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Here are the 9 non-optional Cloud x Aerith moments:

Love at First Sight:

Cloud Strife: “Here I met a Flower Girl. She’s a girl with impressive eyes. She’s around my age, or elder by one or two years. But the innocent radiance in her eyes simply makes her suddenly look younger. Aerith Gainsborough: ”Excuse me, what happened?” She asked me the question, and then I bought a flower from her, which is rare in Midgar. Maybe she’s pleased that the flower was sold, because the worried look on her face had vanished. If this smile costs only one gil, it is a good purchase.” ~Final Fantasy VII Dismantled; Square Enix

Becoming a Bodyguard for the Price of a Romantic Date:

This is the typical beginning of a classic love story: love at first sight and the hero protecting his heroine [in exchange for a romantic date, nonetheless!]. Afterwards, Cloud and Aerith start developing chemistry together, with Cloud laughing for the first and only time in the game with Aerith. She even convinces Cloud to dress up like a girl!

A Romantic Flashback:

Before this flashback, Cloud thought Aerith’s smile was a “good purchase” and her eyes were “impressive.” He left their initial meeting with a “mysterious feeling.” Shortly after, he agreed to be Aerith’s bodyguard for the price of a romantic date. All of these moments are what triggered Cloud into this flashback. This was no coincidence.

While Cloud is being taken care of in Aerith’s house, Square Enix decides to throw in a flashback where Cloud’s Mother talks about having an older girlfriend that will take care of him — two things Aerith qualifies under. Cloud wasn’t interested in this until he met the exact woman described by his Mother: Aerith Gainsborough.

Date in the Park:

“Date in the Park: In Scene 04-10, Zack and Aerith have a date in Green Park in the sector 6 slum. An identical situation is seen in “FFVII” as well, which features a scene of Cloud and Aerith on a date in the same park.” ~Crisis Core Ultimania; Square Enix

Cloud and Aerith discuss romantic relationships while on their first of two dates, setting them up as star-crossed lovers.

Creating an Exclusive World Together:

“The thing which she is unable to hide in her irritation towards Cloud is the fact that he isn’t merely dragging the past around, but because that reason might perhaps be related to Aerith. Final Fantasy VII: Seeing Cloud and Aerith developing their world together before her eyes, she inadvertently lets slip her peevish feelings.” ~Tifa’s character profile; 10th Anniversary Ultimania; Square Enix

Cloud vows to save Aerith from the Shinra headquarters “by all means”.

Once inside, Cloud and Aerith share a romantic exchange. Aerith, very flirtatiously says, “I knew that Cloud would come for me.” Cloud responds with, “Hey, I’m your bodyguard, right?”

Cloud references back to the conversation he and Aerith had in her Church, when Aerith promised Cloud a romantic date in return for his protection.

Aerith picks up on Cloud’s flirtation and responds with, “The deal was for one date, right?”

Cloud and Aerith were very obviously flirting back-and-forth. If Tifa hadn’t been in the jail cell with Cloud, the flirtatious banter between Cloud and Aerith would have most certainly continued. However, because Tifa was in the same room as Cloud, she picks up on this flirtation, which is why she interrupts with, “…………oh, I get it.” and says, “EXCUSE me.” The mutual romance in this scene is so obvious, even Tifa can’t deny it, which is why she let’s slip her “peevish feelings.”

A Classic Romantic Confession:

Having a character accidentally express feelings for another, and then backtrack from their slip-up, is a common literary device to show romantic attraction from one character to another. Square Enix is using a classic romantic trope during this scene. Cloud’s dialogue in Cosmo Canyon is a subtle (yet obvious) way to show Cloud is falling in love with Aerith.

A Wedding Prediction:

“Looks good. You are perfect for each other!” “Aerith’s star and Cloud’s star! They show a great future!” “Poor Tifa!” ~Cait Sith, Final Fantasy VII

“After solving the puzzle about Cait Sith’s replaceable body, he tells one last fortune of Cloud and Aerith’s affinity. Cait Sith’s lines, which seem to expect Cloud and Aerith’s wedding, now makes it more painful.” ~Final Fantasy VII Dismantled, Square Enix

Cait Sith’s wedding prediction becomes “more painful” after Aerith’s death. The only way Aerith’s death would make a wedding prediction “more painful” is if Cloud and Aerith had a mutual romance that would have led to a marriage had she not died.

Star-Crossed Lovers:

“It was the sound of Cloud’s heart cracking. It was the cry of his heart that could never be healed of the grief he had towards Aerith’s death, the blame towards himself and the hatred he had for Sephiroth…” ~Maiden of the Planet; Square Enix

Cloud’s heart broke when Aerith died.

Love Beyond Death:

Despite Aerith’s eventual death, their love transcends traditional boundaries. Cloud associates his Promised Land [his supreme happiness] with Aerith at the end of Final Fantasy VII, and they will one day reunite in the lifestream.

“I think I’m beginning to understand. An answer from the planet…the Promised Land…I think I can meet her… there…” ~Cloud Strife; Final Fantasy VII

Here are the 2 canon Cloud x Aerith moments:

Hoping for Mutual Romance:

“Marlene is a sharp girl - Even though she’s only 4 years old, Marlene is perceptive and well attuned to the woman mind. The scene where she ascertains that Aerith has favor for Cloud and tells him so, then says “I won’t tell Tifa!” demonstrates this grownup behavior.” ~Final Fantasy VII, 25th Anniversary Ultimania, Square Enix

In order for Marlene to say “I won’t tell Tifa,” Cloud is required to say he “hopes” Aerith likes him. Therefore, this is the canon version of this scene:

Marlene: “Guess what? Guess what? Aerith was asking me lots of questions. Like what kind of person Cloud is. I bet she likes you, Cloud!” Cloud: “Let’s hope so.” Marlene: “I won’t tell Tifa.”

A Magical Date:

The Cloud x Aerith Gold Saucer date is confirmed as canon within the compilation:

”#111: The Planet’s largest amusement park is run by Dio. Cloud and company visit this place many times in their battle. They meet Cait Sith here. A promised date [there is only one promised date in the game] that ends in a magical night. In the city of desire that floats above the sands, the light memory of the two people is asleep even now…Aerith: “I think I must have seen him again, in you… But you’re different. Things are different… No, Cloud… I’m searching for you…” ~Final Fantasy Art Collection; Square Enix

“In Aerith’s case, if you play the game normally, the partner that generally comes will be Aerith.” ~Final Fantasy VII Dismantled; Square Enix

“Oh, Cloud…I enjoyed our date at the Gold Saucer. The view from the gondola that night was really beautiful. I’ll never forget it. I’ll never forget you, Cloud…” ~Aerith; Final Fantasy VII Dismantled; Square Enix

Cloud doesn’t date Tifa unless the player chooses to have him do so. In order to get the date with Tifa, the player has to play the game in a way that isn’t considered “normal”.

During this canon date, Aerith realizes she loves Cloud for Cloud (rather than for who he initially reminded her of). And that she actually loves Cloud more than Zack:

“Although in the beginning Aerith felt close to Cloud because he behaves like Zack, her interest in Cloud himself grows and she is attracted to him.” ~page 31, Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega, Square Enix

“At first when I met Cloud, I believed he was similar to Zack. Little actions, the way he spoke… his kindness. But Cloud is Cloud. I, now undoubtedly, love Cloud much more than Zack.” —Aerith’s monologue in Gongaga; Final Fantasy VII Dismantled; Square Enix

Cloud and Aerith’s canon date is also pictured on Square Enix’s “For the One I Love” page:

“Through the long journeys, the love of the protagonists develop. Occasionally they become separated, but the two’s value to one another gives them the great strength to overcome whatever crisis may come.” ~Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Ultimania; “For the One I Love” page; Square Enix

Lines to remember:

"…the love of the protagonists develop.” “…the two’s value to one another…”

Only the *pictured* and *canon* Cloud x Aerith date can be applied to Square Enix’s “For the One I Love” page.

Square Enix recently named Cloud and Aerith Emperor and Empress in Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade. I guess Cait Sith’s wedding prediction came true after-all ^.^

Cloud x Aerith: A Love Story

Dispelling the myth Cloud and Tifa are in a relationship post-FFVII

50 Reasons for Cloud x Aerith

Common Criticisms of Cloud x Aerith debunked

Aerith Gainsborough: The Ultimate Heroine

Aerith’s Blessing?

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phoenixwriters-den · 2 years

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Unconditional Love

For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead, the more water you draw, the more abundant is its flow.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Shortly after Final Fantasy VII Remake got released, I had discussions with fellow Clerith shippers questioning whether Aerith ever showed that she loves Cloud. This stems from the notion of how usually romantic love is portrayed in the media. In many movies, fiction, and stories we get told that romantic love is apparent if a character is jealous, angry, depending and in general think they have a claim on their love interest. However, that is not love but if at all a question of power, a question of what is the desired position in society, how we like to be seen by others. It's hardly about the love interest but everything about the character's insecurities.

It's conditional love we get shown in fiction, see in real life most of the time. People need to have a certain look, a certain status, and wealth to be loved. But this kind of love usually only lasts as long as the characters meet these conditions. Means if they get old, sick or lose their job then they lose the relationship too.

Unconditional love is in this aspect different, it doesn't ask for a condition but is all about the love interest. It's all about looking out for them, wanting the best for them. By doing so, we’re most vulnerable, because we do something selfless without any guarantee of getting something in return. The risk is high that we investigated all of us in that person, protected them, and helped them just so they might end up with a different person.

Keeping this in mind, Aerith’s actions, knowing her fate and how it’ll affect Cloud, in FF7R show how important, how obviously she must love him. She is not trying to make him depend on her but tells him he can't fall in love with her. She wants to protect him even if it costs her own safety. An action, she has done already in AC and OG before. In both, the movie and the game, she tries to appear strong and tells him she is fine in order to protect him. She has done so after Sephiroth possessed Cloud and told him he should take good care of himself because she understood now what kind of power Sephiroth had over him. Aerith tried to assure Cloud in AC, healed him so he may have a chance of happiness in life.

Aerith did all she could so Cloud could choose without any condition, without any obligation. She literally told him it was fine. Yet, he chooses her and told her, he was coming for her in FF7R, he came to the forgotten city in OG even though he was afraid and he kept looking for her, for her presence in AC though she was gone. Her selfless act, her love for him was not unrequited and didn't remain unanswered.

If we truly love someone, we seek to set them free, to empower them rather than chain them up, make them dependable of us, so they've to choose us instead they'll choose us because they're free to do just that, because they feel for us like we do for them.

#clerith #ffvii remake #final fantasy 7 #cloud strife #aerith gainsborough #unconditional love

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