They continued their way, remaining on the sidewalks as they approached the Residential hill. It wouldn’t be long before they were there. They called the place a week ago and informed them they were interested in meeting with plausible candidates. They left the moment they were told that things were ready.

“So…you know the little ones there, right? Are there any you’ve had your eye on?”

“They’re all wonderful, Sal. They deserve loving homes, each and every one of them. But I think there are a few in particular you’d like.”

Her expression lit up at this news. “Really? Like who?”

“You’ll see,” He winked, intertwining their fingers once more.

They looked up at the same time and found a large building staring right back at them. The sign outside read:

“HALLOWEEN TOWN ORPHANAGE”.

—----

The moment they walked through the doors, a collection of children’s shrieks and gasps sounded around the room. A group of young monsters immediately flocked to Jack Skellington, outstretching their short arms and latching onto his legs. They giggled as they climbed on him, treating the tall skeleton like he was a jungle gym.

“Jack! Jack!” “The Pumpkin King!” “The King!”

Sally found this an opportune time to tease him. "It looks like someone's popular around here."

He gave the love of his death a knowing glance. He began gently plucking children off of his body one-by-one. They protested and clung onto him tighter. The ragdoll giggled as she had to watch the most terrifying man in all the Holiday realms struggle to remove the laughing toddlers that were clutching at his arms.

"Read to us! Please!" "Pretty please!" "Come oooonnnnn!"

"Children! That's enough!" A feminine voice disrupted. Everyone's heads snapped upwards to find a woman standing in the doorway. "Please give Mr. Skellington his space..!"

The little ones whined as they reluctantly climbed off of him. Jack rolled his shoulders gratefully, sighing in bliss when his bones popped. The woman stepped forward to meet with them. She was a large corpse wearing a small pair of glasses and had stringy black hair tied back into a bun. She was currently holding a clipboard in her hand.

"Your royal highness," She curtsied to Sally first, who waved her hand.

"That's all right; you don't have to worry about formalities with me."

Jack rested a bony hand on the small of his wife's back. "Sally, this is Enid, the primary caregiver of the orphanage."

She adjusted her glasses with a relieved smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Skellington..!" She looked down at the clipboard and grabbed a pen from her pocket. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Enid began walking forward and the children stepped out of their way. The Pumpkin Queen looked at the small figures they passed by, attempting to memorize each of their little faces.

—----

After filling out paperwork, the couple were told to sit and wait while Enid prepared things. Sally took this time to get a good look at the photos and papers hanging in the room. There were pictures of the orphans together and crayon drawings clipped on a line with clothespins. She smiled when she saw one crude doodle of Jack breathing fire, like he always did on the yearly celebrations.

"It looks uncomfortable here," She complimented. He nodded in pride.

"You should see this place on Halloween…! The little ones make their own costumes and run a parade around town.”

"I wish I knew about all of this sooner…"

Jack looked away and pressed his digits together. He was sitting upright in his chair, resting one long leg over the other. She noticed he was tense and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. She tried to think of something positive to say.

"Everything seems promising. I thought there would be more trouble…"

He chuckled. "I'm pretty sure they would give any King and Queen the clemency we got."

"Are you still nervous..?"

He bowed his skull. He could never hide anything from her. She could read him like an open book, no matter how he disguised himself. "I never was about the paperwork…I do that for a living. But I just feel…"

His words trailed off, unsure of how to finish. She leaned over and pecked him on the cheek.

"You'll be a great father, Jack."

He sighed. How her voice easily consoled him. "I worry I'll be too busy. Halloween is a 365-day job, after all…"

"Do you remember when we were dating, and you made time to meet me at the Spiral Hill every week?" He nodded his skull, his rib cage fluttering at the memory. "You have your priorities. You'll do just fine."

He moved his hand to hold hers, relaxing his posture. Before anything more could be exchanged, the door opened. Enid came in with the first interviewee. The King and Queen perked up in their seats when the child sat across from them.

—---

They heard from several orphans, who told the two all about themselves and what they were good at. Sally's phantom heart ached when she listened to the stories on how they wound up here. Some were victims of accidents, others passed on early due to sickness, and a few couldn't even remember what happened to them. She felt a mixture of emotions when they were left to ponder on their decision.

"...What do you think?" Her husband inquired quietly.

"They're wonderful, like you said. I wish we could give all of them a home." She responded a little sadly. "I don't know if I can pick one."

He paused. "Nothing says we can't choose *more* than one, if that’s what you’re worrying about."

Her eyes widened. "You'd be fine with that?"

"It depends," He replied carefully. He folded his hands together. "Who did you like, Sally?"

Isabella came to her mind. A little girl stumbled in not too long ago, a small banshee with an artificial leg. Sally related to her troubles with walking and what it was like to have a ‘detachable’ limb. She wound up at the orphanage when her parents disappeared in the human world one night. She sought refuge back in Halloween Town. She had long, white hair with pale skin and concealed her dress with a black cloak. Sally inquired about the pendant she wore around her neck - and learned that it was a family heirloom.

She asked Jack what a banshee was. After learning more about her kind, she wished to care for this spirit who had been left alone.

She wrung her hands together as she thought about it. “I adored Isabella. How do you feel about her?”

“I like her. She was rather shy of me when I first saw her here. But I remember her telling me that she’s always wanted to have a cat.”

“She would love Ophelia. I think we should take her in…she would do wonderful on Halloween, with those shrieks of hers..!”

“I agree,” He grinned as he reached for the folder they were given, flipping to Isbella’s page. They took some time looking over her information. Jack looked up from the laminated paper. “-And you’re sure you want to do this, Sally..?”

“Of course I am. I’d love to help someone find a new, loving home, like how I did.” She reached for his hand and squeezed it. Her confidence fell as she looked away. “Are you positive you want this, too..?”

He closed the folder with a satisfied smile, earning a delighted look from the Pumpkin Queen. “Absolutely.”

—--

The process went smoothly, with Enid more than happy to file what was needed to have Isabella officially adopted. Some of the children were disappointed not to be taken by the King and Queen, but others felt ecstatic for her. The banshee was given a heartfelt ‘goodbye’ from her peers. Isabella was a little nervous, but the two newly-parents were keen and gave her the time needed to process this change.

When they led their new addition to the Skellington Manor, Isabella was skipping in her step, excited to see her new home. Sally couldn’t help watching the scene with pride, her leaves feeling swollen as they fluttered inside.

“When we have more experience…I think I’d like to come back and adopt more.” She confessed.

Jack quietly agreed as they climbed the staircase together and opened the doors for her.

#the nightmare before christmas #nightmare before christmas #jack skellington #sally skellington #jack x sally #jack and sally #fanfiction #tnbc #adoption #zero skellington #fanfic #the other route is adopting boogie's boys...but im always a sucker for halloweentown world building

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