#tifa is getting shy

[mejomonster]

I finished final fantasy vii rebirth and. Some mixed opinions.

The main good points: as a Sequel to original FF7? Its good. The women are all written well (which was a concern considering Kairi and Lunafreya in past games), and everyone was in character just fleshed out more (with 2 slight exceptions). What the game did best was accomplish an open world game, world spanning adventure, stick fairly well to some main highlights from original ff7 (which is what people wanted for ages) and with new stuff thats fun if you like the world, very little wasting of player time (so much better than ff7 remake). It did open world well, pacing well, side quests and mini games well, characters well, combat well, and overall gave the feel of what square enix was maybe Hoping and Wishing to successfully accomplish in a mainline game for years but either hasnt been able to achieve on a technical level or fumbled in the past. (So no time wasting dungeons like ff7 remake, fleshed out open world with stuff you enjoy doing so more than ff15, open world so more than ff13, and combat that feels like things theyve learned and improved on well). How it feels to play? Great, fast paced, no dead time, all enjoyable game you came to play. (With the exception maybe of Cait Siths box mandatory mini game and the aerith in ancient temple magic platforms thing but they both werent too difficult to push through if you dont enjoy them).

The bad? Mostly... if you treat Rebirth as a SEQUEL to original ff7, these arent major issues. They just annoy me as a player of the original ff7 game. Because i know plenty of people will ONLY play ff7 Remake and Rebirth etc, and never know the original characterizations. So 2 characters were slightly unlike their original ff7 selves, and instead more like their Advent Children (and general non ff7 appearances) selves: aerith and sephiroth. Sephiroth's character being NOT like ff7 originals is more irritating personally. Because yeah... i get it. As a sequel to original ff7, this Remake/Rebirth Sephiroth might be from the future (so he is Advent Children esque version of himself), hes had time post losing his way to really get all mysterious and hyperfocus on cloud and be a looming vague pest. But the thing is... in the original ff7 the reason we learn hes used to be a SOLDIER war hero, is so the cast and you are confused why he kills Shinra people. Then you and the casy figure: well cloud remembers sephiroth finding out hes a monster cause of shinra, justifiable for sephiroth to hate shinra. Unflrtunately Sephiroth also decided to hate ALL HUMANS. Then you later find out maybe Jenovas controlling Sephiroth/one with him etc. But the key here is you find out at some point in original ff7 that sephiroths goal is mainly Destroy World because Hes not Human. Rebirth... does not clarify this very important and very BASIC point ever. Maybe it assumes its so basic that as a ff7 fan you should know.. but plenty of new players wont. Rebirth clarifies yes sephiroth may be Jenovas kid... but the whole MOM, im an ancient like Jenova! Oh Jenova isnt an ancient oh well fuck humans anyway! Either way fuck humans ill kill them all! None of those Very basic sephiroth motives are clarified much. I felt Rebirth did good explaining the Gi and the black materia. But to make Sephiroths motives so vague, why he wants to end the world SO VAGUE, why hes in clouds head (the black robes are everywhere but the game HINTS theure sephiroth clones but never actually spells it out eevn though its a BASIC KEY DETAIL). Now... because Rebirth is a sequel, it makes sense... if hes Advent Children Sephiroth he already knows he isnt an ancient, knows hes Jenovas kid, knows he wants to fuck with Cloud specifically now and the world generally but not necessarily so singlemindedly desperate to just kill all humans. So yes, Sephiroth is in character for his future self... but i feel like even with him less SINGLE MINDED and freshly with Jenova, clarifying some basics of his Original old timeline motives... would be helpful to new fans. So it annoyed me. I think the biggest Not Good writing decision in Rebirth was to never fucking clarify Sephiroths original basic goal: im not human like mom, hate humans, kill world. I suspect the writers either thought players KNEW so hinted instead of being on the nose (but to new players theyll just be CONFUSED), or they plan to explain those basic things in game 3. Which seems stupid to me and shouldve been explained earlier.

And Aerith. As a sequel? She remembered the other timeline which explained some moments she was calmer than original ff7. She forgot, then toward the end of Rebirth she seems to have remembered the other timeline again and that she needs to die and X happens etc. So her being calmer based on the plot they wrote for Rebirth? Makes sense. However... i deeply miss her Original FF7 personality where as an Ancient she freaks out a bit LIKE sephiroth, paralleling him, that shes not human, a freak, that it all rests on her as only one ancient left. Their overwhelm parallels each other. Aerith is more scared in original ff7 of being the only ancient, of what it means, of finding out more. That fear is slightly there in Rebirth but WAY LESS. its only a little in cosmo canyon and almost gone in the Ancient Temple. In ff7 expanded universe theyve changed her character over time to a calmer wiser goddess type like in Advent Children, and so yes in Rebirth when she remembers the alrernate timeline it makes sense she'd be calmer like her future self. However... i miss original ff7 aerith. I miss her initial shock, loneliness, fear of the weight on her shoulders, not being sure what to do. Her and Sephiroth, because of Rebirth writing them to know more, act more like their future selves and so. While it is in character and logical to the Rebirth plot. Its also sad to me that anyone who only plays Remake and Rebirth simply wont see what they were like WHEN these revelations were brand new shocks to them, forcing them to react and grow and fear. I dont think Aerith is written bad, i just think because this game is in reality is a Sequel im just personally mourning that it didnt have that as much of the original Aerith's personality who was afraid and discovering. Mostly her Rebirth personality is similar to original ff7s. But in some high tension moments shes way calmer and wiser than in the original. I miss getting to see some of that before to after character growth.

Oh and. The aerith dies scene. Does it make sense in context of Rebirth written as a sequel? Sure. Is it impactful? Not as much as the original. In Rebirth, theres a scene where Cloud is losing control and listening to Sephiroth and attacks Tifa, causing Tifa to fall into mako. That scene is high stakes and emotional and lands WELL. Later in Rebirth, when Aerith actually dies, Cloud has not lost control and isnt the one who killed her. Its fine, as a sequel to ff7 i get the choice to make him able to stop himself from hurting her. But it does make the scene less impactful: now cloud will NOT be blaming himself for her death, will not be struggling with the guilt and fear, and will not be as terrified of losing control again. Since he wasnt the one who attacked her. And since he saw her ghost/something post death, hes not even sad or grieving her. He thinks shes fine. These 2 things will result in a WILDLY DIFFERENT cloud moving forward than the original ff7 one who very much was distraught and horrified he did that. So like... as a sequel its fine these changes were made. But death wise... i wouldve prefered like, cloud drops her from up high qhile struggling with whispers, or doesnt get to her in time and sephiroth stabs her when shes too far away. The way Rebirth did it, cloud was near her, she gets stabbed anyway. It seemed to me almost like the writing was trying to vaguely or softly kill her, like somehow making it vague would make it hurt less. Yeah it did hurt less... but id rather if a character i love dies that its a Worthy Scene for them to die in. A strong meaningful scene that makes me cry, that felt like the loss it is. The Rebirth scene... couldve done its plot as intended and just make Cloud farther away or something and it wouldve been better to me. Maybe the writing point was Cloud thinks its fine, and its still not, and he cant even feel distaught because he cant tell if she died or if things are fine? Thats the only angle i can see where maybe the death scene did what the writers wanted? Anyway. Aeriths moms death made me sob, Aeriths death did not. It is what it is. I feel like Tifa, crying in my heart off screen, the game acting like Cloud like its fine and it looks fine to him but im confused like Tifa aa to why hes (the game) treating it that way. Lol.

Overall? Um 4/5. 8/10? Really solid square enix game, Amazing as far as final fantasy 7 SEQUELS go. It has one main weak spot in treating Sephiroth fully mysterious when a few clarifying details could help the game stand on its own Better (and make Sephiroth a stronger enemy character instead of a vaguer one). The other weak spots are more my personal preference and mourning the parts of ff7 original i miss and had wished were in this, but as this is a Sequel in a parallel timeline i dont feel the parts effect Rebirth on its own merit. It IS the best Square Enix game ive played in ages, at least since Final Fantasy X or XII. I thought it was better than FF13, FF15, definitely better than ff7 remake (i hate time wasting dungeons and bad pacing its a dealbreaker), and than kh3 (although kh3 was quite good for a kh sequel). I get to play FF16 next, which will hopefully be as good as Rebirth or better! Since its also on the PS5 and clearly from Rebirth, the square enix main team can do excellent combat, open world, level design, mini games, side quests, and good pacing now. So i'll just have to see if ff16's story is better. And i am guessing it hopefully will be, since Rebirth as an ff7 sequel has some weirdness to its plot quite typical of ff7 extended universe stories like Crisis Core and Dirge of Cerberus. Whereas ff16 is a brand new plot, so they have nothing preventing them from a tight excellent written story except themselves. I am curious how BIG ff16s world will be though. Because ff7 Rebirths world was MASSIVE and very full of stuff, tons of mini games, cool stuff to find or do or little character side quests. If ff16 also takes me 60 hours to beat the main story its gonna be thw longest final fantasy main title ive ever played.

Rebirth is very replayable if you enjoyed it. I will probably replay ff7 original soon.

[astrxealis]

my tita's taste in video game characters is so silly i love it

[randoimago]

okay before the ask box closes, i wanna request something 👉🏻👈🏻

may i ask for cloud, zack & sephiroth (ff7) surprising their s/o for their birthday? maybe what gifts they'd get them, where they'd take them or something along those lines ^^

Fandom: Final Fantasy

Character(s): Cloud, Sephiroth, Zack

Note(s): Here you go! I hope you enjoy <33

Cloud

He has no idea what kind of things you like. He goes to Aerith for help with what kind of present to get you. Cloud ends up being scolded by her (and Tifa when she hears he doesn't know what his S/O likes).

When it is time for your birthday, he has a bouquet of flowers that Aerith helped him pick out. He doesn't really have many date ideas, so he takes you to Seventh Heaven because it's a comfortable location and familiar.

When you're not looking, Tifa gives him a look and she and him have a secret conversation before he rolls his eyes (at her nagging) and turns to you. He's a bit shy but offers you his hand as he suggests talking a small, evening walk with him.

Sephiroth

Considering he's a famous soldier, he's got enough money that he's not worrying too much about being able to afford a gift. Although, he still doesn't buy you one. The previous mission he was on, he managed to find a very pretty gemstone that he had fashioned into something you could wear.

Sephiroth doesn't say anything when your birthday approaches. He waits until you bring it up, a bit pouty that he "forgot". Sephiroth gives an apology and teases about a Loveless play that he could sneak you both into.

Instead, he takes you somewhere where you can look at the sky with him. He pulls some strings so you can get out of Midgar with him and actually see an unpolluted sky filled with stars. That's when he'd give you the gift he had made.

Zack

He panicked too much about what to give you. He knows your birthday is soon and there's just too many options of what he can buy for you. Zack almost says "Screw it!" and buys everything, but he doesn't want to overwhelm you.

Instead, for your birthday, he takes you around the sectors to various street stalls and merchants and let's you pick out the things you like, which he'll gladly buy you. He's done enough missions that he has the gil.

Zack is also hoping that he'll see something especially nice while he's spending the night out with you. He'd like to actually surprise you with a gift too, but most of his focus is with making sure you have a great time.

[drabblesandimagines]

I wouldn't mind holding your hand. I guess.

13 from creativepromptsforwriting's Grumpy Affectionate Dialogue list.

Cloud Strife x reader Fluff

--

"So, how'd it go?" Tifa asks the second you've walked through the door - it hadn't even closed properly behind you yet. Had she been waiting to pounce? "We don't say hello now?" You raise an eyebrow, shrugging off your jacket. You’d been dreading her interrogation - it had been a sleepless night.

"Hello.” She grins. “How'd it go?" She puts her hands down on the counter and leans forward as you approach.

"Fine." You shrug, going to lift up the latch to join her behind the bar, but Tifa is quick – shifting so she’s now leaning on top of it, blocking your entrance.

“You pay me to work here, remember?”

“And do you see any customers? Anyway, this is important. I don’t think you understand how rare it is to go on a date with Cloud Strife. Spill!”

You sigh, sitting down heavily on the stool. Really, you should’ve known that the brunette would be keen to hear every single detail…

You’d started working at Seventh Heaven nearly four months ago now. Before Meteor, you’d worked in Wall Market as a cocktail waitress, doing bar tricks to earn tips off a bunch of Shira employees. It was just by chance you’d been walking by when Tifa had put up the help wanted sign in the window. The two of you had got on immediately and your skills honed behind the bar meant you could really start straightaway. The first time you’d seen Cloud walk in, you were immediately attracted to him - the blue eyes, blonde hair, the muscular, toned arms on display... Who wouldn’t be? He, however, seemed very indifferent to you, though Tifa disagreed. “He’s shy. He likes you - I promise."

It felt odd at first when she deemed herself a matchmaker – Cloud and her shared an apartment, with two kids – Denzel and Marlene – she assured you they were strictly platonic and she’d love to see him without a scowl on his face. Apparently he was always interested when you were working, especially if you were on a closing shift. Now everyone was based in Edge, all sorts frequented the bar. You’d experienced the same in Wall Market and weren’t afraid to cut people off but it was nice to have some sort of muscle around in case anyone became a little out of line. You thought it was Tifa’s doing, as Cloud would always offer up his services on the nights you were responsible for closing, even walking you home afterwards. When you’d thank him, he’d shrug, saying not to think anything of it.

He was chivalrous, you’d reasoned, trying not to get your hopes up there was something more to it, until two nights ago when he’d lingered at the point he’d usually head off when you’d unlocked your front door.

“Wait.” You span round on your heels at the sound of his voice, surprised that he’d gone off routine. “Erm, would you… Would you like to have dinner tomorrow night? With me.”

“With you?” You’re stunned.

“Forget I said-“

“No, I’d love to.” You interrupted, worried you’d blown it.

“Okay. Great. Er, I’ll text you.” And Cloud had then strode off into the night before you could say another word.

He’d texted - you assumed he’d got your number off Tifa from her string of texts the next morning - saying he’d pick you up from yours at 7, that he’d got a table at a restaurant nearby. You’d walked past it a few times but never been, and it seemed a popular spot for first dates - intimate, yet not overly fancy. He’d arrived promptly, saying you looked "nice" and that’s where things had gone a little downhill. There was nothing that happened to really distinguish this as a date...

“He didn’t get within three feet of me at any time the walk there, or the walk back. I know he’s quiet, but besides asking me if the food was okay, he didn’t say much at all at dinner. And then, after he’d walked me home, I said I’d had a really nice time, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, thinking he was nervous, you know?" Tifa nods. "But then he stepped forward, thanked me and clapped me on the shoulder, before he strode off.” You lay your head down on your arms. “It was a pity date, Tifa.”

“Okay, Cloud’s more hopeless than I thought,” she pats you gently on the head, “but it wasn’t a pity date. He set it all up because he wanted to take you out, I promise.”

“He could’ve swung that big sword of his all around him and not hit me, the distance he was keeping.” You continue talking into your arms, your voice muffled.

“I’ll talk to him.”

“No, don’t!" Your head shoots up, “That’ll make me look and feel even more pathetic. I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s a wake-up call.”

“You’re not pathetic. He’s just shy. Plus, I bet he’s feeling even worse than you are. He was out before I even woke up this morning.” She pauses, grinning slyly. “I did think that he might’ve stayed the night at yours…”

Your face flushes at that. “What?! No. He couldn’t get away from me fast enough.” The door opens and the two of you look, you praying it's not Cloud. "Delivery!" A man chirps. "Enough about my dismal love life, okay?" You get to your feet and go to take in the stock.

--

You got home that evening just after 6pm, preparing yourself for a quiet evening and an early night after the sleepless one before. It was surprising when there was a knock at the door an hour or so later – you weren’t expecting anyone. You looked through the eyehole and were nervous to see the tell-tale spikes of blonde hair, a nervous expression across Cloud’s face. Had Tifa spoken to him? Oh, Shiva…

You unlock the door, pulling it open cautiously.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” He smiles, a little awkwardly, but it’s sweet too. “Sorry, are you busy? I should’ve texted…”

“No, not at all.” You curse inwardly, you could’ve phrased that differently, sound more aloof. “What brings you here?”

“Uh, yeah…” It’s then you notice he has a hand behind his back. It’s quickly whipped out in front of you, holding a small, handpicked bouquet of pink, white and yellow flowers. “I wanted to give you these.”

“Cloud…” Your eyes widen, taking in the display. They’re the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen. “Thank you.” You accept them delicately, worried they might wilt instantly if you’re too rough with them.

“Would you like to go for a walk?”

“Sure. Let me just put these in water. Erm, do you want to come in?” You step back in anticipation.

“No, I’ll wait here.” He folds his arms.

“Oh, okay,” you nod. “I won’t be long.” You let the door swing close behind you, still holding the flowers so delicately. He delivers you hand-picked flowers but doesn’t want to come in? Is he breaking up with you? Can you break up even if you weren’t together in the first place? You grab a glass, filling it with water from the tap and placing the small bouquet in gently, before setting it down in the windowsill. You wonder if you’ll look at them in the same light when you return.

--

Edge, like its predecessor, had never been a pretty city in the desert. In the early evening though, fairy lights donned by the surrounding buildings cast a nice glow about the place and it was quiet as the two of you strolled through. Cloud hadn’t been the most talkative, as usual. Sometimes it looked like he wanted to say something, a comment on the tip of his tongue, but then his mouth would close and he’d nod to whatever nonsense you were spouting to fill the silence. It was at one of those moments when you hadn’t particularly been paying attention to where you were walking, catching your foot on an uneven part of the ground. You brace yourself for the impact and the embarrassment, but a hand grabs your own, yanking you back and upright, another hand on the small of your back – Cloud.

“You okay?” His brow is furrowed in concern. Your heart is thudding at the shock of tripping, or maybe the closeness of you two? It’s hard to tell.

“Y-yeah. Sorry, clumsy,” you know your face is red. “Thanks.” The hand from your back falls away, deeming your balance stable enough but your other hand isn’t released straightaway. You look down at the appendage in question, Cloud’s hand firmly clasped around yours. His eyes follow what you’re looking at and he seems to realise as his cheeks grow flush in the dim light of dusk, letting go abruptly.

“Do you even like me?” The question slips out of your mouth before you can even think what you’re saying. He looks almost startled by the directness of it.

“I thought the date and flowers made that obvious.”

“The flowers, okay, but the date and just now… Like, I know not everyone’s keen on public displays of affection, but you don’t even want to be within arm’s length of me…”

“I wouldn’t mind holding your hand. I guess.” It’s mumbled, his blue eyes directing at the ground.

“What?” You wonder if you misheard.

“I’d quite like to, to be honest. I’m just…” He meets your eyes at this point. “I haven’t really done this before.”

“That’s okay, neither have I.”

He looks sceptical. “That can’t be true.”

“I wasn’t exactly surrounded by gentlemen wanting to sweep me off my feet in Wall Market,” you smile. “Besides, it means we can try and work this stuff out together, if you want.” You hold your hand out, hoping he won’t notice the slight tremor.

To your relief, he takes it, deftly lacing his fingers through your own.

“I’d like that.”

- Masterlist . Requests welcome . Ko-fi

[sephifrog]

Cloud (ff7, advent children, crisis core)

Crisis core Cloud

Flustered and shy

Determined to impress you

He and Zack gush about you and Areith respectively

Simp™

Plays with his fingers a lot when he first realised he liked you

If you work for Shinra he tries to eat lunch with you

Wingman Zack

If you grew up together he thinks about you and Tifa a lot and has a photo of you kissing his cheek

Childhood sweethearts 

One of the reasons he wanted to be a soldier is because he saw you gushing over Sephiroth

FF7 cloud

Would be hesitant to get close to you holding you at arm's length

Permanent “not interested” on his tongue 

He is still sensitive even with his cold persona so he does react if you try to fluster him it will work but man is a grump

If you aren’t a fighter he would huff about it and ask for more Gil (he wouldn't take it though)

If you knew him pre-crisis core you and Tifa worry about him together, talking in hushed voices when together wondering if you should ask why he thinks he's Zack

If he did know you pre-everything he's a bit nicer but not by much lets you get away with a little more you can get closer 

Kiss his cheek he gets bright red but walks away

After Areith he worries about you almost to a possessive degree but he's also still holding people away so no one can tell

Advent Children Cloud

Hahaha man ghosted you (I would cry hard, it would hurt my feelings so bad)

When he’s alone and knows he’s safe he will settle down for the night and listen to your voicemails

He’s afraid to give anyone the stigma especially you, he doesn’t want to lose you even though dumbarse is already losing you

You love him though so try your hardest to stay patient 

When you find out he has the stigma you want to yell at him for trying to be alone but just pull him into your arms, he tries to fight it but he can’t he’s missed this

As the fight begins you stay with the kids keeping them safe worried for your partner

When it’s all over you kiss in Areith’s church (he can hear Zack cheer)

[dutchdread]

Got a question why do some fans say tifa know the real cloud when in ff7 original she says they were never close as kids in the life stream scene? Even in remake and rebirth she say on the gs ride I can't remember us ever being this close before. Doesn't that make the playing field equal for aerith because tifa didn't know the real cloud either right?

I don't know if they're saying she "knows the real" Cloud, because I sort of agree, she doesn't really get to "know" the real Cloud until he bears his soul to her in the lifestream sequence. I think it's better to say that Tifa is "connected" to the real Cloud, narratively speaking, while Aerith is not.

First though I have to address the misconception that Tifa and Cloud weren't close as kids. They were, traces of two pasts gives us some insight into the childhood of Tifa and Cloud, and in it we learn that Tifa and Cloud were closer when they were VERY young, but grew apart later on. The implication is that this is when Cloud started developing feelings for Tifa, which caused him to distance himself. But there is still a difference between that and Aeriths connection. I think the best scene to explain this is the most obvious one, the water tower scene. In the water tower scene we discover that while Tifa likes Cloud, she wasn't sure yet what sort of "like". Mirroring Aeriths scene at the end of rebirth. But while Aeriths scene ends with the "but" of "liking, BUT not like liking", Tifas story goes a little different. Cloud says he'll be a soldier, and that he's not like other boys, not knowing that this was the 4th time someone has said this to her. And yet, the proclamation didn't disappoint her. Because it's not the alure of Cloud being a famous soldier that catches Tifas eye.

"she'd discovered that Cloud - the quiet neighbour who had always seemed as unreachable as the stars - was just a normal boy like any other. She'd come to understand that she did like him. And it was that special kind of "like" - the one that ties up your heart, making you yearn to be with that person for the rest of your days.

It's that moment, where Cloud bears his soul to her for the first time, when he's "just a boy", that Tifa falls in love. In other words, Tifa fell in love with the exact antithesis of the fake soldier persona that he put on later in life. The irony, and beauty, of this story lies in the fact that Cloud believed he needed to be this heroic soldier for Tifa to notice him, but all he really needed to be was just a boy with some dreams, he just needed to be himself, to be human. For Tifa, Cloud was already a hero just as he was, the boy that followed her up the mountain.

When Tifa meets Soldier Cloud, she's put-off by his eyes and his soldier persona, because that's not who she hoped to see. She hoped to see that hopeful shy boy from Nibelheim that asked her to come to the water tower. Meanwhile Aerith liked his eyes and soldier persona, because that IS who she hoped to see, only in Zack. She's longing for the boy she's wearing pink for, whom she sent letters to for 4 years. Of whom it was her one wish to "spend more time with". Both girls in essence are looking for that connection with the fake Cloud/Zack conglomeration. But only Tifa has the real connection, because at the heart of the fake Cloud lies the real Cloud, and not Zack. Which is why her dates and interactions with Cloud go naturally, because that's his heart shining through from underneath the fake persona. And that's why all the dates with Aerith are so rough, because Aerith is bouncing energy off of him in a way that would work with Zack, but Cloud is not Zack, and because of that the entire thing feels forced and unnatural.

[skywheeldate]

Analyzing the Skywheel Dates

Unable to wait patiently for the Ultimania releasing next month, I wanted to provide my own analysis of the Skywheel dates between Cloud/Tifa and Cloud/Aerith.

By analyzing Cloud's behavior on these two dates, which are explicitly more romantic than the other four, I aim to understand why the dates played out the way they did and what was going through the character's heads during them.

Tifa Date:

What sticks out in most player's minds during the date is the kiss Cloud gives Tifa while riding the Skywheel, and it's easy to see why! It's the first time Cloud has kissed a woman on screen, after all. But I have seen fans state that this proves Cloud likes Tifa more, and while I hate to get myself involved in any shipping war, I feel there is a more interesting conclusion we can draw based on the timeline of events throughout both remake games.

First, I want to direct you to this caption from the Remake Ultimania:

When Cloud gives Tifa the flower, he wants to "Show off a youthful image of what he himself wants to be like"...

I think this caption is very important to helping us understand why Cloud was able to be so bold as to kiss the girl he was always too shy to befriend as a child. And I think it's linked to his new "ex-soldier persona."

See, the ex-soldier persona Cloud crafted is modeled after a person he admired and wanted to be like: Zack. Although making this new personality for himself was an unhealthy response to his trauma, I think there are good things to it, as well. For one, it allowed him to take action again and thereby begin his first steps towards recovery. In addition, it gives him courage to do things he never could before, such as strutting his stuff on the dance floor:

I don't think it's too far of a stretch to say that this extends to him giving the flower to Tifa.

So this, in my mind, explains how Cloud had the courage to kiss Tifa and why some fans might think it felt a little sudden or out of character--it's because it almost is, in a way. But let me reiterate, I don't think that's a bad thing. I think Zack's influence on Cloud is somewhat natural and, frankly, having the courage to do the things you want and have fun is never a bad thing. I truly believe Cloud is exemplifying being Zack's "living legacy" by becoming more confident and outgoing. It's a good thing!!

And let's not ignore Tifa in this scene. Before the kiss, Tifa brings up that she feels she and Cloud have become closer, but frets that she's rushing to conclusions again. She's giving Cloud a clear opening to prove his feelings for her--and frankly, after all this build up? Giving the flower, all the tiny touches they've shared? Cloud is more than ready to prove it to her, and he does. It's so easy, and he does it the best way he knows how: with a kiss. In that moment, the boy became the man he's always aspired to be.

Aerith Date:

Conversely, the Aerith date isn't quite as simple--at least to me. It's hard to understand what's going on in their heads, and I think they comparatively have more obstacles in the way of their romance.

The biggest obstacle is that Aerith has seen through Cloud's persona, and almost calls him out on it during the date. She tells him she's looking for the real him, and that she wants to meet him someday.

I believe this stops Cloud, subconsciously. While the persona he built around Zack gives him more confidence, it's still a persona. It's not who he really is. By giving into that persona at all, he is not giving Aerith what she wants. Being confident and bold with Tifa was important, because she needed proof he liked her, but here? What's important is being the "real" Cloud, whoever that is. It must have stumped him.

Aerith gives him an easy out though: she asks Cloud to let her snuggle up against him until the ride ends. And that much, at least, Cloud can manage. And he goes even further than that when he interlaces their fingers together. I think this is his way of showing that he'll be there for Aerith--not just till the ride ends, but after. He's showing her that he does, in fact, care about her, and that her selfish request isn't as selfish as she thinks it is.

I also want to bring up the lyrics from No Promises to Keep here since I think they're extremely relevant to the Clerith relationship and the hand-holding symbolism seen throughout the game:

Till the day that we meet again At our place, just let me believe In the chance that you'll come Take my hand and never let me go Take my hand And believe We can be Together evermore

The hand holding symbolizes their shared desire to be "together evermore" and the belief that they will be. The interlocked fingers display a powerful, mutual bond that cannot be so easily severed. I think this imagery is both simple and extremely beautiful.

In summary, although they are not at a point in their relationship where they're ready to kiss yet, I believe this scene is meant to show that there is still possibility for their relationship to grow and get to that point.

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。• *₊°。 .❀

Thank you for reading till the end! I hope you enjoyed my thoughts. Feel free to use or reference this post if you found it resonated with your own interpretations of these scenes. And if you have your own interpretations to share, I would love to hear them!

[firstknightvulion]

Gold Saucer.

Cloud and Tifa exit the Skywheel.

The two try to look at each other but shyness overwhelms them as they catch each other’s eyes. They quickly look away from each other. The pair stand around like awkward ducks for a moment before Tifa breaks the silence.

Tifa: We should probably head back to our rooms.

Cloud: Yeah…prob’ly.

Suddenly, Aerith bursts out from behind a moogle. Eyes crazed.

Aerith: So, did you two f-

Cait Sith: FORTUNES!!! Get your fortunes here.

So, I’ve been watching Team Four Star’s Final Fantasy VII Abridged series and I just finished Rebirth.

It inspired me.

Full disclosure, the chapter 12 date my first go around, I got Red XIII.

To quote Abridged Barret: I fucked up.

So after the shock wore off and I reloaded my save and literally did two Synergy Attacks, I got the Tifa date. The high affection one. And we all know what happens on that date.

And my headcanon Aerith would spy on them.

So, I headcanon Aerith as a Cloti shipper. One who has become slightly unhinged about the subject due to the subjects at hand being…really shy. Like frustratingly demure and hesitant.

[undercoverrobotzombie]

Hello Jessie rasberry nation

I did this agessss ago but I always get real shy to posts stuff☹️☹️ but hello yes I have recently gotten into ff7 and I really adored her, she’s a bit of me and she’s so silly I love her, my render style is a little different now so seeing this kinda gave me whiplash since it’s quite a few months old and my ass did not use the image as reference for the render oops!!! But yeah….i could potentially see myself drawing more of the ff7 roster… cuz I love them all and I’m super normal about them (/hj). I actually recently just got back from hyper Japan and bought a huge amount of ff7 merch and did end up seeing a few tifas and an aerith cosplay! More turned up on the last day which I didn’t attended and I’m PISSED AWFFFF about it but it’s okay I’ll live…..bitterly …. But yeah considering Iv been in a huge art slump for months on months I really need something to get me back in the swing of things and maybe it’s ff7

[oddlyspecificff7headcanons]

mod Zuko here, this is what i think the gang would be like as roommates

cloud is quiet and doesn't bother you much, he cleans up after himself in shared spaces but his room is a complete disaster. the type to have long conversations with at 2am over some shredded cheese

tifa is very attentive and you'd wanna become friends with her, would comfort you after a breakup and buy things for you, picks up after herself well and keeps her room clean

aerith would make you help her decorate and would not be shy to tell you that you forgot to do the dishes. but otherwise she is very nice

barret is surprisingly chill and respectful of your space, but mostly he likes to do his own thing. he's out a lot and just minds his own business unless you're being extremely loud

yuffie is a NIGHTMARE. she's a total mess and very loud, but will buy enough food for the both of you and try to make friends with you. you'd have to beg on your knees and cry to get her to wash a singular dish though

cid would mostly stay out of your hair but he has a schedule and you have to adhere to it. if you're not quiet when he's trying to sleep you get cursed out for an hour or two, and he's mean about chores and he smokes indoors. but if you're chill enough with him he'll give you some mean advice

vincent is a mystery, he's either in his room or just... gone. for days on end. ask anyone where he is and you won't get a straight answer. ask him where he went, same thing. somehow he makes absolutely no mess, his room does not look lived in, all as if he is ready to move out tomorrow. he starts tweaking in the middle of the night sometimes

reeve's cool but he isn't home much, cleans after himself and brings home stuff after any excursion, usually a snack to share with you. he's very polite

[salamanders-please]

Fic: A New Promise

Prompt given by @flutterclouds! An exploration of what might've happened if Tifa and Cloud had not been interrupted in Gongaga. Fandom: FF7 Ship: Cloti Rating: E/G AO3 link

Summary: Tifa’s hands close around his and Cloud feels likes the countdown to petrification has finally reached its last tick. He is rooted to the spot, his eyes wide. He searches her gaze for even a flicker of well-deserved contempt and sees nothing but concern and forgiveness. ... Yuffie and Cait Sith don't interrupt and Cloud doesn't let himself be so easily forgiven. This is an extension of Cloud and Tifa's conversation in Gongaga.

Read it on tumblr below the cut.

Tifa’s hands close around his and Cloud feels likes the countdown to petrification has finally reached its last tick. He is rooted to the spot, his eyes wide. He searches her gaze for even a flicker of well-deserved contempt and sees nothing but concern and forgiveness. But the warmth doesn’t reach him. He doesn’t soften into her touch like all the countless times he has, has dreamt of. He doesn’t deserve this.

Tifa takes a step closer into his space, she looks up at him. Expectant, hopeful for something Cloud can scarcely believe is true – convinced he’s misread. Something he doesn’t know how to give her. She leans closer, a question in her shy smile as her eyes drop pointedly to his mouth.

Cloud swallows around a lump. His heart erupts into a staccato rhythm against the cage of his chest. This is every fantasy come true since he was a child. It’s too good to be true. She can take on the form of those you love. His yanks his hand out of hers and his back collides with the wall. His fingers itch for his buster sword, but the memory of three days ago stops him. He can still see the fear and hurt on her face as he almost sliced her in two.

Tifa’s face crumbles and rebuilds itself so quickly, he almost misses it.

“Sorry,” she mumbles, “for getting ahead of myself.” She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “But I meant what I said. I want to take care of you too.”

The smile she forces is such a brittle thing, threatening to shatter at the lightest breeze. Cloud aches to close the gap and pin it in place with his mouth – to feel it take solid shape against his.

“What is wrong with you?” he says instead.

Tifa startles. “W-what?”

Oh no. That came out completely wrong. “I mean why would you try to --” his face heats and his throat catches on the words so he doesn’t finish. Saying it makes it real, and if it’s real then that means maybe Tifa is… no. He refuses to think it. Not again. Not after what it almost cost him. He forges on. “After I almost killed you.”

“That wasn’t you,” she says it with such calm certainty he almost believes it.

“Who else pushed you into that pool of mako?”

“You said it yourself. That it feels like other people are living inside your body.”

“I’m still dangerous.”

“Cloud.” She sharply interrupts. He brow pinches for a moment. Then smoothes. She says gently “If I asked you right now if you wanted to kill me, then what would you say?”

“Never.” The reply is immediate, sure.

“See?” She’s smiling again and it’s too blinding to look at. “That wasn’t you.”

Cloud swallows around a ball of words all jumbled and caught in his throat.

She takes a step closer. “I forgive you. Is that what you needed to hear?” Her voice is as soft as her touch against the fists he hadn’t realized he’d been making. “I’ll say it as many times as you need.” Cloud’s gaze snaps to hers and he withers under her sincerity. He doesn’t deserve this.

“Let me take care of you,” Tifa pleads.

Her gentle words, her outstretched hand are a lifeline. A new promise. One he wants so badly to be fulfilled, even if he can never admit it – not even to himself. As he reaches back, he feels something long-buried beginning to surface – just a little.

Cloud laces his fingers through hers. “Okay.”

[gilly-moon]

Sephiroth/Cloud and what makes you happy about them? (I love these two, too!)

~harley

a fellow man of taste I see 👀

when I started shipping it if I did:

I remember watching Advent Children in...fifth or sixth grade? And yeah it was basically over for me after that.

my thoughts:

Squeenix is really on the Sefikura agenda in the FF7 remake, huh? But man oh man it has ALWAYS been that way. I'm not sure I have EVER seen a villain so sensually coax a hero into a battle where he then pins him to the wall with his sword. Lots of stabbing with these two. 10/10.

What makes me happy about them:

Listen just watch the scene in FF7 where they enter their own little mindscape and Sephiroth leans down half a mile to whisper in Cloud's ear. Need I say more.

What makes me sad about them:

Nothing?? Basically any iteration of these two within canon or even within AUs is a pure shot of seratonin to my brain. Doesn't matter if it's a happy ending or if someone's getting eviscerated with a sword. I'll consume it all.

things done in fanfic that annoys me:

I'm not a huge fan of overly-enthusiastic Cloud. He can be eager or even confident and bold, but there's a line some fics cross where it no longer feels in his character.

things I look for in fanfic:

Pre-Zack death (or AUs) I'm enjoy some sweet/shy Cloud and dominant Sephiroth. Post-Zack death, I'm all in for hatefucking or mind control shenanigans (bottom Cloud supremacy tho). Also a huge fan of Sephiroth 'redemptions' where he breaks free of Jenova's control and Cloud is there to catch him in the fallout.

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: 

I've enjoyed almost any ship combo with Sephiroth, Cloud, and Zack. Sometimes with Angeal and Genesis thrown in for fun. Barret/Cloud is also good. Cloud/Tifa platonically is nice. I really can't ship post-Crisis Core Sephiroth with anyone else though. Squeenix seems to agree:

My happily ever after for them:

The fic Hold Me Gentle is my ideal happy ending for them. Jenova's influence is washed away by Aerith's rain, and Sephiroth has a chance to be himself again. That being said, I'm also a-ok with the canon reality where Sephiroth refuses to die and remains a Cloud-botherer for the rest of their lives.

who is the big spoon/little spoon:

Obsessive Sephiroth is big spoon.

what is their favorite non-sexual activity:

idk, stabbing each other??? Dueling??? (or does that count as sexual for them idk)

[rwac96]

MK Intro Crossover Prompt- Jaune Vs Tifa with her being straight up flirty with him.

Tifa: *saunters onto the stage* Hey, there, Carino (Cutie)~. *stretches her arms upward, arching her back*

Jaune: *firmly holds Crocea Mors & his shield, blushing* T-Tifa, we're about to spar!

Tifa: *lowers her arms* Nothing wrong with a lil' banter~. *winks, gets into her fighting stance*

~

Jaune: *unsheathes Crocea Mors* Stay focused, Jaune. Remember your training.

Tifa: *jabs at the air, then cracks her knuckles* Cute, prendilo (bring it on)!

Jaune: *sighs, gets into a fighting stance* Oh, man.

~

Tifa: Why bother with a shy, fidgety vergine spartana (virgin spartan) when you can have fun with a donna esperta (experienced woman)~?

Jaune: *exhales* You're pretty, Tifa, but don't talk about mon partenaire (my partner) like that!

Tifa: *chuckles* Mhmm, I gotta admit, piuttosto caldo (pretty hot)~.

[moonilit]

It is So sweet when Tifa say the fire works are beautiful, Cloud is starting at her, because the most beautiful thing to Cloud is a happy Tifa

It is also funny how they both shy and Cloud face panic when he get cough lol

They are so young and silly, dorks, and even after they kiss (their first kiss ever) they can’t even look at each other eyes 😭 they are so so shy these dorks

[dark-elf-writes]

Chaos theory au

Little cloud still being very much a child and having not yet grown into the teen self-consciousness or adult aloofness

Him demanding that Vincent dance with him in the rain and giggling at how easy it is to balance on his ridiculous footwear

Cloud not being even close to hiding how his face lights up whenever he sees Vincent and all but running to him in excitement every time he goes to hug him (he knows older him wouldn’t do the same but…he wants to and can’t remember being upset when all the kids from below the plate did the same to him when he came to visit and “play warriors” with them. Quite the opposite really.)

Cloud getting really anxious when he forgets little things because what if he forgets everything again? What if he stops being him again?

Cloud paying real close attention to everything around him because 1. What if threat? And 2. Even after realizing he accidentally took on Zack’s identity he still couldn’t remember everything from before. It’s nice to have details again even if part of him knows he was never missing them.

It stuns Vincent in the first few weeks how open Cloud is. (He is still shy of course, still distant from the other children in the village other than Tifa who he watches with eyes both so young and so old, but it is worlds apart from the stiff awkward man he remembers who would freeze at the slightest contact and had to relearn how to high five someone.) what stuns him the most, however, is realizing that he receives the same open affection and adoration that Claudia does.

He knew of course that Cloud cared for him, both Before and now — it was rather obvious when he woke up to the little warrior sobbing his name and begging him to wake up and remember him — but it was something altogether different to realize that that affection was equal to the love and care Cloud had for his mother.

Blindingly bright smiles and little hands clinging to his side and bright childish laughter when he pretended to be asleep on those morning when Cloud’s future habits made him rise far before dawn. All of them aimed at him.

And Claudia who shook her head fondly when the two of them came back drenched and covered in mud after dancing together in a rainstorm and laughed as she wrapped towels around them both. Who calls him Cloud’s uncle, her brother, who shares what little they have (more now that Vincent is here and can hunt for them, can trade monster parts for gil, can use his curse for something good as he cares for his family the two who had welcomed him with open arms.) with him without hesitation, who smiles at him just as open and bright and teases him for being too serious.

Both he and Claudia do however notice the anxiety Cloud carries. Notice how those glowing eyes track their every movement like he is committing each and every one of them to memory. Notice the borderline terror when he forgets even the smallest of details. Both of them try to help in what little ways they can.

[dutchdread]

From one of your answer: "Personally I think that while Cloud is totally unsure of who or what he is, that he is 100% aware that he deeply loves Tifa, even at the start of Remake."

I'd love to see you talk more about this. Do you think that, while he's aware that he loves her, does he remember that he's has been loving her ever since they were young?

Now I haven't played Rebirth (but I spoiled myself a lot). But from Remake and what I gather, I personally think he doesn't remember, or be aware of his feelings. However, I think that he's unconsciously and instinctively attracted to her as well as be protective of her, at least from the beginning of Remake. He can't exactly define his feeling, but he knows what he wants to do with her (getting jealous, being touchy-touchy, being protective). Then he grows to realize his feeling all over again over the course of the game, without even remember he has always been in love with her this whole time.

Also, as far as I know, Cloud isn't the type who ponders "what is this ache in my heart?". He's the man of action. He cares for Tifa and wants to do things for Tifa, regardless of whatever he feels for her is called a crush, infatuation, or love.

But that's my take. And I'd like to hear yours :D

I have to preface this by saying that this is 100% conjecture. My hope is that this is essentially exactly the question that we get answered in part 3, because it is something I really wonder about myself. Hell it might be the thing I am MOST curious to know. So when I give my thought on this, know that it I think it really is up in the air and could go either way, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if this is left up to interpretation. There are things that I think Cloud legitimately doesn't know. His confusion about Nibelheim for instance is 100% unfaked. But when Tifa asks him where he was these past 5 years and he responds with "you know I can't tell you that", what was that? Was that a straight up lie? I think it's clear he doesn't know where he was these past years. But does he know that he doesn't know where he was? And did he lie to hide that fact? If he simply had no recollections of the past 5 years but is otherwise mostly lucid then he could have simply answered "that's odd, I don't remember".

But he doesn't, either the Jenova cells are directly influencing him to lie or causing him to make up an excuse to change the subject. Regardless he's actively avoiding recognizing an issue that should be interesting to him "why don't I know where I was". But then in Gongaga we have Cloud admitting that he doesn't know stuff that he's supposed to know. That implies that it's not just Jenova forcing him to be unaware of the inconsistencies in his memory. He himself has been CHOOSING to hide some of them. The reason I bring this up is because there is something we have to ask ourselves. Is Cloud 100% genuinely trying to play out a personality that was not inherently his? Or does he only have a bunch of messed up memories, but is intentionally trying to play up that persona? Or something in the middle? I'd guess it's something in the middle, which explains a lot of the changes we see in his behavior based on who he is talking to. That means that when he says stuff like "Don't remember" when Yuffie asks him whether or not he used to be in love with Tifa. That could very easily be a bold faced lie. He could have all his messed up memories and still remember vividly why he wanted to be a soldier in the first place. Which is essentially what happens in the lifestream, HE tells Tifa why he did those things, HE knows when she does not, thereby proving those memories and those feelings could not have come from her. So it could easily be that Cloud, during remake and remake, not only realizes that he loves Tifa, but be aware that he was once a shy dorky kid who just wanted Tifa to notice him, and is still "internally screaming" anytime Tifa is near, but is desperate not to show that side of him to the outside world. Or it could of course be possible that he's completely blocked those embarrassing memories and feelings off even from himself and that his Soldier persona is completely genuine and that his fondness for Tifa in remake and Rebirth is just the result of that Love still simply being a part of him, even if he himself doesn't totally understand why. And that his real self only comes out during glimpses. We have quotes to corroborate this, but it's not that clear whether that means his true personality coming out means he's showing his real thoughts for once rather than acting, or that it means that his real personality literally takes over for a bit from his fake one. Again, I think the truth is in the middle. I especially wonder about this when Cloud sits down on the water tower next to Aerith. He very poignantly leaves Tifas house for last, and sits down looking at it directly. To me it feels like in that moment he is completely aware of why he did that, and is putting on a cool act when saying "sounds like something I'd do". I think that was one of the most telling scenes in the game, which on second playthrough post LS, will feel extremely telling. You will see him sitting there, and you'll know. "you mother fucker, you know EXACTLY that you did that and why, we know what you're thinking! XD" At the very least I feel like the scene was intentionally directed to strongly give off the impression that Cloud there is actively aware of what Tifa means to him, and is in that moment the same boy that would gaze at Tifa all those years back, putting up a cool guy act, but still with all his unspoken thoughts being about how this is all for her. Good question, I wish I had a better answer for you, but I think this one one of those times where speculating about the answer might be half the fun.