#generalherasyndulla

How I feel about this character

LOVE im. Love im to bits it's quite incredible actually LMAO. As with both parts of that pair they're stronger characters put together, but I think Max has way more nuanced personality as an individual than people tend to think about him!! In Sam's bio in the original Save the World, it states they've known each other all their lives and "speak a common language" - and I think that fact, about specifically Max, goes to show he's more detailed than it appears :] More than their hijinks and playful taunting, they do speak a common language: and it's supporting the other how they need case-by-case 🥺

I don't know, I always appreciated how Max was a deeper character than was outwardly demonstrated most of the time. At the end of TDPH, the moment where Max is recalling what happened in his timeline with nonchalant humor in the face of pretty horrific circumstances (whether used to cope or not), but then sees Sam visibly disconcerted, and Max immediately changes how he approaches the conversation with more tact, is beautifully subtle in showing Max is capable and willing to be gentler with Sam when their usual joking doesn't work.

Maybe it was or was not intentional, and I'm reading way too much into it, but long story short Max is a wonderfully comedic, yet nuanced character, and even as more of a Sam fan (by a mere margin, mind you), I would be remiss to deny that the pair are interwoven pretty inseparably - and Max being any other way wouldn't make their dynamic work nearly as perfectly. Good rabbity thing character 10/10

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Sammy Hound Dog is my only ship for him 🐶🐰I couldn't imagine those two being with anybody else. "In every life, I will find you," type beat y'know?

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Does Flint Paper count LMAO? I think they'd be rather close (whenever they have free time between cases really JWBFKSN) and I'd imagine Max still has a bit of an idol thing going on even post Night of the Living Dead :]

Maybe a cheating answer but truthfully my gut answer was Sybil!! She's the pair's bestie imo so sure maybe obvious person to say but all the same I think she and Max could be a hell of a lot closer than it appears (⁠´⁠∩⁠｡⁠•⁠ ⁠ᵕ⁠ ⁠•⁠｡⁠∩⁠`⁠) I think she'd be a deeply trusted confidant, and he thinks to go to her first concerning things he couldn't ask Sam about/for - not that that'd be. Very much. Considering the little to no filter he's got But for dates or to surprise Sam with something and he knows he's gonna need help with it she's his first thought. Though I'm sure the end of TDPH probably went to show how much deeper Max cared for Sybil than what showed on the surface 🥹🩷

My unpopular opinion about this character

PG opinion? Now I am The Number One, Uno, Un, Ein, Énas, Yek crossdressing fan wholly and truly I've never known myself without that passion But I would probably say as far as the content I see, I'm way surprised that Max is the most chosen of the two to do so!! Immediate disclaimer bc one will always be Grateful to be fed and the work is always SUPER delightful regardless but just from what I hear in dialogue and have seen in the cartoon I was always under the impression Sam was more willing and even eager to crossdress, while Max was pretty hesitant and/or did not do so very often :0 At the end of the day this is a huge nothing-offense but it's more something I found interesting in the fandom! Clothes aren't gendered just in case I have to say that but I'm quite fond of the term and the history so it's just how I call it :]

Adult opinion? Max prefers to top and Sam prefers Max tops too. Sure they'll switch off on occasion but I think after that dog does all the work and talkin all day there's a dynamic shift (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)👍🏼 That's all I've got for now I would further elaborate with great love but being that I'm not sure how you feel about this sort of thing I'll leave it out of courtesy!! But it was an honest gut answer I had so I didn't want to leave it from my rambling

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon

That he gives Sam a big ol kiss right on that snout of his and then rehashes that line about his warmth being alarming

If I can't answer that then I'm also cool with a peek into their actual bedroom!! I was always under the impression they lived right in the office, but I've also seen iterations from other fans of them having a house or an apartment!! Regardless of depiction, I think having a concrete bedroom visual for them would be super interesting (⁠☆⁠▽⁠☆⁠) Though it is fun as fans to be able to speculate and show off our own ideas, so it isn't upsetting or anything of that sort - just something I think could realistically be done!

Sincerely I don't have any specific wishes for Max specifically - I think he was handled very well in all the media he's in, and anything that wasn't directly shown or written is very easily remediable with fanon and community ideas!! I don't find anything wrong with the stories serving their purpose as is, and the people being left to interpret and add onto what exists 🩷

Though, if I can give a more dramatic answer to this, however unrealistic, then I'd say I wouldn't at all hate a musical motif for him (or all the main characters really!!) I understand that hardcore story-telling is not really a Sam and Max special, but if I can be self-indulgent and shamelessly passionate about music, then I'll say especially for a game like TDPH something during more emotional or intense moments including character musical motifs in the background a la God of War reboot style would make things a hell of a lot more impactful.

Like Max's motif could be something lively, something typically with drums and violin or harp, or even flute, and changes depending on the progression of the story - during his initial power sequence, it's powerful and upbeat and smooth; during his beast transformation, it's chaotic and defeaning and gritty; during Sam's departure from the lab after finding out they couldn't bring Max back, it's quiet and drawn out and almost sounds like a lullaby before Sam takes to the streets and the motif stops playing to transition into Sam's sole motif, which would be equally quiet and solemn, to imply Max being left behind and Sam left alone. Maybe Sam and Max while they're together also have a motif that's both of their individual ones combined - and when it matters most, their motifs can be separate like when Noir Sam happens or when Max is trapped in the ship.

Let’s get to the point: “Why are you in my room?” Shuuichi asks. He still hovers by the door in case he needs to make a quick exit. In all likelihood, he’s safer here, but he can’t be too sure.

“I wanted to show you something!” Ouma-kun replies, switching right into cheerful mode. “After all, we’re partners!”

No, we’re not. Not after today, not ever. And given Ouma-kun’s personality, the mood he could be showing ranges from silly string spray to a knife to the abdomen. But if Shuuichi knows anything, it’s that he won’t leave unless Shuuichi entertains him. “At this hour? Couldn’t wait until morning?”

Ouma-kun shakes his head, finally picking himself up off the floor and sitting on Shuuichi’s bed. “Can’t. It’s urgent.” For a split second, his eyes dart around the room, only raising more alarm bells. He’s jumpy.

Shuuichi sighs. “Fine. So what is it?” It could be useful, assuming it’s not a prank. Or a plot. His heel inches closer to the door.

At that Ouma-kun’s face brightens, and he makes a dash towards the door. Shuuichi freezes in place—he’s being charged at, where does he go, can he even go, oh crap he’s going to be stabbed—but Ouma-kun stops just before him. “Saihara-chan, I need you to move.”

Ah. He wants to go outside. That’s not any better. Shuuichi shakes his head.”I’m not going anywhere. You could be leading me to a trap for all I know.”

“Why would I do that?” Ouma-kun asks. Shuuichi gives a pointed glare in response. “What? If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t have woken you up. Just bam!” he shoves a fist lightly into Shuuichi’s gut. “I’d have stabbed you while you slept.”

“You could, but then you’d leave yourself the only obvious culprit. You’re the only one who can lockpick. And unlike earlier, you wouldn’t get out of it by using someone else as a tool.” Gonta-kun…Shuuichi clenches his fist so tightly his nails dig into his palm.

A blank stare. That’s the best way Shuuichi can describe Ouma-kun’s expression, but then a switch flips and it’s gone. He shrugs, and then it’s back to a typical cheery smile. “Nishishi~ smart thinking, detective.” He empties out his pockets, and even his scarf, revealing nothing on hand. “But I don’t have a weapon on me, y’know?”

“Doesn’t cut it. You could be hiding one wherever you plan on taking me, or you could just strangle me.”

He swears he hears a small tch, before Ouma-kun says. “Guess so! And strangling you would be super easy to pass off as anyone’s crime. Not like we can test for fingerprints right?” He waits, but Shuuichi doesn’t so much as smile at the joke. “But y’know, I’m not very strong.“

Deep down, he agrees. He remembers both of them struggling to carry the cage. But he doesn’t say that. Instead, Shuuichi says, “Could have fooled me when you punched Momota-kun.” The bitterness eeking out of his words one sentence at a time.

“That’s true, I did!” Ouma-kun snickers into his hand. “It was really easy cause he’s dying!”

“Yeah, see that’s why I’m not going with you.” Shuuichi moves out of the way of the door, roughly brushing past Ouma-kun. “You treat all of our lives like a joke.”

“No, I don’t.” It’s too quiet. Too low. As if it wasn’t meant to be heard, or said.

But he did hear it, and the bitterness like oil that fills his veins alit fire all at once. “Is that another one of your lies, Ouma-kun?” Shuuichi whirls around, glaring at the shorter boy by the door. “Is it a joke? Is it funny to you? Is all of this funny to you? Was holding us against our will funny? Was Iruma-san’s murder funny? Was Gonta-kun’s execution funny?”

“I hate lies and jokes.”

That’s a load of shit! The fire rages on. “No, you don’t. You love it. You absolutely love toying with our feelings and our lives. What was it that you said earlier? That you’re one of those people who loves spreading misery for fun? Quit lying to me.”

A laugh erupts from Shuuichi, cold and bitter and mocking. Once it lighted, there’s no stopping this firestorm of rage. “Or maybe that was the lie. Maybe you really were sad; you just faked being a sadistic monster. I don’t know. I can’t ever know with you. You lie, and you lie about the lies you already told. Everything you’ve ever said is a cat box of truth and lies.”

“After everything you’ve done, in just today alone, you think I’m going to go with you? I don’t know what you want. I don’t know what you’re planning, or what you mean to do, or what you’re after, or a single thing about what goes on inside your head. I’ve tried knowing, and you go out of your way to remain a hostile secret. No matter who reaches out their hand, no matter how they try, you refuse to take it.”

The fire quells into sizzling coals, and Shuuichi sighs. “Maybe you don’t want to kill me. Maybe you didn’t want to kill anyone. Maybe it was all self-defense, and maybe you just wanted everyone on the same page about the motive, and maybe your whole personality is a lie. But the only things I know is you’re so eager to trash and play with all the lives that aren’t your own. I’m not going with you.” The “I can’t trust you” is all but stated.

Ouma-kun says nothing. He just stares with that blank expression that Shuuichi can’t read anything into. Maybe he’s hurt. Maybe he’s contemplating his choices. Maybe he doesn’t care. Shuuichi can’t know.

After moments and moments of silence, Ouma-kun turns the lights off, opening the door. The light from the hall cast a long shadow into the dark room. “Goodbye, Saihara-chan.”

Goodbye…? But Shuuichi doesn’t get a chance to ask him what he means, and the door slams shut behind him.

The door unlocks, revealing a messy room the likes of which Shuuichi hasn’t seen before. He thought that key would lead here, the one he found when he rolled over in bed this morning. Turns out Ouma-kun left something for him after all. He must have done it before he woke Shuuichi up. I guess that was the ending he was expecting after all.

He sighs, closing the door and locking it behind him, before making his way through the overcrowded mess towards the bed. His sleepless body collapses on the bed the minute he reaches it.

This morning at breakfast, Monokuma popped into the dining hall, looked around, and said nothing before leaving. Momota-kun had yelled at him to come back, which lead to a pointless interrogation. All Monokuma said is “Shouldn’t you be dealing with Ouma-kun?” and the subject of conversation switched just like that.

They didn’t find him. Nobody found him anywhere on the entire campus. Momota-kun declared he had to be hiding somewhere, but Shuuichi didn’t think they’d ever find him.

“Goodbye, Saihara-chan.”

He left. Shuuichi couldn’t tell you how he left, but he’s gone. Wherever he is, he’s not coming back. And Shuuichi can’t blame him.

He didn’t need to snap at Ouma-kun. No matter how justified his anger, he should have contained it and heard him out. Isn’t he a detective? Shouldn’t he have seen what it was for himself? Even if he didn’t trust him, wasn’t there anything he could have done to reassure himself? He shouldn’t have said all that. You should have gone with him.

The somewhat crowded ceiling in Ouma-kun’s room, despite all of Shuuichi’s gazing, tells him nothing. Or—wait…Shuuichi sits up, glancing around the room. He has Ouma-kun’s key. Or, more accurately, Ouma-kun left him this key. He jumps out of the bed, hurriedly searching the room for anything at all that might be a clue. There’s something in here…

He doesn’t know if it’ll be the key to an exit. Maybe it’s all just another one of Ouma-kun’s elaborate pranks. Maybe he’s been duped this entire time. But, this time he has to see that for himself. Maybe this time Ouma-kun was reaching out to him.