Starco vs Parenthood Introduction - These chapters can be read separately but they are all connected. It's always the same Star & Marco, same kids, same world.
This one tries to tackle an important subject, hopefully I didn't mess it up too much. This starts about 13 years after Cleaved but bounces all over the place, buckle up!
Favs, reviews, and constructive feedback are all really helpful. Thanks! (You have my consent to like and/or post a review.)
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Chapter 19 - Consent
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Outside the daycare Marco and his four year old son are in a new pink VW Beetle with 'CLOUDY' license plates.
"Hey big guy. Let me give that seatbelt a tug. Perfect. I'm happy to see that you can buckle all by yourself now."
"I can unbuckle too daddy!"
"Just wait until we get home to show me."
"Daddy, I like mommy's car. Smells like mommy's candy perf-ume."
"Don't get too used to it, my car should be all fixed and ready to pick up by the time we get home. So, did you have a good time at daycare today?"
"Yup! I did the biggest swing jumps ever. Almost touched the sky!"
"Nice. Just don't go so high that you get hurt when you land."
"I wanted to get to the clouds so I could ride one like you and mom used too."
"Yeah...so key to riding clouds, wait for them to come down to you. Or just ride in mom's car and pretend it's a cotton candy cloud, it really does smell like one."
"But I want to ride on my own cloud. Maybe-maybe I'll make friends with clouds!"
"Cloud friends that you can wave at from the ground sound perfect BUT, how about we talk about something else right now. I had a little talk with the teachers today."
"Was...was it about my hugs? After nap, teacher talked to me about hugs."
"Yes, we talked about your hugs."
"But I LIKE hugging my friends and they like my big hugs too!"
"I believe you. However, maybe one or two of your friends don't like them. They might also be too afraid to tell you because they don't want you to stop being friends with them."
"Daddy, are we going to have a portant talk...again?"
"Yes. Today's important drive home talk is about consent."
"But-but-but mom hugs all her friends and I want to hug all my friends too. That's how I show that I love them!"
"I understand and I love it when you hug me but, everyone is different. Some people don't like hugs. You might not feel this way but hugs make some people very uncomfortable. That is why you need consent. Consent means talking to the person you want to hug first and making sure they clearly say that they want it without pressuring them."
"You don't do that before you hug mommy."
"Believe me, your mom and I have had a LOT of long conversations about consent over the years. A whole bunch of them."
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Day Two
It's the second night after the Cleave and our two exhausted teenagers are upstairs in the Diaz home ready for sleep. Star is sitting in Marco's bed rubbing her temples while Marco is scrolling through the latest news on his laptop.
"I have to say Marco, this is the busiest day I've ever had that didn't involve us fighting bad guys or traveling to a different dimension. I should just have answers to the top five questions all printed out so I can just give them to people instead of having to repeat myself every few minutes."
"Actually, that's a great idea. In the morning we'll have a few hours before we need to head over to the Monster Temple Stadium for the speeches. Maybe we print something that we hand out as part of our statements on the Cleave. Consider it the start of that awesome autobiography you'll end up writing someday."
"Hrrph. -Hey Star, magic is gone so now go talk to fifty thousand people and start writing a book while you're at it.- Imagine how long of a book it'll be if I list all the people who are mad at us now. I hate how I keep having to explaining that Glossaryck and Hekapoo both thought destroying the magic was a good idea! And seriously, that guy today who was mad about us hurting the Pixie economy? I'd like to see him go work the Pixie Mines for a week! Arrgh! This just keeps getting better and better."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring you down. I'll be honest with you, there are a lot less people upset than I expected but those people who are upset are REALLY loud. I guess we can only hope that all the good stuff that comes from this wins them over someday."
"I sure hope so. Any good news out there that might make me feel better?"
"I love you and I still think everything you do is adorable. Is that good enough for you?"
"Cute Marco, very cute. I love you too but you know what I mean."
"I'm looking but a lot of the news is just people freaking out. Want me to read the headlines that are not about the end-of-the-world as we know it?"
"Yes please."
"Soooo...it looks like eight countries are reporting that empty Earth aquifers and shrinking lakes are being refilled. Even Mewmans are reporting that once dry wells are re-filling with water again. That's really good. Across the world no power outages have been reported other than those caused by monsters walking into power lines or Mewmans cutting down poles. Just a little education and that shouldn't be an issue anymore. Originally they though the Cleave was going to break all the power grids, water mains, and sewer pipes but everything seems to have worked out."
"I don't understand what any of those things are but that sounds great."
"Ah...no timetable yet for when all the online maps will be updated but they've started the process. The stock market recovered from yesterday's big hit and now they're predicting a 'Bull Market'. Something about Mewni residents becoming consumers for all sorts of Earth products."
"What's a Bull Market?"
"It's like Invisible Goats but with money. I think it's good but I don't really get it."
"Earth stuff is so weird."
"Oh, gold prices have fallen slightly because of the sudden supply changes. I think that one is going to hurt the mewmans until we have an exchange rate established, but again I don't really know all this financial stuff. Hey, this headline is interesting. Scientists confirmed that the planet is still the same size but they have no idea where the rest of Earth and Mewni went. That's a good question, it must have gone somewhere. Ah...this kind of sucks. Seems someone named Oann is trying to get an exclusive interview setup with Mina."
"I don't know who Oann is but that sounds awful. Anything not Cleave related? I think I'm hitting my limit."
"Ah...hold on...scrolling...scrolling...they are going to start baseball and cornball back up again this weekend. Some music star I never heard of is now going blonde, maybe she wants to look like you. Some celebrities I also never heard of are dating. Ah...a woman is pressing charges against her husband for...oh...OH. Well, I think I'm done reading headlines."
Marco closes the computer and starts getting into the sleeping bag on the floor.
"Hey, there's room up here for you. I mean you don't have too, but it was really nice sleeping next to you out in the forest last night even if we both had that same weird dream."
"..."
"Marco, you look like you saw a ghost. And not a grandma in the magic ghost, a really scary one."
"I just realized something."
Star let out a long sigh. "Are-are you mad at me? Corn! You're mad at me! I'm sorry, it's the whole boyfriend thing isn't it?"
"The whole boyfriend thing?"
"Since the Cleave I've been telling everyone that you're my boyfriend but I never actually 'asked you - asked you'. I just sort of assumed after everything...you know. You aren't mad at me are you?"
"Star, that's fine. As long as you want me I'm totally your boyfriend and you...you're my girlfriend. My girlfriend. Star is myyyy girlfriend. My-my GIRLfriend. Star Butterfly is TOTALLY my girlfriend." He smiled and looked a bit calmer. "You know, I've been wanting to say that for a long time and I've been thinking about it even more since the barn. I've just never taken the time to say it to myself. It sounds pretty good."
"Well, I like hearing it. So...I'm not forcing you but do you want part of the bed? Maybe a kiss goodnight?"
"Star, that last story got me thinking about us. What if we're asleep and I accidentally put my hand somewhere I shouldn't. I know we've been asleep next to each other a bunch of times but-well-"
"Marco! What did you read!?"
"The woman in that article found out that her husband would wait until she was really deep asleep and...and...things happened that he made videos of. Things he made happen without her knowing about them."
She raised a brow. "Things?"
"Things."
"Oh...OH! Thing-things?"
"Thing-things."
"That's awful!"
"Star, now that I'm your boyfriend I'm going to try to be the BEST boyfriend I can possibly be. I'd NEVER do what that guy did but what if touched you by accident I-I-"
"Marco! Snap out of it. How many times have we already hugged or fallen onto each other or fallen asleep on the sofa or-" Star just shook her head. "Alright, look at me Marco."
"..."
"Marco Ubaldo Diaz, while you are my boyfriend I give you consent to hug me whenever you want, kiss me when the mood is right, and to sleep next to me as long as there is room for you. If you end up accidentally touching something in a way I don't like I'll let you know but I'm not going to get mad at you over an accident. I trust you Marco. Do you trust me?"
"I totally trust you Star. Sorry, I just really don't want to screw up this whole relationship thing."
"You're not going to screw it up Marco, just be yourself. I'm sure if anyone screws it up it'll be me. Either way, I'm glad we're talking about this. Hey. Since we're already going over awkward questions, did you ever have this kinda conversation when you were dating Jackie?"
"No but we never did more than kiss or fall over while skateboarding. There was one time when I was reaching for a soda and I bumped her left...you know. I said sorry as soon as I realized what I did. She just laughed and told me that it was fine."
"Sounds like the same thing for me, just without the skateboarding, he was reaching for corn, and I slapped him instead of laughing."
"But it was an accident?"
"Total accident. It happened before you came back to Mewni and he apologized a ton."
"Alright."
"So, overall it sounds like we're starting from the same place."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Marco, I'm really tired right now. Once we're on the other side of this crazy week, month, whatever this ends up being...I'd like to talk more about boyfriend and girlfriend stuff. For right now if you want to be the best boyfriend possible, please just come here and be next to me. If you aren't beside me you-you're too far away."
After a meaningful nod Marco makes his way onto the bed and wraps his arms around his girlfriend for a big hug. Star's eyes immediately start to close as he places a kiss on her forehead. After a few shifts they settle against each other and fall fast asleep.
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Volcano
Almost half a year later, the night of Star's sixteenth birthday, the two are in the same room although it looks like Star has done some redecorating. The clock on the bookshelf has just hit 11 PM and a newly showered Marco is walking around looking for the t-shirt he was planning on sleeping in. Star is laying down in bed carefully watching him, a wide smile on her face.
"Star, have you seen my shirt?"
"What happened to that Neverzone Marco who would wear ripped clothing in the wintertime? I know it's December but it's not cold in here. You don't have to-"
"Ah! Here it is. Weird, it was under the air mattress. So what do you think? Did you have a good birthday?"
"It was great. You did an awesome job again with the cake and I was very happy to see that there was no hint of the Great Stump. I also liked how there was no big party this time, just family. It was nice."
"Well I love you, I wanted to make sure you had your special day even if you don't want it to be too special. I'm also glad you liked the photo album I made you. There are so many pictures of us together now it was hard to figure out which ones to put in. What did you think of that candy perfume assortment that my parents got you?"
"I liked it! The big question is, do you like it? You're going to be the one stuck smelling it on me."
"Might be a good idea to use those on days when you don't have time to shower after gym class."
"Thanks! Now I know when I'm NOT going to use them." Star let loose a cute giggle. "So-o-o...there was one gift I didn't open yet, maybe you can help me?"
"I-I thought you opened everything. You sure it wasn't a Christmas present for someone we haven't seen yet?"
"Nope. Marco, could you do me a favor and take your shirt back off and lay on the air mattress face down?"
"...oh-oh! Yeah sure, give me a second. Ah...like this?"
"Perfect, I'm just going to go wash my hands quick."
"A-are you going to rub my back or something?"
"Hmm, something."
Marco listens to the sound of running water coming from the bathroom as his girlfriend washed up.
"You know if you're tired you don't have to do anything like that, but yeah a back rub would be nice. I'm not sure how this is a present for you if I'm the one getting rubbed. I mean, it's your birthday. Shouldn't I be rubbing your back? Is that something you would like? I bet I could learn about massage online so I don't push down on a spot that would hurt you. Just research, you know massage research. Not like research-research just what muscles to avoid, you know what I mean. Maybe I can stroke your wings? Hey, you're being really quiet up there. Are you just going to let me ramble?"
With an devious smile on her face she began touching a single spot on his shoulder blade, giving it all her undivided attention.
"YEEAAAOOWWWW!"
"GOT IT!"
"STAR! NO! GET OFF OF ME! THAT WAS YOUR GIFT!?"
"Marco, it was so huge! It was like a zit volcano!"
"THAT WAS NOT OKAY! YOU DIDN'T EVEN ASK FIRST!"
"Turn back around, I want to make sure I got it all. Oh corn! That's a lot of blood."
"STAR I NEVER WANT YOU TO-"
* KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK *
Star makes a running jump into the bed while pulling the sheets over her head, the whole time barely containing a laugh.
"MARCO, EVERYTHING OKAY IN THERE?"
"YES MOM."
"DO I NEED TO REMIND YOU TWO OF THE PROMISE YOU MADE MOON ABOUT SHARING A BEDROOM BUT NOT SHARING A BED?"
"NO MOM, NOTHING LIKE THAT WAS HAPPENING."
"IS STAR CAUSING A PROBLEM? FROM MARIPOSA'S ROOM IT SOUNDED LIKE STAR MIGHT BE DOING SOMETHING SHE SHOULDN'T BE DOING. YOU KNOW IF RIVER FOUND OUT YOU TWO WERE GETTING HANDSY HE WOULDN'T BE TOO HAPPY."
"NO MOM, STAR JUST POPPED A PIMPLE ON MY BACK AND IT HURT. A LOT!"
"OH. AREN'T YOU THE KID THAT USED TO FIGHT MONSTERS ALL THE TIME, I THOUGHT YOU COULD HANDLE A LITTLE PAIN?"
Marco hears more of Star's giggles coming from under the blankets.
"IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL MOM, I JUST WASN'T EXPECTING IT."
"DID SHE GET IT ALL? DO YOU NEED ANY HELP? I CAN GET THE REST IF YOU NEED HELP."
"NO MOM."
"I HAVE SOME TOOLS I CAN USE."
"I'M ALL SET MOM, I JUST NEED STAR TO GET ME A BAND-AID."
Removing the covers, Star sticks her tongue out as she walks to the bathroom making sure to give Marco a playful kick in the ribs while walking by.
"ALRIGHT. IT'S LATE, MAKE SURE YOU KIDS GET SOME SLEEP. LOVE YOU."
"NIGHT MOM. LOVE YOU TOO."
Marco returns to his original position, laying face down on the air mattress. Star sits on top of him while applying a Band-Aid on the now empty volcano. She then lays across his back and begins to slowly run one of her fingers up and down his right arm.
"It made a noise Marco. For real, I heard it pop."
"I can still feel it pulsing."
"Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah. I'll be fine. I was just surprised. I guess we surprised my mom too. I wonder if she thinks we've been...you know."
"Lots of people think we have. Some of our friends still think that is how we made the Cleave happen."
He let out a deep breath. "Yeah."
"Sorry, I should have asked first before squeezing that. I won't surprise you like that again."
"Thanks. I completely wasn't expecting it."
"Hey, I want you to be honest with me. Did I get your hopes up that something else was going to happen?"
"I thought we might start doing...something...yeah. It's totally fine though. I'm actually worrying about what might happen when we do."
"We've been together awhile now. Maybe this would be a good time to start talking about it. But first, what exactly are you worrying about?"
Marco sighed. "I worry that if we start doing things I'm going to be awful. I've read some stories that are written from a woman's perspective and it sounds NOTHING like what you see in the movies. I want whatever we do to be awesome for you, but I'm going to have no idea if I'm doing anything right. It's going to be like I'm driving a sports car two hundred miles an hour when I've never had a driving lesson. I'm just going to crash and burn. Peeew-boom."
"I never thought of myself as a sports car before or being driven. I'm not sure how I feel about that."
"It might not be the most politically correct analogy but when it comes to girlfriends, you're the fastest little blonde convertible that's ever been made."
"I guess I'll take that as a compliment. Funny, when it comes to cars I've always been partial to those cute little round ones that have an X with wings in a circle."
"X with wings in a circle? Anyway, I'm worried that I'm going to let you down."
"Hmm...you, the great Marco Diaz, let ME down?"
"Yup."
"I see. Marco, I have an idea."
"Does it involve popping pimples on my back without asking?"
"Totally-totally-totally better. I'm thinking about karate."
"Karate?"
"Kar-at-taa. Here's my idea. Think about all the practice you did to prepare for your last belt test. What if you and I did the same thing? This time next year we'll both be seventeen and when we think the timing is right we'll talk about having our own belt test. Maybe wait until eighteen if you're really-really worried. Until then we practice our karate with each other. We figure out what we like, how to make each other happy, massage if you want, all that stuff. Then when we have our belt test together we'll rock it, just we won't be wearing any belts. What do you think of that Marco-san?"
"You think we're ready for all that?"
"I'm ready to see if we're ready, and if we're not ready we just put the whole plan on pause."
"Hmm. You know in karate there are a lot of belts."
"Are you thinking that we should start with something simple like a backrub or a foot massage belt?"
"Maybe a wing touching belt?"
"Perfect! Just don't break up with me anytime soon, I'd hate for us to have all this practice but never have our final test."
"Star, I'm not going anywhere. I really like us being us. But what if I'm still not very good even with a year of practice? I really don't want to disappoint you."
"Excuse me, mister I survived alone in the deadly Neverzone until I was thirty. Mister I traveled to a different dimension and became Mewni's first human knight in less than a year. Mister I survived being best friends with a magical princess who used me for spell practice. Mister I'm taking some college classes while all the other kids my age are just juniors in high school. Marco, when something's important to you, you always work as hard as possible to be great at it. That's one of the things I love about you, you never half-ass the important stuff. I'm completely serious about this, as your girlfriend I feel really fortunate that making sure I'm happy is this important to you.
If anything I think you should be worried about what else might happen. I mean we merged dimensions with just a hug, if you're TOO good we might end up warping time and space? What if we end up being so good that we bring magic BACK? Think about that one Mister Diaz."
"I know you're teasing me but I'd like to avoid changing the fate of the world...again. So-o-o just to be clear, does this mean that you're okay with us starting to do some things together?"
"Marco Ubaldo Diaz, when your parents aren't home and the mood is right, I give you permission to practice with me until we have this all figured out. I trust you and I know when we're finally ready to move on from practicing, we'll be awesome. I'd actually start practicing with you right now but I don't think your mom isn't going to bother knocking next time we make a loud noise in here."
After placing a quick kiss on top of his head, Star turns out the light and does another running jump into bed. Once settled she pokes a foot out from under the blankets and gives Marco a toe wave. He reaches over to give her last little piggy a tug before they both pull their limbs back under the respective blankets and close their eyes.
"Love you."
"Love you too."
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Respect
Almost two years after the Cleave seventeen year old Star and Marco are making their annual appearance on the Pony Head Show.
"WELCOME BACK EVERYBODY TO THE BEST SHOW EVERRR, THE PONY HEAD SHOW! OH COURSE YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT BUT SOME OF YOU DO NEED TO BE REMINDED. HEY, LOOK WHO I HAVE WITH ME TODAY! MY BESTIE B-FLY AND THE EARTH TURD THAT SHE IS SOMEHOW HAPPY DATING, EARTH TURD!"
"Pony, you promised you would be nice."
"I MEAN MARCO! THEY ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE ARE WEEKS AWAY FROM THE TWO YEAR CLEAVE-A-VERSERY AND THEY ARE OUR RESIDENT CLEAVE EXPERTS, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING. CAUSE THEY WERE THERE! YOU KNOW WITH MEWNI AND EARTH MERGED I NOW HAVE TWICE AS MANY FANS. THAT'S KINDA THE BEST PART OF WHAT HAPPENED, WOULDN'T YOU AGREE STAR? ALSO STAR, YOU SMELL EXTRA YUMMY."
"Thanks Pony. Hi everyone! I do agree that there are a lot of other unexpected good things that came from the Cleave. Hopefully we get to talk about some of them today!"
"HEY! BEFORE WE GET ALL DEEP OVER HERE ON THE PONY SHOW, GAME-TIME-COUPLES-EDITION! SO BEFORE THE SHOW I ASKED STAR TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO ASK MARCO THOSE SAME QUESTIONS TO SEE IF HE GETS THEM RIGHT. NO PRESSURE EARTH TURD!"
The young man let out a sigh. "This isn't going to end well."
"FIRST QUESTION. WHAT IS STAR'S FAVORITE MEMORY ABOUT ME, HER -BEST- FRIEND?"
"Well, Star has talked a number of times about how you were her best friend growing up so I'm going to guess, playing together as kids."
"GOOD ANSWER TURD. B-FLY WHAT DID YOU WRITE DOWN?"
"Hanging together as kids! Good job hun!"
"YOU TWO MUST TALK ABOUT ME ALL THE TIME SO THAT WAS AN EASY ONE. LET'S SEE HOW YOU DO ON THIS ONE. TURD, WHAT FOUR WORDS CAN YOU SAY TO STAR THAT ARE GUARANTEED TO MAKE HER HAPPY?"
"Four words? Ah...that's a tough one. Can't be I love you, since it's only three...ah-"
"HURRY UP TURD, THIS IS LIVE TV YOU KNOW."
"Down comes the zipper?"
"Marco!"
"T-M-I EARTH TURD! THIS IS A FAMILY SHOW! STAR WHAT WAS THE ACTUAL ANSWER?"
"I thought Marco would say, 'I love you Star'."
"Oh yeah! Sorry, I sort of panicked there."
"It's alright hun, you almost had it. For folks out there who might not know there was this time in the magic when Marco had all this pudding and-"
"STAR! FAMILY SHOW, FAMILY SHOW! WE ALSO WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED 'PONY IS COMING OVER'. LAST QUESTION FOR EARTH TURD, IF THERE WAS ONE THING YOU COULD CHANGE ABOUT STAR WHAT WOULD IT BE?"
"It would have to involve cleaning up since we share a lot of spaces and I'm a little more concerned with keeping things organized then she is. So, yeah, I wished she cleaned up better."
"CRITICIZING THE GIRLFRIEND ON A LIVE BROADCAST, NOT A GOOD SIGN FOR THE CLEAVED COUPLE! STAR WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
The young woman lowered her head showing her disappointment. "I said, 'We talk about things that bother us but Marco would never bring anything up like that in front of everyone, much less on the Pony Head Show.'"
"OUCH!"
"Sorry Star, I wasn't thinking."
"Yeah. How about we talk about this when we get home?"
"NOW THAT WE GOT MY FAVORITE COUPLE UPSET AT EACH OTHER, LET'S TAKE QUESTIONS FROM MY FANS! I THINK THIS FIRST ONE IS FOR THE TURD, 'ARE YOUR CREDIT CARDS JOINT ACCOUNTS?' SIGNED, ASKING-FOR-A-FRIEND."
"Janna, please return my wallet and all my financial paperwork. I'm going to be taking out a bunch of loans for school next year and messing up my credit rating would be a really bad idea."
"BORING! THIS IS FOR YOU STAR, 'WERE YOU HAPPIER WHEN YOU WERE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRINCE OF THE UNDERWORLD AND CAN I HAVE HIS NUMBER?' SIGNED, HOPEFUL-FOR-HOT-LOVE."
"Marco and I are a totally awesome fit, other than him being a clean freak, so I'm totally happier now. That said, Tom is a really great guy. We just weren't right for each other. As for his number, I'm just not sure if I can give out since he -might- be dating someone right now."
"NOTE TO MY CREW, BOOK TOM ON THE SHOW SO WE CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF HIS NEWEST DRAMA. I LOVE DEMON DRAMA!
ALRIGHT, NEXT. 'I'M A FORMR MONTER HECHMEN AN HAVIN TROOUBLE FIDING WORC. ANY SUGESTONS?' SIGNED, BEAD-DEEER. BORING QUESTION AND LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE COULD USE SOME HELP WITH SPELLING. I ASSUME YOU WANT TO ANSWER THIS ONE EARTH TURD?"
"Sure. There are a few programs out there to help teach job skills to monsters. If you call the Greater Mewni business office they can direct you to them. Also I've heard that there are a number of construction companies that are employing monster crews so that might be an option. The last thing I'll mention is that some of the local colleges are managing mentorship opportunities where anyone originally from Mewni can learn an Earth trade from a licensed Earth professional. I think if you call the Echo Creek Community College they can get you connected to that program."
"VERY INFORMATIVE. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE OPTIONS OUT THERE PEOPLE.
OH, I LIKE THIS QUESTION. 'WEDDING PLANS IN THE FUTURE? KIDS?' SIGNED GRANDPARENTS-OR-BUST. WHO'S TAKING THIS ONE?"
"I can start. Star and I love each other but we're focusing on school and just being teenagers right now. Maybe someday we'll start talking about what happens once we're done with college but we aren't there yet. That said, I'd like to have a family and I think Star feels the same way. Am I right Star?"
"We're just dating and I'm totally-totally not thinking about popping the engagement question. Nope...not thinking about it at all. Nope. Next question!"
"STAR, YOU LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU NEED ME FOR WEDDING PLANNING. DON'T FORGET THAT MAID OF HONOR PACT WE TOOK BACK WHEN WE WERE SEVEN. I'M HOLDING YOU TO IT.
NEXT, 'IS IT TRUE THAT YOU HAD A KID AT 15? WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING SECRET TEENAGE PARENTS? STAR, IS THAT WHY THE PRINCE OF THE UNDERWORLD BROKE UP WITH YOU?' SIGNED, WE-KNOW-THE-TRUTH.
NOW I DON'T THINK THIS IS TRUE BUT...YOU HAD MAGIC STAR, YOU COULD HAVE USED IT TO MAKE US ALL FORGET THAT YOU AND THE TURD HAD A KID. KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? YOU TWO WERE 'HANGING OUT' A LOT BACK THEN AND I MEAN, 'A LOT-A LOT'."
"Pony!"
"JUST SAYING, MAGIC!"
"Sorry, that rumor is NOT true. I bet Marco will be a great dad someday but, I can confirm that I've never had a kid and that little girl really is Marco's sister."
"FANS, BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT TO BELIEVE! HOWEVER, WHAT STAR IS SAYING IS PROBABLY TRUE.
HERE IS ANOTHER WEIRD ONE, 'RUMOR HAS IT THAT IF YOU TWO BREAK UP, EARTH AND MEWNI WILL SEPARATE AGAIN AND MAGIC WILL RETURN. CAN YOU TWO PLEASE JUST TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM AND MAKE EVERYTHING THE WAY IT WAS?' SIGNED, MISSING-THE-MAGIC. WHAT DO YOU SAY STAR?"
"No, sorry. That's not how it works."
"SOUNDS LIKE STAR LOVES HER MAN TOO MUCH! GOOD FOR YOU B-FLY, STAND UP FOR YOUR -LOVE-. YOU KNOW, HE HAS GOTTEN TALLER AND HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN WORKING OUT. YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AS TURDY AS YOU USED TO MARCO."
"Thanks?"
"NEXT QUESTION, 'DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY MAGICAL BEINGS THAT YOU'VE KILLED?' SIGNED, ONE-OF-MINA'S-FRIENDS."
The couple gave each other the here-we-go-again look.
"DON'T ANSWER THAT ONE GIRL, PONY GOT THIS. HEY LOSER! STAR HERE SAVED A LOT OF MONSTER LIVES! GET OVER IT! SURE WE LOST THE MAGICAL HIGH COMMISION AND A LITTLE BLUE GUY BUT TWO OF THOSE FOUR AGREED THAT DESTROYING MAGIC WAS A GOOD IDEA. LIVES SAVED INCLUDE EVERY SINGLE MONSTER YOU'VE EVER SEEN AND LIKELY ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT THOSE MONSTERS!
SORRY STAR, I MIGHT NEED TO HIRE A NEW INTERN. HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER THEN TO LET THAT KIND OF QUESTION THROUGH."
"It's okay Pony, we hear that one all the time."
"ALRIGHT, NEXT ONE. 'STAR WHY NOT BE A PRINCESS?' SIGNED MISS-SEEING-YOU-IN-FANCY-DRESSES. NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A GOOD QUESTION. STAR, YOUR MOM HAS THE TITLE OF CO-QUEEN OR WHATEVER. WHAT'S UP WITH DISSING THE PRINCESS TITLE?"
"Basically we're in a new world now and those old rules about who should rule over Mewni don't apply anymore. The next leader of Greater Mewni shouldn't be decided by who their mother is. Make sense?"
"STAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR HEAD BUT I KNOW I WANT TO SEE MY PRINCESS BACK. YOU TOTALLY DESERVE IT. I'D EVEN SAY THAT YOU DESERVE BEING PRINCESS MORE THEN EARTH TURD DESERVES THAT TITLE OF BOYFRIEND THAT YOU GAVE HIM, KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING."
"Pony!"
"JUST-SAYING.
LONG QUESTION HERE. 'I'M A MEWMAN WITH A HUMAN BOYFRIEND AND SOMETIMES HE ASKS ME TO DO THINGS THAT I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH. WHEN I SAY NO HE MAKES ME FEEL GUILTY. HE ALSO SAYS I'LL NEVER BE AS GOOD AS HIS PREVIOUS HUMAN GIRLFRIEND. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE HIM HAPPY?' SIGNED, MS. CONFUSED. STAR, THIS QUESTION COULD BE DESCRIBING YOU TWO. DID YOU SUBMIT THIS ONE?"
"No Pony, Marco would never be like that! To Ms. Confused, it doesn't sound like you're in a healthy relationship. Using Marco and I as an example, we're always talking about what we're comfortable with. I mean sometimes I feel guilty if I let Marco down, like when I lost his laptop in the fridge, but neither one of us ever makes the other feel guilty about saying no or setting limits. Seriously, if you are doing things that make you uncomfortable because he guilts you, that's not real consent. I'm not you, but I don't think I'd want this person to be my boyfriend. If you do decide to stay with him and he does something like this again, the best advice I can give is to punch him in the nuts and then dump him."
"I don't know Star, I kind of disagree."
"Wha-what? Marco, why would you disagree with that!?"
"Well, you can get a lot more power with a kick then with a punch. A knee would also be more effective. You want to make sure you do something involving upward motion. Punching would normally be downward unless he was above you. If he is above you then punch away.
Ms. Confused, I'm going to add on to what Star said. It sounds like he isn't treating you like an equal. For Star and I the key to making our relationship work has always been communication and respect. You might think that prioritizing these would be hard, but if you care about each other it should happen naturally. Maybe Star and I have the benefit of being best friends before we started dating, but we have always treated each other the way we would want to be treated. The few times when Star and I have hurt each other it has always been because of miscommunication. For me, my biggest regrets with Star have been the times when we didn't talk about our feelings and it led to us both getting hurt. Like us waiting so long to talk about how we felt about each other.
There are nights when Star falls asleep and I'll just look over at her face and watch her. I know this sounds creepy but I lie there and think about how special she is to me, how lucky I am that we're together. I know our souls aren't technically bonded, but it feels like they are. I've found that I'm only happy when she's happy. When she gets hurt, I'm hurt too. If I said things to Star like your boyfriend said to you I'd risk losing her and I don't want to imagine a world where we aren't together. Does that make sense? If he really loved you, him acting the way you describe would hurt both of you.
Sorry, I might have gotten off topic there, but I agree with Star. You should think about dating someone else."
"Aww, you did good hun." The former princess wiped a small tear that had formed in the corner of her eye. "That was beautiful. You are totally right about everything you just said."
"Thanks, it's just the truth. I love you Star."
"DEEP WORDS EARTH TURD. THERE YOU HAVE IT MS. CONFUSED. I'LL GO BACK TO WHAT STAR SAID, IF YOUR MAN IS MAKING YOU FEEL GUILT ABOUT CONSENT, DUMP HIS ASS AND GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO REMEMBER YOU BY!
ARE YOU TWO KISSING? FAMILY SHOW STARCO! FAMILY SHOW!"
.
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Candy Corn
About five years later, Star is in a small medical office trying to breastfeed her two-day-old infant daughter while Marco paces back and forth.
"I'm worried Marco, what if they're never going to work right? I know we can use formula, but I want to do what's best for her."
"Star, you and the baby are still learning. It'll be fine. Maybe your milk ducts are just a little slow."
"It's just disappointing. I've spent how many years carrying these girls around on my chest and now that I finally need them they're totally letting me down!"
"Star, your going to do great. Just a short conversation with an expert and you two will be good to go."
"Hmm, you know Glossaryck was an expert and how helpful was he? Oh! Oh! Look, I think she's on the right way now! Finally it doesn't hurt!"
.
A minute after the baby has latched on correctly, a nurse enters the room.
"Hi, thank you for seeing the three of us today."
"It's no problem. I'm just sorry that the lactation consultant isn't available right now, but I'm one of the nurses. Maybe I can help with your questions?"
"Yes well, my husband Marco and I are concerned that I'm not producing enough milk. She has lost some weight since the birth and it seems like she isn't always latching on right. On top of that I haven't been able to get much milk out myself."
"Let me take a look. She looks like she has a good tight seal right now and I can see that she is swallowing. Can you take her off for a second so I can check something?"
"Yeah sure. Ah...here you go."
"Let's see if we can reach your husband."
After grabbing Star's left nipple and giving it a quick pull, milk arcs through the air landing on Marco's cheek and chin.
"Looks like you're doing okay with production. Do you have any other questions?"
.
With a sleeping baby in the backseat, the stunned couple sit in their car staring at each other.
"Star, did she even ask first?"
"She never asked!"
"We paid someone money to milk you?"
"I was milked!"
"Weird thing, it didn't taste that bad. It was sweeter than I expected."
"Wait! You tasted it!?"
"Not a lot but she did get me in the face. Haven't you tasted it?"
"No...should I?"
"Looks like the girl has had enough so if you have any more to spare you should. Hey, if you're not going to have any yourself-"
"NO! NO-NO-NO! I do NOT consent! I did NOT consent to being milked by a stranger and right now any milk I make is ONLY for our baby! Got it!?"
"Got it. So you'll let me know if anything changes?"
"Can we PLEASE just head home?"
"Would you mind if we stopped at the store to pick up a few things? I was thinking chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, maybe some-"
"If you're trying to see if I make chocolate milk you are SO getting punched!"
"Never mind, we'll just head home. Maybe this is all in my head but it kind of tasted somewhere between cotton candy and maybe candy corn. Didn't your wand taste like candy corn?"
Star lowered her head in frustration. "I'm totally cutting back on sweets."
.
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Marco finishes his daydream and turns his focus back to the four year old in the backseat.
"So daddy, do I always need to ask first before hugging? Even when I hug sis?"
"Yup, you always need consent. Maybe someday you'll meet someone who says that you can hug anytime you want, but for right now the only people you can hug without asking is your mom and I. Got it?"
"Okay daddy, if it's not you and mom I'll ask for con-nent."
"Thank you."
"Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"It's really nice having a mommy who I can hug whenever I want and-and I like that she smells like candy."
"I agree buddy, I agree. I'm glad we talked about this too. I totally forgot, she doesn't just smell like candy."
.
.
Yeah, so that story happened. I'll leave it to your imagination to guess which parts of this are based on real life events, there are several.
Thank you to all the people who have hit fav on this story so far and have been sending me messages! Knowing that other people enjoying these does help keep me motivated. - Olin
EDIT: When I wrote this I thought Star's birthday was 12/2 (the day 'Stump Day' aired) however I've since learned that her birthday is more likely to be 12/26 (Eden's birthday). I made a few adjustments to account for this but as you might guess the story is the same.
The previous chapter, Future-Do-Over ended up winning. Thank you judges and everyone who is into this whole SVTFOE reading/writing/art hobby! I look forward to the AMA, local parades, and key to the city. My Star congratulated me for officially be king of the nerds! - Olin