Ah, Maka...

Chara's feelings about her developed into that of an older sibling, in a way. She might not be as much of a crybaby as Asriel, but the moments in which she's been vulnerable with them are proof enough that she's not as strong as some might have expected. Hence why they started being a little bossy with her- it's their way of saying "I care, you fool" without having to actually say they care.

They compromised their own need for personal space for her, and though they didn't exactly relax with that, they were willing to do it. In the end, she was someone they cared about but...couldn't exactly trust. They weren't really given many opportunities to see her at her best when it came to taking care of herself, so in their own way, that was a major factor in their treatment of her. A little sibling they were fond of. Not an equal.