#helgamine

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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.”