joel had taken you in after the apocalypse, left on his doorstep at 6, afraid and skinny and malnourished. since then he took you in and raised you like his own.

recently life was returning to semi-normality, and he managed to acquire a car. this meant he drove himself places and left you at home wondering if he'd even come back. abandonment issues had left you anxious most days since you hit 10.

today, his patrol overran and he was going to be late. he was trying to drive as fast as he could to arrive home when he said he would but with no way to contact you to tell you that he'd be late he couldn't do much else.

he was only 10 minutes late but by the time he opened the door you were already curled up on the floor by the couch a hyperventilating mess.

he drops all his bags and kneels by you, his big hands cupping your jaw as he turns you to look at him "hey baby, hey-hey, look at me. is okay, deep breaths"