#don’t EVER give my ruler/bodyguard pairings I won’t ever shut up about them

[comradekarin]

hold on op…. continue cooking. and this is how things come full circle: they’ll both follow each other until the very end. riza had no intentions of living once roy died, and I struggle to imagine a world where lan fan doesn’t follow ling if he strays. and if we consider ling to be the personification of duty, responsibility and affection for lan fan—and her protecting him specifically being part of lan fan’s identity—I struggle to think a world where she doesn’t follow him. two different backstories, two different traumas, two different motivations for loyalty, two different age gaps yet the endgame remains: love.

Although Lingfan and Royai are definitely parallels to each other with their themes of loyalty, there is one big difference between the two: Lan Fan could never kill Ling if he were to stray from the right path. Hence, the dynamic is fundamentally different to that of Royai. In this essay, I will—

[miraclesindecnovel]

CPT 002: Lucky One

"I couldn’t believe myself that I have changed this much."

Taeyang rushed into the classroom, throwing his backpack on top of the table and roughly launched his butt on the chair, only to fall backwards a moment later with surprised shout coming from his pale pink lips, making yet another mess. "What the...," he growled under his breath, furious of falling right into the next prank played on him by schoolmates. Although he tried to get up, the long haired boy understood quickly that his black uniform pants were stuck on the chair and there was no other way out of this situation other than get half-naked right in front of everyone. He sure wasn't keen on that idea, but there was no other solution to this, thus he mentally prepared himself, but instead taking action right away, he shouted from the top of his lungs, knowing that those that played him were nearby, enjoying the aftermath of sucsessful prank. "Whoever thought it was a good idea, know that I will find you and break couple of useful bones!"

Struggling to get up, he had managed to draw quite an audience around himself, some were disgusted, while some were more amused than it was actually healthy. With angry growl, Taeyang' right foot hit against the table and made it fall over along with his navy blue backbag, letting all the pencils, books, study papers and snack wrappers fly up in the air and land around him. Oh, he wasn't happy, and felt that he was in a need of getting out of this stupid school with all these little foolish lambs, who followed those that were able to pretend to be the strongest. For the past five years, Taeyang had been playing the role of a good citizen, without remembering clearly of whom he actually used to be. His whole life was fabrication, and he was going to prove it. He was going to find his true self one day.

"What are you looking at? Is it that fun to watch a fellow classmate suffering, uh?" He was known to be a big talker, someone who made dramatic fuss over nothing - but people didn't know that there was always a reason to become extra over matters of the bullies leaving their original marks alone and turn their bloodthirsty attention towards Taeyang instead. No, he didn't enjoy the attention he recieved and although he had promised to keep a low profile as entering Hwarang High School, his gene for justice wasn't able to tolerate the injustice for too long. From a new kid to a trouble maker - that journey was fast, and in matter of weeks he had claimed his throne in this hierarcy that was played out in his school.

Luckily his guardian, Yoo Timothy, was living overseas, so everything he would ever do or be blamed for, would fall for the deaf ears. This old man didn't really care about his wellbeing much, and checked on him rarely, knowing that the house Taeyang lived in had all the things one would ever need to live, breathe and be healthy. Although he was frequently visiting Hwarang' principal, the only person to take the role of a 'father' was his so called driver and bodyguard, whom he had the tendency to ditch and leave, while kid himself was having fun on his own accord. Even then, it didn't change anything for him.

"Not again," one of the classmates spoke in reply, disgust being evident in her face, "why are you making such a big deal out of this anyhow?" "Yeah, like you didn't ask for it yourself after stepping out for Stinky," another one pitched in. "Shut up, you evil fox-faced witches!" Taeyang was pissed off, and although he had expected a good start for the day, there he was - laying on top of the broken chair and being humiliated like this. Oh he wasn't going to let them slide like this, he really wasn't going to stay still now! Able to hoam the situation he was in currently, he had quickly understood that someone had sawed the legs of his chair and on top of all things had added glue to his seat. This indeed meant one solution and one only. Smirking to himself, he took a breath and with loud yelp, Taeyang wriggled himself out of his pants and was momentarily thinking to himself that in the past month these had been seventh pair he had ruined. With this, he revealed himself completely and stood up, feeling victorious, but the smile quickly disappeared as he heard what the girls around him had to pitch in. "Cover yourself, oh my god!" "When did boys wear pink? Jeez, it is so bright!" "Ugh, pervert!" "Super gross!" "So the rumors are true, you really are..." "...into boys, aren't you?"

Taeyang face became pale, the more he listened to this scene rolling out in front of him. When he was about to speak up, another voice that he knew all to well spoke and the face followed soon after, as the boy behind this masterplan appeared in front of his newest victim. "From a class joker into a flower boy' pet," the bully spilled mockingly, laughing. "I will not tolerate this kind of behaviour from a lowlife like you anymore," Taeyang was fast to reply, hearing a gasp here and there, but he didn't let them bother him. "Your choice of fashion tells a different story, pest." Word 'pest' was spat out as if it was poison, and this made Taeyang act out the way he had never acted out before. His blood was boiling, and his naturally dark eyes flashed into neon blue for a mere moment. The ruler, which he picked up in front of his feet swiftly, was on the throat of the other boy faster than a lightning and the 'pest' had grabbed other boy' hair into a tight grip. Students around them scattered like flies, scared from the unexpected turn of events.

That particular word had brought sudden flashbacks to his mind, and made him react unconsciously, ready to cut off the neck right there and then, but somehow he managed to still hold his sane mind intact. "Park Daewon," he hissed through his squeezed teeth, ruler extremely tight against the prey' neck and his own face very close to Daewon's, "if I ever, EVER hear you say that word again, I will not hesitate to actually... Brake. Your. Bones." The blue that showed itself in his eyes again came back during the last three words, and Taeyang could sense Daewon being extremely scared, as the kid was shivering in his grasp. "Do. You. Understand?" he hissed again, waiting for the reply. "I....," Daewon spoke, shivering and thinking only of how to get out of this situation alive. "Well?" "I.... understand... Yes... I... understand," the one being embarassed managed to squeak out some of the words and didn't even dare to swallow, in case his neck ended up being cut. "Good boy, now fetch," Taeyang ordered Daewon and pushed him away from his grip, and was about to say something else, pointing at other students around him, but his homeroom teacher interrupted. "What is going on? What do you think you are doing?" "Sir, Taeyang went crazy and would've killed Daewon, if you hadn't come at this moment!" One of the girls rushed to blame the one that was actually the victim and pointed at Taeyang in pink boxers, standing in the middle of the class and holding onto a ruler, his own skin cut by the intense strength. Blood was slowly sliding across the edge of the transparent item in his hand, but it was unnoticed by everyone else. "Is that true, Young Master?" He was questioned, and although he was mostly respected by the teachers, they always thought that it was the best to just send him to the principal's office, who would give him a small, kind lecture. "Is that true?" Teacher asked again, but with no reply and cold, intense stare from Yoo Taeyang, he sighed and shook his head. "Alright. Don't show your face to school for a week. Everyone else, clean up that mess. We won't start the class before this has been cleared. Chop-chop."

Taeyang, so out of himself, dropped ruler on the floor and left the classroom into the hallway. Although for some kids, he was as if somekind hero protecting the weak, no one else was fearless enough to go against Daewon and his minions so openly before, humiliating the Little Boss in the means of never being forgiven. He had just done that, and strangely enough - he was feeling quite satisfied. Indeed, the other kids never showed it, but they were grateful for having at least somewhat peaceful days at school after Taeyang had come around.

This seventee-year old was about to head down the stairs, when he suddenly stopped as something had caught his attention. Turning to look outside, the long haired boy with unearthly face understood that it was that day of the year again. The day, when he was replaced; the day he lost most of his memories; the very same day, when first snow of the winter had fallen on same day for the past five years. Standing there for quite some time in the midst of empty hallway, faint sounds echoing from classrooms. Standing there in his light blue shirt, golden vest, black jacket with Hwarang High School logo on the collar; expensive, worn out sneakers and bright, silky pink boxers.

Staring back at his own reflection from those falling snowflakes on the other side of the glass, he turned to go and find something to wear, when he suddenly placed the hurt palm against the glass, leaving a bloodstained handprint behind.

His mark, disappeared as it became covered with growing snow-flowers and dissolved into the air, becoming nothing else than a memory. It was the day, when everything had started five years ago...

[starcoweek3]

Starco Week 3 - Day 1

“Damn, it’s hard to get to that pathetic princess.” A large brute said.

“Yeah, she’s long due for an initiation, but with her bodyguard agent Diaz around we can’t touch her.”

“Why don’t we shake them up a little then? Scare them a bit.” One of them suggested.

Another smiled. “I like that idea. They won’t know what’s coming.”

“C'mon, Marco! We have math now!” Star urged him as the bell rung, signaling the next period.

Marco winced. “Do we have to go to math? I’m already in a bad mood and I’m not looking forward to making it worse,” he replied.

“Geez, are we sure you’re the one who’s supposed to look after me? We have to go! If you miss class you’ll get detention!” Star exclaimed.

Marco feigned a gasp and shook his head. “No not detention!”

“Diaz, that is extremely rude.” Star seriously replied.

Marco sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Look, you can go without me princess. I don’t want you missing class and getting in trouble, which will inevitably lead to both of us getting into trouble. I’ll show up…later, okay?”

Star frowned before giving him a nod. “Okay. But don’t get in trouble!” She commanded.

Marco waved her off as she ran off to Ms. Skullnick’s room. He sighed and scratched the bandage on his cheek.

Lying down on the hill just far off the school building, Marco was taking a nap; taking in the feel of the grass below him, the air he breathed, and the warmth that coursed through him.

Suddenly he was jarred awake, being shaken by somebody. He grabbed whoever was shaking him by the scruff of their necks and threw them down to the ground, holding a fist near their face.

Marco’s victim shivered in fear until Marco stared at him for a few seconds and gave him a look of confusion. “Ferguson?”

Marco let go of his fellow classmate, standing straight and crossing his arms. “Okay spit it out. Why’d you wake me up?”

“Um, Skullnick asked me to find you and bring you to class.” Ferguson stammered.

Marco frowned and cracked his neck, which was stiff from sleeping. Damn, Skullnick knew he wouldn’t try and beat up Ferg. Being an old friend and pitiful made him more likely to survive with Marco.

He groaned and rolled up the sleeves of his jacket. “Alright, let’s go.” Marco started walking toward his class, before stopping and turning to Ferguson. “You coming or do you want to lie there all day?”

Ferguson scrambled to his feet, following Marco back to class.

“So a derivative is the - Ah, Mr. Diaz. How nice of you to join us for class. 20 minutes late. ” Ms. Skullnick sneered that last part. Marco lacked a reaction.

“As punishment, you’ll be cleaning the storage out back. I hear it’s been years since it’s seen light.” Skullnick said.

Marco rolled his eyes and took his seat by the window, paying more attention to the two squirrels fighting outside than Skullzers at the front of the class.

The bell signaling the end of school rang through the building, Marco groaning at his recent after school punishment.

He packed his things in his bag, making his way to the back of school grounds to clean the storage facility.

He already told Star to wait for him at home, but he could see her in his peripherals, always hiding behind something. He didn’t pay much attention to it, but soon he couldn’t keep up the obliviousness and called her out on her lousy stealth tactics.

“Princess, why are you following me?” Marco deadpanned.

Star jumped. She hadn’t noticed he noticed her. She stepped out from her hiding place, staring at the floor and looking for the right words. “Um…I just thought…maybe, I would help you clean. Less load on you, but if you want me gone, I totally understand-” Star was interrupted by Marco smirking and patting her head affectionately.

“Thanks, prin…Star” Marco corrected himself.

Star blushed and avoided his gaze. Marco rarely ever used her name when he referred to her, but when he did it made her knees buckle.

“Yeah, well, you owe me after this! I want one, no, two more nachos than I’m allowed! And wipe that dumb smirk off your face!” Star exclaimed.

“Um, you never had a limit to what you can eat, princess,” Marco said, beginning to walk away again.

“O-oh. Then I want you to attend every class ON TIME from now on!” Star commanded.

Marco couldn’t really say no. She was already doing this much for him, and with that cute demanding face, it’s hard to refuse.

“Yeah, fine. Whatever. Let’s go.”

Marco and Star made their way to the storage facility, walking up to the metal double doors. Using the key he got from the janitor, he unlocked the doors, pushing them open to reveal a large dusty room, with stuff that looked to be thirty-maybe forty-years old.

“Wow. This looks ancient.” Marco tried to switch on the lights, but due to age and the lack of much-needed renovation of the building, the lights refused to switch on.

“Damnit. Guess we’re going in dark,” Marco said.

Star suddenly seemed very nervous. “Do we have some flashlights or something?” She asked.

“Uh, maybe. Do you need them to see?” Marco asked.

“Y-yeah, right. Well?”

“I don’t have any on me now, but- OOF!” Marco grunted as he and Star were shoved into the building. Landing hard on their sides they heard the click of the lock, along with the footsteps of a few people.

Marco started to pat his body for the keys, only to realize he dropped it when he was shoved. “Stupid bastards…” Marco growled. “Princess, are you-”

Marco stopped and his eyes widened when he felt Star abruptly grab his arm. He narrowed his eyes in concern.

“Uh, princess?” He asked, starting to turn to look at her.

“Stop, don’t look at me. Please. Just, let me do this.” Star said.

Marco frowned, looking forward as Star vice gripped his forearm. He could feel her press up against him, shivering in…fear?

He could feel her heartbeat, and it was pounding pretty fast. Marco thought his own was too. Could she feel it as well?

“Star,” Marco began after a few moments of silence, “are you afraid,”

Star tensed up, and Marco could feel it.

“of the dark?”

Star’s grip suddenly intensified, and Marco could feel all circulating blood stop flowing in his left arm. She was surprisingly strong for such a timid girl.

“Ow! What the fu-!”

“Yes! I’m terrified of the dark! Shut up about it and please do something.” Star said, burying her face into his shoulder.

Marco furrowed his eyebrows together. “Don’t you have your wand?”

Star shook her head. “I…left it…in my locker. I…wanted to show you…I’m capable…without it.” Star took short breaths between each pause, and Marco thought she’d start hyperventilating.

Marco turned around and embraced her, kneeling on the floor. He closed his eyes and began to speak, “Deep breaths, princess. I know you’re capable. You fought monsters with me, a person you’ve never met and was a jerk towards you because you were concerned for me. You went through brainwashing and managed to stay your old self a bit. So prove me right. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m here with you. So calm down, now.” Marco said firmly.

Star’s breaths slowed down, and her tense form eased up a bit. Still hugging Marco, she spoke into his shoulder. “Thanks, Marco. I think I’ve calmed down. But can you just hold on for a little while?” She asked.

Marco tightened his jaw and nodded. “Sure.”

So they sat there. Marco’s eyes had adjusted to the darkness by now, and he could make out a silhouette of a box of props and costumes.

He got an idea of how to distract Star from her fear.

“Okay, Star. Don’t freak out, but I’m gonna let go for a few seconds.”

Star’s eyes widened as she looked up at him. “No, no no no no no no no! Don’t let go! I will throttle you if you do!” She begged,

Marco’s eyebrow lifted at the unexpected threat. “It’s okay, I’m only gonna let go for a few seconds, I’m gonna be back, I promise.” Marco hushed her. “Do you trust me?”

Star wiped her eye and silently nodded. Slowly Marco let go of her. He stood up and began to back away, their arms sliding against one another before it was only their hands connected, then fingers.

Then his warmth left Star, and he blended in with the inky blackness. Damnit! Why must his jacket be black!? Star began to feel alone now, the sense of abandonment creeping up on her for the first time in years. She curled up into a ball and almost began to tear up before Marco’s voice rang out from the darkness.

“I’m still here, princess. I’m still with you.” His assurance gave her courage and she managed to outlast until Marco came back holding a cardboard box. He placed it down in between him and Star before sitting down.

“What’s…what’s that?” Star asked.

“Just something to pass the time.” Marco pulled a couple of sticks from the box and bend them, a cracking noise coming from it.

The sticks suddenly started to glow, and Star stared at them in amazement. “Whoa! Is that more earth magic?” She asked.

Marco smirked at her childlike curiosity. “No, just some old glow sticks to light it up a little.”

He placed down the colorful glowing rods in a circle around the pair, leaving them in a dim, but brighter than before, setting.

Marco reached back into the box. Pulling out a red headband with horns on it, he placed it on his head and put a massive frown on his face.

“I’m Tom. I’m in denial and think l can get Star to like me, but I’m just hopelessly desperate and angry.” Marco mocked.

Star giggled at his impression, his voice not even close to Tom’s.

“Marco, stop, that’s mean.”

He smiled and pushed the box towards her. “Here, you try.”

“Um, I’m not sure…”

“It’s okay princess. Nobody here but us. I’ll keep it a secret.”

“Okay…” Star agreed. She dug into the box and pulled out a wig and a crown. Putting them both on, she then wore a dull, bored expression on her face. “This is of utmost importance! We can’t have this silly nonsense when you’re to be a ruler soon! Blah, blah, rules, rules, boring, discipline.” Star mocked in a mundane, strong accented tone.

Marco laughed and Star smiled.

“Lemme guess, your mom?” Marco asked.

Star nodded, not fully confident in mocking people she knew.

“Okay, my turn,” Marco said, digging through the box.

They went at this for a while, having a good time messing around with each other. They role played Skullnick, their classmates, Ludo, and even each other.

The two rolled around the floor, wheezing after laughing too hard at Star’s impression of Marco’s bad boy attitude. She accidentally cracked her knuckles, and her cute expression of pain made Marco laugh, Star eventually following in suit.

“Oh, man. That was…amazingly horrible.” Marco said.

Star smiled, nodding in agreement.

“So, you still afraid?” Marco asked.

“No, not anymore. Being in the dark isn’t so bad when you have someone to have fun with you here.”

“I don’t think you’re scared of the dark. I think it’s because of your isolation from people and loved ones during your hated experience at St. O’s, it made you feel alone and you were afraid of being lonely. In the dark, you can’t see anything. You feel cold, there’s nobody in sight. It’s like being alone, which may explain why you fear darkness.”

Star tilted her head at Marco’s explanation, a small smile telling him she didn’t understand what the hell he just said.

Marco realized what he was doing and covered his face. “Sorry, that’s Marco PhD talking,” Marco said, angry at himself for showing that part of him again. Why is it around her when his past comes out?

“Don’t be embarrassed. I don’t fully understand what you just said, but-” Star grabbed Marco’s hand, “-I hope you stay with me for now.” Star said.

Marco gulped. He blushed. A very pretty girl just grabbed his hand and pretty much said she wished they could stick together, with him. Marco Flippin Diaz. His blush intensified now that he was analyzing it. Stop thinking about it, Marco mentally scolded himself. Yeah, now he was embarrassed.

“Star, what-”

The sound of jingling keys was heard through the door and was inserted into the lock. Star suddenly stood up. “Help has arrived!” She said.

She eagerly walked forward, forgetting the heavy box between her and Marco. She tripped and fell on top of Marco, making a loud grunt as she did.

The janitor on the other end raised a brow. Since when did storage buildings grunt? He unlocked and opened the door, low and behold Star lying on top of Marco, a bunch of spilled props and costume pieces strewn about the floor.

The janitor gave the two a hard gaze before opening his mouth, “Look, I’m gonna go home and forget this. I’m closing this door and leaving it unlocked. Suggestion, keep your weird lovey-dovey affectionate cosplay sessions at home.” And with that, he slammed the door shut.

Star and Marco scrambled away from each other, faces burning crimson and tension as thick as maple syrup.

They quickly cleaned up in sync and walked out the door.

Awkwardly they turned to each other.

“So, nachos?”

“Yep, lots of nachos.”

“Movie?”

“Movie.”

“…”

“…”

“So you wanted two more nachos than usual?”

“Yes.”

“That janitor thing never happened.”

“Agreed.”

The looked at each other once more and started to burst out laughing. Marco wasn’t in a bad mood anymore.

“Let’s get home, princess.”

“Excellent suggestion, Marco!”

Marco then went on to have a bad mood again the next day, when Skullnick harshly reminded him at the volume of 120 decibels that he forgot to actually clean the storage building yesterday.

He should’ve skipped class.

(submitted by acseargentsmimph12)

[acseargentsmimph12]

Starco Week - Día Uno

Link - https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11681808/32/Dimension-of-Infinite-Tales

"Damn, it's hard to get to that pathetic princess." A large brute said.

"Yeah, she's long due for an initiation, but with her bodyguard agent Diaz around we can't touch her."

"Why don't we shake them up a little then? Scare them a bit." One of them suggested.

Another smiled. "I like that idea. They won't know what's coming."

"C'mon, Marco! We have math now!" Star urged him as the bell rung, signaling the next period.

Marco winced. "Do we have to go to math? I'm already in a bad mood and I'm not looking forward to making it worse," he replied.

"Geez, are we sure you're the one who's supposed to look after me? We have to go! If you miss class you'll get detention!" Star exclaimed.

Marco feigned a gasp and shook his head. "No not detention!"

"Diaz, that is extremely rude." Star seriously replied.

Marco sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Look, you can go without me princess. I don't want you missing class and getting in trouble, which will inevitably lead to both of us getting into trouble. I'll show up...later, okay?"

Star frowned before giving him a nod. "Okay. But don't get in trouble!" She commanded.

Marco waved her off as she ran off to Ms. Skullnick's room. He sighed and scratched the bandage on his cheek.

Lying down on the hill just far off the school building, Marco was taking a nap; taking in the feel of the grass below him, the air he breathed, and the warmth that coursed through him.

Suddenly he was jarred awake, being shaken by somebody. He grabbed whoever was shaking him by the scruff of their necks and threw them down to the ground, holding a fist near their face.

Marco's victim shivered in fear until Marco stared at him for a few seconds and gave him a look of confusion. "Ferguson?"

Marco let go of his fellow classmate, standing straight and crossing his arms. "Okay spit it out. Why'd you wake me up?"

"Um, Skullnick asked me to find you and bring you to class." Ferguson stammered.

Marco frowned and cracked his neck, which was stiff from sleeping. Damn, Skullnick knew he wouldn't try and beat up Ferg. Being an old friend and pitiful made him more likely to survive with Marco.

He groaned and rolled up the sleeves of his jacket. "Alright, let's go." Marco started walking toward his class, before stopping and turning to Ferguson. "You coming or do you want to lie there all day?"

Ferguson scrambled to his feet, following Marco back to class.

"So a derivative is the - Ah, Mr. Diaz. How nice of you to join us for class. 20 minutes late. " Ms. Skullnick sneered that last part. Marco lacked a reaction.

"As punishment, you'll be cleaning the storage out back. I hear it's been years since it's seen light." Skullnick said.

Marco rolled his eyes and took his seat by the window, paying more attention to the two squirrels fighting outside than Skullzers at the front of the class.

The bell signaling the end of school rang through the building, Marco groaning at his recent after school punishment.

He packed his things in his bag, making his way to the back of school grounds to clean the storage facility.

He already told Star to wait for him at home, but he could see her in his peripherals, always hiding behind something. He didn't pay much attention to it, but soon he couldn't keep up the obliviousness and called her out on her lousy stealth tactics.

"Princess, why are you following me?" Marco deadpanned.

Star jumped. She hadn't noticed he noticed her. She stepped out from her hiding place, staring at the floor and looking for the right words. "Um...I just thought...maybe, I would help you clean. Less load on you, but if you want me gone, I totally understand-" Star was interrupted by Marco smirking and patting her head affectionately.

"Thanks, prin...Star" Marco corrected himself.

Star blushed and avoided his gaze. Marco rarely ever used her name when he referred to her, but when he did it made her knees buckle.

"Yeah, well, you owe me after this! I want one, no, two more nachos than I'm allowed! And wipe that dumb smirk off your face!" Star exclaimed.

"Um, you never had a limit to what you can eat, princess," Marco said, beginning to walk away again.

"O-oh. Then I want you to attend every class ON TIME from now on!" Star commanded.

Marco couldn't really say no. She was already doing this much for him, and with that cute demanding face, it's hard to refuse.

"Yeah, fine. Whatever. Let's go."

Marco and Star made their way to the storage facility, walking up to the metal double doors. Using the key he got from the janitor, he unlocked the doors, pushing them open to reveal a large dusty room, with stuff that looked to be thirty-maybe forty-years old.

"Wow. This looks ancient." Marco tried to switch on the lights, but due to age and the lack of much-needed renovation of the building, the lights refused to switch on.

"Damnit. Guess we're going in dark," Marco said.

Star suddenly seemed very nervous. "Do we have some flashlights or something?" She asked.

"Uh, maybe. Do you need them to see?" Marco asked.

"Y-yeah, right. Well?"

"I don't have any on me now, but- OOF!" Marco grunted as he and Star were shoved into the building. Landing hard on their sides they heard the click of the lock, along with the footsteps of a few people.

Marco started to pat his body for the keys, only to realize he dropped it when he was shoved. "Stupid bastards..." Marco growled. "Princess, are you-"

Marco stopped and his eyes widened when he felt Star abruptly grab his arm. He narrowed his eyes in concern.

"Uh, princess?" He asked, starting to turn to look at her.

"Stop, don't look at me. Please. Just, let me do this." Star said.

Marco frowned, looking forward as Star vice gripped his forearm. He could feel her press up against him, shivering in...fear?

He could feel her heartbeat, and it was pounding pretty fast. Marco thought his own was too. Could she feel it as well?

"Star," Marco began after a few moments of silence, "are you afraid,"

Star tensed up, and Marco could feel it.

"of the dark?"

Star's grip suddenly intensified, and Marco could feel all circulating blood stop flowing in his left arm. She was surprisingly strong for such a timid girl.

"Ow! What the fu-!"

"Yes! I'm terrified of the dark! Shut up about it and please do something." Star said, burying her face into his shoulder.

Marco furrowed his eyebrows together. "Don't you have your wand?"

Star shook her head. "I...left it...in my locker. I...wanted to show you...I'm capable...without it." Star took short breaths between each pause, and Marco thought she'd start hyperventilating.

Marco turned around and embraced her, kneeling on the floor. He closed his eyes and began to speak, "Deep breaths, princess. I know you're capable. You fought monsters with me, a person you've never met and was a jerk towards you because you were concerned for me. You went through brainwashing and managed to stay your old self a bit. So prove me right. There's nothing to be afraid of. I'm here with you. So calm down, now." Marco said firmly.

Star's breaths slowed down, and her tense form eased up a bit. Still hugging Marco, she spoke into his shoulder. "Thanks, Marco. I think I've calmed down. But can you just hold on for a little while?" She asked.

Marco tightened his jaw and nodded. "Sure."

So they sat there. Marco's eyes had adjusted to the darkness by now, and he could make out a silhouette of a box of props and costumes.

He got an idea of how to distract Star from her fear.

"Okay, Star. Don't freak out, but I'm gonna let go for a few seconds."

Star's eyes widened as she looked up at him. "No, no no no no no no no! Don't let go! I will throttle you if you do!" She begged,

Marco's eyebrow lifted at the unexpected threat. "It's okay, I'm only gonna let go for a few seconds, I'm gonna be back, I promise." Marco hushed her. "Do you trust me?"

Star wiped her eye and silently nodded. Slowly Marco let go of her. He stood up and began to back away, their arms sliding against one another before it was only their hands connected, then fingers.

Then his warmth left Star, and he blended in with the inky blackness. Damnit! Why must his jacket be black!? Star began to feel alone now, the sense of abandonment creeping up on her for the first time in years. She curled up into a ball and almost began to tear up before Marco's voice rang out from the darkness.

"I'm still here, princess. I'm still with you." His assurance gave her courage and she managed to outlast until Marco came back holding a cardboard box. He placed it down in between him and Star before sitting down.

"What's...what's that?" Star asked.

"Just something to pass the time." Marco pulled a couple of sticks from the box and bend them, a cracking noise coming from it.

The sticks suddenly started to glow, and Star stared at them in amazement. "Whoa! Is that more earth magic?" She asked.

Marco smirked at her childlike curiosity. "No, just some old glow sticks to light it up a little."

He placed down the colorful glowing rods in a circle around the pair, leaving them in a dim, but brighter than before, setting.

Marco reached back into the box. Pulling out a red headband with horns on it, he placed it on his head and put a massive frown on his face.

"I'm Tom. I'm in denial and think l can get Star to like me, but I'm just hopelessly desperate and angry." Marco mocked.

Star giggled at his impression, his voice not even close to Tom's.

"Marco, stop, that's mean."

He smiled and pushed the box towards her. "Here, you try."

"Um, I'm not sure..."

"It's okay princess. Nobody here but us. I'll keep it a secret."

"Okay..." Star agreed. She dug into the box and pulled out a wig and a crown. Putting them both on, she then wore a dull, bored expression on her face. "This is of utmost importance! We can't have this silly nonsense when you're to be a ruler soon! Blah, blah, rules, rules, boring, discipline." Star mocked in a mundane, strong accented tone.

Marco laughed and Star smiled.

"Lemme guess, your mom?" Marco asked.

Star nodded, not fully confident in mocking people she knew.

"Okay, my turn," Marco said, digging through the box.

They went at this for a while, having a good time messing around with each other. They role played Skullnick, their classmates, Ludo, and even each other.

The two rolled around the floor, wheezing after laughing too hard at Star's impression of Marco's bad boy attitude. She accidentally cracked her knuckles, and her cute expression of pain made Marco laugh, Star eventually following in suit.

"Oh, man. That was...amazingly horrible." Marco said.

Star smiled, nodding in agreement.

"So, you still afraid?" Marco asked.

"No, not anymore. Being in the dark isn't so bad when you have someone to have fun with you here."

"I don't think you're scared of the dark. I think it's because of your isolation from people and loved ones during your hated experience at St. O's, it made you feel alone and you were afraid of being lonely. In the dark, you can't see anything. You feel cold, there's nobody in sight. It's like being alone, which may explain why you fear darkness."

Star tilted her head at Marco's explanation, a small smile telling him she didn't understand what the hell he just said.

Marco realized what he was doing and covered his face. "Sorry, that's Marco PhD talking," Marco said, angry at himself for showing that part of him again. Why is it around her when his past comes out?

"Don't be embarrassed. I don't fully understand what you just said, but-" Star grabbed Marco's hand, "-I hope you stay with me for now." Star said.

Marco gulped. He blushed. A very pretty girl just grabbed his hand and pretty much said she wished they could stick together, with him. Marco Flippin Diaz. His blush intensified now that he was analyzing it. Stop thinking about it, Marco mentally scolded himself. Yeah, now he was embarrassed.

"Star, what-"

The sound of jingling keys was heard through the door and was inserted into the lock. Star suddenly stood up. "Help has arrived!" She said.

She eagerly walked forward, forgetting the heavy box between her and Marco. She tripped and fell on top of Marco, making a loud grunt as she did.

The janitor on the other end raised a brow. Since when did storage buildings grunt? He unlocked and opened the door, low and behold Star lying on top of Marco, a bunch of spilled props and costume pieces strewn about the floor.

The janitor gave the two a hard gaze before opening his mouth, "Look, I'm gonna go home and forget this. I'm closing this door and leaving it unlocked. Suggestion, keep your weird lovey-dovey affectionate cosplay sessions at home." And with that, he slammed the door shut.

Star and Marco scrambled away from each other, faces burning crimson and tension as thick as maple syrup.

They quickly cleaned up in sync and walked out the door.

Awkwardly they turned to each other.

"So, nachos?"

"Yep, lots of nachos."

"Movie?"

"Movie."

"..."

"..."

"So you wanted two more nachos than usual?"

"Yes."

"That janitor thing never happened."

"Agreed."

The looked at each other once more and started to burst out laughing. Marco wasn't in a bad mood anymore.

"Let's get home, princess."

"Excellent suggestion, Marco!"

Marco then went on to have a bad mood again the next day, when Skullnick harshly reminded him at the volume of 120 decibels that he forgot to actually clean the storage building yesterday.

He should've skipped class.