The doorbell rang and Marco shot up, eyes aching, body twitching uncontrollably. Or was it the other way around? Marco was much too tired from his fight with Ryu several days prior. At the time the adrenaline and determination numbed his pain but the moment he got into his bed, his body cried out in agony as the various bruises and cuts began to form themselves on his body.
Of course he hid such things from Star. She would unnecessarily fuss and attempt to coddle and do everything for him which Marco did appreciate the gesture but it was unneeded.
Marco quickly discovered Star liked to take it upon herself to watch over him.
At first he thought it was because she was trying to keep her ticket to her happiness in good order for the upcoming fights. After all, Marco was only pretending to date her so he could become change the rules of the exes, disband them and she could be on her merry way to her dream life with Oskar.
But over the last 3 weeks that they had been "Dating" he noticed that Star wasn't trying to pamper him because of what he was doing.
Star just naturally liked helping people.
After the first time she visited him on campus, she noticed the several dozens of students forcing themselves to work through lunch just to ensure they were ready for the grueling classes. In subsequent visits, Star would bring food in the form of doughnuts, coffee, tea, random snacky foods and leave them at the library for anyone to snack on free of charge.
Marco often found her feeding the various animals that roamed the campus, petting and talking to them as if they had emotions, dreams, feelings while she waited for him.
And of course there was Marco himself.
They hung out often though not everyday as Marco's busy school schedule and Star's princess training usually collided against each other. But those moments when they did spend time together, Star was more than content to just stay in with him even though he could feel the strains of boredom and adventure calling to her. Marco had never been much of a go out and see the world person but since he wanted to make Star comfortable, he had been seeing a lot more of the town than he ever had before. Which admittedly wasn't the worst thing in the world.
Star was great, straight forward girl.
Marco shook his head the door bell rang again. He drowsily checked his phone and realized it was 9 in the morning so there was no way it could be the princess. She didn't wake up until 11 (Marco knew this first hand when he went to visit her at her apartment and find himself waiting 3 hours despite his calls and knocking.)
Marco let out an angry groan, vowing to himself that he would not murder whoever it was who thought to disturbing him on his only day off was a good idea (As a black belt, Marco legally had to register himself as a lethal weapon with the police.)
So racked with a dull pain, Marco made his way down stairs, trying to ignore the claustrophobic feeling he got whenever he walked down the tiny staircase.
He took a deep calming breath, rubbing his tired eyes before roughly opening the door, his disapproving face not change one inch once he saw who was on the other side.
"MARCO! You are alive buddy!" His best friend Ferguson shouted, trying to ignore the "I am totally going to kill you look" on Marco's face.
Ferguson was one of Marco's oldest friends from high school. Pudgy with orange hair and a really strange belief he was god's gift to women, Ferguson stuck with Marco through thick and thin. When Marco announced he was going to move to Canada to go to college, you could imagine his surprise when Ferguson and their other friends Alfonso and Janna moved alongside with him, surprising him at his college after his first day of school.
While outwardly Marco was annoyed at the idea his friends decided to tail him to not only to another city but another country, internally he was grateful he wasn't alone in this new place. It did mean a lot to him but it did not protect Ferguson from morning Marco's wrath.
"Hey Ferguson, what is it?" Marco mumbled, annoyance clear in his tone.
"MARCO BUDDY!"
"You said that already Ferg."
Ferguson shook his head "nah uh, I said Marco, you are alive! Totally different than Marco buddy"
Marco rubbed his eyes once more "What is it Ferguson?"
"Well I just wanted to take my best friend out! Go see a movie, get some lunch"
"I dunno, I'm a little short on cash..." Marco was lying but Ferguson didn't need to know that
"Don't worry buddy, it'll be my treat."
Marco's eyes narrowed. Now he knew Ferguson was up to something.
Well there was only one way to find out if a trap is a trap
"Okay Ferg, let me change and we'll head out."
Marco let out a yawn, the cold winter air biting into him as he curled deeper into his red hood.
"So what have you been up to? Haven't seen you in like years man!" Ferguson began as the pair walked down the snow covered streets.
Marco frowned, wondering when was the last time he saw Ferguson. It hadn't been years for sure but Marco was drawing a blank. Between ex fighting, studying and 'dating' Star, he was unable to recall the last time...
"Okay, more like two weeks but still..." Ferguson admitted
That was right! It had been their weekly pizza night, the day before he met Star and signing up for this crazy gig. No wonder Ferguson sought him out. He missed the last 2 pizza events.
"Sorry, I've been busy" Marco cryptically answered, unsure if he was okay with his friends finding out about Star. They would complicate things and assume and just be overall embarrassing.
"Busy? Busy with a gorgeous blonde if the rumors are true."
Marco flushed while his face took on a surprised look. He knew it! He knew this was a trap!
"Ugh, who has been spreading that around?" Marco frowned, wondering whose butt he was going to have to kick.
"Me" Ferguson said proudly "Caught you two watching a movie late a few nights ago. You two looked pretty cozy. Gotta admit though pretty ballsy wearing your GI on a date"
"Wait, you were at the movies?" Marco questioned.
Ferguson let out a hearty laugh, slapping Marco's playfully "Of course I was! I was on a date with smoking hot red head. You know the ladies can't resist the Ferg"
"Ferguson..." Marco muttered low
"Fine, fine I was with Alfonso. We got bored and you weren't answering your phone so we decided to watch a movie."
"Ugh, Alfonso knows too?"
Ferguson nodded "Yeah and he was eying your date. Be careful Marco, he might try to steal her away from you."
Marco shot a look of disbelief his way "Alfonso or were you eying Star?"
Ferguson's face broke into a playful grin "Ooooh Star? Is that her name?"
"I...just...it's not what it looks like!" Marco shouted in a panic, catching the attention of several passing people.
"Really? Cuz it looks like you finally got over Jackie"
Marco let out a groan of frustration "I..it...it isn't..."
"It's okay man, you looked really happy. I'm really glad you managed to find someone."
Marco stopped and processed Ferguson's words. He looked happy? He knew he had fun with Star but usually his face was locked in calm or pout mode. Marco didn't even know he could do happy.
"But you are in big trouble with the group! Janna and Alfonso are mad you haven't introduced her to us."
"Well..." Marco began, shifting uncomfortably under Ferguson's rare intense, disapproving gaze.
"So you must rectify this at once! We'll go to Luigi's pizza, bring her along! Everyone is dying to meet the girl who won safe kid's heart away from Jackie."
Marco glared at Ferguson "I am not safe kid! Stop calling me that!"
"It's agreed!" Ferguson ignored Marco's comment "You bring her around 5, see you then!"
and like some kind of overweight ninja, he was gone, disappearing in a whirl of snow and wind.
Marco stood there, mouth wide open as he came to the realization that not only that he had been played but he was also slower than his heavy friend.
5 o'clock rolled around and Marco was sweating bullets, wearing his usual black slacks, red hoodie and gray undershirt. Star was looking pretty in her pink snow jacket, black legging/sweatpants type clothing and thick snow boots, temporarily trading her devil horns for fluffy earmuffs.
"Why are you so nervous Marco?" Star asked cheerfully, marveling at the pizza place like she never seen one before.
Luigi's was a small place, easily crowded, barely fitting 20 or so people with a Donkey Kong arcade cabinet tucked away in the corner. Despite being the less famous twin brother of the world renown pizza maker Mario, people tended to prefer Luigi's pizza not only due to the fact that he was just as skilled as Mario
but also he was easier to relate to in comprehension to his seemingly bigger than life brother.
"They think we're dating. I...I dunno maybe this would get back to Jackie..."
Marco sounded so forlorn Star couldn't help but hug him, wrapping her arms tight around her faux boyfriend.
"Don't worry Marco, even if it does, when this is all over, I'll make sure you win over Jackie's heart!'
Marco smiled shyly, unaware his own arms were wrapping themselves around the blonde gratefully.
"Whoa, when Ferguson said Marco got a girlfriend that wasn't Jackie, I was sure he finally been slapped so much that he suffered permanent brain damage."
"She's pretty."
"She can hear you Alfonso."
"Star" Marco began warily "These are my friends. Ferguson" He pointed to an overweight, orange haired boy "Alfonso" The nerdy curly haired boy with glasses "and Janna" A beanie, skirt legging wearing girl with dark blue hair.
Marco held his breath. His friends were weird and he knew it. They made it a point to be weird. It was kinda their thing.
And while Star was weird, she...was a different sort of weird. A fun weird but a weird he couldn't put his finger on quite yet.
And Marco knew full well sometimes two different types of weird just didn't mesh,
"HI MARCO'S FRIENDS!" Star shouted cheerfully "I'm Star! Nice to meet you! HUGS!"
and like that any worry Marco had about his two lives intermingling vanished when Star gave the group a massive, wide arm hug, crushing his friends to death.
"I like her!" Ferguson said cheerfully, Alfonso nodding in agreement while Janna attempted to claw her way out of the blonde's grip.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad
"So" Ferguson began, taking a seat across from the couple "Did you guys kiss yet?"
Marco's face paled and turn bright red in embarrassment.
He took it back, this was going downhill very quickly.
Before Marco could even stammer out a response, Star cut in with a cheerful but firm grin, simply telling Ferguson "That is none of your concern."
Ferguson's eyes widen and for a moment Marco thought the beautiful friend ship was sinking into the inky abyss of well I never!
Until Ferguson's laugh began echoing through the small pizzeria.
"I like her! She is awesome!" Ferguson cried, motioning to Luigi that they were ready to order.
"Thanks! I like you guys too!" Star replied, lightly holding onto Marco's hand tenderly.
Marco flushed, still not used to this act of affection from...well any girl really.
"Wow, even got to hand holding huh?" Janna said, a twinkle of jealousy in her eyes "She must be something."
"Janna..." Marco warned but there was no stopping the Jan train
"I mean you haven't even been kissed or had a girlfriend and here you are holding a girl's hand. Growing up much Marco?"
"S-so how did you meet?" Alfonso cut in, eying the increased tension in Marco's shoulders.
"Oh at a coffee shop!" Star provided, smiling brightly despite the tension in the room "He was sitting there, being adorable."
Marco coughed awkwardly, not sure how to take being called adorable.
"So you are the one who made the first move right Star?" Janna asked "Because Marco here never would have the courage to do so himself."
"Hey!" Marco shouted, in a half playful, half angry way "maybe I did ask her! Maybe I decided to actually try and ask a girl out!"
"Did you?"
Marco's face flushed of all false bravado "W-well I-I mean..."
"I asked if the chair across from him was taken" Star answered "And he invited me to sit with him!"
The trio aww'd as one before a strange look overcame Alfonso's face.
"Wait, weren't you going to meet Jackie?"
"I..." Marco totally forgot that he subtly let it slip that he was going to the coffee house to meet up with Jackie before he received a text from the platinum blonde telling him she needed a favor from him.
"yeah, you were practically shouting it from the rooftops that you were finally going to talk to Jackie and you were gonna be sooooo smooth and win her over in a heartbeat" Ferguson added.
"I..I did not."
"Really, because half of the campus head you declaration of 'finally getting a shot' with your dream girl."
Marco sunk into his seat as Star looked at him curiously, some sort of matchmaking instinct written all over her face.
"But you have Star now!" Janna said, grinning slyly at the massive pizza that the green cap Luigi just dropped off at their table "and I think you two fit much better than you and Jackie"
Anger bubbled inside Marco's stomach
"Wait, you don't..."
"Yeah" Ferguson nodded, picking up a pizza and shoving a good chunk of it into his mouth, talking with his mouth full of the yummy food "ymou knmpow I nmever Llikmed Jmmamphackie"
"You never liked Jackie?" Marco was starting to feel of the sting of betrayal. His friends always encouraged him to talk to her over these last 10 years.
"No" Ferguson took a deep gulp, inhaling the pizza before speaking clearly "I mean it was obvious you liked her and she never really gave you any sign. Any okay come and ask her out."
"We share nods!"
"Psst" Janna scoffed "like that means anything. You and I nod all the time." and to prove her point, Janna did a quick nod towards Marco who responded automatically "See?"
"W-wait"
"And she never really talks to you. I mean you kinda just stand next to her for like ever and you both don't do anything. I think the least she can do is start a conversation going, get some chemistry bubbling or something. Me? I'm happy you found someone and you aren't gonna die alone"
Anger overflowed Marco's emotions as he shot up from his seat, his face etched into a scowl.
"For your information, Star and I are actually pr..."
"Marco, dear" Star tugged at his sleeve trying to get his attention. Marco turned to her, his rage evidently still boiling "Relax, it's okay"
"But..."
Star's bright blue eyes stared into his light brown ones, a wave of calm surging through him at the sight of the princess focusing solely on him
"It's okay"
"R...right." Marco took a seat once more, ashamed he lost control of his emotions like that. His lack of progress with Jackie had always been a source of discomfort for him.
"Whoa. Pretty, weird, able to stop a raging Marco and able to put up with his obsession with Jackie? She really is the best!" Ferguson cheered.
"Don't worry Star." Janna patted the fellow girl's arm in equal parts threateningly and compassionately "He'll get over Jackie sooner or later."
"BYE FRIENDS BYYYYE!" Star shouted after the retreating figures of Janna, Alfonso and Ferguson "NICE TO MEET YOU! SEE YOU SOON!"
Star let out a content sigh, sliding her arm through Marco's as they began to walk to Star's apartment.
"S-sorry about them." Marco said after a moment of silence "I know they are a little much..."
Star shook her head, squeezing his arm tenderly while patting his shoulder "They were fun."
"And thanks for calming me down" Marco smiled at her gratefully.
"Marco" Marco disliked how serious Star's tone became "We need to talk about letting others know about our actual relationship status."
"Oh? O-of course Star"
"You cannot tell anyone we're not really dating. If you do and it spreads, the Mewni officials won't count it and all this hard work would be for nothing."
"W-wait...I can't even tell my friends we're not dating? But what if Jackie finds out...?"
Star shook her head "You help me and I'll help you when this is done."
Marco pouted angrily "that's not even close to fair."
Star stopped him, looking sharply in his direction "You know what's not fair? Letting my exes control my life. And if I didn't like who they turned out to be, well tough luck! I can't break up with them!"
Marco's eyes softened "Wait...you can't..."
Star shook her head, bitter tears forming in the corners of her eyes "I can't break up with anyone I date. It's against the rules or something. Traditional Mewni bullshit. The guy has to dump me for me to be free to date someone else."
"So how did you get exes?"
Star let out a sorrowful laugh "They got tired of me and dump me when someone better came along. Well not Ryu. He left me because he wanted to focus on his training. But everyone else? They got tired of my bubbly, cheerful attitude and threw me away like trash. Too childish, too happy, too Star"
"Star..."
"I hate this situation and hate the stupid rules. I know you want Jackie but right now it can't be a thing. For what it is worth, I am sorry I'm keeping you from your true love. I really am and I feel terrible I even asked you to..."
Star was stopped in her tracks, Marco's arms wrapping around her tightly in a comforting embrace. Star let out a content sigh, holding onto her fake boyfriend. Marco never initiated hugs so this was an extremely sweet gesture from him.
"I...I'm sorry Star. I'm acting like a child and I forget you have it worse than me." Star smiled at the slight squeeze Marco gave her.
"It's okay. We all have our moments." Star whispered, getting sleepy in Marco's warm embrace.
The two parted, smiling brightly at each other as Marco offered his arm like a true gentleman and like a true lady, Star took it joyfully.
The pair walked comfortably, enjoying the moment of peace before curiosity began gnawing at Star
"Marco?"
"Star?"
"Why haven't you dated anyone other than Jackie?"
Marco was so silent Star thought she stepped over her boundaries. It was such an intensely personal questions and Star just asked point blank. It was really tactless of her and she...
"She's the one..." Marco mutter softly, clearly embarrassed about talking such a subject.
"Huh?"
"She's the one. I can feel it. You know that...that feeling where you just know you are supposed to be together?"
Star let out a humorless laugh "I don't know actually. Every time I thought I did, I turned out to be wrong. I know what you mean but I've been so bad at chosen my boyfriends that...well I can't relate."
"S-sorry"
Star shrugged, her true emotions covered by her calm demeanor but Marco saw right passed that "We all make mistakes. It happens."
"Anyway. She's the one...and she...I dunno I get the feeling she actually likes me but isn't sure what to do. Like me."
"But you are a great guy! Surely someone else has seen that?"
Marco shook his head sadly "N...nobody ever wanted me. Always picked second or last. The safe kid that just was undateable. Well not Jackie. She...we nod"
Marco let out a depressed sigh, memories from a time not that long ago coming back to him.
"Well I think you are great and if no one else sees that, they can eat unicorn poop!"
Marco couldn't but laugh at Star's comment "Unicorn poop?"
Star simply smiled at him as the two stopped in front of her door step.
"Well I'll see you later Star."
"Marco, wait"
Marco turned to the princess, surprised to see her cheeks covered in a pinkish tint, something he would've attributed to the cold if it wasn't for the fact her hearts were faintly glowing as well.
"Star?"
"So, if you never had a girlfriend...I take it you've never been kissed?"
"I...I totally been kissed! I mean I've done the kissing, with the lips and the..the..the the moving of the two people..."
"Marco." Star said firmly.
Marco sighed once more "No, I've...never been kissed. Pathetic right?"
Star shook her head "A kiss isn't just something you give to anyone, it's special and meant for only the specialiest of people.
Marco smiled "yeah...it is."
"Y-you know at some point we...we're going to have to kiss."
Marco was glad it was cold out because it covered up the fact he was blushing like mad.
"I..we...fake dating...and kiss...us...you...me...I...wow..." Marco ran his hand through his hair.
Star let out a strain smile, finding Marco's suddenly shy behavior just too cute.
"So..umm...did you want to now?"
Star was surprised at how direct he was and if she didn't know better, would've taken his question as he was calm and collected about this. But his darting eyes, labored breath and subtle twitching clued her in he was extremely nervous for his first kiss.
"M-maybe we should wait" Star began, waving her hands to stop Marco but Marco turned to face her, cheeks bright red from the cold.
"You..you said it yourself. We need to sell the lie and at some point we need...to..umm...yeah."
"But maybe this is a little too soon? I really didn't think this out, I never do and..."
"Star!" Marco interrupted "The sooner we do this, the...the sooner I can get better at it and convince people we're...umm...oh boy. We're a thing. A-and it'll be great practice for Jackie!"
"I guess when you put it that way." Star mumbled, turning to face Marco.
The air was thick as Marco began scratching the back of his head, unsure how to proceed with the kiss. Did he just lean in? Did he have to wait for permission?
"Marco"
Maybe there was some visual cue. Or Star would tell him?
"Marco!"
Was this even allowed? She was a princess of an entire land and he was just some random college student. Though now that he thought about, why weren't there guards watching the princess? Why exactly did she come to Canada?
"MARCO!"
Wait, what if he was horrible at this? What if he was so bad, Star rather break up with him than keep their fake relationship going? That would be really devastating to Marco's self esteem. Or the little he had.
Marco's brain slowed to a stop when Star's warm, gloved hands gripped his icy cheeks, bringing his face closer to the princess.
"Stop overthinking" Star told him simply "And just go for it."
Marco nodded, stunned by Star's wisdom as he went with his gut, closing his eyes as he leaned closer.
Star didn't know why the sight of Marco leaning in to kiss her was making her heart beat like a wild drum. Maybe it was due to the fact this would've been her first kiss since Tom. While he wasn't her true first kiss, she hadn't really done this sort of thing since then.
Star silently laughed at herself, realizing she was acting just like Marco despite all her advice for him to stop overthinking and just go for it. He was really starting to rub off on her.
Star closed her eyes, trying to ignore the tickling of Marco's breath on her lips, the cold air sending shivers down her spine.
She tried to keep her eyes shut as she closed the distance between them, unsure when exactly her lips would find his. The anticipation was making her nervous in a way she hadn't felt for a long time.
And then she felt it, the soft brush of his lips against hers.
The pair jumped back, blushing fervently while staring shyly towards one another.
"I...sorry. It...it caught me off guard how...soft your lips are" Marco told her, trying his hardest not to break eye contact with her.
"I-it's okay. It caught me off guard too" Star admitted. "W..we should try again."
Marco nodded, his words failing him as reality sunk in: he was about to have his first kiss.
They closed their eyes once more and began slowly inching closer and closer to each other, tension high, nerves overloading their senses.
The pair's eyes shut open as one as the quiet hum of electricity filled the air, becoming louder as something cut through the very air.
There was a loud hiss.
The two pulled away from each other, a bright blue beam of light narrowly missing removing Marco's nose from his face.
The beam effortlessly sliced down through Star's door, parting it down the middle as if it was made of butter.
Marco turned to find someone standing right next to them, his weird beam sword hanging lazily at his side.
The wielder of the strange light sword was just as weird as his weapon. He was a 20 something year old man, a red jacket, a white plain t-shirt, torn and well worn blue jeans ontop of some sneakers. His yellow tinted sunglasses hid his murderous blue eyes, his black spiky hair appearing to defy gravity.
Marco stepped in front Star, his arms outstretched in a protective manner, eying the weapon carefully. It looked like a lightsaber but it had some sort of back, guiding the energy into a form of a blade.
"Who the hell are you?"
The man smiled, watching the two like he was watching a comedy.
"I'm Travis, Travis Touchdown. Star's 2nd ex boyfriend. Hey, Buttercup, got anything to eat before I brutally murder your boyfriend?"
Travis Touchdown is the protagonist of No more heroes by one of my favorite developers Suda 51. A perverted, immature yet honorable Otaku who joins an assassin league, aiming for number 1 not only for cash but also a chance to have a private moment with his hot blonde coordinator. Armed with his beam katana, wrestling moves, he fights the most insane cast of bosses ever ranging from an old lady with a shopping cart cannon to a super model with a assault rifle as a leg to a professor who put his brain into a giant tank. a fun awesome game for the wii and ps3. Get ready for the big fight next chapter.