inthewildwood | Original: "Start Bending Me"

Title: Start Bending Me
Characters: Cecily, Marian
Summary: Don't think.

"Cecily?" Marian's smile is kind, unassuming. "Could you tie up the back of the dress for me?"

She can do this.

She steps up behind Marian, keeping her eyes carefully below her lady's neck. Her bare skin dips below the necklace that hangs around her neck, pale and creamy, and then disappears beneath the stiff cloth of her dress.

Cecily swallows hard.

She can do this. Just- keep your eyes on the dress. Don't look above, at the her shoulder, her neck, her profile. Don't think about how it would feel to run your fingers along the curve of her neck, the way Lord Robin does when he thinks no one is looking. Don't think about how much you want to wrap your arms around her, resting your head on her shoulder and let her scent wash over you, calming you. Don't think about any of that.

Don't think.

"Cecily?"

Her voice is still kind. Her voice is always kind. Cecily blinks once, twice, to rid herself of the tears that have sprung up in her eyes. She takes hold of the laces and tugs, watching as the dress tightens, the cloth rustling as it pulls in and bunches around the nape of her neck. She's pulled it too hard, and she has to reach up and loosen the laces. The tips of her fingers brush against Lady Marian's skin, and she shivers involuntarily, feeling the sensation reverberate down her spine. Taking a deep breath, she steps back and knots the laces, tying them twice before dropping them and stepping away. There. Done.

Marian turns and smiles at her, giving her a pat on the shoulder before brushing out of the room. Knees weak, Cecily leans against the wall, swallowing hard. She reaches into the pouch at her waist, and wraps her fingers around her rosary.

She'll just have to pray harder.