It's been a while. School and other things will do that to you. I'm going to be swamped in November so I'll try to update as time goes on.

And I know I said that I'd respond to reviews in this chapter but...laziness kind of prevailed me. I'm sorry though.

I do not own SVTFOE.

"Something on your mind, princesa?"

Blinking as Marco's voice pulled her from her thoughts, she smiled as she curled even more into his form - her wings fluttering against his arm. She couldn't bring herself to nod, choosing to speak instead.

"It's nothing really," Star said, Marco's look towards her making her realize that he was expecting more than a "nothing". "It's just me thinking something dumb."

He shrugged slightly, passing a hand through her hair. "People say 'dumb' things all the time. Doesn't mean you can't say it." He glanced around the study, making sure no one was near their general vicinity and then fixed her with a look that showed that he wasn't going to let up until he found out what was bothering her.

She had to smile at that and shrugged, drawing herself up slightly and resting her head onto his shoulder. "I just...did I ever thank you?"

"...What do you mean?" Marco had a blank expression, save for the raised eyebrow. She shrugged, Marco's attention on her made her slightly uncomfortable and she was ready to shoot down what she was trying to explain. She opened her mouth, but jumped slightly at the familiar hands rubbing her arms comfortably.

"Go on." He urged, his brown orbs emitting a familiar warmth that she loved.

"Well," She picked at the ends of her hair. "Did I? You basically were with me from the beginning, from since I came to earth. You taught me earth lingo and looked out for me in any situations I didn't know too well in. You fought alongside me, defeating Ludo and his goons every single time..."

"Star..."

"Toffee!" She waved her arms wildly, her eyes wide. "You helped me with Toffee, even when I had to basically start all over with a 'new' wand and finding out new things when I got back to what seemed like square one. That...woman from St. Olga's - "

"Star, I -"

"Sometimes I think back to when I said terrible things to you." Her blue orbs were staring into his brown ones, as if searching for an answer. His grip loosened slightly at her gaze. "When I said I wondered why we were friends, how aggravating you were...and what that led to."

"Star -"

"Please," Star's eyes mirrored her tone. "Please let me finish."

He drooped slightly, passing a hand through his slightly disheveled hair. "Okay."

"...You got captured because of me. Because I said those stupid things, and wasn't paying attention and I made you face that alone."

Marco clenched his jaw, trying to refrain from saying anything because hell; he was this close to cutting her off but he tried for her sake.

"And you didn't have to be with me. You didn't have to fight with me, you didn't have to fight for me or stand up with me against all..that." She stopped her arm flailing and hugged her arms. "But you did. Why?"

Frankly, Marco had enough of being silent and opened his mouth to swiftly object and answer, but she continued.

"I don't know why," She gave an unsure laugh. "But, I was extremely thankful then and even now, I still am. And then you showed interest in me, the fact that you could stomach dating an other-dimensional princess was a shock to me, even after you saw what I faced and what I could face but you still wanted to. It reminds me that I just...I just don't deserve you."

Yep, he had enough. "Star -"

She turned to directly face him, placing a hand on his own, rubbing a thumb over his knuckles. "Sometimes, I think about the times where we almost didn't make it, or when you almost didn't make it. About what would've happen afterwards and how I never really thanked you and I really should."

"And," She shrugged, dropping her gaze to their intertwined hands. "Things have been going perfect, too perfect. And I kinda don't want anything to happen to make me realize how much times I could've really thanked you but didn't."

Marco's eyes softened as he listened to her words. "Star..."

"So what I'm trying to say is, thank you." She looked up, her blue eyes meeting his warm, brown orbs and tried to convey what she was saying in her eyes as well. "Thank you for standing by me, Thank you for being with me every step of the way and Thank you, for still being with me up to now and...I love you."

It was as if those last three words did him in, as immediately after she finished, he pulled her into a long and - if he was honest - well deserved kiss, his arms going to their respective places under the small of her back and behind her head to draw her close.

She sighed into it, her arms encircling around his neck to bring herself even closer - if that was even possible, and her wings fluttered silently on her back. As they ended it - if it wasn't for their need to breathe, they honestly would've gone on much longer - Star rested her forehead onto Marco's and whispered. "Thank you."

Marco gave her a small peck, resisting the urge to make it longer and gazed into her soft, blue eyes. "Now you listen to me, you don't need to thank me. You never had to."

"But -"

"You never had to." Marco forced. "But the fact that you always did, you currently are thanking me and that you feel the need to says a lot. And honestly, whether you asked or not, I would do anything for you. And...you shouldn't feel like you don't deserve me, if anything -"

"Oh no," Star shook her head. "No making yourself seem lesser than me."

"Star -"

"I will kiss you if you continue, Marco Diaz." She donned a mock-serious look before giving a giggle, the half-latino joining her.

"Well, I wouldn't have any complaints." Star rolled her eyes and he went back to giggling. "Of course you wouldn't."

"But seriously," Marco continued. "I would do anything for you. And the fact that you wanted to also date me was, and still is...great. I will always stand by you from now until...whenever we're both gone because," He shrugged, smiling. "I love you, I love you too."

Her eyes softened as she returned his smile, grasping him into a hug. He complied, kissing her forehead as she held onto him. They stayed in the company of each a little while longer until the grandfather clock in the study chimed six, and Star stretched out of his grasp.

"C'mon safe kid," She smiled. "It's dinner time. Mother and Daddy are expecting us."

Marco yawned and stood up, following after her. He gave a look of mock indignation. "Hey, I ain't no kid."

She snorted, closing the door behind them. "Well obviously, you don't kiss like one."

"But you still seem under the impression that I am one, want me to prove it?"

She blinked at that and smirked as she turned to face him, he was smirking as well with a raised eyebrow. She sighed good-naturedly and flicked his nose.

"After dinner, I can't function on an empty stomach."

Idk, I just really like writing mushy scenes between these two. It's shorter than the chapters before but only by a little.

Reviews would be nice.