This doesn’t align with game timelines at all but just roll with it for me yeah?
Barrett taking Cloud under his wing when he first comes to Midgar and developing a soft spot for him. Cloud helps out where he can, looks after Marlene when it’s needed and what not.
Somehow he meets Zack and the SOLDIER becomes absolutely smitten. He’s always visiting and catching Cloud whenever he’s alone to hang out and whatnot. At some point Zack ends up catching Barrett and the older man can’t help but get all protective over Cloud, especially since the guy in front of him is Shinra.
Cue endless amounts of shovel talks and glaring from Barrett and a distrustful little Marlene that thinks her older brother is gonna get taken away from her.
😭😭 I love these three so much, something about their dynamic always watching each others backs gets to me, they are the friends who started the journey and reach the end with it. Love them so much <3