A detailed essay that explores the coalesce between Cloud and Aerith. You may find a similar essay to this here, but of course much more well done than mine, haha. As you already may notice how lengthy this will be. But if you have nothing else to do, why not read what I have written below?
As complex as Final Fantasy VII is, over the many years of playing it, my knowledge and of course, my love has expanded for this pairing. So this essay isn't exactly just my opinion about the relationship between Cloud and Aerith, but also the facts that were not interpreted. Before I go on, this is strictly about Cloud and Aerith. I will not include any other character any more than I have to, because after all, this IS a Cloud and Aerith shrine, so there is no need to shift the topic. Many people that are against the coupling often rebut and suggest that there is no proof in Final Fantasy VII to support Cloud and Aerith's love, and that us pro fans only support them because they are in other games, there is official artwork or simply because they are next to eachother in the game manual. My purpose in writing this is solely because I want to prove that wrong. I want to prove that there is sufficient evidence that backs up my view points. Thus, a majority of this essay gives the concrete detail from the original Final Fantasy VII game.
Evidently, we know Final Fantasy VII was not intended to be a love story, as Square would say “A story of a love that could never be." Not because Cloud and Aerith weren't inlove, but because of the fact she is dead. It was more of a game that delt with real life issues. Love, hate, death and triumph all collide into one with a sort of brilliance and subtle irony. As we see Cloud wobbling in his own bubble trying to figure out who he really is, seeking revenge for his mother and hometown, he has to deal with everything in between as well. And while in the midst of his tragedy, Cloud and Aerith fall inlove.
As opposite as Cloud and Aerith appear, they share a similar past, but expressed their emotions very differently at the same time. Cloud grew up in an environment full of rejection. He was never allowed into the main group, and more so felt rejected by the one person whom he had adored, Tifa. He became angry and started fights with anyone who crossed his path. He saw himself as weak, and seeked out a way to prove himself. He had idolized Sephiroth, whom quickly became his savior—hero. He wanted to became strong in hopes of Tifa noticing him. But his dreams faded away when he could not become a member of SOLDIER, and with Sephiroth destroying his hometown, and killing his mother.
Aerith's past is just as troubling. Her father is murdered only a few days after her birth. She and her mother are then brought to live in Shinra Headquarters for several years, then only to watch her mother die after she struggled and fought so hard to give her a better life. Aerith remained in Midgar for twenty two years. Her adopted mother explained how much Aerith loved to talk. But at the same time, Aerith was very lonely—the same as Cloud was. Aerith grew up hearing voices of the dead, including her real mother; as Cloud battles the voices of his subcounciousness.
Both of the two repress many of their memories and feelings of the past. Cloud grows up to be quite cold and only taking jobs to benefit himself. Aerith on the other hand has also suppressed and sublimated many of her feelings, which is exactly why she almost never appears to be down.
It is quickly noticable that Cloud has come out of his shell. He no longer just cares about himself, but everyone and everything around him. Both different and similar to one another, Aerith's disturbing past has not influenced any negativity towards those around her, but that is not the same story for Cloud. But within minutes of another chance meeting, Aerith has managed to help and change Cloud. He begins to jokingly tease her and even lets out a few laughs. They begin to open up to one another in the park of sector six.
He agrees to become her bodyguard. He fully takes on this responsiblity and rescues her from Reno and from Shinra Headquarters. Even Barret notices the difference in Cloud's personality by mentioning, "So there are times where even you will fight for other people. I am impressed." When Cloud and the others are imprisoned in Shinra HQ, Aerith begins talking in the cell next to Cloud and Tifa. Cloud quickly turns around and says "Aerith?! You safe?"
"Hey, I'm your bodyguard, right?"
Over the course of the first disc, Cloud and Aerith grow closer to eachother, where subtle hints are given to eachother's feelings for one another. Aerith makes it plainly evident she had feelings for Cloud. When they are around the bonfire at Cosmo Canyon, Aerith mentions she is "...all alone now." Cloud responds by saying "But I'm......we're here for you, right?" As mentioned above, Cloud now cares about the other people around him, and not just caring, but having genuine romantic feelings for Aerith by this point.
It is questionable to some whether Aerith had real feelings for Cloud, or if it was just because he reminded her of Zack, her first and "true love." During the date later on the first disc, Aerith clearly aware that Cloud is not Zack, but saying "...but you're different."
One of the most famous, but very important lines marked by Aerith. She wants to meet the real Cloud. Perhaps she because she thinks Cloud is not whom he claims to be, since he reminds her so much of Zack? Or maybe she just wanted to know more about him? Either way, Aerith is clearly stating that she wants to become closer to Cloud.
Zack plays an important part in the blossoming relationship between Cloud and Aerith. Though, Cloud never mentions Zack and Aerith's relationship, Zack was a former boyfriend of Aerith for about a year when they were teenagers. Zack then went out on a SOLDIER mission, and befriends Cloud. Ironically enough Cloud finally meets Aerith shortly after Zack had been killed. Aerith quickly sees a resembelance between the two—not just because they look or act alike, but because Cloud believes he is Zack.
Bringing me to the scene at the Temple of the Ancients. Young Cloud is trying to prevent Cloud from giving Sephiroth the Black Materia. Cloud becomes distraught and blames himself, Aerith comforts him "Cloud you didn't do anything wrong. It's not your fault." In Cloud's dream at the Sleeping Forest, he apologizes to Aerith for attacking her. She tells him she is the only one who can stop Sephiroth from educing Meteor—in attempt to save him from the trouble of going after Sephiroth. She is clearly concerned about his mental health "And Cloud, you take care of yourself. So you don't have a breakdown, OK?"
Unfortunately, before their relationship can turn into anything more, she is killed.
While at the Forgotten Capital, Cloud awakens in the middle of the night because he knows Aerith is there. "I feel it in my soul." This in itself shows the connection betweem them.
As Cloud catches Aerith's lifeless body, he becomes fervent as he yells at Sephiroth.
In response, Sephiroth is shocked to see the anger arise in Cloud, knowing that he is not supposed to feel any emotions due to the Jenova cells that have been injected into him. This most likely explains why Cloud must have acted so cold in the beginning and that Aerith brought out the underlying emotions within him.
As tragic as her death was, it makes the relationship between Cloud and Aerith all the more beautiful and different from most love stories. It intrigues our minds and hearts that makes us love and admire them year after year. Her death was not the end of their relationship, but only just the beginning.
Her death hits Cloud extremely hard. It may be interepted that he becomes consumed by guilt, because he did not try hard enough to prevent her from getting involved with him. I believe that is only part of it. Yes, of course Cloud feels guilty because he let the one he loved get murdered by his former idol. All the more reason for Cloud to seek his revenge upon Sephiroth.
Aerith's death is not easily forgotten in Cloud's mind...and heart.
Cloud mentions a few times that he must "...let go of Aerith's memory." Which at the end of the game, he was not able to. It is impossible for Cloud to forget her so easily. He tells Tifa, “I think I’m beginning to understand. An answer from the planet… The Promised Land… I think I can meet her there.” Cloud is hoping that he will see Aerith again, in their Promised Land.
Looking into the role Aerith played in Advent Children, she is Cloud's guide. Even two years after her death, Cloud still undeniably loves Aerith. He has descended into a deep immense of guilt and depression. He continues to blame himself for the death of Aerith and Zack. He seeks isolation in her church and appears to be attached to this particular place. Though, Aerith never once blamed him, she encourages him to move on and find happiness. She cures him of the Geostigma disease, as well as healing his gunshot wound and helps with Bahamut's attack on him. At the end, Aerith leaves with Zack into a white light. Cloud notibly smiles, his first and only smile through the whole film. He is oddly drawn to and obsessed with the flower field in which he and Aerith had met. He posts several amounts of pictures of it in his room, along with a flower on his desk. In the closing credits, Cloud is seen riding his motorcycle to the flower fields, where Aerith is waiting.
Cloud and Aerith's different personalities, but reflective past make them more compatible for eachother. Cloud, being the withdrawn person that he is, makes it seem only natural for someone like Aerith to come along and make a permenant change in Cloud's life. And that is what she did. She made him laugh and smile when no one else did. Aerith is the exact type of person he needs in his life. She was there to support him when he gave Sephiroth the Black Materia. She chose to take on the responsibility of protecting the Planet to save Cloud the trouble, because she knew his mental state was deteorating. She watched over him even after she was killed. She helped and cured him through out Advent Children. In return he assured her that he would help her when he became her bodyguard. That is the most significant aspect of their relationship that makes them fit so perfectly together.
Essentially, their relationship may not have ended with them getting together, but that is what makes them so special...to me personally. It's not just a mushy-gushy love story, but it has something real to it. Their love and bond to one another is latent, and separates it from any other love story. And that is why so many still continue to dedicate themself to this pairing, after ten years.