Ryan leaned back on the couch, smirking at his girlfriend, Emily, as she adjusted the oversized scarf around her neck. “You look like a walking blanket. Aren’t you overdoing it a bit?” he teased.
Emily shot him a pointed look, her breath puffing visibly in the chilly air of their apartment. “It’s winter, Ryan. Not all of us can walk around in a t-shirt and jeans pretending we’re impervious to the cold.”
“I’m just saying, you’ve got enough layers on to survive the Arctic,” Ryan laughed, leaning forward and poking at her thick knit sweater.
Emily raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes. “Oh, so you think it’s funny? Teasing me about staying warm?”
“A little,” Ryan admitted with a grin. “I mean, come on, it’s not that cold.”
Emily didn’t respond right away, but Ryan could see the gears turning in her head. She smiled—a smile he’d learned over the years meant trouble. “Alright, tough guy. If you think I’m overdoing it, maybe you’d like to see how it feels in my shoes.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ryan asked, his smile faltering slightly.
“Oh, you’ll see,” Emily said, grabbing his wrist. “Come on.”
Ryan found himself being dragged into Emily’s bedroom, the door closing with an ominous click behind them. “Wait, what are you doing?” he asked as she rifled through a drawer.
“Teaching you a lesson,” she said simply. She pulled out a small electric razor and turned to him, her grin widening. “First things first: if you’re going to experience my outfits, we need a blank canvas.”
Ryan backed up, hands raised defensively. “Whoa, hold on. No way.”
Emily was faster. Before he could bolt, she had him pinned against the wall, her strength surprising him. “You tease me about being cold all the time. Well, let’s see how you handle it,” she said, her tone playful but firm.
The buzzing of the razor filled the room, and Ryan’s protests fell on deaf ears as Emily quickly shaved his arms and legs. “This is insane!” he exclaimed, but she just laughed.
“Oh, we’re just getting started,” she said. Once she was satisfied, she reached into her closet and pulled out a folded package. Ryan frowned as she opened it to reveal a synthetic bodysuit, complete with lifelike skin texture.
“You’re joking,” he said, staring at the garment in disbelief.
“Not at all,” Emily said cheerfully. “You’re going to look amazing.”
Despite his squirming, Emily managed to get the bodysuit on him. It clung to his frame, transforming his appearance with startling realism. “This feels weird,” Ryan muttered, looking down at himself.
Emily ignored his complaints and moved on to the next phase: the outfit. She selected a crop top made of thin, knitted material and paired it with a tiny pair of shorts. Knee-high socks completed the look, leaving almost his entire body exposed to the chilly air.
Ryan crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at her. “Alright, lesson learned. Can I take this off now?”
Emily shook her head, her grin widening. “Oh no, you’re not done yet. We’re going to the mall. You wanted to mock me for layering up? Let’s see how you feel walking around in this.”
“You can’t be serious,” Ryan said, his voice pitching slightly higher in panic.
“Completely serious,” Emily replied, grabbing his coat. “And don’t even think about complaining about the cold, or we’ll make a little stop at Victoria’s Secret and find you something extra fun to wear.”
Ryan groaned but reluctantly followed her out of the apartment, his face already burning with embarrassment. The walk to the mall was excruciating. Every gust of wind felt like ice against his exposed skin, and he couldn’t stop shivering. Emily, bundled up in her scarf and coat, looked perfectly comfortable.
“How are you holding up?” she asked innocently, glancing at him.
“This is torture,” Ryan muttered through chattering teeth.
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You’re just not used to it,” Emily said with a smirk.
Inside the mall, Ryan felt a brief reprieve from the cold, but his embarrassment only deepened as people stared. Whispers and amused glances followed him wherever he went. Emily, meanwhile, acted as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
“Alright, one last stop,” she said, steering him toward a lingerie store.
“You can’t be serious,” Ryan hissed, trying to pull back.
“Oh, but I am,” Emily said, dragging him inside. She immediately started browsing the racks, holding up lacy pieces and grinning mischievously. “What do you think? Pink or red?”
Ryan covered his face with his hands, wishing the floor would swallow him whole.
By the time they left the mall, Ryan was thoroughly humiliated but also much quieter. Emily’s plan had worked; he wouldn’t be teasing her about her winter outfits anytime soon. If anything, he’d gained a newfound appreciation for them.
As they walked back to the apartment, Emily glanced at him and smiled. “See? Not so funny now, is it?”
“Point taken,” Ryan muttered, pulling the crop top down in a futile attempt to cover more skin.
Emily laughed, looping her arm through his. “Good. Now, let’s get home before you freeze.”