sekiharatae: (cloti)
So here is my rather long list of Cloud/Tifa recommendations. It's longer than I'd expected it to be. It also includes some things that -- strictly speaking -- aren't pairing related; but I think family stories are an important part of the Cloud/Tifa dynamic, too.

Please feel free to suggest stories not already on the list. I won't promise to add them, but I love new reading material, and will certainly give them a try.

Entries are sorted into the following categories:

Ambiguous/Friends -- the story can be read either as friendship or couple, but I think it leans more toward friendship
Ambiguous/Couple -- same as above, but I think it leans more toward couple
Couple -- blatant couple-y goodness
Family
-- Cloud and Tifa are there, but the focus is on the Seventh Heaven family
Miscellany -- Stories I want to rec but I'm not sure how to classify
NC-17 -- contain graphic sex

I've slapped titles (more like labels) on the untitled stories so I can differentiate between them. This is not to be rude or infringe upon anyone's creativity. Please, please let me know if you are the author and would rather I use a different appellation.



Ambiguous/Friends

Bed and Board
Post AC
Summary: A look at life after AC, with emphasis on how Cloud has made an effort to commit to the Seventh Heaven family. With a cameo by Vincent.

Don't Forget
Post Original Game (maybe post AC)
Summary: Marlene helps Cloud help Tifa deal with his absences
Thoughts: One of my favorite drabbles.

On Your Shoulders
Post AC
Summary: Cloud and Tifa (and the kids) take a day off to visit the church.
Thoughts: If you don't like Aerith (and some Cloud/Tifa fans don't) you will want to avoid this one. Surprisingly, though, Tifa is the one missing her.

Return
Post AC
Summary: The night after Sephiroth's defeat at Seventh Heaven bar.
Thoughts: I so want to make this a couple fic, but the first sentence kind of denies me. It's still lovely and cute and amusing.


Ambiguous/Couple

Between Life and Love
Original Game
Summary: A little look into Tifa's thoughts and perceptions during a restful interlude.

Cleaning Up
Pre-AC
Summary: Tifa calls Cloud for a little help cleaning out the bar.
Thoughts: I love this fic. I really do. Enough to read couple-ness into it. I tell myself it's unrequited.

Like Always
Advent Children (not sure if pre or post)
Summary: They're just too afraid to admit it.

Moments -- With Tender Loving Care
Post AC
Summary: Tifa is sick, but Cloud is there to take care of her.

New Year (actually untitled)
Post AC
Summary: New Years
Thoughts: This is fluffy and adorable and Cloud is so incredibly sweet... and just a bit teasing which makes him even better.

Promise
Post AC
Summary: Cloud near promises to come back soon.
Thoughts: This is another shortfic -- less than 10 sentences -- but it shows some nice progress in communication and understanding.


Couple

After-Christmas Special
Pre-original Game
Summary: How Tifa found herself at the Sector 7 train station that fateful day...

Another Round

Post AC
Summary: Tifa thinks about who is there so she doesn't have to think about who isn't.
Thoughts: Summary sounds sad, but the story isn't, and ends on a fluffy/waffy note.

Better

Post AC
Summary: Cloud takes off some wet clothes and gets under the covers!
Thoughts: Sounds naughty but it isn't. It is cute and waffy and fluffy, though. Poor Cloud tries a bit too hard.

Breaking with Routine

Post AC
Summary: Do you think we should get married?
Thoughts: Cloud is a bit more clueless and Tifa a bit more forward in the beginning than I generally picture them, but their characterizations straighten out in the end. (And maybe it's just me, too.) Besides, the writing is good, and the kids are cute.

Bumps in the Night

Post AC
Summary: Cute shortfic featuring kids and implied naughtiness on the part of Cloud/Tifa

Burning
Post AC
Summary: He only sees her when they're alone, and she always sees him for the first time.
Thoughts: This is the second of two shortfics in the same post. While there's nothing wrong with the first one, it pales in comparison to the second. Which is lovely.

Drabbles
Compilation
Thoughts: Different topics in different chapters. The first four fics (in the first 3 chapters) are especially lovely. Oh and angsty-Cloud, set when he found out about his geostigma, is in chapter 5.

Dream Angel

Post AC
Summary: The Space Between Dream and Reality
Thoughts: This is a [livejournal.com profile] 30_kisses response by [profile] phedre_verreuil . The entries range from long to short; silly to serious. Some I love, some I like, and one or two I don't care for... but this is one of my favorites. The rest can be found here.

A Labor of Love
Post Original Game AU
Summary: Cloud-Aerith-Tifa love triangle where Cloud makes a heart-searching choice instead of defaulting to one or the other.
Thoughts: Honestly, given the summary, I skipped to the last chapter to see how it would turn out... and I'm including it because that last chapter is great. I still haven't gone back and read the whole thing (sorry... I read backward a few chapters though, and they were pretty well done, too). If you don't like Aerith, just read the last chapter and you'll be happy.

The First to the Last
Compilation
Summary: Through his life, Cloud has had many different sorts of experiences. And being kissed is one of them.

Full Circle
Between AC and DOC
Summary: Moving forward, one step at a time.

Hanging by a Moment
Post AC
Summary: A few months after his Geostigma was cured, Cloud has melted back into place in his makeshift family. Things can’t always stay the same though, and Tifa learns that sometimes, one moment is all it takes to change everything

Holding On
Pre-AC
Summary: Some days, Tifa wished she was still in Nibelheim.

Impatience (actually untitled)
Post AC
Summary: There was one thing Cloud had always been willing to wait for.

It's You (actually untitled)
Post AC
Summary: Written for the porn_battle prompt: I'm a racing car/passing by like Lady Godiva
Thoughts: Steamy little drabblish thing. Not graphic, but definitely sexy. I do wonder why she was out on Fenrir and he was waiting at the bar.

Knowing
Post AC
Summary: She's afraid to disturb him.

Masks
Post AC
Summary: Costume party at Seventh Heaven

Questions and Answers
Original Game
Summary: First time, that night under the Highwind.
Thoughts: Implied sex, but nothing graphic. Fluffy. A bit cliched (it's a first time under the Highwind, with a dash of 'just in case we die'), but well written and cute. If you're going to read a Highwind first time story, this is a good one to choose.

Rescue Mission (actually untitled)
Post AC
Summary: Cloud, Tifa, and Nanaki are on a rescue mission under the guidance of Reeve and Cid.
Thoughts: This is one of those stories that's made in the comments section of an LJ post (I hate that), which is why it's broken across two comments and probably why it has no title. It's still well written, cute, and abortedly sexy.

Scrabble
Post AC
Summary: Short fluffy drabble. Cloud apologizes.

Setting the Record Straight
Post AC
Summary: They say guys with big guns are just trying to compensate for something. What about guys with big bikes and big swords?

Things That Don't Fade
Post AC
Summary: Tifa helps Cloud deal with his scars.

This is Home Too
Post AC
Summary: Tifa has helped Cloud through his bad memories, but sometimes she needs help with hers.
Thoughts: Beautiful for the character interaction and insights, the phrasing and word choice. Read this one! Contains sex of the non-graphic variety.

To Remember Home By
Post Original Game
Summary: Tifa caught her breath when Cloud put a bottle of apple cider on the table.

Touch
Post AC
Summary: She longs to be touched.

Tough Choices (actually untitled)
Post AC
Summary: It's tough to choose between two positives. (Humor)

Unfulfilled
Post Original Game
Summary: Figuring out who he is and what they are


Family


Family Ties
Post AC
Summary: Discussion after the conclusion of AC
Thoughts: This is the second of two stories in the same post. Both are very well done -- the first is mentioned above under the Couples category.

Fists and Words

Post AC
Summary: The spoken word is not always mightier than a good fist in the face.

Glimpses of Happiness
Post AC
Summary: Cloud thought that maybe, just maybe, sometimes he really could bring a moment of happiness to his family.

Homecoming
Post AC
Summary: A worn-out Cloud seeks refuge in his bed, but first there’s a little boy who needs some reassurance…

Hope
Post AC
Summary: He wanted more than anything for her to finally cry.
Thoughts: Family-oriented fic, but it's not fluffy.

Laughter
Post AC
Summary: Tifa comes home to find out Cloud's been telling the kids about... well, when he rescued her.
Thoughts: This is the third fic from this author on this list, so now I'm going to point you at her fanfic100 table. Pretty much everything on it is good.

Need

Post AC
Summary: Cloud's thoughts on himself and life at Seventh Heaven

Paper Folding
Post AC
Summary: He had never been very good at art.

A Picture's Worth 1000 Words
Post AC ~ 50 (or more) years in the future
Summary: While digging through an old chest, Tifa's grandchildren unearth a 60 year old photo of their Grandmother, Aunt Aeris, and some beautiful nameless woman. And poor Tifa can't stop the laughter.

Thoughts Read Unspoken
Post AC
Summary: They had different paths, but they all led to the same place. -Collection of 50 one-shots focusing on Cloud, Tifa, Denzel, and Marlene-


Miscellany

And Yet So Far
Crisis Core
Summary: Cloud wanted to see her, but he didn't want her to see him.
Thoughts: Cloud still massively crushing on Tifa, which is always cute if well written. Plus Zack!

Do You Trust Him
Original Game
Summary: Tifa asks Barret for his thoughts on Cloud

I Don't Need You, Cloud Strife
Advent Children
Summary: Tifa's thoughts during Advent Children as she realizes Cloud has Geostigma.
Thoughts: This sounds angsty, but it's not. It's completely gorgeous.

Incoming Call: Home
Post AC
Summary: It is when Cloud finally answers her call that Tifa realizes something: the words – those words - may have been unspoken, but the feelings that she had hitherto thought nonexistent are there – pure, deep, and wholly real.
Thoughts: Almost put this in the couples category. Theyr'e not there yet, but are moving that way.

Things in the Night
Post AC
Summary:
Thoughts: The focus of this fic is on Yuffie, but Cloud and Tifa are a couple in it as well. And Cloud's approach to dealing with Yuffie is a lot of fun.

The Way to Babylon
Pre-original Game
Summary: Tifa brings Cloud back again.
Thoughts: This is a gorgeous but painful look at what Tifa might have been faced with after finding Cloud in the train station.


NC-17

Bar Sex (actually untitled)
Post AC
Summary: Sex on the bar...
Thoughts: Borderline on this one between putting it in the NC-17 category or not. It's not particularly graphic, but does give more details than the ones I stuck in the regular section. It's also a shortfic.

Chairs, Lights and Locks of the World
Post AC
Summary: Tifa and Cloud fix Fenrir and face some truths.
Thoughts: Love the view into Cloud's head, and the touchingly teasing bit at the end.

Change of Heart
Post AC
Written for the prompt: "Neither one of them is sure of where they stand, but they're both getting tired of it, and their relationship turns physical. A happy/hopeful outlook at the end would be nice."
Thoughts: I take some issue with the idea that Cloud would think about leaving again. However, that could just be me. Overall, the story is well-written and the ending is sweet. Except for that one point, I think it's in character, too.

The Gods
AU
As the author puts it: What if Cloud [rather than Zack or Seph] was the one who could make amazingsome sex? Sex for him would certainly be all about the giving. The challenge of this fic was making Cloud a mystical sex god without making him become a completely different person.
Thoughts: I love the sweet, giving, still nervous Cloud in this fic.

How it Goes

Post AC
Summary: This is how the story goes.

Moonlit Moments
Post AC
Summary: Cloud's day off comes to an end on the rooftop of Seventh Heaven, with Tifa as his companion. Second chapter is NC-17.

Tie Me Up, Buttercup
Post AC
Thoughts: Well, the subject matter is probably kind of self-explanatory. I like the exploration of trust in this one. I thought the sex dialogue was well done, too.

Toward Home
Post AC
Summary: Cloud takes Tifa for a ride.


Finally, if you enjoy any or all of the above recommendations, I'd also like to suggest my own stuff. Despite the length of this list, I started writing cloti fics because there just isn't enough to read. So if you're interested you can take a look at everything, just the non-NC17 fics, or just the NC-17 stories.


04/14/09 ETA: Like Always; Full Circle; I Don't Need You, Cloud Strife

Date: 2009-04-03 02:08 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] qwi-xux.livejournal.com
Yay! I'll have to poke into these a bit later when I have time and see if there are some I'm unfamiliar with--thank you so much for sharing this! :D

Date: 2009-04-03 04:10 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] sekiharatae.livejournal.com
You're welcome! I'm still working on it, though. I probably have at least ten more fics to add.

Date: 2009-04-03 06:51 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] niiicko.livejournal.com
Wooooo :D Thank you for the rec list! This is great!
I do have to admit, so far, yours are the only CloTi fics I've read. XP But I've always loved the pairing! ^.^

Date: 2009-04-05 07:40 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] sekiharatae.livejournal.com
Hey There!

You're very welcome. I've cleaned out a lot of bookmarks this way =)

And I'm done with it! Hurrah!

Date: 2009-04-05 10:23 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] needtake-have.livejournal.com
This is great! Thanks so much for putting this together. ^^

Date: 2009-04-05 01:04 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] tab-cat.livejournal.com
Woah that's a really great list! I haven't been into the fandom for a year or two now, but seeing all this fic goodness ressurected my love for the game and couple! I wish there were more Original Game centered fics but these recs look really good too!

Thanks for sharing :D I'll be taking a look at these later~

Date: 2009-04-05 02:31 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] parapluies.livejournal.com
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! :D

Date: 2009-04-05 05:50 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] windrider1.livejournal.com
WOOOOOOT! Thank you for this. I'll nose through in a bit and see if there's a nugget I may have missed. :)

Date: 2009-04-05 06:32 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] crystalstars-88.livejournal.com
If only the NC-17 list were longer;) You should have included your own fics in this list, they are awesome!

Date: 2009-04-05 07:03 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] drarmp1t.livejournal.com
Y'know what's weird, I was just going to compile a list of recommended fics as well but I like your format alot better 8Db

And yes, you should definately put your stories up there too ^^

Thank you for this list! I'll be sure to read some of these!

Date: 2009-04-05 08:10 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] needtake-have.livejournal.com
Toward Home's link isn't right. It leads you to a Cloud/Kadaj story.

Date: 2009-04-05 08:18 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] sekiharatae.livejournal.com
O.o Weird. Ok, fixed now! Thank you for letting me know, and sorry for the screw up.

(Was just going to have lunch when the mail came in...)

Date: 2009-04-05 08:20 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] needtake-have.livejournal.com
Wasn't such a big deal. I enjoyed the story and found Toward Home. ^^

Date: 2009-04-06 02:22 am (UTC)From: [personal profile] nrgburst
nrgburst: (symbiosis)
I think somebody else did a rec list a few months ago, but none of the mods bothered to add it to memories...(hinthint)

Also, to shamelessly self promote a bit: My "Full Circle" has gotten a lot of good feedback- it's even been nominated for a Genesis award. If you're interested, link to the ff.net version is here:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3798564/1/Full_Circle





Date: 2009-04-06 04:27 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] sekiharatae.livejournal.com
Arg! How did I miss this one? I read it before and I could have sworn I commented, although I don't see said comments on your LJ. Will have to go back and do that now.

And I will add it when I update. I'm going to try and update the list once a week (as long as I have something to add).

Thanks!

Date: 2009-04-06 06:24 am (UTC)From: [personal profile] nrgburst
nrgburst: (Tifa DoC)
:) Glad you liked it! I know I'm not very active in the fandom now, (RL is taking a priority) so it was probably easy to miss. I was pleased to see "Masks" up there- it's one of my favourites.

Speaking of oldies but goodies, there is one angsty one-shot by mintbanana that was nominated last year called "Perfect" that is also worth a read, IMO.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3682896/1/

Date: 2009-04-06 06:25 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] yuenmei.livejournal.com
Thanks so much for this great list! I've been binging since I found it :) There are some great ones!

Date: 2009-04-08 03:24 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] sekiharatae.livejournal.com
Woot! I hope you found some you hadn't read before =)

Date: 2009-04-06 02:41 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] calen-greenleaf.livejournal.com
*needs to find a Cloti icon...*

Thanks for the list. :)

Date: 2009-04-14 10:22 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] roterhimmel.livejournal.com
ext_114030: i'll chase you. to the sun and the moon and back again. i won't stop. (FF AC: tifa)
That's so wonderful! Thanks for compiling this list - I'm new to the fandom and this is a good way to start off on.

Date: 2009-04-22 09:19 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] aliale.livejournal.com
*stares*

How on earth DID "with tender loving care" get up there? *scratches head with confusion* I though it was abosolute crap XD well ..anyway... thank you for putting that one up, it still feeds my ego :D

And it actually scared me to ralize I've read something like 90% of the other fics you recomended XD I need to get out more... XD

and a little bit of shameless advert: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4715937/1/Silver_Night :) my first Cloti, and probably the only one I'm really rpoud of :)

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