A/N: Aw, whatever, just a quick one-shot with a cute CloTi theme...a break from that god-awfully difficult-to-write C/T/V. No lemons this time :( Just good old fashioned romance-y angst. Hope you enjoy, and leave some love.

"Tifa, you're shaking."

"I'm fine."

"I didn't ask if anything was wrong." She stared.

"Good. Cuz nothing is."

"Okay." Tifa placed a glass underneath the counter, halfway clean. Cloud sighed and looked at his friend, his brows furrowed. "But I doubt it."

"Cloud, I'm going to bed."

"Tifa."

She felt his hand on her skin and nearly jumped right through it. He saw her nervousness and blushed, but he stood, there before her, in a sort of forced state of concern.

Just looking at her.

She waited for a reaction-as he did-yet none came, and so they stood apart. Cloud's eyes went straight to the floor in an attempt to un-jeopardize the situation. Tifa moved away, eager to be from his concern that so rarely surfaced.

She knew she needed him, she wanted to need him, but to ask for such a trivial thing would most likely intimidate him into submission.

Cloud followed her, as she'd dreaded and hoped, though his touch had left.

She turned, and his eyes traveled along her face in a gentle,almost casual fashion, seeing as he could look upon her without any sort of unwanted stimulation.

They were a most intriguingly blue hue. Tifa always loved his eyes, like two orbs made from sea foam and shells, washing with a greenish tint that was always around her. What was in his mind she'd questioned but never expected.

"Tifa." his voice was deep, soft, gentle and arousing to her. She quickly looked away, walking deftly up the stairs and into her room, messy from the week's work.

And yet again he followed her, his steps heavy and thudding against the floor, her face screwed up in her desire to have him come after her.

She felt selfish, disgusted she could do such a thing to her best friend, one who had only recently begun to cross her mind as a bit more.

"Hey." he sat beside her on the bed, his head dipped low, showing his gentleness subtly.

Tifa winced, looking away from him still. Why did she feel so guilty? It was nothing more than a simple encounter, after all, nothing had come of it,thankfully, and nothing made her think she was in her right mind after all those drinks.

But how would he understand?

He hadn't been there to see. Her heart was heavy regardless.

Cloud stared ahead, saying nothing. Tifa lay her head upon his shoulder, soft with warmth, and Cloud gave a minute grunt at her advances, though he was otherwise silent.

She bit her lip when his touch came again, this time upon her arm, where it traced a thin rope-like scar, and he furrowed slightly, his eyes blushing blue. Tifa said nothing, hoping he wasn't concerned, praying he was.

Yet Cloud said nothing, but took his hand from hers and bowed his head further until Tifa shuffled to remain close to him.

He gave a small breath as she took his hand, un-gloved, the skin smoother than she'd remembered. He nuzzled her instinctively, his body warming to her touch, as it always did, the comfort of their closeness always satisfied them, no matter the situation, their friendship was sacred.

It was desired among everything else, even unbeknownst to one another.

Cloud swallowed, remaining by her side until her eyes closed with sleep.