#do not rip apart codependent people cold turkey

[hyrules-warrior]

Joel spends the first month or so walking on eggshells around Maria. He is well aware she hates his guts and is well versed in his previous activities thanks to his brother. She gives him dagger eyes any time she sees him. Tends to speak to him in ways that hint she doesn’t approve of his past life (honestly understandable in many respects) and makes pointed jabs that she expects him to continue that way of life here. That he can’t be or act any other way but as a murdering unfeeling asshole.

He is pretty sure if he had returned to Jackson on his own without Ellie he would not have been allowed to stay.

Maria sees how changed Ellie is, how she is so quiet, so skittish, how she latches onto Joel and seems reluctant to have him out of her sight. How she does whatever he says and looks to his approval before doing everything. Where is that feisty potty mouthed girl from before? She also sees how obsessive Joel is with knowing where she is and keeping her close. She is an expectant mother. Protective momma bear brain is in full gear this late in her pregnancy.

She comes to all the wrong ideas. Her intentions are only for Ellie’s safety and wellbeing but she doesn’t have context for why they are the way they are and her good intentions cause major problems. And it results in misunderstandings, fear, confusion and heartache before Maria sees the truth and works things out with Joel.