Aerith recognizes and acknowledges that Cloud isn't Zack right there - and learns the truth. She watches the lifestream sequence in Maiden, doesn't she? Given how late in the game the lifestream event happens, I think we're all going to have to accept that Cloud was always Cloud. He remembers and mourns her in AC. I don't hear any of you Clotis' denying that.
I don't hear Cloti's denying that when drunk you aren't the same person. You have feelings for people you wouldn't have when you were sober, you get into fights, fall over and make very stupid decisions. Doesn't mean you don't regret those mistakes. Doesn't mean you don't remember them.
Cloud isn't Cloud. Period. That's the whole point of the Lifestream sequence, as the real Cloud awakens and finds his true history not the mimic'd history and personality that he was suffering under Jenova's control. He remembers it, he remembers doing it. He grieves for the loss of his dear friend. Point?
I thought you folk were convinced the word meant everything was mutual and it was rather serious - my mistake, I'm sure. Now that the word is used to describe Cloud and Aerith's relationship, I'm sure it means something else completely.
I never thought the LTD could change but it has. From denying koibito is romantic, certainly it is full blown mutual love in every context. Amazing.
Look for the context, not simply the word. If you didn't do that in English, you might be disturbed by people who say they truly love ice-cream. Get your context right then you learn the meaning behind the word.
Aerith has been linked romantically to Cloud in several games and novellas. Comparing her to Zack is rather silly.
Several novellas? You are, of course, referring to Maiden where Aeris blesses Cloud to go and move on with his life with Tifa, feeling slightly jealous but loving to both? That one? The non-canon one? The one that isn't even pro Cleris even though it isn't canon?
And we're not bringing up that silly game which has Cloud standing next to Aeris? Does that mean that the AC cover having Cloud next to Sephiroth means? No, don't want to think about it.
And as for KH, beside the fact it's not official FF7, it's AU, its very pro Tifa. Go play it again.
Sorry, when in the compilation did Cloud say he loved Tifa? That he held her like a lover? Wasn't Tifa asking herself if he loved her? Correct me if I'm wrong.
You're wrong. Happy?
When in the compilation does Cloud even allude to loving Aeris? With Tifa he actually asks her to live with him straight after FF7 (and we get the little blush from him, remember?) We also have the fact that Tifa is DESCRIBED as a lover (rather than your Aeris koibito where she herself is describing her feelings FOR Cloud).
So perhaps you should focus on Aeris first, Tifa second. Tifa has a whole FF7 legacy that connects her to Cloud. Aeris' FF7 legacy connects her to Zack.
Marlene still refers to Barrett as 'Daddy', not Cloud. Try again.
I'm sure all those kids with extended families will thank you for correcting them that paternal roles have to be solely blood related.
I haven't read CotL as a whole yet, but it seems strange that if SE was pushing to two distinct cannonical couples of Cloti and Zerith, they'd put the words "Cloud" "Aerith" and "lover" in the same sentence.
lmao. That's beyond random. Breaking down the actual sentence to such reduced components they might fit your wish. Aeris is referring to her feelings for Cloud. That's it. Sorry its not quite what you wanted. And even if it was more ambiguous, you don't have to be particularly smart to see the entire compilation goes against the notion that Aeris and Cloud are in love - Cloud hasn't exactly acted like a man who has lost his love since the end of FF7 (you know, sex under the Highwind, asking Tifa to live with him, creating a life, family, home with Tifa... not seeing much immediate grieving for his long lost love there to warrant this notion that they are mutual lovers..).
Sometimes the truth needs to be said, even if people don't want to hear it.
And for that, you've come to the right place.
Sorry, it's late and I'm a little irritable.
It's just the same old arguments wrapped in more sarcasm with no coherent logic, no sources (in fact he admits to not having read one of the major new ones and yet decides to comment on it two or three times) and lots of snark. It's just not a good combination.