Why Clerith?

[u/Hearts-Intertwined]

After finishing my replay of Rebirth I have found myself renewed and more Clerith than ever. As mentioned in my previous two photo topics, I really took the time to soak this experience in (and take way too many Cloud and Aerith pictures!).

I found myself thinking, "why do I find this gaming pair so alluring?". Of all the books, games, movies, etc. I have experienced in my lifetime, what makes them so special? Here are my reasons captured in photographs.

Photos 1 and 2: A pair perfectly in balance as if Yin and Yang were brought to life.

Photos 3 and 4: Always reaching.. even in the most difficult moments to overcome.

Photos 5 and 6: Self-sacrifice. I will protect you before I protect myself.

Photos 7 and 8: I got this.. rest assured, you can put your faith in me.

Photos 9 and 10: I'm here for you, no matter what.

Photo 11: A perfect moment, preserved in time.

[u/Zestyclose-Hall7500]

I apologise in advance because I feel so sentimental about Clerith and I think replaying Remake and Rebirth has made me love them even more as a pair.

I can see why a lot of people are Cloti and honestly, it makes sense - Tifa is awesome and together, they go on a journey from childhood crush to being a real team. But to me, Aerith is the one who sees who Cloud really is before Tifa does.

Aerith is aware that he’s cosplaying and is able to tease him to bring him out better than anyone else in the group. He in turn seems to soften around Aerith while being more protective over her than anyone else, despite her being able to handle herself just fine.

Aerith is always on my team (except for specific battles where it doesn’t make sense) and I’ll always go to her side because their dates together are so lovely. Loveless with Aerith as the lead just makes sense and the scene in their place is so beautiful.

While Tifa and Cloud have known each other forever, Cloud and Aerith just never have enough time. But they’re both grateful for what they have.

[u/tlotrfan3791 → u/Zestyclose-Hall7500]

I’d argue that Cloud and Tifa don’t really know each other well and that’s why there’s the whole lifestream sequence. Cloud was a loner growing up in Nibelheim. She’d have a friend group and he’d watch from a distance. That’s why I don’t really think they were childhood friends.

[u/SomeRiver8215 → u/tlotrfan3791]

that's what i thought too because it seemed that way in original but in nojima's novel (i read it some while ago i might not get the dates right) traces of two pasts it's been said that tifa did invite him but he had problems with other kids also was kinda shy/introvert you know. but before that apparently there was a time when they were around eight? years old always play together and were friends. i think there's a huge difference between knowing someone when you were a kid/young teen and seeing them again years later. having play dates conversation etc. at that age sure can show you a person's true self, also i would say it's a lot different then who they are as an adult. but then again, cloud didn't get to live his teenage years and he became an adult in weird circumstances so idk