Work Text
Lights. Cameras. Champagne bottles. The smell of cheap perfume assaulting his sharp senses as he glided through the crowd of self-proclaimed celebrities and their bodyguards. All things Lucci despised about these large gatherings of people who lacked enough taste to even discern the difference between a piece of art and filth. The latter was what he found most of here, the women attending this year’s fashion week must have given their designers a good reason to betray them with such criminal offenses disguised as dresses."You look wonderful, darling," a man in his 50’s yet unable to bind his tie correctly cooed at a lady whose chest was spilling out of her way-too-small corset.Lucci regarded them both with a sharp look, his eyes lingered long enough on the man’s tie that the fool backed away from the lady out of fear. Ah, at least something that helped to bring a smile to his lips.As a designer for the so-called high class Lucci had learned to despise his clients and love the money they were willing to pay him so he could realize his visions. Each piece he made was a work of art, every cut and seam intentional down to the last minute detail. He took great pride in what he did, which is why he felt sick to his stomach at the thought of showing his magnum opus to a crowd like this. Like pearls before sows.Lucci walked behind the stage to find his models in a hurry to finish dressing for the runway show, some struggling with the lacing on their dress and others complaining about the size of their shoes. Unlike his competitors who were drowning themselves in women and booze, he didn’t hesitate to fall to his knees and find the right size of heels for his models. Corsets were tied in a mere second, his delicate fingers working gracefully and precise, what would his art be without the beauty of his canvases?After ensuring all his men and women were ready to walk on stage once it was their turn, he opened the door to a separate dressing room, hidden away in a corner far away from the rest.Lucci knocked three times and then waited, when he did not hear a voice coming from inside, he sighed and pushed the door open by a crack."Are you finished?" He asked, holding onto the door handle."I‘m sorry, sir, but …," you immediately felt his eyes boring through your back like needles."Go on, tell me," Lucci prowled towards you, his movements elegant and quiet. When he stood behind you, he looked into the mirror to see both of your reflections, it was subtle but you saw his lips parting in pleasant surprise. "Magnificent."You, out of all the models Lucci had hired for this event, were the lucky model who was chosen to present his best work. The piece everyone was waiting to see for the first time, except for your boss and you, no one had laid eyes on it yet. It was impossible to tell wether Lucci was complimenting you or his own work, but you felt your heart racing nonetheless."I think it doesn’t sit right," you finally confessed, which earned you a scowl from the tall man looming over your shoulders."Are you implying I’m incapable of fitting my models?" Lucci’s professional voice dropped to a deep growl, before you could apologize, his hands roamed over the sides of your body and squeezed your waist."No, no- not at all! I just want to do a good job showing off your work, sir," without meaning to, your voice turned higher and judging by the spark in Lucci’s eyes he had taken notice of it. "I know how important this is to you."Lucci scoffed, but just when you thought you might’ve upset him, his hands dropped to your hips and he held you close for just a moment longer. His long, black hair fell over his shoulders, more luxurious and shiny than your own had ever been. Beard neatly trimmed in its signature shape, you felt it brush against your cheek as his eyes were fixated on the mirror. No, on you. It became difficult not to feel like a trapped rabbit when he touched you like this, it only took a few words from him and you smelled just like prey too."I knew you were the right choice for tonight," he whispered into your ear and let go of your hips, giving you a moment to breathe before he stepped back to find the root of the issue. You couldn’t tell him, but each time his gloved fingers glided over a seam on the gown you wore, a shiver ran down your spine and you had to bite your tongue to stay quiet. "Is there something else I can help you with?""Oh no, not at all. Maybe it’s just the stage fright settling in," you lied.Lucci circled you like a lion, eyeing you up and down like food, when in reality you knew all too well your boss was simply very meticulous when it came to perfection. And yet, you still closed your eyes in fear as he suddenly came closer with a needle in his hand and fell to his knee."Be good for me and stand still, otherwise I might hurt you," Lucci ordered and you obeyed as well as you could. "No wonder it doesn’t suit you right if the seams are ripped."As you fought to keep your composure, Lucci began to work on sewing up all the little holes, his breathing even and slow like he was a surgeon operating on an open heart. Perhaps this would have been fine if it wasn’t for the fact that he was working on the inside of your thigh, his head right between your legs. How could anyone hope to stay professional when the most handsome designer in all of Paris was on his knees for you?"No perfume is strong enough to fool me, darling." Lucci stuck the needle through the fabric and pulled it out one last time before finishing it up with a knot. Then, his thumb glided over the seam with enough pressure to make you feel it through all layers of the gown."Hm?" Your feigned innocence didn’t help you, your boss wasn’t tricked so easily. As you silently cursed your hormones, your body, your lack of sleep and possible stage fright for your inability to stay cool, Lucci stood back up."I expect you to do your best on stage, my whole life’s work is presented in the dress you’re wearing," he reminded you, one finger slipping under your chin to tip it upwards so you couldn’t look anywhere but into his eyes. "It would be a shame if you ruined my work by leaking right through it.""Sir! I wouldn’t!" You protested, but it was in vain.Lucci put his large palm right between your legs, his other hand wrapped around your neck and kept you pressed close to him. With nowhere to run you squeezed your eyes shut and hoped he wouldn’t tear you apart with the fangs you saw shining in the dimly lit dressing room."Behave and I will reward you after the show," Lucci said, leaving no room for discussion as his lips ghosted over your own for just a moment before he pulled away and walked towards the door."Yes," was all you could say, breathless and confused, then the door fell shut behind him and you had to sit down to go over everything that had just happened.Only then did you spot the box laying underneath your make-up, you couldn’t remember when it had been put there nor who could have done it. Curious, and more than eager to distract yourself from what Lucci had done to you, you untied the silky bow on the white box and opened it.You dropped the box and clasped your hand over your mouth to stay quiet. It wasn’t just any gift, it was a lingerie set with lace trims, small gemstones, all in a pretty burgundy red. You dared to touch it and couldn’t help but notice how soft it was, not only that, it seemed to be your size too. Any doubt in your mind that this had been forgotten here by another model was erased when you saw the small note reading:
This masterpiece is for my eyes only.
Wait until after the show to put it on, I will help you take it off.
-Lucci
All written in the finest cursive. How did he expect you to walk on stage when all you could think about was how you’d look in his gift?~Lucci sat in the front row of the crowd, one leg crossed over the other just like his arms, a half-full glass of wine rested in his right hand more as an accessory than a drink. The fabric of his suit hugged each of his curves perfectly, leaving little to the imagination when it came to the physique of his muscles. It was odd for a fashion designer to be this well trained, when he looked around he found himself surrounded by lazy slobs. As tiring as these events were, he found comfort in his superiority.And when he heard the symphony he had specifically chosen for your performance play, he looked up at the stage and was reminded of why he kept going despite everything.Under roaring applause you walked over the stage with the confidence of a ruler who had slain the former king and was approaching their new throne. Lucci knew then that you were so much more than a beautiful canvas for his art, you carried an aura with you that made you worthy to kill for.Your eyes locked with Lucci’s as you struck your last pose on stage - tonight would become more than you had ever hoped for.