#hi tifa *waves*

[justauthoring]

against the world [1].

because against all odds, you had found reno and he'd found you.

a/n: THE WAY THIS MAN HAS A CHOKEHOLD ON ME also im a sucker for the trope where two people are supposed to be enemies but love each other and are betraying their friends/work/beliefs etc. to be with one another so this was born :)

pairing: reno sinclair x f!reader

“Where are you off to?”

Feet halting beneath you, every muscle tenses as you hear Tifa step up behind you. You mentally curse her perceptiveness, having been so close to the door and making it out without anyone's knowledge before she called out for you.

With a gentle laugh, you glance at her from over your shoulder, noticing that Biggs, Jessie and Wedge who’d been at their regular table talking were looking your way as well.

“Out,” you start, offering a small smile as you scramble to come up with an explanation. Now that Tifa had asked and gotten their attention, there was no way any single one of them were going to let you slip out with just that. Taking a glance around the rest of the bar, your answer comes to you with a blink of the eye; “it’s late. I’m gonna retire for the night.”

“Oh?” Tifa’s head tilts, a frown of concern falling on her lips. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” you assure with ease, waving your hand at her. “Just tired. Didn’t get a good night's rest last night.”

“I think Y/N’s got a boyfriend she’s not telling us about.”

You like to think your expression is schooled, but even then you can’t help the way your eyes widen slightly at Jessie’s taunt. There’s a teasing smile on her face as she says the words, offering a nudge to Biggs’ arm as the two boys turn to you with wide eyes and Tifa’s concern is quickly replaced with interest.

“Oh!” Tifa calls, clapping her hands in front of her and she turns to you with a twinkle in her gaze. “Really?”

Before you can say anything, Jessie is jumping up from her seat and crossing the short distance over to you and Tifa by the bar door. She’s grinning from wide, ear to ear, moving to stand next to Tifa as she lets her eyes drag across you in thought. “Hasn’t she seemed more happy recently? A sort of… pep in her step?” She asks Tifa, blatantly ignoring the fact that you’re standing right in front of her. “Besides, she’s alway sneaking off early after meets. Especially when she used to stay and play cards with me all night.”

Panicked, you shake your head; “no, I–”

“I guess that is true,” Tifa agrees thoughtfully, nodding her head before her eyes meet yours directly. “You have seemed more distracted recently. Like you’re always lost in your thoughts.”

Feeling your cheeks warm, you stare back and forth between the two of them, suddenly realizing how dangerous they really were.

“But that’s just crazy,” Biggs finally speaks up, him and Wedge moving to stand with you three and your saving grace. “Y/N would’ve told us. Wouldn’t you?”

“Exactly,” Wedge agrees with ease, a joyful smile on his lips like there always is as he grins at you widely. “Y/N tells us everything! We’re her friends!”

You’ve never loved Biggs and Wedge more than you do at that moment.

“Of course,” you agree with ease, ignoring the small tinge of guilt that floods you when you realize that you are in fact lying. That, and you are keeping a secret from them… but if it weren’t for the circumstances, you would’ve told them all right away.

You wish you could tell them.

“I’ve just been tired recently,” you move to explain to Tifa and Jessie, hoping they’ll buy it. “We’ve been ramping up our efforts and it’s just been leaving me a little more exhausted as of late.”

Jessie still looks like she doesn’t quite trust you, a certain edge to her eyes as she glances at you, half expecting you to crack. You will yourself to hold strong, never letting your smile fade from your lips as you take a small step towards the door.

“Okay,” Tifa concedes with a nod, smiling at you. “Well, try to get some rest tonight. You know you can talk to me if it is more, right?”

Swallowing thickly, you nod, hoping it doesn’t come across too stiff as you offer them one last wave before turning and making your way out of the door. Jessie calls out to you to be safe on your way home just before you leave, and that brings a smile to your face, happy that she wasn’t actually upset with you and let the door to Seventh Heaven fall shut behind you.

Then, you take a moment, breathing in sharply before starting on your trip.

When you reach the corner you would’ve turned to head home, you turn the opposite way, and continue on from there, making your way out of Sector Seven and past that. You don’t stop, in fact, until you reach the edge of where you’d head to go up Topside, shrouded by the shadows that the night provided, glancing over your shoulder once more to make sure no one had followed you.

Then, just as you move to step forward, a hand wraps itself around your wrist and you’re tugged to the side, pressed against the wall of a fence as a figure presses itself up against you. There’s a momentary breath of panic, before you recognize the familiar shade of red and the touch of the hand that ghosts across your cheek and you let out a heavy breath.

“Reno,” you call, meeting his gaze as you blink up at him. He’s grinning widely down at you, his other hand falling on your hip as he brushes back a stray hair with the other.

“Hey,” he whispers, biting his lip. 

In the next second, he’s pressing his lips against your own and you instantly return the affection. Your hands move to grip his cheeks, playing with ruly strands of his hair and tugging at them, curling into his hold to press yourself against him. Reno moans against the action, squeezing your hips in his hands, biting your bottom lip gently as he pulls away.

Breathless, you glance up at him.

“You were late,” he whispers a moment later, frowning slightly.

“Sorry,” you sigh, letting your hands fall against his chest. “Tifa caught me on my way out and then Jessie said she thought I was sneaking out to see some guy and that got the guys’ interest and it was just… a lot.”

“Little does she know how right she is,” Reno teases, quirking a brow down at him.

You just shake your head up at him, playing with the edge of his suit. “It sucks lying to them,” you admit quietly, avoiding his gaze as you say the words. “I wish I could tell them. I wanna tell Tifa and Jessie all about you.”

“About how great of a guy I am?”

Scoffing, you lightly slap his chest; “Reno. I’m serious.”

The smirk fades from his lips and is replaced by a gentle frown. “I’m sorry,” he offers softly, tracing a loose pattern on your hip with his thumb. “I wish we could tell people too. Rude’s actually been pretty noisy lately himself and I think he knows something. But… you understand why we can’t yeah?”

“Because Avalanche is actively trying to bring down Shinra… the company you work for?” You snort at Reno, raising a brow at him. “Yeah, I know.”

Licking his lips, Reno huffs; “I wish it was different but… this is how it has to be for now.”

Nodding, you sniffle; “I just know this can’t last is all.”

Frowning, Reno’s brows furrow; “what do you mean?”

“Tifa says an old friend of hers is coming down soon,” you explain, “he’s a merc but he’s apparently an ex-soldier… I think Barret wants to get pretty serious. And I shouldn’t even be telling you this stuff because I’m betraying my friends doing it… let alone just being with you.”

You can’t help it, your emotions catch up with you. The incident from earlier, although mild, had sent you in a frenzy and the sheer possibility of your friends, your family knowing that you were dating one of Shinra’s Turks? It had terrified you. Barret would for sure throw you out and Jessie, Biggs and Wedge would never talk to you again… And Tifa? She’d be so hurt and betrayed and–

“Hey, hey,” Reno calls out, cupping your cheek as he pulls your eyes on him. You bite your lip as he does, trying to stop the tears that refuse to stop, meeting his eyes as he brushes them away with his thumb. “We’ll figure it out, okay? Somehow.”

Nodding, you sigh. Truthfully, it’s hard to believe his words and you hardly think that any of it will end well. If anything, it’s bound to end horribly. Horrifically. But… but you can’t let that ruin the moments you have now because you’re not sure how much longer you’ll have them.

Because Reno might be Turk and work for a company that goes against everything you believe in, and you might be a terrorist in the eyes of Reno’s company… but you love him and he loves you and you’re not even sure how it all happened but he owns your heart completely and wholly.

And you wanted to cherish that for as long as you could while you still could.

“Okay,” you whisper, setting your hand over his own as you lean into his touch. “I trust you.”

#ff7 #ff7 x reader #ff7 rebirth #ff7 remake #final fantasy vii #final fantasy 7 #reno #reno x reader #reno sinclair #reno sinclair x reader

[mechaknight-98]

Masquerade

Author note: I am sorry, but Tifa Sejeong. I had this in my drafts and was going to delete it until today. Also this takes place in the same plotline as Rash revelries and a few other stories I have coming out.

Part II here

Well, this was certainly a new one. A cosplay Party was not on my bingo calendar for 2024 but here I am. Going to a cosplay party on short notice because a friend invited me. Surprisingly the first face I see is a familiar one. My friend Gallahad or Gally for short dressed in a Gilgamesh from Eternals Cosplay. I wave and he confidently smiles at me and walks over. He and Vlad are Probably the next closest to my height due to his basketball-playing father. He puts me in a friendly headlock. Gone is the timid boy I knew a few months ago instead of a confident man who stands tall.

“Danger so glad you could make it. Killer Django cosplay,” he says proudly. I nod and respond,

“Well I didn't have much time to come up with something, but it came out pretty good,” you compliment Gally’s costume, but before Galahad and I can catch up. Two exceptionally attentive and attractive ladies walk our way. “Gally who’s this? The shorter darker skin of the two girls asked

“Oh Jihyo this is Dangerfield Malcolm Baldwin Jr but we just call him Danger,” Galahad explained the girls nodded and the taller paler one addressed me

“덴가?” Sana asked Galls. Gally nodded not noticing. “He’s tall I wonder if she’ll like that. Anyways I’m Sana nice to meet you 덴가. Also love the cowboy cosplay by the way. You rock it.” The taller girl oozed charm and guile. Had I not known that she was in a throuple with Jihyo and Galahad I’d have thought she was flirting with me.

Jihyo approached me next she sized me up for a few minutes then tilted her head and stepped back pleased with what she saw. I turn back to Sana say thank you to her and ask Galahad about the party, but before I can get a word in his two girlfriends pull him away. Something about “needing to find her”

“Oh, sorry Danger gotta go. You know the drill,” Gally says. I don't but I wave him off regardless as his two girlfriends take him upstairs for God knows what. Before isolation could set in I was approached by another partygoer in a cowboy cosplay. Being an insane movie buff I recognized it as Park Do-won or (the good) from the movie “The Good The Bad and The Weird” he seemed friendly introducing himself as Max McDaniels. I smile at him as he says

“Killer Cowboy outfit what show or movie are you from?” he asks in English. I am not surprised by this being one of the few “black” people present at that party. It made sense everyone assumed I was American. I was, but it was still interesting to see the assumptions made.

“Django from Django unchained,” you say. Max’s eyes light up with elated recognition

“I love that movie!” he exclaims to me. I crack a smile.. as I do I notice his eyes narrow and his gaze focused more intensely, “So who invited you? I'm pretty good friends with the hosts so I'm curious how you got in because I haven't seen you before.” Max added. His tone was pleasant but his energy was defensive. I deduced that he was asking because he was wary of me. Which fair? A big burly black man at a party full of very wealthy and famous people could be a red flag. So I take out my phone and show him the video of a very drunk Vladimir and an equally drunk Galahad inviting me to the party over social media. Following that I showed Mr. McDaniels the string of text messages of them becoming progressively sober and still asking me to come through. The implication was a lady was dying to meet me. Being a sucker for that sort of thing I made a mad dash.

“Oh, you're the videographer and stuntman Vlad mentioned. He called you Dangerfield, but he called you Danger in these videos.” Max questions.

I nod and explain to Max that Danger is my nickname. Max nods in understanding. “I'm sorry that makes so much sense now that I hear it sorry for commenting on it.”

Max and I share a chuckle over some of the messages of their apologizing for their drunk antics. After that Max became noticeably more relaxed around me. At this point, I feel comfortable enough to joke with him.

“So I know you are “Mr. Tough as Nails paleontologist who protects his people” but I would like to point out that you do know me.”I teased. Max looked at me confused before asking “Oh really from where?”

“You’re last two paleontologist digs,” I reply

Max looks at me confused. So I wait 5 minutes then another 2 before he finally recognizes me.

“Oh my God you're our videographer… the rugby dad hat guy. You always wear your college rugby “dad” hat,” he says excitedly. I nod

“I mean I do other things besides that. Like I filmed 2 out of your last 3 seminars. I also did a minor recording and B-roll for the last two digs” I teased further. Max's eyes widen even further as his face goes red.

“You are so right my bad. You're always so professional and don't speak much. Thank you so much for all the impressive work you do. I didn't realize never knew or asked your name. I'm also not used to you not wearing a dad hat,” Max says to me. I chuckle and before the friendship can take root Max is taken by his girlfriend. A pretty little thing named walks by us, “Hey honey who is this?”

“Oh, this is Dangerfield our videographer,” Max answers

“I thought Vlad did that?” the lady asks

“No, he does photography and records collection. Danger specifically does video.” Max replies

“Oh okay. He's handsome. I think she’ll like him.” the lady responds she turns to me and says hi

“Hello Mrs Jimin” I respond. Her eyes go wide.

“You know me.” Mrs. Jimin asks.

“Well yeah, you're a famous pop star,” I reply trying to be witty but not standoffish. Mrs. Jimin smiles and then says

“Well then call me Karina. We're friends now aren't we?” she said pleasantly. I give her a thumbs up and she laughs before turning back to Max focused “Babe we still have the drinks in the car we need to get.” she says. Max nods and goes with her

As he walks away he promises to talk to me later. Karina needed help as it was a lot of drinks according to her.

I was alone again. As I stand there alone I consider leaving until a slightly sober Vladimir crashes into me this time he is already with his girlfriend Natty whom he has met once before under bizarre circumstances. I smile at the couple wearing matching vampire costumes. Having done this dance already I decided to tease them

“Hey, Vlad are you also going to talk to me for a short bit then leave with your girlfriend?” I ask teasingly. Vlad looks at me confused before saying

“No that would defeat the entire purpose of why we invited you here. There was someone we wanted you to meet.” He says matter of fact before leading me to where she was

“Oh okay,” I say as I follow them

“So Danger Vlad tells me you’re also (insert cool term for half-blood here) .” I stop in my tracks and resist the urge to grab one of my revolvers and shoot both of them right there and now. Throwing that term out in the open always left me to trouble me. So I kept my identity and powers hidden as best as possible from those I didn’t know. Vlad notices my dead stop and clenched fist, and readily begins to ameliorate the situation.

“Yo Danger it’s cool she’s one of us. She’s a daughter of Vasundharā” Vlad explains, I scowl but relax. I begin to follow the couple as Natty says how much you’ll (me) love “her” ( the girl they are setting me up with). She also mentions how she is also an ascendant. It was then that I realized that Natty doesn’t know how different ascendant culture is in America. I groan and turn to Vlad

“Yo, she’s very liberal with her identity.” Vlad nods then remembers how I feel about secrecy

“Oh don’t be a scaredy cat nothing bad is going to happen.” As soon as Vladimir said that a loud boom echoed throughout the building I rolled my eyes at him and ran to the area where I heard the noise. The space is the front door and an Oni has appeared, and he is angry. He eyes me out of the bunch and points his kanabo at me.

“You. Thief” The one says slanted. I shrug.

“You dare mock me, thief. You stole the Yomi flames.” The one growls

“Mocking would require me to care. I don’t. Also, I didn't steal anything they were given to me voluntarily.” I replied the one slammed his weapon on the ground.

“You expect me to believe that you a puny human were given the flames of our land by my queen?”

“Well not given per se but I was allowed to learn them so I could copy them later, but that explanation makes less sense so can we skip the banter and just get down to fighting? I’m already bored.” The one charged. My response was that I took out one of my revolvers quicker than a blink and shot the creature in the head. The green eldritch energy flowed through me as it created the blast for the weapon. Which in turn creates the sickened bolt that tears through the Oni’s skull. The party was dead silent. Realization hits me as I remember this wasn’t a dig site I could just talk my way out of so I decide it’s probably best to not be here anymore. I spin the revolver out of habit before holstering it. I tip my hat

“Have a good night y’all,” I say as I leave. As I was racing to the front door I bumped into another person dressed as one of my favorite video game characters. She also seemed to be on her way out. I would later find out that her friends had convinced her to meet this guy but they had left her alone to find him leaving her at the mercy of a bunch of “weirdos” (her words not mine) who made her uncomfortable so she was desperate to get out. She sees me and smiles politely before saying “Nice cosplay.” hoping I wouldn't also be a “weirdo”

I nod back then respond “You as well…wait is that Tifa?” I asked the lady as I recognized the outfit. The young lady smiles with eyes brighter than the sun

“Yeah good eye, you’re the first one to recognize it. Good job.” the girl responds with two thumbs up. She looks up at me with a smile.

“How could I not?” she's like one of my favorite characters in all of gaming”

The Tifa cosplayer smiles, “well then you have great taste then.” she says

“Me? look at you (I walk around her to get the full view) This quality is insane.” I reply hyping her up. The Tifa cosplayer smiles brightly and turns to me with a cocky smirk.

“Oh, flattery will get you everywhere. So what’s your cosplay?” The lady asks

“Oh, I’m Django. The D is silent” I say. Before taking out a revolver and spinning it around. The young lady laughs

“Like from the movie,” she asks I nod surprised. She smiles and adds “I love that movie.” I smile back dumbly admiring her taste in quality Westerns. The two of us stand awkwardly trying to figure each other out before deciding to get back to what the two of us were doing which was leaving the party. We do our awkward goodbyes and prepare to go our separate ways. as we are about to part my brain tells me if I don't ask her out now I'll never get another chance to. I take a chance. I ask if she’s hungry and knows any good food spots around here. The girl gives a hearty chuckle as she gets her car and gestures for me to get in.

We arrive at this small little fried chicken spot.

“Oh just because I’m black you assume I like fried chicken?” I say feigning offense. The lady looks at me in my face and says

“Fried Chicken is delicious I thought everyone liked it.” Her tone is flat as she stares at me confused. She then smiles and laughs making me realize she got I was joking. I joined her on laughing as well. I mean she got me fair and square after all

As I laugh I say “I can’t argue with that.” The lady smirks before saying “Good,” and we walk in.

“Oh hey Sejeong good to see you again. Your usual order I assume?” The person behind the counter says. Sejeong nods. She puts up two fingers. I'm guessing to order two of whatever her normal is (I'm assuming she never told me what the two fingers meant). I turn to the gorgeous (I forgot to mention that she is drop dead 2 gorgeous) lady and say

“Huh Sejeong like the…” and then it all clicks. I pause and get my bearings before repeating “Cool, cool, cool.” As I try not to fanboy over the megastar. Sejeong smirks and says

“Not so witty now huh?”

I pause before reflexively saying, “Hey it’s not every day you meet a K-pop megastar and go on a date with her.”

Sejeong laughs which I learned then is contagious, “Oh so this is a date?” She questions

I nod and fire back, “100% we are at a restaurant hoping to get to know each other. That’s the textbook definition of date.”

Sejeong playfully rolls her eyes laughs and says, “That's true. I’m glad I met you. My friends wanted me to meet this guy who they swore I’d love. They left me at the party to find him leaving me to deal with weirdos like you.” Sejeong says wistfully. “I should have figured their last recommendations have been okay at best” Sejeong adds

I nod and explain how I was at the party to be introduced to someone.

“Oh really what’s your name? If you say Danger or Dangerfield. I’m going to laugh.”Sejeong teases

In kind, I responded, “How did you know my name lady?” Sejeong’s eyes flickered with excitement as they widened. as she compartmented my existence in her mind. Our food arrived. After she’s done processing she asks me a simple question.

“So now that you’ve met me what do you think?” She said with a serious tone.

“Do I include Samantha and Rachel in my evaluation?” Sejeong stares at me wide-eyed. I laugh because see her trying to hide a bemused smile. Feeling a little miffed She goes to smack me but I just smile and take the hit.

“You’re lucky you’re funny.” She says. Sejeongg gestures for me to continue.

“Well, my heart tells me you’re amazing and I already have a crush on you despite knowing you personally all of (I look at my watch for added comedic value) 86 minutes. You’re witty, fun to be around, gorgeous, and overall a great time.” Seeing smiles blushes but then says

“What does your head say?” as she speaks her eyes narrow gauging my response. I decide to have fun with it.

“That’s less glowing. It's telling me that it would never work.“Dude, she’s a superstar what would she ever want from a guy like you? She just likes the attention.” is what my head says.” I respond

Sejeong nods and then asks, “So which will you listen to more?” I pause and respond

“If history is any guide then my heart, but I don’t know guess I’ll have to wait and see. I mean I’m open to anything from a one-night stand to a 100-year relationship. The only thing is it’s a two-person job.” Sejeong nods then says

“well I'm not looking for a one-night stand but I'm also not looking for a relationship right now, but you're pretty cool and I like your humorous honesty.” I smile and thank her. The food arrives. I pray before I eat which Sejeong comments on, “Oh a church boy.” Her tone is seductive and flirtatious but my brain automatically jumps to oh it’s a dealbreaker for her

“Is there something wrong with me being religious?” Momo shakes her head but then clarifies, “That depends on you. You’re not one of those weird religious people right?”

“I believe we have established I’m weird and a Christian so you are going to be a bit more specific as to what you mean by that.” Sejeonf laughs and does the sexiest eye roll I have ever seen.

“Ugh, I hate you.” She groans, “But you are correct. What I mean is the type that uses their religion as a weapon against others.” I shake my head before explaining to her the following

“The only thing I battle with are revolvers wits and the grit of a honey badger, and the occasional staff but that’s when I have to get serious. Also, I only really fight when I have to do am training which is a lot” Sejeong laughs at my statement and then says,

“Well then you should be fine, but it was kind of annoying how you asked that question about “weird Christians.” She teased with an adorable pout.

I chuckle and say, “Sorry that’s my A.U.H.D. talking. I should have figured out what you meant.”

“No you’re fine I should have figured you would be weird and very precise with your language since you are good friends with Vladimir” she relents. I smile and we begin eating. At one point I feel a hand slip in mine. I look up to see her giving me the brightest smile. I smile back “How is it?” She asks. Based on the way she’s holding my hand I can tell she’s nervous so I tell her I like it and that’s my final word. Sejeong rolls her eyes and then smiles again as we continue eating. After we finished she asked me how long I was in Korea and I explained to her a while due to working with Vlad, Max, and Gally.

“Oh okay, so another week?” Sejeong asked. I nodded but counteracted with

“However if something comes up that’s worth the time I’ll stay,” I responded Sejeong chuckled

“Oh, and I’m supposed to convince you?” She said in a challenging tone

“I mean you can if you want to this was mostly an economic choice.” I teased back. Sejeong smiled. As we were finishing up a guy approached us. He had blonde hair and storm-grey eyes.

“Aye Collector.” He said menacingly in English. I turn slowly to the young man. I gesture for Sejeong to get behind me but she stands by my side. I see her ready a knife that I hadn't seen earlier

“ People don't usually call me that with the intention of peace. So I am going to ask are you here to kill me?”

“I don't have to kill you just return what you stole?” the young man said

“And what did I steal?” I asked curious

“Don't play dumb you know I'm after Death’s draw.” the man said confidently

“Yeah, I don't have that. All my stuff are cheap copies.” I replied

“You expect me to believe that especially given your reputation?” the man asked taking out an arching javelin.

“I guess a demonstration is in order then sadly,” I reply. I turn to Sejeong, “I'll handle this .” I say to her. She shakes her head and stands in front of me.

“Look I'd appreciate it if you do not attack my friend. I know he looks scary but he's a sweetheart,” she says sweetly

“A sweetheart who turned an outer being into a divine Treasure.” the young man says skeptically. Sejeong looks at me with surprise as I nod to confirm the story.

“Look dude my Ascendant Ability is called the “A Reveler’s tool kit, is often expansive.” A major part of it allows me to emulate other divine treasures and arts.” I explain, but the man only grew more aggressive. He pointed his javelin at me and in a flash, I shoulder-charged him back to Long Island. Sejeong eyed me intrigued

“How did you do that?” she asked

“I used Lugh’s Long Lunge and made it nonlethal.” Sejeong eyed me and then said, “Tell me everything”

In her car, the first thing Sejeong asked about was my Ascendant status,

“So what type of Ascendant are you; Direct, Legacy, Trance, adopted, or avatar?” she asked excitedly I squinted as before I never really considered it.

“Hybrid I guess,” I answered.

“Interesting, wait how?”

“Um, would it be a bad time to explain that I was never exposed to “proper Ascendant” procedures due to my Christian upbringing, and am only now coming to a fully developed understanding of it?” I asked. Sejeong stopped in her tracks and looked at me then began laughing. I sat in awkward silence for a moment then. She turned and smiled at me.

“That's okay,” Sejeong said with a gracious smile. “It's just I have heard stories of Ascendants reaching adulthood and then becoming claimed and I always wondered what that looked like. Now I know and honestly it's pretty funny.” Sejeong smiled as she spoke. I turned back to her

“So you're also an Ascendant?” I ask. Sejeong nods then replies

“I am a direct one and my parent is Seokga.”

“Oh that's super cool tell me more.” I say

#kpop fanfic #fanfic #tifa lockhart #kim sejeong #ioi sejeong #sejeong #ffviir

[myvampyrez]

omgg cloud x reader where theyre at costa del sol… like how in rebirth hes super flustered seeing the cute bathing suits but he actually puts sunscreen on reader 😼😼😼 maybe leading to spice if ur comfy w it!!!

spot me some sunscreen? 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

cloud strife (ffvii) x reader

┊ ˚➶ notes ｡˚ 🎼

i originally wrote this as a blurb but i forgot like the entire sunscreen portion so it ended up being a whole fic instead 😭

┊ ˚➶ warnings ｡˚ 🎼

intended lowercase, nsfw / suggestive themes!!, i kinda wrote it with the reader wearing a more feminine bathing suit hope it’s okay!!, reader is referred to as clouds gf, cloud being awkward, readers lowkey a tease, lmk if i missed anything!! 💕

┊ ˚➶ word count ｡˚ 🎼

1644 words, 8930 characters

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ . ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ . ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ . ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄

walking out into the daylight was even enough for cloud. costa del sol was just so— lively. he sighed as he watched you, aerith, and tifa skip along to the dressing rooms, the two girls dragging you along by your wrists while you all giggled. he should’ve just insisted that they moved along like barret had said, he thought.

he kept his head down as waited for you near a corner, keeping his head hung low as he detested his swim trunks, cursing the sun for such a hot day.

it felt like forever before a faint, “cloud!” hit his ears. hearing your smile even evident in your voice, he turned his head to the shore as he spotted you under an umbrella, sat comfortably on a striped towel.

his eyes roamed your figure, unable to to give even a small wave back once he gawked at your bathing suit. your waist exposed with the top you wore, only the tied back visible to him while the coverup hugging against your hips, the sheer material revealing your bottoms underneath.

unsure of what to do, cloud looked around before he turned around and faced the other way, not wanting anybody to see his tinted ears. he closed his eyes, taking shade behind a small palm tree as he pretended he didn’t hear the soft footsteps against the sand approaching him.

“i know you hear me calling for you, y’know.” cloud heard you giggle behind him. as he turned around slowly, he finally got a good look at you. just the exposure of skin made his cheeks flush with an even brighter red, his ears an even deeper color.

making a sound of surprise at your advances, he awkwardly leaned back while you yourself leaned in and tilted your head. “well?”

“‘well’.. what?”

“are you gonna stop ignoring me?”

“i’m not—just..” his body tensed as his eyes kept managing to flicker over your body in their own, his eyes alternating between your face and your hips where he could see the skimpy bottoms you wore snug against you under the thin coverup.

you leaned in closer, hands behind you back as you flashed cloud a toothy grin. you watched as his wide eyes flickered down to your lips. he felt a small wave wash over him, his bare chest tensing at the gentle hand you put on it. crap, was he sweating?

your sweet smile didn’t help. his eyebrows furrowed, he knew what you were doing. you knew what you were doing. but he didn’t pay much mind to that when your honeyed voice chimed, “i’ll wait for you under the umbrella, okay?”

“okay.” he gulped, watching your hips sway as you made your way back to your original spot, meeting up with aerith as she gawked over your outfit. mako tinted eyes followed you until you were a distant figure, watching as you twirled and giggled with aerith.

cloud’s breathing became shallow as he sighed— unsure if it was a breath of relief or frustration. his eyes trailed downwards when he noticed his trunks got tighter, letting out an exasperated groan as he rushed to the nearest bathroom, eager to rush back to you after he’s done.

only then did he turn around and become face to face with tifa, red eyes crinkled in a teasing manner while she looked at him. “cloud—!” she sang— and if cloud could die right now, he would. “where you headed off to?”

“just the restroom.”

“didn’t i see you go a few minutes ago?”

he internally facepalmed, eyes drifting off to the side with uncertainty. what could he say to that? besides the next words that embarrassingly tumbled out of his mouth, “just a—small bladder, i guess.”

as if the quizzical look on tifa’s face wasn’t enough proof that she didn’t believe him, dragging him by the wrist certainly was. cloud stifled a sigh as the polyester of his trunks rubbed against him a little too much with an extra far step over a sand hole. he averted his gaze as he saw you and aerith chatting it up under the umbrella, bare legs splayed out before you as you listened to the calls of the sea.

“wow, cloud! nice outfit!” aerith cheers, turning towards cloud with an extended finger as she giggled. he watched as you turned around, lowering your sunglasses a bit as you gave him a smug half-grin. gulping, he opened his mouth again hesitantly to try his best to excuse himself once more, his problem growing more and more obvious with how long he stared at your exposed skin.

but before he could get a word out, he heard a cheery, “hey, tifa! i heard marlene saying something about wanting us to bring her back some seashells—! wanna go look for some?” and before cloud knew it, tifa and aerith ran along to the shore, eyes immediately keen on any glimmering seashells that stood out against the sun— leaving cloud with you.

poor boy didn’t get a chance to even get a word in before you flashed him a small smile and held up a white and blue bottle. he couldn’t even focus on a word you said when your gloss was shining so well with the fluidity of your lips, their languid movements dragging his attention away from the sound of your voice before he felt another wave wash over him. whether that was the suns fault or yours wasn’t specified in his mind before he noticed you had stopped talking.

“huh?” he asked.

your eyebrows furrowed as your smile grew wider. “i asked if you could spot me with some sunscreen.”

once again, another mortifying moment for cloud and his trunks. his mouth gaped open and closed a small bit before he finally sighed and mumbled, “i really better go and s—“

“c’mon, you want your girlfriend to burn to death out here?”

your insistent words didn’t help his problem, your voice teasing as he focused on the way the word ‘girlfriend’ rolled off your tongue. he had no choice—except he actually did despite saying that he didn’t—but to take small steps towards the towel, ducking under the small umbrella and taking a seat behind you.

he was so aware of everything now with the hard-on in his trunks more embarrassing than ever. the sand beneath his feet and on the back of his thighs, the way your back glistened with the unwavering heat of the island shining down on you, the way he hesitantly grabbed the sunblock bottle from your soft hands.

he squirted some into his palm, the foreign feeling of a bare hand made his eyebrows furrow as he was so used to his own gloved ones. you hummed a small tune— one cloud had recalled was playing in the jukebox outside a drink stand nearby, while he rubbed his hands to get the lotion spread. if his face wasn’t red then, it definitely was when you let out a small sigh at the feeling of the cold sensation on your back.

despite being as awkward as he was, cloud’s deft hands massaged the sunscreen into your skin surprisingly comfortably. he let out a small curse under his breath as he grimaced when you slightly turned your head and questioned his whispers, “what was that?”

“nothin’.”

he was pretty sure you could see somewhat of his face right now, eyes scrunching as he felt himself twitch in his trunks while the tips of his ears grew red. if he was lucky enough— and coherent enough— he’d blame it on the sun. and it definitely didn’t help that you kept trying to make conversation with him.

“don’t you think it’s so beautiful out today, cloud?” you smiled. the breath of fresh air was unlike anything the two of you had experienced— you could inhale freely without choking on ash or dirt or debris from the recklessness of shinra. and he had to admit, it was a nicer change of pace stopping by costa del sol.

“everything’s just so gorgeous out here—“

“can you please stop talking?”

you turned your head once more, and cloud sighed in embarrassment. he didn’t mean for it to come out that way, honest. but he can’t focus on your words when you’re in front of him with that stupid swimsuit, distracting him as he tries not to shift his lower body to much. and of course, it took a beat of silence before your voice came out low, “have i offended you?”

“are you serious right now? you’re having me pour sunblock on you while you’re pressed up against me.”

it was only then when you let out a small laugh that he realized what you were doing. you did all of this on purpose— you sat here with aerith for a solid five minutes while he bumped into tifa, you could’ve had her spot you. but no, cloud just had to be the one to do it. he had noticed that you shifted back a little bit, which he thought was just so he didn’t have to reach so far but now that your lower back was pressed against him, he realized that you understood his problem a long time ago.

“oh well, sorry about that.” you teased, reaching behind you to remove cloud’s hands while you turned around to face him. you took off your sunglasses and grinned at him, taking in his flustered appearance. the bulge in his trunks failed to go unnoticed as your eyes flickered down once or twice.

“hey, cloud?” he looked back up at you, tearing his eyes away from the very interesting flecks of gold in the sand.

your smile never left your face. a deep contrast to your sweet demeanor was the innuendo that left your lips afterwards, “didn’t you have to go to bathroom earlier?”

#ffvii x reader #final fantasy x reader #ffvii fanfiction #final fantasy vii x reader #ffvii cloud strife #ffvii cloud #ffvii rebirth #ffvii remake #cloud strife #cloud strife x reader #final fantasy fanfiction #final fantasy 7 remake #final fantasy 7 rebirth #ff7 rebirth #ff7 cloud #final fantasy 7 cloud #final fantasy 7 x reader #final fantasy 7 #cloud x reader #cloud strife fanfiction #final fantasy cloud #ODOTTIE *･῾ ᵎ⌇ ⁺◦ 💘 ✧.* #kiss kiss

[reallyromealone]

Hey rome I was wondering if you could do alpha sephiroth x omega reader were the reader is cloud's older brother but cloud Is protective If not maybe a little overprotective of the reader who is pregnant and due at any time

Sorry if the request is hard to understand this is my first request and I was nervous to ask

Modern au

Omegaverse, male reader, fluff, mpreg, mentions of birth

Sephiroth x male reader

🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷☁️🩷

It was a surprise that sephiroth managed to court and mate (name) Strife, the Omega being the older brother of Cloud.

Sephiroth proved to be a very capable alpha to the Omega, being the Son of Shinra Sephiroth could provide (name) with a perfect life.

"Time to wake up" sephiroth deep voice whispered in his mates ear, gently caressing his large belly that carried their sons, Sephiroth managing to knock (name) up with triplet sons that they were already working on (name)s for.

Sephiroth gently peppered kisses across his neck and smirked at the cute sounds the other was making "ten more minutes..." (Name) grumbled but the silver haired man wasn't having it, getting up and lifting his very pregnant mate in his arms.

Sephiroth was a serious man, a ruthless business man in the best of days but in his home he was a loving mate and husband.

"(Name)!" Little marline ran to the Omega who hugged her the best he could while being pregnant with three pups "hello pup" he said as sephiroth kept a hand on the omegas lower back.

"Cloud!" (Name) smiled at his baby brother, the blond alpha letting his brother check him over and fret as his instincts went haywire.

Cloud and sephiroth always had a....rocky relationship.

It started in university where they were on opposing teams for their respective university martial arts teams and have been sworn enemies since.

Cloud glared at the silver haired alpha and Sephiroth glared back.

Cloud didn't think Sephiroth was good enough for (name) and sephiroth just thought cloud was annoying.

The visit was a constant war between the two, finding anything to nitpick at each other much to (name)s annoyance.

Cloud barely let Sephiroth get five feet within (name)s vicinity.

"Oh" (name) looked down to see wet liquid down his leg "I'm so sorry Barrett" (name) whispered as a contraction rolled through "I'll drive you to the hospital!" Cloud said but Sephiroth halted him "on a motorcycle? Absolutely not"

"He's right Cloud, he needs a secure vehicle" Tifa spoke up and the blond alpha glared at the smug Sephiroth "and don't you worry (name)" Barrett said waving off the omegas worry.

(Name) ended up having surgery to deliver the pups, three beautiful little boys that all looked identical to their Sire.

"My babies..." (Name) mumbled as he reached to the three babes.

"I'm an uncle..." Cloud mumbled as they all went in the room to see (name) and the babies "you're an uncle" (name) mumbled very drugged and loopy "baby... Tell em the names!" He said giggly "they are named Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo" sephiroth said holding two out of three "wash your hands and you may hold them"

"Tell cloud the thing..." (Name) mumbled to his alpha as the babes were passed around and Sephiroth sighed "(name) would like to know if you're willing to be their god father" he grumbled, the blond looking at his tiny nephews in awe "absolutely..." He said pulling little Loz closer, the baby a bit more of a Cryer than his brothers.

Little kadaj didn't want to leave his Dam at all, practically sobbing when someone tried to hold him and Yazoo just didn't care.

"Now let's let the new parents spend time with their babies" Aerith said calmly, everyone bidding goodbye "you did good kid" Barrett kissed (name)s forehead lovingly, being his and Clouds defacto dad and the omega smiled at the affection.

When everyone left (name) fed his pups, two at a time then took the last to feed "they're going to be so loved..." (Name) whispered as Sephiroth put them in their little bassinets "they will never be without" sephiroth whispered as (name) passed out from exhaustion.

(Name) was going to be an excellent parent... Sephiroth could feel it.

#ff7 #ff7 x reader #ff7 x male reader #sephiroth x male reader #Sephiroth x reader #x male reader #male reader #omegaverse #omega male reader

[firstknightvulion]

Cloud and Tifa work so well in a relationship because they are flawed. They have fears. And they let those fears dictate their actions from time to time. They, eventually, work through those feelings. Watching them grow as characters is so fulfilling.

They are the perfect losers in love.

So I thought of another funny.

Full disclosure, I ain’t at Cosmo Canyon in Rebirth yet but I can imagine. Imagine hilarious awkwardness!

Cosmo Canyon. The group treks on under the burning sun. Red XIII leads the group. Cloud carries Tifa, who is delirious from the sun, on his back.

Tifa: I’m really sorry you have carry me like this.

Cloud: Don’t worry about it. All you do for me, this is like the bare minimum.

Tifa: *chuckling* You’re so nice, Cloud. I’d love to suck on your face.

Time stops for everyone. With the exception of Red, the group stops dead in their tracks. Oblivious, Tifa continues.

Tifa: Not just your face, I’d love to suck your c-

Red XIII: CAUTION!!! I smell fiends in the air.

Using the timely interruption, Yuffie runs up to Tifa and starts whispering to her.

Yuffie: Tifa! Tifa!

Tifa: *looks are Yuffie, a dreamy smile on her face*

Yuffie: You said that out loud.

Tifa: Huh?

Yuffie: *cringing* You said you wanted to suck Cloud’s w-

Red XIII: WATCH OUT!!! Wait, that was just a rock…

Tifa: *the realization of what she had done hitting her like a tidal wave* Cloud?

Cloud: *gulps* Yeah?

Tifa: There’s a nice cliff over there. Can you throw me off of it?

Cloud: Tifa, you don’t have to be embarrassed. I wouldn’t mind you sucking my face.

Everyone else is almost crushed by second hand embarrassment. Cloud, the sun frying his brain too, goes on.

Cloud: And I would really like it if you sucked my d-

Red XIII: DANGER!!! Oh, it’s just a plant.

Yuffie and Cait Sith try their best to get Cloud and Tifa to shut up. In the back of the group, Aerith and Barret stand. Faces solemn. Sunglasses on. Wills united.

Barret: Can we save them?

Aerith: We must try.

Barret: It’s gonna be hard.

Aerith: *pulling out a flask and taking a swig before handing it to Barret* I’ve long since abandoned the notion of this being an easy road to walk.

They made it to Cosmo Canyon. Cloud and Tifa’s brain’s were so fried they forgot the whole conversation. It was for the best.

#final fantasy rebirth #final fantasy remake #funny #shitpost #final fantasy 7 #final fantasy vii #ff7 remake #ff7 rebirth #ffvii #ff7 #ffvii rebirth #ffvii remake #cloud x tifa #cloti #cloud strife #tifa lockhart #yuffie kisaragi #red xiii #barret wallace #aerith gainsborough #cait sith

[octopotto]

Yandere! Cloud Strife Childhood Headcanons (+ lil’ blurb)

OCTO NOTE:

*Seeing barely any yan cloud strife content*

Me: Fine… I’ll do it myself

Warnings: NOT PROOF READ, Mentions of: child injuries, self-dout, depression, and violence, Out of Character madness (even for yandere standards), Unhealthy behaviours, Yandere but not extreme but still—, Possessiveness, Kid Cloud is crazy protective, some stuff is inaccurate bc I’m writing this by memory.

**Will CONTAIN SPOILERS for the following: FF7 (original), FF7 Remake (2020).

REMINDER: Yandere behaviour of any kind is unhealthy behaviour. It should not be something to seek out for in real life. If you are experiencing any sort of inappropriate behaviour, please contact help/seek out help.

**The reader will ALWAYS be Gender-Neutral!

THIS IS STRICTLY PLATONIC BC FOR ME WRITING CHILDREN IN LOVE IS WEIRD AND I CAN'T SORRY.

ps: first fic!

———————————-••———————————

- Due to Clouds insecurities developing at a young age, he most likely won’t approach you first. You would either have to be the one initiating the conversation or Tifa has to introduce you two.

- Either way, it’s super awkward for the both of you.

- Lil’ boy is bitter because no one wanted to be his friend but here you are lol

- I think the best way to get Cloud to open up is for you to keep talking to him or approaching him first

- I believe that it’s those efforts that will help Cloud realize how much you genuinely want to become friends/closer with him.

- It will help him get out of his shell.

- Honestly, getting him to initiate the conversation FIRST is a HUGE development in y’all’s relationship.

- Kid Cloud: *Approaches you first* “Hi…”

- Kid You: 😧😧 —> 😃😭🥰

- It will probably be like that for a while, but it will do!

- It’s kind of his way of showing that he also now wants to become closer with you.

- But once you guys finally get out of the ‘awkward’ phase, Cloud will slowly start to become attached to you.

- He’s now more confident in expressing himself and approaching you.

- He even tried to hold your hand a few times because he saw you hold Tifas hand when playing

- At one point, you even made Cloud and yourself friendship bracelets.

- “It a symbol of how much we care for each other!” You expressed to Cloud.

- He never once took off that bracelet. It was probably the first time he received something that wasn’t from his mother.

- You would always see him with it on. Even if you guys got into a fight.

- But when time passed, he started to get clingy

- No like

- REALLY CLINGY

- It’s to the point where you guys arrive to your house and you walk in to call it a night, HE ALSO starts to walk into the house.

- Kid You: *Confused as to why Cloud is taking off his shoes in your house after waving goodbye*

- Kid Cloud: *Literally just inviting himself in because wherever you go, HE GOES*

- I feel like his mother would look over this behaviour.

- Remember, Cloud never had any friends or anyone to talk to.

- So his mother was actually over the moon when he finally has someone who cares for him.

- She would probably chalk it up as him just being excited to have a friend.

- Your own guardian/parents wouldn’t mind as well as much

- They don’t really like the other kids as much (besides Tifa), so they were also happy that you made a new friend (despite again, being very clingy to you)

- Another mouth to feed too since he likes staying over.

- Cloud doesn’t understand these emotions but he does understand that he cherishes you and wants to be around you more often.

‘Kay enough with the slow-burn, time for the angst! :D

- If you played the original FF7 or watched it, yknow what’s coming up.

- Tifa’s mother died when she was young and thought she could reach her if she climbed up Mt. Nibel.

- You and Cloud followed her as you two were concerned for Tifa.

- Up in the mountains, you were fortunate to push Tifa and Cloud away before the bridge fell.

- The consequence? Yourself

- You fell down the bridge in place of both Tifa and Cloud.

- While falling, you heard the most blood-curdling scream you ever heard from both Cloud and Tifa.

- Thankfully, you survived the fall.

- But you still suffered major injuries and was unconscious for several days.

- Which resulted you from going outside.

- This deeply affected Cloud so much. His one and only friend, the one person he care for so much that he would do anything to prove it to you.

- It didn’t help that almost everyone in the town blamed HIM for what happened.

- Even with Tifa’s protests and defending Cloud’s innocence, no one listened.

- IMAGINE BLAMING A CHILD

- Your guardian reassured him and Tifa that it wasn’t their fault, that you wouldn’t want them to feel bad.

- But even with all of the reassurance from your guardian and Tifa, Cloud couldn’t stop the guilt and despair that kept clawing within him.

- Thus, he started believing the blame that people keep telling him, blaming himself that he was the reason why you’re in terrible state right now.

- With you being unconscious and not being able to go out, Cloud started to keep to himself again.

- If he wasn’t staying by your side to see if you would wake up, he was in his bed.

- Just laying in there, surrounded by his thoughts and guilt.

- Why do anything if everything that happened was his fault?

- Why go out if you weren’t there with him?

- He believes that he ruined the one good thing in his life.

- When you finally woke up, Cloud never ran so fast to your house.

- Even forgot to knock, just kept jiggling the door handle until your guardian unlocked it.

- He quickly into went to your room

- And when he got there, it was like he finally woke up from his nightmare.

- Because there you were, alive.

- Quickly went up to you and hugged you so tight that you thought you couldn’t breathe for a second.

- You couldn’t process what was happening until you felt something wet on your shoulder.

- Cloud was crying. He was so relieved, so relieved to see you awake.

- He didn’t know what to say, all he could say was incoherent mumbles.

- “Im so sorry… I’m so glad you’re here with me” Is what Cloud could say.

- Once you were able to process what was happening, all you did was hug him back just as tightly, not even caring if your arms were still sore. You weren't sure as to why Cloud was saying sorry for, but you began crying as well.

- “I’m glad you’re here with me as well,” You said back.

- All Cloud did was hug you even tighter.

- All throughout your recovery, Cloud was there by your side 24/7.

- If you needed anything, Cloud the Delivery Boy was on the run! 👀👀👀👀

- Made sure to hold your hand extra tight in order for you to not fall.

- If y’all were going outside for a walk, IT WILL ONLY BE ON FLAT GROUND.

- No hills, no bumps, no nothing

- He can’t risk you hurting yourself again because of himself.

- He also tried to carry you

- Never again lol

- Also super protective

- Wouldn’t even let Tifa near you when she wanted to see you again.

- Tifa was so mad he didn’t let her hang out with you. She was your friend too!!

- Kid Cloud: *Puts arm out to create a barrier between you guys and Tifa*

- “No 😡😡😡😡😡”

- Kid Tifa: 🙁🙁🙁

- Tifa On the inside: 🤬🤬🤬

- yan! tifa lockhart hcs??👀👀👀

- After what happened to you, Cloud swore to himself that he will be the one to protect you from any harm. Even as you guys grew older, he always protected you.

- He wants to always be by your side.

- He doesn’t want to leave you alone from now on.

- Because it might make his nightmares come true once more: You leaving him.

-----------------

But what happens a few years later when he decides to leave for SOLIDER?

~~~~~

It was late at night and Cloud left a note for you, asking to meet him at the water tower.

It wasn’t unusual for Cloud to ask this because you guys usually hang out whenever one of you feels like it. As you kept walking to the tower, you can’t help but have a strange feeling as to why Cloud didn’t specify why he wanted to talk to you.

Once you got to the top of the tower, you see Cloud sitting on edge of the platform. It seemed like he was lost in thought, like he was still figuring out what to say. You smiled, always finding his thinking-face to be so cute. You finally approached him and tapped on on the shoulder. He flinched, he didn’t even hear you walk up.

“Hey” You greeted Cloud while sitting down.

Cloud nodded his head at you and looked backed out on the ground below him.

Your eyebrows furred together. Again, the same feeling when you were walking to the tower came back and sense that something was wrong with Cloud.

“You said you wanted to speak to me?” You questioned as you continued to observe Cloud’s facial expressions. It took some time for him to say something, but when he did, it almost disappointed you.

“When spring comes, I’m leaving town and going to Midgard.” He stated while not looking at you.

You frowned. You knew this day would come.

You hummed at Cloud’s response. “Not surprised… every guy here is leaving for work, even Tifa’s friends are leaving too..” You quietly said, still sad that Cloud was leaving you. Cloud jumped at the tone of you voice, quickly turning his head in order to face you.

“B-But— I’m not like them!” Cloud exclaimed, worried that you thought he wanted to leave you. Never.

“I’m not just going into the city just to look for a job… I’m going to become a SOLDIER. Like Sephiroth” Cloud continued as he confessed.

“The legendary war-hero huh…” You said quietly.

You heard stories from some the guys around town talk about how they would leave town to either look for work or join a military program named ‘SOLDIER’. It’s been something that a lot of kids dream of when growing up, and Cloud was apparently not an exception.

You knew it was selfish of you to wished that Cloud wouldn’t leave town for the program. But he’s your best friend. It‘ll be painful for you to see him move far away for a long time, in a completely different city.

You guys stayed silent for a few minutes until scooted closer to Cloud. He looked at you surprised.

“Okay…then promise me this” You said to him. “When we’re older and you become a famous war hero and come back to visit… you’ll take me with you on your missions.” You said as you had this serious look in your eyes. If Cloud was going to be able to go cool and interesting adventures, you wanna come with.

“H-huh—?!”

“You’ll be like my guide or something!” You laughed at Clouds reaction.

“It will be dangerous for you!” Cloud exclaimed.

“Nu-uh! Tifa’s father has been teaching me some moves lately! At this rate, I’m going to be even stronger than Sephiroth and become SOLDIER” You proudly said as you flexed your non-existenting muscles.

“Plus..” You started. “Since you’re gonna become a SOLDIER, you’re going to be able to protect me. I know you will. You know I trust you with my life!” You continued as you smiled at him.

Cloud gasped at your statement as his eyes widen in shock.

You trusted him.

You wanted him to save you.

You wanted him as your protector.

You wanted him.

You felt your checks warm up in embarrassment as you realized what you said to him. You then grabbed Cloud into a tight hug.

You felt Cloud slowly hug you back.

"Y’know, I'm glad I met you, Cloud" You whispered to Cloud, hugging him even tighter. He also hugs you closer.

You guys just stayed like that while looking at the stars above.

All Cloud wants is to become strong enough to protect you. Since he saw how much Sephiroth has done to protect other people and cities in the papers, he knew that he had to join. To become stronger, to be able to become the best version of himself, for you to see that the only person that you could come to for protection and rescuing, will be him. He will become your protector.

He swore to himself ever since you got injured because to his carelessness.

‘Y/n…You have no idea what lengths I would go through just to keep you safe.’

———————————-••———————————

OCTO NOTE: This was supposed to be general headcanons but I went overboard (clearly lol). So most likely this will become a series.

This is my first ever fic that I’ve written for Tumblr as well as for Final Fantasy 7, so I deeply apologize if anything is inaccurate :((

Hoped you enjoyed these hcs! Again, Cloud gets no love in the yandere fic community so why not I just write some lmaoo

#tw yandere #yandere final fantasy 7 #yandere #yandere imagines #yandere headcanons #soft yandere #yandere final fantasy #yandere cloud strife #dont take this srsly #kinda inaccurate #male yandere #final fantasy 7 #final fantasy vii #my fic #pls im so bored #yandere scenarios #final fantasy imagines #final fantasy x reader #yandere x reader #cloud strife #cloud strife x reader #yandere x you #yandere x darling

[shuttershocky]

In this clip, I tried to feature 2 of the biggest improvements that 7Rebirth made to combat that makes me enjoy it so much more than Remake's.

So first off is air combat. In FF7Remake, enemies out of reach were usually dealt with by Aerith and Barret. Tifa and Cloud could jump and do a basic air combo, but this was out of your control, you had to attack and hope the game registered your target was in the air, then once you were up there you had very little options apart from attacking them coming back down.

Rebirth introduces aerial combat in earnest, as well as introduces more options for dealing with enemies out of reach. Cloud can throw sword waves by doing dodge + attack, but also dodging + holding down the attack makes him jump at the enemy to begin an air combo.

Certain abilities can now be cast in mid-air as well, which greatly improves their functionality. Cloud's Braver in Remake had a long cast animation where he had to ready the sword then do the leaping slash, and most non-staggered enemies could simply sidestep the attack. In Rebirth however, Braver can now be cast in midair, so Cloud can actually use it to finish a combo by aircomboing an enemy and then purposely dropping them in order to Braver right on their heads. Dropping the enemy to the ground acts as a "stun" that holds the enemy in place for Braver, which is what I do to the orc.

The second big improvement is Synergy. An evolution of Yuffie's Synergy mechanic from Remake's Yuffie DLC, Synergy lets you combine two characters to do a skill that doesn't cost ATB.

In this video, I use Synergy Skills twice with Tifa. The first time is Soaring Flurry (Tifa + Cloud assisting) where Cloud swings his sword then boosts Tifa with it, letting her do a flying kick. The second time is Heavenly Ascent (Tifa + Aerith assisting) where Aerith boosts Tifa's uppercut with her staff, sending Tifa and the opponent high upward instead of Soaring Flurry's angle, putting them out of reach of enemies on the ground.

I love the Synergy system. There are more features to it like Synergy abilities that are basically Two-person limit breaks and Synergy tag (also featured in the video) where holding down the Synergy button while swapping characters makes the new character automatically attack the locked on enemy, letting you continue a combo while swapping, but the most important feature of Synergy is how it marries Action and RPG design.

In my experience, most ARPG combat systems have the A and the RPG parts barely interact at best. For standard ARPG combat, the RPG section is a single character's build, and the rest of it is stats vs enemies (ex: the new God of War games). Sometimes parts of the RPG section barely even matter, like Equipment in FF16 being a straight upgrade tree with no real choice or flavor, you just equip the bigger number item once you get it, and the only build is in Eikon and ability selection.

But not only does Rebirth keep Remakes' focus on materia and equipment builds, but the new Synergy system adds a new dimension to teambuilding. Back in Remake, you only really chose your team inside the Shinra combat simulator. In Rebirth, you can freely choose between Cloud + 2 Partners for most of the game, and I find myself constantly swapping and experimenting with lineups because it's not just materia, character abilities, and equipment I'm fussing over, Synergy also introduces specific character combo abilities that are actively a part of free-flowing combat, since Synergy skills don't use any ATB.

Teambuilding influences the moment to moment Action gameplay. Barret + Cloud can move forward and do a 3 hit attack without lowering their Guard. Barret + Aerith can have Aerith load a shotgun for Barret, giving Barret a close-ranged AOE attack. There's a lot to uncover before you even get to the Synergy Abilities (the dual limit breaks), and it makes the already fast and dynamic combat a joy to play.

This game rules.

#FF7Rebirth #FF7R spoilers

[wonderl3ss]

HOLAA!! can i req cloud strife with an s/o who rambles a lot and is very energetic and one day they’re like hanging out at seventh heaven and they’re doin their thing and rambling and someone tells them they talk to much?!?! and then they just go silent for a few days only giving short answers or speaking when needed, j just wanna see what he’d do in this situation 👩‍🌾

TY IN ADVANCED

pairing: cloud strife x gn!reader

a/n: tysm for the req !! sorry it took a while, but i hope it’s okay n what u wanted ! <33

your most noticeable trait was that you were extremely talkative. joining in with every conversation, even if it didn’t actually involve you. nobody had a problem with this as far as you knew, they all expressed that they enjoyed hearing you talk and ramble on about literally whatever.

cloud especially enjoyed this. he, on the other hand, was known for being quiet, usually only speaking when spoken to, or when the conversation was important and directly involving him. he swears he could listen to you talk forever and never get sick of your voice; just enjoying seeing the pure happiness and genuine smile on your face when you’re talking to him or the others.

you get especially chatty after a few drinks, though. tifa joked one night in seventh heaven that she was surprised you still manage to find things to talk about.

and that is where you, tifa, aerith and cloud all sit right now, drinks in hand, you mindlessly chatting away as they all listen intently on what it was that you had found so interesting today.

there were a couple other people sat in the bar too, so at times tifa had to leave the conversation to pour them drinks and whatnot.

gasping at a certain thing you suddenly remembered, you subconsciously clapped your hands together, unknowingly gaining the attention of a random man sitting at a table behind you all.

the man gave the back of your head a death glare before speaking up, “will you shut up? you talk way too fucking much, i’m getting a headache,” the slamming of his glass on the table caught your attention.

you turned around to look at him, his eyebrows were furrowed and his hand was tightly gripping onto his glass, you were afraid it was going to smash under the pressure. he was definitely annoyed.

“are you talking to me?” you ask, your voice slightly lowering. you weren’t expecting someone to raise their voice at you, and honestly, it hurt.

the look that cloud was giving the man would definitely kill him on the spot if that were possible.

“there’s nobody else in here talking as loud as you, is there? now shut up and let me drink in peace.” you didn’t feel like arguing so you left the conversation at that. you wondered if the man was doing your friends a favour in getting you to shut up.

suddenly the drink seemed more interesting than the conversation you were just having. aerith must’ve noticed a change in your mood as you turned back around to take another sip of your drink.

“are you okay?” she smiled, trying to lighten the mood a little in an attempt to get you to continue what you were talking about previously.

“i’m fine. but, i think i’m gonna go, i’m getting tired.” you thanked tifa for the drinks, waving goodbye to everyone before leaving and heading home.

to say the least, it got a lot louder in the bar after you left. neither cloud nor tifa were going to let the man slide with souring your mood like that. it didn’t seem like the man was going to be returning there ever again.

cloud left immediately after dealing with the situation and headed straight to your place. he didn’t bother with knocking — not that he even needed to.

he found you curled up in your bed, wrapped up in the covers with them pulled up right around your head. cloud wouldn’t have even noticed you were there if it weren’t for the sound of the sheets moving as you pulled them down to see who had entered.

“talk to me. what’s wrong?” he lay down next to you, pulling what little of the covers was left around him.

“i said i’m fine, just tired. i’m not in the mood to talk right now, i just want to sleep.” you whispered. cloud was sure that if you were any quieter he wouldn’t have heard you.

he didn’t want to push you to talk if you weren’t feeling like it; he assumed you would tell him in the morning when you were feeling better. he knows that personally, he wouldn’t want to be pushed into talking about something, so he didn’t force you.

there was only silence after that. just knowing cloud was there and that he loves and cares for you slowly calmed you to sleep. cloud eventually fell asleep shortly after he noticed you had.

in the morning he still didn’t push you to talk. he woke up before you and went on with the normal things he usually does in the morning, to allow you time to yourself to think about how you were going to talk to him.

except, the only thing you could think about was the words that man said to you. like a broken record, the words just played over and over in your head as you lay awake, staring up at the ceiling. you could hear cloud ever so slightly making noise now and again, which eventually made you think of him instead.

now, you felt guilty. guilty that you just wouldn’t speak to him because of something a stranger said. someone irrelevant in your life. so why should you listen to them? why would their opinion matter to you? — questions you were unable to find answers to.

you still didn’t feel like talking just yet, though.

deciding that you should probably actually get out of bed, you eventually pulled yourself up and into the bathroom to do whatever it was you did in the mornings.

walking into the kitchen you noticed cloud was sat at the table, daydreaming about who knows what. filling up a glass with water, you then sat opposite him, just staring at the water dripping down the sides of the glass before taking a sip.

“feeling any better?” cloud eventually spoke up, looking at you, his head slightly at an angle with a soft expression on his face.

you quickly glanced at him before going back to staring at the water. your voice just louder than a whisper, you replied, “yeah, i guess.”

the rest of the day was filled with cloud trying to talk to you, only for you to reply with short answers, and small conversations that you barely participated in, starting only when other people spoke first — usually, you were the one starting every conversation.

once again, you fell asleep in silence, and also woke up in silence.

currently, you were in the kitchen making something to eat. you had woken up before cloud, and feeling a lot better than yesterday, you got the motivation to actually make something for the both you to sit and eat.

while laying in bed this morning, cloud asleep next to you, it left you alone with your thoughts. however, this time they weren’t of those words from that man. you had now decided you weren’t going to let him affect you anymore.

cloud never slept in long, waking up not long after you. walking into the kitchen to see you actually up and smiling — as opposed to the last few days — was a little shocking to him.

“you seem to be feeling better. wanna talk now?” you jumped a little at the sudden sound of clouds voice.

“mhm, i realised it was stupid to let some stranger have this much affect on me,” you replied as you turned around to pass cloud the food you had made him.

“that’s good.“ cloud never was much of a talker, and as you both ate the rest of your food, cloud mostly silent, you realised you were going to be doing most of the speaking yet again.

#cloud strife x reader #cloud x reader #ff7 x reader #final fantasy vii #ff7 fanfic #cloud strife #ff7 remake

[therebels787]

No Need To Be Shy

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I haven't really had the inspiration to write another fic. This one a bit cheesey honestly but I thought it was a cute idea. I also have another one I'm working on that a bit of a lewd on but honestly I don't think that'll be any good. Anywho I hope you all enjoy this one, it was fun to write.

You looked throughout the apartment, your bedroom lay empty and clean, the guest-turned office was slightly a mess but really who cared, as long as no one was in there, you were good, and the living/dining room was also empty. Finally! You could do something you hadn't had the chance to do in such a long time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Cloud was bone-tired, he had been on the road for what felt like a month. He had been travelling back and forth between Kalm and Edge all week. No one was making up their damn mind or talking to one another. It absolutely drained the poor man. At least now he's a little better at talking with people, so it wasn't as bad. Compared to how he was a few years ago, it's like he was a different person. Sometimes though, when he's been gone for a bit too long, he wonders what would’ve happened if things had taken another course.

    ‘I might’ve never met Barret's annoying ass, reunited with Tifa, had the kids, made a new family or met…y/n,' he paused for a moment then shook his head, 'I definitely wouldn’t have been as happy.’ Cloud thought with a small smile. He just really couldn’t wait to see you. All he wanted was to relax with a nice warm meal, cuddle up next to you, watch some corny movies, and just sleep with you in his arms. The thought alone made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Something he never would admit to liking, since he still had a reputation to keep.

He quickly got to your guys' shared apartment, and went to unlock the door. He was picturing you giving him that sweet smile of yours, walking up and embracing him (with a kiss hopefully), and just expressing all those annoying lovable feelings that he only let out for you.

What he wasn’t picturing when he unlocked the door, was to hear music. Naturally, Cloud knew you were really into music, but most of the time you would only listen to it when you had your earbuds in after dinner, when you both cleaned up or when you were working from home on some commissions in the office. This was slightly out of his comfort zone, but nevertheless, he walked through the door and shut it behind him.

The song was not something he thought you would listen to. He knew you for your f/m/g, something he could also enjoy if you had played it around him, but this was a bit more modern. More…he didn't know what, but it sounded really cliche? Anywho, he looked around the living room trying to figure out just what was happening before he noticed a slight bit of movement in the kitchen. Slowly he approached. What he found was quite…interesting to say the least.

There you were dancing, your sweet little heart out to some old pop songs that so many people hated back in the day. You never really were good at dancing but that didn't stop you at this moment. You were twirling, shaking your hips, hell even jumping at some point. None of that mattered to you. You were having the time of your life and Cloud loved it. 

He leaned on the doorframe of the kitchen and just watched, honestly if he had a camera he would've been recording but that felt a bit weird. Either way, he loved watching this side of you.

Once the song was done you let out a shaky breath and went over to turn off the music. Once that was taken care of you turned to see your boyfriend giving you a goofy smile.

"...heya." You whispered and gave an awkward wave.

"Hello," he replied with a nod of his head.

"..."

"..."

"...so how much did you see there?"

Cloud thought for a moment, "I'm not too sure."

"Ok…"

"You looked like you were having fun," he said as he moved from the doorway towards you.

"Y-yeah, it was pretty fun tbh." You reply as you bow your head, feeling too embarrassed to look at him. Cloud, being Cloud though, was not about to let you keep feeling like that. He lifted your head, and gave you a reassuring smile before dragging you into a tight hug, which you quickly returned.

"Why are you such a dork?"

"Maybe because I'm in love with one?" You muttered back against his shoulder, causing him to laugh.

"And here I was, about to offer to be your dance partner for next time."

That made you gasp, you knew about the whole "Miss Cloud Incident '' from Tifa, so you had just assumed that Cloud wouldn't want to dance. You softly pushed yourself away from him just so you could look up into his eyes, which honestly you could just get lost in for hours on end (because you have, too many times now to count), and blinked a few times before asking-

"Really? You would dance with me?"

Cloud wasn't expecting you to sound so surprised.

"Of course," he started to feel a bit flustered with the way you were looking at him. It was the same face you made when he confessed way back when.

You looked like someone that was told their whole life that they could finally have the one thing they were never even allowed to look at, let alone think of. That face always made him feel like he was worth something, that you made him worth something, (he knew that wasn't how it works but still).

"I'd do anything for you, y/n." He said before capturing your lips in a sweet, gentle kiss. You both stayed like that for a few seconds before pulling away. You relaxed a little more and placed your head on his chest as he held you. "Just don't expect me to do any crazy dance moves ok?" He said.

"Of course babe." You laughed, causing Cloud to think for a moment.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Tifa told you, didn't she?"

"Yup."

Cloud quickly regretted this agreement.

#cloud strife #cloud strife x reader #cloud x reader #ffvii #final fantasy 7 #final fantasy cloud #fluff #gender neutral reader #reader insert #x reader #ffvii cloud x reader #ff7 cloud x reader #happens during Advent Children cause i love older Cloud #like seriously he's just such a dork #poor cloud #mentions miss cloud #also the song is baby cause that is bop and you cant tell me otherwise #baby by justin bieber specific

[fury-brand]

Wars Waged In Us Chapter 54: Sending a Dream

The Highwind had gone quiet. Inside the cabin, the rustling of papers in hands, the steady sweep of waves against the Wutaian shore outside, and the swelling tension of the looming mission. Cloud spoke up first, standing at the head of the group. “Everybody ready for tomorrow?” “Yeah,” Barret answered gruffly, arms crossed. “We gotta be.” "You're strong enough," Sephiroth told him confidently. Barret held his gaze for a moment. He nodded. Tifa paced across the cockpit again, a bounce in her step. “We all are. We can do this.” “It’s a long shot,” Vincent said flatly, face buried in his cowl. Reeve shrugged, cracking a rare smile. “Always was a gambler.” “Take care of ‘Naki for me, old man,” Yuffie said to Cid. “He’s a scaredy-cat deep down.” “You’re more nervous than I am,” Nanaki scoffed, flicking his tail and ignoring the way Yuffie bristled. “Don’t worry, kiddo,” Cid answered through a cloud of cigarette smoke. “We got this.” Looking around the airship at all of them, Aeris smiled, warm and wide. The Planet was waiting for them.

#final fantasy vii #ffvii #final fantasy 7 #ff7 #cloud strife #sephiroth #aeris gainsborough #aerith gainsborough #tifa lockhart #barret wallace #yuffie kisaragi #vincent valentine #reeve tuesti #cait sith #cid highwind #nanaki #red xiii

[kissami]

MOSQUITO ~ series’ masterlist

SUM. food and nutrition is your favorite class to attend, what happens when you're assigned partners with a dude you've known for years yet never had a decent conversation with and from two completely different groups of friends. To make things worse, he's cousins with the dude who played you the summer before.

fem! reader with she/her pronouns

warnings: language, short chapters, slow burn

CHAPTERS:

0: profiles

I: new partner who this?

II: Tifa let me be yours?

III: you don’t want some grapes?

more coming soon…

INSPO: literally an incident that happened to me freshman year... except this is more magical lol.

“This fucking sucks.” Looking at tifa, you frown as you both scanned the paper that was taped to the white board in front of class.

The two of you always were paired with one another. You two were the power duo when it came to cooking and exams during food and nutrition.

So why the heck were you guys changing partners in the middle of the semester?

The both of you were clearly upset, so used to being with another, going to each other’s houses for assignments, just overall having a great time.

Then Mr. Hewley just had to ruin it all. Maybe it was because you two would be the ones always answering questions, finishing quickly, etc. but why did you feel like being good students was becoming a punishment now.

“We all are comfortable with our partners, so why not mix it up to see how challenging this can be for everyone,” he waved his hand in the air slightly as he walked around slowly.

“We need to be uncomfortable in order to succeed. So, I have advised a new approach to this class. Being partnered up with a completely different person, different social groups, and different personalities.”

‘Who tf will I be paired with. I know everyone in this class, not by choice but still.’ You glanced around the room, frowning.

“The group to make the best Confit de Canard at the end of this semester ; one of the most difficult dishes to make, will not be needing to do finals.” Some of you ooh’d as Mr. Hewley’s finals were one of the most difficult to pass.

“Now then, all of you know your new partners so go and sit with one another.” Looking back at the sheet of paper, you were confused on who the heck is a cloud? Is this a real person? Was this a joke?

You felt tifa shift next to you, frowning as she waved you goodbye as she walked over to Yuffie.

You looked around again, seeing a tall figure huddled into themselves. The person had blonde spiked hair, piercings on the eyebrow and ears, along with dark clothes.

‘Is this him?’ You slowly walked over, tapping his shoulder. He hummed, looking up and you saw bright turquoise eyes you’ve seen before.

Wait a second…

“You’re Zack’s cousin aren’t you?”

“I have a name. But yes i am. Cloud strife.”

Oh fuck me.

#kissami #x reader #final fantasy 7 #cloud strife x reader #cloud strife #final fantasy vii #aerith gainsborough #vincent valentine #tifa lockhart #cloud x reader #ff7 cloud #final fantasy 7 remake #ff7 #ff7 remake #messagesau #modern au #x reader fluff #fluff #ff7 tifa

[rottenpumpkin13]

This Time I'll Call

⏤ Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

⏤ AU, Angst with a happy ending, Cloud Strife/Genesis Rhapsodos, grief, feelings of guilt, major character death but the characters are already dead.

⏤ WC: 1620

⏤ Genesis’s coping method these days include a phone number that no longer exists.

⏤ My writing is extremely wonky in this because I’m getting over yet another wave of writer’s block, but I cried to Yellow by Coldplay while thinking of this and now you get to feel my pain too :,)

The shutter of the camera echoed faintly across the vacant parking lot. It flashed, capturing the moment in color, but never in its full glory. It’s what Genesis found the most annoying about photography.

Photos never did beautiful scenery justice, and certainly not the infamous, golden sunset over Midgar’s ruins.

The sunlight would streak through broken glass and make the red dirt glow. Every dust particle became glitter, the piles of metal and rock were painted orange and yellow, and the decrepit buildings would soak up life in each sun ray, giving them the illusion of their prior glory, when Midgar was still a bustling metropolis. 

Genesis lowered the camera, then unslung the strap from around his neck. Angeal would always have them pose in the scenery after he’d taken the picture.

He said he liked to capture both the place and the people he was with, who were almost always Genesis and Sephiroth. 

He’d always bark orders at them, telling one to sling his arm over the other, or nagging Sephiroth to smile. Cracking a joke always worked. Sephiroth would always laugh at Angeal’s jokes. 

Sephiroth’s laugh was comically deep, a phenomenon that never failed to make Genesis himself laugh. Soon enough the two would be laughing and Angeal would snap the photo.

Genesis laughed quietly at the memory, then stuffed the camera in his open bag. 

It was a rooftop parking lot in one of the few skyscrapers that still stood. The hollow chill of the mid-autumn air magnified every sound tenfold, making the wind that whistled through cracks in the concrete sound like ghostly screams.

Genesis slung his legs over the barrier, sitting right on the edge of the drop. Then he reached across and pulled the bag closer to him. He fished around until he found his phone.

Genesis wasn’t delusional, don’t get him wrong. He knew dialing a dead man’s number was nothing but metaphorically picking at a wound. 

But it wasn’t like it was a daily bout of mania. It was only once every few months, a tradition of sorts. 

Each key he pressed emitted a small beep as he dialed the number. It went as it always did. He’d press the phone to his ear, his heart nearly tearing a hole through his chest, then wait for the electronic voice. 

“We're sorry. You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service.”

“Hey ‘Geal, it’s Genesis!” He forced the words out no matter how much his voice trembled. “Guess where I am right now? Midgar. Well, what’s left of it at least.” In a low tone, he added: “You can thank Seph for that.” 

Genesis fixed his eyes on the ruins below. The breeze raked through his hair before he ran his own hand through it. “So…It was my birthday last week. Thirty-four. That’s a big age.”

He rolled his eyes. “Remember when Director Lazard turned thirty-four and refused to let us throw him an office party, but we did so anyway? Yeah, now I know how he felt.” 

Genesis crossed his legs. “Can you believe the little shits threw me a party? Behind my back too. I walked into the bar and was met with a giant banner that read Gen’s 34th. Ugh. I would’ve left immediately if the kids didn’t look so happy.”

He paused, then huffed. “Marlene ate so much cake she got that crazed cat look in her eyes, you know, the one Seph used to get when he ate too much sugar?” 

Genesis coughed, trying to hide his laughter. “And Cid—Captain Highwind, you’ve heard of him—he kept egging Tifa on, saying she couldn’t handle her liquor until she caved and beat him in a drinking competition.” 

This time he did laugh, heartily as the memory replayed in his mind’s eye. 

“She claimed she was only a little tipsy, but couldn’t mix one drink for the rest of the night. I took over, of course. I missed playing bartender. I still help out there some nights when the bar’s too packed, not that I have much time for that anymore.” 

Genesis leaned over and braced his head in his hand. “The WRO and Reeve keep me pretty busy…Something I’d never thought I’d say. Oh! And I’m a writer now! An officially published author!”

He couldn’t keep himself from giggling childishly. He was alone after all, with not one Barret Wallace to tease him for his laugh in sight. “It’s a part of a project the WRO’s working on. I’m under a pseudonym, of course, and instead waxing poetic about LOVELESS themes, I’m writing about The Cetra.” 

He smirked, tracing the cracks in the concrete with his free hand. “Can you believe I did it all? SOLDIER, wanted war criminal, presumed dead man and now I’m a writer. At least that’s how Yuffie phrases it.”

Genesis sat up straight, then shielded his eyes from the sunlight. “Speaking of Yuffie and LOVELESS, they’re making a new blockbuster action franchise based on LOVELESS. I watched the first movie last week with Cloud, Yuffie, and Vincent. I think I’m starting to grow on her. She can finally stand to be in the same room as me instead of attempting to kill me.” 

He sighed. “She has guts. Reminds me of myself at that age.” There was a pause before he added: “Firaga skills included, by the way…She nearly set Cid’s head on fire when he dared her to light his cigarette with materia.”

He stretched, stifling a yawn. “And then there’s Cloud.”

Genesis felt his heartstrings tighten at the thought of him. His lips subconsciously stretched into a smile.

“We’re doing well, taking it slowly…If him sleeping in my apartment during weekends is slow.” He shook his head. “I like him. A lot. And he likes me too, which is…Something I never thought I’d have the privilege of saying.” 

The sun dipped more into the horizon with each passing minute. “Angeal…Have you ever felt guilty? And I mean truly guilty? Because I do all the time. Cloud says it’s me developing a conscience after, quote, years of being an asshole.”

He swallowed hard. “I don’t know. Sometimes I feel seriously undeserving of the things I have, of the job I have after deserting SOLDIER, the friends I’ve made after I lead you….”

The phone nearly slipped from his weakened hand, but Genesis pressed it harder to his ear. He felt the sharp pierce to his nose, the pain that preceded the tears. He bit his lip harshly enough to taste the metallic pang of blood on his tongue. 

“After I lead you to your death.” 

The phone rang. Genesis paled, eyes shooting open as he jerked his hand away. The smidgen of hope that pricked his nerves became a childish reflex once he saw the name. 

Cloud flashed across the screen, right above the picture Genesis had taken of him in Kalm a few months ago, the one where he’s smiling while holding a Chocobo chick. 

He wiped away the stray tear from his cheek, then cleared his throat. 

“Hi—”

“Are you still in Midgar?” Cloud’s voice sounded from over the phone before Genesis could greet him.

Genesis sighed, then felt his body deflate as his shoulders dropped. “I am, why?” He scoffed in a mocking tone. “Miss me?” 

He could practically feel Cloud roll his eyes from the other end. 

“Full of yourself much?”

Genesis shrugged. “Not fuller than you, dearest.” 

“Gen!” Cloud sputtered, no doubt blushing while Genesis laughed uncontrollably. He groaned. “Look, if we’re late again, Tifa’s gonna freak. I’m coming to pick you up.” 

Genesis slipped from the barrier, standing up. “No need. As much as I love—”

“Genesis if you say ‘riding you’ I’m hanging up.”

“Riding with you!” Genesis corrected him with a smirk. “I need to stretch my wings a bit more. Besides, it’s quicker.” 

“You sure? I don’t like letting you fly at night.” 

Genesis smiled, leaning on the barrier. “You worry too much, Strife.”

“Because you’re a hazard to yourself and others, Rhapsodos.”

Genesis scoffed. “I’ll be there in a bit. I need to get started on that dumbapple pie, anyway, or else Marlene will have my head. I promised I’d bake her one weeks ago.”

“Alright,” Cloud said. “Call me if you change your mind. And stop flying if you get a wing cramp on the way, got it?” 

“Fine, fine,” Genesis waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

Once they had said their goodbyes, Genesis pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it. A trembling sigh reverberated through his chest. Then, he put the phone up to his ear again.

“I have to go now, ‘Geal.” Genesis pressed his lips together as if it would stop the words from spilling out. “I miss you, old friend. I miss you more than the richest words could express.” He sighed. “Say hi to the puppy for me. And tell him Cloud sends his love.”

He gathered up his things, then slung the bag over his shoulder. “While you’re at it, give Sephiroth a good kick in the shins for me, will you?” Genesis smiled, but he didn’t notice it. “And tell him I miss him too. Terribly.” 

Genesis inched the phone away from his face, paused, and then put it to his ear again. “Before I go, it should come as no surprise to you but…”

He sighed, letting his shoulders deflate as the weighted emotions rolled off of them. 

“Three friends go into battle. One is captured. One flies away. The one that is left….” 

As Genesis began to walk away, he looked at the sunset one last time. 

“Lives to tell the tale.”

#ffvii #ff7 #final fantasy #final fantasy vii #final fantasy 7 #ff7r #ffvii advent children #ffviiac #ff7 advent children #genesis rhapsodos #sephiroth #cloud strife #angeal hewley #strifesodos #fic #ff7 fanfiction #ffvii fic #ao3 #fanfiction #writing

[strayheartless]

Ffvii characters as PJO campers

Cloud: son of Boreas, god of the north wind. Clouds powers include withstanding horrendous sub zero temperatures. Knocking people off of their feet with gusts of wind, making it snow by accident when he feels big emotions and cooling hot rooms down by 10 degrees when he’s mad.

Sephiroth: Son of Nemesis. I could have picked Ares or hades but that was too on the nose. Sephiroth was not recognised by his mother at first because he was so mild and slow to anger… until he wreaked havoc on a kid that dared hurt his friends. There was no way to deny his vicious streak after that.

Zack: son of Sirius. Don’t look at me like that. He’s the Dog Star! Also sirius is the god of summer heat waves and is one of the brightest stars in the sky. That’s just Zack. I also think the idea of Zack and Cloud balancing each other out is cute. Zacks powers include, causing extreme heat that only he can stand by accident, shining like a torch beam when he’s excited, and balancing Clouds cold with his warmth… also dogs really like him.

Angeal: son of Demeter. He’s good with plants he loves to cook good food, he’s frugal but he loves abundance to help him feed people. He’s a son of the harvest. Fight me.

Genesis: he’s a son of Apollo there’s no debate on this one. He’s got the gift of prophecy, he’s dramatic and poetic and he’s a lover of the arts. He’s not just a son he’s the son of Apollo.

Tifa: Daughter of Ares. She’s a fighter at heart but her mother taught her pacience and kindness. She kind of gives me frank zang vibes as a child of the war god. She can kick ass but doesn’t really vibe with it.

Aerith: daughter of iris. I did think about persephone, but I think with her ability to see into the life stream and communicate with the flowers she’s more like the messenger goddess.

If any bodies got some thoughts on any of the others I’d be happy to hear them

#ffvii #cloud strife #genesis rhapsodos #zack fair #sephiroth crescent #angeal hewley #au ffvii #AU #pjo au #crisis core #final fantasy 7 remake

[jadegretz]

Enigmatic Cammy Whitby Jade Gretz

Neon glittered like shattered dreams on the cobblestone streets of Hong Kong. In the heart of this pulsing labyrinth, the crimson curtains of the Black Dragon Arena parted, revealing Cammy White in a silhouette of scarlet beret and lethal grace. The roar of the crowd was a distant hum, barely reaching her core amidst the pre-fight ritual humming in her veins. Tonight, she wasn't just Cammy White, the Delta Red assassin, the Street Fighter legend. Tonight, she was Killer Bee, a whirlwind of lethal efficiency, ready to disarm and dismantle her opponent, the enigmatic newcomer known only as Wraith.

Wraith. The moniker clung to him like a shroud, obscuring his past and amplifying his present – a spectral blur in the ring, his strikes whispers of annihilation. Whispers that had grown too loud, stealing victories and etching a trail of unconscious fighters, their eyes vacant, their souls seemingly extinguished. Tonight, Cammy would silence those whispers, sever the puppet strings of a darkness she couldn't quite place.

As the bell shrieked, Cammy was a crimson tempest, her spiral arrow sending Wraith reeling. But he danced back, a wraith indeed, leaving behind a faint, chilling echo of himself that dissolved into thin air. Disoriented, Cammy felt a sudden emptiness seep into her, a gnawing ache at the edges of her consciousness. Wraith was back, his eyes, two bottomless pits, reflecting the stolen essence of his previous victims – hollow shells now, mere trophies displayed on his ghostly victory lap.

Panic ignited in Cammy's chest, but she stifled it, channeling it into controlled fury. Every blow she landed met an empty echo, every kick deflected by an unsettling void. Fear morphed into desperation, forcing her to unleash her Forbidden – a secret taught to her in the shadowy corners of MI6, a weapon reserved for the truly monstrous.

Her palm crackled with crimson energy, the signature of the Soul Sever. It was a desperate gamble, a blade that danced on the precipice of her own humanity. With a guttural scream, she launched the attack, a crimson wave crashing into Wraith.

The arena shuddered …(see the rest of the story at deviantart.com/jadegretzAI). For more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support :)

#cammy #cammywhite #streetfigther #capcom #gamer #gamerart #videogames #arcade #ai #aiart #digitalart #jadegretz #fantasyart #fanart #beautifulgirl #aiartwork #aiartcommunity

[namixart]

Loner

Read on AO3!

(Minor spoilers for for two conversations in Rebirth. One is from a sidequest in Nibelheim, the other happens when the party goes back to Costa del Sol in chapter 12. Neither is particularly plot-relevant, but still. You've been warned.)

Nobody had taken it seriously. Ha-ha, Cloud’s a grump, he’s prickly, he’s a loner, ha-ha, moving on.

He frowned at the back of Tifa’s head. You seemed fine on your own.

He pressed his lips together and flexed his hand at his side, uncomfortable. He wasn’t... good at being the centre of attention, he wasn’t good with people. Didn’t mean he wanted to—

“You okay?”

Nobody had taken it seriously. Ha-ha, Cloud’s a grump, he’s prickly, he’s a loner, ha-ha, moving on.

Loner

It really shouldn’t have bothered him. Barret hadn’t meant anything by it, and everyone else had just had a good laugh and moved on. Now they were engrossed in a conversation about Johnny’s hotel and whether it was going to be a pile of ashes when they went to check on him, with Yuffie providing an uncanny impression of the guy for Cid and Cait Sith’s benefit.

He frowned at the back of Tifa’s head. You seemed fine on your own.

He pressed his lips together and flexed his hand at his side, uncomfortable. He wasn’t... good at being the centre of attention, he wasn’t good with people. Didn’t mean he wanted to—

“You okay?”

Cloud shook his head and blinked twice, then turned to Aerith, who’d slowed down to match his step as the rest of the group walked on ahead. “Hm?”

“Everything okay?” she asked, furrowing her brows. “You look upset.”

He shrugged. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

Aerith hummed at his side, unconvinced. “Right.”

“Right.”

They walked in silence for a little bit. Cid’s bellowing laughter echoed throughout the streets of Costa del Sol, and Cloud was hit with an unreasonable wave of jealousy. Known them for five minutes and already he was fast friends with everyone. Not a loner, clearly.

“You really don’t look fine,” said Aerith. “You sure nothing’s wrong?”

“Sure,” said Cloud, keeping his gaze trained forward. “Don’t worry about me.”

He heard her sigh. “Okay. I’ll leave you alone, then,” she said, starting to speed up to catch up with the others.

It hit him like a slap. “Wait—no, I—” He fumbled to grab her by the wrist before she could get too far away. They both stopped.

Aerith turned to him with an expression halfway through surprise and concern. “Ah,” she said simply. “So there is something.”

Cloud grimaced and slowly let go of her. “I...” He couldn’t pretend now. He felt naked, vulnerable under her inquisitive look. 

Aerith cocked her head to the side, a silent question. 

Cloud opened his mouth to answer it, but then closed it again. It was so silly, so small, so childish. How was he going to explain to Aerith of all people that it bothered him that his friends thought he’d rather be alone than around them? Did they think he didn’t consider them friends at all?

“It’s stupid,” he muttered, letting his gaze fall to the side.

Aerith hummed. “That’s the way it is, sometimes. But if it’s bothering you, it’s not nothing. I wanna help.”

He bit his lip, still without meeting her eyes. She sighed again, and drew closer to him. She lightly took his arm and pulled him forwards a little. “Let’s go somewhere quiet, ‘kay?”

Cloud nodded slowly. “’Kay,” he replied. Then, he furrowed his brows. “The others—”

Aerith shrugged. “They’ll understand. Let’s go.”

He let her pull him through the streets of Costa del Sol, where even the shadows were warm. She seemed to know where they were going, and Cloud idly wondered how long she’d spent roaming the town their first time there. Eventually, they stopped in a small secluded plaza towards the outskirts of Costa del Sol, quiet and sunny. 

Aerith sat down on a bench and patted the marble next to her. “C’mon,” she said. 

Cloud wordlessly obliged. It was warm. They sat in the sun for a little bit, and Cloud closed his eyes to soak up the rays. He was going to be covered in freckles by the time the sun set, but it was nice.

The silence dragged on, fragile and tense. Eventually, Aerith was the one to break it.

“Is it Sephiroth?” she asked, quiet and hesitant. 

The name sent a shiver down his spine. He shook his head. “No. It’s—It’s dumber than that. Way dumber.” He frowned.

Aerith hummed. “I’ll listen anyway.”

Cloud sighed. It was stupid, but... if he could tell anyone, it was her. “It’s... what Barret said earlier,” he finally pried from his lungs, fighting to push every word out. 

“What Barret... About your driving? Oh, Cloud, he—”

“No, no.” Cloud shook his head. “The... loner thing.”

He could feel her eyes on him for a long beat. He drummed his fingers on the bench beside him, trying to get the nervousness out.

“I’m... not sure I follow,” she said then, slowly.

Cloud winced. He’d been hoping that Aerith would understand without him having to spell it out. He felt his cheeks warm up a bit and cleared his throat. “Do you think... Do you think I enjoy being alone?” he asked quietly.

She let out a quiet gasp. “That’s what’s bothering you?” No surprise, judgement, or pity in her voice; just trying to make sure she understood.

Cloud nodded. 

Aerith hummed. “Right. Well, does anyone? Enjoy loneliness?”

Tifa seems to think so, he thought bitterly.

“Not me,” he said, frowning. “I didn’t know you guys...”

Aerith sighed and leaned back on her hands. “I don’t think that. And I don’t think the others literally think that, either. But... you do have a bad habit of pushing people away. Just look at earlier.” She gave him a pointed look and Cloud tried not to squirm too much. 

“I...” He bit his lip. “I’m... sorry. I told you it was dumb.”

She shook her head. “It’s not dumb. I’m glad you’re telling me. I just wanna help.” She scooted a little closer and bumped his shoulder with hers.

He nodded slowly and looked away. “I’m just... not good with people,” he said. “‘Specially when there’s lots of ‘em. But I’m trying. A-And I know I’m too quiet sometimes, but...”

“Hey.” Aerith gently took his hand in hers. “It’s okay.”

Cloud blinked twice. He hadn't realised his voice had gotten shaky. He took a deep breath.

“I don’t wanna be alone,” he murmured, hating the way he sounded like a petulant child. “I just... can’t be the way you guys are.”

Aerith gave his hand a squeeze. “That’s okay. You don’t have to be an extrovert to wanna be around people. But you might wanna start showing them you care more.”

Cloud shot her a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” she started, playing with his fingers, “let people in. And ask to be let in in turn.”

He stiffened. Close as they were, there was no way she wouldn’t notice. She giggled quietly and gave his hand another squeeze. “I know it’s scary.”

Cloud wanted to deny it so badly, but they both knew she was right. 

Asking people to let him in had only ever led to rejection before. Why would things be different now? Wasn’t it easier to save himself the trouble and stay out of their hair? It wasn’t like they’d miss him anyway. He was like driftwood floating in the sea: good to hang onto if needed, but forgotten about as soon as he was out of sight. 

The thought lodged itself uncomfortably in his chest. He pressed his lips together and didn't meet Aerith’s eyes.

He heard her sigh. “You know,” she started, still playing with his hand, “you’re kinda like a stray cat.”

Cloud turned to face her and blinked twice. “Huh?”

She giggled. “Yeah. One of those little guys who’re super skittish and hiss at you if you get too close. And they scratch, too, the little pests.”

“Thanks,” he muttered, frowning.

“There was this one stray back home in Midgar,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “A cute tabby cat who used to hang out near the church when I was a kid. Mom always said to leave her alone, because she didn’t like people much.”

She had a soft, nostalgic smile on her face, and Cloud felt his own smile crawl on his face. “Guessing you didn’t listen.”

Aerith winked. “You know me so well. I just wanted to befriend the grumpy church cat! You can’t blame me.”

Cloud shook his head lightly and chuckled.

“Anyway, I kept going back day after day to try to feed her and get her to come out of her hidey-hole. Never, ever worked. She’d just hiss at me and scuttle off. But then... One day, I ran off to the church after some kids, well—” She cut herself off and waved a hand in the air. “You know.”

Cloud didn't know, but he could imagine. She’d said it before: she’d grown up with no friends. He could picture how other kids talked to her, and it wasn’t nice. She was still holding his hand, so he gave hers a light squeeze. 

Aerith shot him a half smile and continued, “Anyway, I went to the church to get away from them and have a nice long mope. And I guess that tabby heard me cry, because she came up to me and just crawled in my lap, purring like a truck engine!” She giggled. “It was enough to make me forget about those kids until my mom came to get me.”

Cloud hummed. She kicked her feet a little bit, knocking the heels of her boots together. “The cat stayed at the church, but she was just a bit less skittish after that. Never became super friendly, mind you, but she’d let me feed her and pet her every once in a while. She even let me help her deliver her kittens!”

He nodded slowly, fighting back a bemused smile. “And you’re saying... I’m like that?”

“Hm-mm! Exactly.” She grinned. “And if I could get that grumpy old cat to trust me, I sure as hell can get you to open up.”

Cloud laughed quietly and thought that they were sitting together in a secluded sunny plaza, holding hands and trading whispers and secrets. She was already there.

“Maybe,” he said nonetheless, as his smile faded a little. “But I think you’re the odd one out, there.”

Aerith shrugged. “I’ve always been the odd one out. But I promise you I’m not, this time.” She tightened her hold on his hand and leaned closer to him. “We love you,” she said matter-of-factly, smiling in a way that left him speechless and motionless, a way that left no doubt that she was being sincere and serious. “All of us. And we know you love us. You fall, we’ll catch you. You reach out, we’ll reach back.”

Cloud swallowed a thick knot in his throat, at once pinned in place and torn apart between the dark, potent fear she was lying to him and the burning and desperate desire to believe her. 

“So don’t push us away,” finished Aerith, gently poking his nose with her finger. “Because you’ll only hurt yourself as well.”

“I...” Cloud bit his lip and shook his head. “I...”

Her smile softened even more and she let go of his hand. But, instead of pulling away, she pulled him into a hug, wrapping her arms around his middle and holding him close. “I don’t hug you nearly often enough,” she said. “Is it cool if I do it more? This is nice.”

“Sure,” breathed Cloud, tentatively returning the hug. It was nice. He let out a shaky exhale as she rubbed slow, soothing circles on his back.

She giggled. “You’re not alone,” she whispered, drawing closer. “You don’t have to be alone. Let us in. We're here.”

In spite of himself, Cloud nodded. “Thank you,” he murmured. He didn’t know if he fully believed her, but he wanted to so badly it stung. Wanted to believe he could reach out and not get his hand slapped away. But, then again... He had just reached out to Aerith. And she was still there. Hugging him and telling him he didn’t have to be alone after all. “Thank you,” he repeated.

Aerith hummed, but didn’t pull away. Cloud didn't know how long they stayed like that before it eventually dawned on him that she wasn't going to let go first. She’d be there as long as he needed her to and, as embarrassing as it was, he needed a little bit longer.

Finally, slowly, Cloud drew in a deep breath and hesitantly let go of her shoulders. Aerith let him, but took his hand again.

“Feeling better?” she asked with a small smile.

Cloud nodded. “Think so.” He gave her fingers a light squeeze. A silent thank you.

She giggled. “Anytime.” Of course she’d heard it anyway. “Anytime at all. I’ll be here.”

“I know,” he caught himself saying. And, incredibly, miraculously, he caught himself believing it.

Aerith beamed. “Great!" she exclaimed, standing up from their bench and pulling him up with her. “Say, how ‘bout we get started on your quest to prove to everyone you're not a loner?"

He warily raised his eyebrows. “…Listening.”

“Let’s all go out tonight,” she said. “Just to have fun.”

Cloud frowned. “But we gotta—”

“The Keystone can wait one night," she said, threading their fingers together. “This is important too.”

He considered it for a moment. 

Another loner. As if one wasn't enough.

You seemed fine on your own.

Let him be, leave him alone, he's gonna be fine, he doesn't care anyway.

Alone, alone, alone. Always been, always will be.

And that won't change if you don't do something about it.

Cloud nodded. “Alright. Think I saw a bowling alley on the main street.”

Aerith grinned. “Oh, I am so gonna wipe the floor with you all."

He smiled as well. “You're on. Let’s go get the others.”

As they walked out of the plaza and towards the hotel, Cloud couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Aerith squeezed his fingers again, as if her hand was the lifeline keeping him from drifting off into the ocean, to be discarded and forgotten about. But, with that tether securing him to land, he could learn to swim and make his way back on his own.

And his friends would be there, waiting for him.

He squeezed back. Yeah. That sounded nice.

#final fantasy vii #ffviir spoilers #final fantasy vii rebirth #my fics #my writing #my stuff #cloud strife #aerith gainsborough #clerith #implied clerith but can be read as platonic #whoops completely forgot to post this here #whaaaat no this isn't about me in the slightest why would you think that hey look a three headed monkey

[flipomatic]

Arm's Length

Summary: Aerith had learned to keep people at arm’s length. All it took was a little deflection here, a question turned around like barbs instead of answered there, an engulfing smile or sometimes a pout stretched coyly across her face. She learned that if she acted as they expected, then they would accept her.

Though Aerith felt safe, she was also so often alone. There was one person though, someone who Aerith had only known for a few months, who she felt could see right through her.

Aerith glanced up at the window where that one person had waved from earlier, but Tifa was gone.

Word Count: 2,000

_____________________________________________________________

Aerith glanced down at the high ankles of her boots, which dangled back and forth beneath her. The gap below extended far past the reach of her limbs, all the way down to the dusty dirt paths that led through town. Gravity kept water moving through the pipes, from the water tower to the surrounding buildings and then back to the ground, with a force as unstoppable as souls returning to the planet. If Aerith were to gently kick one of her boots off it would succumb, perhaps beaning an unsuspecting black cloak over the head in the process.

The thought brought the hint of a chuckle to her lips, but no she wouldn’t do that. Instead, her eyes tracked a distinct spattering of spiky blonde hair emerging from the house across that distant path. Cloud staggered slightly when the sun hit his gaze, right foot faltering as he turned towards the inn.

When he stumbled again, this time bumping roughly into a pedestrian, Aerith’s hand tightened against the edge of the scaffold. His behavior had been worrying for a while and had been even more troubling lately. Especially in Gongaga, though Aerith hadn’t seen it Tifa told her later what had happened. Even knowing that the Weapon hadn’t meant any harm didn’t stop her from remembering the chilling wash of fear and panic as she had searched the mako desperately for any sign of life. Learning that Cloud had knocked her in, put Tifa in immense danger, only made the feeling worse.

When he reached the inn, vanishing inside without so much as a glance back, Aerith released a sigh. It had felt strange to sit up here with him, to be together where so many of his childhood memories had been formed. It must’ve been nice to have a normal childhood, she thought, with friends who actually liked you.

That was a sour thought, bitter in the back of her throat as Aerith swallowed it back. It wasn’t that she didn’t have any friends as a child, but even as a young girl her heritage had hung like a hammer over her head. When they found out, or even if they didn’t, things would always change for the worse. When they decided she was rude, or angry, or introspective, or as so many unkind kids had put it, creepy, they always turned away.

Aerith had learned to keep people at arm’s length. All it took was a little deflection here, a question turned around like barbs instead of answered there, an engulfing smile or sometimes a pout stretched coyly across her face. She learned that if she acted as they expected, then they would accept her.

Though Aerith felt safe, she was also so often alone. There was one person though, someone who Aerith had only known for a few months, who she felt could see right through her.

Aerith glanced up at the window where that one person had waved from earlier, but Tifa was gone.

Her eyes were next drawn down to the entranceway of the house. On the right side, near where the mailbox was, she found Tifa. The other woman leaned against one of the pillars that supported the second floor, eyes closed with her head tilted back against it.

Perhaps it was time to go see her. Aerith carefully gathered her feet beneath herself before standing up, brushing any loose dirt from the back of her dress. The breeze rustled her braid as she descended slowly from the platform one rung at a time.

Once she reached the bottom of the ladder, her destination was only a few steps away. Tifa hadn’t moved from before, not so much as an inch. From this distance Aerith could see that she almost looked relaxed if not for the familiar clench of anxiety in her fingers.

Tifa’s eyes fluttered open when Aerith approached, a hint of red visible within them even in the shaded light. Her hair was mussed slightly as she rightened herself from the post, lips lifting in a warm smile.

“Enjoying your tour?”

Aerith tucked her arms behind her back and nodded as she responded. “The water tower made for a great look out point.”

“I bet.” Tifa broke eye contact to glance up at the tower. “You can see everything from there.”

“Pretty much!”

When Tifa’s gaze came back to meet her own, her expression had shifted into a more pensive one. “Well, not quite everything. I know you saw through the window but…” She faltered in her words and turned her eyes down towards her hands, which came together to fidget. Tifa’s tone was soft, almost uncertain. “This is where I grew up, well, it used to be. Would you like to see it?”

Aerith’s heart panged in her chest. “Of course, if you want to show me.” She stepped forward and placed her hand gently on Tifa’s joined ones. “Lead the way.”

Tifa nodded once, mouth setting in a resolute line, before turning to do just that. Aerith trailed behind her through the front door of what used to be her home.

They passed through the downstairs areas one at a time, dodging around men in black cloaks throughout the first level of the building.

Tifa told her a story about how she used to train with her dad in the living room, but one time he deflected her kick straight through the wall and that was the end of that. She pointed out where the damage would’ve been in the old house, though this new one showed no sign of it. Tifa ran her hand over that spot on the wall, closing her eyes for a moment before pulling back.

“He sounds like a wonderful dad.” Aerith said, trying to keep the melancholy out of her tone. She hadn’t realized it until long after breaking out of Shinra, but she had never known her father or even a real father figure. It didn’t bother her too much, but in times like these she couldn’t help but think about it.

“Yeah, he was.” Tifa looked over at her with a hint of emotion in her eyes, head tilted slightly. Then, inexplicably, she smiled broadly. “I’m sure he would’ve loved you, you know. He looked after everyone; he was always kind like that.”

Aerith inhaled sharply, the response being an unexpected one. It cut straight through her thoughts, directly to her concerns and worries. This time when Aerith’s heart throbbed, it was a warmer feeling. It took a few moments for her to gather herself for a soft reply.

“Like father like daughter.”

This drew a hint of pink to Tifa’s cheeks, as well as a shake of her head. “Those are big shoes to fill.”

“I believe in you.” Aerith said strongly, her voice steady and firm. She believed every word.

Tifa’s reply came low under her breath, her face already turned away from Aerith. “Thank you.”

The two continued their trip through the house until they reached the upstairs. There were only two rooms up there, one of which Tifa pointed out as her dad’s room.

“And this one is mine.” Tifa didn’t hesitate as she pulled open the door, allowing both of them to enter.

The room itself was small and looked about the same from the inside as it had from the view on the water tower. There was a cabinet, a bed, and a piano all occupying space within the room.

Tifa went over to linger by the piano, while Aerith moved to look out the window. She could imagine past her sitting out on that platform, staring down at the abyss beneath her feet. She was on the second floor here as well, but with an entire building below her.

Aerith sat down on the side of the bed, longing again for a childhood home like this one with a childhood friend right next door. How was it that Cloud was lucky enough to know Tifa his whole life, but Aerith didn’t get to meet her until a few months ago?

“A gil for your thoughts?” Tifa’s voice came chipper and inquisitive from right in front of her.

Aerith looked up at her, covering up her surprise by lifting one finger to her chin. “For anyone else they’re not for sale. But for you, hmm…” Tifa’s eyes glimmered with emotion, concern or worry perhaps, as she waited for Aerith to finish her response. She must’ve been watching her think for a while.

They had come here into Tifa’s house to dig up her old memories, haunting and sad and terrible memories, but she wanted to know what Aerith was thinking about? If it was anyone else Aerith would’ve thought they were prying, or perhaps stalling or deflecting, but not Tifa. No, Tifa asked because she cared.

Lately, in what felt like a completely incomprehensible way, Tifa had pushed past the invisible boundaries Aerith erected around herself. This was just another moment, one of hundreds or thousands or more. In the gaze of Tifa’s kindness and care, there was nowhere for Aerith to hide. And, for perhaps the first time, she didn’t want to.

“Free.” Aerith declared with a smirk.

Tifa let out a half chuckle, gaze softening a little. “Tell me then, please.”

Aerith followed Tifa with her gaze as she sat down to her left, their knees almost touching. She took a deep breath, warm from just how close Tifa was. “I was thinking about this town. It feels odd to be where you and Cloud grew up. I never had that kind of childhood.”

Tifa moved one hand to cover Aerith’s in her lap when she paused, a silent gesture of support.

Aerith kept talking. “I always wished for a childhood friend, someone who would understand the real me. Even after escaping Shinra it was hard, being here just reminds me of that.”

“I see.” Tifa replied quietly, voice barely audible. Her face was close too, their foreheads only inches apart.

“But I’ve also been thinking that we only have so much time ahead of us, I can’t just dwell on the past.” Aerith continued, smiling softly as she spoke. “I need to appreciate the friends I’ve made, who see me for who I am. Especially you, Tifa. Ever since we met, my life has changed for the better.” Aerith finished without hesitation. “You’re the best friend I could ever ask for.” Maybe there was more to add to that once Aerith had more time to work through her feelings. For now, this was enough.

“Aerith….” Tifa’s slow inhale, so close yet still too far away, sent a tremor down her spine. “And you’re mine. You brighten every day and inspire me to push on despite the odds. No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you.”

“Thank you.” Aerith blinked away the start of a few tears, unable to stop one from escaping. Tifa’s hand released hers and rose gently to brush that tear away. “Thank you…” She repeated, voice trailing away this time.

The touch of Tifa’s finger lingered against Aerith’s cheek for a heartbeat longer as silence took over the room, quiet but safe and warm.

Aerith leaned her head against Tifa’s shoulder for what she told herself would only be a few minutes. The warmth of an arm around her back followed, pulling Aerith even closer. The two sat together in this small room, on the second floor of a rebuilt house, in what should’ve been a destroyed town, enjoying the kindness of each other’s warmth.

What did Aerith do to deserve her? She didn’t know, but she prayed to the planet, to the lifestream, to any being out there that would listen for this relationship to last. She hoped against all odds that the cruelty of her fate would leave well enough alone and not tear the two apart, that the inevitability of gravity wouldn’t send them tumbling to their doom.

She prayed to be able to spend another day at Tifa’s side.

#aerti #ff7 rebirth #ff7 rebirth fanfic #aerti fanfic #aerith gainsborough #tifa lockhart #flip writes #continuing to cross post on tumblr cuz why not #spoilers through chapter 11 of rebirth #character study #I want to see in side Aerith's brain #is that too much to ask