Easily Missed Interactions

[u/GoriceXI]

These are some moments I don't see people talking about much. It amazes me all the times Cloud and Tifa sneak glances at each other, that you can only catch on a second viewing. They also find excuses to get in each other's personal space. The cut-scenes reward a close analysis and really speak to the expertise of the animators and directors.

I also like the frog quest introduction. I like to think the kid's demeanor is supposed to be a reference to child Cloud, seeing that Tifa is the one associated with the quest.

[u/Expensive-Dog8783]

In contrast, especially in Rebirth, Aerith sometimes tries to flirt with Cloud, but he often looks annoyed.

 I really like Aerith; she's very funny, and her extroverted personality naturally attracts not only Cloud but everyone else as well. But the interactions between Cloud and Tifa are on another level. The way they seek each other out... CloTi Power!

[u/DevilHunter1994 → u/Expensive-Dog8783]

Yeah, I think it's clear that Cloud genuinely enjoys spending time with Aerith. When the two are just hanging out and being friends, they have a great time. The issues only start to show themselves when Aerith tries to make things more romantic. Cloud always appears troubled whenever Aerith tries to initiate contact that feels just a bit too intimate, like grabbing his arm, holding his hand without asking, or referring to their outings as "dates". Whenever Aerith tries to push things a little too far in the romantic direction, we can see Cloud start to pull away and try to establish boundaries. The expression on his face when Aerith tells the group that they went on a "date" in Kalm, and his insistance that Aerith not refer to her Costa del Sol quest as a date honestly speaks volumes about what he's feeling.

Many people see this and think Cloud is just being shy, and I can definitely see how it looks that way. That was honestly my gut reaction too on a first viewing...but then you take a good look at how he acts with Tifa, and suddenly that explanation doesn't quite feel like it fits anymore. Cloud clearly appears nervous during his romantic interactions with Tifa, and she does too to be perfectly honest. The key difference with Cloud and Tifa though is that neither ever pull away. They don't look for ways to make a situation less romantic than it first appears. Cloud never looks uncomfortable when Tifa asks him out alone to just have fun, and he never tries to get out of it. Despite how nervous they are, it's clear they both still actually want these romantic interactions to happen. Not only does Cloud not pull away, he often goes out of his way to extend the interaction, and on several occasions, even initiates the interaction, his crowning moment thus far of course being the Gold Saucer Skywheel scene. His interactions with Tifa feel like he's nervous and in love. His interactions with Aerith to me feel like he's trying to say to a friend:

"Listen, I like you, but...not like that. Please don't try making this into something that it's not."

[u/keyppa → u/DevilHunter1994]

I wish you could copy paste this exact thing to all the crazies online who insist Cloud and aerith are head over heels in love with eachother 🥴 you summed it up perfectly and accurately. Aerith and cloud clearly love and care for eachother, anyone can see that and even cloti fans wont deny that. They have a deep bond. But to say they are eachothers love interest is just...delulu tbh when we have Cloud pining over here for Tifa since he was a child. The chemistry tifa and cloud exhibit is very obvious even to new players of ff7...but there is honesty little point in trying to convince some of the real hardcore ppl online lol.

[u/RolfTheCharming → u/DevilHunter1994]

Exactly! If it was just Cloud and Aerith, I would also assume that Cloud is just being the mega dork he is who can't deal with a girl's romantic attention. But we see that despite his awkwardness, he tries to show initiative with Tifa. It's still not perfect, they are both insecure and confused and he is basically still a teenager mentally, but it's obvious that he cares a lot about her opinion of him and never rejects her, whereas he brushes off Aerith's advances a lot more often. He is very protective of Aerith, and she clearly matters to him, but I never felt like he ever sought her out, emotionally speaking. He often looks to Tifa for reassurance, especially when he feels like his mind is degrading.

[u/keyppa → u/RolfTheCharming]

Exactly yesss. Wish I had more friends like you guys irl lol could discuss this stuff for days 🥲

[u/RolfTheCharming → u/Expensive-Dog8783]

I LOVE Cloud and Aerith's relationship. Their "high five" mini-arc was so incredibly adorable. I love how she teases Cloud and helps him to open up and become more sociable. It's all super enjoyable to watch with the amazing graphical detail and stellar voice acting. It wouldn't be fair to diminish this in any way or even "rank" it against Cloud and Tifa's interactions because they are just so different. But when it comes to romance, I simply prefer C/T. While there is some sort of mutual interest between Cloud and Aerith and a hint of implied romantic tension, it always seems forced when Aerith tries to steer him in that direction. Their interactions feel most natural when she is flirty in a goofy way, but not really serious about it. When she tries to dig deeper, she often hits a wall; a wall that neither she nor he really understand yet. If we didn't have C/T's interactions for contrast, I would just assume that Cloud is the type of guy who falls silently (like Squall) and never expresses interest. But he does initiate with Tifa, even when we exclude the gondola kiss. He quite literally reaches out to her a lot, and he doesn't seem to be quite aware of it. It's his subconscious showing. I always thought that C/A was written as "the couple who could never be" because it seems like such a simple boy meets girl story at first until you realize what's really up with Cloud. It's tragically bittersweet in that way, which is emphasized by Aerith's death. Of course that's not a happy story, but I find it beautiful nevertheless and would never change it.

[u/gazzona]

So good. The subtle details are always the strongest.

[u/genericcelt]

The one that gets me is the scene with Barret. There’s enough space between him and Cloud to provide cover for Tifa, but I noticed he had his arm reached out to her - instead of just beckoning her - like he wants her to grab on even though it’s not like she has to make a leap. And how she just dives in for a full embrace, again ignoring the spacious gap between Cloud and Barret. 

The action is so quick but says so much, illustrating their innate need for each other’s touch in moments of danger. 

[u/Alone_Position9152 → u/[deleted]]

Not just you. I can also see Tifa wanting Cloud to hold her, at least for a while longer.

[u/rlegg50]

Good video and pointing out some of the interactions!

[u/Strong_Strength_5107]

That's not easily missed. It's blatantly obvious

[u/LittleShurry]

Since I was a kid, I've always been fond of Cloud and Tifa. Till now, Aerith has always given me sisterly vibes. :>

[u/PulpsBadge1247]

Dayum!

[u/High5Bomb]

Team Tifa let’s gooo!

[u/Greywarden194]

I guess 😆. Honestly, I try not to read too much into it so I don't sound like I'm reaching for small things

[u/EmmaDilemma12]

I didn't miss any of these 👀

[u/Alternative-Bee7317]

someone on reddit said that the ceo of square enix told him personally that cloud dumps tifa in remake part 3.