#strifra

[thecloudstan]

Next Time You Call

Chapter 21: Absence Word Count: 90,793 (total) Fandom: Final Fantasy 7 (post Advent Children) Pairing: Cloud Strife/Rufus Shinra Rating: Explicit

Midday, when the sun is high and the sky is clear, Kalm’s clock tower is plainly visible from the highest functioning stretch of roadway still standing post-Meteorfall. Cloud sits atop Fenrir, silently searching because it’s the easiest waypoint to utilize in order to find WRO HQ, Reeve’s preferred base of operations.

Once oriented, he fires up the engine again and closes the short distance to the exit ramp that leads down into the winding streets below. The building itself is fairly nondescript, but it stands apart from most structures in Edge by looking like it had a blueprint to begin with and not like it only came to be thanks to tireless remodeling and salvage. 

After pulling into the roundabout that leads to the main entrance, he parks the bike and spares it a backward glance on his way through the revolving glass doors. The headquarters staffing may appear scant upon first blush, but he’s come to learn that the building is practically teeming with armored guards at all times, they simply monitor from behind closed doors and deploy minimal security on the ground floor. The overall effect is somewhat eerie, as if it's been made to look purposefully liminal.

Cloud approaches the information desk at the center of the lobby, a perfect circle encased in tempered glass that seems to rise straight up to the ceiling. A single young woman in a pencil skirt mans the computer there, typing away with her deep brown eyes glued to the monitor before flicking them up and flashing him a smile at the last second. She greets Cloud warmly, likely remembering his face from prior visits, and radios Reeve’s security detail before sending him off to the elevators.

Reeve fancies the WRO a more egalitarian, more moral alternative to Shinra, so the headquarters is meant to be more welcoming, less exclusive. However, he still can only be found at the top floor, hidden behind a gaggle of guards and passcodes.

“Cloud!”

Read more on ao3

[empyreandarkling]

TREAD SOFTLY - TheGoldenAppleofAsgard

Chapter 12 is up!

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Fandom: Final Fantasy 7: Remake

Pairing: Rufus Shinra x Cloud Strife

Rating: Explicit (Please note all of the tags)

--

“Look at me.”

Cloud did as commanded on the authority in his voice alone, which was surprising, and Rufus gentled his grip around the sharp cut of his Little Bird’s jawline, musing at the newfound pliancy. 

Cloud had been both strong and capable before Reno had brought him down, able to fight confidently, make decisions and follow them through, even if they were to his own detriment. There was a lot of strength in his character when they had first met that seemed to be mostly absent. Perhaps the shadow of it was there, but the entirety of it had not yet been rediscovered, though it seemed it would only be a matter of time. 

Even after everything, loss of memory included, Cloud had been snarky to the point Rufus would have sorely liked to tumble him protesting over his knee until he showed some respect.

Perhaps, if that mouthy little creature returned, there would be time for that later.

Perhaps he would provoke it on purpose, just for the pleasure of educating his Little Bird on how to keep his petulance in check.

--

[thecloudstan]

Do you feel like doing something different?? I kinda wanna ask for writing prompts. Just some situationals that I can hammer a little blurb directly into the reply. Anonymous or otherwise!

If anybody thinks that sounds fun, feel free to send me an idea of a scene or something you might like to see! Responses will be kinda off the cuff, maybe a few hundred words.

Ofc I would love Rufus and/or Cloud centric prompts but feel free to send anything you’re curious about. I’m pretty flexible but if it’s a ship or something that I’m not feeling, I will just quietly move past it (no big deal).

[empyreandarkling]

I feel this pain intimately. Perhaps too intimately. May have to write some...

*sighs deeply*

[thecloudstan]

I randomly read a strifra omegaverse fic the other day (it included other ships, too) & it was a wild ride but also shoved me inexorably into omegaverse au headcanon hell with Rufus & Cloud…the last thing I need is another distraction

[thecloudstan]

I am a mere mortal, how can I survive this (bless rikuka)

[thecloudstan]

I want to draw a short comic about a birthday party for Rufus this year but we have no information about his date of birth :(((((

So if it's OK, I would like to read a short story about our dear president's birthday with the Turks, Darkstar and Cloud too ofc 🥰

And if you don't mind, may I draw a short comic based on that story?

I don't mind at all!! Because Advent Children era is when my brain works most flexibly with them, this little moment slots into the NTYC timeline rather nicely. So it could be anytime between chapter 6ish and chapter 15ish. Due to this, I couldn't work in Darkstar, though. But please feel free to add the lil beastie into whatever art you decide to do (if you indeed decide to do it). She can be lying protectively at Rufus' feet in spirit for the story but for real in the comic (you could even just take this scenario and make it OG/Remake timeline if you want, 100% up to you and I will be happy with anything)! 😂 Because formatting is being hateful, I'm putting the blurb below a Read More.

Enjoy!

Cloud slips his cell into his pocket after trudging up the steps at Healen and shooting a quick, curt text to Reno to let him know he's waiting outside. The invitation had been out of the blue and uncharacteristically vague. The boss wants you here, he'd said. Tseng??? Cloud fired back. No, not MY boss, THE boss. Don't play dumb today, pretty boy, just make the appointment, yeah? Cloud still isn't sure why he agreed, but as Reno opens the door and chaperones him to Rufus' very familiar quarters—babbling incessantly all the while—his nerves start to subside. He can hear voices beyond the door before Reno even cracks it open. Upon entering, the room is aglow with warm light and voices full of tempered excitement. All the Turks are here and accounted for; Elena and Tseng nurse drinks while chatting back and forth off to the left of the little center table, Rude arranges small, festive bags and packages atop the counter beside the mini fridge.

And there, sat at the table alone with a smile on his face and some tiny confection before him, is Rufus Shinra. He fixes Cloud in place with eyes partially squinted by the force of his grin, offering a little nod and wave of hello. "Anyway, go say hi to the birthday boy," Reno says, snapping Cloud out of his moment of wonderment at the scene in front of him. "Birthday?" Cloud grouses, looking at Reno with a little knit in his brow only after Rufus has broken their gaze to ask Rude for something. "You could've at least told me. I got nothin'." Cloud throws both arms out wide in a gesture that reveals just how empty handed he is. As usual, Reno shrugs off any accusations as he backs away from Cloud and toward his partner. "Don't worry, blondie, your presence is present enough, trust me!" With an undeserved snicker Reno turns to meet Rude at Rufus' side. Cloud watches them in the doorway for an awkward moment before summoning the wherewithal to move his feet. As he approaches the former President, the other two slink away to find themselves a drink. Upon closer inspection, Cloud can see that the confection is some kind of cake from an upscale bakery, all perfectly round and encased in what looks like a hard, white and brown candy coating. Probably white and dark chocolate, but he can't be certain.

"A nice surprise," that velvet voice pours out syrupy sweet, sweeter than any birthday cake could ever hope to be.

Cloud levels him with a heavy but almost apologetic gaze.

"Hm? Wish I knew ahead of time so I could've brought you something but I think some details got lost in the invitation..."

Rufus only smiles, stifles a laugh. It's hard to tell whether he knew Reno tracked him down, or if it was his idea to begin with. That's not surprising, though. "Would you like a taste?" he suddenly asks out of nowhere, gesturing to the cake on the table. Cloud ignores the baser meaning behind the question and leans over the table to get a good look at the cake, making a bit of a show of it. He's not a die hard lover of sweets, but it looks good enough. He does notice there isn't a single candle is in sight, though. Feigning contemplation, he folds his arms over his chest, rests his chin on a fist. "Before the birthday boy? Nah. Besides...your friends here seem to have forgotten the candles," he teases, only now realizing how much of their relationship has progressed without him even knowing Rufus' birthday. "How old are you turning, anyway?" Rufus again only reacts with the slightest curl to the corners of his lips before reaching a graceful hand forward. He lifts a heavy cake knife from beside the platter on which the fancy little dish sits. With deft and nimble fingers he cuts through, but pauses before completing the slice. "Wouldn't you like to know..."

[thecloudstan]

So! I poked around a little in Rebirth on PC but it made me all giddy to write for some reason?? So I made myself a pot of coffee and I’m going to sit down with some vaporwave and dive back into the next chapter of NTYC. It’s way past half complete, it’s time to get a serious move on!

If anybody is around and wants to talk about our boys, I’m very much missing chatting about them! Feel free to throw Rufus/Cloud thots or headcanons in my asks!! Shippy or individually…spicy or fluffy…I just need to inject them into my brain again.

[thecloudstan]

No matter how many times I go back to the Gold Saucer fight, I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING HIS DRAMA QUEEN ASS! 🤣 He calls Dio during Rude and Elena's fight, told the Turks NOTHING about his plans to enter the ring, made the most FLASHY entrance in the entire game, and proceeds to blatantly flirt with Cloud IN FRONT OF EVERYINE'S POPCORN. I want to thank the FFVII development staff so much for giving us these glorious President Rufus Shinra scenes/lines.

He was really playing in everybody's face with it, the man clearly lives for a fucking audience...it's insane.

Actual pyrotechnics and a spirited introduction 😂 his need for that one-on-one was keeping the man up at night or SOMETHING.

[thecloudstan]

NTYC wip Wednesday

Cloud decides to give Barret a call & do some digging for info…

[thecloudstan]

The Rest is Shadows

Chapters: 3/10 (for now) Word Count: 11,618 Fandom: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Pairing: Cloud Strife/Rufus Shinra Rating: Explicit

Cloud Strife, under a stage name, has quickly become one of Andrea Rhodea's star performers and escorts at the Honeybee Inn, and whose attention should he snag other than THE Vice President of Shinra Electric Power Company, Rufus Shinra. Remake universe canon divergent au in which Jenova does not exist, the Wutai war is long since won, there is no impending threat from Sephiroth, and Avalanche as we know it is in its infancy. Cloud is 21, Rufus is 30.

Read on ao3

I grew anxious with this and have the urge to share part of what has been completed. No posting schedule for now, but I would say what's posted is about 1/3 of the final vision. Enjoy, and thank you <3

[thecloudstan]

Just sitting here at work marveling over the fact that, on just their second meeting, Rufus propositions Cloud.

I’m sure from his perspective that went in his head something like ‘he’s obviously formidable, let’s get him to go search and destroy this wayward Shinra asset,’ meanwhile that asset is Sephiroth. It’s just a business deal! Right?! Right????? Of course he thinks this way. I’m tickled.

“Cloud, I own you. Cloud, you’re making me sweat. Cloud, I read your file. Cloud, you’re so fascinating and clever. Cloud, do my crimes for me.”

He’s kind of obsessed with that lil blond binch and I don’t blame him. Goes so lovely with Cloud’s propensity in Advent Children to use ‘needing to meet with Rufus’ as an avoidance mechanism.

[thecloudstan]

One can argue that Rufus and Cloud did have an instant attraction upon their first meeting, given how sexually charged their fight was in "Remake". XD What heterosexual explanation can be given to lines like "I own you", "just the two of us", "naughty, naughty", and "let's make it a night to remember"??? RUFUS WANTS THAT SOLDIER BOY BAD, LMAO.

Oh my god, and even Cloud throwing it back, “think you got my number?” (And Rufus saying “not at all, you’re making me sweat). 🥵🥵🥵

Cloud: let’s get this over with.

Rufus: don’t say that.

Cloud: that’s a new trick.

Rufus: like it? ‘course you do.

Then Cloud beats up his dog and is like “NOW it’s the two of us” uwu

Rufus: let’s make it a night to remember.

Cloud: it’s on for real now?

Rufus: yeah. you should be honored.

Then ofc all of Rufus’ fun in-battle things like “naughty naughty,” “you’ll like this,” and “now, where were we?”

It’s a fic writer’s gold mine tbqh. They didn’t have to make Rufus such a flirtatious dominant bastard but they chose to, and I think that’s amazing! 🙏🏼 sorry to be repetitive, your ask made me want to rewatch the Remake fight and I couldn’t help but share the dialogue again 😂

[thecloudstan]

gotta catch ‘em all!

I am particularly fond of the one with the Highwind

[thecloudstan]

No one brought this up yet, so we GOTTA talk about how the staff is emphasizing the bond between Rufus and Darkstar! I thought it was adorable how Rufus called Darkstar "D" (he even does in "Opera Omnia") during the first game, it's so adorable to see D always at Rufus's side. I squealed when I saw Rufus pet D at that one Shinra meeting and growled at Hojo for getting too close. D wanted to jump in from the get-go during the GS fight and jumped in partway to save Rufus. Their bond is lovely. T_T

I am really glad they did this as well. It's another little narrative device that gives a window into Rufus' psyche. And that Gold Saucer battle is such a bitch because of it 😂

I will say I'm a bit sad that the name 'Dark Nation' didn't stick because it's just so EXTRA, but the nickname D is good, regardless. Rufus and his weird desire to subjugate powerful things and then dote on them...

[thecloudstan]

If NSFW scenes are okay, then I'd love to see an art of Rufus and Cloud's car sex scene or the bathroom sex scene at the gala! If you do SFW scenes, maybe an art with them sleeping together in bed or the scene where Rufus and Cloud share a hungry, deep kiss from the end of Ch. 18?

thanks for the asks, anon! I went with a nsfw one so I cannot post in full on tumblr. enjoy the preview and click here for the full on my Bluesky!

This originally linked to my Twitter which has since been deactivated, so the new link to view the full piece is on Bluesky! <3