SVTFOE: As Long as I Want You (The FInale Part 1)

SVTFOE: As Long as I Want You Ch. 26 (The Finale Part 1 of 2)

	Marco was up early the next day, he had things to set in motion. After last night, Marco was in no mood to wait, for his nightmare to become a reality. He had until next Saturday to make everything perfect. One way or another this whole ordeal with him, Star and Jackie was going to come to a close; and no one would get their feelings hurt. Marco reminded himself to give Hope an Amazon gift card or something for opening his eyes to answer. Said answer was actually quite simple, at least to Marco's desperate mind.

Marco would convince Tom to take Star to the party, make it sound like a do-over for the Blood Moon Ball, assuming he can get Tom to calm down and speak to him as he doubts Tom has forgiven him for that night. Star is going to go regardless but Marco knows if she goes alone she will just hound him and in turn antagonize Jackie which in another turn would just antagonize Star, a pattern that Marco cannot wait to see end. Marco is certain that Star will agree to go with Tom, just to make Marco jealous, if she does not agree then he will pretend to be jealous as it will only encourage Star to accept his invite.

That will complete phase 1, the next phase will be convincing Oskar to go and ask out Star and, in general, be the bad boy hero of the night that Star should fall in love with. Star has tried to get his attention before, but it hardly worked, few times it did Oskar lost interest and went back to his keytar. Despite this Marco is certain he can make it work, he has to, the easier option would be to try to pair her off with someone else but besides Marco the only male she shows interest in is Oskar. If it wasn't for that he would just try to set her up with Alfonso for all it matters. Well, that and if Marco tries to set her up directly with any boy Star will see he's trying to pawn her off on someone else. Much like Inception the thoughts and emotions will only stick if Star thinks they are hers and not from an outside persuasion. Also,  no way in  he's going to partner her up with Tom for the long haul either, Marco doesn't trust that crazed demon bastard to not soul rape her some with eldritch god magic. Once all that is done, comes Phase 3.

This phase consists of Tom giving into who he is and losing his temper. Marco know's there is a slim chance he won't lose his temper, but it's unlikely, at this point Oskar will step in and sweep Star off her feet. If all goes well Star will be completely enamored by Oskar that she will forget about him and Jackie. Marco is not too worried about Tom, with the wand Star can just freeze his three-eyed ass in a heartbeat, Marco's certain that by this point Tom is used to losing the girl to a better man.

The fourth and final phase involves everyone living happily ever after. Star gets a boyfriend, either long term or short term either way it should be enough for her to realize there are plenty of fish in the sea beside's Marco. During this time Jackie will lose all interest in antagonizing Star once she realizes she's moved on and it really was just a phase. And best of all Marco never has to hurt either girls feelings, doesn't have tell Star to leave him and Jackie alone for good, nor would he make Jackie feel inadequate by constantly having to stop her bullying of Star. Sure this plan does involve a lot of assumptions and just downright playing with people's emotions, while screwing with Tom again...actually Marco doesn't mind the Tom part, he can go fuck himself. At the end of the day, everything Marco has done and will do is for both girl's benefit. It is what will help him sleep at night.

Marco, got to work right away; he sent Star on a very important mission to find the ancient ark of the covenant at Echo Creeks massive indoor swapmeet, eager to please she convinced Marco's mother to accompany her and took off. Mrs. Diaz figured it was just some sort of video game they were looking for, as soon as they pulled out of the driveway Marco bolted to Star's bedroom, hoping to call Tom on the mirror.

"Mirror, call Tom" Marco ordered. He crossed his fingers he was still in Star's contact list.

"Calling Tom" the siri-esque mirror responded.

Marco waited several minutes as the mirror "rang". Finally after what felt like forever Tom answered, he was shirtless and doing one handed push ups.

"Oh hey, Star I knew you'd wanna talk to me again eventually, just one sec, daddy's gotta stay in shape," Tom said without looking up. "997,998,999,1000" Tom counted with each push up.

"Star's not here and you aren't fooling anyone, Tom." Marco rolled his eyes as he spoke. To think, he'd thought his attempts to get noticed by Jackie in the past were lame! Tom's purple-ish skin and tough guy act made him look like a Jersey Shore douchebag that got jizzed on by Barney the Dinosaur.

Tom finally looked at the mirror in shock after hearing Marco's voice. "Wait a second you're that guy who karate chopped my hand!" Tom quickly put on his shirt, his eyes glowed red and he bared his fangs at Marco.

Marco was ecstatic but did his best to not show it. Tom does not recognize him from the actual ball; come to think of it Star didn't either. Either that paper skull mask he has been super effective or people from other dimensions can be tricked using the same methods you would use to outwit, say Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. Either way Marco was not going to squander this opportunity.

"Yes Tom that was me, my name is Marco I'm Star's best f-" but Marco stopped himself mid-sentence. He couldn't risk Tom becoming jealous of him and Star, for all he know's he could already be.

"Best full-time butler, here on Earth. Yup, totally what I was going to say" Marco said instead.

"What do you want?" Sneered Tom.

"Well, I'll get to the point Tom, I feel bad for attacking you so next Saturday I want to make it up to you" Marco replied.

"Tom made a face of disgust. "Are you hitting on me?"

"What?! NO! look next Saturday a friend of mine is having a party. And Star has no one to go with, I'd take her myself being the good servant that I am, but I am already going with someone else."

Tom made a face, Marco couldn't tell if he was intrigued or insulted. "What makes you think she'll even agree to let me take her? She hasn't returned any of my calls since she ran off with that skeleton faced fucktard she entwined her soul to"

Marco tried very hard not to laugh. "Oh yeah she mentioned that guy, they didn't do anything afterwards that you are thinking about after the shock of how, how um ...incredibly sexy he was, Star dumped him in some other dimension"

Tom punched his mirror so hard it actually came off the wall.

"Alright, alright look nevermind forget Mr. Handsome, the point is I got a good feeling about this. Just make it seem like your asking her out like you always do; each and every week since she dumped you the first time. She's too proud to ask you herself, and would only think I'm doing this out of pity if she knew I called you. I just feel like you two are meant to be, there's a reason why she never takes off that devil headband of hers after all."

Tom's eye's stopped glowing. "You really think so?"

"Yeah, I do...bro?" Marco replied nervously.

To his good fortune Tom agreed without much hesitation, Marco gave him the details to the party; he didn't bother telling him it was a costume party as most people would assume Tom is just a guy in a costume, just to keep thing simple and no weird demon stuff. Marco hung up, that was easier the he thought it be. Later that day Star eagerly told Marco that Tom had asked her out yet again, but this time it was during the party. She told him she said yes on the grounds that she didn't want to be the third wheel to him and Jackie. Star attempted reverse psychology  on Marco making it sound like she wouldn't go with him if Marco stepped up and put his foot down. Star must have forgotten about Dr. Marco P.H.D, he knew this was his cue to act against it using his own brand of reverse psychology, channeling into him  all the horrible acting from those Spanish novella's his mom and dad watches  he pretended to be some sort of jealous ex-boyfriend and demanded that Star find someone else or not go at all. Star bought the act almost immediately  and went off to confirm the date with Tom, saying that Marco should not be jealous of what she does now that he has Jackie. So far everything was going according to plan.


On Monday, Marco sought out Oskar during lunch. As usual he found him on top his car, or at least what Marco thinks is his car. Oskar is 16 but at times looks younger then Star and Marco, when Marco first laid eyes on him he was convinced he was a half vampire but then realized he was just an "edgy" scene kid.

"Oskar hi, we haven't really talked I'm Marco Diaz, Star Butterfly's friend"

"Oh, yeah I know you are" Oskar replied messing with his keytar.

"I'll make this quick are you currently seeing anybody?" Marco asked. He knew enough about him to know he wasn't but needed a good segway.

"No, are you asking me out?" Oskar asked confused.

Marco face palmed, "ok seriously, what the hell?" Marco thought.

"No Oskar I am not, but I would like you to go to a friends party and show Star a good time" Marco replied.

"Star huh, I guess she's cool, not really my type though" Oskar answered.

Marco was aware that Star's attempts to get noticed by him in the past were less than successful, but only because neither of them really put much effort into it. Oskar loses focus and Star just melts when he talks to her.

"Star is fantastic, she really digs you, man. You just gotta give her a chance and this party might be the night you two realize you are perfect for each other" Marco began.

Oskar scratched his chin and started to think about it. "It's going to be easy too, She's already going with another guy but ONLY because she thinks she has no other options, and this guy I'll tell you right now is a huge jerk"

"How is that easy?" Oskar asked.

"Simple he's such a douche after a while Star won't stand him. All you gotta do is show up and be smooth, ya know play her some of your music, dance with her even she'll be so happy that you like her and such a contrast to the other guy that she'll probably let you knock her up that night" Marco spoke, however, he regretted his last few choice of words.

"Uhm don't actually knock her up, I was just trying to be dramatic. Seriously don't try." Marco quickly added.

Oskar stopped playing his keytar and shrugged. "Ok, it's been a long time since I had a girlfriend, and she is pretty cute I guess, I'm down" Oskar finally replied. Marco gave him the details as he had to Tom the day before. All according to plan.

The week went by without too much insanity. Star continued to dress as Jackie, a fact that the real Jackie was very much aware off. Personally she found it hilarious, "Look at her she's finally lost it" is what she would say to Marco and anyone who would listen. At home, she would always try to snuggle up to Marco or try to seduce him in her own weird Star way. Several times she would expose her growing member wings to Marco when they are alone. It took Marco a while to realize this was the Mewni equivalent of flashing your boobs, it wasn't obscene to Marco, but it was clearly meant to be erotic to Star. Marco would just take it in strides and say things like "yup those are your wings, they are cool" and the like; nothing romantic but nothing that would aggravate her to double her efforts. Marco would also work with Oskar, giving him tips about things Star likes and dislikes, Oskar was concerned about the guy Star was going to be there with especially after Marco let it slip that Tom was a demon, the same demon Oskar met when he came for Star at school that one time. Marco assured him that he will be there and will take care of Tom if he has to, as he is not afraid of him; but also that as long as Star is there and with the wand Tom is not a threat. If Oskar had doubts now, he sure didn't show it.

Marco and Jackie spent a lot of time working on their costumes at her place. Marco had decided on Joker from the Arkham games while Jackie was going as Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, she was excited to see how pigtails would look on her. She would constantly talk to Marco using Harley's voice, calling him her "mista j" which would in turn lead to intense make-out sessions where nothing gets done for the day. Both of them were in good spirits, Jackie even stopped whispering bad things about Star once she found out she got herself a date with a cute demon guy. Marco was feeling like he was on top of the world, things were going swimmingly.

Star herself was also prepping a costume, but without magic. She had enlisted Marco's mother to help her with it. She wanted something that matched Marco's costume from the Blood Moon Ball while also matching Tom who may or may not be dressing up. In fact, Star wasn't even sure that he knew that they had to dress up when she agreed to go out with him, but in the end Star did not care. Mrs. Diaz thought about it for a while and finally gave her something that might work. Mrs. Diaz said its a costume worn by young girls during the Day of Dead or "Dia De Los Muerto's" as her husband would say.

"La Calavera Catrina, yes I think the look would fit you just fine Star," Angie Diaz told her as she measured her for a costume.

"Is it cool and creepy? Would Marco like it?" Star asked. "What about cute?" she mumbled under her breath.

Mrs. Diaz heard her. "Yes sweetie it's all of that, and it match's up with Marco's costume and that uh demon boy you are going with"

Star smiled, she trusted Mrs. Diaz judgment.

"Sweetie just remember to have fun, don't stress about what Marco thinks, because you know he's going to be spending the night with Jackie. I guess what I'm saying is don't get your hopes up too much that Marco will see you and instantly fall in love with you or whatever, I don't want to see you get hurt" Mrs. Diaz warned her but in a loving tone. As much as she wanted Star and Marco to be together she knew now that was not the way things were going. For now all she can do is hope both kids are happy and still have each other's backs when they need it.

Star nodded, she understood what she meant. "Thanks for looking out for me Mrs. D, Marco means a lot to me but still I'll try to follow your advice.


Finally, it was the night of the party, Marco picked up Jackie on his bike and took her to his house. Once Star was ready and Tom arrived his parents would drive them to the dance hall where the party was happening. Mrs. Diaz took lots of pictures of Marco and Jackie in their costumes, both were very detailed; maybe a little too detailed Mrs. Diaz felt Jackie looked a little too slutty especially with the torn fishnet stockings, man that girl has thighs to spare she thought. Marco thought she looked hot, clearly he made a good call in arguing for couple's costumes, she even had a baseball bat and Marco's flower on his suit squirted out water. Star had asked if he wanted real acid to come out of it like in the comics, but Marco politely declined.

"Where is Star anyways?" Marco asked his thoughts turning to her.

"She's coming down, she was just finishing applying her make up to her Catrina costume" Mrs. Diaz replied.

"Who's Catrina?" Jackie asked Marco.

"A scary spooky skeleton" Marco replied jokingly. Jackie just rolled her yes, she loves Marco but maybe she should tell him to tone it down with the meme speak. A rare pepe a day is enough for her.

A few minutes later there was an eruption of fire on the lawn followed by a knock on the door. Marco knew what that meant, he ushered Jackie a few steps back as his father went to open the door.

"Hello, I'm here to go with Star to a party," Tom said in a monotone voice, he was wearing a fancy tux much like the night of the ball.

"Cool costume son, let me guess demon lawyer right? Scaaaarrrryyyy" Mr. Diaz said tauntingly.

"I'm not wearing a costume" Tom replied, a slight twitch in his eye.

"Ohh..." Mr. Diaz said backing up from the door.

"Alright, guys lets go" Star's voice came from the stairs.

Star joined the group in the living room. Her entire face and arms were painted white, however her face also had been stylized to look like a skeleton from the day of the dead, she kinda resembled Marco's mask but way cooler and kinda disturbing. Star even had on a red and black frilly dress, with tiny skulls sewed onto the skirt, and a long black veil that covered her face, topping it all off was a red rose in her ponytail.

"How do I look?" Star asked. Tom was about to reply when he realized she was talking to Marco. Jackie gave him a look and answered for him.

"You look nice Star, huh Marco? But maybe your date would like pictures with you so maybe do that"

"Yeah what she said Star, you look nice" Marco added.

Star nodded gently and went to join Tom so Mrs. Diaz could take pictures.

"Well I think you look beautiful Star," Tom told her.

"Well I didn't ask for your opinion Tom" Star replied.


Marco laughed nervously. All according to plan...right?