“Buck!” CoCo Pommel cursed quietly.
This was the fifth time she had messed up within the hour. Then again, 12 hours straight of work was not helping her in the slightest.
“CoCo?” A low voice came from the hallway outside her design room.
It was her assistant Sam. Sam was a 23 year-old kid with no college degree and a knack for organization. CoCo had hired him when she first started her fashion business two years ago and had never considered firing him. Hay, by some accounts, his organization was the only thing that kept her profits in the green.
“In here Sam!” CoCo said,
“Ah! There you are! It’s almost midnight CoCo? What the buck are you still doing here? I only came back because I forgot my coat.” Sam cocked an eyebrow at the cerulean maned mare.
“I keep messing up on this blasted dress! Ugh!” CoCo huffed in exasperation.
“CoCo, you really need to take a vacation soon. You’re gonna work yourself to death.” Sam said with a slight chuckle.
“Yeah yeah. Just let me finish thissssss...” CoCo trailed off as her eyelids began feel quite heavy and began to droop.
“Woah!” Sam shouted as he caught the sleepy mare.
“Mmrph,” CoCo grunted as she snapped back to reality.
“That’s it CoCo. You’re going home! Enough is enough! You need to take a rest.” Sam said.
“I could just fire you for holding me like this.” CoCo objected.
“Really? Fine then, fire me. I’m only looking out for you.” Sam said looking down at the mare in his arms.
“Fine.” CoCo huffed.
“Atta girl.” Sam smiled.
“I can walk.” CoCo said, her eyelids drooping once again.
When Sam set her down, she simply fell down.
“Come on. I’ll haul you to my place. It’s no palace but you can use my bed.” Sam said.
“Why your place?” CoCo asked in a shocked tone.
“Because with all due respect, I’ll bet my bed is bigger and I sure as hell am not lugging you across the city of Manehatten.” Sam smiled.
“Ugh. Fine.” CoCo relented, just wanting to get to sleep.
Sam kneeled down and scooped the mare up in his arms.
“What about your coat?” CoCo asked with a slight worry.
“It’s cold, but I’ll survive the 2 minute walk.” Sam smiled.
CoCo gave a warm smile in return and let her eyes close as she felt Sam walk around the office and close up.
The frigid night air hit CoCo like a brick wall and she shivered and nuzzled closer to Sam’s chest, trying to take the warmth from his body.
It was over before she knew it and she felt herself in the somewhat warmer environment that was Sam’s house.
“Sorry, the heat’s broken these days. The bed should be warm enough though. I can sleep on my pull out couch tonight. Ok?” Sam said to her.
CoCo was only half listening as she nodded and felt Sam ascend a flight of stairs.
She felt herself being tucked into a huge bed and the covers draped over her body.
“If you need anything CoCo, feel free to wake me up.” she drifted off to sleep.
CoCo awoke shivering and shaking in the cold house. The covers did little to help her warm up and she knew the only way she could fall back asleep was to get warm.
An idea struck her groggy mind as she clambered out of the bed and headed downstairs to see Sam on the pull out sofa, snoring quietly with a spare blanket and comforter draped over him. CoCo gulped and swallowed the last of her shyness with it as she approached the snoozing human. CoCo clambered under the covers in the dark living room and snuggled up close to Sam.
“Mmm. CoCo?” Sam mumbled.
“Y-yes?” CoCo jumped a little bit at him being awoken by her.
“Cold?” Sam asked.
“Y-yesss” CoCo shivered.
“Come here. Remember this is strictly professional right?” Sam asked with a smile.
“Maybe, maybe not at this point. All that matters is that I’m bucking freezing.” CoCo shivered again.
“Come here.” Same motioned with his hand for her to come closer.
CoCo inched herself up to Sam’s form and found him shirtless. She couldn’t help but let out a little gasp at the feeling of his toned chest against her hoof.
“Work out much?” CoCo asked with a giggle.
“When I’m not running around the city for you, yeah, I hit the gym occasionally.” Sam chuckled.
CoCo suddenly felt a wave of warmth wash over her.
“Oh stars that feels better.” CoCo cooed softly.
“Humans are known for our ability to produce a lot of body heat. We have plenty to go around.” Sam smiled.
CoCo giggled. As they were both settling down on the couch, CoCo spoke up.
“Sam?” She whispered.
“Yeah boss?” Sam replied.
“First off, stop calling me ‘boss’. It’s just weird, we’re friends after all right?” CoCo looked at him oddly.
“True.” Sam said.
“And I was wondering if I could spend tomorrow with you. You were right, I need a day off and I need to get out more.” CoCo admitted, a sheepish smile on her face.
“You mean like a date?” Sam asked.
A blush seeped color across CoCo’s cream colored face as she tried to find an answer.
Finally, she took a deep breath and let it out.
“Sam, I’ve been waiting for you to say that for a year now.” She breathed a little easier after getting that load off of her chest.
“Wow, CoCo, I didn’t know you felt that way about me. I’d be happy to make it a date. So you wanna be my special somepony?” Sam asked her.
“I’d love to.” CoCo said into his chest.
“Can admit something?” Sam asked,
“Shoot” CoCo looked up at him.
“I’ve wanted to say that little phrase to you for a while too. I was just a little shy like you were.” Sam felt his face grow hot as he blushed.
CoCo giggled.
“Well my big strong human, will you protect me on this sofa tonight and make sure no big bad stallions try to take me?” CoCo asked, running a hoof down his bare chest.
“Yes CoCo. Nopony will take my little mare from me.” Sam smiled as CoCo closed her big turquoise eyes and drifted off to sleep.
CoCo felt warm and happy as her eyelids fluttered open. She was quite shocked to see that her head was buried in her assistant’s shirtless chest.
“Morning Ms Pommel.” Sam said quietly.
“Did we?” CoCo asked, fear laced her voice.
“No No No! You were just cold remember?” Sam said, rubbing the forehoof that was pressed against his chest.
“Oh yes. Thank you so much for taking me in Sam. I am forever grateful.” CoCo snuggled her head into Sam’s chest as he ran a hand through her short turquoise mane.
“Oooh, that feels nice” CoCo cooed in delight as his fingers danced along her scalp.
“Ms. Pommel, you should not be engaging in such activities with your assistant.” Sam sarcastically scolded her.
“Oh, shut up and tell me you don’t like it!” CoCo smiled.
Sam laughed along with her.
“So CoCo, it’s around noon and I’m starving. Want some breakfast?” Sam asked.
“Can you do scrambled eggs?” CoCo asked.
“Well, I guess we do have a lot in common.” Sam smiled as he rose and left the bed.
CoCo let out of whimper of protest as her personal heater’s distance increased away from her.
Sam returned several minutes later with two plates of steaming scrambled eggs.
“Wow.” CoCo breathed.
“Gah, it’s nothing. I do this for you everyday right?” Sam said with a grin.
CoCo gobbled down her eggs.
“Hungry?” Sam asked, a look of genuine shock directed towards his boss’s face.
CoCo smiled, her cheeks bulging with food.
Sam just laughed as he ate his breakfast. She noticed him swallow a few pills and looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
“Oh these?” Sam shook the pill bottle.
CoCo nodded, worried that something was wrong with her assistant.
“Don’t worry, they’re protein supplements. Due to the fact that I’m an omnivore, I need extra protein that your vegetarian diet can’t give me. Helps my muscles too.” Sam said, popping his pecs a few times.
CoCo dropped her plate onto the pull out bed.
Sam did it again. CoCo’s mouth fell open.
“Well Well Well.” A smirk made its way to Sam’s face.
“I, uh, didn’t” CoCo stammered.
Sam just chuckled as she looked on in shock.
“You have a very nice, um, torso.” CoCo stuttered with a smile.
“I guess. I mean, I’m not too muscular like some humans back home.” Sam said cringing.
CoCo looked over him and felt her heart jump and her stomach churn in excitement.
“Last night you said something about taking me on a date?” CoCo quickly changed the subject.
Sam smiled at her playfully.
“Mmhmm.” He nodded.
“Well, what did you have in mind?” CoCo said with a slight blush on her cheeks.
“I was thinking maybe we spend the day here since it’s so bitterly cold.” Sam said.
“I would have to agree. I’m obviously not a fan of the cold as you could tell from last night.” CoCo giggled.
Sam laughed and smiled at the mare.
“How about this. I’ll make a nice dinner for you and then you can choose on whether or not you either want to go home or spend the night here again. Sound good?” Sam asked.
“Sounds fabulous.” CoCo said with a blush.
“Awesome. Since I don’t have to start that for a little while, I don’t know what to-” Sam began to think out loud.
“Cuddle!” CoCo blurted out without thinking.
Sam looked down at her in genuine shock.
CoCo looked up at him with her hooves covering her mouth.
Slowly, a smile made its way across Sam’s lips.
“As the lady wishes. I’ll get a fire going.” Sam did a faux bow and went over to the fireplace by the sofa that had been changed back to its original state.
As Sam got the fire stoked, he came back to the sofa to see CoCo laying in a mock seducitve fashion.
“Oh Miss CoCo, whatever happened to professionalism.” Sam mocked surprise.
CoCo burst into a fit of laughter along with Sam as he fell back on the sofa and CoCo snuggled up to his side so that his warmth flowed over her in waves.
“Mmmm” she cooed as his body heat soothed her cold skin.
Sam ran his hand through her mane and wrapped the other around her back as he pulled her closer.
CoCo let out a little squeak at the movement but quickly adjusted to it as Sam continued to run a hand through her mane. CoCo just laid across his chest and marveled at the feeling of his fingers moving through her mane.
A knock at the door snapped them both out of their reverie.
“Who could that be?” Sam said as CoCo moved off of his chest in a huff of annoyance.
Sam opened the door to an terrible sight.
“Hello Sam darling!” Rarity exclaimed as she wrapped her hooves around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
CoCo looked on in astonishment.
“How do you know Rarity?” She asked Sam incredulously.
“Well, she was in town a few weeks ago and I helped her organize an event at Studio 7 downtown.” Sam said.
“That is correct Sam! It went off without a hitch and I made a pretty decent amount of bits as well. Here is your cut for helping me out.” Rarity said, handing Sam a quite heavy sack of bits.
“Wow! Jeez Rares. That much?” Sam said trying to hide his greedy grin.
“If there’s anything you need let me know. A new suit, a new pair of shoes, you name it darling.” Rarity said.
“I’ll let you know Rares.” Sam said.
“CoCo! I just noticed you’re in Sam’s house? Getting intimate with your assistant now are you?” Rarity smirked.
“Maybe, but at least I have a sexy assistant.” CoCo shot back with her own smirk.
Color erupted onto Sam’s cheeks as he heard CoCo’s compliment.
“My my Miss Pommel, how unprofessional!” Rarity stifled a giggle.
“Rarity, what I do and the relationships I have are none of your concern. But in this case I can tell you that I stayed the night here last night and it was fantastic.” CoCo beamed.
Sam was mortified at what was happening.
“Oh now? Giving your employees a bit of a bonus I suppose?” Rarity hooded her eyes and shot darting glances at the two.
“I can assure you we did not engage in anything sexual.” Sam stammered in a panic.
“Maybe not today, but I believe CoCo’s heat is coming around soon.” Rarity said as she made her way towards the door.
“Nice seeing you two darlings!” Rarity said before flying out the front door.
Sam stood agape at the door, Rarity’s final words hanging in the air like a dead weight.
“Sam, Rarity was just jesting with you.” CoCo said worriedly.
“I figured. But I have to give you a rain check on that date.” Sam said.
“Why?” CoCo sounded disappointed.
“Twilight Velvet is in town and I am supposed to go out with her tonight. Not a date, just wanted to catch up with the pony that found me when I popped over here.” Sam said.
“I’m gonna make use of that rain check you know that right?” CoCo asked, a serious look in her eyes.
“Yes Ma’m.” Sam said.
He glanced at the clock and swore under his breath as he went to go put on a more formal outfit.
Dressed in a nice shirt and sport jacket with black slacks, Sam trotted down the stairs and scooped CoCo off her feet in the kitchen.
She let out a little yelp as she was cradled by the human.
“What are you doing?” She cried.
“Taking you home. Unless you want to spend another night at my place?” Sam asked her.
“Uh, no. I’d like to go home.” CoCo blushed at the question.
“Rain check date tomorrow night at 8 sound good?” Sam asked.
“Sounds like what I’ll need after a long day of work” CoCo smiled.
Sam gently sent the cream coated mare down and opened the door.
The cold nipped at her skin and fur as they walked across the city of Manehatten.
After a 20 minute walk, they arrived at CoCo’s posh little apartment building.
“Would you like me to take you upstairs?” Sam offered.
“No, you have somepony to meet. Thank you for everything Sam.” CoCo stood on her hind legs and pecked him on the cheek.
“It’s nice to know somepony, or someone, cares about me that much.” She said as the cold intensified the rosyness of her cheeks. A rush of heat to Sam’s cheeks told him he was blushing just as hard as she was.
“See ya tomorrow Miss Pommel.” Sam waved as he headed towards the restaurant where he was going to meet Twilight Velvet.
As they grew farther and farther apart, each of them felt a pang in their heart and a twist in their stomach.
“Sam!” Twilight Velvet exclaimed.
“Hey Velvet. Long time, no see.” Sam said, giving the mare a hug.
“My how you’ve changed since you first arrived.” She commented, looking over his built frame.
“It’s been two years Velvet. You treat me like I’m one of your kids. I would think that a princess and a Captain of the Royal Guard would be enough for you, I guess not.” Sam chuckled.
“Very funny Sam. I’d like you to meet my marefriends.” Velvet dragged sam over to a nearby table.
Sam saw the three mares. Two of which he recognized. One was Nurse Redheart, whom he met after an accident at the boutique involving a mare in heat and a large mannequin. The other was none other than Miss Juniper Harshwhinny, the Equestria Games coordinator. He remembered her suit fitting appointment vividly, due to the fact that CoCo was reduced to tears afterwards.
“I assume you know Redheart and Juniper.” Velvet said.
“Correct.” You say, your eyes turning to the fuchsia unicorn.
“I’m Sparkler.” the unicorn held out a hoof.
“Samuel Fletcher, but you can call me Sam.” He replied.
“I’ve only met one human before.” Sparkler said.
“Oh?” Sam cocked an eyebrow.
“His name’s Calvin and he’s banging my mom” She said.
“Well I see you’re the blunt type of mare.” Sam laughed.
“Glad someone here appreciates it.” Sparkler shot a glance at Harshwhinny at his response.
The night dragged on and the mares felt the alcohol working its magic on their system.
Juniper Harshwhinny was the first to leave, followed by Redheart and shortly after Sparkler.
Now it was just Sam and Velvet.
Sam swirled the wine around in his glass.
“Something’s on your mind Sam. I know that look.” Velvet looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
“You can read me too well Velvet.” Sam grimaced at her correct assumption.
“Well, you did live with me and my husband for a year and a half.” Velvet said, taking a sip of her own wine.
“Alright, I gotta come clean. It’s about my boss.” Sam exhaled.
“CoCo Pommel?” Velvet asked.
Sam nodded.
“What about her?” She asked.
“Well, I’ve been working for her for 2 years now ever since I got here. Something just snapped inside of me last night. It was like all my affections for her just suddenly gushed into existence. I don’t know if they’re right though. I don’t want to ask my boss out without knowing for sure that it’s gonna work.” Sam sighed, taking a drag of his wine.
“A little late for that right?” Velvet smirked.
“What?” Sam asked shocked.
“You didn’t know that Sparkler needed a dress for a ball she was attending here in the city. CoCo was doing it a few days ago and Sparkler said she was babbling on about you and how you were so kind to her. Having known Sparkler since she was a foal, I know she is no liar when it comes to stuff like that. CoCo has a soft spot for you Sam. Go get her.” Velvet finished her wine and stood up.
“Thanks Velvet.” Sam said, taking her hoof in his hand and lightly brushing his lips against it.
Velvet just giggled.
“Go get her Sam. I’ll see if Shining is available. It’s been ages since your first bar romp when he was still single.” Velvet said as she walked out the door with you.
Sam smiled at Velvet and have her a big hug as you remembered Shining and your drunken escapades before his marriage.
Sam walked back to CoCo’s apartment building with the intent of doing exactly what Velvet told him to.
He climbed the stairs and reached her front door and took a deep breath. He knocked 3 times.
There was a delay of about 10 seconds before the door opened and Sam saw CoCo’s beautiful cyan eyes staring up at him.
“Hi Sam.” CoCo said with a blush.
“Hey CoCo.” Sam said sheepishly.
“Wanna inform me as to why you’re here?” CoCo looked up at him.
“Can I come in?” Sam asked.
“Sure.” CoCo motioned to the large sofa in the living area.
They reached the sofa and Sam plopped down. CoCo plopped down beside him.
“Something on your mind?” CoCo asked.
“Yeah, you.” Sam said without thinking.
“Oh, um.” CoCo said surprised as she inched closer to Sam, nuzzling her head into his chest.
They blush they both sported showed their lack of confidence.
“You wanna just kiss me already?” CoCo asked with a wave of confidence.
Sam looked at the mare snuggled close to him in bewilderment.
Sam felt a similar rush of confidence and picked her up, plopped her body on his chest and closed the gap. Her lips were soft and inexperienced, but felt like heaven for Sam. CoCo could still taste the wine he had earlier on his mouth and breath. As they broke a part, CoCo looked into his hazel eyes and smiled.
“My my Sam. Kissing your boss. I oughta dock your pay.” She smirked.
“Unless?” Sam asked, now sporting his own grin.
“You give me another.” She cooed.
