3 more days...and two more short chapters of Fairytale. Enjoy!
What if the Blood Moon forced us together?
The thought was a pervasive itch in Marco's brain, keeping him awake far past his bedtime that night. In the dark of his room in the castle, he heard the laser puppies snore in the corner and his blood roaring through his ears along with his thoughts. They refused to leave him alone. What happened that night during the Blood Moon Ball, and did any of it suggest his feelings for Star weren't genuine? He flipped on his back and reminisced about the demon prom.
To this day, Marco had no idea why he ventured alone to the Underworld or how the sailor painting on Star's wall had spoken to him. The voice called it the "Moon of Lovers," and for some reason, the boy felt led to check up on his best friend. What if her creepy ex-boyfriend was going to hurt her? Marco couldn't live with himself if he let that happen. Once he had arrived, he snuck into the crowd of demons, took Star's hand, and watched the room turn red. Then they danced. Again, he had no idea why he felt the urge to lead her into a waltz and not immediately away from the scene, yet it was the most magical moment of his entire, short life. Just the two of them twirling and dancing in a room full of watchful bystanders, and the Blood Moon following their movement on the dancefloor.
So far, nothing spooky or hypnotic appeared to have happened. Afterward the Blood Moon Ball, he and Star went on with their normal lives like nothing had occurred. No mind-reading, or romantic feelings, or anything. They were just the dynamic, best friend duo again. What's different now? Marco wondered as his eyes ventured to his window. Mewni's sky was crowded with moons and stars, but none of them were red or demonic. Perhaps the Blood Moon wasn't a curse, and Janna was messing with him. I think Star likes me fine, he flipped on his side, spying the beach day photo from their first beach date. There was no way she was faking the happy smile on her face. A sleepy yawn parted his mouth, and Marco found himself drifting to sleep while the moon, unbeknownst to him, turned scarlet.
"Star?" Marco was in an empty dark temple, and he swore he heard her giggling somewhere in the great room. The place seemed weirdly familiar. Tapestries hung on the towering walls, surrounded by unlit torches. Cheap, plastic furniture lay overturned on the floor, which had a giant star engraved in the stone. It was a creepy place—like something Janna or Tom would be into.
Suddenly, he heard the giggling again and noticed that a crescent moon in the ceiling glowed dark red like blood. "Where are you?" Marco called again.
"Right here," Star appeared out of the shadows of the room.
Marco raced to her, but she ran away from him, still laughing gleefully as she disappeared. "Wait!" He wailed. "Come back! Don't leave me!"
"But I was never yours!" Star's voice echoed ominously, nearly stopping his heart. What do you mean? Didn't she like him as much as he did her? Confusion paralyzed his legs, and he sunk to his knees. What if she doesn't...?
"Marco? Are you okay?" Another Star materialized beside him. Unlike the other, she felt real, as if he could hold her in his arms. He reached out to take her hand, noticing the red light growing brighter and brighter…
He woke up drenched in sweat and with his heart racing. Star, don't leave me! Marco's mind screamed in panic. "Marco, calm down," he received an instant response. "I'm here. What happened?" The gentleness in her tone alleviated the boy's fear, and he relaxed. It was just a bad dream. It meant nothing. Although, he couldn't shake the feeling like there was a bit of truth—that Star really wasn't his.
"I'm fine," his response was a half-lie. "Just didn't sleep well."
"Well, don't forget our three-month anniversary!"
Right. That was today, and, naturally, Marco had an amazing plan to commemorate their relationship. Forgetting the dream, he set himself about the task of setting up for later today. Nothing was going to ruin today, not even the Blood Moon.
"Are your eyes still closed?" He led Star down a spiral staircase and to a narrow passageway. Her excitement at the mystery bubbled around them, making it almost impossible for Marco to keep the venue a surprise. Thanks to mind-sharing, he had to force himself to think about unrelated things, like puppies, Mackie Hand, and school. It would be worth it in only a few minutes. They reached the bottom stair, and Marco couldn't contain his surprise any longer. "Open your eyes," he told her.
Star removed her free hand off her face, and her mouth dropped open in awe. "This is so cool!" The princess's eyes sparkled against a mixture of candlelight and string lights that lit up a vast, hidden part of the castle. Marco had to thank Eclipsa for revealing that the Butterfly castle had a shipping canal tucked under the Rose Garden tower. In the great cavern, long canals of placid water separated the narrow pier from small caves carved into the far wall. Canoes were docked along the canal walkways, and they were used to carry goods into the castle during times of siege. They also carried lovers trying to meet in secret—Eclipsa mentioned that in detail. Her monster husband, Globgor, used the waterways to find her while she was married to Shastacan.
Of course, Marco spruced up the place with some decorations because Star deserved it. "Alright, m'lady," he stepped into a canoe and held out his hand in a mock bow. "Let's be on our way."
"Oh, Marco," she took his hand. "That was so corny of you."
"And before we set off," he picked up a pair of lifejackets. "Safety first."
She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath but accepted the pink floatation device. Gently, Marco rowed them to one of the coves, which he spent painstaking hours sprucing up for tonight. He set a table, lights, and chairs. On the menu tonight was a bowl of Star's favorite, Captain Blanche's Sugar Seeds. Dates among the couple always contained a casual bent to them. "Oooh," sat by a bowl of the multicolored, sugary flakes. "How romantic."
He could sense the playfulness in her voice, making him chuckle, "Only the best for you. Can you pass the milk?"
Next to her was a cooler full of ice and a gallon of fresh milk because cereal was dry and incomplete without it. She handed him the dairy, which he promptly poured into his bowl. They tapped their spoons together, "Cheers."
Munching on the cereal, they enjoyed the beautiful views and each other's company. Perhaps the sugar seeds were getting to him, but he couldn't help feeling his heart flutter at the sight of his girlfriend. Her smile, her laugh, her amazing spirit. I wonder if she feels the same about me? After eating, they ventured to the dock to sit and talk while digesting their meal. Star leaned against him, and Marco gently held her hand while he watched the water ripple before them.
"Star…," he breathed her name scarcely above a whisper, gently cupping her cheek. Marco brushed strands of her golden hair away and moved in closer on the dock. Between the lights, the moon reflecting on the water, and the atmosphere of the date, he couldn't help but notice how she appeared to shine like a star in the night sky. Impulses took over, and he pressed his lips against hers. Star snaked her arms around Marco, pulling him so close that he could feel her heartbeat. Whoa… Her hands roamed his back and shoulders, and he swore she was playing with his hair. So this is what real kissing was like… The sensations nearly made his brain go dead. Should I get air? He realized that they had been making out for quite a while. However, Star only tightened her grip around him. Air could wait.
When they did manage to break apart, gasping for breath and panting, they gazed in each other's eyes lovingly. It was like they were glowing. "We are, silly," Star laughed and pointed to their shimmering, white cheekmarks. The entire shipping canal was bathed in silver light. It was…incredible. Like a full manifestation of their feelings towards each other. Of their love. "Marco," she smiled as her cheeks turned pink. "You're making me blush."
"Oh," he backed away and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, …it's just…" You're so beautiful, and I love you.
She tilted her head, perhaps picking up on his warm, fuzzy feelings but, thankfully, not the exact words he used. Am I ready to say that? Marco gulped. He never felt comfortable using such a heavy, important word like that around Jackie, but it seemed perfect here. He loved Star. It was the reason he searched Mewni for her after she left Earth, and punched Toffee in the heart. It explained why Marco was able to leave his home and come to Mewni so easily. He loved Star. She was the guiding light in his life and his best friend. Well, more than that, really, the boy smiled and took her hand.
"Uh…," his voice cracked from being nervous. "Star…t-there's something I want to say."
"Alright," Star squeezed his hand. "Then say it."
You can do this, Marco, his entire body shook, and it took all of his courage to open his mouth to speak. Suddenly, the light in the shipping canal turned red, and the couple noticed a red moon floating in the water. Huh? With the Blood Moon lurking over them, Marco was yanked out of the precious moment. He should have known—the real reason this date had gone so well was that Star didn't really feel the same. The Blood Moon was making them think that.
"Marco?" Star noticed his suddenly downcast spirit. "What's wrong?"
He turned away hastily, dropping her hands. Instantly, she knew what was wrong and groaned loudly. "Why can't you just leave it alone, Marco?" Star threw her hands in the air. "You're caught up on a stupid fairytale!"
"It's clearly not one if we can read minds," he responded sharply. "Star…how can I know that we really love each other and that the Blood Moon isn't doing this to us?"
"Will you just listen to yourself—that's nonsense, and you know it!" Her blue eyes were wet with frustrated tears. "If the Blood Moon was so all-powerful, then why did it let me go out with Tom?"
Marco blinked, considering the point for a second, "Why did you leave him?"
"Because we weren't right for each other, okay?" When he opened his mouth to speak, she added, "Don't you dare say that it had to do with the Blood Moon because it didn't."
How am I supposed to know that? For all he knew, the fact he and Star always returned to each other could have been orchestrated the entire time. Maybe they should have stayed with their exes and far away so the Blood Moon couldn't snare them. Above them, the red moon glared like an evil eye, upholding the curse over their lives and probably influencing their emotions. I have to do this, Marco made a fist, forcibly holding in tears. As much as leaving Star would be painful on his end, he couldn't force her to love him—even if that was what he always wanted. Her eyes widened with shock, and Marco knew she had been listening to his decision. "No…you're not leaving me," she grabbed his wrist.
"I won't be gone long," he promised. "But I gotta find a way to break this curse. To see…if we're actually meant to be together." In the back of his mind, he worried if breaking the Blood Moon bond would undo their relationship. He opened a portal to the Underworld, feeling his heart break in two because he knew the next time he'd see Star again might be the last time they were together. "Look, Star," Marco's voice quivered. "I…no matter what happens, you'll always be the most important person to me."
"I know," she sighed.
Marco disappeared into the other side, kicking himself for not saying what he really meant. Why couldn't I say that I love her?
Review Round-Up
SugarQueen97- You'll see what effect the Blood Moon has in the next chapters, but I promise you, I won't make them date other people to break it (I'm not crazy). There's no reason to drag Kellco or anything to this at all.
Aldal-Thanks! It's a mini story not tied to anything but my theory to how "Curse" might go. It's not a definitive "this is must happen" and actually, Fairytale isn't exactly what I think it likely to happen. This is more of the angsty route, but I just think it makes a cool story. Also, Dance is still happening, no worries.
Guest-I think Star and Marco will have to complete the dance no matter what situation happens, which is cool. I need more Starco dancing in my life! ALso, good point about Tom, maybe the "curse" is his fault for interfering.