Summary: Denzel's life takes a drastic change at his first kiss. And the real question becomes; who will this affect more - him or Cloud? It's so hard to let go of a child and welcome the adult they've become.

An a Child No Longer

Chapter One of the 'Denzel Chronicles'

By Ivy Tanté

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It started off as a typical day, until Denzel came home in a daze. Cloud, in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee before going back to his paperwork, was witness to the blank look and fumbling movements of his fifteen year old son. Blonde brows furrowed, the coffee cup hit the counter with a loud click of ceramic on stone as he all but leapt to Denzel's side.

"Denzel!" he said urgently, hands on the younger man's shoulders. "Are you all right?"

Blinking as though waking from a dream, Denzel gazed at Cloud as if unsure why he was suddenly there. Looking around, he seemed to realize where he was for the first time. "Uh, Cloud… What? What did you say?" There was such confusion in his eyes it was almost painful to behold.

Taking a moment to study his appearance, Cloud began to have an inkling of what was wrong, and he sternly suppressed his smile. There was dust all over his clothes, and what looked like wood chips ensnared in the material of his sweater. The teen's hair was mussed, lips blushed a deeper pink - and was there a slight mark on the side of Denzel's neck right under his ear? Inhaling, Cloud's enhanced senses caught the scent clinging to Denzel that he'd missed at first in his alarm.

Denzel didn't seem to be aware Cloud had released him. He looked over to find his father leaning against the kitchen counter again, sipping coffee while giving him an intimidating -and frighteningly knowing- stare. "Dad!" he yelped, instinctively clapping a hand over the small bruise visible despite the pulled-up collar of his sweater. "Um, I really need to start on my homework, I've got two projects to finish this weekend…" Edging towards the stairs, he didn't even make it to the first step before the deceptively quiet voice stopped him dead.

"Don't think you can walk away from me without an explanation, Denzel. All appearances aside, I can smell her on you," Cloud growled around the steaming mug lifted to his lips.

Denzel couldn't stop the gulp from sounding in the still quiet of the kitchen. It was hard to face the man that had become his father through circumstances many and varied. And although the urge to hang his head -or bolt like a Kalm Fang from the Fusion Sword- was strong, he squared his shoulders and turned, looking Cloud directly in the eyes. "Yes, dad?

A blonde eyebrow lifted at the almost defiant gesture, and vivid aquamarine eyes sparkled with wry humor.

Something of the look made Denzel remember that day two years ago, when Cloud had taken him for a ride into the countryside. Parking beside a small stream, the two had made themselves comfortable on sun-warmed boulders and tossed flat stones at the water, counting the number of times they skipped before sinking. It was so strange that Cloud seemed ill at ease, and Denzel had found himself making jokes and telling his adoptive father all the crazy antics his friends at school got into.

Then Cloud had cleared his throat and told him the facts of life. In minute and excruciating detail.

Stunned, mind reeling, Denzel didn't even remember the trip home. He came out of the fog to find himself in his bedroom, hands worrying the bedspread as he tried to comprehend all Cloud had said. And when he did, he could not -simply could not- even look at Cloud and Tifa for over a week. Because he suddenly understood all the talk of 'nightmares' on the nights he'd heard one of them scream. The strange thumps and bangs that echoed from their room on occasion. The storage door being locked sometimes when they did inventory. Or the sudden hasty shifting of clothes when he came upon them in the stairwell.

Asking his friends about this made him realize his parents weren't anything out of the ordinary. Once this sank in, he stopped avoiding Cloud and began asking quiet questions, his curiosity getting the better of his embarrassment. And though his father had turned an alarming shade of red more than once, he kept his word and answered those private and personal inquiries after making Denzel swear he would never repeat anything he was told, no matter the circumstances.

Denzel was aware he knew far more than most of his friends, who didn't have the type of open and honest relationship he shared with Cloud. And because of this, when Tifa had sat down with Marlene not that long ago on her thirteenth birthday to reveal those startling facts, he was ready when she turned to him. Giving her the courage to approach Tifa as he had Cloud had made him feel he was upholding the responsibilities entrusted to him as the older sibling.

Beside, he'd learned even more about sex when he'd bribed Marlene into telling everything she'd learned from Tifa by offering all the knowledge imparted by Cloud. It had really opened their eyes as to the different attitudes between men and women, that was for sure.

But now he didn't know what to say to his father. Denzel honestly couldn't recall how it all started.

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One moment he and Kera were running a race through the buildings of Edge, laughing and trying to toss things into each other's path to slow the other down. Despite all his training with Cloud and workouts with Tifa, Denzel was growing rapidly and was still uncoordinated sometimes by the seemingly overnight changes in his body. A tipped barrel sent him careening into a pile of scrap wood, knocking the breath out of him and showering him with dust and wood chips.

Shouting in fear, Kera snatched him upright, hands on either side of his face as she pleaded with him to be all right. Denzel had taken in the tears streaking down her cheeks and done what he had seen Cloud do on so many occasions - reaching out, he gently wiped them away, then pressed a comforting kiss on her forehead. The urge to sooth was pure and uncomplicated; Denzel had no ulterior motives other than to assure her he was fine so she would stop crying.

But it hadn't stayed pure. A sharply inhaled breath sounded, then Kera closed her eyes and touched his lips with her own. The shock reverberated through his entire body like a live wire had wrapped around his ankle. The jolt blew every thought from his head. In all honestly, it felt like he'd taken a jab in the solar plexus during practice.

When he did nothing but sit there and stare at her in astonishment, she tried to pull away, cheeks flushed and horror in her eyes. It was clear, even to his muddled mind, that because he hadn't reacted she thought he was disgusted by what she had done. Getting his numbed body to somehow move was the hardest thing he'd ever done. But his hand on her shoulder managed to stop her before she took off. "Kera," he said, then jumped at the strange -almost hoarse- sound of his own voice.

"I-I'm sorry, Denzel," face flaming, Kera had tried to avoid his searching eyes by turning to the side. Tears continued to course down her face, and she released him to angrily swipe at them. "I didn't mean to shock you or anything. I just…" Giving a sigh of defeat, she worked free of his hand and stood. "I should go home, it's getting late."

Knowing he would never catch her if she started running, he scrambled to his feet among flying dust and curly-cues of wood. Denzel caught her hand and pleaded, "Not yet, please, Kera! I need…" He flailed about desperately, trying hard to get his tongue working again. "I know I'm acting like an idiot, but that was my first kiss and…" The lopsided grin that appeared was so boyishly appealing Kera was moved to put her hand to his cheek again. "I'm a guy, Kera. We're emotional numbskulls, remember?"

"Right," she agreed, then turned shy. "Your first kiss?"

"Yes." Looking down, he cautiously pulled up one leg of his jeans just to make sure his shoes were still on his feet. At her confusion, he admitted, "Just making sure you didn't really blow off my boots, because it sure felt like it." The blush came fast and furious, so hot it made his cheeks feel blistered. His first kiss. Cloud had warned him of the inherent power of that event, but Denzel hadn't taken it seriously.

He sure did now.

The giggle that bubbled up from Kera relaxed him, and he carefully slid an arm around her waist to pull her a bit closer. "I didn't know you felt that way, Kera. I mean… I've always loved being around you, and you're the one I trust with my secrets. I guess…" Gulping, feeling totally out of his depth, he mumbled again, "I'm an idiot."

All of a sudden his knees wouldn't hold him up anymore. Kera went with him, ending up in his lap among the wood scraps and sawdust. They were laughing at first, amused by themselves as much as the situation. But as suddenly as it started, the laughter stopped as Denzel realized she was in his arms, body pressed to his, arms around his neck. "Kera," he said again in that strange, husky tone. Meeting his darkened eyes, she didn't pull away when he leaned closer to kiss her again.

The jolt was even stronger this time as one kiss became two, then more. Long moments passed with the only sound that of his heartbeat pounding in his ears. At some point when they parted, Kera gasped for a breath. Before he could stop himself, he took advantage and slid his tongue inside her mouth.

He would later remember -when he could think, that is- his reaction when Cloud mentioned French kissing once. The urge to gag at the thought of committing such an act had been too strong, and the ex-Soldier had burst out laughing at the revulsion on his young face. Cloud had promised he wouldn't keep that view if he ever tried it, and Denzel had vowed never, ever, not in a million years, oh Ifrit NO!

Denzel found out just how right his father had been.

Sweet. Hot. So good. He cupped a hand on the nape of her neck to keep her from pulling away as he experienced her taste for the first time. Breathing didn't seem necessary any more as he dragged out the contact, soothing her fretful sounds with soft murmurs of his own. He didn't really know what he was doing, but Kera wasn't trying to jerk away from him and the universe wasn't falling down around his ears, so he told that foolishly gibbering voice in the back of his mind to shove it and continued to kiss Kera.

Starving lungs finally forced them apart, and Kera buried her face against his neck. It gave Denzel time to recover, time to organize something resembling thought. Holding her, he became appallingly aware of his condition - and with her on his lap, she had probably been aware of it the entire time he'd kissed her.

"Oh, Kera!" If such an act wouldn't dump her unceremoniously into the wood pile, Denzel would be on his feet and running as though once more faced with Bahamut SIN. Shame made his face flame, and he jerked his arms from around the girl that had been his best friend since she moved into the neighborhood five years ago.

A girl that suddenly wasn't a girl any more than he was an innocent boy.

Her breathless laugh sounded in his ear as she wrapped her arms firmly around him neck to keep him still. "Silly Denzel," she whispered, her lips grazing the side of his neck. It was an unintentional caress; her sharp inhale let him know it affected her as strongly as it did him.

"Kera, that was the most incredible moment of my life, but if you don't get off my lap and give me a second to figure out what my name is…" Denzel gasped, nerves almost overloaded with all the stimulation.

His gratitude knew no bounds as she did as he asked, still laughing softly at the both of them. It was amusing, really, and soon he was chuckling right along with her. "I feel so foolish," he finally admitted as he sat there in the wood chips and sawdust, holding her hand, his thumb rubbing softly against her palm. "I had no idea all that was inside me. Guys really are clueless, aren't we?"

Touched, Kera leaned her head on his shoulder. "I've liked you for a long time, Denzel. You're not like the other boys. You don't talk to my chest, you don't try to grope. You're fun and silly and don't even mind when I fuss over my clothes or hair. You listen to what I say, and argue with me when you don't agree."

"The other boys don't have Cloud as a father, either," he said quietly, staring at their entwined hands.

Startled, Kera pulled back enough to cup his face in her hands again, "He always seems so laid-back, Denzel! I never thought he was hard on you!"

Shaking his head, Denzel very gently corrected her, "He isn't." Unable to look at her, he turned his attention to the sunlight streaming into the alley as he said, "Its how he responds to Tifa. He acts like you've said. I heard one of the customers comment how deeply he worships her, and the guy was right. And it's more than just the respect he has for her; its all the ways he proves that he loves her, that he doesn't want to live his life without her. And I know this because he told me." Denzel added when Kera looked at him in surprise. "When he gave me The Talk. Even though it embarrassed the Ifrit out of him to say something like that."

Kera took a moment to process this before saying quietly, "I've know how I felt about you for some time, Denzel. Am I too much of a friend for you to think of us this way?" Her voice quavered halfway through and the remainder of the question was little more than a whisper.

"Tifa has always been Cloud's best friend," he assured quietly, taking her hand in his again. A rueful glance at his lap made Kera start laughing as he continued, "And I can't hide my reaction no matter how I want to right now." Glancing around, he mused almost to himself, "Some of these planks are big enough to crawl behind and hide."

Suddenly her laughter played against his mouth as she kissed him again. His heart stuttered as he tried to put his fumbling hands somewhere that wouldn't get him slapped silly; the awkwardness was forgotten as her taste, her smell, the feel of her surrounded him. Long moments passed before the need to breathe once more forced them apart. Again she nuzzled his neck, her cheeks a becoming pink.

"Does that mean… you'll be my-" Try as she might, Kera couldn't get the word out. Biting her lip, she continued to hide her face against his neck.

Stroking up and down her back, Denzel struggled to get his heart rate under control. Something about Kera just shredded his will in ways he'd never experienced. And irreverently, he acknowledged that the legendary Cloud Strife, ex-Soldier and savior of the planet, was about to have some very awkward questions asked of him in the next few days.

"Will I be your boyfriend?" he asked, amazed at the calmness that flowed over him at those words. "I guess that depends on if you want me for your boyfriend." Moving carefully, he pulled her away from him so she had to look him directly in the eye. "I would like to be. Will you be my girlfriend, Kera?"

Luminous eyes gazed shyly into his. And for the first time, Denzel realized just how beautiful Kera was. That honey-brown hair that swirled hypnotically around her face and shoulders, the deep slate eyes that would narrow wickedly when mischief was afoot. Her face reminded him somewhat of Cloud - triangular in shape, it made her eyes look huge and her lips so soft and sweet. Always active, always running at top speed, her body was as slim and agile as his, but he hadn't allowed himself to see how nature was sculpting her shape. But he'd been forced to confront those soft curves today when they'd embraced so tightly.

Unable to speak, she nodded, then gulped.

Denzel's smile lit up the alley. Bringing her hand to his heart, he pledged, "I promise to always be at your side, no matter the circumstances. I know you don't need a hero, because you can take care of yourself very well, but I would be honored to fight for or with you."

She could feel the sure and steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. She could feel the strength of his promise in the directness of his gaze. And she accepted his pledge.

The next moments were lost as the kiss dragged on, sweet whispers sounding as mouths clung. When they came up for air, she was in his lap again, gasping for breath, face tucked against his neck. Unable to help herself, she tilted her chin and fastened her lips to the side of his neck. A moan broke the silence of the alley as she marked his skin.

"Goddess, Kera. You have GOT to get off my lap," Denzel begged, all but insensible with the strength of his reaction.

Knowing how uncomfortable he must be, she complied. It took awhile for him to calm down enough to leave the alley with any semblance of composure. But neither was willing to let go of the other, and they held hands as they headed down the walkway. Several of their friends noticed and there were a few shouts and catcalls; blushing, they continued on without acknowledging the sometimes rude comments.

Ever the gentleman, Denzel walked her home and left her waving from the front steps. But his eyes lingered on hers for as long as she was in sight on his way to the bar, and his thoughts kept his feet some distance from the ground.

And then he walked in the back door and faced that legendary ex-Soldier…

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Shifting his feet, wondering how he could sink into the tile work beneath his boots, Denzel wasn't sure how to answer. The euphoria of the afternoon faded under the stern, intense blue of Cloud's stare. "I-" he started, then stopped when the words just wouldn't come.

Cloud sighed, putting down his coffee cup. "Come with me; Tifa is due home any moment and you need to get cleaned up. If she sees you like this, all Shiva will break loose."

Following Cloud up the stairs, he complied when told to get into clean clothes then meet him in the bathroom. As Denzel washed his face and brushed the wood chips out of his hair, Cloud sat on the toilet and just stared at his hands like he didn't know how to handle the situation any more than his son did. Suddenly too weary to continue, Denzel slid to the floor and put his face in his hands. The enormity of the change in his relationship with Kera hit him like a blow, and all the calm self-assurance that carried him through that event fled; a sob escaped.

Warm, comforting arms encircled him as Cloud knelt beside him. With the warmth came that scent that was so unique to Cloud; wind, rain, thunder, lightning. Though he was no longer a child, Denzel found himself leaning into those arms, relishing the feel of his father's lips pressed to his temple. "Tell me," Cloud breathed, his voice a quiet murmur.

Between hitching breaths, Denzel told him about the afternoon. Spilled out his feelings and uncertainties, repeated the pledge he'd made. Cloud remained quiet throughout, doing nothing that could distract his son from speaking so freely. And when the tears were spent and Denzel lay wearily in his arms, Cloud allowed his head to rest briefly against the teen's.

"I'm proud of you, Denzel," he said in that quietly intense way of his. "You handled the situation the only way it could be without serious repercussions. And you didn't frighten her or make her feel threatened, and put her at ease by admitting your own uncertainties and doubts." Releasing him, Cloud rose agilely to his feet and offered Denzel a hand up. "The trust of a woman is both a fragile and incredibly powerful thing, my son. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't, dad." As always, it was a shock to look Cloud Strife directly in the eye - at fifteen, Denzel was the same height as his father. It was embarrassing, and it was amusing.

Smiling, because he knew exactly what Denzel was thinking, Cloud ruffled his now wood-less hair and chuckled low in his throat. "Height isn't a mark of greatness, kid. Tifa is shorter than me but can still kick my butt -and yours too, chum- during sparring if I don't have my sword." The grin turned rueful as he admitted, "And there are times even the Fusion Sword can't help me out."

"Dad, I…" Clearing his throat, Denzel warned, "I have a few more questions for you. About…" He swallowed, trying to find the courage from earlier, "Not just about sex, but about keeping control. And what to do about these… urges…" The floor needs to open up now, and chomp me right down, he thought, staring at the scarred toes of his boots.

"I know you do. And I'll answer them as best I can."

Something in the tone made Denzel look at the man he'd always considered his father, even before it became official. Incredibly, Cloud was blushing a bright red and wouldn't look Denzel in the eye. And he suddenly understood that control wasn't always a possibility, and understanding those urges he mentioned didn't help sometimes in the heat of the moment.

What worked was mutual respect, and a deep abiding care for each other.

Then the awkwardness was gone as Cloud opened his arms, and Denzel clung to him tightly. "You've grown up on me, Denzel. I turned around, and my son became a man." Framing his face with strangely gentle hands, Cloud looked long and hard into his eyes -eyes so startlingly like his own, even without the Mako glow- before saying, "Come to the office with me. I think it's time Strife Delivery Service expanded." Stepping away, he opened the bathroom door and said over his shoulder, "The man who designed Fenrir is retired, but his son has taken over the business. You'll need something heavy and powerful when working around Kalm and the surrounding area."

Running after Cloud, Denzel panted out when he reached the office door, "You mean it? I can start working with you? Have my own bike?" He could hardly believe this was happening, all in the same day.

"Yes, I mean it. But," and here Cloud impaled his son with a look that almost froze him in place, "if your grades drop, I'll take the route away from you." Pulling a catalog from his desk, he tossed it onto the cot beside him and motioned to it. "You'll need a weapon, and the swords I wield are too heavy for you to use. You're good with your fists like Tifa, but a bladed weapon or a gun of some kind will be more versatile in our line of work."

Tentatively Denzel sat on the cot, opened the catalog. And realized, with all the force of a lightning bolt, that Cloud wasn't looking at him as a child any longer. The pride that swelled within him brought stinging tears to his eyes; manfully he forced them down and focused on the pictures in the magazine…

…So he missed the single tear that ran down the side of Cloud Strife's face as the ex-Soldier said goodbye to his child, and welcomed the man he had become.