marco awoke to repetitive shaking of his body in a slight daze, a mess of blonde hair in his face. Marco with just his head poking out from the covers attempted to organize his thoughts when Star's voice rang out. "I'm bored! Everything on this planet is boring without you Marco. Let's go on an adventure" Marco immediately protested, pointing out that he wasn't dressed for anything in fact he didn't have his hoodie on. Marco realized this fact and quickly told star that she needed to leave his room. Star protested and marco promised to go with her wherever she wanted if she gave him fifteen minutes to get ready. Star agreed and left the room. Marco putting on his hoodie and combing his hair Met star in her room where she had already opened a portal. Star perked up when Marco entered and enthusiastically grabbed him by the hand pulling through the portal.

Star and marco entered a rocky world. Marco looked over the dark, rocky landscape. The black rocks were probably very jagged at one point but due to unknown forces ( Marco assumed erosion and star assumed magic) the obsidian like rock had become had assumed the texture asphalt. Despite the light absorbing rocks covering the entire landscape a faint red glow emanated from small cracks, giving the illusion that the rocks themselves were glowing. Marco took in this new world with wonderous wife eyes and Star felt pride knowing that Marco was fascinated.

Marco took a couple steps in the new world, it was fascinating. Marco ignored the layer of ash-like film and felt the rocky terrain they stood on.

"Woah, Star the rocks here are warm! This is pretty amazing!"

Star smiled and basked in the radiating warmth of the black-red rocks and the rare, but increasingly common contagious enthusiasm originating in Marco.

"Yup and this dimension is completely uninhabited so there should be no trouble" star said complacently.

Marco responded with "try not to jinx us huh Star? Stuff could always go badly."

"Sure whatever." star said dismissively.

Marco began exploring this new dimension which star informed him was named fuoqua. Marco was fascinated with this surroundings but after attempting to discover more by close observations began walking around. Star followed him and eventually marco fully distracted with the pleasure of Star's company forgot about the literal alien world around him. Star and Marco talked and joked for returning to earth.

Marco and star arrived at 7 in the evening. Marco thanked star for a safe interesting and exciting adventure and star shrugged it off as not a big deal. Marco feeling slightly indebted to star had an idea.

"Star, how do feel about an earth adventure?" Marco asked.

Star' eyes widened "I didn't know you could go on adventures on earth " star replied with characteristic enthusiasm.

"Well it's not magical or anything i just thought we'd walk around the town and look at shops maybe see a movie and stuff."

Star secretly thought that going shopping would be super boring but she didn't have anything else planned, she didn't want to hurt Marco's feelings and she really couldn't mind spending more time with her best friend so she said "Sounds fun" with steady enthusiasm and agreed to go.

Marco grabbed his wallet off of his dresser and walked out-Star in tow- toward the downtown area of echo creek. After the two had arrived to the shops the sun had set and the wind was blowing, marco had the foresight to go into a clothing store and offer to get star a sweatshirt since it was probably going to get colder. Star picked out a pull over hoodie with rainbow colored space clouds. Marco paid for the sweatshirt and they both left the shop.

Immediately after leaving Marco notices his own hunger and gets an idea for food.

"you wouldn't mind having an unhealthy dinner tonight right?" Marco asked knowing star'd eventually agree.

"Unhealthy in what way " star replied warily.

"A sugary meal, I think you'd like it."

"Sure sounds delicious" star said with overflowing excitement in her voice.

Marco led star over to a small shop, or rather to the end of a long line of people leading to the shop.

Star groaned "this isn't going to be anything like the goblin dogs is it?"

"No no no, we're in line for something good and we're in a Line that isn't infinite." Marco spoke the truth they had already moved a few feet toward the window and three people stood behind them in line.

Star seemed to be losing interest, her gaze wandered and posture was slightly slumped. "What are we even getting?" She asked.

"Well it's an earth delicacy called a doughnut I'm not sure if they have those on mewni" Marco replied eager to pass the wait time in line.

"Hmm nope I don't think so" star began before taking a step closer to the building. Suddenly a sweet smell came over her and she perked up. "What's that smell?" She asked suddenly very excited.

Marco breathed a sigh of relief he had worried star would lose interest. "The wonderful smell of freshly baked doughnuts from Tony's. The best doughnuts anywhere on earth." Marco said grandly

Star was absolutely giddy in anticipation and positively advanced in her hunger " oh I can't wait!" She exclaimed.

Marco smiled and replied " you don't have to for long" as then turned toward the man in the window. "Howdy Tony, a baker's dozen please." Marco said with confidence star in his shoulder peering into the window.

"Not a problem Marco" tony replied as he turned, he beat out some dough quickly throwing 14 onto a stick and then giving those a plunge into a deep fryer. After 30 seconds he impressively flips them off the frying stick and into a bag. Star and Marco watched equally impressed but star more visibly. Marco handed tony the change and tony handed Marco the bag of donuts and said "I gave you an extra so you can split it easily with your girlfriend" as he gestured toward star.

Star and Marco both started protesting and blushing while tony chuckled "I'm only playing, enjoy your doughnuts"

Marco and Star found a nice wooden bench to sit on. Marco opened the bag of doughnuts and offered it to star. Star gingerly took one and inhaled deeply to absorb the scent. She then eagerly opened her mouth and practically swallowed the thing whole. Marco took one for himself before offering Star the rest of the bag, "have as many as you like" Marco said.

It was Marco's turn to seem slightly disinterested. Star was so absorbed in the doughnuts that she didn't really notice for a while. But three doughnuts in star gave Marco a concerned glance swallowed her bite of doughnut and asked. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah it's just -" Marco failed to describe his thoughts.

Star realizing this might be pretty serious, "try and tell me what you're thinking" she prompted.

"It's just that since you came into my life it's changed so much, and for the better. A lot better. Like before you showed up I had never talked to her and last night she got my number-" Marco faltered and star let out a nervous chuckle.

"But it's more than that, you're my best friend, you're a friend I've never had and well I sorta wish I had always known you. And-and you don't know this but I was in a really tough situation before you showed up. There's no way I'd be this….. healthy without you. I want you to know you're the best person I've ever known, I really feel like you've molded me into an amazing person and that I appreciate you and that - I don't know that was pretty stupid" Marco ranted ending in uncertainty.

Star pulled him into a hug she could feel a single tear on her eye and nuzzled into Marco so that the tear was absorbed by his hoodie. Then she pulled back and simply said thank you. Then they sat on the bench in silence. Marco looking at the stars and star eating donuts while looking at Marco trying to wonder what sort of situation he was in before she arrived. It wasn't an awkward silence nor was it deep and meaningful. Both parties were content for the moment.

"Hey Marco?" Star broke the silence with a broken voice.

"Yeah?" Marcie said steadily and nonchalantly.

"Umm well if you do end up dating Jackie will that impact us? I mean will she get- I dunno jealous? We're pretty close…"

"Star don't worry about it I wouldn't date Jackie if I thought she didn't like you. She's great you'll see."

Star sighed unconvinced and worried.

Star finished off the donuts and got up to throw the bag in a nearby waste bin. But after standing for a second she groaned and sat back down. Marco hearing her groan shook himself from his stargaze and inquired into star's well being .

"I'm fine do you think you could throw this away for me?" She replied.

Marco grabbed the bag and threw it away then sat down again."what's wrong? Why couldn't you do it?" Marco asked with obvious concern .

"Oh I'm fine Marco just feeling a little lazy "

Marco thought for a moment "alright the nights only getting cooler and these hoodies only work so well, why don't we head home?" Marco said slightly deviously.

"Umm…." star trailed.

Marco stood up and extended a hand toward star "do you need help getting up?"

Star took his hand and hoisted herself to her feet. Marco began to walk alongside star but she couldn't walk the length of the bench without clutching onto Marco and her stomach.

Marco gave star an unsurprised but concerned look, "are you okay? can you walk?"

Star murmured "just a bellyache I'll be fine"

"What did you expect to happen after eating 13 donuts?" Marco asked parentally.

"You said I could" star quipped.

"I didn't think you'd eat all of them I thought we'd have some extra for mom and dad"

"Oh I didn't know sorry." Star said painfully.

"Don't sweat it, but we do need to get home eventually " Marco said.

"Hmmm I understand… I have an idea " star replied with a smile.

"Enlighten me" Marco said with skepticism.

"A piggyback ride" star replied with a smile and grand gesture with her hands.

Marco rolled his eyes unimpressed. "You want me to give you a piggyback ride?" Marco asked uncomfortably.

"Do you have a better idea?" Star countered.

On that point Marco didn't, he didn't have any ideas. So Marco shrugged and bent down in front of star inviting her to climb on. Star with as much livelihood as she could muster climbed onto the back of her best friend.

Marco staggered around for a few steps before becoming accustomed to the extra weight and starting home. Although the weight was there Marco expected star to weigh more. Not because she was large, (she was quite the opposite) but because he thought people would feel heavier than they are. Marco hadn't carried or attempted to carry anyone in years. Well, except star. Marco remembered her being noticeably light the last time Marco carried her as well. Marco began rubbing star's hand which was on his shoulder. Marco contemplated the difference in mewman biology. Did their blood work the same? Did their skin? Were there bodies made of the same stuff? What about bones? Bone density is a term he remembered hearing somewhere once so it must be halfway significant. Perhaps star and all mewmans simply had less bone density than earth people. Marco continued to rub star's hand unconsciously in a nonsexual or romantic way. Star didn't have a problem with it simply assumed Marco was distracted. An assumption that was in fact a reflection of reality. Marco came to rub one of her knuckles. An unexpected thought appeared, what about crushed mewman bone what would be the properties of that. Marco immediately recoiled, jerking his hand away from star's and allowing a slight frown appear on his face. Marco wasted no time before beating himself up for even thinking that. Crushed bone? What's wrong with you? Why was that even a thing you'd be able to think? Marco's external facade broke just a little more as his frowned deepened and seemed to consume his face.

Star noticed the change in her friend. They had spent the entire walk without exchanging words. It wasn't an awkward silence but a relief for both parties as they had been talking for hours. Star could see the Diaz residence in the distance. Star felt Marco tense up and noticed a frown on his face. Marco usually didn't frown she thought, it really didn't suit him she decided. Star waited a few seconds before calling out his name. Marco didn't respond, he didn't even appear to register Stars voice, this was concerning star tried thrice more still no response. Had he gone deaf? Marco was walking down his driveway and star started rocking to get his attention. He stumbled and immediately inquired if star was okay.

Star got off of Marco and rather aggressively said "I'm perfectly fine, are you okay? I've been yelling your name for like 5 minuets! You haven't even acknowledged you can hear! I'm worried about you Marco, are YOU okay?"

"Ummm…. yes" Marco stepped onto his porch and opened the door. "I'm fine"

Marco continued upstairs to his room. Star chased him.

"You better not be lying to me Diaz!" She yelled as she burst into his room. And confronted a smiling Marco.

"Star, I'm so okay you don't even understand I used to be not okay but right now I am. I've been okay for a while, thank you for your concern, do you think you could leave me alone for a while? I love your company but I'm exhausted."

Star yawned in response nodding, satisfied with his answer. And left Marco alone In his room.

Marco hated himself he had lied to his best friend, Marco wasn't okay. He was better but not fine he wasn't healthy. Marco imagined these thoughts leaving as the internet suggested, but found it impossible. He reminded himself that he didn't have depression or anything, not officially he hadn't been diagnosed. If he wasn't depressed what was wrong with him? Why wasn't he normal? Marco checked the clock 1:38. Marco groaned internally he wasn't getting sleep tonight, he knew this train of thought to well. Marco got out of bed and began to complete homework. All the while doubting his sanity, his competence and his own existence. On the verge of tears he read about the truth telling Persian akkeminad empire. While contemplating the knife he studied worldwide iron distributions. While trying to forget failed friendships he explained the heirarchy of needs.

At almost 11:00 in the morning star bounced into Marcos room babbling about an interdimensional adventure.

"Star please I need to finish this homework" Marco said knowing it was probably futile.

Star ignoring the words from his mouth pulled Marco out of his chair and opened a portal while pushing them into it. She completed this with a learned swiftness before any resistance could be amounted.

Star and Marco were in a cave, it was dark so that it was impossible to see. A rather generic roar erupted rather closely, Marco springing into rehearsed action punched it and swept its legs from beneath it, enough to scare off the monster. Star still fumbling for her wand summoned a rainbow charm that provided light.

"Star take me home." Marco requested flatly.

"Why? This'll be so much fun!"

"Star I need to do homework and I didn't sleep."

"This'll get your blood pumping!"

"Look a laser puppy followed us." Marco said.

"Oh no! Where?" Star turned and Marco reached into star's bag for the scissors.

Marco opened a portal, pushed star through and closed the portal.

"Look Star I had fun yesterday but I have stuff I need to do."

"Uhhh fine" star left, Marco looked at his mostly completed homework and made a decision. He picked up his phone, texted Jackie " do you mind if we hang out tonight? Brittas tacos? I'll be there around 5:30 if you want to show up."

Marco completed his homework and went to bed.

A/N feedback encouraged! I'd love to know what you thought of this chapter particularly, it's a tad rushed and written mostly from memory. Thank you so much for reading!