Save those Time
All Madoka ever wanted was to be strong enough to save the people around her. But how could Madoka save that pretty lady she met when she realized she herself was the one who needed to be saved? Partially AU
Every night, it was exactly the same as Madoka expected. She would reach Tomeo Mami's ward around 3 A.M and Homura would always be there, either standing or leaning somewhere, watching over Mami like a hawk waiting for its prey to move. Madoka wasn't sure when and how long Homura had been standing there, but usually she'll leave before Madoka was done with her checking.
About how Homura managed to slip past the counter without being stopped, it was still a mystery to Madoka and she knew she would never get an answer unless Homura revealed it herself, but obviously that mysterious lady would never do that. At first Madoka would remind her about the visiting hours being over but she decided to stop, knowing it's better to not waste her time saying it again and again when Homura would still turn up in Mami's ward in the end.
Sometimes, Madoka would try to make a light conversation and Homura didn't always reply to some of her question but she would ask till Homura at least say something. And today, Madoka thought of a question she had been wondering for quite a while since she first saw her.
"Wouldn't it be tiring to come here every day in the middle of the night after your work? If, you are working." Madoka paused, the sound of the pen tapping against the clipboard echoed in the ward. After a while, Madoka glanced up, wondering if her question was actually mistaken as just a statement, but Homura was staring at her, her eyes plain and emotionless. People says that eyes are windows to our soul. If that's the case, Madoka couldn't imagine how empty Homura's soul would be.
"Working," Homura mumbled and Madoka's lips parted, surprised that she even said a word. "I work with time." She whispered after a short pause.
"Time?" Madoka titled her head, not really understanding but she gave a soft chuckle in the end. "Well umm, I work with time too, I mean, everyone works with time. This is how life works?"
Homura continued staring at her, showing no intentions in joining her laughter. Knowing that, Madoka's laughter slowly died down and she went back on her daily routine.
"Why are you so interested in other people?" Homura asked.
"I-I'm just-" Madoka fumbled with her words. She didn't expect in her entire lifetime that Homura actually said something on her will. "I thought it was a normal thing to ask people about what they work."
"Is that so?" Homura looked down at Mami again.
Madoka had finished her work and it seemed that Homura didn't feel like leaving yet. "I'm sorry if the question is too personal. I didn't mean to butt into your life or something." She hugged the clipboard to her chest.
Homura flicked her gaze towards Madoka, her bright purple eyes shone under the dim light, causing Madoka to blush unknowingly at the sudden gaze.
"So all you do is save people's life?" Homura asked again.
Madoka blinked carefully, noting that Homura was a little chatty today but she dismissed that thought and gave a smile. "Yeah, that's our job. I'm not the real reason why the patient lived but it's really nice to save someone." Madoka spread her arms and she stared at the ceiling, her eyes glittered at her favorite topic. "I mean, the fact that someone is able to continue living and everyone is happy. It's really amazing..."
Homura regarded her for a second and looked down at Mami. "You can't save everyone. Not when time is against you." Homura muttered.
Madoka glanced down at Mami as well, no sure if Homura was trying to use Mami as an example that she was wrong. Madoka straightened her posture. "Tomeo-san is going to be fine, although she showed no signs of waking up, she's still alive."
"She's already dead." Homura said as if she was describing the weather. "I already said that before."
Madoka frowned. "You speak like you don't care at all. Wouldn't Tomeo-san be hurt if she heard a friend like you to say that?" Madoka almost yelled. Almost.
"I didn't say she's my friend." Homura wasn't affected by Madoka's sudden change in behavior. "You said it yourself."
"Then," Madoka clenched her jaw, trying to regain back her composure. She shouldn't be overreacting like this, it wasn't her character to be so angry about anything, but Madoka couldn't help but feel a little upset for Mami. "Why are you here every single day, watching over her and wasting your time if you don't care?"
"Time." Homura's eyes narrowed. Madoka noticed that whenever she mentioned anything related to that word, Homura seemed a little more agitated than her usual self. There was a pause before Homura continued speaking again. "Indeed, time have been wasted. But I don't have a choice."
"What choice?" Madoka couldn't help but ask. She really didn't understand what was happening at all. The only thing Madoka knew about Homura was just her name, nothing else. She felt scared, but at the same time safe as well and she couldn't decide which she should choose.
Homura looked away from Madoka's firm gaze. "You don't understand, and it's better if it remains that way."
She sounded like she cared. Madoka sighed inwardly and decided that she shouldn't continue this pointless but hurtful conversation anymore. "I'll take my leave first."
Homura didn't say anything and Madoka decided to make her way out. But just before she could touch the door knob, she felt like her whole body froze and her arms were aching for a bit and for that split second, she could sense something was breathing on her face. Madoka widened her eyes and stepped back from the door and whirled around immediately. But Homura was still standing at that same exact spot, looking down at Mami like what she had been doing all along. Madoka slowly turned back and shook her head, cancelling the thought and thinking that she really need a nice long bath once she reached home.
.
.
"Ah good morning Madoka!"
Madoka's head shot up as she looked over her shoulders, only to realize she was already near the entrance and just passed the receptionist counter. She afforded the best smile she could muster and said her greetings and was about to leave again when Pirako stopped her. Puzzled, Madoka walked over to the counter when Pirako stood up and handed Madoka the logbook.
"I'm not sure if you're still interested but there's someone who visited Tomeo Mami yesterday morning. Around 11:30 A.M"
Madoka widened her eyes and took the logbook, her eyes gazing down a few names for other patients' ward before reaching the one for ward 68.
"Miki... Sayaka?" Madoka whispered. Indeed, the person had signed in around 11:32 A.M and signed out at 12.10 P.M." Madoka caressed the name on the book, her eyebrows forming a small frown as she began to be deep in thought.
Sayaka, this is definitaly Sayaka's handwriting! But how does she...
"Is there a reason why you're keen in knowing about Tomeo Mami's visitor?" Pirako questioned.
Madoka glanced up, a little surprise. She blinked a few times, not knowing how should she even answer that question. She actually wanted to check the logbook because she was interested in the name of the mysterious lady who visited on the first night, but the thing was, her name was not recorded down all these while... So how on earth was she suppose to explain about Homura's existence?
"I'm just curious." Madoka tried to give the most genuine laugh she could manage.
Pirako showed an unconvinced look but Madoka decided she should leave as soon as possible before she was being forced to think of any more answers to her future questions. Excusing herself, she left the hospital hurriedly and never once looked back.
She'll get back to Sayaka sooner or later since she's probably at work now and all Madoka ever wanted right at the moment was to go back home and sleep.
.
.
Madoka took a bite on her biscuit and looked at the clock on her wall. Clicking her tongue, she dashed out of the door after realizing she need to brisk walk in order to catch the last bus to hospital. She had all the time in the world to call Sayaka, asking her about her special visit but she was just too tired to do so. When she reached home, she didn't even got to take out her hair pins and she plopped on the bed, fast asleep till late evening.
The street was empty, like usual. She quickened her steps, looking down at her watch as she sighed. She knew she should have set an alarm clock so she wouldn't have to rush like now.
"Aggrghhhh..."
Madoka stopped on her track at the sudden sound. Her head whipped to see the shadow behind a tall, empty building around the corner of the street. Madoka raised an eyebrow, thinking that it must be some wild dogs having a fight or something. Shaking her head and looking away, she made another step, but right before that,Madoka could see something moving at the corner of her eyes as her head turned back to that exact same spot as she observed the dark shadows.
She could hear shuffling, like a dragging sound moving towards her. It was becoming louder and Madoka froze. The lamppost lights flickered, but it managed to show Madoka what the thing that was approaching her was.
Tall, white creatures were trudging towards her, there was a head, but no face features and the body was just a long, wide yet flat pole, no limbs at all. Her pink eyes widened terror and tried to scream but there was no voice. Madoka stepped back, but she fell onto the ground and struggled to pick herself up to run away from these monsters that were slowly, but steadily approaching her. However, she couldn't. Her mind and body was not listening like what she wanted. She want to yell, to call out for somebody, but her throat was stuck and all she could afford were soft hiccups.
"GRrghhhh..."
"P-Pleas..." Madoka's mouth was shaking horribly and tears gathered in her eyes. She begged to herself, wishing that everything was just a nightmare and she would wake up soon. There was no such things as monsters in the world, these creatures were just an imagination... everything were all made up in her head and it's all because she had watched too much horror movies with Sayaka.
"D-Don't... Pl-Please..." Madoka whimpered and shut her eyes tight.
All of the sudden, she could hear something shattered before a devil scream could be heard. Madoka flung open her eyes and looked up, to find a lady she recognized standing right there, her back facing her, black smooth hair flowing with the wind.
"H-Homura...!" Madoka cried out.
Homura calmly opened her palm and a black energy seemed to gather on her hand before it popped and a bow appeared. Ready her stance, she pulled the bow back and shoot an arrow she magically got from her back. That single arrow split into two, four, six and then a dozen before it hit all the demons with full blast.
"Blearghhhhh!"
The agitated demon moved faster and swipe down towards Homura before she could even take her next arrow. Homura gritted her teeth and dodged, barely, as one of the demon brushed against her shoulder, ripping her sleeve and blood spluttered out. Madoka winced in fright but Homura seemed unfazed about her injury as she touched the round shield on her arm and then narrowed her eyes.
In one second, Madoka swore that she saw the demon was about to make another attack towards Homura, but in the next second, the demon was already struck by a few dozen arrows and it hollered in the darkness.
Something was ripping it apart, an energy or a force, Madoka didn't bother to think what it was. But the monster was splitting apart and then its body finally exploded into white pieces, slowly fading into ashes and then nothing, the sound of shattering glasses echoed in the dark night. A couple of cube like objects dropped to the ground and Homura took her time to pick it up before throwing it into this bright purple gem on her hand and the color glowed even brighter when the black cube was absorbed into it.
Madoka was shivering, her knees were wobbling and her hands were cold and sweaty. Trying her very best to focus on breathing, she closed her eyes and wrapped her thin arms around her small body and stayed in place for a bit. Only after feeling secured about her position then she dared to open her eyes to check if the demons were really gone, and indeed it was. In front of her was just Homura, her hand on her left arm and Madoka could see blood oozing out between her closed fingers around her injury.
Before Madoka could even find the energy to speak, Homura's hand glowed bright purple and in a flash, the blood was gone, only leaving her torn sleeve. Homura released her grip and let her hand to fall back to her sides before turning around to face Madoka. She stared at Madoka long enough for the pink-haired girl to find the courage to say something, anything. And those words that came from her mouth did not surprise Homura at all.
"W-W-What ar-are all these things?!" Madoka yelped. "W-What are you?!"
"You can see them." Homura spoke, her eyes narrowed. Like usual, she didn't answer Madoka's questions but her words stung Madoka like acid.
"They can see you!"
Mami's words came back to her like it was yesterday and that effort Madoka had put in to forget that horrible scene had failed miserably. Madoka had been fine for the past few days, managing to forget that nightmare that brought her sleepless nights, but that terror, that fear came down crashing on her like a boulder, strangling her and she could hardly breathe. Forcing herself, she crawled across the pavement, her legs numbed and finally managed to reach Homura's side. Homura looked down at Madoka who was kneeling on the floor, trying her hardest not to cry.
"I'm sorry." Madoka mumbled with her shivering voice as she felt Homura's clothes and grabbed it tightly. "I need to ho-hold onto something. If you don't mind, can y-you give me a minute to calm myself down for a little longer?"
Homura said nothing and Madoka didn't release her grip and finally broke into a sobbing fit. The air was silent once again and only after a while, Homura spoke.
"Your one minute is up." Homura said. Right at that moment, she bent down and took Madoka's arm, lifting her up like she was lifting up a book from the floor.
Madoka almost flew up as she staggered a bit before managing to stand properly on her feet. She gape at Homura but the latter didn't care and she began leaning closer towards Madoka, Homura's grip around her arm loosened. Their eyes were like magnet, attracting each other closer and closer till Homura stopped a few inch away, as if she was respecting Madoka to give her that small distance between them. For a long while, Madoka didn't breathe and her lips quivered in fear.
"Do you trust me?" Homura murmured.
Madoka blinked, her lips parted but closed again, trying to find some words to say. She closed her eyes and stepped back and Homura allowed her as she watched her closely, her gaze never leave her.
"H-How am I suppose to trust you wh-when I don't even know what is happening?!" Madoka blurted out.
Homura seemed to be pondering for a while before she touched her shield. With a blink of an eye, the shield was gone but Madoka decided not to ask about it. She had enough of all these magic powers and her head was hurting.
"I'll bring you home." Homura stated.
Madoka gasped. "B-Bring me home..." She wasn't sure about it, but it means she'll be taking a dangerous person who possessed some unknown powers to her house?! Furthermore, she'll be skipping work without notifying the hospital as well, but it's not like she even had the energy and will to even continue her work. After debating to herself, Madoka finally gave in and turned towards the direction of her house, dragging herself back. Homura following closely behind her without another word spoken.
.
.
"Did you want anything to drink? Tea? Coffee?"
"No."
Madoka gestured Homura to the sofa in the living room. She didn't have a lot of fanciful or huge furniture, given that her apartment was small and she don't usually invite many guests at once to her house. Just a TV set on a long table, with a small table on a rug and a three-seater sofa behind it. Homura took a seat on the right while Madoka took the one of the left.
Her bag was slumped onto the floor by the sofa and Madoka gave a sigh. Even though she bathed a while before she left house for work, she felt like she hadn't bathe for years and had just went through war before coming home. And since the time she left house till now, three hours had already passed and she no idea how it happened. She could feel her phone vibrating in her bag, but for the first time in her life, she decided she'll call back whoever that was later.
Madoka glanced at Homura carefully. She remembered that Homura asked if she trust her, and now she brought her to her home... so what was she suppose to do now?
The silence was long, and the clock Madoka hammered to the wall was really weird today. She remembered picking the clock at an antique shop that she usually patronage and she bought this brown clock for herself, thinking it was pretty nice. But today, she felt like the clock was depressing, the second hand ticking unbearably slow that day and she felt really heavy in her heart. Quickly, she looked away and that feeling was gone in an instant.
Madoka licked her lips and started fiddling with her thumb, not sure how she should start the conversation and only after two minutes of painful silence, Madoka knew that Homura would never start talking and in the end she spoke first.
"You're..." Madoka coughed. "You're not a human right?"
Homura, who had been staring in space all these while gave a side long glance at Madoka before looking back again. "If I'm a normal human being, I couldn't have existed here anymore." Homura said quietly.
"So you're a g-ghost?"
There was a short, hesitant pause. "Neither human or ghost." Homura decided on her answer.
Madoka wasn't sure if she should be happy with the reply. She sucked in a huge breath. "So that very day when you said about me being able to see you... you're really surprise right?"
Homura watched Madoka, her eyes seemed to be searching for something. There was a moment of silence again before Homura nodded to her question. "No one was able to see me for a very long time."
Madoka felt her chest cringed in a way she never expected it to be. Homura's words sounded lonely, or rather sad... and Madoka couldn't help but feel like crying at it, the earlier feeling of being intimidated completely forgotten.
"How long?" Madoka asked.
"I don't know." Homura muttered and lowered her gaze. "I've lost count."
Madoka didn't even wait for a second and she gave her next question, her body turning towards Homura as she leaned forward a little. "But what happened to start all this? Something must have happened to become who you are right now."
Homura slowly closed her eyes like she was reminiscing, or rather trying to remember something. "I can't recall." She whispered, her lips curled downwards. "I don't know..."
"Why?" Madoka didn't waited for a pause for the next question again.
"Why as in, why did I choose to save you, or why am I killing them?" Homura asked back.
Madoka could see hesitation in her eyes. Had she actually asked a sensitive question? But before she could even say something, her small pink blush spread across Madoka's cheek. Homura continued staring at her and Madoka's blush changed from pink to red and she quickly glanced away to the other side, hoping that the dim lights would try to cover up her face. But Homura obviously saw that blush and she just assumed Madoka's question herself.
"I just do it because I want to."
Madoka turned back to Homura. "But there's got to be a reason behind it." Madoka argued almost immediately.
Homura sighed "Maybe I'm just curious, that you're able to see me." She then lifted up her head, the back of her neck resting on the sofa. It seemed to Madoka that she didn't want to continue on this topic anymore.
"So all you're doing in all your life is to fight these... monsters?"
"Demons." Homura muttered , her eyes fixated at the ceiling. "And yes, I've been fighting them for a very long time."
"Demons..." Madoka echoed, a shiver ran down her back.
"Despair."
"Demons."
"Is Tomeo-san the same as you?" Madoka's thoughts floated back to the unconscious Mami who was still lying in hospital, not knowing when she would ever wake up.
Homura blinked lazily, seeming to know that this question was going to come sooner or later. "She's a little different from me." She drawled. "At least you humans can see her with the naked eye."
There were so many other questions Madoka wanted to ask, she needed to understand every single thing that was happening to her, to the world she was living in. How long had these creatures been roaming Earth? And the biggest question... why was she the chosen one who could see these demons... and Homura?
Homura looked young; she seemed like a teenager, but her eyes were telling a different story. She didn't know exactly how long Homura had been on Earth, but she can tell it's definitely much, much, much more than her supposed-to-be age.
Homura stood up from her seat, shocking Madoka for a bit as she trudged towards the door, thinking that the conversation should end just there. And it seems that, the further Homura walked away from Madoka, the sound of the clock ticking became faster and louder in her ears for some unknown reason. Madoka glanced at the clock, that heavy feeling she had when she stared at the clock previously already disappeared, but she decided it wasn't important right now. She jumped up from her seat and called out to Homura.
"Wait."
Homura did.
Madoka walked towards the door, standing beside Homura as she gave an uncertain look. She wanted Homura to stay, to tell her more about herself, to tell her everything she needed to know so she could understand everything a little better, but her tongue was tied and she felt like she shouldn't be asking too much anymore, in fear that this would be the last time she would ever see Homura again.
"What is it." Homura's voice snapped Madoka's thoughts in an instant
"I-" Madoka let out a breath. "I want to thank you for saving me, even if you are just curious about me or whatsoever."
Homura surveyed Madoka, trying to be finding a hint of lie in her eyes, but of course, she didn't manage to find any. Without a word, she looked away and approached the door. Madoka hastily opened it for Homura as she watched her exited and she was gone into the night.
Madoka closed the door, her back leaning against the wall for support, her eyes shifted as she contemplated the spot where Homura had been sitting all the while. She took a few tentative steps forward, her hands reaching forward till she touched the leather of the sofa.
The seat felt cold.
.
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A/N: MIRICLE that I spend two whole days typing all these out oMGG
tHIS MAY SEEM CONFUSING but I'm trying to write a new?.?.?.?.? after plot for PMMM instead of the tragedy like the Rebellion movie, something liek STAGGERED but uh this story kind of sets many many many years after Madoka become goddess and I'm not sure if you guys understand but I'm trying to be a cute girl here and i'll try to rack my brain and explain all these bullshit in the future.
SURPRISINGLY! I'm rather motivated to write because I don't want to leave this story hanging since I'm kinda liking this whole idea right now okay bye who the hell cares