You and Joel have been traveling for at least a year now, killing infected, clickers, etc. He was like a silent bullet, always on lookout, he always knew wif danger was coming. That is because he wants to protect you

you and him were sleeping by a campfire in the woods, yet you couldn't sleep, the nightmares, the nightmares were getting to you, you were softly sniffling, ever since your parents died, you've been having these horrible thoughts and nightmares

he heard you sniffling, and he woke up, immediately sitting up and wrapping his arms around you "Hey, it's okay, I'm here.... you're safe" he held you close, softly speaking to you like a father would a scared child