Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters.

Warnings: None.

Author's Note: I'm back, and I'm starting a collection of drabbles and one-shots revolving around the relationship of Cloud and Denzel, after the events of Advent Children. Some may or may not be shota, but I will provide a clear warning in the "Warning" section above. Feel free to request! Hope you enjoy!

Idolized: Bug Bites

The small body twisted and turned under the covers, striving to find a comfortable position. Denzel groaned, then sighed softly as he sat upright in his bed, cradling his right leg to his chest. His lower lip jutted out, if only slightly, expressing his inability to sleep peacefully. Once again, he rolled up the leg of his sweatpants with clumsy, little hands, just as he had done when he laid in bed the first time. It was too cold to be wearing shorts, but his limb was so hot, and itching. For the last however many hours, it had remained uncovered and hanging over the bed's edge. It had worked, at least, for a little while.

Meanwhile, Cloud rose from the recliner in the living room, gently setting down once of Tifa's old novels. It was a guilty pleasure for him, as it was absolutely embarrassing for a grown man to be caught reading a book centered on romance. His insomnia had resurfaced since the return and defeat of Sephiroth, but even that was buried deep within his mind, completely forgotten amongst the scenes of happy marriages and feuding in-laws.

He cracked his neck before beginning that awful climb up the stairs. Despite his fitness, they would always leave him breathless. He proceeded slowly, fully aware of which boards would creak and where. The last thing he wanted was to awake any of the home's other residents. He made his way past Marlene's room, past Tifa's, and then past Denzel's, only to find they were...silent? Was that a groan from Denzel's room?

Using (abusing, in Denzel's opinion) his parental authority, he opened the door without knocking, then silently walked in, closing the door behind him. He asked with a curious tone, "What are you doing up?"

"Cloud?" Denzel gasped quietly, surprised to see his hero suddenly within the walls of his room. Luckily, Cloud was unable to see the pale blush that spread over his cheeks at having being caught furiously scratching his right leg, wishing the horrible itch would leave. "Sorry if I woke you up."

"I was already up," Cloud replied, his lips a small smile.

"Doing what?"

Cloud sweatdropped, not wanting to tell the truth. "I was hungry for ice cream."

He sat on the child's bed, narrowing his eyes slightly as he observed Denzel's right leg. "When did you get those?"

Denzel thought for a moment. "A few days ago."

"Tifa didn't tell me you had bug bites. I could've stopped at the pharmacy yesterday to get you something."

"I didn't tell Tifa," Denzel admitted. His heart sank when Cloud abruptly left. Had he angered his hero? The faint sounds of water from the bathroom never reached his ears.

"Take this, and put it on your leg," Cloud instructed, handing the frigid rag to Denzel. The younger person shuddered when he took it into his hands.

"But, it's cold," Denzel protested as he applied it to his leg. Once again, he shivered. Cloud noticed this and then wrapped a warm blanket around the child's shoulders.

"It'll itch more if it's warm," Cloud explained. "I'll get some cream tomorrow, alright?"

"Okay, Cloud," Denzel replied, the itchiness slowly leaving his leg. "Thanks."

"Good night," Cloud smiled, ruffling his adopted son's auburn hair.

"'Night!" he chirped. "Hey, wait a minute."

"What is it?" Cloud asked, turning around to look at Denzel.

"Were you reading Tifa's love novels again?"

Hope you enjoyed, and remember: Feel free to request a one-shot or drabble! I don't mind at all.