Biblically Accurate Swimsuit

Apostle perused the racks, brow furrowed. “Can you explain again why I need one of these… ‘Swimsuits’?” The Cherubun reached out, picking up a hanger that held a navy blue one-piece garment. “This is more fabric than some Succubuns wear on a daily basis.” He glanced down at himself. “This is more fabric than I wear on a daily basis.” 

“Burrowgatory’s rules against full nudity still apply at the beach, Apos.” Alamune skimmed her fingers over a light purple swimsuit, smiling gently at it. She already had a swimsuit, a bright pink bikini that matched the ends of her ears, currently complimented by a long semi-sheer mint green dress. 

“Still. I'm sure you're not the only bun bringing a bag to the beach.” He gestured at the tote bag Alamune had slung over her shoulder, pink towel poking out. “Why not wear clothes they already own, and just bring along something dry to change into later on?” 

“Well then you'd have to wash whatever you're using to hold your sandy, salty swimsuit then, wouldn't you?” 

Apostle wrinkled his nose, thinking about all the times he’d seen somebody pull food out of their bag. “Shouldn't you wash your bags regularly anyways?” 

“Hmm…” That seemed to stump the other Cherubun, her Flutter Motes stalling mid-air as she tipped her head, frowning at the swimsuits. 

There was the clicking of hooves on hardwood, and somebody behind Apostle cleared their throat gently. He turned to see a Succubun around his height, with multi-coloured hair and pink tentacles draped across their shoulders. This bun had horns shaped like upside-down hearts… The ‘Lust’ type, if Apostle was remembering correctly? 

“Some buns like to have clothes that only get worn for very specific things. Ball gowns for spring masquerades, special lingerie that they save for the bedroom, etcetera. Swimwear is like that; no matter what the bun usually wears, a trip to the beach is a chance to show off another facet of their style!” The Lust bun smiled. “Thank you for waiting, I’m sorry I took so long to come greet you. I’m Feleli, welcome to my shop~” Feleli looked Apostle up and down, seeming to do calculations in his head as he did so. “I think you’ll have a better chance finding something from another section, please follow me!” The Succubun turned on his heel and trotted off. Apostle raised a curious eyebrow at Alamune before following. 

Once Feleli was standing beside a mannequin, he stopped. “Take this swimsuit, for example.” He grabbed the mannequin and spun it around slowly so Apostle could see the garment from all angles. The back of said garment was practically non-existent, the patches of fabric that would cover the wearer’s chest and genitals held onto the body by a series of strings and nothing else. “Something like this would be a lot easier for you to get on without having to try and force your wings through any little holes. Of course, I could always custom tailor you something that would suit your Traits perfectly, but it appears you two are actively on your way to the beach. I wouldn’t want to hold you back.” 

Apostle considered the swimsuit, wings shifting idly as he imagined all those strings criss-crossing down his back. “It’s better than the other ones I was looking at,” he admitted. “If I have to wear a swimsuit, it might as well be one like this.” 

“Excellent, give me one moment.” Feleli went to a nearby shelf and grabbed a small box, holding it out to Apostle. “Let me show you to the changing rooms.” 

Apostle followed the Succubun once again, thanking him as he ducked into the small curtained-off room. He took off his body harness and clothing, gently setting them on the cushioned bench nearby. It wasn’t until he was holding the swimsuit, naked from the thighs up, and staring at the bundle of string in his hands that he realized he didn’t even know where to start. He laid the swimsuit on the bench and tried to arrange the strings in the way they were on the mannequin. 

…

Well, that must be the part that goes over the chest, right? 

… 

No, the whole thing is sideways. What about… 

… 

Apostle stood up straight and stared down at his work. Deciding he’d thought about it long enough, he picked it up again and held the patches of fabric to where he felt they should be, tossing what he thought must be the main ties of the swimsuit over his shoulders and examining himself in the mirror. Not for the first time, he wondered what it would be like if he had the long tail of a Succubun, sure it would come in handy in a situation like this. 

“Okay,” he murmured, reaching back with one hand to wind a string around his body and back again, looping over a wing and under another. “And then this one… Here?” 

… 

How in the Heavens was he supposed to tie it onto his body by himself? Apostle sighed, admitting defeat. He called out to his companion. “Munie?” 

“Yes, Apostle?” 

“I need help. I’m uh, covered. Technically.” 

He heard Feleli pipe up. “Let me! I was the one who suggested it, after all.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, but Apostle is quite particular about his wings. I believe he’d be more comfortable if I was the one to help him.”

Apostle listened carefully, ready to react if the Succubun reacted negatively to Alamune’s refusal, calming as he heard Feleli’s answer. 

“Of course, of course. No need to apologize! Call if you need any help, I’ll stay close by.”

Apostle heard the curtain shift as Alamune came into the change room, as well as her soft giggle as she saw his attempt at the string-work. “Oh, little bird…” 

Apostle blushed, knowing he must look pretty pathetic if she was using that nickname on him. “We’re the same height…” He murmured softly, fluffy tail twitching in embarrassment. 

Alamune giggled again, and he felt her hands on him, gently undoing most of his work. “How did you manage to tangle yourself up this much, Apos?”

“This is stupid, there must be a simple backless one-” 

“Done!”

“What!?” Apostle looked at Alamune’s reflection in the mirror in front of him, watching her step back and admire her work. 

“None of the ties are pinching your wings in any way?” 

Apostle flapped his wings a few times, the movements shifting down his body like a wave. “No, everything’s fine. Do I… Look okay?” 

“You look wonderful, Apostle.” Alamune smiled as he turned around, her compliment genuine. “How do you feel?”

Apostle still didn’t ‘get it’, but Alamune looked pleased, and that was all he needed right now. “It’s good, though I should probably get a custom one at some point so I don’t need a friend to help me get it on and off every time.” He put his body harness back on and picked up the rest of his clothing. “Could I put these in your bag for now?” 

Alamune nodded, opening her bag for him to tuck the clothing inside. “Okay, let’s get the payment settled and head to the beach!” Her rainbow Flutter Motes flapped around her body and when she turned to leave the changing room, Apostle saw that her tail was wiggling with excitement. 

He smiled affectionately, following behind her.