The rest of the remaining week became fairly monotonous, but that was the least of my complaints at this point. Both Coco and I had become accustom to sleeping next to each other, however it never lead to anything promiscuous. Coco didn't have to vent like she had before, but she did have a tendency to complain after a long day at work. She thought that I'd be annoyed after listening to her for extended periods of time, the truth was that I loved to listen to her voice.

I'd become more skilled with my newfound talent of fixing jewelry, I could easily identify when an object of supposed value was actually counterfeit, which was unfortunately useful in a city like this. Despite Coco's protests, I decided to perform some freelance work to supply my own income, in order to lessen the guilt I felt for living under Coco's roof without giving her compensation.

She seemed happier too, which was my main concern at this point, given the little panic attack I witnessed earlier this week. She wasn't nearly as tired as she used to be and she almost strut around with her new sense of optimism.

It was a Friday, and I had told Coco that she should go out with her friends before the weekend, she reluctantly agreed, but only because she didn't want to leave me alone with nothing to do. It didn't bother me though, even if my evening was going to be dull, I still had several projects I was working on, involving small contraptions that needed repair.

I had something to look forward to as well though. Coco had written a letter to Rarity about me, while I don't know the details of the letter, I knew that Coco had personally asked if Rarity had any job openings available. I was hoping I'd get to see that letter today, but I suppose I wasn't exactly in any hurry, given the circumstances.

Looking around for job opportunities yielded the exact same results as it had the previous few days. I did my best not to get discouraged, but it was difficult when it felt like the world was pitted against you. It was true that I didn't have wings or a horn, but I had the strength and ambition of an Earth Pony, and while some would consider this debilitating, I knew I could overcome this challenge one way or another.

The doorbell rung sometime in the afternoon, a letter dropping on the carpet near the front door through the letter box. I quickly became excited again, jumping up from the living room couch, where I was reading a sappy romance novel that Coco had on one of her shelves. I needed to recommend some better books for her to read, considering it was a big source of comedy for me while I was reading it.

I trotted over towards the foyer and glanced at the letter. Seeing that it was addressed from Rarity in Ponyville, I immediately ripped it open to read over it, not even considering the fact that it wasn't me that wrote to her.

Dear Coco,

It certainly sounds like you've had quite the busy week! He certainly sounds dashing, the way you described him at least, but I won't go into detail, in the event that he gets a hold of this. That being said, he doesn't seem like the type to intrude on your privacy, even though I know I am guilty of being nosy from time to time!

To answer your question, I do have a position open in Ponyville and I have been so busy trying to expand that I could actually use the help here at my boutique. I've decided that I'd visit you personally so that the two of us could catch up, and so that I could meet Prime Value myself. I'll be arriving around noon, but I'll only be there for the day. Ta-ta!

Your friend, Rarity.

A sense of guilt washed over me as realized that I may have overstepped my boundaries when I opened this letter in my frenzy. Hopefully Coco would be willing to forgive me for this one. Rarity would be visiting tomorrow in the morning as well, but I was less concerned about that particular notion. I carefully placed the letter back into its envelope and set it on the counter. She'd most likely want to read it as well, even though I already read through it myself.

I worked late into the evening before Coco finally shambled into the living room. I said 'shambled', given that she couldn't stand up properly.

"O-Oh hi Prime, me and m-my friends had a great time!" Coco said giddily, slumping herself over the couch in a very undesirable looking position.

I raised an eyebrow at her, "I wasn't aware you could handle alcohol."

She burst into giggles as she waved her legs in the air spontaneously, "I can't!"

I rolled my eyes and glanced back down at the pocket watch I was fixing. It was given to me by a jeweler that promised that he'd pay me if I could find what was wrong with it. He also threatened to break my legs if I decided I wanted it for myself, not like I did anyways, it was much too gaudy for my tastes. I wasn't even sure he'd actually pay me given the reputation of this city, but I needed the practice one way or another.

"P-prime! Pay attention to me!" Coco said in a playful harsh whisper as she slumped her forehooves over me, making it very hard to work.

"I had no idea you were this talkative when you're inebriated, or clingy for that matter," I said to her, amused at her antics.

"All the other mares wanted to know more about you, but I mostly kept everything to myself," Coco said absentmindedly, not letting go of my midsection.

"Is that so?" I said, trying to keep the curiosity out of my voice. I didn't know if I was going to find out something I wasn't supposed to, but I'd be damned if I said I wasn't interested in hearing what she thought about me.

She nodded, looking up at me, "I told them how far you've come, and how much you helped me in turn. You listened to me even when I thought I was being annoying-"

"Which you weren't," I added in.

She continued, unfazed by the interruption, "I told them about how much you care about me, and how much I care about you in turn."

My heart began to beat a little bit faster as I couldn't help but feel a little excited by that statement, it sounded genuine, despite her condition.

"Prime," she said, looking deep into my emerald eyes, "Promise me that you'll still be with me, even if you get a job and can finally live independent of me."

I breathed a heavy sigh and answered with utmost sincerity, "I promise, Coco Pommel."

That was all it took for Coco to rush towards me and press her mouth against mine, our lips locking in a passionate kiss, the breath escaping from me as I greedily returned the favor.

So soft.

We held this position for several seconds before eventually breaking off, a small strand of saliva connecting the two of us together.

She panted heavily and stared deeply into my eyes before uttering a single sentence, "Prime, please. T-take me."

My instincts screamed at me to sweep her off her hooves and bring her into the bedroom, but I knew deep down that I couldn't do that to her. All of the cards were in my favor, but this was a hand I just couldn't deal. Coco was obviously drunk beyond comprehension, so much so that the kiss may not have even been of her own volition. It would be shameful of me to act upon this situation while she was so vulnerable. I internally cursed myself for dismissing this opportunity, for I let the guilt get to me.

"No, Coco," I said flatly.

She whimpered and pressed her hooves into me, beckoning me to join her in the bedroom, "W-why not? A-am I n-not good enough for you?"

I sighed internally, more like too good.

"It's not that Coco. I just don't want to take advantage of something that might not be real," I replied uneasily.

"What do you mean not real?" Coco said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Listen," I held her firmly in place, "If this is something you really want to do, we'll do it in the morning. Is that fair?"

"O-okay," she whispered as she took her place on the side of her bed, "Can we still sleep together like we have been?"

I bit my lip, this might not end well if I decided to go through with this, but I didn't want to see her cry either.

"Alright," I said, "Just don't do anything I don't agree to, alright?"

I slowly took my place in the bed as Coco pressed her hooves into me and nuzzled my chest, cutting off my air supply and almost instantly going to sleep.

Sweet Celestia save me, this mare is going to be the death of me.

Author's Note

Going with the "Coco gets drunk and admits things she probably shouldn't cliche," which is probably against my best interests but I felt like it went well with the situation and it's something I wanted to add in since the beginning of the story.

Sorry if that bugs anyone.

Almost at the final chapter!