Rarity knocked on the golden doors that lead to Twilight's room. She didn't expect a response, nor did she wait for it, as she opened the door gently right after. The lanterns and candles were doused, with moonlight the only illumination coming into the room from the open balcony. And upon that balcony, a lone majestic pony sat, casting her shadow into the room. Twilight always sat alone in the quiet and dark night like this whenever the duties of ruling Equestria got too much, but whenever Rarity could she always tried to make sure she was never alone. And after the disastrous meeting with the delegates earlier, Rarity wanted to ensure she had a friend to lean on.
Rarity crossed the distance, the clop of her hooves very audible in the deathly quiet of the room, but Twilight didn't make a move to acknowledge it. She continued sulking, perfectly still except for the windless blowing of her beautifully ethereal mane. Rarity sat beside Twilight, while the latter was resting her chin on top of the railing with unfocused eyes. Twilight acknowledged Rarity's presence with a barely perceptible glance at the unicorn.
"Hello, darling," Rarity said, "How are you holding up?"
After a few moments of silence, Twilight replied, "After a decade of spreading the magic of friendship and harmony throughout all the lands, I thought I had successfully removed all hatred in the hearts of every creature." Twilight let out an exhausted sigh, "But then, someone like Itzy comes and I ask myself if it's even possible."
Rarity looked at Twilight's unmoving form, putting her hoof on her shoulder. She regarded her words carefully, as she caressed her back, before replying, "Twilight dear, it IS possible, please do not lose hope. Ponies like Itzy Bits are the exception, and very rare. And she's old, darling, the hatred in her heart has existed even before you became the princess of friendship."
Twilight shifted her head, still laying on the railing, and eyes to better look at Rarity, who gave her a reassuring smile. Twilight noticed wrinkles that weren't there before, and the gray strands that seemed to have doubled since the last time they met. But Twilight tried to focus on Rarity's smile.
Rarity hesitated, biting her lip, but after a few moments continued speaking, "You know, Twilight, deep rooted hatred like that can't be removed overnight, and perhaps even impossible. But time will take care of her. With time, my dear, the old will be replaced by the new and old resentments will fade to nothing. Keep spreading the magic of friendship," Rarity took Twilight's hoof into hers, "It is worth fighting for, no matter how long it takes. You have time, darling, and someday you will see. Someday you will see an Equestria, nay, a world where there is no longer any hatred in anycreature's heart just because of their form. But only if you keep at it. So don't let ponies like Itzy steer you from your purpose, do not lose hope."
Twilight finally lifted her head, and looked straight at Rarity. She reflected on Rarity's words. Itzy tried to pass a law for Manehattan to evict Griffons from the city, and without trying to run it by Twilight because of course she would not approve of such a law. Through the exploitation of ancient Equestrian laws, Bits almost succeeded. But luckily, Twilight caught wind of it from a concerned griffon, and Twilight tried to confront Bits about it.
Twilight laid her head on Rarity, which the height difference between them made easier, "I'm glad you were there, Rarity," Twilight hesitated to continue, "after hearing what she said about griffons, I could barely hold it together. I saw the fear in their eyes when I almost lost control..."
"Hush darling, don't worry about it now. If I am being honest, perhaps they needed reminding of your magical prowess before they speak such vile words in your presence."
"Yes, perhaps, but you didn't need to see that. I saw you were afraid too, when the room darkened and magical energy crackled around the room, I didn't want to see you so scared and worried."
It was true that seeing Twilight like that made her fur stand up on end. "If it helps, then I'd rather be by your side as much as I can. And I think I can, soon."
Twilight lifted her head and looked at Rarity with a raised eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Rarity scooted closer to Twilight. She was her reason for this, she wanted to be closer, "I've been preparing to retire from being the ambassador to Yakyakistan."
Twilight's eyes widened in surprise, "What? Why, Rarity? You don't like Yakyakistan anymore?"
"No no no, nothing like that! I loved my time with Yakyakistan, learning their traditions and such," Rarity clarified quickly, "But darling I'm getting too old for their roughhousing, so I can't properly participate with their traditions anymore."
Twilight winced at the word 'old', and her eyes briefly noticed the fading luster of Rarity's purple mane. But she pushed the thought down quickly, "Do you have a replacement in mind?"
"Oh I have the perfect candidate, darling. Sandbar was quite eager when I asked him. Me and Yona have been tutoring him in preparation for months now. I think you'll agree that he'll do just as well, if not better, considering the relationship of the two."
The two shared a smile, as the image of the cute couple flashed in their mind, "Yes, I think Sandbar would be perfect for the job, Rarity. You two may approach me, when he is ready," Twilight put a hoof to her chin as she mused, "But what about you, what will you do after retirement?"
"Well I'll have more time to spend making dresses again, and honestly Yakyakistan culture has filled my notebooks with gorgeous designs. But a full time job like that leaves little time to actually work on them." Rarity looked down to the floor and pawed at the smooth stone, looking bashful and especially small, "And more importantly, I'll be living here in Canterlot, I'll be close by, like I said."
Rarity took a deep breath and mustering her courage she looked into Twilight's purple eyes, as youthful as the day they met when she arrived in Ponyville all those years ago. Her face was unmarred by time and only made more beautiful by it, "Twilight, my dear, I've harbored these feelings for years and years now, but when you ascended I felt that you had flown too far for me to reach. Though over the years I've come to realize that wings or no wings, ruler or not, you are still the same brilliant mare who came to Ponyville to learn about friendship. And I realize that I do not want to hide these feelings within my heart till the end, I want you to know."
"Rarity, what are you saying? Know what?" Twilight asked, though she knew exactly what Rarity was saying. She understood and was not opposed to it.
Rarity stood up and had to look up just to stare eye to eye with Twilight's tall form. Twilight noticed the sluggishness and effort that Rarity seemed to have taken just to get her hindquarters off the ground. But still Twilight did not say anything.
"Darling, wings or no wings, there is no other creature I'd rather spend the rest of my life being with. I want to be close to you, to spend my remaining days with you, by your side. Because you are wonderful, darling. You have a brilliant mind and a beautiful soul. There is no other pony I'd rather be with. That is what I want you to know." Rarity said, finishing with a smile. But that quickly faded at Twilight's shocked expression, "But of course, I'd understand if you don't feel the same way..."
"No!" Twilight almost shouted, startling back Rarity, "It's not that, it's not that I don't want it because I do, Rarity. I really do. But..."
Twilight stood and spread her wings wide, covering Rarity in shadow, as Twilight hung her head low. She felt her eyes moisten. Her heart desired a future with Rarity, it rejoiced at the thought of waking up with that beautiful mare beside her. But her heart ached at the thought of what the unstoppable march of time would bring.
Rarity approached carefully, and with Twilight's head hanging so low they were able to see almost eye to eye, as Rarity put her hoof to Twilight's chin to make their eyes meet.
"Darling, follow your heart," Rarity bit her lip, she hesitated, she felt selfish with what she was doing, "Listen Twilight, the future is far, but the present is here. And you're here, with me, don't look so far ahead and look at me. Do you really want to bar yourself from being happy?"
Twilight looked at the other mare. She saw a beautiful face that has been covered by imperfections that time, as time does, brought without permission: her mane graying, her face more wrinkly. But she blinked and once more she looked at Rarity as she always saw her: pretty, stylish, and perfect. Her indigo mane was glossy, perfectly kept with no stray strands. She looked deep into Rarity's eyes, and she wanted time to stand still, to not take away the present and replace it with the future.
After a few moments, Twilight finally moved. She put her muzzle to Rarity's own in a surprise kiss that caught Rarity off guard, almost tumbling her as they pressed their lips to each other.
They eventually parted lips and giggled at what had just occurred, all the while heat rose to their cheeks and tinted them pink.
"Oh my, that was... Quite unexpected darling," Rarity giggled.
"I just followed my heart, Rarity. I've been wanting to do that, imagining it, for quite some time now..."
Rarity walked to Twilight, and clung both her hooves over Twilight's neck and pulled her into a hug.
Twilight sat down comfortably and wrapped her hooves around Rarity. She hugged her tightly, and focused on the smaller mare's breathing and the subtle swaying of her form, on her pristine white fur, and on the warmth that her closeness brought. She focused on the vitality that was evident on her now, and pushed away any thoughts of the future.
"I love you, Twilight," Rarity whispered into Twilight's ear.
"I love you too, Rarity, stay here with me, forever," Twilight replied, the words almost getting stuck in her throat.
"I will be, darling, for a long time."
Neither knew how long they stayed in each other's embrace, but they didn't care, they didn't want to part, they didn't want to let the present slip and the future come. They wanted time to wait, and just let them be happy. That one moment felt like an eternity to them. And they wished that it really was.
But the morning crowing of the chickens signalled the coming of a new day, and with the future inching closer their eternity was broken.
The two broke their hug. Rarity giggled, "Oh dear, I didn't even notice the time!"
"Yeah... Thank you, Rarity, for being here."
"And I will continue to be, now go and be a princess."
Twilight stood, then she lowered the moon and raised the sun in one smooth motion, practiced a thousand times over the decade she had taken over the duty. Twilight realized then, another day was passing in eternity. For her.
Rarity approached her, and to Twilight's mind she was still the perfect gem she was years ago. They both sat down to enjoy the new day. They leaned on each other and let time pass them by.
Author's Note
Writing is hard...
Twilight knocked on the door of their room, more out of habit than anything. She didn't expect the pony inside would hear her.
She entered the room without waiting for a response. It was lavishly decorated with tapestries and a rug of purple and blue. There was a large wardrobe to store all the dresses that her wife Rarity made and kept, and in one corner was a sewing machine from which she unleashed her creativity. There was also a small bookshelf just beside their queen-size bed, where Twilight kept her favorites or books she was currently reading. The room embodied the personalities of its married occupants.
The afternoon sun shone its light through the open balcony and into the room, casting the shadow of a rocking chair outside where a unicorn sat swaying gently.
Twilight crossed the room and sat beside Rarity, who was knitting a sweater. The old mare noticed her presence, and gave Twilight a small smile, "Hello, my darling, how was the meeting?" Rarity said softly and slowly.
"It went great! The cities are more welcoming than ever, and every type of creature is more freely walking about even in the most ancient of cities," Twilight said excitedly. She was feeling quite light after the annual state of the nation meeting. She felt like the world was getting closer and closer to true unity and harmony, which she had dreamed for a very long time.
"I am glad to hear that, love. Didn't I tell you? You'd see it one day, a world with no hatred in any creature's heart. It's not just a naive dream, darling, it's your future!" Rarity said. She coughed violently, lost concentration on her magic, and dropped the sweater she was knitting.
"Rarity!" Twilight shouted in concern, immediately taking her hoof. For the first time since she entered the room, she took a proper look at Rarity. The color of her mane had faded, her body somehow smaller and more frail, as if one small trip might break all her bones, and her face more wrinkly. Twilight was under no illusions, she knew she was very old.
"I'm fine my dear, truly, I'll be fine. I need to finish this sweater, though. Hearthswarming is coming soon, I'm not even halfway through with making my gifts for everycreature!"
Rarity hummed a classic Hearthswarming tune, which somewhat soothed Twilight's heart. The old mare tried to lift the sweater and knitting tools off the ground, but her magic had gone weaker. Twilight's horn shone as she assisted Rarity with the levitation, and together they started knitting, the movements of their magic beautifully in sync.
Twilight nuzzled Rarity's sagging, wrinkly cheeks, then planted a soft kiss on it.
Rarity giggled, "Twilight dear, I love you and your affectations, but I don't want this to be mismatched. But I guess Li'l Cheese would still be delighted, with a more bold and chaotically colorful clothing."
A smile formed on Twilight's lips, "Yeah, he sure will. But he loves your gifts regardless."
Twilight remained leaning on Rarity, both concentrated on knitting, in silence. After half an hour of work, it was done. It was a comfy sweater made for an adult stallion, in pink and yellow with patterns of blue and yellow balloons.
"They would be proud of what you've achieved, Twilight. I'm proud of what you've achieved," Rarity said suddenly, as she set aside the sweater and tools and turned to Twilight with a smile.
"Our work, Rarity. When I feel hopeless, you’re always there for me, with the right words to pull me back up. Always." Twilight replied.
Rarity sat a few seconds in quiet contemplation, before she continued, "We'll always be with you, Twilight. And I'll always be in your heart, and I hope in your dreams too!"
"Please don't talk like that, love."
"I'm sorry, my darling. But I feel it, it's only a matter of time. Every breath is becoming an effort, every move feels like something might break," Rarity let out an exhausted sigh, "I just hope to spend one last hearthswarming with you and everyone else."
"And you will, and many more! I'll get some more yarn, and we'll finish the sweaters together."
Just as Twilight started to get up, Rarity laid a hoof on her, "No that's quite alright my dear, stay here, with me. We'll finish that later, I want to rest for now and maybe my magic will be in full strength again."
Twilight made no objections, and stayed right beside her as she rocked gently, looking out over the horizon at the new Equestria.
"Have I been selfish, Twilight?" Rarity said after a few minutes of silence.
"What!? No, Rarity, not at all! What are you saying?" Twilight almost shouted, choking back a small sob near the end. Rarity winced in pain at her reaction.
"I'm sorry, getting old has made me more reflective. And I can't help but think if you'd have been more happy if you spent the rest of eternity not carrying the pain of being left behind," Tears formed around her eyes, barely held back as she said the words, sobbing softly.
Twilight felt like she was short of breath, like a thousand knives began a barrage of stabs at her heart, as she listened to the words her love had said.
"Rarity, please," Twilight sobbed, "The last 50 years married to you had been the best of my life, and having you made every challenge bearable, even as we began losing everyone. Please, stay with me just a bit longer, I don't want to lose you too, not yet."
Twilight nuzzled Rarity's cheeks, and Rarity returned the gesture, as the tears were let to fall and mingle and drop on the smooth stone floor.
"Of course, my love, I'll stay a bit longer."
Twilight kissed Rarity's cheek, "I love you, Rarity."
"I love you too, Twilight. Wings or no wings."
Twilight took a quick peek inside to check their grandfather clock for the current time. Decades of routinely raising and lowering the sun has given her an intuition as for when to raise and lower the celestial bodies, and she was right. It was time for the sun to set.
"That time already? And I was just about to take an afternoon nap! Well, make your beautiful sunset, dear, before I get some sleep."
Twilight nodded, and she slowly lowered the sun and raised the moon, making a beautiful sunset over the horizon that lasted more than usual. But eventually, shadow covered the city of Canterlot, and lights began to turn on. Twilight flipped the switch on their lights too, and light quickly flooded their room.
Twilight sat back down beside her beloved Rarity and laid her head over her. But something felt wrong. She didn't feel the soft breathing of the old mare, nor the subtle movement that it brings, and the warmth of her body was quickly leaving and mixing with the cold winter air. "Rarity?" Twilight tried.
Panic gripped her heart. She began taking air in large gulps. Tears began forming anew.
"Help! Please, help!" She yelled.
Twilight cradled Rarity's lifeless form. She didn't hear the hooves that burst in and thundered across the room towards her nor did she see them. She only heard her own loud cries. She only saw, through a mist of tears, the limp form of an old mare; her Rarity.
