Claudius doubts he would have ever become a hero without Alphinaud's influence.

At first, Alphinaud's youthful idealism and expectations wore on Claudius. He was still reluctant to accept the moniker of the 'Warrior of Light,' while Alphinaud seemed all-too-ready to run with and politicize it. After the business with the Crystal Braves, Claudius became more protective of the boy, sympathizing with his struggles and with his outsized ambition. He wants to be a better model for Alphinaud than Ishgard was for him, guide him toward that better future he so idealistically believes in.

As of the beginning of Stormbringers, he's under the misapprehension that Alphinaud and Alisaie are orphans. He hopes to formally offer to adopt them, but the timing has never been right.

Claudius knew Haurchefant the way he knew any other popular source of gossip in Ishgard. He was the friend of a relative of a friend -- Stephanivien's little brother's hero who saved the lordling from kidnappers, knighted for it at seventeen. The sort of valorous, valorized personality Claudius grew tired of hearing about. (He'd also heard the rumors surrounding Haurchefant's parentage, and found those much more interesting.)

When the two crossed paths again, Haurchefant greeted Claudius like one of his oldest and dearest friends. It was enough to make Claudius suspicious ... until he learned Haurchefant was just like that, all the time.

During the whole mess leading up to Heavensward, Haurchefant was a steady, reassuring force, and Claudius fell quietly (then wildly) in love.