A/N: Is it just me, or are these getting shorter?

Anyhow. The prompt 'Return' I thought would be nice for Cloud and Denzel again. I see Denzel and Cloud's relationship to be a slightly rocky one. Denzel doesn't really believe that Cloud will stay and remember him, so he always has to wait for Cloud to come back home. Cloud never expects anyone to be waiting for his return, so he's always surprised to see Denzel there. I think their's is a very timid father-son type of relationship that can and will grow stronger as the two get used to each other. That and I love writing these two. =)

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII Characters and Places belong to Square Enix.

He sat on the front steps of the bar Seventh Heaven, chin resting in his palms as he looked out at the crowded street. He was waiting once again, as he did every day since the day he had first come to Seventh Heaven.

He watched with curious blue eyes, sight slightly obscured by curly brown hair, as people walked back and forth from point A to point B. There were couples walking with their hands interlinked, talking to each other about some plans they had for that night; there were a few kids running around playing some sort of game, glancing at Denzel and wondering if they should invite him to play. Whenever they looked over at him, he just smiled a little and shook his head; he was waiting.

Suddenly, he heard a motorcycle on the road and looked up excitedly to see the dark, shiny black vehicle that had first attracted him weeks ago. The rider stopped in front of the bar and got off, taking off goggles and locking the bike, setting the alarm in case someone tried to take it. He turned hen, wiping back spiky blonde hair, and caught sight of Denzel sitting there, looking at him with wide, bright eyes. "…Hey, Denzel," Cloud Strife greeted then, walking over and ruffling up his hair. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting."

Cloud paused, looking at Denzel with surprise, before a half-smile came to his face and he nodded, opening the door for Denzel. "I see," he mumbled quietly as they boy walked in. Denzel looked back at Cloud as he walked into the bar, closing the door. "And what were you waiting for?"

"For you to come home." Cloud smiled just the tiniest bit then, though it was a full-fledged smile all the same.

Denzel always waited for him to return, after all.