Sugar and Spice - Chapter III: Testing the Waters

Sugar and Spice
Chapter III: Testing the Waters

When the pair reached Star's room, she and Glossaryck sat in uncomfortable silence for several moments. Well, it was uncomfortable for Star, kneeling on her bed and waiting for direction from Glossaryck. He floated atop the book of spells, simply staring at Star, expressionless and impossible to read as usual.

Star squirmed nervously on her bed, unsure what Glossaryck expected. She had hoped he would break the silence, but he seemed content to leave her with her thoughts. After a minute or so being stared down, Star couldn't take any more, and decided to give Glossaryck a push. "So... how long do we have?"

Glossaryck instantly snapped to attention and scratched his beard, mulling over the question. "Oh, you're ready? Well, hm. I'd give it a day or two until the next cycle. Maybe less."

A day or two? Star wasn't exactly sure what she was in for, but she had her concerns that they wouldn't be able to handle it on such a tight schedule. "Is that enough time for... whatever we're doing?"

Glossaryck looked Star up and down, seemingly evaluating her in some way. After a moment, he gave a shrug. "Probably not. I'll do my best to help you, but you guessed it, this may not work right away. Shaking the effects of Aphrodisia's chapter isn't easy. It will go away on its own, eventually, but if we can break the cycle sooner we'll be able to put a stop to it. You've been through one cycle already, and one is typical. Your mother's magic was strong enough that she went through two, but she was disciplined enough to get things under control after that. You, though... more wouldn't surprise me."

Star swallowed hard, her mind flashing back to Marco's scratches and bruises, not to mention his state of mind. She couldn't stand the thought of continuing to hurt him. If just one encounter had left him in that condition, she worried about what would happen if her own condition continued. "More? How many more?"

Glossaryck tapped a finger against his chin. "Well, the problem in your case is, powerful magic will work against you. It's just more fuel for the fire. That, and your, uh..." Wild, reckless emotions? Complete lack of self control? "... powerful zest for life means you've got the worst of both worlds. It's hard to put an exact number to it this early, but... let's just say that if you want your boy toy to be able to walk straight anytime soon, we'd better start now."

Star nodded slowly, feeling as ready as she would ever be. "What do I have to do?"

Glossaryck closed his eyes and thought silently for a few seconds. "For starters, I want you to think of a time when you felt especially close to Marco. What's the first thing that comes to mind?"

Star closed her eyes as well and dove into her memories. "Close to Marco...." That was a tough one. They'd had so many good times together, especially since they started dating. However, one recent event stood out in her mind.

Glossaryck watched as a smile started to stretch across Star's face. "Found one, did you? Tell me everything." Glossaryck settled into his listening pose, laying face down near the edge of the book, propping his chin up in his hands. "And I do mean everything."

"Wellllll, it's kinda... you know." Star's heart cheeks glowed as she giggled quietly at the pleasant memory.

Glossaryck grinned wide as he sensed weakness, now kicking his feet slowly behind him. "Why Star, I didn't realize you two had gotten so serious. Let me guess... mood lights, smooth jazz, scented candles, silk sheets... a night of lust and passion for the ages." The blood was gradually rising in Star's cheeks as Glossaryck carried on. She opened her eyes and her mouth to object, but Glossaryck pushed on before she could say anything. Even on the job, he couldn't help himself. "You and Marco covered in a sheen of sweat as your bodies entwined, writhing in ecstasy and aching for release-"

"GLOSSARYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYCK!" Star could feel her pulse racing like an entire Warnicorn stampede, her whole face on fire as she tried to force the thoughts out of her head. She wasn't sure if Glossaryck was trying to help her or give her a heart attack. "We didn't... I mean... it wasn't THAT serious."

Glossaryck dropped his tone, just for a moment, and gave Star an unusually serious look. "Even if it was, don't worry about it. Whatever happened, believe me, I've heard worse." It wasn't quite true, since once in a while a princess managed to shock him. Still, if even that little ribbing had been enough to embarrass her, he didn't think today would be one of those days. "C'mon girlfriend, kiss and tell."

Star let out a heavy sigh. Even if she was willing to talk, she felt like she would be betraying Marco's trust. On the other hand, considering what they'd just been caught doing, even if by accident... if it really meant keeping him safe, he would understand under the circumstances. "Fine. But you can never, EVER tell ANYONE about this. ESPECIALLY my mom." The room seemed to darken around them as Star leaned in inches from Glossaryck's face, gritting her teeth and holding up a single pinky to seal their oath. "Or I will actually kill you."

Glossaryck give Star a small smirk. It had been quite a few generations since a Butterfly had tried. In a way, he would have liked to see the attempt. He was legitimately curious to see what someone like Star might come up with. Still, if anyone would actually be able to pull it off, he thought it would probably be her. Maybe now wasn't the best time to test it. Besides, in this case he was willing to keep a secret. Glossaryck linked his pinky into Star's, giving a solid shake. "Deal. Now dish."

"Okay." Star took a deep breath and closed her eyes once again, organizing her thoughts as best she could before she began. "A few days ago, I was over at Marco's house..."

Star and Marco were coming to the end of another Friendship Thursday. With his parents still on vacation for a few more days, they had decided to move their activities to the comfort of his bedroom. The single bed had started as a bit of a tight squeeze, but Star had recently learned an object enlargement spell to make it more comfortable for the couple. Marco had decided it was a perfect time to show Star her first Mackie Hand movie. It was a hard choice, but he had finally settled on the prequel to Hand to Hand to Hand, Hand to Hand to Hand 3: Hand to Hand Too. They were really better in chronological order rather than release order, Marco thought. On the cool, rainy summer night, the pair had spent a cozy evening snuggled under the covers, fingers laced together while they watched the movie, sharing a heaping helping of Marco's Super Awesome Nachos. As the credits finally began to roll and the two left the warm protection of Marco's covers, Star excused herself to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Marco was relaxing on his bed and nearing the last of their nachos as he heard a singsongy voice from the hall. "Oh Marrrrrrrcoooooo~!"

He turned to look at the doorway only to find an outstretched hand holding Star's dress, which dropped to the floor in the middle of the threshold.

"Hubba-wha." Marco squeaked quietly. For a split second, Marco considered pinching himself. He had to be dreaming. He wasn't sure if he was ready for what he thought Star was proposing. Sure, things had gotten a little more intense since they started dating, but Marco felt like this would be skipping quite a few steps. Was Star really...

Before he could finish the thought, Star's body slowly slid into the doorway... clad in Marco's hoodie and a pair of his skinny jeans. "Check it out! I found them in the laundry! How do I look in a hoodie?" Star struck a pose for Marco, planting her hands on her hips and puffing out her lips, doing her best imitation of a fashion model.

Marco turned his face away from Star left out a massive sigh of relief as quietly he could, which was quickly followed by a rush of embarrassment. Glossaryck's sense of humor must have been rubbing off on her. He knew he'd been duped, but tried not to show it. As he turned back, he put on his best poker face, shrugging as he popped one of the two remaining nachos into his mouth. "Eh. Not as good as I look in a dress."

Star stuck her tongue out Marco before she returned to join him on his bed. "You're just jealous 'cause I rock your skinny jeans harder than you." Star jumped onto the bed, bouncing next to Marco and laying down beside him as she took and ate the last nacho from their shared plate, moving it out of the way and onto the nightstand. "Mmh, and the best part is, it's all still warm from the dryer!" She snuggled into Marco, wrapping her arms around him and pressing the sleeves to his face.

Marco laughed as Star pressed into his body, the slightly fuzzy sleeves of his hoodie tickling his face as Star attempted to share the warmth. "H- hey, knock it off! Come on, give that back, I only have 12 of them!" Marco tugged playfully at the hoodie, which only served to pull Star tighter against him.

Star pulled away, pouting at Marco. "Oh yeah?" She jumped off the bed, unzipping the red garment and pulling it off her body to reveal one of Marco's summer tank tops underneath. "If you want it so bad, TAKE IT!" Star threw the hoodie directly at Marco, where it clung loosely to his face.

"Star, what the heck-" By the time Marco pulled the hoodie away from his eyes, it was already too late. Star was in full sprint, charging at him from across the room. Even as he was trying to dodge out of the way, she had already started to pounce, soaring through the air and landing on top of him.

Soon the two were a tangle of limbs, wrestling on his bed, fighting for dominance. Marco's karate training gave him relatively little preparation for a grapple, and already being at a disadvantage in positioning, he was no match for his opponent's raw Johansen strength. Star quickly wrestled Marco down, pinning his shoulders and legs against the bed. Marco tried to squirm free, but it was no use. The more he struggled, the harder Star pushed her weight down on him. After a brief attempt to escape, he started to relax a little, accepting his fate.

Star gave Marco a faux predatory grin, some of her hair falling down onto his face as she shifted, securing her position further as he finally stilled. "I win."

"Oh, a sneak attack, huh?" Marco puckered his lips slightly and attempted to blow her hair away from his face, then gave her a small smirk right back. "Cheater."

Marco knew he was stuck there as long as Star wanted him to be. She was right, he had lost the fight. Not that he was actually complaining. As she rested on top of him, both teens could feel an increasingly familiar tension rising as they began to stare deeply into each other's eyes. After a few seconds locked together, Star's gaze darted away from Marco. She was starting to regret putting herself in this position, but was unable to bring herself to let go. She felt like a laser puppy chasing a car, except that she had somehow caught it, and now had absolutely no idea what to do with it.

Marco was at a loss as well until he realized that being pinned by his shoulders rather than his wrists had left him a bit of slack. He slowly raised his hands, resting them on Star's hips. Ever so gently, Marco slid his hands up underneath the tank top, the couple's wide eyes finding each other again as he felt her smooth skin under his fingers.

"Marco... ?" Star could feel her pulse start to throb, her cheek hearts glowing brighter and brighter with every inch Marco's hands traveled up her waist and to her sides, the fabric of the tank top gradually rising up her body.

Marco's hands continued their journey over Star's bare flesh, eventually coming to rest at her sides, just barely below her chest. "Star... there's, uh, there's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while now." Marco leaned his head up as far as he could, until Star could feel his warm breath against her. "It's, uhm... it's kinda personal, but it's really important to me. Star. Are you..."

Star's own breathing was getting heavier with every passing second. "Y- yes, Marco?" It wasn't the first time things had gotten a little heated between them, but Marco's hands were starting to explore uncharted territory. As Star inched her face ever closer to his, her imagination began to run wild with possibilities.

"Ticklish?" Before Star could even process the last word, Marco grazed the tips of his fingers across Star's ribs with a smile. With barely any time to react, Star bit down hard on her lip, stifling a rising giggle, trying to pretend she wasn't affected. Marco knew her too well, and he wasn't buying it. Within seconds he could already see her starting to crack, and with a growing smirk, he continued his assault. His wandering fingers worked their way slowly back down toward her hips, seeking out the most sensitive spot he could find as he gauged her reactions.

As Star's smile grew, so did Marco's. A snort broke through her poor attempt at a poker face. Then a giggle. Then laughter poured out like water breaking through a dam. As Marco kept up the pressure, Star soon reached her limit, her entire body starting to shake. "Marco, cut it out! I- I can't breathe!"

As Marco felt Star's grip slipping, he seized his opportunity. He jerked to the side, slipping out of her grasp. As soon as he was clear, he wrapped an arm around her body, placing a palm on her upper back. Marco pushed Star face-down as he hooked a leg over her to straddle her hips, then put a firm grip on her shoulders.

Finally free from the tickling attacks, Star's laughter began to die down. She wiped a tear from her eye, grateful for the chance to catch her breath. Star realized she could probably escape if she really wanted to, but she didn't find herself in any particular hurry.

Marco learned over closer to Star's ear, feeling the need to gloat after pulling off such a reversal. "So, the mighty Star Butterfly DOES have a weakness."

"Uh-huh. Now who's the cheater?" Had her face not been turned away from him, Marco would have seen a lingering smile, but he hardly needed to. He could practically hear it in her voice. Star propped herself up on her elbows, easily lifting Marco's weight even as he pushed against her. He knew he wouldn't stand a chance if his opponent put in any real effort, but Star seemed content to let him win for now.

"You started it." As Marco shifted his position, he realized a strap of Star's borrowed tank top had slipped in the tussle. He was surprised to find that Star's warrior training had giving her a fair amount of physical definition. He was even more surprised at how much it appealed to him.

In a move that felt more like an instinct that a conscious action, Marco reached out and began to rub her bare shoulder. He wasn't exactly trained in massage technique, but he'd observed it a few times in karate class watching students recover from their fights, and he felt like he was on the right track. Star moaned softly, wiggling her body slightly underneath him, which Marco took as implicit approval. His free hand found its way to Star's other shoulder, and he began pressing into them both at once. "Wow, Star... Your muscles feel so tight."

While it wasn't a bad effort, Star could tell Marco didn't really know how to give a proper massage. She was royalty after all, and she'd been spoiled in a few ways, including a few professional hot oil massages from some extremely... qualified men. And still none of them drove her up the wall like Marco's awkward, clumsy rubbing. They may not have been the most skilled hands, but they were Marco's hands. "Mmmmmmmhhh... I've been training pretty hard lately. Mostly combat training." Star sighed happily, taking her elbows out from under her and settling into Marco's bed. "This is the first chance I've had to relax like this all week."

Marco shifted his position, trying to find a more comfortable angle to relieve Star's tense muscles, now straddling dangerously close to her bottom. Star didn't protest. "Combat training? Is that how you got so good at wrestling?"

Star pulled Marco's pillow closer, pulling her hair to the side and out of Marco's way. She turned her head to the side to make herself more comfortable, and folded her arms underneath the pillow. "Aaaahhh... sort of. When I'm here on earth, I really like watching those wrestlers on TV, too. Lower please."

Marco indulged Star's request, working his hands gradually down her body. She let out a slightly stronger moan, and something twitched underneath the tank top. Marco jerked back out of reflex, a few long seconds passing before it clicked in his brain.

Her wings. He saw them so rarely that he'd almost forgotten about them. Marco had gotten a brief look at the strange butterfly-like wings when she first got them after Mewberty, but he'd never really had a chance to examine them in detail.

Star shifted underneath Marco, wondering why he had stopped. "Everything okay up there?"

Marco opened his mouth to respond, but found himself at a loss for words. He gave her the only answer that seemed appropriate. With trembling hands, he started to pull the tank top further up Star's body. Star's face caught fire as she realized what was happening. She squirmed nervously, but didn't object, even as her heart quickened until it threatened to pound right out of her chest. Marco slid the garment up Star as far as he could, but found it caught between her and the bed, unable to stretch it over her wings. Just as he was about to pull away, unsure how to proceed, Star lifted herself up slightly. She looked back at Marco, a shy yet sultry smile adorning her face. It took Marco a moment to get the hint, but he soon continued to tug at her top. No longer being trapped underneath Star, it was soon over her wings and scrunched up just above her shoulder blades. If Marco had been able to think clearly, he would have realized that the tank top had risen enough to leave Star's bare chest pressed against his bedsheets. But as he scooted back further over Star's body, something else had his full attention.

Marco leaned in to get a closer look at Star's wings. In one of his recent visits to Mewni, Marco had learned that even though wings were hardly considered indecent among Mewmans, they were still something rarely displayed publicly. Marco found himself strangely drawn to Star's. They were wonderfully exotic. Beautiful, even. The thought crossed his mind that he might be the only human to have ever seen Mewman wings up close. Marco was no expert, but they didn't look like the wings of any earth butterfly he'd ever seen. They were thin to the point of being translucent, yet somehow appeared stiff and rigid, almost like a flexed muscle. Carefully, he reached out and rested the tip of his finger along the edge, slowly dragging it across.

Star's whole body jerked as she audibly sucked in a breath. The new sensation spreading through her wings and into her entire body walked a razor thin line between sensual and sexual. She fluttered reflexively, wings unfolding in front of Marco.

Marco paused, concerned by the reaction, wondering if he might have even hurt her. "Everything okay down there?"

Star settled her head back into Marco's pillow with a happy, quivering sigh. "Soooooooooooooo much better than okay."

Marco let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Relieved that Star was actually enjoying the attention to her wings, his fingers began to cautiously explore their surface. They hadn't looked like butterfly wings, and they felt even less like them. The texture was almost like silk. As thin as the material was, they didn't feel at all fragile. He had no desire to be rough with them, or with her, but they seemed surprisingly resilient given their appearance.

Star was doing her best to relax and just enjoy Marco's touch, even as his careful attention to her sensitive wings was sending shivers through her entire being. As Marco's hands continued to wander, Star felt like her whole body was beginning to melt, breathing becoming no more than ragged, uneven gasps. She wasn't sure how much longer the feelings would remain in the realm of merely sensual.

If Star was nearing physical overload, Marco was getting close mentally. With Star's happy squeaks, her bare, smooth skin, her increasing squirming against him, it was all becoming a little too much. It wasn't exactly the first time Star had gotten him aroused. Still, it was the first time it had happened when he hadn't been in a position to hide it. He was fairly sure that wouldn't be an option tonight. As he continued his work, he realized that he was now straddled over Star in a position that left him pressing directly against her butt. "Uhm.. s- sorry."

Star turned her head slightly and raised an eyebrow, curious. "For what? That feels..." As Star shifted further to look back at Marco, she brushed up against something that felt unfamiliar, and suddenly realized what he was apologizing for. "... oh." Star turned as far toward Marco as she could without baring her chest, smiling nervously, a small blush adorning her features. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about! I- it just means you like what we're doing... right?"

Well, that was one way of putting it. Marco felt more conflicted than he ever had in his life. He'd never been more attracted to Star than he was at the moment, but his nerves were starting to get the better of him. "Star, uhm, do you think we should maybe call it a night?" He very much hoped they could continue soon, but right now, it was just too much at once.

Star turned away from Marco, laying her head back down on his pillow. She sighed softly with disappointment, but decided he might have a point. "Heh... y- yeah, maybe we should. It's getting kinda late. My mom might start getting worried pretty soon."

Marco swung his leg back over Star, laying down beside her and taking a few deep breaths to lower his pulse. A part of him regretted stopping where he did, but he didn't want to rush into anything they'd regret even more.

As much as Star wanted to continue as well, she understood, and she didn't want to ruin what had still been a wonderful evening. As her heart gradually slowed to its normal pace, she mentally conceded they had probably pushed the envelope enough for one night.

She leaned over the edge of the bed, grabbing the hoodie that she had tossed at Marco earlier, wrapping it around her body and zipping it to cover herself. Star took Marco's hands in hers, pulling him up with her before stepping back. As Marco watched her curiously, Star rocked back and forth on her heels, clasping her hands behind her back. She stared at Marco with a small smile and a half lidded gaze, suddenly leaning in to press her lips against his for a few seconds. Marco happily returned the gesture, following her lips with his own as far as he could lean as she pulled away. Star took her dimensional scissors from where she had left them on Marco's nightstand, opening a portal back to her room on Mewni. "Catch you later, Safe Kid."

Marco waved to Star as she began to step back toward the portal, a satisfied grin on his face. "Goodnight, Princess."

Star waved goodbye as she passed through the portal. With a happy sigh, she collapsed onto her own bed, head still swimming, riding the rush of hormones. She smiled wide, replaying the night's events in her mind until a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Star? Oh Starrrrrrrr... STAR!" Glossaryck waved a hand in front of her face as Star chewed her wand, the glow of her cheek hearts low but steady. "See, Star? Was it really so hard?"

Star blushed lightly, biting at her lip. "Darn right it was..." Star jerked her wand away and clapped a hand over her mouth as she realized she'd said that out loud.

For a split second, Glossaryck looked genuinely surprised, before resuming his usual bored expression with a shake of his head. "... I am not even touching that."

Star shook her head back and forth rapidly in return, hoping Glossaryck wouldn't get the wrong idea. She really HAD told him the extent of their activities that night. "Wha- Neither did I! Well, not on purpose... Marco just got excited! I mean, after what he did with my wings, he wasn't the only-"

"Y- yeah, I'm... I'm gonna have to stop you right there, before you dig that hole any deeper." Glossaryck cringed slightly, mostly out of sympathy. Star raised a finger and started to speak again, but was cut off by Glossaryck clapping his hands over his ears. "LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LAAAAAAAAA!" Star closed her mouth again, nodding. Really, it had been fairly tame compared to some of the things Glossaryck had heard over the years, but he certainly didn't feel the need to hear any more. After watching Star for a few seconds to make sure she wasn't going to incriminate herself further, he removed his hands from his ears. "Look, we've got plenty to work with already. Though I guess that at least explains why you were wearing his clothes when you came back late that night." At the time, Glossaryck had been mildly curious, but it was far from the strangest thing he'd ever caught Star doing. Plus he didn't really consider it any of his business, unless it was related to her magical education, or something he could use to torment her. He hadn't yet decided whether this would be fair game for private torture.

Star couldn't even remember what hasty excuse she'd given Glossaryck when she came back to her room in Marco's hoodie and skinny jeans, but he hadn't seemed particularly interested in challenging her on it. "Ahahahah... yyyyyyyeah. After everything that happened, I kiiiiiiiinda forgot to change back into my dress. I actually still need to trade Marco his hoodie back. We, uh, probably shouldn't tell Mom about that either."

Glossaryck smirked, then nodded. "Trust me Star, this is not a conversation that I will EVER have with your mother." With the story over, Glossaryck decided it was time to get to the point. "But you need to focus. The dress isn't going anywhere. We're on the right track, so let's try again. Don't worry so much about the events... just the emotions. Remember how it made you feel."

Star remembered exactly how it made her feel. As wonderful as it was, it wasn't enough. She was absolutely certain that neither she nor Marco was ready to go all the way, but still... the evening didn't really have to end so soon, did it? Star would have been happy to spend the whole night exploring a new world with Marco. "More. I wanted more."

Glossaryck stroked his chin as he watched Star caught up in her thoughts. She was so close, yet looking in the wrong direction. "Don't think about what you wanted, just think about what you had. How you felt in that moment, with Marco."

Star concentrated as she tried to recapture more of her state of mind. She had felt... warm. Safe. Even loved. "It was like..." Star was having a hard time finding the words. It was more intimacy than she'd ever experienced before, physically or emotionally. "Like we belonged together. Like we belonged to each other."

Glossaryck gave Star an unusually genuine smile. Even though he didn't have any use for those kinds of emotions himself, he was pleased that his student was learning. "Good. Now... hold on to that feeling. That's your anchor. If you feel yourself starting to lose control, remember it. Let it fill your thoughts. Try it."

Star closed her eyes and fought her way through the swirl of emotions she had experienced that night. She knew that was beginning to feel things toward Marco that she never had toward another person. That collection of feelings had been growing slowly, since long before she had admitted it to anyone, even herself. Now that they were really together, she felt like something new was beginning to blossom. She'd felt attraction toward other boys before, but the more she'd thought about it in recent weeks, the more she realized this was a completely different experience. Star did WANT Marco, desperately, but there was something much more than that. Despite the growing strength of her more carnal desires, she still enjoyed the simple closeness of spending time with Marco, maybe now more than ever. She thought she might now understand where Glossaryck had been trying to lead her. Though Star knew she'd barely scratched the surface of the complex emotions, she also knew she now felt calmer than she had since the whole mess began. She opened her eyes to see Glossaryck unmoved, still smiling slightly. "Huh. Yeah, I think I get it. But, what now? Is that it?"

Glossrayck raised an eyebrow, shrugging slightly. "Hm? Oh yes, we're done. With the warm up."

Star groaned, collapsing down onto her bed, burying her face in a pillow. "I wonder how Marco's doing..."