Happy "Curse of the Blood Moon" eve! I'm pumped for this episode, but before we see that, here's some Starco dancing to keep us steady!

Here we go again, Marco stepped off the carriage that brought him to the heart of the Underworld. After thanking the demon creature yoked to it, he wandered the spooky halls of the Blood Moon temple, feeling the weight of the universe sag on his golden shoulder tassels. There was something about a Blood Moon Ball that ascribed a mystical air to the night. Torchlight danced on the stone walls, casting an ominous red glow that seemed to foreshadow what would soon come to pass. Voices from demons gathered in the ballroom echoed like hushed chants, and Marco's heart seemed to want to leap out of his chest. Never in a million years did he imagine crashing an important demon event twice. The first time had been a complete necessity as he tried to save Star from making a costly mistake. That was the only reason why Marco threw all caution to the wind to track her down. In a way, he was going to do the same thing again in a similar fashion.

Truthfully, Marco dreaded dancing with Star under the Blood Moon again. While he loved the idea of a romantic twirl in the place that magically bound them together, he had to use the dance to break the curse holding them together. Even if the efforts destroyed their relationship before he had the chance to tell Star how much he loved her. Why didn't I tell her when I had the chance? He sighed and adjusted his black suit jacket. Their last date was the perfect opportunity, and he ruined it. Maybe Marco was experiencing second thoughts about breaking the Blood Moon curse. Star made him the happiest guy in the universe, and he was just going to throw that away on a superstition? But I have to make sure these feelings are real, the boy glanced up towards the awaiting ballroom. If Star wanted to love him, then it had to be of her own free will. Her happiness outweighed his own by a long shot.

Entering the inner sanctum of the temple, Marco discovered the place was packed with hundreds of guests, many of whom he recognized from the last Blood Moon Ball. They seemed annoyed that they had been dragged here again, especially since there were no snack tables. Tom had stripped the event to its barest essence. Just as Marco thought about his friend, the demon prince appeared talking to Star and handing her a drink. Immediately, the boy's heart raced seeing his girlfriend with her ex. She wore the same dress, which was stunning on her frame. Red worked well with her blonde hair and pink hearts, bringing out a strong sense of warmth in her complexion. Her hair was fixed into a single bun like a rising sun that crowned her head. Her arms were covered in delicate white gloves that matched her high-heeled boots. She looks…beautiful, Marco almost drooled. The outfit fit her perfectly: sophisticatedly graceful and adorable.

However, seeing Tom act so friendly around her brought a twinge of jealousy in the bystander. How could he forget how the demon tried to whisk her away during school to bind their souls together? The thought was unsettling—showing the extremes the prince went through to get her back. What happened if the plan worked? Luckily for all involved, Tom had eyes for another girl approaching him and Star. Is that Janna?! Marco was in disbelief seeing his old classmate…in a gorgeous black dress. Was it even her? The dress was full length and lacy, complemented by pink and black combat boots underneath. A low whistle escaped Tom's lips, and he rushed to give her a kiss. When did they get together?! Marco blinked.

The question was put on the back burner as a priest climbed a giant podium in the middle of the room. He tapped the microphone in front of him and began to speak. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen," he cleared his throat. "We're back to witness another Blood Moon Ball. When the light of the Blood Moon drobbles down and selects two lucky souls, binding them together for eternity in its hypnotic, ruby—"

I've heard this before, Marco decided to move into position even though the priest something else after the familiar part. The boy's mind was concerned with finding Star and getting the ritual over with before his nerves got the best of him. An organ interlude began to play as he squeezed his way through the crowd to find her, instantly drawn in her direction.

"Star!" Marco hissed to her, nearly laughing at the feeling of déjà vu and uneasiness fluttering his heart like butterflies. Even though the organ interlude played over his voice, Star turned around and locked eyes with him. "Here I am," she smiled and took his hand. The second they touched, the Blood Moon bathed the room in ruby light.

A familiar waltz played, and all of Marco's anxiety faded away. He had Star in his arms—right where he wanted her to be. Here we go, he gently pulled her to the middle of the room where the beam was the strongest. The demons watched them slowly waltz, swaying themselves as the couple moved together. Secretly, Marco intended to use the actual dance to practice his curse-ending words, but he was too awestruck by Star. She was always beautiful, but the way her eyes sparkled beholding him melt in her gaze. They were full of such tenderness—such rapture as if the entire universe had shrunk to the two of them. It's how I feel, he let his hand drop a bit lower on her waist, which made her blush.

"Sorry," he quickly apologized, blushing himself under the mask. Time drew nearer for Marco to end the bond, but his jaw seemed made of lead. No matter how much he told himself that he had to start the breaking process, his body refused. Why can't I say it? The dance was starting to go on a bit long. If Marco wanted Star to be truly happy, then he had to do this right now.

Marco," Star crooned his name gently. "Did you ever think what happened if we tried embracing the Blood Moon bond instead?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what to do," she winked at him. "Pretend we're not at a demon prom trying to break a curse. Pretend it's just the two of us on an adventure or on Relationship Thursday."

Oh, Marco smirked, bringing her closer to him. She wants that Diaz, huh? Since this might be their last dance, he might as well show off. He pretended they were back in one of their rooms. Sometimes, Star asked him to waltz with her, claiming that she needed to coach him in how to properly dance with a princess if he ever became prince one day. In all honesty, Marco knew her claim was an excuse to get him to dance with her after movie marathons. Bringing Star in closer, he lifted her slightly and rocked her back as the music reached a crescendo. She mouthed whoa to him, and it made the boy laugh. "Surprised ya, didn't I?" He twirled her and caught her against his chest, wooing her completely. This is too much fun! Yet as much as he wanted to relish in the fun in making Star flustered, there was the curse and…

Embrace the Blood Moon curse, a random pirate voice said in his soul.

Originally, Marco had been afraid to do so. The Blood Moon's curse forced lovers away and probably forced their feelings. But what if it didn't, a new thought flirted like a whisper in his head. What if their relationship was real? Would he take that risk? But love involved—just like adventuring across the universe. Star never knew of the dimension she dragged him too would be fun or a deathtrap, but she went anyway. When Marco finally asked out his best friend, he didn't know if she'd say yes or that they would stay together thus far. But it felt right doing so. Maybe the Blood Moon felt right too. Maybe Marco needed to stop running himself and tell Star how he truly felt about her. She's my forever, regardless of the Blood Moon.

"Star," he crooned her name and twirled her gently. "Star…I love you. I meant to say that a few days ago, but I was afraid you didn't really feel the same."

The princess grinned ear to ear, touching his cheek under the mask, "I love you too, Marco. No matter what happens tonight."

Suddenly, the bond fully swung open on both sides, revealing such a flood of emotion it almost knocked Marco off his feet. It was Star's memories that surged in his soul, making him feel warm in tingly as he observed the past year in her head. His quirky Safe Kid habits made her laugh, and his face was…adorable. Has she always found me cute? The answer surprised him as well as the secret fact that Marco's scent drove her insane during Mewberty. Luckily, she managed to have enough "self-control" to suppress tackling him until the end. Perhaps one of her most precious moments from early in their friendship occurred when Marco lured monsters for her to fight after Oskar failed to return a phone call. He told her that Star was "the coolest girl he'd ever met," and meant every word of it too.

I get it now, the boy realized with a smile. Star's feelings for him pre-existed the Blood Moon Ball, meaning they were a hundred percent real. As were his—the Blood Moon revealed to both of them that Marco had always treasured her companionship even before he could put words to the warm fuzzies he experienced during the hugs, adventures, and Friendship Thursdays. Star was his world, his home, his everything. No one could dare hold a candle to the supernova of her life in his eyes. Embracing the Blood Moon wasn't a curse—it was simply the universe's way of manifesting their love. They were just meant to be.

With the revelation out in the open, Star and Marco's cheeks glowed as the dance transformed into a great display of their relationship: intimate, flirty, and fun. Lots of fun. The waltz became a sort of game between the couple. Even the demons watching found themselves drawn in, happy the pair had affirmed the Blood Moon's choice at last. Marco dipped her again a final time, and their eyes drank in each other. Star ripped off his mask and sealed the dance with a kiss, cupping his glowing cheeks as the audience cheered in the background.

"Wow," Star and Marco panted heavily after pulling away, the magic still swirling in their cheeks. The Blood Moon faded away and returned the lights back to normal.

"That was incredible!" Tom gave Marco a high-five. "I've never seen a dance like that."

Janna smirked, "Yeah, had no idea you had it in ya. Guess you didn't break the curse, huh?"

A laugh from the Blood Moon priest cut in before Marco could answer, "You thought the Blood Moon bond is a curse?" He left the podium to address the teens directly. "Oh no, not at all! The bond is only a curse if you think it is."

"What?!" Marco gasped.

"Yes, my son," the priest nodded. "Many Blood Moon couples break up because they let the idea of the bond mess with their heads. If you embrace each other and the love you share, then the Blood Moon will bless you with a connection that lasts forever. I see you two have definitely done that, so congratulations!"

"I can't believe I almost ruined our relationship," Marco sighed when the demon left. "I just thought—"

Star silenced him by placing her finger on his lips, "Shh, it's okay. You were just trying to take care of me, but I don't need a hero—"

Oh no, he prepared for his girlfriend to tell him to back off again. The speech on the balcony after he tried so hard to protect her from Tom crushed his spirit. He didn't mean to insult her agency—he was trying to be a good friend. Star kissed his cheek. "I need a partner who will always be by my side, and that's you. A lot's changed, but you're always my Marco—my best friend and boyfriend in the universe."

Touched, he wiped a few tears out of his eyes and hugged Star, letting the Blood Moon bond tell her how much the words meant to him. "I'll stay by you forever, Star," he vowed.

"And I'll be with you always," she ran her fingers through his brown hair.

"Get a portal!" Janna rolled her eyes.

Marco was about to object when he noticed that Star opened a portal towards home. "You know," the princess leaned against his shoulder tassels. "I wouldn't mind some nachos to celebrate us being soulmates."

"Okay," he blushed slightly because Star imagined the two of them lounging on her bed snuggling close. Something told him that she had a secret plan for the rest of the long night.

"Wait," Tom cleared his throat. "What about the rest of the Blood Moon Ball? I rented this place for five hours."

The couple exchanged a glance, and Star replied, "Enjoy the dance with Janna, bub. I think my boo and I need time to ourselves." Janna snickered and pulled Tom to the dancefloor as Star and Marco stole away. They spent the rest of the night eating nachos and cuddling and getting used to their deepening bond under the watchful gaze of the Blood Moon. No one could question the authenticity of the love they shared and the commitment they promised. And that is how they stayed forever—hand-in-hand as best friends and lovers chosen by a love deeper than any curse or power in the universe.

Author's Note

Thanks for following this short story even when things got a bit hectic due to how things were going. I feel good about the show again, and have nothing against a certain episode. "Lake House" wasn't fun on the first watch, but seeing it again and how it fits into the show, I'm convinced things will be great going forward. Also, stick around for the dramatic conclusion to The Dance of the Star and the final work of this AU The Dawn of the Stars. I don't know what I'll do after that, but I'll keep you posted.