Fandom: FFVII

Pair: Rufus/Reeve

Warning- Cavity-inducing fluff ahead

It had been nearly two weeks since the deal was made and as promised Denzel called Cloud every couple nights. The ex-SOLDIER was honestly surprised at the new Denzel brought with him. The child was being very well cared for, fed and nurtured and treated like a child should be. Being the summertime there was no school in session but Rufus told him if everything worked out he would hire Denzel a private tutor. He had already begun interviewing some potential candidates and even offered to pay for Marlene's classes so that Denzel would have a classmate to study with, if Barrett would agree. Apprehension yet hung over the blonde though, there was still plenty time left for something to go awry.

Denzel, however, wsa overjoyed at this turn of events. Reeve was like a very scruffy mother, always doing whatever he could to ensure the month was comfortable. It helped having someone of a lower-class lifestyle around, Rufus had grown accustomed to a variety of food other than the upper echilon diet he was raised with and, to Denzel's surprise, hated. When he was not busy he had no qualms of curling up on a rug in front of a fireplace with Denzel and Cupcakes and playing a few rounds of board games before he was too tired to concentrate anymore. Reeve was like the mother he had never had.

Rufus was a different story. Being the President he was constantly occupied with work, clocking in insanely long hours, some nights not coming home at all. It was not unusual to find Reeve curled up in the blonde's massive bed sleeping alone curled around a body pillow. When he was available he tried his best to make it up to the two of them but often was too burned out to do much but screw Reeve or sleep. Not the most ideal father around but Denzel understood it was out of Rufus's control. The company came first.

"Reeve..." He sat up on the bed one lonely ight, outside a storm raging pounding the windows with sheets of rain. The lights flickered overhead, a brownout in Midgar was never a good thing.

"What's wrong, Denzel?" Reeve sat aside the book he was reading and motioned for the boy to sit next to him. Denzel fidgeted with the sheets, looking around the expensive room. Reeve had everything he could ever need or want yet the glimmer in those chocolate eyes was unmistakable.

"Aren't you lonely?"

"Mnn.." the dark haired man reached out to cuddle Cupcakes, the fat fluffball nuzzling his scruffy chin. "I do get lonely but I know Rufus's duty is to Shinra. It is what he has lived and breathed all these years I cannot expect him to sudden change on a dime. He had a city to run and I am there to help him alone any way I can. I know that having me here to come home to is something special to him. Not having to sleep alone on those nights when all you want to do is hold someone tight and know there is something else worth living for."

Denzel nodded, reaching out to pet the cat. He hadn't thought of it that way but he could sympathize. Avalanche may not have been his biological family but it was nice having a place to call home, knowing there were people out there that loved you. He identified with Rufus in that aspect. Reeve was perfect for him, Denzel thought, he's just what Rufus needs. A kind, tender presence in a world of corruption and hate.

The door opened across the room and Rufus came in, tossing his suit jacket off to the side and slumping down in a chair. He looked exhausted, holding his head in his hands. Reeve set the cat with Denzel and grabbed a bottle from the nightstand, giving Rufus two pills and a glass of water, kissing his forehead once he took them.

"Got a headache love?" he crooned, feathering tender kisses over his cheeks.

"Mnn.. I need a new job." Rufus grumbled, wrapping his arms tight around Reeve's broad shoulders. Reeve lifted Rufus up into his arms and Denzel moved so he could lay down. The boy turned down the lights and watched the two men curl together, petting and touching and just simply... loving. Rufus could lose his entire empire and it would not matter as long as he had Reeve to come back to. Denzel smiled. Maybe one day he would understand that kind of love. He knew he was privileged to see this side of their ruthless President.

"I'll just go now.." Denzel scooted for the door.

"You do not have to go." Rufus mumbled from Reeve's chest.

"Come on, Denzel." Reeve held out his free hand. "Come lay with us. You are going to be part of this family soon."

Two pairs of shocked blue eyes met Reeve in that same instant. Two lost little boys that spent their days wandering the world wondering there would ever be a loving soul that could care. Wanting something more, something so meaningful that so many took for granted. The fabled 'family' and all the sweet fairytales that came along with it. Denzel moved closer and Reeve drew him and Rufus close. This was his family, the man he loved and would die for, the child he hoped one day to call his own. He'd grown very attached to Denzel in these weeks and he knew Rufus had as well though his pride would never permit him to say suich things.

Denzel heard Rufus whisper what might have been a 'thank you' but he was asleep too quickly to question. Reeve smiled down upon the blonde and kissed his brow, trailing fingers thoguh the silky strands. They really made an odd couple but Denzel had never seen anything so beautiful. Resting on his shoulder Denzel closed his eyes and drifted to the rich smell of his 'mother' figure. There was no doubt in his mind this would work. Never in his life had he been certain of anything, but this was something he knew.

He was finally home.

The month had flown by, it seemed, and Denzel once more stood in 7th Heaven. His clothes were clean, even if he still looked like a normal child. He couldn't stand all those stuffy clothes Rufus has tried to let him use, Reeve was a lifesaver. Cloud looked between them, mako eyes searching for anything that belied Denzel would even be the slightest bit unhappy but he could find nothing wrong with this idyllic picture.

"Well, Denzel?" he finally asked. "What did you think?"

"I think..." he reached up to hold the hands of his adoptive parents, Rufus shying at first but relenting. He was still adjusting to this 'caring father' role. "I finally found a home, Cloud."

"And?" he looked to the adults, "you two agree?"

"I do." Reeve ruffled Denzel's hair. "I rather enjoyed having him around."

"Yes, it was most enjoyable." Rufus agreed, "I never saw myself as a family man but I suppose if the shoe fits I will be willing to wear it."

Cloud sighed, not believing he was going to say this. "Then I guess he's yours. If there's any problem he is to come straight home. You hear me Denzel?"

"Yeah, Cloud!" The boy was already running off to go play with Marlene.

"Do not worry. Denzel is well cared for and Gaia help anyone that tries to interefere with that." Rufus sept Reeve's hand into his and kissed it. "I must go now. Take Denzel out tonight if you want, it will probably be another all-nighter."

"Alright." Reeve kissed him back the the blonde left.

"You really love him, don't you?" Cloud came to stand by Reeve outside, watching the two children race about.

"He has given me everything I ever wanted." Reeve's dark eyes outshone the sun, "I.. could ask for nothing more. He has given me a good job, a wonderful lover, and even a child. I have the family I always dreamed of."

Cloud couldn't help but smile himself. "I hope it all works out for you, Reeve."

"Thank you, Cloud." he motioned for Marlene and Denzel. "Mind if I borrow Marlene? I'm taking Denzel out for the day and he enjoys having her around."

Cloud nodded and the three packed into Reeve's little sedan, the old jallopy heaving ity way back into the city and out of sight. He never thought he'd see the day when Rufus Shinra honestly smiled or cared for another being, especially a child.

Well, he mused, there's a first time for everything.