Clouds fall into Diaperhood

Midgar had nine Mako reactors—eight ringing the city like cold iron sentinels, and one buried directly beneath Shinra Tower. They kept the power flowing. They kept Shinra in charge.

But Mako wasn’t just energy. Refined into materia—usually by unnatural means—it became magic. Controlled. Weaponized. And tonight, it was everything.

Cloud knelt near a heat vent, cool as ever as he slotted a ‘Protect’ materia into his armor. Not bad, considering he’d swiped it from a Shinra checkpoint on his first job with AVALANCHE. With this, bullets would sting—but not stop him.

He moved ahead silently, slicing through the guards in pairs. Efficient. Detached. Like he was cutting paper.

He turned a corner and paused. Tifa and Jessie stood ahead, hunched near a rusted door panel, whispering.

“I mean, come on,” Jessie said. “That face? Those lashes? If we stuck Cloud in one of my dresses and gave him a smoky eye, no one would question a thing.”

Tifa gave her a sideways look. “Jess…”

Jessie grinned. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

Tifa sighed, but a smile tugged at her lips. “He’s always had that... delicate look. Even back in Nibelheim.”

“I’m just saying,” Jessie went on, eyes dancing, “he shows up all silent and broody with his perfect skin and that moody little scowl, and I’m supposed to believe he’s not secretly dying for attention?”

Cloud stepped forward, armor clinking softly.

“Oh!” Jessie chirped. “Speak of the devil.”

He didn’t say a word, but his face was just a touch too neutral—and his ears, unmistakably pink.

Jessie tilted her head. “You okay, sweetheart? You’re looking a little flushed.”

Cloud didn’t respond. He didn’t need to.

Tifa, barely hiding her grin, stepped beside him. “You know, it’s funny. You’ll storm a reactor solo, but one comment about your cheekbones and you freeze.”

Jessie leaned in like she was about to share a secret. “He’s totally used to the battlefield, Tifa. But compliments? Affection? Attention?” She gave a mock gasp. “Terrifying.”

“I’m fine,” Cloud said tightly, eyes fixed on the door.

“Oh, he speaks,” Jessie said, eyes gleaming. “Look at you. Tough on the outside, soft in the center. Like a deadly little cream puff.”

Tifa gave Cloud’s arm a light tap. “Don't worry. You’re pretty and dangerous. That’s rare.”

Jessie nodded. “And tonight, you get to blow up a reactor and get made fun of by two beautiful women. You’re welcome.”

Cloud exhaled through his nose and walked past them.

Neither of them followed right away.

Jessie leaned toward Tifa. “He’s totally blushing again.”

Tifa smirked. “Mmhmm.”

Jessie watched him go, tilting her head. “We’ll see how he handles the afterparty.”

Tifa didn’t say anything. She just smiled and followed him into the dark.