A/N: Hello all! Another quick chapter I pulled up...I have to say I think this one is adorable...but yeah. Thanks for the reviews! And special thanks to Amaranthos for telling me about the anom. review thing...and don't worry, I've found myself reading Vincent and Tifa fanfics even though I am obviously in love with Cloud and Tifa being in love...oh, and one thing about the last one I forgot to say...I just think it's great to imagine Cloud saying bloody, even if it's in his mind...that's all...
Good Ol' Maps.
I've always managed to keep a cool exterior to most people. I like to think I appear calm, and emotionless. It's harder to read someone in a battle when they're like that...so, I think I just got stuck in that mode.
However, they're people who make me show my emotions more than I use to, one in particular. They've helped me open up more, because they care about me...which is kinda surprising after all I've done...especially to her, and yet she's still the most loyal of all of my friends.
I think it's also because there is no longer any immediate danger. I can say I believe this, as I sit at a table in the bar with my maps spread out before me.
The bar is closed for the night, and I'm watching Tifa lean over Marlene's shoulder, trying to help her with some homework. Denzel watches, curious. I can tell he's having the same problem as well, although he doesn't have the heart to ask for help. I should talk to him about that.
Marlene asks a question, and Tifa nods her head yes, Marlene's face brightening with joy at getting her question right. Tifa returns her smile and Marlene goes back to work, Denzel throwing in a smile of his own.
I can feel a smile growing on my lips as I watch her. She seems so...well...motherly. She ruffles Denzel's hair, and straigtens from her hunched position, stretching her arms about her head. I smile as she sighs, her arms brushing back down against her sides.
Tifa glances up, her eyes catching mine, and she sends me a smile. I can feel the blush creeping up my neck, so I turn quickly back to my maps.
My maps...my good ol' maps...they're stable and never changing, and they will always be here...
...wait...so will she...
...I just described her as my maps...
...damn...
She'd murder me if she ever found out I compared her to my maps...
...great...now I'll never be able to look at them without thinking of her...well, not that I ever stop thinking of her...
...at least they don't make me blush like she does.