Page 9 of Maddox

"I'm so sorry that happened to you," I said softly. "That's...that's awful."

Maddox nodded, his eyes still haunted. "It was. And it took me a long time to come to terms with who I am, to accept all parts of myself. Including being a Daddy."

I flinched slightly at the word, and Maddox noticed.

"I'm not telling you this to pressure you," he said quickly. "I just want you to understand that I get it. The fear, the shame, the feeling that there's something wrong with you. But there isn't, Clare. Your Little side is a beautiful, precious part of you."

Tears welled up in my eyes again. "How can you say that?" I whispered. "After what happened..."

Maddox took another cautious step toward me. "Because what happened wasn't your fault. It wasn't because you're a Little. It was because a sick, twisted man took advantage of your trust."

“I don’t know how to get past that,” I admitted.

“Then let me help.”

I studied him.

“Let me be your Daddy, temporarily, so you can explore your Little side in confidence and free from guilt. Find out who you want to be. What you want to be.”

I stared at Maddox in shock, my heart racing. "Be my...my Daddy?" I whispered, the word feeling foreign and dangerous on my tongue.

"No pressure," Maddox emphasized gently. "No expectations. Just a safe space for you to explore that side of yourself again, if you want to."

Part of me wanted to run, to slam the door and never look back. But another part, a tiny voice I'd been trying so hard to silence, longed for what he was offering. Safety. Understanding. A chance to reclaim a piece of myself I thought was lost forever.

"I...I don't know if I can," I said, my voice trembling. "What if...what if it all goes wrong again?"

Maddox's eyes were filled with compassion. "Then we stop. Immediately. No questions asked. This is about you feeling safe and comfortable, Clare. Nothing more."

I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling small and vulnerable. "How would it even work?" I asked quietly.

"We'd take it slow," Maddox explained. "Maybe start with just spending time together. Talking. If you feel comfortable, we could try some simple caregiving activities. But only what you're okay with."

My mind raced with possibilities, both thrilling and terrifying. "And you'd...you'd stop if I asked? Even if I freaked out in the middle of something?"

"Absolutely," Maddox said firmly.

I stared at Maddox, my heart pounding. His offer hung in the air between us, tempting and terrifying all at once. "I...I don't know if I can," I whispered, wrapping my arms tighter around myself.

Maddox nodded, his expression gentle. "I understand. It's a big step. But Clare, you can't keep living like this. Hiding away, denying a part of yourself. It's not healthy."

I knew he was right. The past week of isolation had left me feeling hollow, empty. But the thought of opening myself up, of being vulnerable again, sent panic coursing through me. "What if...what if I can't do it?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "What if I freeze up or panic?"

"Then we stop," Maddox said firmly. "This is about you feeling safe and comfortable, Clare. We go at your pace, always."

I bit my lip, considering. "And it would just be...temporary?"

Maddox hesitated a millisecond, but his voice was sure. "Whatever you need. Think of it as...rehabilitation. A safe space for you to reconnect with your Little side, to heal. No expectations, no pressure."

Part of me longed to say yes, to sink into the comfort and safety Maddox was offering. But fear still held me back.

"I don't know," I said, shaking my head. "It's too much, too fast."

Maddox nodded, his expression understanding. "I get it. How about this—we start small. No commitments, no labels. Just...spend some time together. As friends. We can talk, maybe watch a movie. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you tell me, and I'll leave."

I hesitated, considering his offer. It did sound less intimidating than jumping straight into a Daddy/Little dynamic, even a temporary one. And a small part of me craved the company, the chance to connect with someone who seemed to understand.

"Okay," I said softly, surprising myself. "We can try that. Just...as friends."

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