never-a-stranger

[never-a-stranger]

When is the remaster for 3rd season gotta come out, I miss the rabbity and dog duo, I wanna get back to my AU but Espio and Team Chaotix have me at a chokehold ☹️

[never-a-stranger]

Hi guys

Just experimenting with my AU Max :]

[never-a-stranger]

Max Gets Cheated On

(Not by Sam, don't worry)

🎶🎵 This song is for the boy who kissed me

Hope you're listening

Learn your ABC's

Never thought I'd catch you cheating

Gave me 26 reasons

You're alphabetically deranged 🎵🎶

Finally, I made content that is actually part of the lore!

Max had an ex named Mallory Thompson,

He cheated on Max with another girl, it's Girl Stinky

And his ex tried to manipulate Max to get him back together with him t w i c e

As much as Max wants to beat Mallory up, he can't because of something he has that Max couldn't get back, luckily though, Sam got his back

The full story is here! Feel free to read it

TW // Manipulation and Blackmailing

A Bitter Discovery And A Sweeter Resolution

Part 1: Max Finds Out Mallory’s Dirty Secret and Intentions

Sam and Max just finished a case late at night, Sam greets Max goodbye as Max goes home.

Max comes home, puts his jacket on the coat rack, and expects to see his boyfriend, Mallory, greet him in the living room as Mallory tends to stay up late a lot. To his surprise, he isn't. "He probably decided to sleep in early," thought Max.

He opens the door to his and Mallory's bedroom to find Mallory making out with a girl he's familiar with from Grandpa Stinky's diner.

Max, in shock and anger, yells at Mallory "MALLORY THOMPSON!", Mallory instantly stops as he got startled by Max yelling out his name.

"Max! I thought you'd come back home la-" "Cut the bullcrap, have you been cheating on me with that woman?! Have there been other people you cheated on me with!?", yells Max as he interrupted Mallory.

Mallory explains nervously, "Woah woah bunny, calm down. You're overreacting! This girl and I were just y'know-". As Mallory tries to explain, he gets interrupted again by the girl he's with, "This girl?? I have a name! And is it true, have you been using me and this guy?!".

Mallory looks at the girl and back at Max, "Okay so what if I have been dating both of you at the same time, it's not like it was going to be serious anyway! I wanted various choices and potentials, I didn't want to be a bogart," "NOT GOING TO BE SERIOUS?! Mallory, we have been dating for almost a year for fuck's sake!" says Max in anger as tears began flooding his eyes.

Max looks down to the floor, "I have been nothing but loyal and kind to you and THIS is how you repay me?! I got to be honest, my mom, Paul, Seb, and sometimes even I thought you were a selfish and narcissistic douchebag who doesn't put much effort into this relationship and has no time for me but of course, I ignored those thoughts because maybe you can't help it and had some reasons."

Max looks back up at Mallory with sadness yet anger in his voice, "Turns out...my family was right all along, I just wanted to give this relationship another shot because I have no one else to lean on and be intimate with. I am not an accessory to you Mallory, I am a person." Max sniffles as he tries to exit the home with his jacket back on but Mallory pulls Max in. "Where do you think you're going, didn't you say you have no one else to turn to? Would you rather sleep in the streets than sleep here with me for something you're just overreacting over?" says Mallory, but Max had enough of his lies so he punches Mallory in the face hard. "I'd rather stay in a park, cold at night, than continue staying with a lying son of a gun like you!!", Max makes a run for it, not knowing where to go but anywhere as far from Mallory is.

Part 2: Max Confesses To Sam His Problems

Max ends up in a park coincidentally like he told Mallory, he almost decided to sleep on the bench until he thought of Sam. "Maybe Sam can help me out here," he thought so he nervously calls Sam on his cellular phone.

As Sam drives, supposedly on his way home, he didn't answer the first and second time because he's driving but he stops at the side when he hears his phone ring the third time so it must be important.

He answers and to his surprise, it's Max who called, this confuses him since Max presumably must be at his home now with his boyfriend so why would he call him? "Hey Sam, I’m sorry for calling you at a time like this," says Max nervously.

Sam can tell by Max's voice that he isn't joking or having an energetic voice, almost like he's talking to him nervously and sincerely. Sam says, "No no, it's fine little buddy, are you feeling alright?" "If I'm being honest, not really, is it okay if you pick me up from Bellflower Park? I can explain everything to you then." Max replies as he sniffles and wipes his remaining tears.

"Oh, of course, stay put, I seem to be near so I'll be there in 3-5 minutes pronto. Bye Max," says Sam as he ends the call and drives again but to the park where Max is at. This concerns Sam and fills him with multiple questions that he'll ask Max soon "Why is he at the park at this hour? Did something happen between Max and his boyfriend?? I hope he isn't cold there, it's freezing when it's evening," he thought to himself.

Sam finally arrives at the park to see Max sitting on the bench, swinging his legs and looking at the sky, Sam jokingly decides to honk his horn, as he did, Max got startled and noticed that it was Sam who did it. This brings a smile to Max's face as he chuckles and runs up to Sam's car to get in. He punches Sam in the arm, "You knucklehead, I'm not a pigeon that you can just scare away!" "My bad, you looked like one!" replies Sam as both of them laugh and joke around like they normally would.

Sam looks at Max and notices his face, it looks like he had been crying. "Oh Max, what happened? Were you crying before I arrived? Or maybe this whole time?" He asks in concern and Max almost hesitates to tell the truth but Max promised to tell Sam what happened and he is his best friend so he could trust him.

"Remember my partner, Mallory? Well, I came home, expecting to see him in the living room to greet me since he tends to stay up a lot, but this time he wasn't so I just entered the bedroom only to find him kissing the granddaughter of Grandpa Stinky from Stinky’s diner!" Max explains as he said it in a depressing voice, "So I called him out on it especially with how he treated me while we were dating, what my siblings warned me about him was right all along but I just ignored all of the red flags. He's not telling me what he's been up to lately, not having enough time with me except if he wants to make out or sleep with me, only going to me if he needs money and such, would comment about my body a lot especially to his friends. I could go on and on about what made him a bad boyfriend but I can't, talking about him more will just make me feel more stupid because I could've broken up with him sooner."

"But you didn't," answers Sam as he put his hand on Max's back to comfort him. "Yeah, I guess it's because I am desperate to be in a relationship whom I could spend quality time with, especially without feeling like I am being left in the dark or being treated like garbage like my dad did. Now I really don't have anyone else to turn to, emotionally and stuff." "Hey now, that's not true. You have your family, Flint Paper, and me!" replies Sam, Max looks back at Sam when he replied, especially the last part he mentioned, Max asks "Really, you and the others care about me? Even when I act like this??" "Of course I- WE do, Max! You're an amazing partner and friend I could ever have, and here I thought I could just work solo as a freelance cop but having you with me is just more entertaining for me, someone who I could joke with, laugh with, even talk about personal things with, I could never ask for anything else better than having a friend like that with me" says Sam with a genuine smile.

Suddenly Max cries, "Oh by the horns of a gigantic neolithic goat glued to a tailored umbrella, MAX! Why are you crying?! Did I say something mean about you?? I'm so sorry!" "No you didn't, it's just so cheesy yet sweet with what you said about me that even Mallory couldn't say about me!" replies Max as he chuckles and wipes his tears. Sam chuckles too as he grabs a handkerchief from his coat and hands it to Max to wipe his tears and blow his nose, Max accepts it.

"Did you get your things before leaving Malcroy's house?" asks Sam. "Not yet, I ran off because of how emotionally dramatic I was, and his name is Mallory," Max chuckles at what name Sam mistook his ex as. "Do you have a place to sleep now that you two aren't together anymore?" asks Sam as he raises an eyebrow in more concern, "Well I can’t go back to my mom’s crib because it would take hours to go there, and I don't even know where the closest motel is-" "That's it, you're staying at my pad," Sam interrupts as he starts driving to his home.

"Wait w a i t!! No no no no, it's okay! I can just find a motel-" "NOPE! You are going to be my roommate and that is final, I told you that you can trust me as your work partner and friend, and as your partner and best friend I say you stay at my home, you can even help pay the rent so you won't feel too bad about it. AND THAT IS FINAL!" interrupts Sam again with a smile on his face. "This dog is fucking insane, I'm glad he's my best friend," thought Max as he chuckles. "Okay fine! Now stop driving like a maniac, that's my thing!!" says Max at Sam as both of them laughed, Max already stopped feeling bad about himself.

Part 3: Sam And Max Are Now Roommates

Sam and Max arrive at Sam's home, it looks like an ordinary house that has a garage and lawn with it too. Sam parks the DeSoto inside the garage next to his motorcycle. They both get off and enter the inside of Sam's house.

Sam asks Max if he can sleep on the couch for now since his home only has one bedroom and used the extra room for exercising, "Eh it's fine! As long as I have something to sleep on I'm- JEEPERS CREEPERS, YOUR COUCH IS HUMONGOUS!" says Max in surprise to see a big couch in Sam's living room, "Oh right you're 6 ft so that would make sense on why it's bigger than the ones I've sat on," Sam replies "Pffft, I think it's just your height making you think that the couch is bigger than it normally is LITTLE buddy," he puts emphasis on the word little to Max. Max punches Sam in the arm again as a reaction to Sam's insult, "Ow haha, you've been really punchy lately." "Well, I did punch my ex in the face before leaving him," says Max as he hops on the couch to get comfortable.

Sam goes to his bedroom to get some stuff for Max while Max sits on the couch looking around the living room, the walls are filled with pictures of Sam with his family, Sam at his mechanic job with his father, his achievements, and him with his friends. Max smiles as Sam got a good life, better than his even he thought.

Sam comes back and gives Max the pajamas, towel, toothbrushes, and soap for him to use. "You can use the bathroom at the left and you're allowed to use my shampoo and conditioner," says Sam as he points at the hallway that has the bathroom, Max thanks Sam then goes to the bathroom.

While Max takes a shower, Sam takes off his coat and corset vest first then puts pillows and a blanket on the couch. A few minutes later, Max gets out of the bathroom more refreshed and relaxed, wearing the oversize pajamas Sam gave him, Max goes and lies on the couch. "Thank you for caring for me Sam, you're the greatest friend I could ever ask for. Goodnight~," says Max as he starts to fall asleep, Sam smiles "Goodnight to you too, little pal."

Last Part: Sam Helps Max Out From Mallory

The next day, Sam along with Max parks the DeSoto in front of Mallory's house. "Are you sure you don't want us to break into Malfoy’s home, write threatening messages on the wall with pig blood, put a probably haunted doll sitting at his bed, take your things, and then get out of there??" asks Sam in disappointment then Max replies "Oh Sam, you're so cute when you don't like me doing the morally and well-mannered way to get what I want, and his name is Mallory ya bonehead."

Max chuckles at Sam calling Mallory the wrong name, he then leaves the groaning dog who dislikes him being a good person to his ex-partner heavily to the doorstep, Sam leans on his driver's seat as he watches Max ringing the doorbell then Mallory opening the door to talk to him. Sam can't see what expression Max is making but he can tell he's irritated judging by his body language once Mallory opened his mouth.

It has been a while since Mallory lets Max in his home, as a matter of fact, Max and Mallory are still talking but Max seems to be more frustrated than when he came to his doorstep. Sam thinks to himself "Hmmm, looks like the punk is just going to make him more and more irritated and frustrated to make him give up. I know Max says not to do what I suggested that we do get Max's stuff back, but he didn't say I could help him out by persuading or maybe even intimidating Mallory to letting Max in. So why not, anything to help my little buddy from blowing a fuse." Sam leaves his car and makes his way to Max.

As Sam walks, he can slowly make out what they're talking about. "Sorry baby but I only allow people who I'm dating and hooking up with and as far as I remember, we broke up last night~" "You can't be fucking serious right now, I just want to get my things back and after that, I'll bail! Are you just going to keep it then if you won't let me in?!" asks Max in frustration. "I might keep some of your clothes, sure most of them may be too big for me but I'll manage it, then I'll sell the feminine clothes you own along with your precious picture albums and other possessions you cherish," says Mallory with a grin on his face.

"So if you don't want me to do the following things I've just said, you have to apologize to me for punching me in the face, for saying I cheated on you with that waitress from the seafood diner when in fact we were in an agreement that I could go around with anyone I want while still being with you, then you admit that you were just acting emotional and irrational at the time like you always are especially to your momma, or else you can say goodbye to your precious photos of you, your siblings, and friends," Mallory says this with a smug on his face as Max gets even angrier at what he just threatened him to do, resisting the urge to punch him again.

"Holy guacamole on top of an ice cream Sunday on a late Monday Christmas afternoon, I want to bite that smugness of his off his face so badly but I don't want to cause trouble for Max, especially with the threat Mallory just made," thought Sam as he's finally on Mallory's doorstep behind Max.

Mallory chuckles, thinking he won until he notices a 6 ft terrifying dog standing behind the 5 ft irritated lagomorph, giving him a glare as he puts his hand on Max's shoulder suddenly changing his expression to a gentler and happier one to say "Funny joke there pal, but my best friend Max here is serious about wanting his possessions back so if you could kindly let him in, maybe even help him pack all of it, and stop making these ridiculous jokes." Sam then changes his tone to be more serious and widens his eyes, "I will do unspeakable things to you to the point of you getting insomniac from thinking about what I might do to you in your sleep, you got it?"

Mallory shakes a bit at what he just heard the stranger tell him, "Yes haha, I am so sorry for making you wait, Max! Come in, come in!!" says Mallory with his voice trembling, hoping that the friend of Max doesn't hurt him. As Sam and Max enter the home, Max looks at Sam, "You didn't have to do that, Sam." "Eh, I didn't want that punk stalling and saying stupid stuff to make you angrier than you are now." Max chuckles lightly, "Thank you, Sam," he says with a genuine smile on his face, Sam smiles after seeing Max happy and replies, "Anything for my partner in crime."

One hour later, Max is almost done putting all of his things in the trunk of the DeSoto leaving the Irish wolfhound next to a shaking squirrel at the doorstep. Sam grabs Mallory's shoulder and whispers closely, "Listen here punk since you didn't take care of my buddy over there, someone will surely make him theirs and do a better job as a romantic partner than you are, and that someone is going to be me soon. So here's a warning, if you ever approach Max to mess with him or hurt him again, expect to see missing posters of you in your neighborhood as a heads up." Sam says this with a serious look on his face that he would normally have when he's going noir.

Mallory doesn't say anything after Sam whispers to him, leaving him probably traumatized as he falls on his knees, ran inside his home cowardly, and shuts the door. Sam giggles as he couldn't believe he scared Max's ex shitless, he walks up to Max who just finished packing up his stuff, "I saw Mallory running inside scared then shutting the door really hard, did you say something again?" asks Max as he laughs a bit, enjoying Sam scaring his ex-partner. "Maybe, maybe not? Who knows~"

Sam and Max hop in the DeSoto and before Sam starts the engine, he thought to himself "Did I really say I'll make Max mine at his face? Pffft, not like I'm serious, I just wanted to scare the small guy, we're just working partners and best of buddies, nothing more!... Right?"

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

NAS Max showing off his new piercing but in my original artstyle!

Do y'all like his new piercing? Do y'all like my artstyle, if so, should I draw Sam and Max more often in this style?

BONUS DOODLE

And this one has Sam for the Sam simps ;]

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

Omg yess!! Thank you thank you so much for drawin Max aaa, watch out everyone he got a knife and is extremely pissed! 👐💕💜

Au by @never-a-stranger

[never-a-stranger]

Inspired by one of kaspuur, frostlowe, alienorganzz, kitty_dorodoro 's drawings of Max & @em-doods 's coloring style

Drew Max in outfits he wears for his side jobs whenever there isn't a case from the commissioner for awhile

There's a story that you can now read below related to Sam finding out Max's secret with a lil bit of angst and a sweet ending~

Credits to my friend @peachypeach666 for helping me write the story!

CW // SUGGESTIVE OUTFITS AND POSES BELOW

In the story, they have a big fight and after that, Sam gets in a really bad slump. (Slump- sit, lean, or fall heavily and limply, especially with a bent back)

There's stubble on his face and his tie is loose, he's walking around town on how he messed things up with max and gets really low on his luck.

He wasn't passionate about his work anymore 'caus all he can think about is Max so he swallows his pride and goes to the best strip bar in town.

He's always seen it but never dared to go in there but right now he just wants to take his mind off of it.

He gets in there feeling out of his element, he thinks to himself "What am I even doing here?", as he looks over all the crowd and the half-naked employees.

He gave his coat over his shoulder and his hand in his pocket as he walks towards the bar, he gets a drink and downs it.

He didn't want to get back to his habit of drinking alcohol but he didn't care at the moment, he downed it with the taste of regret and despair then he hears the overhead speaker calls out "Lagonymph", the crowd cheers for the show.

Sam turns around to see what the commotion was and sees that someone's coming out on stage, Sam's ears perk up in surprise to see the familiar white lagomorph's face.

Max walks down the stage and does the usual routine dance that he does every other night, he takes off a piece of clothing while he slowly walks towards the front of the stage.

Sam gets up from his seat and moves towards the front of the cheering crowd, he looks at Max's seductive show as Sam finally makes it to the tables and the people gathering in chairs in front of the stage.

Sam was shocked that he has never seen this side of Max.

He felt confused, he felt like he was violating something, he felt happy to see his face again and he felt a lot of things but he just sat down and stared in awe.

Max would have dollars thrown at him as people whistled and stood up to throw the money on stage but they would all sit back down as they know what would happen next but Sam didn't know what would happen next.

As part of Max's signature performance, he would pick a person from the front row and give them their own personal show.

Max looked at the crowd and scanned the front row for a perfect candidate but instead locked eyes with a wide-eyed Sam that hasn't looked away from Max since he saw him.

Max's heart dropped as he stared at Sam.

He had a million questions, why was he here? How did he find him? It's been so hard to try and forget the work partner and best friend he shared so many good times with and now he had come to see him.

Fine, if he wanted a show then he'll give him one, Max was all for petty revenge as he kept his professionalism.

He swayed his hips as the spotlight followed him, Sam on the other hand had no idea why Max was approaching him and sat stiffly on the chair while gripping the armrests.

Sam began to wonder what the hell Max was thinking by dragging him into his show, Max gave him a smirk as he sat on Sam's lap.

Max was furious that after all that Sam has said to him, he would follow Max to where he works and scout him out.

That was a new low even for his ex-boyfriend.

Max continued to dance, making sure to put more effort to make Sam regret following him and invading his personal life.

Sam gripped the chair tighter as he almost jumped out of his seat, he had been drinking all night and tried to get his thoughts together.

He whispered "What the hell are you doing Max?!", he said in more of a statement than a question.

"Don't try pinning this on me, partner, you're the one scooping me out and finding me to work.", spitting venom at Sam (Spitting Venom- to be extremely angry) using all his anger to fuel himself by finishing the dance.

Retro's Note: Sam is hiding the fact that he likes the dance while still arguing with Max

The crowd cheers around them and it snaps Sam out of his thoughts with Max.

Sam is hurt, angry, and drunk, Max wraps his arms around Sam's neck to pull him in closer.

He tries to calm himself down and tries to ignore the fact that Max is on his lap right now.

He takes a deep breath and looks at a very smug-looking Max "I didn't follow you, knucklehead.", Sam stopped at that, not wanting to tell Max the real reason why he was there.

Max snorted and got up from Sam's lap to finish his dance, swaying his hips and finishing it with a split as he walks back on stage.

Sam was left confused and walked out of the club, he grabbed his motorcycle and waited for Max to get off of his shift.

He had so many thoughts swirling through his head but guilt ate at him and figured now would be the best time to talk to him.

He had wanted to ask one of the employees when Max's shift ended but for obvious safety reasons, he knew that wasn't gonna cut it, and instead he saved his luck bad waited out front.

He looked at the mirror of his motorcycle and saw how disheveled he looked.

He hadn't thought about shaving and didn't have the strength to put effort into looking his best, he knew he had to make things right, if not, it would probably kill him.

Max was distracted all night and even messed up a couple of times, he was in the back room with the other people that weren't on shift counting their money.

Max chatted them up and waved goodbye to his coworkers for their amazing performance. He stepped out of the back entrance confused and thinking about the night with Sam.

What was he supposed to think after his best friend and work partner comes to see him at his secret side job, he shakes his head as he makes his way home.

A roaring of a motorcycle pulls up beside him and Max turns around already knowing what to expect.

Sam steps out seeming soberer and put together than he did when he was inside.

Sam reacted with cheap beer and spilled vodka, Max wasn't surprised that Sam picked up his old habits.

"Max," Sam called out, Max didn't even want him to give him the time of day, Sam runs up to catch up with him.

Max keeps his head held high.

He didn't want to hear Sam's petty attempts to win him back, Max had more self-respect than to let someone back in his life hurt him.

With everyone who has ever known Max, has always betrayed and/or left him, he wasn't gonna be a fool to let another person do that to him again.

"Max would you just look at me." Sam realized the desperation in his voice at the thought of his friend that has always had a snarky comment to make is now not even looking at him.

"I'm not stupid Sam," Max said while turning the corner.

Unfortunate for him, Sam is larger than him and could easily keep up with Max's long strides.

"I just want to talk to you." Sam said, it seemed to have pushed something within Max 'cause he stopped and turned towards Sam, "You don't get to decide who talks, I decide who talks and if you want to keep this conversation going then I suggest you make it quick!"

It seemed weird having Sam's partner so serious like this, it must have hurt Max a lot when Sam had said those things to him. "I'm sorry, I just want us to talk."

Max sighs and knows it would hurt him as much as it hurts Sam but Max was far from showing it.

Max can smell the alcohol, he can see how miserable Sam looks and it's weird, Sam has always put so much care into how he presents himself.

"How about we stop home and talk then.", Max said while crossing his arms.

They went back to the motorcycle that was still near Max's workplace and headed home.

Afterward, they're at Sam's home.

Inside, Sam tells Max how he just found a random strip bar club which Max works at as coincidence by accident, Max realizes that he assumed the worst of why Sam is in there then felt embarrassed and guilty of how he treated Sam during his performance but Sam reassures him and understands Max's perspective on it

Sam then admits that he liked Max's dance, and supports whatever Max does in his side job.

Max appreciates his best friend supporting him even after what he did to Sam then feels a lot better now that he and his partner in crime finally made up.

THE END~

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

AAAA THE 2ND REQUEST IS MINEE

You drew them so well yet again Luli, and I still love how you drew Max's expression in it

You also did an amazing job on drawing all of these requests, keep it up 👐💕💜

-Retro 💕

Insta requests!!!

[never-a-stranger]

Decided to share some doodles and concept art I made so ye

I don't have anything else to post okay-

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

[REPOST]

Case: Steal The Siren’s Potion

"When a case has gone wrong, Max has to decide between saving his partner's life or completing the case… He chose the 1st option"

Sam and Max are in the middle of a case related to stealing a powerful potion from a group of sirens before they could give it to their master to drink. It is almost evening, Max has the potion in his pocket and Sam is tied to a gigantic ball and chain from his neck who is at the edge of the cable-stayed bridge, Sam took off his earplugs by accident earlier which caused him to fall for the sirens’ songs and Max also had his off but he wasn't affected by the sirens' singing so Sam owes him 5 bucks for the only ones who can be affected by the singing are men who are attracted to women instead of it being regardless of the man's sexuality, which makes Sam feel defeated and stupid for getting himself trapped. Max defeated every siren and cheered with Sam, but one petty siren didn't want to accept the defeat, she had a backup plan.

She sneakily pushes Sam off the bridge while Max was distracted being victorious, Max notices immediately, he screams Sam’s name in worry and runs to the edge of the bridge to try to grab Sam’s arm before he falls but it was too late, Sam falls into the water, making a big splash as Max looks down from the bridge. Max instantly pulls out a gun at the siren who pushed Sam off but the siren was on the other side of the bridge, holding the key that can unlock Sam from the ball and chain from his neck, "Uh uh uh~ If you shoot me or make another move, I'll drop this key then you'd lose your partner’s life while you get to keep the potion," Max pulls out the potion from his pocket and remembered what Sam told him all the time, "Max, I need you to prioritize the case, not me. Even if I'm in danger, focus on the case…", Max sighs as he has already made his decision after thinking for a short bit.

As Sam has emerged underwater, he tried to unlock the lock from his neck using his right index claw but he hurt himself from unlocking it so now his finger is bleeding, Sam gives up and was thinking to himself, "Don't worry Sam, Max will jump in to save y- Wait… But I told him multiple times to prioritize the case… And not me… That means Max would've driven off with the potion by now already… Good for him, I hope my family and friends don't get heavily affected by my death, especially my little buddy…" Sam sighs, "The only thing I ever regretted not doing sooner is going on a date with Max before this whole mes-" suddenly he hears someone swimming near him, it was Max.

And he seems to be holding a key in his right hand, Max reaches out his left hand to Sam, Sam was shocked but relieved that his partner didn't listen to what he nagged him, and Sam reaches out his right hand to Max.

Here's a reference sheet of the outfit they both wore on this case!

If you want to continue reading the story behind the illustration for context,

Click here!

Max grabs Sam's hand and goes to unlock the lock from Sam's neck, suddenly Sam realizes he's almost out of breath, Max sees Sam's panicked face so he quickly unlocks the lock, removes the lock with the huge ball & chain falling off of Sam, and immediately swims with Sam upward.

Sam suddenly stopped breathing, this freaked Max out so he holds Sam near his chest, bringing him up to the surface in a hurry, Max got out of the water and is on land, coughing up the water. He puts Sam aside and is still freaking out, but he calms himself a bit, he first shakes to see if he's awake, checks if Sam is breathing, then does chest compressions, and next, he performed mouth-to-mouth.

Max starts crying as he does chest compressions again, "Sam, please... Don't leave me… I didn't choose the key over the potion just to have you die in my arms… I love you ya bonehead… Don't leave me please, I'm begging you!", then a miracle happens, Sam sits up and coughs up the water from his lungs as Max pats Sam's back to help him cough up all of the water, "God, Sam! You scared the hell out of me!!" says Max and gives Sam a big hug tightly, Sam hugs him back without hesitation.

Sam says, "I can't believe you chose me over the case… I really thought I was going to die, little buddy-" but Max cuts Sam off, "SAM! Don't you ever dare say that! Look, you may be the smarter and more logical one between you and me, but that doesn't mean I would listen to what your nagging about me thinking of the case first before you, okay!” he turns away from Sam to whisper to himself, “What a spaz, prioritize the case, and not me," Max makes a hmph sound after. Sam can tell he irritated Max by assuming he would listen to him but he's still happy and glad that Max thought of Sam before the case.

Sam chuckles, "I'm sorry for assuming that, little pal," but Sam looks down on the floor unhappy, "I may have had unsuccessful missions in my past so I really hate to think of failing one of them, so it looks like we weren't successful with this one, what a bummer… How are we going to break the bad news to Momma Bosco?... To Granda Stinky?" Max then suddenly pulls out a water bottle from his pocket, " Actually-" it seems to be actual the potion.

Sam widens his eyes as he sees the bottle filled with the potion held in Max's hand, "How?! When?!?" "Remember when we made a stop at the gas station? Wellll… I may have switched the bottle of the potion with motor oil, just in case the sirens came back to get us which did happen, so expect the sirens’ master choke in motor oil. HA!” says Max, chuckling, but immediately stops to say, “But the end result happened differently than I expected it to be so-" Sam's eyes lit up, and smiles, then he grabs both of Max’s shoulders to say, "Max, you absolute genius!! I could smother my face to your face right now!" and he did, he kisses Max on the lips which made Max catch off guard. Sam pulls away quickly as the two just realized what Sam has done then both turn away, all flustered but smiling that they have kissed. Max stands up and then helps Sam up to find Sam's motorcycle to go to Momma Bosco’s laboratory to give the potion to her in order to help cure Girl Stinky’s incurable condition, the two finally found the motorbike and ride off to the lab with the potion and Sam safe in Max’s arms.

The end~

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

Turns out in the 70s-90s, men would wear crop tops and booty shorts casually so 👀...

Enjoy these sketches I did!

Reference pictures I used will be here below

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

Ever wondered how original Max meeting NAS Max would go?

This would happen-

Also a bonus doodle of NAS Max meeting 50s Max made by mah homie Star on Instagram, Twitter, and here!

Give my friend a follow please, not only did they make this au but also have very interesting concepts with their ocs and Sam & Max even!

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

Thank you so much Luli for drawing my au! I still love how you drew my boys

Everyone please check out these fanarts Luli made for everyone's au including mine 🤗💕💜💕

-Retro 💕

Drew some of my friends au’s and did a lil animation in the show style!!! (im planning an animation meme with it so what better way to test it than this)

Never a stranger au belongs to @Retro.candyfloss (IG)

Wonderland au belongs to @plaanti_ (IG)

French Revolution au belongs to @tigersnoot_ (IG)

[never-a-stranger]

Redesigned and redrew my human Sam and Max designs from 4 months ago

Enjoy having a look at the NAS Human Sam and Max ehehhe~

Did a bonus comic of Max pointing out where Sam is putting his hand on 👁👁💦

Here's what my old drawing and design of my human Sam and Max designs from 4 months ago look like btw!

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

Did an art collab with @peachypeach666 from Twitter and here!

Please go ahead and give em a follow rn!

They are such an amazing artist who also willingly helped me with this au behind the scenes

Also listen to this song while looking at this eheheh

Peach did the lineart/sketch while I did the coloring

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

Ey ey ey! I know this is not NAS related but technically I am the creator and it's my birthday so I get to do what I want >B]

So yeah I turned 17 today yayy!!

Here's a bonus pic of me in my outfit, if you remember I made NAS Max wear this on the date drawing ehehehe

And mah gay a ss bday cake B]

[never-a-stranger]

Did a DTIYS by my good ol' buddy Sero on Instagram, Twitter, and here!

Please check my friend out! They make amazing Sam & Max, and original content

They can also paint like omg pls check them out

My Style:

Sero's DTYIS:

Also made a bonus comic because Sam and Max arguing always have to end with a bang!

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕

[never-a-stranger]

Drew NAS Sam and Max on a date in outfits I own irl!

sadly I don't own the gloves, hats, thigh highs and shoes

Also the outfits they're wearing most likely doesn't exist in the 70s so this is just me wanting them to wear clothes I own lol

Even made a bonus comic where Flint Paper crashed their date

Thank you so much for reading! And if you want to make fanart, make sure to add #never a stranger sm , and mention this account or my main account @retrocandyfloss 💕