Tom dances with an unknow girl by accident at the Blood Moon Ball, ruining his plan to tie his and Star's soul for all eternity. Will this become the bigest mistake of his life or will he find the right path by taking a wrong turn?

Before you start reading I will just warn you: This is not a Tom x Star nor a Tom x Marco fanfic... and I will not hint to that nowhere in this story. So, don't flame, complain or beg about it. It is not negociable.

Anyway, to those who still wanna give this story a try... thanks and you are welcome to stick around.

As always: italics are thoughts, the " o " is a page breaker, bold is for emphasis.

Tom, Star and Marco (along with the other characters of Start vs The Forces of Evil universe) belong to Daron Nefcy and Disney Television Animation. Any other characters are of my own invention.

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The cart's wheels squeak through the corridor, mixing with the sound of our footsteps. I don't understand why Tom is walking with me after his evasive attitude during lunch. I'm just returning the cart with its contents to the kitchen, anyway.

"Seal", the demon suddenly calls my name... seems he hasn't gotten used to it. I turn to look at him but he is looking forward with an absorbed look in his eyes. Did I imagine it? I look to the front, too. "What do you think about arranged marriages?"

My steps falter but I keep walking - it was a good think I was clutching the cart handle or I most probably had fallen face first without its support. Why is he asking that to me? I turn to face him again, but he is looking forward. Is he trying to avoid my gaze?

"Who's getting engaged in that arranged marriage?", I ask. I turn to face front.

"For this hypothetical scenario: you", he informs. I arch my brows, amused. I would be the last being in the whole world engaged to someone... and I would feel bad for the one paired with me.

"Do I love him?", I question him again. The squeaking of the wheels seems louder somehow... or is it my heart?

"No", Tom bluntly says, "I don't think so".

"I see...", I mutter, "Does he loves me?" This time, it takes him longer to answer and I find that reaction curious.

"I have never heard of arranged marriages in which the parties involved liked each other", he answers roughly. However, that answer seems like an excuse of the answer I was expecting. Is he flustered? "For the sake of the scenario: no, he doesn't love you".

"Fair enough", I reply evenly. I see his shoulders relaxing.

"O.K. So far: arranged marriage, he doesn't love me, I don't love him", I summarize. Tom nods and let out a 'uhm' to confirm it.

"Will he mistreat me when we get married?", I inquire. The sound of our footsteps grows dim, we are walking slower now.

"What does that question has to do with anything?", he counters. The demon seems defensive.

"It's important", I say, not budging, "I don't think I can stay with someone that would hurt me. If that were the case, I'd run away". Tom frowns and clenches his teeth. What's with that reaction?

"Then, no... it wouldn't be the case", he says with conviction, "he would not hurt you".

"Would he ever love me?", I ask without a trace of hope or illusion. Another long pause.

"I don't know", he sincerely says.

"Would he at least, accept me for who I am?", I look at Tom's face more closely. Despite his gruff exterior, I barely sense he is struggling with something deep inside him.

"Yes... dunno... probably... eventually...", he chokes on the words. It makes me think that he doesn't really want to set some false expectation... but I wonder why, if we are just talking hypothetically. And then, it dawns on me...

The dream... Tom's bad dream.

The demon looks conflicted and some unknown force compels me to take one of his hands in both of mine. Tom becomes speechless and I think I can see him blush slightly.

"I'll support you", I tell him with a reassuring voice, "no matter what you chose: to marry in a loveless relationship or to pursue the love of your life. I'll support you, Master Tom".

"Ci... lle...", the word hesitantly escapes Tom's lips. I look intently into his eyes and smile.

"You will be fine", I continue, "I'm sure you can win your fiance's love if she gets to know you... or I can help you elope with your loved one". The demon looks at me with a dumbfounded expression... and then looks down to my hands holding his. I follow his gaze and immediately let go of his hand.

"I'm sorry", I say, clearing my throat, "I got carried away". I'm about to add something else when I realize we have reached the corridor junction that will lead me to the kitchen if I turn left. Tom still seems to be in a daze when I wave my hand as a farewell gesture. He waves back, still stupefied.

"Hey! Wait!", he calls to me from his spot after coming back to his senses, "This talk wasn't about me! It was about you! And you haven't answered". He marks his statement with a stomp. From the distance, he looks like a child throwing a tantrum - he looks cute and funny, but I probably shouldn't say that to him.

"And what answer do you need?", I call out to him from some distance away, feigning ignorance about the whole thing.

"Would you marry the guy?", he asks.

"Would he accept me for who I am?", I repeat my question. Despite the distance between us, I see the demon straightening himself and nodding assertively.

"Then...", I start, " I'd probably give that leap of faith". I can barely see a surprised expression in Tom's face before I turn my back on him and walk down the corridor.

In the distance, I can hear his footsteps growing fainter.

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Hope you like the story so far. No need for reviews unless you feel like doing so.