XXI.
Walphurghisnacht comes early and for some reason, Homura nearly sleeps through it.
It is, for a moment, like death, but more peaceful than she's used to. The pain is dulled, everything is quiet. She… can rest.
But then, the storm breaks and Miki Sayaka is burying her knees in Homura's guts.
"What the fuck are you doing?" she snaps. "Get up, we need you, Akemi!"
The world stops disorienting at the sound of being needed and wanted and something ugly pulses in her guts because yes yes yes this is almost perfect if only it was Madoka.
She gets to her feet and transforms without a word.
Everything around her ears roars.
Miki grins. Homura does not grin back.
The fight, of course, is hopeless, but her shield feels lighter than it has in days.