Sugar Ending Side Story: "My Bedraggled Dress"

I rushed down into town, still wearing the dress I was supposed to be wearing to the ball. (My legs feel so weak. I'm not used to running like this!) My breath was coming in gasps, and I slowed to a stop, leaning against a nearby wall for support. Sebastian stopped on a lamp just overhead and peered down at me.

"This way, this way."

"I know." I'd run most of the way form the palace, and my legs were shaking. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling guilty for running away from the ball. (But I don't have time to stop here.) I took a deep breath, and lifted the hem of my dress. The feel of the fabric under my fingers reminded me suddenly of Leo. (Leo was the one who chose this dress for me.)

It was back before any of this had happened. I was in my chamber, trying on new dresses as requested by Giles. I stared doubtfully at myself in the mirror. (Giles told me to choose one, but I can't decide.)

"Hmmmm." I turned this way and that way in front of the mirror, still frowning, when suddenly a voice spoke from behind me.

"What are you fretting about, Maya?"

"Oh, Leo!" I turned around in surprise, and my pulse sped up at the sight of him. (I didn't even hear him come in.)

"Um—I'm just trying to decide which one I like."

"Really? In that case, how about I help out?"

"Huh?" Leo picked up one of the dresses and smiled at me.

"Try this one."

"Okay." (He's right, I won't know for sure unless I try them on.) I nodded, and Leo reached for the ribbon ties at the front of the dress I was wearing. (Gah!) I grabbed hold of his hands as I stared up at him. "I can do it myself, thank you!"

"Aww c'mon, I'm just trying to help. It must be difficult by yourself, what with all those buttons." Leo gave me a beaming smile, and gently pulled the bow loose. A part of me wanted to go along with it, but I was still unused to being with him like this. As his hands unthreaded the ribbon, I felt myself blushing.

"Leo, this is—I feel so embarrassed."

"Why?" Leo laughed softly, his hands still undoing my dress, and I let him in spite of my flushed cheeks. A moment later he slipped it from my shoulders. I caught my breath as the dress fell to the ground, and suddenly it was a little too much— I shyly turned my back on him.

"Please don't stare." (I can't quite look him in the face.) But I could feel his gaze on me. I glanced over my shoulder in time to see him smirk.

"Ahh, you're an idiot, Maya. Saying that just has the opposite effect—I want to stare at you all the more."

"But—" (I didn't mean—) I stared at him in confusion, and he laughed again.

"I'm joking. Here." I started a little as his hand reached around me from behind, but he wasn't just handing me the dress he'd chosen. I hastened to put it on, and then Leo helped me do up the buttons and ribbon ties. "Yep, definitely this one. It really suits you."

"Thank you." (He chose it for me, after all—if he thinks it looks good, then I trust him. Thank goodness.)

"Maya—" He leaned closer to gaze into my eyes, and then lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on my neck.

"Ohh—" My body quivered in response to the unexpected sensation. Leo caught hold of my wrists and kissed each one in turn. "Leo—that tickles."

"Mmmm-hmm." He slipped his arms around my waist, and then pushed me gently down on the bed.

"Ahh! Leo, what are you doing?" I stared up at him and he smirked, his fingers toying with the neckline of my dress.

"You look so pretty, it seems a shame to take it off."

"Wha—" He let go of my dress and this time moved down to lift one of my feet. He placed a gentle kiss on my ankle, and I widened my eyes in surprise. "Ohh—" His lips moved slowly up my leg in a soft rain of kisses, and then he rolled up the hem of my dress. My whole body trembled at his touch. I began to moan softly as his hips made their way up my leg. Leo raised his head a little at the sound, and grinned suddenly at me.

"I think you should keep it on for now." He lifted himself up again, placing his body over mine as he pressed a kiss against my lips. He nipped sweetly at my lips, and then his kiss deepened as our mouths moved together.

"Nnnn—Leo—" Leo's lips moved again, his tongue tracing its way down to my neck. I wrapped my arms around him and lost myself in the feel of his body against mine.

(Leo told me that this dress suits me. He liked how I looked in it.) I lifted the hem of my dress again, glancing down at it. The bottom of my skirts were already soiled with dirt, but I didn't care.

"Let's go, Sebastian."

"Let's go, let's go." I began to run into the night again, with Sebastian urging me onwards at every step.