This reminds me of an older fic...Meteora, I think, was the name...where Cloud descended slowly into madness. Interesting how we can be so strong and yet so weak at the same time.

That casserole sounds pretty good to me.

yay! you're back!

I like this one. It's so cute. Poor Cloud though. You snooze you lose, buddy.

NICE.

I enjoyed this little moment so much—oddly enough, it was more because of Cloud's characterization than it was because of the allusion to Vincent receiving a kiss from Tifa. I think it was Cloud's secret laugh at the beginning that did me in.

I kind of imagine it as a BUAHAHAHAHA!, only whispered.

Was that a—food allergy you wrote in there? I might have read that incorrectly, but the way Cloud laughs at the idea of Vincent eating strawberries on the same level as his getting smacked, made me think that you were pointing to an allergic reaction.

It might have put a different bent on this fic in my mind. ;)

Love it, love it!

Oh, I loved this. The connection between Rude and noir films works well. I also like that outside the cinema of his thoughts, it is also a very noir, cinematic sort of world.

"...not the guy trying to make up for a short man's complex with a bike and a dozen swords."

I laughed!

:) It's great that you're back to fanfiction! Ever since I entered the FFVII fandom I've been reading your works from First Dates to The Path to Redemption.

Anyways, I love how your latest story is witty and to the point. Is there any chance I can add you on livejournal to continue access to your stories there?

:]

-ill literate

So awesome. Short, sweet, loved it! But then again, I've always been a Vincent/Tifa kind of girl. Even though it's short, you still get a great sense of the characters and surroundings (and apparent jealous natures). Very fun.

You just know that a man like that has to have a rich imagination. There's a lot of contrast in just a few paragraphs here, and you did it simply and skillfully. The noir imagery is delicious, and when he walks out onto the street, I have this very palpable grey feeling, and I feel his disappointment, too.

I also like how the last line works two ways. I get the feeling his disappointment isn't just feeling sorry for himself.

Oh, I like Rude. He's a working man.

It doesn't have to be long, because it feels complete. I still want to see them taking cooking lessons together and getting in a food fight, though. ;p

It's taken a long time for me to warm up to Cloud, but it's a wonder, because he is that sort of complexity I can really get into.

There's a remarkable beauty to his childish petulance. So many fics that involve Cloud and the church—sacred, hallowed ground and all—have this very respectable, clichéd tone to them. I like how he sits there and rips up the flowers, but of course there's so much more going on that we don't see, and that's a good euphemism for Cloud.

The main theme for this, 'Heroes fight alone', wouldn't be half as weighty and eye-catching if you hadn't mentioned how it took three to bring down one. Kind of a good justification for his frustration with his position. It's almost like he has to be deliberately defiant, because if he just gives in to being that image, he's going to have to keep it up for who-knows long because of those who depend on him, and that's a ridiculous thing to expect from anybody.

Oh, I wouldn't say that's irrational. Ha.

But that's just like Vincent, to make up some excuse or half-truth, and that's just like Tifa to find an easy solution. And then, of course, he has to deal with his actual problem because he doesn't want to look like he's not completely self-sufficient.

Because of this, I like the way she gets away with talking to him like that.

Rude's a pretty difficult character to get into (probably because he doesn't say anything) but I really like him here, all wistful and sweet. I like the thought that he's an old movie fan so much I'll probably associate it with him forever.

I've missed you so much. Have I mentioned that lately?

Rude's one of my favorite characters when done right. Thank you. :)

I know that this was suppose to be Vincent's story, but Marlene completely stole the show.

I cracked up so hard when I read the line 'Shame on Mr. Fork!' Oh that line was so great!

Of the three you have posted, this one is definitely my favorite!