Ellie (Echo) and Maddie Headcanons
SPOILERS? Also, PTSD/implied SA mention.
For those who don't know, Maddie is Echo's old roommate/best friend/ex-girlfriend. Their ship name is "Mallie" (or maybe "Eldie"?)
Ellie and Maddie met in college. They were both science-related majors and were placed together as roommates during their freshman year.
Maddie was often confused by how quiet and studious Ellie was despite being somewhat of a celebrity/socialite. Then, she began to catch on that Ellie was super depressed and decided that she needed a friend. Maddie spent years prying open Ellie's shell and once Ellie realized Maddie was genuine, she allowed her to see her real self. Other students thought Ellie was a bitch and didn't understand why Maddie was putting so much effort into being her friend.
Maddie and Ellie got an apartment together after college. They lived together for a total of ten years (four in college, six post-grad) before Ellie disappeared.
Their relationship was mainly platonic until Maddie was done doing some whirlwind dating in her twenties. The relationship escalated when they were alone one night discussing relationships and the fact Ellie never seemed to have any. Ellie revealed why she didn't, her PTSD, and Maddie explained that with the right person, it didn't have to be scary. ("You know it can feel good, right?" "No, I don't.") Maddie turned out to be that person.
Maddie eventually became a nurse at an active ER, finding lab work to be too boring. She would work absurd hours, so Ellie would always cook for her and pack her lunches to save her time/energy. This is why Echo is such a good cook, she has tons of practice.
Maddie would often take care of Ellie during her depressive episodes, which she referred to as her "sweater days." When Ellie's depression would get really bad, she would put on her Dad's old sweater and some pajama bottoms and just lie on the couch for hours watching TV or playing video games. Sometime Ellie wouldn't eat or leave the house for days at a time. Maddie would bring her pizza or a burrito to try to cheer her up or just cuddle with her until she felt better.
Maddie was cursed/blessed with huge boobs, and as a result of that (and being on her feet all day), she had chronic back pain. Ellie would often gives her shoulder massages to alleviate some of the back pain. As such, Ellie got extremely good at massages. Eventually, Maddie got a breast reduction and now rocks a moderate C cup. Ellie still gave her massages, though.
