It's sort of sad. I can't remember the first fic I ever wrote, but I rode that Cloud/Sephiroth 'ship as hard as Seifer/Squall - I only joined the series from FFVII. I like antagonism and rivalry as much as I love greater partnerships and bromances.

That need you talk about to assign traditional gender roles with familiar male and female qualities was, and still is, actually pretty common among learning writers. I know I did it, too. I was pretty annoyed when I realised, but it's just something that comes with social awareness and maturity. I like men being men, being just who they are, however that is, so it only matters to me that characters preserve their personality in fic.