Max desperately needed to leave the shop for fear his heart might stop. All he saw was her, her beautiful baby hairs, the soft pink of her lips. This had to stop, he had to get away or he might do something that would cause their relationship to change forever. Max paced around the corner of their little village. He finally cut his hair this morning and bought some new clothes, he always felt like a new person after a haircut—especially after letting it grow out as much as he had.

'I wonder if Liesel liked it…' Max sighed, even a haircut was laced with thoughts about Liesel. 'Max, if you really loved her, you'd let her go.'

Max stopped to rest on a cobble stone wall, realizing that he wasn't just running away today. He needed to run away from her life. Max was broken—more so than he let anyone see. Liesel didn't need someone like him in her life, she needed someone strong, young, whole. Not a shell of a person.

"If it's for Liesel, I can do it," Max said to himself.

He took his time walking back to their small apartment, and even in their apartment he realized there wasn't room for him. He wasn't supposed to come back, and it was time he left. He heard Liesel and Alex laugh through the door, pausing before he opened it.

"Oh, good! You're back, Max. We were beginning to worry."

Liesel stared up at him as he came over to join them in the living room.

"Where did you go, Max? I really like your hair cut, I didn't notice how long it had gotten."

Max awkwardly touched a floppy piece in the front, "I didn't either, but I just decided I needed to do something and getting a haircut seemed the best option."

"You look like a real man, Max." Alex boomed before affectionately ruffling his hair.

Max mumble a small thanks in reply.

"Max, I know you were really busy today, but I was hoping you wouldn't mind looking at the stars with me tonight! One of our customers kept saying tonight should be nice and clear—perfect for stargazing!"

Max felt his chest tighten at Liesel's beautiful smile. One more night couldn't hurt, it would be the perfect goodbye. Somehow, he had to find the strength to leave this perfect, beautiful, caring girl. But it would be for her. Everything from now on would be for her.

Max tried his best to smile like normal—like his insides weren't wrenched with pain.

"Sure, Liesel. Anything for you. Alex would mind having a word with me downstairs…alone?"

Alex tilted his head slightly, "Sure, Max. Liesel, go make sure you set your laundry out to be washed tomorrow."

Max turned back down the stairs that led to their shop—Alex's shop.

"What's going on Max?"

"I don't want this to come off the wrong way," Max began, pulling on the hem of his new waistcoat. "I have greatly appreciated your hospitality, and I truly have come to see you as a father figure to me…."

"But?" Alex supplied in Max's hesitation.

"But, I think it's time for me move on. I came into your life unexpectedly expecting to just fit in…but I don't. I think it would be best for me to continue on my journey."

"I can't say I'm surprised, but Max, you're going to break that girl's heart if you just leave."

Max ran a hand through his hair with a feel of discontent now that it was too short. "I know, but it's for the best. She'll get over me, and it's not like I have the same feelings for her. She's a child."

Alex raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"She'll recover and find a nice boy her own age."

"This is true, but I don't think she'll ever stop loving you Max."

He felt he heart stop. 'Neither will I.'

"When do you plan on leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Alex was shouted in shock, "So soon, do you have a plan? Where will you go?"

"I don't know just yet, but I can't stay here any long hindering you both."

Max hung his head and Alex placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You have never been a hinderance to us, Max."

Max's heart was breaking. He didn't know how much more he could take—he never expected Alex to care for him like family.

"Well, you better take her stargazing. Spoil her rotten before you leave—one last good memory for the both of you."

"Ok."

They both ascended the stairs once more. Max thought about packing a small picnic basket for the two of them.

"The sun's just set, Liesel. Go put on something warm."

Max packed two apples and bottle of whisky he had been saving for a special occasion. Liesel came back out of her room and picked up their basket.

"Ready when you are!"

Max couldn't help but reach out to tuck a soft curl behind her delicate ear. Max's stomach did a little flip at the blush that spread across her freckled cheeks. They walked arm in arm along the deserted streets with only the occasional street lamp to give them light.

"Let's go into the field," Max said leading Liesel along the edge of a vegetable field. He finally found a soft patch of grass for them to settle. Liesel spread a sheet across the ground for them both and pulled out an apple. Somehow being in the dark made Max all the more aware of just her. He could smell her sweet scent around him mixed in with the fresh apple she as eating. He felt the familiar tightening in his abdomen and tried his best to suppress his moan. He pulled out his flask and took a swig, hoping it would be just enough courage for him to make it through the evening.

"What's that you're drinking?" Liesel asked sweetly.

"Whisky I had been saving for a special occasion."

"What's the occasion?"

Max leaned in close his mouth inches from hers, "Stargazing with you."

Max felt her shutter next him, which did nothing to hinder his current state of arousal. He felt goosebumps along his arms.

"Could I try some?"

Max considered this, but replied, "No, you're too young. Besides, you probably wouldn't like it. It's not sweet at all."

Liesel pouted out her bottom lip, and it took every ounce of his resolve not to take it between his teeth. Max took another swig of whisky before lounging back on his elbows.

"I'm afraid I don't know anything about stars." He admitted before taking another sip, and felt the warmth spread through his belly. Or maybe it was just being close to Liesel that made him feel so warm.

"I don't really either, but they're still nice to look at. Maybe we'll even see a shooting star!"

Max chuckled at the sweet girl next him, before lapsing into comfortable silence. They looked up at the stars and Max continued to drink his whisky. Each sip becoming a gulp, each gulp in hopes of keeping his heart from breaking. Max looked more at Liesel than the stars, her look wonder making his heart clench.

"Oh look! I saw one! Did you see it?! I saw one! We have to make a wish, quick!"

Max watched as she closed her eyes, he could barely make out her soft eye lashes against her cheek in the dark. 'I wish I could have Liesel.'

"Max, what did you wish for?"

"To have you." Max covered her mouth with his own, and he felt her stiffen beneath him.

'I can't scare her away, this is for her…this is for her.'

Even as he repeated that he couldn't stifle the low groan that came from him as he licked her bottom lip hoping she would let him in. Unsure she finally opened her mouth to him, and Max was almost undone with need and want. As gently as he could he pushed Liesel down onto the blanket, all the while exploring her mouth. 'Liesel, Liesel, Liesel' Max screamed in his head until, "Mmmh, Liesel." Max moaned against her lips. He broke their kiss and stared down at the most beautiful person in the world. He felt his body ache with need, with want, with love. He showered her with kisses, staring from her hair across her eyes and nose. He gave two quick kisses to her soft plush lips. Along her jaw line, down to her neck.

"Ah, Max." Liesel whispered between them like a secret. Max moaned and pushed harder against her body. Her gasp scared him, her wide eyes staring up him. He almost asked what the matter was when he realized he was the cause of her shock. Him. Grinding against her. Max flushed with shame and guilt as he sat up away from her.

"I'm sorry, Liesel…I forgot myself there for a second. I shouldn't have let that happen." He couldn't bring himself to look at her. Half out of shame and half out of fear of scaring her away. He flinched when she placed a hand on his back.

"I'm not sorry. I have never been happier in my life." She gently placed her cheek against his shoulder.

"Ugh, don't see Liesel? That's the problem. I'm too old for you. I'm too broken for you. You need to fall in love with someone your own age. Someone whole and good for you."

"You're good for me!" Liesel slid her arms around his waist and he didn't have the will to push them away. He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her neck once more. He could have stayed like that forever, inhaling her sent. "See. And I'm good for you."

Max lifted his head away from her neck and nuzzled his nose against hers.

"Liesel, you're entirely no good for me." And before she could argue he kissed her again. Sweet, gentle, and entirely too soft for the way he was feeling. He broke the kiss, but she kept her eyes closed and lips pursed as if just waiting for another.

"And entirely too ridiculous." He laughed even though his heart was breaking. "One last kiss for my Liesel."

He bent and kissed her like it was his dying wish. He pulled her close and felt butterflies in his own chest as she sighed his name. He felt time and space stand still. All that matter in his life was this precious girl and her happiness.

"Liesel, I do love you."