Three years ago.

Coco Pommel trudged into the cramped third story apartment with an expression of glee. The walls were peeling ever so slightly and a draft ran through the room, and though they had little more than cardboard boxes, a bed, and a couch; Coco was happy.

Russet Draft was over in a corner, setting up his writing desk. It was one he’d been given by his grandfather, and he cherished the old oak table like it was family, busy reinstalling the table with great care. He looked up as she walked in and gave her a broad smile, reflecting the same happiness that she showed.

“We’re home!” he declared with youthful gusto, “Just you and me, making it in the big city. This is grand!” His chest swelled with pride as he brushed a strand of his messy mane back. Coco Pommel laughed heartily, setting aside a box she had been unpacking.

“I guess we are. It’s exciting, isn’t it?” She nodded her approval, sharing the sentiment. Despite how trashy and dingy their living quarters was, it still felt oddly liberating. It was theirs and theirs alone, and that made it worthwhile.

Coco made her way into the kitchen with a smile on her face. A bug scurried past on the yellowed tiles, but she didn’t care. Filling a pot of water and placing it on the stove, she began to make tea, but just as she reached down to find some in one of the many boxes, a hoof draped around her back, almost making her jump. She looked back with a blush as Russet stepped a little closer and kissed the back of her neck in a slow, deliberate manner that sent shivers up her spine. She loved it when he did that.

“R-russet!” she whined meekly. “I was doing something, you know!” She trotted lightly in place, but the cocky-eyed stallion had no intention of stopping, and had moved to the back of her head, nuzzling his way through her mane tenderly. Coco broke out into a fit of giggles, and Russet stepped back.

“Sorry, darling. You know I love teasing you!” He laughed at her mock plight, and went about helping her with the tea. In response, Coco gave him a nudge, the side of her body lightly brushing up against his fondly.

“I know. I didn’t really mind.” she replied with a sideways smile, pouring the now steaming water into two cups and adding tea. “It’s so nice to be alone together, don’t you think?”

Russet Draft was going to speak, but his voice faltered. Yes, of course it was nice--it was amazing, even--but that didn’t really put a hoof on it. What he was feeling was far more than that: it was the greatest happiness he could ever have imagined. Living alone in the city, here with the mare of his dreams...Russet couldn’t ask for more.

At some point Coco had grown tired of waiting for his response, knowing that the stallion sometimes wandered off in his mind to daydream, and left to sit on the old, worn couch. Snapping back to reality, Russet swiftly made his way into the living room, sat down beside the mare, and planted an adoring kiss right on her muzzle. In surprise, Coco gasped and set down her tea.

“It’s more than nice…” Russet went on, “It’s incredible. I’m more and more in love with you with every passing minute, like...like the earth that moves around the sun. My life revolves around you. I love you.” He puffed up a little too proudly at his cheesy poem, but he knew it would work.

Coco gushed, her cheeks turning a brilliant hue of purple as she slunk back into the couch, speechless. Although it was a cheesy, he had a way of wooing her with words that swept her off her hooves. She leaned over and burrowed herself into his side, muzzle caressing his neck, hooves wrapped around his side. The tea was quickly forgotten as Russet returned the favor by draping his hooves around the timid mare and planting a kiss atop her head. Life was good.

“I love you, too.” Coco whispered. Russet knew she meant it.

“It’s getting late.” he mused. “We should probably make dinner…” One look around the apartment, and the realization that he had no idea where the pots and pans were suggested that that was a bad idea. An idea struck his mind and he grinned, earning a confused look from Coco.

“There’s no way we can cook with all this. Pizza?” he suggested. He knew it was Coco’s favorite. She lit up, nodding eagerly.

“Sounds delicious!” she agreed. Deciding upon the flavour, Russet looked across the room where the phone was situated, realizing that he now had a dilemma: he did not want to get up. It was too warm and comfortable with the mare snuggled against him. Thankfully, Coco realized this and retracted herself from the position, brief eye contact assuring both of them that more would continue later.

Russet made his way to the phone begrudgingly, slumping against the wall as he dialed.

“Yes, this is Pizza Place!”

“I’ll take a large cheese for delivery, please. Make that to Five Sixty-Two Trotswood Boulevard, apartment Thirty.” Russet responded. Soon, the younger stallion on the other end had entered the order and assured that the pizza would arrive within the hour. Russet plopped back down on the couch and Coco immediately reclined against him.

“It’s my first day at work tomorrow. Have to get an early start. Think you’ll manage on your own?” Coco prodded him.

“Already?” He seemed a little bewildered. Had Coco told him about that already? He was looking forward to waking up with her in the morning, though he supposed this was for the best.

“I’ve got a job with my Aunt at the Diner, remember?” She tilted her head, and Russet nodded even though he really didn’t. He’d probably been daydreaming at the time. It happened a lot. Thankfully, Coco never minded. She had told him once that it was simply one of his many quirks.

They sat in silence, enjoying the company of one another until the telltale signs of food at the door, in the form of a shrill ring, roused them both. It was paid for, and the colt at the door was tipped modestly. A smile and a wave later, the two sat down at the couch again with their food, grinning at one another as they gobbled it down in silence.

Every so often Coco would glance in his direction, or he in hers, and their eyes would meet. There would be a momentary pause as one tried to figure out what the other was thinking, then the ritual engorging would continue.

After what felt like hours laying quietly on the couch, leftover pizza and the forgotten tea turning lukewarm hours ago, the two were napping peacefully. Or at least, Coco was; she had taken to curling up against a stretched-out Russet, her forehooves tucked under her chest neatly while her rear ones were folded against her body. Her head was laying peacefully across his own splayed out forehooves, and his head overtop of hers.

Russet wasn’t really sleeping, but enjoyed her company as his thoughts wandered to their future and what lay in store. They had come to the city to make it big, like many ponies before them. Coco, to earn her place in the fashion industry as per her dream; Russet’s passion was writing, and being in the city meant inspiration and access to a large number of publishing firms. What they wanted to do was obvious, but the path to their goals uncertain and cloudy.

Russet looked out the window. It was getting dark, the sun making its rapid descent down the horizon. He turned back, giving a cream-colored ear a light nibble to get the mare’s attention.

“We should go to bed.” he whispered quietly. A gentle mumble in response told him all he needed to, and he stepped off the couch to gently guide her along with him. They stumbled into the bedroom with Coco leaning against her partner for support, until finally making it through the countless boxes to the creaky bed. A few things laying across the bed that had been there when they were busy unpacking were cast off to the side as Russet gently moved Coco up with him, gently laying her down.

He tucked the decorative purple covers that Coco had picked out to ‘liven the place up a bit’ a few weeks prior around her and draped his hooves over her side, holding her close from behind. Coco let out a contented sigh, feeling safe nestled against him. He had to admit, the blanket was rather comfortable. He furrowed his brow as he gazed at her form, a thought coming to mind.

“Are you...are you happy here?” Russet asked impulsively, earning a startled shift from Coco. “I mean...with all this old stuff, and the dirty apartment. It’s nothing fantastic. A girl like you deserves so much more. I remember back home, you had--” He was suddenly cut off by his endearing marefriend.

“Yes, silly.” She yawned into the dark room, pressing herself further up against his warm fur, head neatly rested under his chin “This is the happiest I’ve ever been. I don’t care about the beaten up old stuff, the dirt, or the bugs. All I care about is you, and that’s what I have now. I love you.”

The answer, to Russet, seemed so clear and sudden. It was as if she didn’t even have to think about it. Almost envious, he wished he could share the same confidence, having frequently wondered if he’d made the right choice. What if he started to hate her now that they lived together? The thought didn’t even seem to occur to Coco. He quickly dismissed that idea and brought himself abruptly back to reality where he was cuddling with a mare that he could surely say he was positively in love with at this particular moment. That was something he could go on.

Coco closed her eyes as sleep started to gnaw at her, giving it’s ever growing persuasive call. Behind her, Russet was nuzzling her mane again, quite happy to share in her warmth. A breeze flowed the room, and the small mare shivered intensely, causing Russet to grip her tighter.

Hours ago, he had been so sure of his answer, reciting poems and giving her affection at every possible chance. What was it about the night that made everything seem so different, that skewed your perspective and made you skeptical of everything? Why was it that in the daylight Russet would have no trouble responding to her, but now, huddled up in a dark room, he wasn’t so sure how he felt?

He was nervous, that much was true, but that was sometimes normal, wasn’t it? He had read and heard from others that making the first step can be scary, often making you doubt if it was the right one.

He thought back to a day nearly a year ago when the couple, freshly graduated and still living back in the small town, were laying curled up under their favorite tree by the lake. Birds fluttered by and sang while Russet whispered to Coco even cheesier poems and declarations of love. It was so simple then. Everything made sense. The thought made something occur to Russet.

He was afraid, but he still loved her. That was as simple as night and day. Even if nothing else went well, even if he got tired of seeing her every day, love was still there and he was sure of it.

“I love you, too.” whispered Russet against a flicking ear. “I’m happy that we’re here.” Those things were both true. Russet supposed that was something he could be happy with, something to hold onto. Coco was amazing and nothing would make him fall out of love with her. At least he hoped.