Sixth Leap | [Dream]

[heartovertime]

[A verdant meadow stretches as far as can be seen, dotted with tall, thick fruit-bearing trees casting shade around them. The weather simply feels perfect, regardless of whoever feels it, with a deep blue, cloud spotted sky. Beneath one tree (bearing quite an odd mixture of fruit on its limbs), a blanket is spread, somehow not even pulling up at

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[headedforhope]

[Mami has fallen into this innocent, romantic dream and watches it unfold with wide, disbelieving eyes. She's too stunned to hide herself, so it's fortunate that a large bush does the job for her.

Once the shock fades, she's ashamed to realize that the first feeling to register is not happiness for Homura, nothing so kind- just a sharp twinge of hurt, a lingering burn of jealousy. Mami wrenches her gaze away from the sight and slowly sits, struggling to accept it. It's....not that she can't trust Homura to make Madoka happy, not after everything they discussed. She knows the shy girl much better now, and she has let Madoka go. Let the two have each other if it comes to that. Both of them deserve it.

It's just so lonely being a witness to this sweet longing. First Sayaka and Kyouko, and now Homura and Madoka. It makes her own isolation even heavier to bear, causes helpless pricks of heat at the corners of Mami's eyes. It's not fair- or rather, too fair. She sighs and swallows the nasty, petty urge to intrude on Homura's moment,

[heartovertime]

[The rustling nearby doesn't sound like the wind, and Homura turns towards it; was there even a bush there a minute ago? Well, it's not important...probably just some animal.

She's just about to ignore it and go back to cuddling Madoka when she catches a glint of metal in the bush as well.]

Huh? [Slowly letting go of the other girl, she gets up to investigate. Maybe it's some kind of treasure, something she can pass along to Madoka...] I think something fell into that bush, Madoka...

[For some reason, Madoka does not answer, but Homura thinks nothing of it.]

[headedforhope]

[Lost in her thoughts, Mami doesn't notice the one-sided conversation going on behind her. She's simply concentrating on breathing, rebuilding her composure, and coming to grips with what she's just seen.

It's okay, she tells herself. It'll be fine. It's not like either of them- any of them -will stop being her friend because of this....right? Things would change, but she won't be left alone again.

Right?]

[heartovertime]

[Homura begins to part the branches to get a look at what object might be in the bush, yet somehow, even with all the twigs poking out, none of them scratch her skin at all. She quickly spots something that's unmistakable near the glint - blonde hair, arranged in curls.]

Tomoe-san...?

[headedforhope]

[For a long moment, Mami can't breathe. Then, slowly, she turns her head. Normally, her gaze is carefully blank and untouched by the warmth in her smiles; now, the gold eyes reflect all too clearly the new knowledge of Homura's desire.]

....Homura-san. I'm sorry, I was just...[she stumbles a little]...leaving.

[heartovertime]

[So she saw... It's all too clear from Mami's reaction. Homura's face goes pink and she freezes, unsure what to say, until she sees the girl stumble.

Pushing around the bush, she tries to force her embarrassment to the side to make sure her friend is alright.]

T-Tomoe-san? A-Are you alright?

[headedforhope]

[She collects herself again with an effort.]

I'm fine. Again, I really am sorry- I didn't intrude like this on purpose.

[heartovertime]

[Somehow...Homura feels a little guilty at the fact that neither of them had told Mami - nor Sayaka, for that matter - of their mutual feelings yet. It wasn't really an intentional withhold of information, but it just hadn't felt like the right time yet. They had known for less than a month now, after all. But to have done something like kiss in front of their friend and mentor...

She looks down sheepishly.] I-It's okay.... we...we don't know anyone else was around....

[But Mami....what would she think of her friends doing this? Two girls doing what society said only boys and girls should do together...

After a pause:] Y-You think it's weird, don't you....

[headedforhope]

[The question strikes Mami as surprising, but not wholly unexpected. Maybe if she was someone else, growing up with a different life, safely sheltered from loneliness and never having to push others away until the touch of another hand in hers seemed so remote and hopeless....maybe then she would be appalled by this, or at least disbelieving. But the despairing influence of the Witches, the traumatic life of a magical girl, and her own experiences here in these Gardens has impacted her far more than the pressures of the society she left behind ever did, ever will, ever could. In a world that she still struggles to see as not so bleak after all, happiness must struggle to survive.

She has no right to judge Homura for finding her happiness in Madoka. Mami puts on a brave face, smiling kindly.]

....it's not weird, Homura-san. I'm not an expert on love, but I at least understand that we can't choose who we care about. As long as you're sincere in your feelings, that's all that should matter....and I know that you'll take care of her.

[

[heartovertime]

[Between Mami's smile and words, the worry on Homura's face and shoulders lessens a fair bit. The Mami who had accepted all that Homura had said just a handful of weeks ago, who had shared the burden of the truth with Homura, she is now smiling at her with kind words once again. Even though Homura has seen the weaker side of Mami and held her suddenly small figure in her arms for comfort from the despair the truth had brought, this Mami before her is once again -- or, perhaps, still -- someone she looks to for guidance and approval. Maybe she's no long a mentor, but the words of a friend are no less valuable to her heart.

She keeps her eyes a little low, not making eye contact, but she responds after a moment.]

I see...

...Sorry, I...we haven't really talked to anyone yet... [Mami...she would have been the first Homura would tell, wouldn't she?] We...we only really told each other last month.

[She smiles a little, shyly.] But I...I really do care for Madoka. And I will t-take care of her...I promise...

[headedforhope]

[She reaches out to touch Homura's shoulder gently, trying to ignore the building pressure around her heart. It's a cold and smothering feeling, so jarring compared to the maternal tenderness of this moment. She owes both Homura and Madoka a great deal, perhaps a debt so large she can never fully repay it. But she has to try, and her blessing for something like this is such a small thing compared to what the two of them have done to help her in her darkest hour. Let them have a love they've earned ten times over.

Even if it leaves her alone, outside the circle of romantic relationships, that's....all right. She'll be all right. They'll be her friends, and that will be enough.]

I know, I know. Matters like this....they're precious, right? I don't blame you for waiting to tell anyone.

[She considers what Homura says next for only a moment. Her reply comes smoothly, without guile.]

I believe you, Homura-san. The most important thing is that both of you are happy.

[heartovertime]

[Homura looks up at the touch, making an embarrassed eye contact.] Tomoe-san...

[She closes her eyes for a short moment, her smile growing wider. When they open again, she hesitates briefly, then she steps forward to embrace the older girl.] Thank you.

[headedforhope]

[She's tense from the suddenness of the contact for a moment, arms uselessly poised in surprise. Then her hands slowly settle down- the embrace is loosely returned. For some reason, such a thing is easier now. Not by much, but a little.]

....you don't have to thank me, but you're welcome.

[heartovertime]

No, I do... [After a short moment, Homura releases the girl and takes a step back.]

If you had said differently...I'm not sure what I would have done. [She couldn't just give up Madoka, of course... but if Mami had disapproved, saying that they were disgusting for feeling that way, it would have hurt, even more so than the accusations Mami had used when Homura first arrived here.]

[headedforhope]

[A self-conscious brushing of one haircurl over her shoulder.]

There are times, Homura-san, when it's probably better not to listen to what others say. Don't let anyone come between you and your happiness- especially not someone like me.

[heartovertime]

[Homura is quiet for a moment, taking that advice in. Maybe Mami is right, but...]

Still... I...I wouldn't want to have you dislike us, T-Tomoe-san... you're an important friend to both of us, after all...

I'm sure Madoka is really happy too. [She takes a breath in a pause, nervously.] Maybe...maybe you could join us for a bit... we have some food for a picnic...

[She turns back to look to Madoka from beyond the bush, and yet...for some reason the girl is not in sight.] ...Huh?