~Part Six~

"Hold the shape, Ciara... I know it's difficult, but try to focus on it."

Sweat beaded on Ciara's pale brow as her green eyes flashed with the effort. "I cannae do it, Stephen! Ughhh! It's just not natural!"

The Mystic Master chuckled deeply as he observed his guest try to hold her current pentagram formation. So far she'd been quite a natural, save for the actual casting of the spells he'd tried to show her. She could draw the formations in the air and make them crackle with plenty of energy, but the end of the action always fell flat. It had been a good two hours since they'd entered the sparring room, and in that time, the strides Ciara had made were more than impressive. Strange was sure that his predecessor, the Ancient One, would have been as proud of Ciara as he was.

"Oh c'mon, Red," Strange joked lightly as he watched her change her stance. "You're able to pull your magick out of thin air; surely drawing me a picture isn't too much to ask."

Ciara snorted as she shifted her hands for the umptheenth time, and the sparkle of orange magic lifted into a perfect hexagon shape. "It's bloody awkward casting, Strange! At least my magic comes with comfort!"

"You're overthinking it. Feel the lines and the rest will come."

"...Aye, let me try again."

Strange watched as Ciara drew out the rest of her hexagon, adding the proper lines and dips. She really had a knack for it all. But once again, as it came time to cast the spell she faltered and the beautiful orange energy fizzled into nothing.

Ciara breathed an annoyed sigh through her nose, and reached up to yank her hair out of its current bun. As her fiery red strands fell about her shoulders, she flashed her teacher an apologetic grimace. "I think I'm done for today, Stephen. . . I'll have to try again tomorrow. That is, if you're willing to put up with my attempts some more?"

"I'm honored to teach you as long as you hold an interest, Ciara. It's good practice for both of us."

At the mention of practice, the woman's eyes lit up and a devious grin graced her lips. "You're a good teacher, Strange. And I'm happy to learn from ya. . . Though fair is fair. It's yer turn!"

Strange shrugged as he drew closer to where Ciara stood. "I'm not opposed. Where do you need me?"

The woman gestured for him to stop where he was. "Just there, love."

The Mystic obeyed and stopped moving, before he planted his feet and waited patiently for his next instructions. At the encouraging attention, Ciara considered how she wished to proceed, before she began to walk around her 'student' in a large circle. With every word she spoke, she took a step, stalking him, as he let his blue eyes follow her expectantly.

"As yeh know, my magic is different from yours. It doesn't rely on movement or predetermined spells or actions. From my experience it comes solely from emotion." Forest green eyes met stunning blue for a long moment, as Ciara continued, "So the first step is to identify your emotion and accept it, no matter what it may be… So tell me what yer feeling, lovie."

"You want to know what I'm feeling?" He seemed a bit incredulous at the prompting, but she merely nodded.

"Aye. It doesn't matter what it is, but I need you ta delve deep. . . What emotion are you experiencing at this exact moment?"

Strange was silent for the longest time, his eyes closed languidly as he thought. Ciara had stopped pacing, and stood directly behind him. She watched his stance relax, and finally after several more minutes he answered in a murmur.

"... I don't know what I'm feeling, Ciara. It's a jumble. Sorry."

"Donnae be sorry, love. I know it's a hard mass ta sort through." Then an idea occurred to her. "... Though I might be able ta help ya. If you don't mind an intrusion."

"Be my guest."

Slowly, Ciara leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Strange from behind, embracing him. She held onto him loosely, allowing him the ability to pull away. . . Though he never did.

"Just breathe, Stephen," she urged gently, as she placed her right hand above his heart. "Breathe and be one with yourself. Identity and sit with yer emotions. No masks or facades, jus' Stephen Strange."

"Ciara…" Strange said her name lowly, though never finished his thought. Instead he encased Ciara's hand under his own shaking one. His scars were prominent against the contours of his skin, and the woman marveled at how much he had suffered because of it. His body carried constant reminders of who he had been, but in all the time she'd known him, Ciara had never witnessed him complain or mourn for the past.

For a moment, Ciara and Strange stood, with her hugging him from behind, her head leaning lightly against his back, while their fingers interlocked. But then, the Mystic let go and moved to turn around. Ciara let him, backing away a pace, though she found herself missing the contact almost immediately. He was so warm, and the feeling of his heartbeat had calmed her.

Though as Strange's face came into view, Ciara's breath caught in her throat. "Stephen? . . . Sweetie, are you okay?"

"...I think I've figured it out, Ciara."

"Ya have?"

"Mmm-hmm."

The warm blue eyes had grown in intensity and a certain resolution shone through that hadn't been there before. The Mystic Master stared at her, as he reached up to gently move the hair from her face. His touch was soft and lingering, as his eyes danced with a hopeful light.

Then, he gingerly lowered his mouth to Ciara's and kissed her.

It was a tender kiss that Ciara immediately returned, smiling into his lips as his facial hair tickled her. For several minutes they explored one another, until finally they drew away for breath.

And as they regarded each other, Strange said simply, "You're a good teacher, Ciara. I know what I'm feeling now."

Ciara rolled her eyes, though her expression stayed contagiously happy. "Oh, shut it, Strange. . . You beautiful, impossible man."

A/N: So guys, Ciara and Stephen had their first kiss! Finally! Haha, I hope y'all enjoyed the extreme fluff, and are still having fun with this story. Thanks for reading and commenting, as always! See you next chapter!

~Lyn