Chapter Text
“Homura, we did it!” Madoka cheered with a pink Kyubey on her shoulder.
Homura’s vision was blurring when she felt Madoka bouncing off the heels of her feet and into her arms, grabbing both of her hands that were stained light pink, similar to Kyueby's fur.
No, it was not blood, but instead it was a rich, sweet strawberry syrup that was once covering her hands and body.
The world was slowly fading around her; it was the witch's labyrinth that they had just defeated. The bright colors around them slowly turned into something more natural – a park dimmed with outdoor lamp posts aligned with the sidewalks.
The labyrinth they had been in was sweet, literally.
The floors of the previously large space were covered in strawberry syrup, and when one of Mami’s many guns accidentally knocked down one of the peppermint bark trees, the syrup splashed onto Homura's body and magical girl outfit completely.
Then to make it worse, Homura slipped and fell, splashing the syrup onto Kyubey too. Why is he even here? Is what she thought after getting up off the slippery floor and looking at the bright pink Kyubey.
Now that the witch was defeated, Homura’s outfit slowly faded back into her school uniform along with the strawberry syrup, now all that remained were the stains from where it used to be stuck to her skin.
Kyubey’s fur was still pink, but after a small sparkle of light, he was back to his usual white coat of fur.
Overall, the witch was a disaster, but they did it.
“Madoka’s right, we did good today girls." Mami, the oldest of their group, said while reaching out to pick something up.
It was a grief seed that was left behind by the witch they had just defeated.
Kyubey perked up and jumped off Madoka’s shoulder to take a look at the grief seed. “Wow, that's a good grief seed!” Kyubey spoke through their minds as usual.
“Yeah, he's right!” Kyoko said and then did a little victory dance, making Mami shake her head fondly.
“Is it just me or does that grief seed look even bigger than the one we got last week!” Sayaka said while running to Mami with Kyoko next to her side, both girls wanted to examine the grief seed, but Homura just stood in place with Madoka next to her.
She looked up at the stars that shone brightly in the sky, which was both dark purple and yellow as the sun was starting to set.
Homura couldn’t help but smile when she felt Madoka’s soft hand in hers.
Being here with her was the best dream she could ever have, no matter how hard it was to get to this point, and to think this wasn't a dream, it was real life.
After endless time-loops of trying to save Madoka from the endless cycle of despair, Homura finally found the way out, and now all five of them were defeating witches as a team. No competition or getting tricked, instead they defeated a witch each week and all shared the grief seed they got by cleansing their soul gems at the same time.
Homura still didn’t like Kyubey, and she still knew the truth about magical girls. But like this, everything is okay.
And Madoka still became a magical girl. But deep-down Homura knew that wasn’t something that could never change, it was fate for Madoka to become a magical girl and fight witches, but at least they were all together and defeated witches as the Holy Quintet!
Homura was finally happy, she got to be with Madoka every day, she got to hold her hand and go on silly dates with her – she finally found the timeline to save Madoka.
Suddenly, she felt herself getting pulled out of her thoughts.
“Homura, Homura!”
Homura looked to see who was trying to grab her attention. It was Madoka who was tugging at the sleeve of her school uniform.
“Oh? What is it?” Homura asked softly; she started to feel lightheaded, which was unusual for her.
She noticed the other girls were still in the background, except now they were speaking about something Homura couldn't make out properly while Kyubey sat in the grass, his tail swishing behind him.
“Are you alright?” Madoka’s tone was uneasy; she grabbed her hands again and felt her palms before looking back up to her. “You’re sweating really bad, and you did fall down pretty hard during the fight…”
Homura touched her forehead, feeling the sweat that was there. It wasn’t unusual to feel sweaty after defeating a witch, but Homura’s entire body was starting to feel bad.
Pushing her thoughts down, she forced a smile. “I’m okay, I promise, now what were you trying to say earlier?”
“Mami is treating us to some desserts and tea at her apartment, then we're going to cleanse our soul gems, but it's getting late and my mom wants me to be home before curfew, so we have to go now!”
“Okay…”
Homura’s vision blurred when she started to move, but she managed to walk next to Madoka as they began trailing behind the rest of the group. What is this feeling?
Mami stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at Homura.
“Are you alright? You’re looking pale, that’s not a good sign after defeating a witch.” Mami went up to her and looked straight into her eyes, “do you need anything?”
Homura avoided eye contact; she was fine and didn't need anyone to worry about her. “Yes. Like I said, I’m okay.” The tone of her voice came out harsher than she wanted too, but judging by the worry on her friends and Madoka’s faces, they didn't take it in the wrong way.
Kyoko blinked, “you don't look okay.”
“Yeah she's right, you don't look well, do you need some water?” Madoka’s voice was shaking and it made Homura’s heart break, but none of their friends believed her when she said she was okay.
“I think maybe… I'm just hungry.” Homura looked down.
Sayaka agreed, she turned on her feet and started walking back in the direction of Mami’s apartment.
“Come on, you heard her! Let’s go get some food!” Kyoko cheered and followed Sayaka, already excited for Mami's drinks and snacks that they would get after witch battles.
Kyubey stood next to Mami, observing Homura. “Sometimes defeating a large witch can drain you a lot more than you think.” He jumped up on Madoka’s shoulder, still watching Homura, “and definitely drink more water, you could faint if you're not nourished properly.”
Mami looked over at Homura with worry one last time before continuing the walk.
“Homura, tell us if you start feeling worse, we can help you!” Madoka reached into her school bag and passed her a bottle of water that she usually kept to drink after their witch hunts.
“Make sure to drink all of this, I really don't want you to pass out!”
“I will. Just don't worry about me.” She took a sip of the water; it was cool and refreshing as it went down her throat. “You know I'll always be okay as long as you're with me,” Homura smiled and then Kyubey plopped down off Madoka and ran over to Kyoko.
She tried not to laugh when she noticed Madoka’s face turning red and looking over to the side opposite of her while holding onto her bag tighter than before.
“Homura, you can’t just say things like that!”
“And why not?” Homura teased her, nudging her softly with her elbow.
“Because – never mind! Let’s go!” Madoka let go of her hand and ran up to Mami and the rest of their group. Usually Homura would feel empty without Madoka by her side, but now all she could do was laugh and catch up with the rest of them.
They finally made it to Mami’s apartment, it was not too small but not too big either, and the atmosphere was comfortable as usual.
Homura always loved to come here, in every timeline she had ever been in. The times when she came to Mami’s apartment and tried her food would always be memories she would cherish forever.
They were all sitting around the table in the living room, where they usually hung out together after defeating witches, except for Mami – who was in the kitchen preparing the snacks and tea.
Madoka sat next to Homura, petting a sleeping Kyubey who was nestled on her lap comfortably.
“Are you feeling better now?” Madoka asked while looking into her eyes.
The walk to the apartment was considerably long. The park where the labyrinth had opened was further off on a hill, nowhere near the city where Mami lived. But the water helped her a bunch, but it didn't help the dizziness Homura was still feeling.
Homura sighed; she did feel better sitting here at least.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m okay, I think you guys were right… about the witch, making me exhausted.”
Kyoko, who was sitting next to Sayaka playing some random card games, started to smile. “Yeah, most definitely! That witch was giant, and it kept summoning those little peppermints to come attack us!”
Sayaka set down one of her cards, looking between Kyoko and Homura. “Those things were annoying, but we did it, right?”
“We did! If we can take down that big of a witch, I'm sure we can do anything!” Madoka cheered, but her happiness didn't last long. “Except… Homura did get hurt badly.”
Homura shook her head. “Madoka, I'll be okay, I only fell – and used too much power. That was my fault… I was just feeling overconfident I guess.”
“I know who else feels overconfident a lot.” Sayaka looked at Kyoko, giggling while looking through her cards again.
“Hey! I am not overconfident!”
Mami walked into the room, holding a tray of desserts and steaming cups of tea. “What are you girls talking about, being too confident?” She gently sets down the tray, “no one can be too confident! When slaying the witches, it’s good to have that kind of mindset.”
“But Homura got sick from having that mindset!” Madoka whined.
Mami handed a cup of tea to Homura, “that is true, but it happens. Now we just have to rest, and then we'll be good as new tomorrow.
Homura took a sip of the tea, its light flavor making her relaxed. “This tea is good, what kind is it?” After she said that, the other girls grabbed their cups and took a sip, all agreeing that it's good.
“It's chamomile tea, I decided on it for today because it's good when you're not feeling well,” Mami sits next to Kyoko and grabs a slice of the cake she made. “I hope the cake doesn't make you feel nauseous.”
Kyubey got up instantly when Madoka grabbed her own cake slice, “here Kyubey!” Madoka grabbed a strawberry off the top of the cake and held it out for him to eat.
Homura watched the scene fondly, taking another sip of tea and then a bite of the cake. Its flavor was rich and creamy, and Homura felt all the illness she had disappear into pure happiness.
Until two days later.
It was a bright and sunny Friday, which may seem joyful for everyone else besides Homura Akemi.
She and Madoka were on their way to school, walking down the sidewalk with Sayaka and Kyoko in front of them, even Kyubey who was perched on Madoka. Even though no one else could see him, he enjoyed coming to school with them and sharing lunches.
Even though she was feeling better after leaving Mami’s apartment that evening, she went to her own place and slept peacefully. That tea she made helped a lot.
Until she woke up the next morning, she was covered in sweat and feeling like absolute hell.
After taking medicine and noticing she wasn't feeling better in the slightest, she started to get nervous.
She has gotten sick before; she lived the same week for months. But after she would take some random convenience store medicine, it would clear up the next day. But not this time.
This time she was feeling hot and cold at the same time, she couldn't eat without feeling nauseous, and any sort of light was killing her.
And worst of all, she couldn't tell Madoka she was sick. The thought of anyone being worried about her made her feel worse. So, what could she do but wait it out – she was a magical girl, she dealt with things much worse than being sick.
The school day passed in a blur, but Homura couldn't pay attention to whatever lectures were going on. Instead, she kept her face buried in her hands, waiting for the day to be over so she could go home and into the darkness of her apartment.
The artificial lights were draining her, and even at lunch she couldn't escape the brightness of the sun as she and her friends ate outside.
And then the look on Madoka’s face when Homura denied eating anything, it killed her.
But she will not let this sickness get the better of her, in a few days she'll feel better and then apologize to her friends for acting off and then everything will be better – well that's what she hoped.
They were outside the school now, this time Mami was with them while they walked to the mall. The group planned on going to get some lunch and then go shopping as their reward for defeating that witch.
Madoka looked over at Homura, noticing her pale skin and the light sheen of sweat covering her face.
“Homura, are you feeling alright?” Madoka touched her forehead, feeling how hot it was, “you’re burning up!”
“I’m okay, just a little lightheaded, that's all…”
Madoka frowned as they resumed their walk. She didn't want to question it again, already knowing the reply would just be ‘I’m okay’ as it normally was.
Homura’s vision started to blur again, only this time it was worse than before. The sun felt like it was getting even brighter, if that was even possible.
“Uhnn…” Homura stopped walking, the ringing in her ears was getting unbearable. And then, when things couldn't get any worse – she fell onto the cement floor.
“Homura!!” Madoka screamed, the rest of the group turning to see what was going on. And when they noticed Homura’s still body on the floor, they ran over to her with worry etched on their faces.
“Hey, wake up!” Kyoko tried shaking her unmoving body, except that made her feel dizzier.
Homura tried to get up, but it was like her body was made of Jello. “Madoka… I’m sorry,” she managed to say until the world around her faded to black.