It is a surprise for both of them when they manage to catch the horse after he had been so thoroughly spooked by them and the biters. Daryl takes out the last walker just in time. The thing already has its mangy paws on the beautiful creature but Daryl's bolt is right on target.
The horse (Daryl finds it hard to think of him as Buttons) is out of his mind with fright at that point and rears up on his hind legs again and again, neighing loudly.
Backed against the fence the animal has no escape route except past Daryl and Aaron, so Daryl slowly backs up a few yards. He figures if the horse wants to get away from them he isn't going to stand in his way. If he was in that place he knows he would fight tooth and nail, too.
So Daryl backs off, vaguely aware of Aaron retreating somewhere behind him. Moving slowly, keeping his flank to the horse and his arms down by his side Daryl talks quietly to the animal.
"Don't worry, beautiful. Not gonna do nothing you don' like. Just movin' away t'give you some space, see."
To his amazement, even with enough space now to escape, the animal stays. He stops rearing up and just paces, panting. His eyes are still rolling a little wildly. Daryl stops too, keeping his distance and continuing in a low voice, "That's better, yeah? Now we both have our space and don't feel like runnin' no more."
Daryl watches the horse for several minutes out of the corner of his eye, making sure to keep in the animal's line of sight, perfectly calm. Finally, the horse stands still. Then he lowers his head and starts nibbling some grass. Daryl moves a couple of steps closer.
He stops there and waits again, all the while talking gently. The horse looks at him from time to time and continues eating grass. His ears and tail are still flicking a touch nervously so Daryl keeps his distance some more.
Finally, after many minutes, the horse takes a tentative step forward. His ears are now still and pointed towards Daryl, who knows this to be a sign of curiosity. Taking his chances Daryl slowly approaches. He keeps his head low and his body slightly averted to signal that he means no harm.
"That's it, beautiful. No need t'be spooked. We understand what it's like, eh?"
Daryl thinks a bit wryly that he can't remember speaking to another human being as much in a day as he had talked to that horse in the last half hour.
The animal lets him approach with no sign of fear. When Daryl is right next to him he lifts his left hand and slowly strokes the shining neck for a moment, talking all the while. He still has Aaron's rope over the shoulder, and his crossbow is slung over his back, so both his hands are free. He raises the other one now to massage the horse's throat.
The horse nickers softly, evidently enjoying the sensation. Daryl takes his time. There is no rush to be anywhere, and he is aware how much he himself enjoys this new experience. Continuing his soothing talk Daryl inspects the horse more closely. He seems in good health, his coat is shiny and soft. He has obviously not suffered from food shortage during his time out alone.
"You're lonely, though, an't ya?" Daryl muses. "No fun bein' on your own all the time, eh? That why you let me get close in the end?"
He strokes the animal's mane, enjoying the way it feels in his hands. On an impulse he leans his forehead against the horse's warm side, inhaling the scent of sun, grass and wilderness.
Daryl closes his eyes. He has hardly ever smelled anything so delicious, and can only think of one smell that makes him feel as content and safe: Judith's milky baby smell, especially when she has just had a bath.
He isn't sure how many minutes he lets go by like this, simply feeling the big, warm animal, stroking him and talking to him quietly. They are both completely relaxed now, and when Daryl finally opens his eyes and takes a step back the horse regards him with calm, brown eyes.
Daryl knows the horse will not bolt now. Slowly, and with deliberate and obvious movements Daryl steps close again, showing him the rope before guiding it over the horse's neck. He ties a loose knot and steps back again.
"Shall we go for a walk, then, beautiful?"
Turning round Daryl is surprised to see Aaron lingering about twenty yards away. He had forgotten all about the other man. Daryl takes a few steps in Aaron's direction, pausing again before the rope around the horse's neck tautens. He doesn't want to pull the animal along, if they are to take him in he wants him to come of his own free will.
Even though he has spent all this time winning the animal's trust Daryl is still surprised to find that the horse follows him willingly now. When he gets closer, Aaron gives him an admiring look.
"That was incredible, Daryl."
Daryl shrugs. "You said you want him, I got him fo' ya."