Lean On Me (FF7)

42

~Cloud's POV~

"Are you sure?" I frown. Rufus just flipping killed her father on TV and then danced around his dead body (not literally). And now she wants to have the talk about adopting Denzel?!?! Is she insane?

"Positive," she nods. I catch Vincent's stare of disbelief and shrug as I take her hand and give it a comforting squeeze before walking down the hall with her.

"Cmon Denzel," I call back.

"Me too?" he frowns, following.

"Yeah."

We peek into the bunk room only to see Barret having a tea party with Marlene on the floor. He sees me and the sadness in his eyes is obvious as he takes in the sight of Yuffie.

"We can move for y'all..."

"Deck," is all Yuffie says before walking towards the stairs.

"Okay?" Barret raises an eyebrow and I shrug.

Denzel and I keep up easily with her slow pace and follow her outside. She sits down on a Shinra crate and props her chin up on her hands. I sit next to her and Denzel sits in front of us on the wooden floor.

"So...? What did you need to talk about?" he frowns.

"Not every talk means you're in trouble," I force a laugh and Yuffie gives a tight smile.

"Thank goodness," He sighs with relief.

"Do you wanna tell him?" she pleads with her reddish eyes.

"I have to, don't I?" I smile gently at her.

"You're starting to scare me," Denzel's eyes get a little bigger.

"I'm not trying to," I sigh. "Listen, some orphanage called me yesterday and said that we don't have any legal documents saying you can be with us right now..."

"You're sending me to an orphanage?" his voice wobbles.

"No!" we say at the same time.

"I was gonna go in maybe sometime this week and sign the freaking crap so that they don't take you away," I explain, rubbing my temples.

"I'm confused," Denzel frowns.

"I..."

"He's trying to ask if you would like to be Denzel Strife instead of just Denzel," Yuffie sighs.

"I... What?" Denzel's eyes light up as he tries to force a huge grin from spreading across his face.

"Pretty much," I shrug. " But none of that 'dad' crap. I'm just Cloud."

"You... I can't... You're adopting me?!?! Like, officially?!?!" his grin broadens.

"Sure, if you wanna call it that," I shrug, smiling back at him. My heart is pounding. Yes or no? Yes or no? Is this as stressful as asking someone to marry you? I hope not...

"Obviously I wanna be Denzel Strife," he laughs, tackling me in a hug that nearly knocks me overboard.

"You sound like Cloud just proposed to you or something," Yuffie laughs weakly.

"Ew!" he grimaces, laughing.

"But there's one thing," I say slowly, looking at Yuffie.

"Yeah?"

"Is Yuffie allowed to sign as 'Mother Yuffie'?" I smirk.

"Oh dear Lord no," she face palms and shakes her head.