Chapter Text
To say Sam was happy to see his little buddy in the flesh would be the understatement of the century. He was absolutely elated.
As much as Max wasn’t one to be sappy or “soft”, he didn’t let go of Sam for hours after reappearing. The days and week following he was rarely gone from his side, sometimes even gently reaching out as if to make sure he was real. Not that Sam would complain though at the sudden uptick in affection. He was more than happy to have his lagomorph pal back with him. They could finally go back to the way things were. Sure there was the whole rebuilding of a post-apocalyptic-esque city thing, but none of that mattered anymore, right? That and he supposed things were a bit different that they were *Cough* officially a couple now.
It had been about a week since Max had shown up in Sam’s reality. At first nothing seemed out of place, nothing Sam had noticed directly anyway. They were both tired and just relieved to be back in each other’s arms. They spent the week cleaning up the office, visiting friends, etc. And when they weren’t doing that they just sat in bed and held each other for what seemed like hours. Sam, although upset by what occurred, pushed the memory down. It didn’t matter anymore.
It’s not that he didn’t care, because he does most definitely. He isn’t going to lie and say that the thoughts of what happened didn’t linger in his mind for too long sometimes, keeping him up at ungodly hours of the night more often than what he’d like to admit, but he supposed that he didn’t worry too much because Max was back now and why should he worry? It’s in the past now and for all that did happen he believed he was handling it relatively well.
Max however.... not so well. Not that he would admit anyway. He was still his same old hyperkinetic, wise ass, lagomorphic self of course, but something was... off about him and Sam couldn’t quite place a finger on what or why.
Other than a few sparing details here and there, Max didn’t share his recollection of past events much with Sam. He’d point out differences between their realities every once in a while, but would never elaborate much on the details. ( Apparently the pizza joint down on 22nd closed years ago where he was from.)
Max never let on that he was upset in any shape or form; he was just good ole’ Max. Still as psychotic and hyperkinetic as usual. But sometimes Sam worried about him.
He’d go awfully quiet and still for too long sometimes, something he would never do in the past without being up to no good, but now it almost seemed Sam would have to bring him back to reality if he stayed still for too long.
His eyes will go distant and glassy, a blank expression overtaking his features for minutes at a time. Anytime Sam would ask him about it Max would laugh him off. “You worry too much Sam. What? A guy can’t relax for a minute or two? Pssh .”
Sam couldn’t shake the feeling something was terribly wrong, but that was just all the pent up stress from everything talking right? They were both just tired, nothing a few cases couldn’t fix. Once the city was cleaned and the apartment fixed all will be as right as Julie Andrews singing on a hillside in Austria.
“Well Max, I’d say that is the last of the debris from the apartment. Aside from the junk you want to keep anyway.” Sam hefted that last bag of trash out the window into the street.
“It’s not junk Sam, I think the old wiring can prove very useful on a case. It’s just long enough to tie up a perp or two.” Max grinned fiendishly while stringing the wire between his fingers.
“Whatever you say little buddy.” Sam wasn’t going to argue that the wires were far from being fit to use in that fashion, and probably wouldn’t win them any favors from the commissioner, but it was most likely Max would forget he even had them in the next few days anyhow.
The office/ apartment was just about to back normal aside from a few bits and bobs needing to be thrown out or replaced. The bunk bed was pretty much totaled in the carnage, and his desk needed some work done, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. It was time for some upgrades anyway.
Before the recent turn of events it still looked like a sad excuse for even a bachelor pad. Miscellaneous furniture found on the street or in thrift shops, childhood remnants, and curtains that had definitely been hanging since the first tenants lived there. While it felt like “their’s” in every aspect, he supposes they never really “moved in” did they? They could definitely afford to but between being tied up in cases and what not he never really gave the matter a second thought. Well, all for new beginnings now right?
“We should probably start assembling the new bed frame we got delivered soon. I don’t think I can take another night of sleeping with the old mattresses on the ground.”
Max groaned in response. “All we’ve done is clean and fix things the last few days Sam. When can we go out and start having fun again huh? All of this adult stuff is boriiing.” Max huffed and threw himself back onto the floor.
Sam gave a slight chuckle at the defiant performance in front of him and went to stand over the now grounded Max who had dramatically flung an arm over his eyes. Sam bent down and placed a kiss on his forehead, “I know it isn’t the most fun thing in the world, but the sooner we finish all this the quicker we can get back to cases alright?”
Instead of responding, Max continued in defiance now rolling over with his back turned toward Sam.
“Oh come on now pal, don’t be like that.”
Max didn’t respond still.
Sam sat there for a moment, amused at the stunt before him. He reached out to shake Max’s shoulder when a slight zap of static flickered between his finger tips and Max’s arm fur. Before Sam could even react to what happened, Max had shot away like a bullet from a gun, scrambling away as fast as he could from Sam’s hand. Sam retracted his arm as quickly as he could, and for the brief moment that Max and Sam had met each other’s gaze he could’ve sworn he had never seen Max look that... frightened before. He didn’t even know that little guy could feel that emotion. It must have been his imagination though, because before he knew it, Max was letting out a wise crack.
“Wow Sam. Reeeeaaal mature of you to go and shock me into doing work, and here I thought you loved me.”
Sam smiled, rolling his eyes in response. “Sure chowder head. How about after we get the bed made we go down to Stinky’s now that they’re open again? Then we can come back and watch a movie or two. Whadya’ say?”
Max seemed to contemplate the deal for a moment before smirking, “Aaaaand I get to drive the DeSoto on the next case.”
“Not in a million years.”
“Fine. I suppose I’ll just have to settle for a kiss or two tonight then.” Max huffed.
“That I can definitely accomplish.” Sam placed a loving hand between his ears.