A/N: Hello, hello! I've returned with the last edited and written chapter to my AU. From now on, updates should range from three days to perhaps even a week if I'm busy which can happen at times. I apologize in advance if I break the update schedule!

7demigods: I'm glad you're enjoying it! And don't die! The next chapter's here!

Now, onto the story!

A Few Years Later.

Both his chocolate shaded eyes regarded her with cautious care; they watched her prance throughout the yard in obvious mirth. He observed her with a small smile playing on his lips as he sat himself on their front porch, placing his elbows on his knees. Her blonde hair gently whipped in the slight breeze as she tersely halted her pace, she glanced at him with a sweet grin. She waved at him whilst jumping up and down, stuffed pony in one hand.

"Come on, Marco! Let's play!" She chastised eagerly.

Marco shook his head, his features converted in concern. "Mom and dad aren't home, Star. I have to take care of you so...I'll just sit here." He explained alongside a tiny shrug.

Star pouted as she folded her arms over her chest with a huff, almost squishing her pony at her unnatural strength. "Just 'cause mommy and daddy aren't home doesn't mean you have to take care of me! I'm a big girl." She stubbornly told him as he rolled his eyes skyward in exaggeration.

"Being nine doesn't make you a big girl. Besides, I'm older so I can actually take care of you."

Star stomped her booted foot against the silky grass with a peeved frown lingering on her lips, "Nu-uh! You're nine, too!" She instantly retorted.

Marco jerked his head back and forth, "I'm a few months older." He simply said as if it were the simplest thing in the universe. Star dipped her gaze and mulled over his statement, finally she exhaled with a pair of annoyed eyes. "Fine. You can be all grown-up if you want. I'll have fun!" She teasingly stuck her tongue out at him with a giggle.

Marco smiled and watched her resume her playful mood with her toy pony, his smile slowly faltered as he fell into a void of thoughts.

Some people thought him to be quite protective over Star, especially as he got older. Though, he knitted his brows together, he knew Star wasn't his sister and she herself knew he wasn't her brother, despite what others told them. It was an obvious given that he loved her like family, however, he was well-aware they weren't related.

His parents had once explained how she was gifted to them by an angel, to say the least. Marco drank this explanation in, accepting it as if it were a certified fact. Though, now in days, he began questioning many things.

He loved her, no doubt, but he found himself wondering where she came from. He was puzzled as to why she held those odd pink hearts on her fair cheeks. Marco was curious of many things, one of them being his adoptive sister.

Marco flinched suddenly as he felt something soft hit against his creased forehead. Gently, he glanced at the object that had miraculously landed on his lap. His eyebrows rose as he recognized Star's pink pony, concern burned his throat as he glanced to see a large boy in a buzzcut taunting an upset Star.

Anger flared inside of him as he stood to his feet, one hand held the toy whilst the other clenched itself in annoyance. He inched toward the pair, their voices becoming audible to him as he came near.

"Gonna cry, Diaz? Huh?" The boy laughed as Star butted her brows together, her eyes firm.

"No, I'm not! Leave me alone, Lars!" Lars bent down to her height and grabbed her by the dress collar, yanking her close to him.

"You don't yell at Lars, Princess." He lowly murmured, his eyes hungry as he tightend his grip. Star's lip twitched a tad as he reached a hand down to pinch her cheek, "You think you're special 'cause you have those weird things on your face? They just make you look ugly." He cracked a sick grin as Star's eyes reluctantly watered.

Marco noticed the first signs of tears and felt something snap inside of him. "HEY!" He heard himself bark at the boy, slight fear prickled his mind like a cactus, though he pushed it away. Lars dropped his hold on Star who instantly ran toward Marco, grasping his hand for dear life.

Lars chuckled as he approached the pair, "You wanna be a hero, Diaz? Wanna save her?" He roughly shoved him. Marco staggered backwards, still clutching the toy and Star.

"She doesn't need a hero. She can save herself. I'm just gonna tell you to not mess with her." He coldly stared at Lars who smugly held the gaze. A car honked in the near distance, a familiar vehicle drove into the Diaz driveway. Lars peered at it and groaned, "You got lucky." He murmured as he hesitantly left, pushing the two before exiting their property.

Silence drifted between them like wind before Marco gently spared Star her pony, "Just for the record," he began smilingly, "I don't think you're ugly." He consoled as she glanced at him with innocent surprise tickling her features. She was quiet before throwing her arms around him in a hug.

"Thank you." She whispered.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! And thank you for reading!