Not sure if you are taking any requests...If not I apologize, you can delete this ask if you want to!
If you are taking requests, can you write something where the reader thanks Cloud (or whoever in ffxii) for making them feel pretty/handsome? I feel like it's really special when someone makes you truly feel that about yourself.
I don't get a lot of requests, so yes, I was happy to do this.
Cloud stood motionless off to the side, his blue eyes fixed on (Y/n) as she sparred with Tifa. The morning light caught her (H/c) hair, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe.
She moved with effortless grace, fluid strikes, precise footwork, her (S/c) skin glowing faintly under Midgar's smoggy sky. Every now and then she'd laugh when Tifa landed a playful tap or teased her about being "too fancy" in battle.
His chest tightened. He should go over there. Say something normal. Hi. Or maybe ask if they needed water.
Instead he just stared, like some lovestruck puppy who'd never seen someone beautiful before.
When (Y/n) glanced his way mid-stance and smiled, that soft curve of lips that always made him feel unsteady, he quickly looked away, and crossed his arms.
"Uh," he muttered, "Hey."
(Y/n)'s eyes lit up the second she saw Cloud standing there, all awkward and stiff like he always got around her even after all this time. Her heart did that stupid little flip.
She wiped a bit of sweat from her brow with the back of her hand before calling out to him, voice bright despite how tired she was. "Hey, Cloud!"
Tifa grinned and gave (Y/n) a light shove on the shoulder. "Go talk to your man," she teased under her breath.
(Y/n) chuckled before she jogged over toward Cloud, boots thudding softly against the training yard floor. She stopped just in front of him.
Her cheeks were warm, not just from sparring now, but because he was looking at her like that.
Cloud's pulse kicked up like heād just sprinted through the slums. Damn she's pretty.
He swallowed hard. "Youā¦ uh." He gestured vaguely at her face and hair and everything about her that made his brain short-circuit.
His fingers twitched against his biceps where he still had them crossed, defensive posture from a man who didn't know how to accept or give affection.
(Y/n) blinked, then her lips curled into that quiet, tender smile. "Thanks," she said softly, tilting her head just slightly. She could see the way his ears were turning pink, so cute.
She didnāt tease him though. Cloud got flustered easily when it came to compliments or showed affection openly. She'd learned that over time, how to read the little tells.
The arm-crossing (his shield), the stiff posture (panic mode), and now this, those flustered eyes darting everywhere but at her.
She reached up and gently brushed a few damp strands of (H/c) hair from her forehead before tucking them behind one ear. "I'm all sweaty, and gross," she added with a small laugh. "But I appreciate it."
She was just so beautiful, with that quiet, soft smile that always felt like sunlight breaking through clouds, and now she was tucking her hair back and laughing? Low, warm, musical?
His arms uncrossed slightly. Just a fraction. Like his body had betrayed him.
"You'reā¦ not gross," he muttered poorly. She totally was sweaty, but not gross. To him she could be covered in mud or Mako sludge and still look breathtaking. "I mean, you look... fine."
Fine!? Seriously!? He wanted to kick himself.
Tifa snorted from across the yard but wisely kept her mouth shut.
(Y/n) noticed the way his arms loosened, just a little, and how his voice went all stiff and awkward, like he was trying so hard to say the right thing.
It made her chest swell with warmth.
He said she looked fine. But she knew better. Cloud didn't hand out compliments easily or smoothly. Her (E/c) eyes lifted to meet his, searching for just a second, she knew what he meant by the look in those mako blue eyes.
"Baby... do you wanna go back home? I'm kinda tired, and need a shower."
Cloud's eyes widened slightly before he quickly masked it with a neutral expression, but his pulse? Racing like he'd just faced down Sephiroth again.
"Yeah," he said, voice lower now, almost gentle. "Sounds good."
Without another word, still trying not to look too eager, he stepped forward and fell into step beside her as she turned toward the apartment building.
He kept his hands loose at his sides this time, no arms crossed shield anymore, and after a few quiet steps?
He reached over and took her hand.
(Y/n)'s fingers curled around Cloud's the second he took her hand, her heart doing that quiet, happy leap it always did whenever he touched her like this.
She didn't squeeze too hard or make a big deal of it. She knew how shy he could be about affection in public. But she loved holding his hand, how warm and calloused his palm was, how naturally their fingers fit together.
Every now and then (Y/n) would glance at him, the set of his jaw relaxed now instead of tense, those sharp features softened, blond spikes catching golden streaks from overhead lights.
He looked peaceful today.
Cloud walked beside her in quiet contentment, the warmth of her hand in his grounding him like nothing else could.
Not after everything... Nibelheim, Shinra, Sephirothā¦ the weight he carried every day.
But with (Y/n)? With her soft breaths and gentle steps and that silent way she looked at him like he was something good? The world felt lighter.
His thumb moved almost unconsciously, brushing over her knuckles, just a small caress before settling again.
They passed under a flickering streetlamp near their building's entrance. He glanced down at her then, the (h/c) of her hair catching the dim glow, and for just a second let himself memorize how beautiful she looked tired but happyā¦ safeā¦ Home.
The apartment building loomed ahead now, their home for months now, a cozy little place on the second floor.
Tifa had helped decorate it ("It looked too sad," she'd said), and (Y/n) had grown to adore every corner because it was theirs.
Cloud slowed his steps as they reached the front door, automatically fishing a key from his pocket, he'd memorized the rhythm of their return by now. Home. He opened it gently, holding it for her with that quiet chivalry he never let anyone else see.
(Y/n) stepped inside first, kicking off her boots with a soft "thump" against the floor. The familiar scent of their home wrapped around her.
Without hesitation, she turned towards him as he closed the door behind them, and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Love you," she murmured against his skin before pulling back with that small smile again. Then, already moving toward the bathroom. "Iāll shower fast. Want me to save hot water for you?"
Cloud froze the moment her lips brushed his cheek, warm, soft, gone too soon. His face burned. He stood there like an idiot for a solid three seconds, one hand half-raised as if to touch where she'd kissed him.
Then she was gone, already heading down the hall, and calling back about water?
He blinked hard and finally moved. "Uh," he managed after a beat. "I-I'm good."
It came out gruffer than intended, every time she said "I love you" or kissed him so easily it short-circuited his brain.
He peeled off his boots slowly, trying to act normal while really just thinking.
And damnā¦ that still felt like a miracle sometimes.
(Y/n) was already in the bathroom, turning on the shower and adjusting the temperature. She peeled off her sweaty clothes, a small smile tugged at her lips. She stepped under the warm water with a quiet sigh, letting it soothe tired muscles from sparring, and let her mind drift just slightly.
Thoughts of Cloud filled her head, how he looked today standing there all awkward but trying so hard, how gentle his hand felt holding hers..
Her husband loved her. And always made her feel beautiful, in his own way, even if he didn't know how to say it out loud.
Cloud sat on the couch, Buster Sword resting across his lap, justā¦ holding it.
He stared at nothing in particular, the wallpaper, the small potted plant Tifa had insisted they needed "It's homey," she'd said, the faint glow of steam curling from under the bathroom door.
The apartment was quiet except for that soft hiss of water and (Y/n) moving around.
The shower shut off after about twenty minutes.
A few moments later, the bathroom door opened and (Y/n) stepped out wrapped in a soft pink towel, her (H/c) hair damp and clinging to her shoulders. Sheād scrubbed all the sweat from sparring away, skin flushed from warm water. She spotted Cloud on the couch, Buster Sword with him like always, and smiled faintly.
Cloud's breath caught. She was barely covered, just a towel, damp hair clinging to her neck and shoulders, skin still flushed from the shower, and she lookedā¦ gorgeous. Not in some dramatic way. Just soft. Warm. Real.
He quickly looked down at his sword like it suddenly required intense inspection, fingers tightening slightly on the hilt. But he couldnāt help glancing back up when she moved toward their bedroom, the sway of her steps.. His throat went dry again.
(Y/n) didn't notice the way Cloud stared, too used to him zoning out. She padded down the hall toward their bedroom, leaving a faint trail of damp footprints on the wooden floor.
Once inside, she dropped her towel and quickly pulled on clean clothes, soft black shorts and an oversized gray shirt, one of Cloud's, she loved it because it smelled like him.
After brushing out her hair with gentle strokes, she left it loose. No need for fuss tonight.
Then quietly returned to the living room where he sat still clutching the Buster Sword like a lifeline.
Cloud finally lifted his gaze as she re-entered the room, and damn. She was wearing his shirt. It hung loosely on her frame, and it somehow made him feel possessive and tender all at once.
His chest tightened again. That stupid flutter returned full force. He didn't say anything dumb this time. Justā¦ looked at her properly, the damp hair falling freely around her face, those (E/c) eyes calm now after training and showering.
And then came that familiar warmth spreading through him, love so deep it scared him sometimes because what if he couldn't keep (Y/n) safe? What if he failed?
But right nowā¦ she was here. With him.
So instead of words, which always got tangled when emotions ran high, he slowly set the Buster Sword aside on its stand and opened his arms slightly toward hers without a sound.
Without hesitation, she walked over and stepped right into his space, arms slipping around him as he pulled her gently against him. She fit perfectly, her smaller frame tucked neatly into the curve of his chest, her face pressing just above his collarbone where she could breathe in that familiar scent.
Cloud's arms closed around her fully, strong, warm, secure. He rested his chin on top of her head and let out a slow breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. The weight of the day, the training yard, Sephiroth lingering in the back of his mind like always, just melted away with (Y/n) in his arms.
He kissed the crown of her hair without thinking, a small press of lips, and murmured into it. "For what?" His voice was low.
(Y/n) melted deeper into him at the kiss, so tender, and her arms tightened slightly around his back.
"For holding my hand." she whispered. "For making me feel beautiful... for loving me.."
Each word was soft, honest, the kind of gratitude that came from someone who'd once believed love would never be hers.
She didn't cry. Not really. Just felt warm and full inside, like her heart had too much to hold but it wasn't painful, it was joyful.
And then she tilted her head up slightly against his chest, waiting, without pushing.. just hoping he might kiss her properly now.
Cloud's breath stuttered.
Her words, simple, quiet, devastating.
She thanked him for holding her hand. For loving her. For making her feel beautiful.
As if he wasn't the lucky one.
His arms tightened around her like he could shield her from every bad thing in the world just by holding on hard enough. He dipped his head down slowly, giving himself time to really look at her face.
And then he kissed her. Gentle at first, a brush of lips against hers, but quickly deepening when she responded so sweetly.
(Y/n) sighed into the kiss, soft, pliant, his. Her hands slid up to cradle his face as their lips moved together, warm and slow and full of everything they couldn't always say out loud.
All that love, all that trust.
He held her waist with both hands, thumbs brushing gently over the shirt. He could feel every sigh she breathed against him, every tiny shift as she leaned into him deeper. And it wrecked him in the best way.
When they finally broke apart for air, both breathing just a little heavier than before, he didn't let go. Just rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Finally an actual compliment!
(Y/n)'s heart squeezed. Her eyes stung a little. Cloud Strife, the man who barely gave compliments, just called her beautifulā¦ and he meant it in that deep, quiet way only he could.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She just kept her forehead pressed to his, lips still close enough to feel each other's warmth.
"Cloudā¦" she whispered shakily. "I love you so much."
And then, because she couldn't help it, she kissed him again, soft and sweet this time, full of gratitude for having a husband like him who loved her completely.
He kissed her back, slow and tender, pouring every unspoken feeling into it.
I love you too, You're my wife, You're safe with me, I'll never stop choosing you.
When they parted again, he pressed one more kiss to the corner of her mouth, then another on each eyelid, because he wanted to kiss away any sadness before it could fall.
Then finally, a rare thing for Cloud Strife, he smiled. Small. Shy. But real as hell.
I couldn't really figure out how to go about this, I think Cloud is pretty awkward, and has a hard time communicating, so I tried to have that in there. I can always retry this if it's not to your liking.
