Vision Through Lace

The changing rooms were decently sized, with more than enough space for the two of them. As Braith shut the door behind them, he glanced around instinctively, checking for gaps, cracks - anything that might suggest they weren’t alone. The door was solid, sealing floor to ceiling. Once it clicked shut, it really was just the two of them.

Yumie waited for the sound, then loosened her grip on his arm and immediately began unbuttoning the blouse.

Braith’s heart leapt.

“Hey! At least turn around!”

Her useless eyes sparkled anyway.

“That’s a great idea!” she chirped. “If I’m naked, you’ll have a much bigger reaction!”

He groaned quietly.

“Please don’t aim for that in a changing room, Yumie.”

She grumbled something under her breath - something about him being no fun - but did as he asked, turning around as the blouse slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor. She raised a hand behind her, opening and closing her fingers expectantly.

He handed her the bra.

She managed to get it on with some effort, fumbling until the cups were in place - then froze, fingers patting helplessly at her back. After a few seconds of struggle, she whined.

“…Please help.”

He stepped forward, very deliberately not thinking about why the clasp was tight, fastened it, then retreated again before his heart could escape his chest. He handed her the panties next.

This time, he did look.

Not because he meant to - but because now that the moment allowed it, it was impossible not to.

She lifted each leg in turn, the skirt shifting as she pulled them on. The fabric vanished beneath the tartan, and then she unclasped the skirt without hesitation, letting it pool around her ankles. When she stepped free of it, she turned, tail swaying softly behind her.

“Well?” she asked brightly. “How do I look?”

His breath caught.

The lace fit her perfectly, semi-transparent silk thickening just enough where it mattered, leaving the rest to suggest rather than expose. The curve of her waist, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way the panties hugged her hips - it all felt unreal, like something he wasn’t supposed to be allowed to see.

Her tail swished low, almost shy, as she pressed her fingertips together.

Then she gasped.

Her hands flew to her cheeks.

“I’m- I’m hot!”

He flushed instantly.

It had worked.

She’d felt it - seen it - through him.

Embarrassment warred with happiness in his chest, but the latter won. Because for the first time, Yumie could see herself the way he saw her.

Suddenly, her grin turned mischievous.

She hopped toward him without warning.

His arms moved on instinct, and the next thing he knew he was holding a half-naked fox-girl against his chest. She squealed as another image crossed the gap between them.

“Look at my face!” she laughed. “You were right, I am cute!”

Her tail thumped happily against his legs as she hugged him tight.

“Now I want to see what you look like too-” she paused, then shook her head. “No. I changed my mind.”

He blinked.

“…Huh?”

She tilted her face up toward him, smiling softly.

“I like the image I already have of you,” she said. “I don’t want to spoil it.”

He didn’t argue.

He just hugged her back.

Not because of what she was - or wasn’t - wearing, but because she’d been given something precious. Something life-changing.

And because he loved her.

They left the clothing store not long after, a bag stuffed with sweaters, undergarments, and an assortment of men’s clothing dangling from Braith’s arm. Yumie clung to his other side, her cane bumping lightly across the tiles ahead of her. Her head rested against his shoulder, steps carefully timed to keep it from bouncing as they walked.

She was wearing one of the new sweaters - this time with undergarments beneath - but her bare thighs were still unapologetically exposed.

When Braith had attempted to send her an image of herself in an effort to demonstrate just how noticeable she was, she’d gasped.

“Look at me! I look so good!”

And that had been the end of an argument that never even had the chance to start.

Her ears brushed his cheek as they walked, tail swishing constantly behind her. She was doing an awful job of avoiding attention, but her blindness worked in her favor - most people dismissed her as a particularly dedicated cosplayer. The idea that a humanoid Mahotona could be born blind was simply too unlikely to consider.

The Mahotonas, however, stared.

Braith did his best not to notice them. Yumie didn’t have to - she couldn’t see them anyway.

A thought sparked in his mind.

If I imagine her wearing something that I can’t see personally… can I excite myself enough to send an image across?

He tried.

He pictured her in a semi-transparent lace babydoll - thin straps, soft fabric - and focused.

She gasped.

“Woah,” she breathed. “This place is huge.”

His heart slammed against his ribs.

It had worked.

But when she tilted her head up toward him, a knowing grin spreading across her face, he knew he’d made a mistake.

“What did you picture me wearing?”

He swallowed.

“I, uh… a babydoll.”

She giggled.

“You pervert. You probably wish I was wearing one right now, don’t you? Just staring at my body again.”

He opened his mouth to defend himself, but she cut him off.

“But…” she added softly, leaning closer, “…I kind of like being ogled by you. It makes my heart race knowing you could be staring and I’d have no idea.”

He stared at her.

Was his fiancée… an exhibitionist?

Then she grinned wider.

“Only now,” she continued, “I’ll know when you are. And I can act accordingly.”

His throat went dry.

“…What does that mean?”

Her grin turned dangerous.

“You’ll find out.”

He could think of two possible outcomes - one painful, one intoxicating - when suddenly he realized they weren’t moving anymore.

Someone stood in front of them.

Braith looked up.

Sunata stood there in black, jacket pushed back, holstered handgun fully visible. His teeth were clenched.

Braith opened his mouth, but Sunata spoke first.

“Are you two cursed or something?”

Braith blinked.

“…Huh?”

“I asked if you’re cursed.”

“What do you mean?”

Sunata’s expression darkened.

“Because everywhere you go,” he said flatly, “violent people seem to show up.”

The crack of automatic gunfire echoed up from below, followed by screaming.

Braith stared at him, disbelief sinking into his chest.

They were in trouble again.