It wasn't love at first sight, I'll tell you that. The first time I saw Cloud, I barely noticed him. I was working, you know? People have to know, I take my job very seriously, and it's something I pride myself on. I'm not second in command for nothin'. All I had on my mind was catching the Ancient, Aeris, and being able to clock out early. I vaguely remember Strife, her makeshift 'bodyguard'. The only distinct memory I have of him that day was of him throwing barrels down from the roof, trying to hit my Soldiers. Couldn't help but snicker at that one.
It was the second time I met Strife that I took a liking to him. Maybe it was because I was vulnerable on the job—my emotions weren't in check. I was already feeling mixed feelings at the thought of my old home being destroyed by my hands. My old demons would be gone, but at the expense of a little piece of my soul, taken by the eyes of a little boy who still haunts my dreams.
It was at that moment of moral uncertainty that I really saw Cloud Strife for the first time. Ironically, after the first moment I really remember 'meeting' him, I had to show off a bit of my Turk skills and attack him and his Avalanche friends. Somehow, I got the shit kicked out of me. I mean, I was so fucked up they had to replace me with Elena, for fuck's sake.
The whole time I recovered, I couldn't get the kid out of my head. He was so much more than meets the eyes, and it intrigued me. I offered to go intercept the kid whenever Rufus wanted him taken out, eagerly taking the opportunity to see him more often. He grew on me, the bastard. I started out lusting after him constantly, then I got to know him and he somehow tricked me into loving him with my whole being. He's a sneaky little devil.
So maybe it wasn't love at first sight. I mean, I didn't really ever get a conventional first sight did I? Love takes time, in my opinion. I know that sounds like bullshit coming from a person who's fucked around a lot and only been in love once, but I stand by it. In the end, I guess I'd twist the saying and say it was 'lust at second glance'. That second glance was my downfall, but I wouldn't take it back for anything.
a/n: For some reason I look at this chapter and say 'Meh...' Why, I don't know. Maybe it was because I got my idea for chapter 26 while writing it and got distracted. Or maybe it's because I couldn't think of an adequate ending. Regardless, I came up with this to explain why Reno wasn't considering Cloud in 23: Failed Savior. One review I got made me think about it, and made me feel like I had a plothole there. I guess that's how I get inspired sometimes--I find my own plothole and need to fill it. That's the beauty of a flexible timeline.
Bait for chapter 26: Oh, it's my Zack-centric chapter. I'll admit it--I am an ardent Zack lover, and my first true FFVII OTP was Zack/Cloud...it's a brief, angsty look into what could be seen as a not-quite-complete love triangle.
Oh, and I'm seriously depressed now...I finally got real info on FFVII: Crisis Core...and it's for PSP. Do I look like I have a PSP? (the answer would be no). I want it sooo bad! I mean, it's coming out in like...end 07/early 08, but it's Zack-centric and FFVII and it's so sad that they have to make it PSP exclusive. I must go sulk now. Grr.