//------------------------------//
// White 
// Story: Colors 
// by Boltstrike58 
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White. If one wanted to be one-hundred percent accurate, it wasn't even technically a color. It was all colors at once, combining to create something new. Most ponies still thought of it as a color, though, and there was really no reason to dissuade them. It was a beautiful sight, bringing to mind purity and cleanliness.  

It was also the only color Princess Twilight could see as she paced around the Canterlot throne room. It wasn't that there was a white object obscuring her vision, or that she was going blind. There wasn't even a ton of white in the throne room anymore, after it had been rebuilt repeatedly. No, it was because of the mare on her mind, the mare who was currently making her way towards Twilight at the alicorn's invitation.  

All Twilight could see in her mind's eye was Rarity's pristine, alabaster coat, one that had remained unchanged in all the years they'd known each other. It was one of Rarity's most eye-catching features, aside from her brilliant blue eyes, and her curled purple mane that was slowly degrading and would probably be all grey by the end of the month—

Twilight took another deep breath, shutting down that train of thought before it went careening off a cliff. She couldn't afford to terrify herself into a state of shock, not at a time like this. It wasn't every day that one confessed to the mare they'd been secretly pining after for years, while still knowing a real relationship was impossible. Twilight knew Rarity probably didn't feel the same way, and even if she did, things were different now. Maybe it would've worked while Twilight was still living in Ponyville, but now she was the ruler of Equestria. There were just too many obstacles.

Looking up at one of the many stained glass windows depicting her and her friends wielding the Elements of Harmony, Twilight sighed deeply, filled with regret. She knew why she'd never made a move on Rarity, but that knowledge did little to ease the pain of knowing the unicorn was probably out of her reach forever. Or, more accurately, Twilight was now out of Rarity's reach. The Canterlot nobility didn't have an enormous amount of political power (Celestia and Luna had been smart enough to ensure that), but there would still be an uproar if the princess of Equestria married a commoner, even if Rarity had helped save all of Equestria many times. Rarity would be scrutinized in cruel and unfair ways, would probably be forced to give up her boutiques, and would be criticized no matter what she did. Twilight couldn't bear to put anypony through that, much less a mare she loved.

A knock at the door drew her attention. She turned in time to see Gallus push open the door, wearing his custom-made Royal Guard armor.

"Princess Twilight?" he called out. "Lady Rarity has arrived. She's right on time for your appointment."

Twilight swallowed, and managed to slap a smile on her face. "Thank you, Gallus," she said. "Please, show her in. And please tell the others not to disturb us for an hour or so."

Gallus gave a small bow, then retreated, allowing the door to close behind him. Twilight was only left to marinate in her own thoughts and fears for a few seconds, before the familiar blue magic glow enveloped the door, pushing it open once more.

Rarity looked the same as she always did, with the exception of the grey streak through her mane that made Twilight wince again (she didn't think Rarity noticed, though). She'd taken to wearing a dark-blue cloak with a fluffy neckline, pinned by a blue gemstone reminiscent of her Cutie Mark. It seemed a little odd to Twilight, but then again, the purple alicorn had never been a fashion expert, and probably never would be.

"Ah! Twilight, darling!" Rarity called out as she strutted up to the throne, head held as high as ever. "Wonderful to see you, as always!" Then she took a second to glance around. "I see I'm the first one to arrive again. Punctuality is something they really could stand to improve on."

Twilight swallowed again. Apparently she hadn't been clear enough in her letter. Rarity believed this was just another routine Friendship Council meeting, when it was anything but.

"Rarity," she began, "the others aren't coming. I wanted to talk to you...alone."

Rarity blinked a couple of times, apparently taken by surprise. However, she recovered quickly enough, going back to her normal self in seconds.

"Alright, then," she replied. "What was it you wanted to talk about, Twilight? Is there another ball coming up, and you require a dress? I would be delighted to—"

"No, nothing like that," Twilight cut her off, waving one of her forehooves. "It's...something more personal."

She lit up her horn, levitating over a hooful of flashcards (old habits really did die hard). She did a quick check of their order, making sure it was correct. Then she took another deep breath, and began to read.

"'Rarity, we've been friends for a very long time, and you know I have a great deal of respect for you.'" Change cards. "'But I haven't been completely honest about my feelings towards you.'" Change cards. "'And in light of recent developments, I feel I need to correct this oversight.'" Change cards. "'The fact of the matter is, I—'"

Rarity's blue aura lit up around the flashcards, pushing them down, and bringing her back into Twilight's view.

"Twilight, dear, I mean no disrespect by saying this," she said, "but I think you're being a little stilted. I promise there's no need to worry. We're friends, aren't we? You can say absolutely anything to me."

Twilight felt nervous sweat drip down the back of her neck. She knew Rarity wasn't exaggerating, but she also knew the unicorn didn't have any clue what she was building up to. The idea with the flashcards had been to ease Rarity into the idea, so that it wouldn't be as big a shock to her. However, it appeared she was making Rarity uncomfortable instead, something she had no desire to do. Sighing to herself, Twilight warped the flashcards away with a burst of magic, then looked Rarity in the eye.

"Alright, I'll get to the point," she said. She took one more deep breath, then said "I love you, Rarity."

For the next few seconds, nothing happened. Rarity and Twilight merely stood, blinking at each other, presumably while Rarity's brain was processing those three words. Twilight felt the pit in her stomach grow deeper and deeper as the silence continued.  

Finally, Rarity broke the tension. "I...beg your pardon, darling?"

Twilight briefly considered lying, denying her confession in an effort to escape this situation. However, the idea felt unkind to her, and there was always the chance Rarity would see right through it. Instead, Twilight steeled herself, and kept talking.

"I've loved you for years. It wasn't love at first sight, or anything, but I've always found you very attractive. After the first few times we saved Equestria with the others, and I saw how your generosity ran so deep, I just felt it more and more. I couldn't keep it inside any longer." She released a breath, then locked her eyes on the ground. "I'm sorry, Rarity."

Another minute or so of silence followed. Twilight couldn't bring herself to look up, terrified of what she might see. She knew Rarity was far too kind to be repulsed by her confession, even if she didn't feel the same way, but that didn't mean her reaction wouldn't crush Twilight's self-esteem. She wished she hadn't run out of things to say, so she could at least fill this uncomfortable silence.

Rarity, once again, was the one to speak first. "Twilight...what brought this on? Why didn't you say anything before?" Twilight mentally cursed when the voice she heard sounded almost afraid.

"It was...that grey streak, in your mane," the alicorn admitted. "When I saw it, I started thinking about my own longevity, and how I was never really honest with myself about how I felt before, and now you and the girls are getting older, and I think I'm going to outlive you. I never confessed before because I didn't want to make Spike feel bad, and I wanted him to get over his crush on you first, but in reality, that was another lie I told myself so I'd never act on it, and oh my goodness, what have I done?"  

Twilight bit her tongue, stopping her rant before she said something she'd truly regret. She didn't know why she'd ever thought this was a good idea. She'd probably alienated Rarity forever, or at least made it so things could never be normal between them again. Friendship Council meetings would be awkward and painful now, and the others would easily pick up on their emotions. Twilight had ruined everything, and for what? So that she wouldn't have to stew in her own thoughts anymore? Why couldn't she have just—

Twilight's thoughts were interrupted by the faint blue light that enveloped her head, pushing her face upwards so that she could see Rarity again. However, to her surprise, the unicorn's expression was a sad smile, rather than something disturbed or upset. Twilight's jaw actually dropped at the sight, and she found she couldn't move, even when Rarity trotted up and hugged her.

"Oh, darling," Rarity whispered. "I'm so sorry you've been carrying that burden around in your heart for so long."

Twilight couldn't stop herself anymore. Her eyes filled with liquid, and the first few tears dripped down her muzzle. She draped a wing over Rarity, pulling the unicorn closer and allowing some of her tears to fall into Rarity's mane.  

"I thought...I couldn't go my whole life without saying anything. I saw that grey streak, and I just started thinking about mortality, and I know you're not going to die anytime soon, but I'll probably outlive you and the girls, and I—"

"Shh," Rarity hushed her. "It's okay. You have nothing to apologize for."

Twilight took another few deep breaths to calm herself down. The two mares stayed in position for a while, simply breathing and feeling each other's presence. Finally, Twilight folded her wing back into place, and took a step back from Rarity, allowing the two of them to look each other in the eye once more.

"Thank you for listening," said Twilight. "I understand nothing can come from it, but—"

"Wait, what?" Rarity cut her off. "Whatever do you mean? I may not exactly share your feelings, but I'm perfectly willing to give a relationship a chance!"

Twilight's heart leapt upon hearing those words, but the logical part of her brain shot it down quickly.

"Rarity, I'm the princess of Equestria. Certain...unsavory ponies would throw a fit if I took a partner, and I couldn't bear to put you through that. Not to mention you probably wouldn't be able to keep your boutiques, which you've worked so hard on your whole life."

Rarity's expression shifted from perplexed to a calm understanding as Twilight went on. She shook her head sadly.  

"Twilight Sparkle, you are too considerate for your own good," she chuckled. "Though, if us getting married would cause you to feel that much guilt, I understand."

"Thank you," Twilight responded. "I just wish I'd found the courage to tell you sooner. It would've saved us a lot of regret. I suppose there's no point in agonizing over it, though. It's done."

"It is, isn't it?" asked Rarity, looking somber again. "But surely that doesn't mean nothing can come of it. I've got years left in me. We could...have something, if only for a short time."

Twilight thought it over. "I suppose, we could have some sort of...secret affair, but would that really be right? Would it—"

"Darling, what would be immoral about it?" asked Rarity. "Neither of us would be cheating on anypony, and we both know it wouldn't lead to marriage or anything, so we aren't lying to each other. I have no plans to find a partner in the future, and I know you well enough to know you are the same."

"Maybe," Twilight admitted. "But...we wouldn't be able to speak freely about it. I'm not suggesting we keep it from the others, but we couldn't do things in public. We'd have to keep it a secret from most creatures. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
Rarity nodded with no hesitation. "I promise you, I have no qualms about this. I know it can't last, but I care deeply about you all the same, and I would love the chance to make you happy."

Twilight smiled for the first time that day. "Okay. Can you promise me one thing?"

"Anything, dear."

"If...if you realize you don't feel...that way about me at all, tell me, and we'll break it off immediately. I never want to force you into something against your feelings."

"Of course, Twilight. Thank you for thinking of me."

Twilight felt her heart lift a bit. Perhaps she could at least have something with the mare she'd loved for so long, if only to create more pleasant memories. Even if they couldn't get married.