#a maddox

[aurelim]

FWB Prompt(s) with Maddox

Started writing randomly when I found this FWB prompt list by @creativepromptsforwriting. I began writing for "They enjoy having sex together a lot and do it so regularly that they start to feel very comfortable at each other’s places" but then switched gears into "Person A always asks Person B to spent the night together, because they’re already sleeping together, so why not actually sleep together. But Person B always declines. Until one night." So now you get both worlds.

Content warnings: sexually suggestive content?, language (f-bomb but only one)

“Hey, [name], have ya seen my sweat rag? I left it here last time but I wasn’t able to find it.” You sit up on your bed as you watch Maddox walk around the room, checking behind the door and drawers.

They comb through each drawer meticulously, their brows furrowed together. A slip of pink sticks out from between their thinned lips before withdrawing along with their body. They hold up the piece of cloth, running their hand over the once neatly-folded item. “Why was it folded and stowed in your drawers?”

You cannot help the pink in your cheeks that bloom as you admire them. For a moment, you are distracted by their physique, eyes drawing over every curve and muscle of their body. You do not notice your tongue swiping across the surface of your lip until you see Maddox watching the motion, their eyes following the line of your lip. Suddenly, their eyes snap up to meet yours, and that’s when you see desire sparkling among blue eyes.

“Did you…hear me?”

You reluctantly tear your eyes away from them to your hands lying on your lap. “I left it there because I knew you would look for it.”

“What? Ya wanted to keep it?” Hearing your words seems to have boosted their ego, head perking up as a cocky smirk graces their features. Your heart leaps out into Maddox’s arms, belonging entirely to them. They have not smiled since they came to your front door last night, and you had found it strange when Maddox asked to stay the night. They never stay, leaving once your time together is finished. At least they have finally managed to smile, even if it was at your expense.

Your face is likely burning, but you reject the implication. “N–”

“You could have just asked to keep it and I would’ve let ya. That way ya won’t forget me!” At their words, you pause. Finally, you see what has been bothering them so much. You cannot help but frown once you make the connection of why they have not smiled until now; why they stayed the night.

“Maddox.” The single name stops them from making another comment, lips parted. “What’s going on with you?”

“What d’ya mean?”

“You know what I mean.”

Maddox does not respond. Of course they know, but they would never admit it.

“Maddox,” you begin once more. “Did something happen to you?”

“Is it a crime to miss ya?” they try for a rebuttal matched with a smile, although it wavers under your stare.

“Maddox.”

Hearing you say it again once more, they finally sigh. “Alright, fine. It’s just…I was thinkin’ about what life would be like once you go back. You said you was going to go back eventually, so…it made me miss ya.”

“I haven’t left yet.”

“But you will. One day, you will.” They suddenly lean forward, reaching across to grab your hands. Their hands are freezing. You almost let go from the shock, but their grip tightens. Slowly, they inch towards you.

You smile, trying to hide the sorrow you feel. “I can visit you. We can hang out again.”

Maddox sighs, before letting go of your hand. Your hands feel cold now, even though their hands were colder.

“It isn’t the same, [name].” Your name is whispered gently like a prayer. It sounds so pretty coming from their lips.

Your heart throbs. It sinks and rises with pain; it hurts so, so, much. “Are you saying we should cut things off now, before it gets too messy?”

“Yes. Well, no, but yes.” Gods, you knew the answer was coming, but it still hurts hearing it said out loud. “Not yet, but…someday we will have to, before you go back. There’s no way we can have this relationship–I’m not even sure how I can fuck a Merfolk, anyway.”

Despite the serious topic, you laugh. Their smile lights up, and they surge forward with their entire body to pin you to the bed. Their face hovers inches from your face, and you are so close that you can see their eyelashes flutter against their cheek.

No matter what angle you look at them, they always look stunning.

Maddox presses down against the edge of your mouth, applying soft kisses around your jaw and collarbone. You are desperate against their touch, and you move with a matched rhythm.

Your problems can be put aside for now.

[aurelim]

On That Day: A Maddox

It was another job for Captain A Maddox. They had been hired by a private trading company to bring various goods to the kingdom of Rhodyllen, who share excellent trading connections with Oceanic. The travel was far—at least five days' worth of sailing across the Laguape Sea. But it took a lot more than that to discourage them from taking the job. They needed every coin they could earn.

Captain Maddox departed from the Oceanic port on a crisp, sunny afternoon, confidence settled in their chest. They had no crew on their ship, the Odyssey, besides their lonesome self. They had no need for extra hands, and they preferred to sail alone. It allowed them to breathe openly and clear their thoughts, and it was cathartic to hear the crashing waves against the wooden shell of the Odyssey without the chatter of men.

The first three nights had been smooth sailing and starry nights. A knew the ins and outs of their ship, manning the wheel, sails, and lookout at once. The Odyssey was no small ship, but it was just manageable if the sailor knew it well.

On the fourth day, the captain was startled awake by a frightening clash. Their heart had leaped to their throat as they threw their cabin door open. There was no time to grab their navy blue coat—A ran up and hurried to the upper deck.

The sun had been replaced by dark clouds looming ominously over the ship. The ropes they had tied to the wheel have loosened, but A quickly teared it off to regain control. They were not sure how far the Odyssey had veered from its course—right now, they had to focus on the humidity in the air, the wind picking up and the coldness that numbed their body.

A bolt of lightning brightens the clouds, followed by the rumbling of thunder. The ocean has become rougher, throwing the ship about in a vain attempt to destroy it. The only problem is that Maddox is the one behind the wheel. And they are not going to let that happen anytime soon.

Seawater splashes onto the deck, pooling around their boots. Rain comes down in heavy spurts, matting their hair as their clothes stick to their skin. They curse the storm and it appears to respond with more rain and tougher waves.

The steering wheel becomes their lifeline as they grip onto it, their teeth grinding as they try to fight back. The sails are whipping, and if they had people helping perhaps this situation would have been much better. Alas, it appeared they had to deal with the storm alone.

The magnitude of the storm finally dawned upon them once they heard a faint voice. Immediately their eyes were drawn to the water, looking for the source of the sound. Through the chaos, the sound a gentle melody that settled in their bones, muscles relaxing. The captain swooned and nearly let go of the wheel before the Odyssey jostled with a sudden bump.

It was enough to break them out of whatever spell they were under. They had to get out of here. This was the only thing on their mind.

Maddox had nothing to cover their ears, so they resolved to think about other thoughts and focus on avoiding the huge waves that rose to swallow them whole. They hoped the goods were not ruined after this...they would have to check later. Their mind buzzes with a need to jump into the rocky waters, but they manage to push down the impulse.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the wind dialed down its intensity. The rain slowed and the thunder lessened. Despite these signs, A Maddox continued to hold their breath until they were out of the storm.

The gloomy clouds have made way for the sun, rays of warmth splaying over Maddox's figure. The wind calmed down and the sea took a deep exhale of relief.

In that moment, they allowed themself to relax.

Breathe.

The storm is over. The voice is, too.

With this, they returned back to their normal routine. They went back to retrieve their coat, shouldering it on, and returned to manning the wheel, sails and lookout at once.

Maddox was still shaken from the storm and the voice. The melody repeats in their head, slowly driving them insane. But they soldier on. There is nothing else they can do about it.

The rest of the journey went without a hitch. Luckily, none of the goods had been destroyed and A was paid handsomely for their work. The job was done.

On the journey back home, they kept a close eye on the waters. No storm occurs again, thankfully.

But it seems that they are lucky.

In the dead of night, as their eyes are half-closing, they spy a glimmer of pink amongst the darkness. Suddenly their senses come alive and they get closer to the edge of the ship. And they see it—the shadow—as it disappears.

Holy mother of...they lean closer to the edge, hoping to get another glimpse. It is long gone now under the depths of the deep blue sea.

But it was there. And that was all A needed to know.

Mermaids. Actual mermaids.

Rejuvenated, the captain gets back to the wooden wheel, gripping it with their calloused fingers. It would be another day before they reached port.

The longer Maddox stays awake, the faster they will get there.

Gods, do they have a story to tell.