It's midway through Autumn and while there's not even a sign of snow the long days of Summer and all their heat are long gone. No longer do people flock to the beaches to swim, and yet it is not yet time for snowball fights, snow angels, and bundling up many layers of clothing to keep warm. For some fall can be a season more for yardwork than for exciting outdoor activities, and while Madoka gets plenty of exercise in the course of her duties as a Puella Magi there has been a certain lack of going outside just to have fun. Luckily the wide array of things to do inside to have fun is just as large as it always was, including one option that gives a taste of the season to come.
And so Madoka is in fact dressed for winter and the cold in one of Mitakihara's indoor ice skating arenas with Homura. Despite the fact she doesn't really need it she's wearing a thick coat over a blue dress and pink and gray patterned scarf wound several times around her neck. Thick matching gray stockings cover her legs, the blue of her skirt peeking just out from beneath her long winter coat. All in all she looks completely bundled up! She is, in fact, going for exactly that look and feel.
Her ice skates have been pulled on, the entrance fee has been paid, and now she's eagerly taking Homura's hand in her own (she skipped gloves this time!) and leading her out onto the ice. "It's been so long since we've skated, I hope I remember how!" She almost seems to freeze for a moment as she slides forward, only to relax and remember the lessons from the year before. Turn, push, step. Turn, push step. "I think I've got it..!" She speeds up, still holding onto Homura's hand, looking back over her shoulder with a bright smile on her face, wind starting to rustle her fluffy bangs and pigtails as she picks up speed.
Of course moving in a straight line means soon she's approaching the opposite side of the skating rink, requiring a turn, and so she pushes off and raises onto one leg, leaning carefully to the side and swooping away with plenty of room to spare. It feels so... free and graceful! Madoka lets out a happy squeal and giggles playfully, "Now I remember why this was so fun!"
Other than that the fact that a lot of the skating was done with the girl whose hand she's now holding; she didn't forget that part.
Homura would probably not be that into skating if not for the person she is lucky enough to do it with.
The long gap between the end of summer and the start of winter leaves an empty, somewhat boring void. Well, maybe not boring now, since Homura and Madoka could just cuddle as much as they want, but with less interesting things to do. Fortunately, these days Homura has a lot of time for fun, and someone very nice to have fun with.
Homura is dressed in a thick furry purple coat that Madoka has seen before, complete with the thick furry mantle. Black stockings cover her legs completely, starting from inside her skates and vanishing underneath her coat. She's lacking her russian hat and black gloves, but she doesn't need those. If her cheeks end up looking a little rosy from the cold, and Madoka sees it, then that isn't at all a bad thing.
Holding Madoka's hand is fun, and Homura is more than happy to follow her girlfriend to the rink. She giggles as she's pulled along, making no attempt to hide the adoration shining in her eyes. She glides onto the ice after Madoka, but comes to a slow stop as she notices her darling's hesitation. "Ah? Well, it has been a while. Take your time."
There's no rush from Homura, though she's reasonably confident in her skating skills. She takes it slowly, letting Madoka get the hang of it again and holding onto her hand just in case. Once her date starts to pick up speed, Homura smiles and speeds up with her, long black hair blown back by the wind and whipping behind her. After a moment, it becomes pretty clear that Madoka has it down again. As for Homura, well, she seems to have never lost it, gracefully gliding along with her girlfriend across the ice.
Homura allows herself to relax after that. It's not as if a skating rink was a huge threat, but Homura is so used to protecting Madoka that even a tiny fall would be something she's concerned about. Now, though? She isn't too worried.
"We haven't lost much of anything have you? This is a lot of fun." It's only too bad that there's no snowbank for them to eventually crash into.
Homura's furry purple coat is so pretty! Seeing Homura in it brings back a flood of year old, very happy memories of when they were getting to know each other better and becoming incredibly close friends. It also reminds Madoka of falling in love, which might explain why she's been so eager for the ice skating season to begin.
Madoka gives Homura a thankful look when she's given plenty of time to get her feet under herself again. The truth is if the situation were desperate this step could probably be safely skipped, but relying purely on magically enhanced balance isn't quite as fun, and why skip out on fun? The fact that Homura seems sure footed and appears to almost have been born on the ice for how little trouble she has getting back into the swing of things is also fun.
As they pick up speed Madoka can't help peeking back at her girlfriend and seeing her long black hair blown in the wind, her eyes sparkling in admiration at the beauty of it. Then Homura relaxes and Madoka's bright smile tempers somewhat, giving her a still happy but sweet expression. Seeing as Homura is content to follow for the moment Madoka swings them in a wide loop around the outside edge a couple of times, and then swings inward for figure eights, her movements timed so that they never have to worry about getting close to other skaters.
Madoka shakes her head, "I don't think we've lost anything. It really is a lot of fun! Maybe we should have come here even when it was summer." The cold air inside the skating arena isn't unwelcome or unpleasant to Madoka, especially when it puts a bit of extra rosiness on Homura's sweet cheeks. She hopes it does the same for her. (It does!)
It's true that there aren't any snowbanks to crash into and cuddle on top of, but they also don't need any to have a romantic time together. Madoka's eyes are sparkling with a certain admiration and adoration in them whenever they look back to Homura.
She flashes Homura a smile before cutting into a sharp turn, sharp enough that Homura will shoot past her so that Madoka can pull on her held hand and swing them into a spin. She laughs happily as the world seems to rotate around them, only to take a few skating steps that pull them out of it and expertly bring them to once more circling around the edge of the rink, save that Madoka is now skating backwards while holding Homura's hand, smiling at her happily and giving it a warm squeeze.
A lot of things have happened since the last time Homura wore this exact outfit, but there was a lot of meaning in that night for her, so she was happy to have another chance to wear it. Getting to fly Madoka home that night, holding her in her arms as they soared over the city. It was a bit wasteful magic wise, but Homura never once regretted it. After all, life is a series of memories, so why not make those memories the best possible memories you can have?
She certainly doesn't mind staying out of henshin right now. After all, Homura's here to have fun, and taking all of the challenge out of it wouldn't be very fun at all. Besides, it's cute, seeing Madoka get back into the swing of things.
Homura is all too happy to follow Madoka's lead, swinging along with her as they loop around the edge. As their motions turn towards figure eights, she giggles, thinking that it's almost as if they never stopped. Maybe some things really do just stick with you.
"Well, we could have come here, but there was a lot of fun to be had on the beach, too." Homura only occasionally looks out for other skaters, never being truly unaware of them but keeping her admiring eyes on Madoka and her cute rosey cheeks. "Still, I've been looking forward to doing this again for a long time. Thank you so much for doing this with me, Madoka-chan."
The sudden sharp turn doesn't actually seem so sudden. Maybe it was the sparkle in Madoka's eyes, or maybe Homura just remembers what they did before, but whatever the reason Homura allows herself to be drawn into the swing as if they had been planning this the whole time. Her hand grasps Madoka's tightly, and her eyes look into her girlfriend's, as the two of them spin around each other, laughing and enjoying the moment. The hair framing Homura's face waves behind her, drawn along by the momentum just as Homura is drawn by Madoka's.
Moments later, they are out of the spin, and Homura is looking forward into Madoka's eyes. It's something of a beautiful moment in of itself, the two of them standing and holding hands as the world rushes past around them. She makes slight movements with her skates to maintain speed, but she keeps herself carefully matched with her darling.
For a moment, Homura's other hand reaches out to cup Madoka's, two of Homura's hands holding one of her girlfriend's.
A happy laugh comes from Madoka as the fun at the beach is mentioned. "That's true, getting to go swimming with you was a whole lot of fun! Even if I like ice skating I wouldn't want to miss out on that." She makes a quiet happy sound that's almost lost in the wind of their movement when Homura tells her she's been eager to go skating again. "I've been looking forward to it too. I'll happily come ice skating with you anytime, Homura-chan!"
Madoka smiles at just how easily Homura follows her into the spin, her girlfriend and partner having read her motions and intent without anything needing to be said aloud. Sometimes it's still surprising how well they work together, how perfectly suited them seem to be to one another, but that surprise usually only lasts a short moment. After all they've been through together it's no wonder they can read each other so well.
The spinning itself is fun, but as they whirl around another it looks to Madoka like the entire world is a blur, but Homura is there and steady right in front of her, as beautiful and appealing as she ever was. That's almost how she feels her entire life is now; as much as things change and keep moving forward Homura is always there with her, dependable and steadfast. And the center of her attention, too.
As they skate along together Homura cups her hand, and suddenly Madoka's cheeks are a little bit redder still. A quick peek behind her tells her there's plenty of room, and so she tugs on Homura's hand, drawing the two of them closer as they skate, Madoka's twintails fluttering forward so they're beside her cheeks. As they near Madoka reaches out and takes Homura by the hip, her eyes sparkling brightly. Keeping steady and close with that hand her other lifts both of Homura's, and she presses her cheek against the new one, closing her eyes and nuzzling it gently, eyes reopening and almost peeking up at Homura before she turns to kiss the back of her beloved's hands.
A familiar squeeze to Homura's hand and hip and Madoka asks, "May I have this dance?"
The two of them have been dancing together, fighting Witches and Wraiths together, and been around each other so much that it isn't that surprising that they can move together so easily. Even so, Homura is still pleasantly surprised by it sometimes, especially now. It's little things like this that tell her just how real things have gotten, and how close she's come to the one she's longed for.
The whirl of the world around them, highlighted by the way they stay perfectly in each other's view. Homura's mood does not go unaffected, as even now Madoka's presence is like a soft blanket comfortably wrapped around her heart. Still, it is in its own way a statement of permanence, especially since they've done this same kind of thing a little less than a year ago.
Homura coos as the redness in Madoka's cheeks increases, smiling as she looks into her beloved's eyes. As the black-haired girl is drawn closer, she never once breaks contact with her darling's eyes. The touch to her hip sends a tingle through her, but aside from a slight blush it doesn't show, because Homura never once loses her rhythm. As her hand is kissed, Homura's head tilts, lips smiling as she's asked to dance.
"Why, it would be my pleasure!"
Homura moves a little closer, one of her hands releasing Madoka's in order to rest on her shoulder. The other hand, unhindered by gloves or mitts, adjusts in order to hold her little angel's, and aside from the occasional movement of her feet Homura is holding Madoka just as if they were dancing.
"My sweetheart, my little angel, who dances with me so well~."
The coo from Homura sends a tingle of eager excitement through Madoka. It's such a sweet sound that gives her the urge to pull her girlfriend close and cling to her, but today that is an urge she'll have to resist, because while there will certainly be cuddles there will first be dancing. Even after dating for over nine months it seems their blushing hasn't ceased to effect each other. As Homura blushes further those bubbly romantic feelings build up inside Madoka.
"Thank you, my love. You've made me the happiest girl in the world all over again."
They move together into a dancing stance, and with her hand on Homura's hip Madoka takes the lead. Homura's hand is soft and warm in her own, she's beautiful and loving, and there's no one she'd rather be with. Why, it's the perfect time for a romantic dance after all. Madoka changes the movement of her feet and leans, and two of them sweep together towards the center of the rink, swaying and stepping letting them arc in graceful curves across the ice.
Homura's sweet words draw a soft giggle out of Madoka, "My darling, beloved Homura-chan who dances with me in the ice and makes me so happy." There may not be music but Madoka keeps an even rhythm as if there was, leading Homura across the ice, sometimes drawing her along behind her and sometimes chasing after, easily as able to skate forwards as backwards, and even spin and slide sideways with needed. Though she moves with Homura as if the dance were slow they move quickly around the rink, motion adding flare to Madoka's looks, especially her hair, ribbons, and the ends of her scarf.
As they dance she very slowly begins to dance closer, and closer, because any session of dancing where she doesn't end up entirely in Homura's arms is a shame.
"I'm glad," says Homura, with every bit of sincerity in her voice, "because I want to make you happy, over and over again, and I never want to stop."
While Homura certainly wouldn't mind if Madoka clung to her, it would probably be the end of their ice skating. Then again, anyone who thinks that this day will pass without the two of them holding each other simply hasn't been paying attention.
A romantic dance on the ice with Madoka is simply too good for Homura to pass up. Homura's just too much of a romantic, and her love for her pretty and cute girlfriend is just too strong. Besides, they came here to have fun, didn't they? As Madoka changes her motion, Homura changes with her, and leans into the turn, as easily as if she were walking, giggling as she enjoys being pulled along with Madoka.
There may not be music per se, but Homura doesn't mind following Madoka's beat, especially not when their movements are so flawlessly in tune with one another. As they should be, because Homura being with Madoka is the most natural thing in the world. As they spin, move, and change direction, Homura allows herself to be pulled along, more concerned with elegant motions and smooth following since Madoka is handling the lead.
The quiet slowness of their dance in contrast with their speed around the rink is itself a little surreal, but in Homura's mind that only adds to the beauty of it. Her coat and hair flutter in the wind as the two of them glide across their frozen dance floor, and if her hair ever finds itself against Madoka's skin she'll discover that it's as silky soft as it always is.
Slowly they draw closer, because of course they do. There was no way this date wasn't going to end with the two of them holding one another, but this dance is such a nice step in between.
"You do make me very happy. Over and over again," Madoka replies with equal sincerity, a dreamy sigh finishing the sentence.
High speed and gentle motions might seem out of place, but when moving so quickly small changes can make a big difference. They're not racing around as fast as they can go but still quickly enough that care must be taken. Luckily Madoka has full confidence in Homura to follow her lead and read her intent, and though a single mistake could send them both tumbling to the frozen ground none ever comes, because they're just that in tune together.
It also means that Madoka can spend more of her attention on her partner and the way dancing with her on the ice makes her feel, which is happy, light, and full of warm and fuzzy feelings. Homura's hair tickles against her face as she turns and changes from skating forward to backwards, the silky softness putting extra brightness in her smile. Such lovely black silk, it can brush her soft cheek as much as it likes!
They move closer and closer, until Madoka's hand slides past Homura's hip and draws her closer, a long, gentle turn taking them along the edge of the rink before delving back towards the center, slowing them down and allowing even more of her attention to be spent on her girlfriend, less on maintaining perfect balance and looking out for other ice skaters.
The dancing isn't over but the pace has been turned down several notches, Madoka pulling Homura close to her while tilting her head up to look deeply into her beautiful purple eyes, her own glittering pools of soft pink. Being close like this is different than it usually is, because there are warm heavy coats over both of them. But warm and heavy as they are, they're also comfy and cozy, and so when Madoka hugs Homura tight there's extra softness and squish across her entire form.
Speed has now come down, and Madoka's dancing motions match them, swaying and spinning slowly with her guardian angel in her arms. Her face says how very much fun she's having, so she doesn't need to say it.
It also shows something else, but that's she does have to say. "I love you."
Homura sighs happily at her girlfriend's words, closely following Madoka's own sign. Few things in life are as good as knowing that her beloved is happy, especially when she herself is the reason.
Homura also trusts Madoka to lead, because she has done such a good job with that before. While dancing and ice skating aren't necessarily romantic, this is something that Homura wouldn't really feel comfortable doing with anyone else. No, this is a benefit that comes exclusively from their closeness, and with anyone else Homura would have to worry about running into someone.
The feeling of their gentle motion is so good to Homura. Being so perfectly in sync with her little angel, so close and so happy, is like a dream that she still almost can't believe has come true. Something about the way the two of them hold each other makes Homura feel just the slightest bit hazy, and her movements are more guided by muscle memory and instinct as much as conscious intent.
As they slow down, Homura worries even less, wanting only to look into the eyes of her beloved and hold her. Is there anything better than this? Homura doubts it. Other skaters can move around them, but Homura is all too happy to share this moment with Madoka.
The coats may be between them, but in some way Madoka's winter wear only makes her seem softer and more cuddly. Homura's eyes shine as they look into her darling's, and when she's hugged she adjusts her arms to hold Madoka in return, enjoying the cuddly softness. She couldn't hide her enjoyment of this if she wanted to.
Her already bright smile gets just a little bit brighter at Madoka's confession, and Homura returns it with, "I love you, too." No matter how many times she repeats it, every time Homura says it she feels as if love is bubbling up from her heart, overflowing from it and spilling over the sides.