Work Text:
It doesn’t count as movie night if one of the participants is working during the movie.
Max huffed from his desk, slumping into his rickety elementary school chair and picking at the splintering wood, mildly annoyed. Sam was what some would call a workaholic, which was great while trying to solve time sensitive cases, but not so great during the lull’s between. He’d shuffle paperwork for hours, writing notes on occasion with a fancy pen the commissioner had given him for Christmas one year. Sorting, filing, shuffling, organizing, bo-ring. Max would like to help, (not because he enjoyed it, but to make the work go faster so Sam would just relax ) but Max’s way of “helping” was really just using his jagged teeth to shred and devour the papers out of frustration. Sam had banned him from any such paperwork since then, but that meant that all the responsibility fell on Sam’s shoulders again , which meant less time for actually taking a break between cases (and more importantly less time Sam could focus on Max) and more time for the bags under the detective’s eyes to get heavier. Max had suggested a movie night to ease some of the stress plaguing his furry companion, since he couldn’t do anything else really and was therefore bored out of his mind, but Sam refused to leave the office, insistent on finishing the files that the commissioner had dropped off earlier that week. Max brought the movies to the office in the hopes that Sam would get distracted enough that he’d fall asleep and Max could sweep the papers under the rug, but no such luck.
Max’s long ears twitched as Sam’s pen scratched some more ink onto the documents. His eyes were looking at the screen, but his mind was focused on Sam. He was hyperaware of Sam’s body language, having spent the last thirty years or so with the canine freelance cop. His shoulders were slouched, his ears drooped, he leaned to the side to rest his body weight on the squeaky arm rest of his thrifted desk chair. He’d even removed his hat and loosened his tie, something he only ever did in the comfort of their own apartment or when he was utterly exhausted.
Max wished sometimes that he could help more. That his brain wasn’t so scattered, so he could focus on something long enough to get it done. Of course, Sam would never ask him to change, Max was his little buddy after all, and Max’s antics had proven to be helpful on more than one occasion, but the lagomorph couldn’t help the twinge of guilt when he’d see the stress and exhaustion in his partners eyes as he worked diligently through the night. So Max would “help” in other ways, such as suggesting movie nights, even if said movie night was a total bust so far. Sam hadn’t even touched the popcorn that Max had slaved over, he’d poured melted butter over the popcorn at the half full point and on the top of the bucket!
Max glanced at the clock on the wall briefly. Two twenty-seven AM. Sam had been working nonstop since eleven the previous morning. This was ridiculous. His foot thumped against the ground in irritation. Sam had spent nearly fourteen hours on goddamn paperwork-
“I’m almost done Max.”
Max jolted at the suddenness of the statement. Aside from the TV, they’d been almost completely silent for hours as Sam focused. His long ears flopped to the side as his head whipped around to his partner.
“You’d better be. You love the Spider-Man movies, you’re missing all the action!”
Sam rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen them a thousand times jar head. What could I possibly be missing?”
“Well, they just had the absolute worst green screen action sequence I’ve ever seen! It’s truly terrible, and you love that cheesy stuff.”
“True. Is it served on crackers at least?”
“If by crackers you mean a horrible romantic sub plot where the female love interest is completely bland, then yes.”
Sam gave him a small smile. “You crack me up little buddy. I really am almost done though, just a few more minutes.”
Max groaned, slinking deeper into the wooden chair. He took out a knife and started chipping at the wood of his desk, only for a piece to splinter off and hit the TV screen with a soft plink!
That’s when Max noticed the absolutely revolting, disgusting, truly horrifying scene on display. Super hero movies always ruined themselves by adding cringey romantic subplots, and this movie was no exception. Spider-Man was upside down, mask pulled over his nose and making out with Mary-whats-her-name, tongue and all. Gross. If it was any other night, Max would’ve audibly gagged at the display, but given that he was desperate for Sam’s attention at this point, (and for his partner to take a goddamn break) it gave him an idea.
Max flailed as he rolled out of his seat, leaping into the air and landing on the filing cabinet behind Sam’s desk. Before Sam could turn around, Max’s lightning fast reflexes had him launching off the cabinet and latching onto the worn leather of Sam’s office chair.
“Holy jumping jelly beans! What are you-“ Sam didn’t get to finish his sentence, because Max grasped one of his floppy ears and tugged. “Ouch! What the-!?”
Max tipped Sam’s head back the rest of the way with a firm hand under his chin, tilted his head forward, closed his eyes and pressed his little rabbity nose to the end of Sam’s snout. Sam’s wet dog nose tickled his chin, and the sensation tingled as he moved, lips gliding together with an ease that came with practice, releasing Sam’s ear and bracing himself on the dog’s broad shoulders. Max pulled back quickly though, not keen on making out like a disgusting romantic sub plot, and smirked at the dumbstruck expression on Sam’s face. Priceless. If only he had his camera.
“You’re also missing out on Spider-Man kisses.” Max said, bearing his wicked teeth in a wide grin.
“So I see.” Sam reached up and Max let himself be maneuvered from above Sam’s shoulders to resting snuggly in the crook of Sam’s strong arms. “I guess I should pay more attention next time. That was quite a kiss.”
“If you thought that was good, just wait until I’m not upside down!” Max fiddled with Sam’s tie, tugging on it playfully.
“But-“
“Leave it Sam. It’ll still be there tomorrow.” Max looked deep into Sam’s tired eyes, hoping to somehow telepathically manipulate Sam into letting himself relax for once in his goddamn life and to make out with his life partner.
Sam stared back for a moment.
“You’re right, little buddy.” Sam sighed and stood up, his bones creaking after being still for so long. He switched off the TV and flicked off the lights, leaving the office and locking the door behind him.
Sam collapsed into his bunk as soon as they entered their tiny apartment, curling around the tiny lagomorph. Max didn’t complain, nuzzling his little pink nose under Sam’s chin and snaking his arms around Sam’s soft body.
Movie night could resume tomorrow too.