Another time, another place. A day that did and did not happen. A precious memory, a pleasant dream, far away from the nightmares. The only girl who could ever remember it has forgotten, yet even forgotten memories leave something behind.
Homura Akemi is not a very tough girl. She stutters often, she gets shy easily, and she can't bring to call even her closest friends by their first name. It took a lot for her to even stand up in front of class, always afraid of giving the wrong answer. It took so much more for her to ask Madoka Kaname out on a date, not even knowing how she'd take it if Madoka said 'no'.
Yet, Homura did ask, and Madoka didn't say no.
"Kaname-san..." One of Homura's braids was in her hands, and she tugged and thumbed at it nervously. It was all she could do just to keep her eyes on Madoka. She wished that she could ignore the fact that her cheeks were the same color as her red rimmed glasses. "Kaname-san... um... you know that big antenna? The white one that we always jump past? I was thinking that the view up there would be nice. I mean... we could sit there and look at the city and talk and maybe... I mean... Sorry I'm rambling... what I'm trying to say is... would you go out with me?"
Almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she was frozen with fear. Which is a good thing, because if her legs hadn't locked up, she might have fled.
Well she didn't flee, and she is so, so glad that she didn't, because now she's sitting on a platform at the top of said antenna, legs dangling over the edge. Clearly this platform was made for people to service it, and certainly not for dates, but there's no one else up here, and the view really is amazing.
Homura decided to dress up nicely today, or at least try to. She hopes she looks pretty. If only she could be as pretty and cute as Kaname-san, maybe then she wouldn't be so nervous. She's wearing a dark blue jacket with red and white trim, white buttons going from the bottom hem to her collar. Underneath is a white button up blouse, with a red ribbon tied around her neck. Her skirt is a lovat color with white frills. Her twin braids have purple ribbons tied around the ends in big bows, and a black hair band tops her head. Black stockings go up to her knees and terminate in her shoes.
Her dangling feet kick off of the edge as she looks down at the rooftops below. Her hands are clasped together in her lap, thumbs fidgeting against one another.
Madoka Kaname is a cheerful and confident girl, eager to please and more eager still to spend time with her friends. She always called people by their first names as soon as they wouldn't get upset by it with a single exception: Kyousuke Komijou, who she knows her friend Sayaka likes very much.
When Homura Akemi started to ask her a question Madoka smiled encouragingly. She looked so cute standing there, fidgeting and nervous, Madoka thought. She found it endearing that she had such a hard time speaking even to her, who had probably gotten closest to Homura amongst the girls they frequently hung out with. A quick nod and cheery, "Mhm!" is given at the antenna, a popular landmark in the Mitakihara skyline that she often uses to get her bearings when quickly traversing the city.
She's already to say that she thinks watching the city from way up there would be a lot of fun, right up until the very last words that exit the mouth of the girl with braided twintails. She blinks in surprise, Homura's nervousness suddenly having a whole new context, blushing brightly and fidgeting her fingers together while twisting a little from side to side without realizing it. "G-go out?" she asks rhetorically, eyes looking up and finding something that must be very interesting.
It's quite a shock! She never imagined getting asked on a date by another girl, and ever since she'd become a Magical Girl she hadn't put much thought into dating at all. But here was Homura, who she knew liked her very much, doing exactly that when asking must have been so difficult. When Madoka's soft pink eyes move back down and settle upon Homura, seeing her standing there almost frozen with fear, a thought occurs to her. 'Well, I have always thought she was cute.' Her smile brightens back up and she closes her eyes, tilting her head slightly, "Okay! That sounds like fun, Homura-chan!"
Now she was leaping towards the location of the date, a picnic basket large enough to hold plenty of food for two held in the crook of her arm. Though she was doing her best to look confident she was pretty nervous. She got along with Homura very well but she'd never been on an actual date before! She was wondering what she should try to talk about and how close she should sit and stand next to Homura when all of a sudden she was there. She bounces along the inner columns of the tower, her smile widening as she nears the top. One final spring sends her to the back of one of the large, firmly attached antennas and a small bounce afterwards has her landing gently on her shiny red heels next to Homura, though as her hair bounces downward her henshin fades and drops away.
She's left standing in a pink jumper dress with white polka dots, a flared skirt with ruffles along the bottom hem and a few brown accent stripes. It's worn over a white button up peasant collar blouse with ruffles and a thin brown ribbon tied into a bow at her collar. Her hair is up in it's usual twintails, her pretty red ribbons tied into bows where they're synched together. She's wearing a bit of light makeup too to smooth out her complexion and add a bit of redness to her cheeks- though really the redness there naturally is probably enough since she's blushing!
She feels a flutter in her stomach as she looks over Homura, noticing that she dressed up pretty right away and wondering if bringing a bunch of food was a good idea after all. Well, it's her father's food so once she opens the basket and smells it she'll probably feel better about eating quickly! "Hi, Homura-chan! That skirt looks really nice on you. And I like your ribbons!" It isn't a lie, but Madoka is going out of her way to compliment her date- good advice from mom!
She looks away from Homura for a moment, eyes scanning out over the city, the towering skyscrapers of Mitakihara glittering in the sun all around below them. "Wow, it's beautiful up here. This was a great idea!" She settles down, sitting next to Homura and setting the picnic basket behind them for now, leaving just enough room between them that they can set their hands beside themselves without touching. Close, but not too close. "I brought food like I was saying, but I'm a little nervous to eat right away," Madoka admits, looking over to Homura and giving her a soft smile.
Homura hasn't gone on any dates before either. She was sure she probably wouldn't go on one unless she asked first, and even if someone did ask her she wouldn't even know what to say. Even now, after having agreed to it, she's still so nervous... but... it's more time to spend with Madoka.
When Madoka approaches, Homura watches from behind the lenses of her glasses. Madoka always brought really nice lunches to school, so whatever is in that basket must be yummy! She tries to focus on that, and the thought of spending time with Madoka, instead of going into the downward spiral of...
ohmygodi'monadatewithmadokawhatifimessitupaaaaaaah
Madoka lands next to her and dehenshins, and Homura looks up at her with a bright smile, looking happy even with her blushing red cheeks. "Hi, Kaname-san!" As she looks at Madoka's pink polkadotted dress, Homura's feet start to rub against each other timidly. She really does look so pretty...
Then Madoka is complimenting her, and Homura stutters out a reply, "Y-you, too! I mean.... I-I was just thinking about how nice you look in that." Then, her blush reddens. Was her compliment good enough? She didn't mess that up too, did she?
She shifts in her seat as her date sets the picnic basket between them, looking down at the basket and then back up at Madoka. She scoots away from the edge just a little more, suddenly a bit worried. Then Madoka's admitting to be nervous, and... something about that just takes a little bit of the edge off.
"You are? ... b-but you don't have to be nervous around me, Kaname-san. I... I've always liked you!"
After she says it, she trails off again, because she isn't sure what comes after that. Her thumbs are fidgeting with each other again, and she's looking off into the distance. Such a pretty skyline. It really does look nice.
After a moment or two, she stands up and starts to take off her jacket, showing more of her white blouse underneath. She looks at Madoka saying, "S-sorry, I guess I'm a little overheated." When she sits back down again, it's on top of the jacket, which has been neatly and precisely folded.
There's another pause, and Homura looks at Madoka. "I'm... I'm sorry I got into a fight with Sayaka again. I've been trying to do better. I know she doesn't like it when bombs go off in front of her. I'm sure I wouldn't like it either."
Madoka's compliment is sent back her way and the pink blush on her cheeks spreads a little further. Junko was right, compliments from your date are very nice! "Ehehe, thank you Homura-chan..." She shifts around a little more as she sits down and gets comfortable.
Homura's admission doesn't do very much to let her blush quiet down, though there is some consolation in the fact Madoka thinks she looks cuter with a blush anyway. She isn't sure what will come of this, but if she's on her date she wants to look her cutest! "Of course I'm nervous! I've never been out on a date before. Since we're good friends it makes me feel a little more pressure too, because if I do something silly and embarrass myself I'll keep thinking about it when I see you."
She looks from Homura and turns her eyes downward, but this time it isn't just because she's thinking. Her eyes track a few cars on the streets, and then move to people that walk along the sidewalks, going about their busy lives. "This is a really nice view. I almost feel like I'm flying, but I get to sit here and not worry about anything." Aside from the nervousness of being on a date, anyway.
Hearing the rustling of clothes Madoka looks up and over to Homura, smiling to the other girl as she mentions overheating. She watches as the neatly folded jacket is set down, smiling to herself at how precisely it was done.
As Homura sits back down she opens up the picnic basket, and the smell of fresh fried octopus balls wafts out. "On this side there are Takoyaki sticks, and on the other side are fresh strawberries and Sakura Mochi," she helpfully explains. There isn't a huge variety, but what there is very tasty!
Homura apologizes about fighting with Sayaka and Madoka looks a little surprised, her eyebrows coming together for a moment, "You don't have to be sorry about that, Homura-chan. I don't think Sayaka-chan is actually mad at you anymore. She's mostly just picking fights with you because she doesn't want to admit she was wrong." Madoka tilts her head and gives Homura a gentle smile, "I'll try to talk with her again, okay? It isn't very nice after how hard you're trying to satisfy her issue."
She perks up a little, pressing her hands together so that her fingers spread out, "I'm impressed though, Homura-chan! You've learned to use guns very fast! You were already very good with your bombs, but now you can fight from far away almost as good as I can." Her smile is bright and genuine, just like the compliment.
Pressure? Oh no is Homura messing up already?! She gulps. Maybe if she says something... "I-it's hard to imagine you'd embarrass yourself, Kaname-san. At least, I wouldn't think of it as embarrassing." Was that the right thing to say? Homura meant it, but was it the right thing to say? "It's a first for me, too. I don't usually get asked much." It's not as if she'd notice if someone liked her, either.
Homura doesn't start to relax until Madoka says that she doesn't have to worry about anything. Well... that's true in more ways than one, isn't it? It's just a date, with Madoka, and everything is going okay. Homura almost can't believe it, but she's really here and on a date with Madoka.
The picnic basket opens, and Homura smells the yummy food inside. Madoka's so lucky to have such a great cook for a dad, and she's so nice to share as often as she does! Getting to eat with Madoka, while looking over the city... Homura almost gets lost in thought, looking meekly up at Madoka over the top edge of her glasses. She doesn't snap out of it until she hears Madoka explaining what the food is.
"Oh! O-okay. Thank you, Kaname-san." Homura reaches in to take a Takoyaki stick, smelling the aroma coming off of it and about to bite down... but then she feels like maybe she should respond to Madoka first. "W-well... I was worried that I was messing things up again... but... are you sure it's okay?" Well, it's Madoka. She wouldn't lie about that, so of course it's okay. "Thank you for talking to her. I really do think we should get along. It's so much safer that way."
hen, she bites down on the Takoyaki stick, chewing on it while Madoka compliments her use of guns. Homura's blush had been fading, but it starts back up again. "I-I don't know if I'll ever be as good as you are, b-but...! Thank you! I'll do better!"
At least, Homura hopes she will. She has to, in order to save Madoka, right? This time, she knows she'll get it for sure!
"I wish I was as good as Tomoe-san."
Madoka lets out another soft, "Ehehe," as Homura reassures her. Just hearing that does seem to relieve some of her worry. It does make sense; Homura hasn't ever made her feel uncomfortable or silly, even when she does things Sayaka or Hitomi might tease her about. "Thanks, Homura-chan." After a moment of considering she adds, "Maybe we don't need to be so worried, since it's a first date for both of us. Even if we make little mistakes they can probably be overlooked, right?"
Homura responds to her question and Madoka reaches in to get a Takoyaki stick of her own, feeling a little greedy but happily taking advantage of the other girl talking to eat the yummy treat. It tastes really good, but she makes sure to listen to what Homura's saying; she wouldn't want to be rude!
"I'm sure it's going to be fine. Sayaka-chan can be stubborn, but she really is a good person." With a slightly embarrassed laugh she adds, "Besides, now that Kyouko-chan is working with us she has someone else to argue with." When her date says she thinks they should get along Madoka's face brightens happily, "I think so too! Wouldn't that be perfect, all five of us fighting together as a team? Even Walpurgisnacht wouldn't stand a chance!" Some of that is optimistic bluster, but Madoka can't help but feel hopeful with how things have been going. Madoka tends to be perhaps a little overconfident and playful when working as part of a team, but so far it's only caused minor troubles.
Madoka catches Homura's blush at the compliment she was given, and Madoka blushes a bit more herself, cheeks going from pink to a light red in color. She really is cute... maybe this date really was a good idea after all. A soft giggle preceeds a fist playfully pumped into the air, "Ganbatte, Homura-chan!"
As good as Mami? Madoka takes a moment to imagine what Homura might be like if she were as experienced and confident in battle as Mami. Rushing around familiars, a pistol in each hand, firing into them until the magazines are empty, only to toss them away. Homura might then appear next to a Witch in the blink of an eye, pumping and firing her shotgun to distract it from the bombs planted at it's feet. They go off, and Homura's braided hair flies back behind her while she stands close, seemingly unaffected by the blast.
Madoka twists a little from side to side, eyes squeezing shut for a moment. Then she squeals, "Ahhhh, you'd be so cool, Homura-chan! If you can get as good as Mami-san I bet nothing could slow you down!" She continues to laugh happily, opening up the other side of the picnic basket and reaching in for some strawberries.
Little mistakes can be overlooked? That would be nice. Homura's sure she's made so many already, but if Madoka wouldn't get mad at her...
Homura's nod is a timid, shy gesture; but she does agree. "Right. Maybe we don't have to worry. I mean... I'm having a lot of fun already! ... E-even if it's just sitting here and talking, I really like spending time with you, Kaname-san."
After saying that, she looks back down at the streets below, and the cars driving underneath them. Her feet kick a few more times, and she leans back, propping herself up with her arms. When she looks back at Madoka, her blush has died down to a soft pink, and she's smiling brightly.
Homura imagines Kyouko and Sayaka fighting, and she shudders. "You don't think they'd fight for real, do you?" She shakes her head, braids flopping in the air as she closes her eyes. "I don't even want to think about that, but they're both so..." She looks a bit sheepish, and then says, "Well, I don't want to talk bad about them. They're doing their best."
At the thought of facing Walpurgisnacht with a full team, Homura's eyes sparkle. Her mouth is a flat line, not quite willing to smile again, but she so badly wants to win. After dozens of timelines, hasn't she fought enough already?
"I'm sure of it," says Homura, showing a rare sign of confidence. "I know that if we all fought her together, we'd win for sure."
Madoka's encouragement brings the blush right back to Homura's face, but it brings the bright yet shy smile along with it. "You're always so nice, Kaname-san."
Homura has no idea what Madoka's imagining about her, or what kind of thoughts it brings to mind for Homura to be as good as Mami, so she's surprised when Madoka says she'd be cool. The first time Madoka said something like that, Homura didn't believe her, but... it would be nice if Madoka really did see her that way.
"Really? You think so? You think I'd look... cool?" If she ever looked cool while doing something, it'd be the first time in her life.
She isn't looking when she reaches in to get a strawberry. When she feels something, she grasps, only to realize that what she's touching isn't a strawberry. When she looks down, she yelps, drawing back her hand and blushing bright red. "A-ah... you first, Kaname-san." She still wants a strawberry, but it's okay if Madoka gets hers first.
"I am too," Madoka agrees quickly, giving a nod of her head to confirm it. "I like talking with you, and we don't often get the chance to be alone together like this. Spending time with you is nice, Homura-chan." As odd as it is it doesn't even feel that... different from when they normally talk. True, they're intentionally out to feel each other out romantically, but the topics are the same and they're acting mostly the same, save extra blushing and wearing intentionally pretty clothes. Madoka is actually starting to feel a lot more comfortable now that they've decided not to worry about small things.
As Homura leans back and rests on her hands Madoka looks her over, and it takes a moment for her to realize she's admiring her date. Homura looks over at her right as she does, which prompts a shy glancing away as soon as those purple eyes turn towards her own from behind red rimmed glasses.
The more serious topic of Sayaka and Kyouko fighting brings her back to the moment and she considers for a moment before shaking her own head, fluffy pink pigtails tossing slightly from side to side, "I don't think so. I thought they might at first, but Kyouko-chan hasn't been antagonizing her quite as much lately. Maybe they had a talk?" She giggles a little bit, "Actually, I think they might enjoy arguing with each other."
Confidence looks good on her, Madoka thinks as Homura states her opinion firmly. Another smile is given, warm and encouraging.
A happy laugh then at the compliment. "Hehehe... thanks. You've always been very nice to me too, you know? I'm very thankful for that. I feel like I need to be on my best behavior for Mami-san, and Sayaka-chan always teases me if I say something silly. Kyouko-chan always tells me I'm too soft and naive..." Her head shakes softly, "I don't mind it, but when I'm with you I always feel like I can just be myself without worrying. You seem to like me for me, and you're always nice to me..." Her eyes look back over to Homura's and she smiles in a soft, almost shy manner, "I really appreciate that, Homura-chan. I think that's why I feel so comfortable around you."
She can't help but brighten that smile three fold when Homura asks if she'd look cool, and Madoka confirms with a quick nod. "I do! I think you'd look super cool and awesome. Even cooler than Kyouko-san when she slices a Witch in half with her spear!"
She's reaching for a strawberry, and all of a sudden something finds her hand before her hand finds what it's seeking. That something is warm and very soft, and for a moment her fingers are enfolded and held. Madoka immediately thinks that it feels very nice. Then she realizes what it is as the younger girl pulls her hand away and blushes. Her own cheeks turn red, and she slowly grasps a strawberry and draws it from the picnic basket. Her eyes meet Homura's only to shift away shyly as she takes a bite. She's quiet while she eats, finishing the strawberry in a second bite while sending small peeks towards Homura.
Did she... Did Madoka just brush those fingers that had been grasped against her cheek?!
"I'm glad, Kaname-san!" Hearing that Madoka is having fun really does make Homura's heart flutter. If she really likes it, does that mean they'll get to go on more dates in the future? Homura would really like that...
When she looks back at Madoka, the pink-haired girl looks away suddenly. Did Homura do something weird? No, no, Madoka and Homura agreed not to worry about the small things. Stop that, Homura!
It never once occurs to her that maybe she was being admired.
"They might enjoy it?" Homura sounds genuinely confused, but then after she thinks about it the idea makes sense. "They might. Maybe that's why they do it so much? I'm glad that they're starting to get along. Do you think they'll be good friends?"
Confidence may look good on her, but it doesn't last. On the other hand, she's getting just a little less nervous too. The more she settles into the idea of dating Madoka, the more she starts to relax. Which is good, because if she kept getting nervous she's afraid that her cheeks might melt or something!
Can that actually happen?
Madoka says some very nice things about Homura, and the girl with braided hair can't help her reaction. Her heart races, and she can hear the pounding in her ears. "You've always been very nice to me too, Madoka-chan. Ever since we first met you've been kind. How could I not like who you are? You're wonderful, Madoka-chan. I've always thought so."
Was that too bold? Homura hopes not...
Would Homura really look that cool? It would be nice if she did. Maybe more to the point, it would be nice if Madoka saw her that way. Her mind wanders, and she imagines Madoka looking at her with starry eyes saying things like, 'You look so cool, Homu-chan!'.
No, no that's silly. That won't ever happen.
Still, it would be nice...
The touched fingers move to Madoka's cheek, and Homura's blushing again. Once Madoka's hand is clear, she reaches in to snatch a strawberry. Then as she eats she hides her face behind her hand, peeking back at Madoka, only to look away when she sees Madoka peeking back...
Then she peeks again, and this time Homura doesn't break eye contact right away.
The way things are going Madoka can't see why she wouldn't do this again. If Homura asked her on a date she'd probably say yes unless she was supposed to babysit that night, she thinks. It then occurs to her that maybe she should ask Homura out on a date sometime, since she's having fun. Homura might notice a quiet, "Ehehe..." that seems prompted by and linked to nothing at all.
"I hope so!" Madoka replies about Sayaka and Kyouko becoming friends. "I think they could, it's just whether or not they decide to try."
Madoka looks a little surprised by Homura's admission, saying how highly she thinks of her. "Me? Wonderful? Now you're the one being very nice, Homura-chan." She shifts around a little in place as she sits a happy smile settled upon her blushing face.
She watches a little bit more of what's happening down below them, some men working together to change a flat tire. She imagines the car belongs to one of them, but it really is nice to see people working together to help someone. It's the kind of thing that gives her faith that people are good and kind, if given the chance to be.
They're both blushing again, and Madoka can't help but notice how cute Homura looks with red cheeks. They match her glasses so well! And the light complexion of her skin. The glasses do certainly make her look cute, but she hasn't really looked at the other girl's face for such an extended time like has today. She's starting to realize she really is very pretty; she wonders why she never noticed that before. Cute and adorable is one thing, but cute and attractive is another.
After the hand brushing Madoka quiets down for a couple of minutes, though she doesn't look uncomfortable. She instead gives little peeks over to Homura until their eyes eventually meet. Her soft pink eyes gaze into Homura's for several long moments, even as a gust of wind tussles her pigtails and clothes. It's cold on her mostly bare legs, but she doesn't mind.
Another strawberry is eaten quietly, and for a moment it looks like Madoka is going for a third.
But then instead of dipping into the picnic basket her hand moves past it, reaching to Homura's hand and very delicately sliding beneath it, lifting it lightly before her fingers curl lightly around the contour of Homura's hand. Unless Homura protests she'll hold onto it very gently, not interlacing fingers but instead wrapping them around the sides of her date's.
Once this bold move is made her soft pink eyes move back to Homura's, her head tilted down a little, Madoka feeling bashful and hoping she isn't going too far, too quickly for her cute classmate.
If Madoka ever asked her out, Homura would happily say yes. Especially if they've already had one really nice date. Well, Homura hopes that it ends nicely. It's going nicely so far! She wants it to be nice, especially for Madoka.
Homura doesn't know what the laugh was about, but she smiles sheepishly at Madoka and laughs along with her, as if they were sharing a joke that no one told.
The shy girl shakes her head emphatically. "I mean it! You're really brave, and sweet, and you help other people just because you want to, and..." Homura looks away, and sadness flashes across her eyes only briefly. The one moment that she admires Madoka the most for is also the moment that Homura finds the most... painful.
Yet the sadness is gone, and she's smiling at Madoka again, sincerely meaning it. "... and you're so strong, Kaname-san. I wish I could be more like you."
Homura sees the car being worked on down below, but it doesn't mean exactly the same thing to her. She sees people struggling to fix a problem that they probably didn't ask for, but it's still better when they're working together, right?
Quiet moments pass, and Homura is hoping with all of her heart that she isn't messing things up. She didn't mean to grab Madoka's hand like that! Maybe if she just explains it... but the look she sees in her date's eyes doesn't look upset, or bothered. Madoka's looking at her, and Homura's looking right back. As they gaze at each other's eyes, and the wind plays with their hair, Homura thinks that she could keep looking forever.
No, forever? That's a weird thing to think!
... but... it's true.
It occurs to Homura that Madoka might be cold up here with all of the wind, so Homura asks, "Is it too chilly up here? Um..." She shifts around, pulling the jacket from underneath her and unfolding it, reaching past the basket to drape the jacket around Madoka's shoulders. "... is that better?"
When Homura withdraws her hands, she's looking into her date's eyes. So distracted is she by admiring those pink pools that she doesn't even notice her date's hand scooping up her own. Their hands touch, and there's an instant where Homura is suddenly very nervous. Her eyes dart around, as if searching for a sign to tell her if this was good or not, but the only sign she sees is Madoka's pretty pink eyes looking into hers. So Homura focuses on those, no matter how red her cheeks get.
She doesn't seem to have any problem with this at all.
Madoka is having a nice time, so as long as things keep going as they are it should end nice! She can also tell that Homura is doing her best to be pleasant and enjoyable, and to be sure she's having a good time. She hopes her own efforts to be pretty and fun for Homura are working as well!
She tries not to be dismissive as Homura restates and reinforces her compliments, trying not to blush as her date mentions her best qualities. She tilts her head a little when Homura looks away, noticing the look of sadness in her eyes. She wonders about it, what pain Homura is hiding away as she looks back to her.
She turns towards Homura slightly, shifting in her seat with her legs dangling over the edge of the antenna tower, now sitting at an angle to face Homura as best she can to better engage her. "I think you're stronger than you realize, Homura-chan," she offers, looking up to meet Homura's eyes again with her own. "You never give up fighting just because you're scared, and you're willing to go through so much to make sure we all know the truth. Doing all that, even despite having been ill for so long, and without your parents there to support you... I really admire you for that, Homura-chan." She doesn't say it out loud, but Madoka is thinking that she couldn't be nearly so strong without the support of her own parents.
Quiet moments aren't necessarily bad moments, and for a while Madoka is happy and content to look into Homura's eyes. She took an instant liking to the transfer student when they first met, enjoying how forward and earnest she is, finding her shy and sometimes timid nature sweet and endearing. Getting to see her grow as a Puella Magi and grow herself alongside her is also fun. Tender and sweet with a strong, solid core beneath- that's how Madoka sees her. So far as Madoka knows Homura has never failed to act when she knew it was necessary, even when it's hard, scary, or dangerous.
Suddenly a jacket is around her shoulders as she's thinking, and she blinks a couple of times before blushing softly, shifting around so the jacket settles well on her shoulders. "It is warmer like this, thank you!" A small pause, "Are you sure it's okay, though? It must be cold for you, too."
Homura's nervousness is very cute, and Madoka hooks one foot behind the other to keep from squirming and wiggling too much at the sight of it. She feels like squealing or saying 'aww', but knows that would probably only make her date feel self-conscious. When Homura's eyes move back to hers Madoka looks into them with a sweet expression, quietly enjoying the moment while gazing into pretty purple eyes. If Homura's cheeks get very red that only makes her prettier.
Eventually Madoka lets out a small, ever so slightly nervous giggle, as if to say 'I actually did that!', and gives the hand held in her own a gentle squeeze.
Madoka doesn't have to try very hard to make Homura happy, because all she has to do is be close to her. She doesn't have to try hard to make Homura think she's pretty either, because Homura is already admiring her.
If Homura has her way (She will have her way! She'll make extra super sure of that!) then that pain will be nothing but a bad memory, but it's not the kind of thing she wants to bring up right now.
Madoka turns towards her, and Homura can almost feel her date's attention on her. It would almost be embarrassing, but it's Madoka. It... it's okay if Madoka is looking at her like that. Then Madoka is saying she's... strong? Is she really? It's true that Homura has a lot of problems, and doesn't get a lot of the support that others might... but... but...
Homura has a hard time seeing herself as strong, but... she can't really argue against what Madoka is saying. She won't back down, and if her parents aren't there she'll just have to learn not to rely on them, but... strong? Homura? That's not a mental image that makes sense to her. Wait, did Madoka just say she admired her?!
"Do you really mean that, Kaname-san? You really..." Homura's blush intensifies. The stutter returns. "... a-a-a-a-admire me? Because of that?"
It's a good thing that Homura's taking steps to curb her heart trouble problems, because her heart is pounding out of her chest right now.
Homura glances down to Madoka's lap, and then she pulls her own knees up and away from the edge of the antenna. She curls her legs to her side as she turns more towards Madoka, adjusting her stockings to keep them from bunching up. She doesn't mind the quiet at all. She very much likes getting to look at Madoka like this.
Homura closes her eyes and shakes her head. "It's not cold for me, because I was wearing that jacket on the way here, so I guess I'm still a bit warm from that." Plus... well, there's the fact that she's been blushing the whole time and that's kept her cheeks warm.
Homura's hand is squeezed, and her head lowers just the slightest bit as she gets even more shy. Yet, she isn't frowning, and she's anything but upset. It takes her a moment just to find the strength to squeeze back, but she does squeeze back.
Homura's mouth opens, closes, opens again to stutter, and then finally she manages to say what she wants to say. "I-I-I'm really having a good time, Madoka-chan. Thank you for coming up here with me."
Even if she doesn't have to, it wouldn't be fair if Madoka didn't try! Besides, if Homura is happy just being here with her maybe she'll be extra happy if she tries to make the date fun?
Madoka can see Homura's hesitations, she can see the worry in her reactions, and the shy trepidation she feels from time to time. It makes Madoka be a bit gentler, speak a little more softly. In many ways Homura is like a delicate flower, easily bruised and requiring gentle care and attention. Seeing that in her makes Madoka want to give Homura that gentle care and attention, to encourage her and nurture her as she becomes more aware of how wonderful she is.
Because Madoka wasn't merely trying to flatter her, she really means what she says. She sees the drive to make things right in Homura, and she can't help but feel a connection to that; she also wants to make things right. Even if the rights they wish to wrong are different, the desire to bring about goodness is the same. "I do," she says while giving a small nod, her voice sure and confident for a moment rather than gentle and sweet. "It's easy to be strong when things are going well, but you're strong even though things have been very hard for you."
Even though she speaks the words with certainty on the inside she can feel her heart flutter at the adorable stutter, her cheeks coloring a bit more. How is it that Homura manages to be more and more cute with each passing moment?! Any worries Madoka might have had about going on a date with her have vanished from her mind, and she starts feeling lucky to get to be on a date with someone so adorable as her.
Her hand is squeezed back and Madoka's smile brightens instantly, taking it for a sign that Homura is enjoying it. Ever since she took the other girl's hand she hasn't looked away from her eyes, gazing past red-rimmed glasses and into pools of purple. Her own expression is unrestrained enjoyment of the moment, a warm pink blush set upon her cheeks with a happy smile set upon her lips, eyes open wide and starting to sparkle a little. "Thank you for inviting me, Homura-chan."
Finally she looks away, down to the picnic basket that sits between them. Her eyebrows lift and flatten slightly as she thinks, something mildly concerning clearly on her mind. Then her expression shifts to a nervous one, and she quietly reaches across herself with her other hand, lifting the still open picnic basket and moving it around to her other side, setting it back down out of the way. Then she scoots forward towards the edge, carefully lifting her legs up onto the tower as Homura did before scooting closer, legs curled up beside her in a mirror to Homura's posture, leaving only a small space between them.
Madoka's lips curl inwards and she looks down shyly, only to bite her bottom lip for a moment before looking back up into Homura's eyes while giving her hand another small squeeze.
As far as Homura's concerned, Madoka's gentleness is a welcome thing. Homura might not know people well enough to understand that Madoka's being gentle on purpose, but she does feel herself gradually becoming more comfortable. Homura's not sure if she can ever see herself the way that Madoka's describing her, but... she really would want Madoka to think that she's cool. Maybe other people would laugh at Homura, but if she could get Madoka to think of her that way that's all that would matter to Homura.
Is it easier to be strong when things are going well? Maybe. Homura would have to take Madoka's word for it, because when have things ever gone well for Homura? It's never been easy for her to be strong... but... but she wants to be...
"Thank you, Kaname-san. That really means a lot to me."
As nervous as Homura is, and as shy, and as uncertain... she's sure that she wants this. Homura wants to be with Madoka, and she's so happy to go on a date with her. She couldn't think of anything better than this. If they beat Walpurgisnacht this time, will Homura and Madoka get to go on more dates? Homura would like that...
The hand squeeze was certainly meant to say that Homura's enjoying it. Specifically, she wanted to give Madoka a sign that Homura liked it so that Madoka wouldn't be too quick to stop, because the hand holding is really nice. So are the sparkles in Madoka's eyes, and Homura's own purple eyes widen slightly in response. Are her pupils just slightly dilated? Nah, couldn't be.
"Of course! If you like... we can do this again sometime? I mean... if you don't mind."
Homura's racing heart suddenly stops, because the basket is being moved out of the way, and Madoka is moving closer. The shy, timid, braided girl is frozen. Being close to Madoka makes her so nervous... but... if Homure gets nervous and backs away, will Madoka see it as a sign of rejection? Homura couldn't stand that. It's not that she doesn't want to... but... being so close... she can barely stand it.
So she doesn't flee, and she doesn't run away, because she wants this. Even if maybe she isn't ready, Homura doesn't want to go anywhere that leads her further away from Madoka. So instead of retreating, she finds herself doing something strange. She's leaning towards Madoka. As soon as she feels her shoulder brushing against her date's, Homura startles, backing off an inch and looking away off at some point in the horizon. A moment's hesitation passes, and the timestopper is looking back into Madoka's eyes. The second time she leans against Madoka, Homura doesn't back away.
If people laughed at Homura Madoka would be very cross with them! She'd also tell Homura not to listen to them.
The pink-haired girl gives a little nod as Homura thanks her, keeping eye contact and smiling a little wider. Her eyes do move a little, making tiny motions this way and that as she focuses on different parts of Homura's pretty purple eyes.
"I think I'd like that. Even if it's just going somewhere we can sit and talk together, I think that would be nice." Madoka tilts her head down slightly so that she's looking up through her eyelashes at Homura, giving her a sweet and gentle look that can't help but be a little flirty. Then, suddenly, she lets out a small, nervous laugh, "Eheheh... we might have to wait a little while, though. Mami-san is very serious about getting ready for Walpurgisnacht, especially now that you've told us how dangerous it is."
Her eyes turn upwards, not focusing on any particular point but rather thoughtfully aiming towards the wide blue sky itself, "I know we have to be careful, but with the five of us together I really do believe we'll win. If we're lucky we might even keep from getting hurt!" For a brief moment she's a little more somber, "A lot of people will be counting on us, so we really must do our best." Almost unconsciously she squeezes Homura's hand again, quietly seeking unspoken support.
"If we do save everyone we really will be the Holy Quintet, just like Mami-san says," Madoka adds after another moment, with significantly more energy.
Madoka almost feels bad as Homura freezes up, but in a way it makes her want to move closer even more. Her thumb gently brushes the back of Homura's hand to try and comfort her, though that might only make her more nervous. Homura might not be ready to go much further, but sitting close is as far as Madoka actually intends to go. It's true she's hugged Homura plenty of times, especially when excited about doing well when fighting Witches, but this is an entirely different situation from that. It actually surprises her when Homura leans against her, though the quick retreat makes it seem like a mistake.
Whether or not it was will remain a mystery to Madoka, but it's one whose answer doesn't require solving. That's because a few moments later Homura is looking into her eyes and leaning against her again. Now it's Madoka's turn to be nervous and shy, though she doesn't freeze up. Instead she leans a little bit into Homura as well, her shoulder and upper arm pressing gently into her date's, her light weight working to counterbalance Homura's.
As their eyes meet Madoka feels a strong urge to reach out to her. She wants to touch her hair or cup her cheek, caress the sweet, shy girl in front of her and tell her how adorable she is, and that she has nothing to be worried about. She doesn't, though. Because she doesn't want to go too far, to strain this fragile new relationship they're only just beginning to discover. If Homura is a delicate flower, romance is a fresh sprig just breaking through the earth to find the sun. Tender and delicate it must be carefully tended to and nurtured, able to be drown and flooded by affection as easily as it can be withered away by too little.
Instead she smiles gently, taking in a deep breath and letting it out as a happy sigh, resting lightly against Homura and looking into her eyes. Madoka's heart has always been on her sleeve, an open book to be read by those who know its language. Here, now, the message within couldn't be more clear; she's having a wonderful time, and the beginnings of innocent attachment are starting to form.
Madoka taking Homura's side when others might laugh at her... that might be one of the things that Homura likes most. Not having to feel alone...
Homura watches the tiny movements and flickers of Madoka's eyes, yet no matter where they move they always seem to be looking right at her. Is this what Homura wanted? Did she know, deep down, that this is what it would be like? Is this... what love is?
Homura gets a little more serious as the deadly super witch is brought up. "Tomoe-san should be serious. It's a serious problem!" She should be serious if she doesn't want to die, is exactly what Homura chooses not to say. "I do think that with the five of us, we can take it down for sure. I know we can. If we can do it without any of us getting hurt," or killed, "that would be truly wonderful!" She feels the hand squeeze, and Homura's other hand moves to clasp the back of Madoka's. "I'm sure we can! Everything will be okay and everyone will be fine! I mean it!" That's one promise she's sure she can keep... no matter how hard she has to try.
Homura sheepishly glances down, through the white grating and to the roof below. "Also... I don't mind waiting if it's for you, Kaname-san. You're more than worth the wait. I know you are. Just getting to spend this time with you... it's better than I ever imagined."
What's happening is certainly more intense than hugging, though Homura most certainly likes hugs! It's not so much what they're actually doing, but rather what it means, and the way they're looking at each other, and the way Homura's breath catches. It's... it's really nice... but it's so much! Homura isn't sure if she can take it.
Madoka's affection is really such a precise thing, and it's good that it is, because if Homura got too close she'd probably melt right here and now, and if she thought that Madoka didn't like her she might lose all confidence. Delicate is certainly a word that describes Homura's state right now... but... Madoka is, without a doubt, the most important person in the world to Homura. Looking into her eyes, and seeing her like this... Homura's sure of that now.
Maybe that's why she leans just a little bit closer. Maybe that's why, without even realizing what she's doing, her lips touch Madoka's, and all of a sudden every sound dies.
There's no sounds of traffic down below. There's no sound of car horns or the cacophony of people. There's no sound of the wind, or of birds cawing so high up. There's not even the sound of Madoka's breathing, or even Homura's. There's only the loud, sudden pounding of Homura's heart in her ears.
It's overwhelming.
As much as it isn't truly befitting the mood, the threat posed is so enormous that it can't entirely be ignored. Preparing for it is easily the most important thing Madoka will do in the next weeks, and as unfortunate as it might be it's even more important than trying to sneak in another sweet date like this one.
Homura's hands close around hers, and Madoka smiles thankfully, "Thanks, Homura-chan. I'm going to do my very best. I'm going to fight as hard as I can to make sure everybody is safe. Once that's over we'll have plenty of time to relax, have fun, and... do whatever we want." For some reason in that moment saying 'date' is a little hard, and her cheeks warm as she thinks about it. She said before she wouldn't mind going on another date with Homura, but as things are now she actually wouldn't mind going on many more dates with her.
Then Homura looks down shyly, and Madoka becomes a little bolder in response. She leans just a little closer, to better catch Homura's eyes with her own, and softly sets her other hand over Homura's, so that each of them clasp one of the other's hands between their own. "I think so too. I feel like I've been waiting to spend time alone with you for a long time, even though we haven't even known each other a month."
Her smile warms, widening a little but remaining more gentle and sweet than bright, "I'll try not to make you wait too long." Madoka's soft pink eyes sparkle in the sunlight, her expression as kind and earnest as ever, the affection she's beginning to feel for Homura showing clearly. It should only be a few more weeks until they've defeated the super witch and restocked their supply of grief seeds, after all, and then they'll have plenty of time to pursue their feelings for each other.
Somehow that small gap between them, bridged only by their enfolded hands and their lean at the shoulder, makes them feel all the closer. Even a tight, friendly hug doesn't seem so close as this, not when the reason they're alone together is that they're on a date. And as public and open a place as this is, the wide open sky around them and near impossibility of anyone seeing them up this high makes it feel as private as an enclosed room. It might be stifling if it wasn't so exciting.
Tension mounts and Madoka quiets again, enjoying the moment. It's so obvious to her now that she really likes Homura, and not just as a friend. The other girl's hand feels so nice in her own, soft, small, delicate and warm. She's so very cute, adorably so even to the point that Madoka wants to giggle at her and pinch her cheeks and pet her head adoringly. But what really calls to Madoka, what really resonates with her is the tenderness and innocence of her heart. Homura is sweet and true, and so close to her and looking so deeply into her eyes Madoka can feel this and see it, her own heart responding in kind.
Homura really, truly cares for her. This sweet girl who seems so unsure of herself at times cares deeply for her, and Madoka is drawn like a moth to Homura's flame. It isn't just enjoying that someone has a crush on her that attracts her so, but rather the depth and breadth of Homura's honest feelings that resonates. Madoka has often been called foolish or naive because she cares deeply about things people take for granted, but those feelings and that caring is the truest part of her being, her very nature. In Homura she's beginning to see a little bit of that as well, a shining jewel of compassion and empathy. How flattering it is, that such feeling is directed upon herself?
Madoka is lost in a flood of emotional feelings, more intuited and felt than thought, and she's lost in the beauty of Homura's eyes, and the beauty of Homura's soul. On the periphery is the warmth and softness of Homura's hands in her own, and then, quietly, the warmth and softness of Homura's lips pressed to hers.
Soft pink eyes widen, blink twice, and then flutter shut. She takes in a tiny gasp through her nose and slowly the entire world seems to fall away, her senses seem to shut down one by one, suddenly unimportant and nonessential. As her world shrinks around her the only think that remains is Homura. The warmth and softness of her hands, the almost touching closeness of their bodies with the lingering leaning of shoulder against shoulder. The only part of herself Madoka feels is the heat of her own cheeks and, of course, her lips, pressed and indented softly by Homura's.
Homura's lips feel so nice, affection and emotion seeming to pour through them, along with the faint taste of strawberries that somehow lingers despite closed lips. After a moment even this seems to melt away in favor of something else, a rising and swelling somewhere inside Madoka's chest, feeling at first like pressure from her hitched and caught breath, but soon expanding and seeming to coat her entire body from head to toe, wrapping her with in feeling of warm tingles.
"I know you will, Kaname-san!" Homura's response could not be more earnest and sincere. "I will, too! We'll all do our best, and then... we can protect Mitakihara together, as magical girls!"
Homura notices the word choice of 'whatever we want', but she isn't sure whether or not to take it as odd, and if it is odd then what could it possibly mean? She decides that she's overthinking things, as she tends to do. Especially when she starts feeling awkward or shy. "R... right! We can do whatever we want. I mean... there... must be a lot of fun things we could do together..."
Madoka feels like she's been waiting a long time? Homura nods emphatically. "I do too! I know it doesn't seem that long, but... I'm so happy." Is she? She must be. It's hard to tell underneath all of her shyness, but Homura does feel a swelling of happiness. Maybe that's what's making her so nervous. Maybe she's just not used to being this happy. If that's the case, does that mean that she'll get used to it?
Homura might not be aware of the swelling affection growing inside of Madoka, but she knows full well the affection that Homura has for her date. Seeing Madoka die in front of her, and knowing just how much that hurt... knowing full well just how devastated she'd be if Madoka died... knowing that if she had to live without her then she'd rather just not live... That moment made things very clear to Homura.
She loves Madoka, and with how good this date is going, maybe... one day... Madoka will love her back? Homura can't help but hope so. It would be good enough if Madoka was alive, but to be with her on top of that...
Homura isn't sure why she chose that exact moment to kiss Madoka. Sure she knows why she'd want to kiss her, but now, on their first date? She actually doesn't know if it's even proper or not. Homura just saw people kiss on TV, and her parents kiss, and other couples kiss, and just assumed that was the way of things. She never knew, or even suspected for a moment, just what exactly a kiss really meant. What it was like... to kiss someone.
Now she knows...
... and it's a bit much.
Oh my god, what if someone saw them? What if Kyouko or Sayaka came along and saw the two of them kissing? What would they say? Would they make fun? Would they tease them?
What if Homura's a terrible kisser? She has no idea what she's doing! What if Madoka hates the kiss? What if Homura's not good enough? She almost doesn't even want to find out.
Oh my god, what is she doing? What if Madoka didn't want to be kissed? Homura should have asked first! She didn't even think about it. Aaaaaaah Madoka wasn't even hugging her! How could Homura possibly think that a kiss was okay?! Did she screw everything up already? Is this the end?
What is Homura even doing?!
Sound returns to Homura's ears, and suddenly she is very, very aware of her surroundings. She breaks away almost immediately, stuttering as her face blushes bright red. "A-a-a-aaaaaaah! Ah I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I don't know what I was doing!" Hands move to cover Homura's face, smacking against her glasses on accident. She squirms and turns away from Madoka. What if she gets mad? What if she yells at her? Homura doesn't even want to stick around to find out. Maybe it's not too late to run away...
It's a long drop to the bottom of the antenna. Long enough for Homura to henshin, which she does just moments before hitting the roof. She runs as fast as she can, and it's not just that she's running. She also ducks behind buildings so that Madoka loses line of sight to her and can't track her. It's a very strategically thought out retreat considering how nervous she is, but those are the kinds of instincts that an experienced Puella Magi forms.
It's only after she's sure she's gotten away, and that she isn't being followed, that Homura leans against an alley wall and tries to catch her breath. Oh my god, was running away the right thing to do? No, it was stupid and cowardly. Also futile, because she'll be seeing Madoka again when she goes to school. Well, maybe by then she can think of some way to excuse her actions?!
It's only now that Homura realizes that she left her jacket behind.
With Madoka.
It's those warm, tingly feelings that are settling over Madoka that she feels even after Homura pulls away. Her eyes open only reluctantly, breaking the spell of pure feeling that had fallen upon her. Her cheeks are now bright red, matching nicely the ribbons tied into her fluffy locks of pink hair.
Though they open slowly Madoka's eyes are wide in a mix of high emotion and surprise. It isn't until after Homura's dropping down and away that the girl even begins to fully process what had been said to her, the way Homura acted as if she'd made some terrible violation. Madoka feels at once happy and embarrassed. Embarrassed because she didn't speak up quickly enough to dissuade her from that notion, and happy because... Well. Because everything seems happy and optimistic right now!
Soft pink eyes follow where Homura path had taken her, down and away and finally gone and out of sight. She could be right around the corner, or she could have continued off into the infinite maze of Mitakihara, and Madoka wasn't even capable enough of tracking her when she left, still recovering from the sweet, heartfelt kiss she'd been given.
Her cheeks burn, the redness spreading to the rest of her face as it begins to sink in that that actually just happened. Slowly Madoka's fingers lift to her lips, pressing against them as if somehow it will let her better remember feeling from only a moment ago, and a small smile curls sweetly up at the corners of her mouth.
A sudden gust of wind sends her twintails and ribbons fluttering to the side. Her legs feel the chill of the air, but her arms do not, protected as they are by the jacket Homura had so thoughtfully placed over her shoulders. Madoka draws the jacket around her, shifting a little in her seat and enjoying the warmth and protection provided, and the sweetness of the gesture that allowed her to have that protection. While holding it closed, only her fingers peeking out from beneath it, her eyes fall to the space where Homura once sat.
Another warming of her blush that had just started to fade, followed by a giggle. Madoka twists from side to side, squeezing he eyes shut and shaking her head quickly from side to side. She can't hold it in any longer.
"Awww, poor Homu-chan..!"