You'll get used to this kind of debate, unfortunately...
Sorry about earlier. I admit I got triggered. As a child of a "stepmom" and so-called "second wife", I grew up hearing this kind of insult being thrown at both of us from my dad's kids from his first marriage. I'd like to get used to it, but it's disturbing, and it still hurts.
Thank you for that clear statement that everyone should understand!
Now I wonder... are there even people who respect, or even like, both pairings? Up until CC, no, even up to the Remake, I saw the appeal of both, but somehow, the Remake made it so that Clerith no longer appeals to me. I just don't feel any chemistry between them, even in their romantic scenes. Aerith has somehow become so different, more happy-go-lucky and outgoing on the outside, but much more serious on the inside. With her whole past and future hanging above and around her.
She doesn't seem much interested in romance anymore. Seeing the bigger picture and all. Maybe that's why she encourages Tifa to follow her heart, as well. She does seem to nudge Cloud and Tifa towards each other throughout the game.
I still see the appeal of CxA in terms of what we've got in the Remake so far, apart from the rest of the compilation. Because, at this point, the future isn't set in stone. At least that's what I'm lead to believe, so this opens up possibilities.
I've mentioned this before, but, in my mind, it's established that Cloud harbors feelings for Tifa from childhood. If he didn't, that promise wouldn't keep him in Midgar, not for that measly amount of gil. Just like she was seen hesitating to ask him to stay, he was hesitating to tell her he doesn't want to leave her. But, surprisingly, he does go through with it. He tells her it's because of a promise he made to her, so we know it's not the gil. He can't even look her in the eyes when he says this, and so I felt that in that moment, yeah, this guy has feelings for her, and you'd be blind not to see it.
But, I need to see the "how" this came to be. That's what's missing right now. It's like I know they really like each other, I clearly see they're attracted to each other. But exactly how did they fall in love? Their relationship is interesting because there's still so many unanswered questions, and it leaves a lot of room for discussion.
With Aerith, we saw Cloud start from being cold to her, and then gradually opening up. All this happens onscreen for the players to see. Even if, in my eyes, I don't feel that "love" is in the equation yet, Aerith brought up the "love" word into their conversation, so automatically that is going to get people thinking about them in that way, because it did click with me there too.
However, right after this "love" conversation, they had a lackluster (in terms of the LTD) reunion at Shinra HQ. I didn't feel it at all.
I still think CxA's light-hearted banter is cute and makes me giddy. The way he looked at her in her red dress and the fireworks lit up felt romantic. Girl got actual fireworks!
But I lean more toward CxT right now because, I dunno... It's hard to explain, like Cloud says. For me, it's like, someone could say they love me a million times, but I won't believe it. But the moment they hold me in their arms, I
feel it. Like,
really feel it. People can diss the hug all they want because Cloud was awkward, but even CxA fans should admit, it takes a lot for Cloud to be this passionate about a hug. I haven't seen him hug anyone else in the entire game.
I keep remembering Cloud trying to grab Aerith's wrists in her Resolution scene, but his hand passes through hers. And then, I remember Tifa grabbing onto his wrist to catch him from falling, and then he grabs back onto hers. The camera shows this moment to us, with just their hands, and the motion of him grabbing onto her wrist. Those two images are juxtaposed in my mind and hard for me to shake right now. Maybe things will change in Part 2.
. 
