Tess and Maria are the type that are continually playing a game of chess. Literally. There's a board in Maria's office that they both take turns making moves on anytime one passes it.

LITERALLY GASPED AUDIBLY AT THIS LOVE LOVE LOVEEEEE

reminds me a lot of the main couple from “the glory” if anyone’s watched that show, which like. they are SO mariatess coded. AND BRO A THE GLORY X TLOU MARIATESS AU??? im imagining them as like a longtime spy-duo doing espionage against their enemies to get revenge on people responsible for hurting/targetting their sons (who are JUST FINE, thank u, and literally besties living it up in a private undisclosed safe location) back when they were babies. it turns into a years-long undercover mission against an organization called the fireflies, in which they enlist the help of mercenaries tommy and joel miller

OR like a western-type vibe, something like the brilliance @hypnotisedfireflies is cooking up with The Legend of Charro??? cowgirl murder-wives maria and tess on the run from their lost loves, deputy and sheriff miller?????

OR

in jackson, maria and tess not only have the shared chessboard in maria’s office, but ALSO shared journals that they keep in their respective homes. they’re both constantly at eachother’s places to nap between work, but are both so busy that they rarely end up in the same place to talk at the same time throughout the week. so they leave each other notes in these shared journals to check in and gossip. they both journaled a lot in college and keep their own individual ones too, so it feels like a really familiar source of comfort for them both 🫶🏾

everything’s in them from “today is SHIT” to “left half a joint for u in ur undie drawer, godspeed” “FUCKING THANK YOU THERESA” to “if josie speaks one word at this fucking council meeting, im gonna fucking walk out. one fucking word” to “joels been having nightmares this week. can you go out for a hike with him and try to get him to talk?” “yeah, sure, of course” to “seth’s extra pissy today, im gonna fucking deck him” “okay bet, do it where i can watch” to “if tommy sings ‘im gonna be’ one more fucking time IM gonna walk him 500 miles off a fucking cliff. control ur husband” to “ellie started her period btw, she doesn’t wanna talk about it but keep an eye out” to “hey need a fucking break. wanna hide in the basement tomorrow night for a toke” “me too. fuck yeah i do”

one day joel and tommy find it, read one page, and immediately put that shit the fuck down. they do not wish to die by the hands of their wives