What a long night. Marco went on a date with the girl of his dreams and had a blast. He even got his first kiss that wasn't his mom and abuela swooning over how 'cute' his cheeks were. He was so glad he outgrew those days, but that was besides the point. He had a good time even though Star was nearly jettisoned into the cold crushing embrace of the interstellar void. Even on their way home he could see just how shaken she was. Jackie and Janna walked with her consoling her and trying to keep her spirits up. Marco didn't feel he should try to interject on their conversation and focused on the moon instead. "What were you trying to tell me…?" he asked to himself.

"Marco!" Jackie called. "I'm gonna split," she said as she strapped her helmet on. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"I'll see you soon Jackie. I had a good time," Marco said as he hugged her goodbye. She slammed her board on the ground and rode off into the night. The moment he turned around Janna had disappeared and Star continued to walk on by herself. "Star wait!" Marco caught back up with her unsure of what to say. It was an awkwardly silent walk home.

"There's my little man!" Angie shouted and Marco and Star walked into his house.

"Hey mom," Marco chuckled nervously, knowing he was going to be bombarded with questions.

"Son, there you are!" Raphael came proudly from the kitchen. "How did my boy's- oop. My man's date go?" He asked with the excitement of a hyper puppy.

"It went great actually. Much better than I hoped." Marco noticed Star slowly shuffling up the stairs. "But nothing much happened."

"Oh my handsome son is becoming a ladykiller," Angie giggled. "Hey, where's Star? I know she came in with you."

"She's… tired. She was having fun with Janna. You know how that goes."

"Oh well tell her that dinner will be ready soon. I made Three cheese Quesadillas!" Raphael said as he marched back into the kitchen.

"Okay… I'll tell her." Something was very off. It wasn't just losing her spellbook that was killing Star something else cut deep. And Doctor Marco PhD. was going to get to the bottom if it. He ran to his room, hastingly took off that uncomfortable suit and donned his glasses.

He was about to go into her room only to find that the door was locked. "When did she get a lock put in her door?" he muttered. "Star! Hey it's me. Can I come in?" There was no response. "Star please?" Marco asked with a desperate whine. Silence again. It broke his heart to see someone who is so lively and bright so depressed and dark. Just as he turned to leave for dinner, her room door slowly creaked open. Star the bright cheery Mewnian princess had bloodshot puffy eyes, a nose as red a Rudolph's and the hearts on her cheek were split in two. "Star? Are you okay-" On impulse she hugged Marco with all of her might as new tears began to burst forward. "Okay, that came out of nowhere," Marco laughed in a vain attempt to bring some levity to the somber atmosphere. Star still didn't speak say for a few soft whimpers. "I uh… oh geez. Are you hungry?" Star shook her head. "You wanna watch a movie?" She shook her head again. "What do you want Star?"

"I don't know…" she said softly, her voice harsh from her wailing.

"Oh good, I thought you lost your voice," Marco sighed. "How do you feel?"

"Empty," Star croaked. Marco swallowed hard. He wasn't sure that his eight years of imaginary psychology could help her out this time. She eventually let him go and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry for making you worry Marco. I just messed up more than I've ever messed up before…"

"Everyone makes mistakes Star.'Mess up twins' remember?" Marco smiled. Star smiled some and perked up a little. "I'm going to go eat. If you aren't there I'll come back and check on you, okay?" Star nodded. "Here, I know you like these," he gave her his doctor glasses before walking away. Star went back into her room and plopped down on her tear stained mattress. It wasn't only that the spellbook was gone. Her stomach was tight and her heart felt tired and strained. Every breath she took felt like she was being choked and she didn't know why. She did know but she didn't want to admit to it.

They've been friends since she came to Earth. She shouldn't be developing a crush on her best friend. He's like the awesome caring funny adorable- She flailed about on her bed before covering her eyes and groaning. It made it worse because of how he looked at Jackie. He never looked at her like that. All he ever talks about is Jackie this and Jackie that. So what she's really cool chill and can skateboard. She's a magical princess from another dimension for Mewnian corn's sake! That's way more impressive right? She wanted to cast a spell that would get rid of all these feelings and emotions, but her spellbook and Glossarky were in Ludo's hands now. "Why did I have to be so stupid!" She shouted. Her want turned green and began levitating. "Ohoho, no you don't!" She snatched the wand and chucked it into her closet. She shuffled back to her bed and kicked off her boots.

She began to think about Marco which only aided in her torment. No matter what, the moment he crossed her mind she thought about what the all seeing eye spell showed her. A green glow came from her closet. She didn't dare move. That cursed wand is the reason why Ludo escaped with everything. Soon her stomach began to grumble loudly. Whatever they made down there smelled really good and cheesy, Marco probably made it. He's such a good cook. Maybe she should go get a bite. As soon as she was about to get up, Marco came back with a plate of food in his hands.

"Hey Star, I know you said you weren't hungry, but I brought you a plate. I know you like cheesy food."

"Thank you Marco…" she smiled. Marco came up to her bed and sat down.

"Here you go… Do you feel better now?" he prodded. Star picked up the Quesadilla and took an eager bite, moaning at the flavor of the meat and cheese. "Yeah, heh. You're feeling better."

"Well, I'm still a little said," she said with her mouth full. "But you always know how to cheer me up." Marco smiled at her and her heart skipped a little. "Marco, can I ask you something?"

"Sure Star. What is it?" she wanted to ask so bad if he liked her. She wanted to hug him and kiss him and tell him how much she loves and appreciates him. "H-how did your date go? With Jackie…"

"Oh!" the question caught Marco off guard. "Well, we didn't go to the dance. We both agreed that it was too much, so we just sat on a park bench, talked. Oh, and she taught me how to skateboard a little." Star winced, remembering what she did. "And we kissed." Star choked on her food.

"You did waaaa?"

"Jackie and I kissed. On the… on the lips…" Marco's brown cheeks flushed red. Right now Star's heart literally broke. She tried to fight back the tears but she couldn't keep them at bay. "Star? Why are you crying? I thought you were feeling better."

"I am," she stuttered. "These are tears of joy." she forced a crooked smile. "But I gotta go. Ponyhead said she has a surprise for me." She took out her dimensional scissors and tore a hole in the fabric of space time, before charging through it. Marco sat there confused and concerned. The rip reopened. "These are really good!" she pulled the plate into whatever dimension she was in.

Marco lay on the couch watching the novelas that came on late channel programming. It was approaching midnight, normally he'd be fast asleep by now but Star plagued his mind. Now he knew there was something more than just losing her spellbook going on. "Why did she start crying like that?" he asked himself. He turned to the T.V. A scene where Anastasia was going to tell Romano that she loved him.

"Ana, what are you doing here? I thought you were with your sister," Romano said.

"There's something I need to say…" she approached timidly. "I love you Romano! I had to tell you, even if your heart belongs to another!"

"So melodramatic…" Marco sighed with a roll of his eyes. He rolled over on his back and stared at the ceiling as the novela played along.

"Ana, you must understand. I love Phionna…" Romano whined. Marco could feel the forced tension from here.

"I know… But it would have torn me apart if I hadn't admitted it." At that moment everything clicked. Marco sat up like Dracula out of the crypt. It all made sense, her silence, the hugs, the crying, she felt some kind of way towards him. And that's probably why the blood moon shone down on him when he kissed Jackie. But he really likes Jackie a lot, then again he loves Star in the same way a brother loves his sister. There have been times when he thought of her as more than a friend, but the only person Star was ever known to swoon over was Oscar. So why does she like him now?

He flopped back on the couch, embarrassed that a decade old minimal production detailed his exact situation. He changed the input and was about to find a movie to perhaps numb his mind a little. Something with senseless explosions, dialogue as thick as water, and a forced love story should do the trick. As he carefully sorted through a lengthy stack of DVDs, he heard a noise coming from upstairs. He leapt up and carefully tip-toed up the stairs. A light was coming from Star's room, then it abruptly shut off. She was home and he was tired, maybe he should get some sleep too.

A/N

This is really just an experiment right now. I'm trying to 'dip my toes' into writing for other fandoms so to speak. I'll continues based on what you all think. If you want more I'll go on, if you don't then I'll stop this right here.