SHARED CHILDHOOD

Noctis Lucis Caelum and Tifa Lockhart both lost their mothers at very young ages. Thea Lockhart, the mother of Tifa and Aulea Lucis Caelum, the mother of Noctis Lucis Caelum.

When King Regis heard Aulea was suddenly entering into labor, he and Cor dropped everything and raced the Regalia to the hospital in such a manner they damaged the car. Unfortunately, Aulea would pass away, leading to Regis becoming the sole parent to their infant son, Noctis.

With Thea gone, other women in the village managed things Brian could not handle on his own, teaching Tifa to cook and sew among other things that were expected of village mothers.^[1]
Regis raised Noctis in a similar fashion, relying on governesses and attendants to supplement his parenting for tasks he was not able to do.

When Tifa was 8 years old, Thea Lockhart would pass away from an illness; her death sent shockwaves throughout the community and resulted in Brian Lockhart becoming the sole parent to their young daughter, Tifa. To cope with her trauma, Tifa tried to climb Mt. Nibel, following a local legend that the spirits of the dead reside beyond its peak. Instead, Tifa slipped and fell–the accident putting her into a coma.

Noctis would also have an accident at 8 years old. He would become the victim of a near-death experience involving the daemon Marilith, The servants who accompanied him perished while Noctis was gravely injured, but he was saved by Regis and his attendees. Noctis, just like Tifa would fall into a coma.

To aid in their recovery Noctis and Tifa ended up befriending a pet; King Regis gifted the Carbuncle totem to a three-year-old Noctis. Similarly, Tifa was gifted Fluffy by Zander, the mayor of Nibelheim, on her twelfth birthday.

For Tifa and Noctis the loss of their mothers caused them trauma and robbed them of an essential part of their childhood: the love and understanding of a mother.

Usually in the FF universe, parental figures either do not appear in the game or are not well liked by their children. In contrast, Noctis and Tifa loved and respected their fathers despite the differences they might have had. In adult life, Noctifa would reflect on the actions of their fathers, their fathers played pivotal roles in the way Noctis and Tifa see the world.