A/N – A Fluffy Little Drabble that popped into my head. I thought of holding on to it for use in something bigger, but it logically belongs in the context of "Warming Up"/"Cooling Down" (don't worry, it's completely innocent). Anyway, I thought I'd just toss it out here.
A Matter of Perspective
Vanessa planted one more playful kiss on Ferb's cheek before she slipped off of his lap and stood up. Getting up from the couch, himself, Ferb turned toward her and held out a hand – then froze, his head tilted at a thoughtful angle.
"Are you all right?" Vanessa asked, with a little chuckle at his expression.
Surprised by the discovery he had just made, Ferb took a step toward her, gently taking her by the shoulders and positioning the two of them face to face. Of course, he thought, glancing at her feet in their fuzzy purple socks. Why had he never realized?
When he said nothing, she reached up and straightened the collar of his shirt as she teased, "Um, Earth to Ferb…?"
A faint smile shaped his mouth as he said, in a tone of quiet wonder, "You're so tiny."
"What does that mean?" Vanessa huffed, feigning offense with an amused twist of her lips.
"I've always thought of you as tall," Ferb explained. Indeed, six years ago, when he had first encountered her, she had appeared an Amazonian goddess to his eyes, and even as he had met and surpassed her in height, that impression had stayed with him. Now, he realized that she was almost petite, and he found her more charming than ever.
"I am tall!" she insisted, then qualified this statement with a resigned sigh. "In my boots." Looking up at him, she added, "And you used to be a lot shorter."
"Yes," Ferb smiled. "Yes, I did." Regarding her with a tender look, he decided, "But, I think I prefer this perspective."
THE END
A/N – This came out of the realization that, while Candace and Vanessa usually appear comparable in height, Vanessa is always in her high-heeled boots in contrast to Candace's flat shoes. I liked the idea of Vanessa not being quite as tall as we – or Ferb – might think she is.