Chapter Text
That eternal moment was interrupted when the melody got a faster rhythm, causing Star and Marco to stop seeing each other again. The crowd was huge and for a few more long minutes the melody finally stopped.
"Wow, what a drastic change." With a smile on his lips, and a very satisfied expression, Tom leaned his hands on his knees. His body was half bent, trying to control an accelerated breath.
"Tell me about it." Just like him, Star was panting. "If you don't mind, Tom, I'm going to drink something fresh and get some air. I'm sorry I didn't keep you company at the next dance," she was being honest.
"No problem at all, Star. Do you want me to accompany you?"
"I don't mean to sound rude, but I need a few moments alone." she smiled softly.
Tom gave her the same smile back. Giving his consent, he kissed her on the cheek before going off to meet Janna who was sitting alone in a chair near the entrance to the ball. Satisfied that Tom wasn't too insistent, she went astray from the crowd and decided to go to the terrace for some air. The air was mild and pleasant. Star closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to taste the summer aroma. Then, slowly, she opened her eyes and was glimpsed by the landscape. She had been in Mewni for a few months now but hadn't had time yet to admired the nights she liked so much. The stars shone brightly in the sky. Some lights away from the city left a magnificent glow, but the moonlight reflected on the great lake was what caused Star's breathing to be suspended. She didn't know if it was because she was in love and her mind was more open to appreciate certain things, but in fact that landscape amunished her state of mind.
"Beautiful!" she whispered
"I agree!"
In a quick turn back, the blue eyes reflected the image she most wanted to see.
"You have to stop scaring me, Marco!"
With her hand on her panting chest, her eyebrows joined in fury.
“Sorry" In a shy smile, he scratched the back of his head.
"What are you doing here? Kelly must be looking for you," whether Marco had interpreted it or not, her words came out a little roughly.
"I needed to get some fresh air." Marco replied with sincerity. "Besides, I informed Kelly before I came here."
Passing through Star, Marco approached the balcony ledge and laid his hands on the cold marble. His brown eyes admired the surrounding landscape, while a soft breeze shook his hair. "It really is a magnificent landscape.”
"Yeah." Star agreed and stood beside him, also leaning her hands on the cold marble. "Help me relax." She smiled.
"Finally, a sincere smile." Star looked at him.
"You're a good observer," she laughed in a shy laugh.
"It's about time I got the Star I know back."
At such words, her expression changed radically, as her gaze was once again placed on the landscape. Then she sighed deeply. Although her heart wanted to come out of her chest, the nervousness made her hands tremble and, thanking for the luminosity of that place not being the best, her face being warm and red, she had to be sincere once and for all. Star would know she could lose the friendship she had with Marco, but she couldn't lie anymore.
"Joyful Star had died since the curse was broken. During these two weeks I fed my suffering."
"Why did you do such a thing to yourself?" Unbelievable, Marco already knew she wasn't doing well, but putting on a false smile for so long, he never thought Star would do such a thing. "I thought things with Tom were good."
Star sighed one more time. Diverting her attention again to her friend, her blue eyes did not deviate from his brown eyes.
"Marco, I'll be honest with you. I... I have no feeling for Tom. At least not romantic," one of her hands went to the encounter with her forearm, in a way to control her nervousness. Saying those things was costing her. "I thought I might fall in love with him again, but the reality is different."
"Star..." Marco shared the same pain as her. It might not seem that way but seeing his friend's suffering would defeat him more than having to tell Kelly the truth.
"The truth is that I love someone else. I thought maybe things would change, but my heart speaks louder, and I can't deny it anymore." The tears wanted to come out. At all costs, she tried not to form them in her eyes, but the task was hard to keep up.
At the same moment, Marco stepped forward, shortening the distance between them. His hands went towards her, where he grabbed them and interlaced his fingers with those of Star. Faced with this situation, she blushed even more. Her blue eyes remained fixed on his.
"The curse had no effect on me, Marco. My feelings for you have always been genuine. I never stopped loving you. However, I cannot force you to do anything. The dance, I remember it. I never forgot it."
"Neither have I."
"What?"
"The curse had no effect on me either. I remember the dance well."
"So, but you told Tom that..."
"I lied!" he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, cursing himself for not having spoken much early.
At that moment, Star's tears began to flow. She let go of his hands.
"And why didn't you tell me? Why did you fake all this? For two weeks I suffered from doubt. I suffered with my feelings, trying at all costs to stop it and stay as yours..." Her words were interrupted, sealed by the touch of his lips on her lips.
The surprise kiss went deep. That kiss was not the same as the one they had shared. That kiss had all the feeling the two of them didn't say in words. Broken, after seconds, Marco hugged her.
"Sorry Star. I never thought I could hurt you that much. I thought you really liked Tom, so I decided to start dating Kelly, trying to forget my feelings."
"I love you, Marco."
Breaking the hug, Marco took his hands to Star's face, who despite the tears, was now showing a graceful smile, and kissed her once again.
000
The rest of the dance ended fluidly. Marco and Star decided to join their partners again, but this time with a calmer heart. The suffering was over, now they had to talk to Tom and Kelly about the evolution of things. They had decided to stay as a couple and friends and would have to be honest with their current spouses.
The next morning, Star was still sleeping calmly. She had fallen asleep late as she had been talking to Tom. Though sad, he understood the situation, and deep down, Tom knew that the two still liked each other. He had every right to be upset that Star was not sincere in the first place, but for what? It wouldn't do any good. The only thing he asked for was to stay away from events related to the castle for a few days, so he could clear his head a little and keep his ideas in order. In addition, Janna had proposed to help him through this bad situation. However, Star knew it was an opportunity for her friend to learn more about the underworld she loved so much. However, Star hoped that that friendship would emerge more and then Tom would have someone who really liked him. It might not seem so, but Janna showed some interest in him.
"Good morning, Sunshine!”
A kiss on her hair made Star slowly opens her eyes.
"Good morning," returning the compliment, she yawned next.
"Tough night, huh?"
"I was talking to Tom for at least two hours. Besides, we left the dance late."
"True."
Marco kissed her lightly on the lips.
"How was the conversation with Kelly?"
Pulling the sheets back, she sat down next to him, yawning again. She really wishes she had slept a little longer.
"Well. The sadness in her gaze was remarkable, but, like me, Kelly confused her feelings. The separation made her defeated and she thought she could love someone else in order to shut up the strong feelings she had and still has for her ex-boyfriend. Things didn't turn out the way she expected, so Kelly accepted the end of our relationship well." Marco smiled. "She told me that she would talk to her ex-boyfriend and work things out. Later, she will let me know how things are now."
"Good!" Star breathed a sigh of relief. Both Tom and Kelly weren't upset with them. They are sad, yes, but that sadness would pass one of these days. Smiling, Star got up from her bed, putting herself face to face with Marco. "More adventures await us. We need to help Eclipsa conquer the kingdom. Can I count on you?"
Mark got up from the bed. Without delay, he took his arms and wrapped them around Star's waist, making the little girl lean her chest against his.
"With pleasure, Star Butterfly." And he kissed her.
More adventures awaited them. But now things would be different. The friendship was strong, but with the feelings reciprocated, the two will conquer many things.
The end.