"Max, you didn't have to go to all this trouble for me..." Starling cooed, smiling sweetly to the blushing Onyxian sitting across from her. After Max insisted on a specific restaurant where they should have their second date (one which, coincidentally, had an enormous price tag), they settled in for a romantic evening. Or, at least, Starling did. They sat and talked for over 6 hours, Max insisting that Starling buy whatever she wanted. Uncertain of his intentions, she ordered non-alcoholic drinks for the both of them.
"So, Max... you've gotten awfully quiet over there... something the matter?" The Interceptor curiously raised an eyebrow as he produced an old, weathered photograph and handed it to her. It depicted him, albeit no more than 2 or 3 years old, laughing happily as he sat on the shoulders of a purple-haired young woman with emerald eyes, who smiled from ear to ear as a white-skinned Onyxian female hugged her tightly, wrapping her thin arms around the human's ample bosom. Starling did a double take as she looked at the human in the picture.
"Max... that's my mother!"
"I-I had a feeling..." He responded nervously.
"How..." She began. Max shook his head.
"Like I said, Starling, i-it's a long story."
"What happened? And why are you all bruised and banged up?"
"You mother... she rescued me after I got lost in an open market on Saharr. A few older human kids starting picking on me, and when I tried to leave..." Tears slowly slid down his long, thin face, his voice breaking slightly as the pain resurfaced. He whimpered a bit as he turned away from her, unable to hold back the tears now streaming down his cheeks.
"Max..."
"They beat me to a pulp! And left me to die in the streets!" He openly sobbed, drawing much attention to their table as he lowered his head. Starling scooted closer and hugged him around his shoulders, softly rubbing his back and whispering comfortingly in his pointed ears.
"It's okay, Max... shh... it's alright..." After a few minutes, he finally settled down.
"You must... think... I'm really fucking pathetic..." He stated, somewhat jokingly, between ragged breaths. The young woman kissed his cheek as he lifted his head, smiling sweetly as she wiped the tears from his eyes.
"Not at all, Max... considering that you could've died, and instead became such a strong, handsome young man, you have to be the strongest person I know..."