They injoyed their coffee in silence and after their last sip Emma couldn't stand just ignoring what just happened so she said: „Listen. I know what just happened was… weird, but it was just a picture in my head for a split second so there is nothing to worry or think about. I just want to continue learning to control my magic so I can help you and we can save us all. So… could we just forget about it and continue my training?"
Regina smiled and said: "Already forgotten." Emma let out a sigh of relief and felt a bit stupid for being so concerned.
"So", Regina continued, "Let's try the fire ball again."
They got up from the table and walked over to Regina's desk. With a graceful wave of her hand the desk flung against the wall and made room for them to continue their training.
"This time I'll stand in front of you and demonstrate. This way it should be easier to get the right picture in your head." ,she smiled mildly as if she was a bit sad that it probably wouldn't happen again. She stepped in front of Emma, lifted her hand and looked her in the eye.
"Are you ready?", she asked and after a confident nod from Emma she created a perfectly round ball of golden-red fire. Looking at Emma she understood it was her turn. She stretched her back, lifted her right hand and closed her eyes.
"fire. heat. Imagine feeling the heat of Regina's… NO! don't think about Regina! Think about fire! fire in my hand! Imagine the heat of the fire in my hand! heat. fire. Regina. Behind me. Her body pressed against my back… dammit Emma! What's so hard about NOT thinking of Regina? Just think of…"
But it was too late. Emma could feel heat. But it was not in her hand, but on her back. And it wasn't fire. It was Regina pressed firmly against her body. Emma quickly opened her eyes and stepped forward without even looking back.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I just can't imagine the fire ball without thinking of you. I mean I just imagine the fire ball in your hand and then I automatically think of you. And I try to think of heat in my hand but it somehow turns into body heat not fire heat… Darn. I – I'm sorry…", she tried to explain. As she noticed Regina didn't reply, she slowly turned around and stood there, frozen by shock as she looked at Regina. She was just as shocked. That is why she didn't reply.
Regina stood there in fire red lace underwear. Emma couldn't help but stare at Regina's body.
"She looks really hot. Oh my god. Stop thinking about her like that! What is wrong with my thoughts lately?"
"At least you got the color of fire right…", Regina laughed suddenly.
Emma burst out in laughter. She wasn't expecting Regina to react so relaxed. She hadn't even changed her clothes back to normal yet. "Is she oddly enjoying this as much as I am?"
As if she read Emma's mind, she suddenly looked down and with a snap of her fingers a dark purple smoke surrounded her and her lace turned into a dress. She kept the color though - fire red.
They looked at each other. Silently. They both didn't know what to say. They just continued the training and Regina ended up in underwear a few times more. A couple of times she kept her normal clothes but was suddenly standing right in front of Emma - noses almost touching. It was weird but they both didn't seem to mind. They just kept on going until finally, after Emma almost lost hope, there was a spark and soon after burning flames floating in Emma's hand.
"YES! I did it! Did you see that? I did it!", Emma yelled with excitement, jumping up and down and throwing her fists in the air.
"Well done!", said Regina proudly. But she also seemed a bit disappointed that she wouldn't end up almost touching faces with Emma anymore.
Emma threw herself into Regina's arms. "Thank you!" She held her tight and after a few seconds when Emma was about to loosen the hug because she thought it started to feel awkward, Regina lifted her arms and pulled her close to her chest again. Emma closed her eyes and smiled. She enjoyed that and she didn't even deny it in her head this time. Regina also seemed to enjoy it because she lowered her face so their cheeks touched. Her skin was warm and it felt soothing and nice so Emma kept her face where it was so their skin didn't stop touching.
"You're welcome", Regina finally said in a soft voice as they broke up the oddly intimate hug. They both looked away with embarrassment. Emma put her hands in her pockets and said: "Uhm well.. I guess I'll head home now. Don't think I can concentrate anymore to learn something new." Regina looked disappointed. "But let's continue tomorrow!", she added.
"Yes, good idea. We shouldn't push it too much. Good work today, Emma." Regina said.
Emma smiled. That was the first time Regina didn't say Miss Swan to her. She liked that Regina used her first name.
"See you tomorrow. And thanks again, Regina. You're a great teacher!", Emma said before closing the door. Regina turned her back to the door and slid down to the floor. Leaning against it as she wrapped her arms around her legs. On the other side Emma stood, looking to the floor and feeling sad to have left that house. She lifted her hand and pressed it against the door, thinking of Regina's skin. Soft and it smelled like lavender. She closed her eyes, sighed and turned away to leave.
Regina looked up and in front of her feet lay a bundle of fresh lavender held together by a fire red ribbon. It just appeared. Like magic…