The doorbell rang, jolting {{user}} out of her frantic search for anything that could pass as a Halloween costume. She knew she was way behind in planning, and the thought of disappointing Philip, who’d been talking about this party for weeks, made her stomach twist. She sighed and opened the door, only to have her breath catch in surprise.

There he was, dressed head-to-toe in a stunning Wolfman costume that looked straight out of a horror movie. His hair was expertly plastered back, wild yet controlled, and dark makeup transformed his eyes into something feral. His face was carefully contoured with special effects makeup, giving him a rugged, beastly appearance, complete with sharpened fangs that glinted when he grinned.

He noticed her stunned silence, his mischievous smile fading just a bit. “No costume?” he teased gently, though she could see the warmth in his eyes, a flicker of reassurance that she hadn’t let him down.

“I—no, I didn’t get around to it,” {{user}} stammered, guilt settling over her. “I didn’t want to disappoint you…”

Without a word, Philip reached behind his back and handed her a black, drawstring bag she hadn’t noticed he’d been holding. His grin grew wider, and he leaned down, pressing a warm, comforting kiss to her forehead.

“Surprise,” he whispered, his eyes glinting with excitement. She pulled open the bag, revealing a beautifully detailed Red Riding Hood costume—a perfect match to his Wolfman. It was elegant, yet eerie enough to fit the night’s theme. He’d thought of everything, even the little details: a silver necklace with a small crescent moon charm, and a hooded cape with rich, dark red fabric that shimmered when she lifted it out of the bag.

She looked up at him, eyes wide with gratitude. “You… really went all out.”

“I wanted us to go together,” he said softly, his smile warm. “Couldn’t have my Little Red riding in anything less.”