Imam Ali and the Relationship with the Prophet before Revelation - Ramadan Reflections 19

There is a relationship which exists between Prophet Muḥammad and Imam ʿAlī which no other companion or family member of the Prophet has. Not only is Imam ʿAlī the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, but more importantly, he is his spiritual brother in this world and in the next. He was blessed to marry the only daughter of Prophet Muḥammad and his two sons, Imams Hasan and Husayn would actually be referred to by Allāh in the Quran as the SONS of Prophet Muḥammad. How was their relationship in the early days pre-Prophethood in Mecca?