A pretty but luxurious dress?

He wandered through the store, examining the clothing. He was almost overwhelmed by the amount of choice available. He was glad now that his mother and sister always used to drag him along when they went shopping for clothing, and gladder still that he'd actually paid attention in the last couple of years. He'd managed to absorb enough to not be totally lost now.

When he found something he liked, he made his way back to Lucas. He was still sitting on the stool, waiting patiently. It seemed like he hadn't moved a muscle since they parted. He looked up when he saw Eldrin approach and gestured towards a changing room.

Eldrin did as he was told, slipping into the changing room and closing the door. A few minutes later, he re-emerged in his new outfit.

The dress was long and pine green. It was tight around the chest and waist, flowing out into looser pleats around the hips and legs, reaching all the way to the ground. The sleeves were long, covering his arms to the wrists. It was buttoned up on the front and came with a black leather belt around his waist, with a silver buckle.

Eldrin came to a halt in front of a full-length mirror, eyeing himself critically. He pursed his lips. It wasn't what he'd hoped for, and he noticed that Lucas' expression was negative too.

"S-sorry," Eldrin muttered. "I was hoping it'd be elegant, but it's just... bland. Prissy."

"You're right, you can do much better than that," Lucas agreed. "You're too pretty to hide away like that, little Elf. You should wear something that lets me show you off."

There it was again. That fiery pit deep in his stomach whenever Lucas paid him a compliment. It was the second part of the statement that really caught his imagination, though. He couldn't help but imagine himself paraded around Holm by the older man, dressed like--no he didn't even dare think it. His eyes caught Lucas' and he was certain the Human grasped exactly what he was thinking. That knowing look that penetrated deep into his innermost thoughts. He suppressed a shudder.

"T-thank you. I'll... I'll change and find something else?"

He felt pitiful, unable to even make that small decision on his own accord.

"Good," was all Lucas said, in that low voice of his that send a tingle down Eldrin's spine.

He felt himself blushing, and fled back into the changing room. Why did he keep falling for that? He slipped out of the rejected dress, trying to ignore the bulge in his underwear. He put his own clothing back on, feeling awkward and wrong. He almost preferred to emerge naked, but at least he wasn't that far gone.

Not yet, an insidious voice in the back of his mind lisped.

He exited the changing room, avoiding Lucas' gaze, fearing the disapproval that was doubtlessly in his eyes.

He put the green dress back where he found it, taking the opportunity to steady his breathing.

No. Lucas was right. He could do better than this, and he wouldn't disappoint Lucas again. It wasn't long until he found what he was looking for, something to make Lucas proud of him. He hurried back into the changing room, eager to put it on and show Lucas.

It didn't take him long to change and when he stepped out of the changing room, he made eye contact with Lucas. Eldrin could see an approving twinkle in his eye, and smiled shyly. He'd chosen a white dress with a flower motif on the skirt. It was strapless, leaving his shoulders bare, and hung down to just below his knees. He made for the mirror, eager to see how it suited him. It was at this moment the tight bodice slipped down his flat chest and slender frame. He squeaked involuntarily, only barely catching it before it passed his hips.

He hastily pulled it back into place, but despite it being fairly tight around his torso, it simply refused to stay put. It began sliding down his flat chest again almost as soon as he released it. His relief at finding something Lucas seemed to approve of turned to wretchedness at another failure. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes.

"Here, let me hold it up for you." the older man said.

Only now did Eldrin notice that Lucas had stepped close behind him. He gasped involuntarily as he felt Lucas touch his sides, taking hold of the dress, but he didn't pull away. His hands were so strong, so firm. He felt the fabric being adjusted and pulled back to its proper position.

"Look in the mirror now." Lucas instructed.

Eldrin face was burning now, but he complied. He dropped his hands to his sides and looked at himself from all angles.

"See?" Lucas continued. "It does look good on you, it really does."

"T-thank you." Eldrin said, his blush only deepening at the compliment.

"But it's not very practical if I have to walk with you like this all the time, don't you agree?"

Eldrin tried to imagine it: Lucas' hands on his body all day long.

"Nnnh..." he mewled.

"I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Lucas chuckled, grasping him a little tighter to reinforce his words. "I admit, it does have a certain appeal. But I think you should find something else to try, for now."

All Eldrin could do was nod in acquiescence. He felt his fingertips rub against Lucas' as he replaced his hands on his sides.

He changed back into his normal clothing and then began to search for another outfit. He had to get it right this time. Something to make Lucas forget all about his earlier two failures. Something pretty--no, more than that: something sexy.

He looked at a number of dresses. Some didn't fit him, like the second dress. Others were more like the first: too long, too frumpy, too plain, or all at the same time.