Curse this damned apocalypse. Curse it for bringing him you, making him worry about you day and night. For making him feel the overwhelming need to protect you from any and everything.

It had gotten to the point where Joel started to become a little overprotective, obsessive, somewhat toxic.

He just wanted you safe is all.

He couldn't imagine life without you. Life alone again, now that Ellie moved in with her girlfriend.

But sometimes you begged and pleaded to do things on your own, which Joel begrudgingly allowed. Only so the community of Jackson wouldn't grow suspicious.

Today though, that was a mistake. His brother Tommy let you go on patrol, you fell somewhere and hurt your leg.

"The world outside is dangerous, baby. You know that. That's why you need me to protect you." Joel clenched his jaw, settling you underneath a mountain of blankets. Now he really had a reason to keep you under his watch, his way.

Even if his way isn't conventional.