A/N: Well, I'm officially back! My exams are over and I should have a bit more breathing space this semester since I've rid myself of the subjects that required most of my attention, although I will still have 8 new subjects this semester, but they should be much easier and hopefully less time-consuming^^'! But I think that I'll be able to update regularly again. That being said, I've decided to change a few things:
A.) The story will advance faster
B.) I think the 'My Star' format was much better than this one.
Also, here are the titles of the remaining chapters. I'm leaving the speculating to you.
Chapter 8: Secrets Exposed
Chapter 9: Family
Chapter 9.5: Prophecies
Chapter 10: A Thirst for Vengence
Chapter 11: A Sin Fit for a Queen
Chapter 12: Moon
Epilogue: Final Chapter (Thus Ends...)
New Dawn (Fallen Kingdom): Teaser
Replies to the latest reviews:
Rock Raider: Hmm, you're not entirely off on what I had in mind. As for the rest, I've released the titles of the remaining chapters, so feel free to guess what they'll be about!
allen Vth: Oh, our boy is gonna go beyond taking a simple picture ;). Meh, those guys are probably spoiled enough not to notice.
Guest: lol, and people write about stuff like that? Wtf? Do they make a 10-page essay on how he stares at her butt or...?
Also, a thank you to all the people who were cheering for me during my exams! Bless you all ^^!
Disclaimer: I do not claim the right to Star vs. the Forces of Evil or any of the characters that appear in the show. They belong to Disney and the show's creator, Daron Nefcy. I do, however, claim the right to the plot as well as any original characters that may appear in this fic, and would kindly ask you to inform me should you want to use anything from this fic in your own story. -jolleIQ
Beta read by ElleFreak.
Story cover by Luzz015. Be sure to check her out on DeviantArt!
Star vs. The Forces of Evil: Staring it up!
Chapter 7.5
Urges
Marco
He was frustrated.
Frustrated and furious at himself for the way he'd behaved over the last couple of weeks. Ever since the accursed night of that stupid football game upon his return from Mewni, his thoughts and emotions were like a box of lit firecrackers, blowing up willy-nilly and flying in all directions at the worst moments.
Marco flopped backwards onto the bed and smacked himself on the forehead, hard.
What am I doing!? I shouldn't even be in here! Not after earlier!
He was in Star's room, which was empty as the princess was busy helping Angie bathe Zora, who'd fallen into a pool of fresh mud while the three were playing catch in the park. Small as she was, Zora was nimbler and faster than both him and Star. If it weren't for the stumble, they'd likely be chasing her even now!
Marco sat up, determined to leave the room and stop these foolish actions.
... except he couldn't. Not that he physically couldn't since walking over to the door and going back to his room would take no effort, but something inside of him was preventing his body from exiting the princess's chambers. It felt as though his feet were being chained to the room and wouldn't allow him to exit until he finally talked to his girlfriend about his troublesome thoughts.
One part of his mind kept screaming "She'll think you're some creep if you do that! No, Marco! You gotta keep restraining yourself!" while the other half was yelling "She'll understand, you moron! She's strong enough to handle something as stupid as this! Just tell her already!"
He didn't know which side was right. Both were, in a sense, speaking reason, not that that piece of useless knowledge was helping him in the slightest!
In the end, he decided to linger around for a bit longer until the princess returned, hopefully without the small girl by her side. The conversation would be awkward enough without a third pair of ears listening in on it.
Should I really confess it to her?
The thing that was bothering him was trivial, but trivial in the worst ways possible.
Ever since he saw her at the football game, wearing that cute but blasted cheerleader uniform, it felt as though his hormones had gone into hyperdrive and there were no breaks to stop them, nor was he able to take his foot off the gas peddle.
He would often find himself lost while staring at... certain parts and features of her body, unable to pry his eyes away. Whenever she would turn around and see him staring at her with such a lewd look in his eyes, he would stammer awkwardly and point towards a stain on her dress or lie about her having something in her hair, which he would promptly 'remove' for her, and she would thank him awkwardly before backing away, clearly uncomfortable.
If the problem were his inability to stop staring at her, then it wouldn't really be a problem. He'd caught her staring at his tush numerous times and wasn't really bothered by it, plus he had a feeling that coming clean about it would only result in Star teasing him, and he was a teenager on top of that, so such things were natural as far as he was concerned.
However, the problems arose whenever his new urges would take a complete hold of him. His Sensei had told him numerous times that one must be the master of both their mind and their body, and he was no longer the master of either. At least, not when he was in close proximity of a certain Star.
His normally organised thoughts would turn into an unorganised cluster of naughty fantasies about the said princess, and he literally had to slap one of his hands with the other to prevent it from reaching out too far and 'acquiring' that which his mind was yearning for.
He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to hold out. Restraining his appetite for his princess was becoming harder with each passing day, and sometimes when he smelt her luscious scent or so much as looked at her cute face or the tantalising curves around her hips and chest, he could feel his iron resolve being battered and smashed, growing weaker with each glance at his beloved princess. It was only a matter of time until those darn emotions of his reduced that iron resolve to dust and took things the point of no return, he felt.
The only thing holding him back at this point were her reactions. Every time he'd move closer to her, she would jump away from him, distance herself as if sensing his impure intentions and thoughts. She definitely felt uncomfortable when he got too close, and he couldn't blame her. He was repugnant at times.
So he tried to hold back, for her.
He would no longer allow himself to drift too close to her. Instead, he would try and keep a distance between them, for both his and her own good. He no longer held her hand or allowed her to hug him, for he could no longer trust himself and in a moment of recklessness, he would drive her away. For good, he feared.
And this distancing was driving him mad. Instead of slowly wiping out those vile thoughts and desires of his, as he'd hoped, it only augmented them.
He knew he wouldn't be able to keep this game up for much longer. Therefore he vowed to come clean and at least warn her of the primal monster he'd become. Come what may, she deserved a fair warning.
He loved her, and he would come to terms with whatever happens after today's conversation.
For her.
His Star.
Star
She was scared.
Scared of herself and of the thoughts that kept crossing her mind, thoughts that were chasing away her significant other, apparently. She could feel her emotions and desires changing, and it was frightening. She was scared that she would drive him away.
"Star, I'll take it from here," Angie said as she heaved Zora out of the bathtub and wrapped a towel around her, then began drying her off. The small girl looked a bit annoyed by the fact that she wasn't allowed to bathe by herself like some toddler, but she also felt an odd warmth at the thought of being cared for, and she also found it amusing that she was the one being bathed by others instead of the other way around, as she was accustomed to, a courtesy of her awful former master.
Star giggled at Zora's cute, sulking expression and smiled at Angie.
"Are you sure, Angie?" It felt odd calling the woman by her first name, but both she and Rafael had recently requested for her to start doing so. She couldn't fully understand the reasoning, but if it made them happy, then she really had no issues with it.
"I'm sure, dear," Angie responded while ruffling Zora's hair with the towel. "You just go relax. I'll have her all dried and dressed in no time."
Star nodded and left the bathroom. As soon as the door behind her was closed, her smile dropped and she let out a tired sigh as she lent on the door with her back.
"Why did things have to become so complicated?" she mumbled wistfully and began walking to her room.
It was her fault, honestly. Her behaviour had undergone quite a few changes recently, changes that Marco just wasn't comfortable with or ready for.
She would often cling to him at random and make suggestive advances, and the way he reacted to her advances pained her. Every time she would try to move closer to him, she could notice the fear and revolt in his eyes as he stared at her and made some distance between them or simply came up with excuses just to avoid touching her.
Was she really that disgusting?
No, that wasn't it.
She'd caught him 'staring' at her several times, sometimes with clear indecency, so he was definitely attracted to her, although she did find it cute how he always changed the topic to hide his motives like she didn't know what he was really up to. Either way, he needed some space, and as much as it tore at her, she needed to give him the space he wanted.
So every time they drifted too close to each other, she would recoil. Just move away and smile at him, letting him know that she understood and respected his feelings.
Just give him the space he needs, she kept convincing herself.
But gosh, was it hard.
Never before had she felt such a need to touch someone, to kiss them or to place her head on their shoulder or do something as simple as holding hands! Marco really did bring out the best and the worst in her, and he was the only person on both earth and Mewni that was allowed to see those sides of her.
Unfortunately, one such side seemed to be having the opposite effect on him and was doing more harm than good.
She sighed.
How much longer could she keep avoiding him? Heck, when was the last time they'd held hands or hugged or kissed? The distance was one thing, but he'd been comfortable with those things up until recently, so what was wrong? What had changed?
Maybe that was the problem. Maybe she was just too much for him to handle, too pushy and way too needy. Love was like chocolate chip cookies; sure, everyone loves them, but if you eat a bag of them every day you're sure to grow tired of them.
Grow tired.
Maybe, just maybe.
"Does he... does he no longer love me?" she wondered, feeling a sudden tightness in her chest. Being attracted to her was one thing, but there were far more attractive girls than her on Earth. Maybe another had caught his eye? Maybe that's why he no longer wanted to be as close to her as before? Maybe he was distancing himself purposefully so that when he did call it quits, it wouldn't hurt as badly as it would otherwise?
She stopped in the middle of the hallway and hugged herself, smiling sadly.
What did I do wrong, Marco? Why are you avoiding me?
All she could do was continue to distance herself from him and hope for the best.
She felt alone.
It sucked.
Together
"Hey, Star."
All she could do was stare at him, sitting on her bed and looking at her with a faint smile on his lips.
"Uh, Marco, why are you in my room?" Out of all the things she could have said, it just had to be that, didn't it? Fortunately for the Mewman princess, Marco found the question completely valid and responded casually.
"Well, I came to talk to you, actually."
She froze, eyes wide and her expression stone cold.
Oh no, don't tell me that he already-
"T-talk about what, Marco?" she stammered, feeling every vein in her body start to tense and freeze up.
Don't say us, don't say us, don't say-
"Uh, well... us."
And just like that, her world fell apart. She knew what was coming, and she'd be lying if she said she was ready for it, but she was a strong, independent warrior-princess, and she was going to take this like one.
"...oh," was all she could muster up in response before the room fell silent as they stared at each other with unblinking gazes.
Marco sighed and patted the spot next to him and Star promptly walked over and sat down.
After a brief silence, Marco spoke, "Look, Star, this is really tough for me to say, but-"
"You don't need to tell me, Marco. I already know."
Marco was surprised by her statement and looked at her in bewilderment.
"Y-you do?"
Star nodded calmly.
"Yeah. You've made it pretty obvious. I can't say that I'm happy with it, though."
Upon hearing that, Marco frowned sadly and looked away.
"Yeah, I kinda figured you wouldn't be too thrilled about it. Sorry..." Marco said dejectedly and sighed.
So this is it, huh? was all she could think of. Good job, Star! You've somehow managed to Star things up again, as usual!
"It's just... I... I had to let you know the truth about why it's so hard for me to hold myself back around you."
"No problem, Marco. I fully understand that you want to take a break and-" Star's eyes widened and she shot him a startled glance once her brain had registered his words. "Wait, what?"
"It's just... ever since I saw you wearing that stupid uniform I- it's like I can't hold get a complete hold of myself whenever I'm around you!" Marco declared, blushing violently and covering his face with the palms of his hands. "I mean, you're you and you're always looking so cute! How can I not wanna... uhm... 'touch' you..."
"I repeat. What?"
"What do you mean what!?" Marco was frustrated that she was toying around at a time like this. He'd just poured his heart and soul out to her and she was acting like this was some game. He didn't appreciate that one bit.
But if she wants to play, then game on!
"Star, I notice how uncomfortable you get when I approach you and how you back off immediately when I'm too close! I'm not an idiot!"
Upon hearing that, something inside her brain clicked. Was he messing with her?
Does he think this is a joke!?
She edged her head closer to his and glared at him viciously. He mimicked the gesture, and their gazes remained locked thus as the argument continued.
"Avoiding you!? You're the one who's been avoiding me, buddy!" she accused, arms crossed.
"What!? That's not true at all!" he protested, but she wouldn't have any of it.
"Oh, don't give me that!" she demanded. "I see how scared and uncomfortable you are when I try to hold your hand on even walk right next to you! Why else do you think I've been trying my hardest to give you some personal space, despite the fact that it's been driving me bonkers, thank you very much!"
"Driving you bonkers!?" he laughed at her absurd claim. "Forcefully controlling myself around you has been driving me bonkers!" He countered, inching closer to her. "And you were the one feeling uncomfortable! Whenever I tried getting close to you, you'd just start avoiding me!"
"I was just giving you some space like you wanted!" she declared.
"Well, I was giving you some space like you wanted!" he countered.
Without thinking, Star lunged at him, locking her lips with his own into a passionate kiss, taking him off guard and shutting him up. She soon pulled away and glared daggers at him.
"You have got to be kidding me! You freaking idiot!" She exclaimed before claiming his lips again, taking advantage of the opening in his lips to invite herself in, deepening the kiss.
If you don't go along with it now, I will end you! her mind screamed, half-jokingly.
And Marco heard the threat, at least that's what she assumed when he no longer resisted but instead flipped her onto her back, pinning her down with the weight of his body while their lips continued to fight relentlessly, not so much as allowing them to catch a full breath of air. Eventually, the need for air overcame them and they both parted, panting, a thin trail of saliva connecting their lips. They stared at each other for a time until Star broke the silence.
"Thanks. I needed that," Star murmured somewhat irritably in between pants.
"You're welcome, princess," Marco replied, also with a bitter edge to his voice.
In spite of their best attempts to let their anger show, however, the two soon quit the acting and smiled fondly at one another, their faces tinded in a hue of cherry. Marco lifted his hand and brushed away a loose lock of Star's golden hair that was obscuring part of her face. He was about to caress her cheek but hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Star asked, a sad but curious frown on her face.
Why did he stop?
"Y-you really don't mind if I, um, touch you like this?" he asked, completely serious.
Star's eyes widened as the nature of their dilemma finally became clear to her.
"Wait," she said. "You thought I didn't like you touching me? Is that was this is about?"
Marco nodded, looking both ashamed and embarrassed.
"Oh, Marco, you silly boy," Star giggled and ruffled his hair with her hand. "I love it when you hold hands with me and touch me for no specific reason. We're a couple, ya dorky goof!"
"I just thought you didn't feel comfortable with me staring at you and clinging to you all the time," he stated, fixing his hair.
"Heh, dork..."
Marco shot her a dissatisfied glare. "Excuse me, but from what I've just heard, didn't you think the exact same thing?"
"...perhaps."
There was a pause as neither knew what to say next until Star remembered something she wanted to be sure of.
"So, you really don't think I'm, ehm, disgusting or anything like that? And you really haven't, ya know, found someone else...?"
"Did I really make you feel that way?" Marco frowned, feeling like a complete idiot. Star nodded and he sighed. "Well, I'm sorry if it seemed like that. But, to be fair, you did start avoiding me as well, so-"
"Mess-up twins?" Star chuckled, and Marco was unable to suppress his own chuckle.
"Yeah, mess-up twins," he agreed.
As they kept gazing at one another, lost in each other's eyes, Marco noticed the position they were in and chuckled awkwardly.
"Um, I think I should probably get off you, hehe."
"Well, I don't mind being like this," Star said teasingly, a sly grin on her burning face.
"Yeah, well, I still don't trust myself enough to say how much longer I can hold back before I uh, do stuff that wouldn't be appropriate, so I'll just leave and-"
Before he could escape, Star reached up with her hands and cupped his face, forcing his gaze to stay locked with her own and practically paralysing him with her stare. "I.. wouldn't mind if you... ya know... wouldn't hold back... right now..."
Marco swallowed nervously.
"I... don't think I can anymore..." He wasn't exaggerating. The barriers were gone, smashed, reduced to rubble by that handful of words. He was no longer in control of himself. It was scary, but also exciting. For Star, it was a similar story. She, too, felt nervous, but she was in anticipation for... for...
For what? she wondered, tracing one of her hands along his hoodie as her fingers looked for the zipper.
"Star..." he called out her name, softly, tenderly, only love in his voice. Love for her. His princess. His very own little star.
"Marco..." she responded with equal tenderness, his name a breathless whisper as she kept gazing into his beautiful brown spheres, slowly losing herself in them as their faces drew closer and closer together. She could feel his hand slowly sliding down along her dress, approaching her special place, sending shivers through her whole body as his fingers trailed along her soft, smooth, pale skin.
"Uh...What are you two doing...?"
*record scratch*
Their eyes shot open instantly and both turned towards the source of the tiny voice. They saw Zora standing some feet away from the bed and gazing at them with an arched eyebrow and confusion written on her face. Star and Marco exchanged an alarmed look, blushing furiously, then shouted in perfect unison while looking at Zora.
"Wrestling!"
Zora raised an eyebrow sceptically and was about to ask them what they'd really been up to before she arrived, but instead, she shrugged it off.
This dimension is weird, she thought, then spoke.
"Uh, ok. Anyway, Mrs. Diaz told me to inform you two that you should come down for dinner. But if you're busy then I will tell her that-"
"We're not busy with anything!" both teens screamed frantically, once more in perfect sync.
Zora sighed dully.
A weird dimension, indeed.
"Whatever..." she murmured and exited the room, leaving the two to their own business.
As Marco climbed off Star and their gazes locked, only one thought crossed their minds.
"We must never speak of this again."
"Agreed." Star nodded and the two went down to dinner.
BONUS!
As she was eating her slice of Mexican pizza, Star looked at Marco and noted the look of concern on his face. She patted him on the shoulder and gave him a comforting smile as he glanced at her.
"If you're worried about before, don't be. We both got a little carried away."
"Still," Marco couldn't help but wonder. "I'm normally very safe and responsible. I'd never do those kinds of things, even in those circumstances. What do you think happened back there?"
"I dunno." Star shrugged and placed a finger on her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe some higher force controlling our every action and thought is so desperate for recognition and attention that it's making us do stuff to cater to some specific audience?"
"Please!" Marco chuckled. "What kind of a sad, lonely, pathetic loser would spend his time reading about two fictional characters 'doing it' just to entertain himself?"
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
FIN
Afterword:
Phew, that was a close one! Luckily, Zora came in at the right moment, right, guys :P? So thank you, Zora, for assisting me in keeping that T rating! Isn't she wonderful? She is, isn't she?
And yes, that last bit was a stab at those authors who write M rated stuff involving underage characters because it equals popularity. I have no need to prove myself in such uncreative ways. And yes, it takes little to no talent or effort to write crap like this. I just don't because I have morals.
Expected update: Next week!
