Homura closed her eyes, no more than very slightly, but enough to bring her to the very threshold of recognizing she wanted this - oh, not him; she barely knew him and this situation would have mortified her into collapse a month (well, many one months) ago. But the feeling of kindness. A gentle touch. It brings Madoka to mind, as so many things do, the only one to treat her with that casual affection.

She let herself dwell on that for no more than a heartbeat's longing for her one and only friend, before she glanced up - and tried to move away.