Daryl goes to see the horse every day. He can't explain why, not even to himself, but being with the animal calms him like nothing has in years.
Aaron has put him in one of the empty houses' huge backyards, which isn't perfect but for now will just have to do. Daryl sees a lot of Aaron, too, which to his surprise is almost as stress free as being with the Quarter Horse.
Daryl knows that that's what he is now because Maggie comes over when they bring the horse back. She knows more than any of them about animals; now that Beth and Hershel are no longer there she is the only one Daryl can think of to ask about these things. She also confirms that he is, indeed, a he.
Maggie recommends that they take it slow with breaking the horse to the saddle. "Once you get him used to it again he'll probably be fine with it right away. But he's been out there a long time, and is probably as stressed as any of us about the whole situation, so take it slow," she advises.
Daryl isn't interested in riding the horse anyway. He just likes being with him. Every day when he goes to see him he brings an apple or a lump of sugar, and soon the animal seems to be looking forward to his visits. Daryl can see the attraction; a reliable source of treats is nothing to sneer at.
Sitting with his back against a tree, the horse nibbling grass around him and bumping him every so often with his nose for an apple or a pat is the most restful experience Daryl can ever remember. He spends hours just sitting, often not even thinking of anything in particular. It seems that the animal's presence grounds him, and that the trust between them makes Daryl less likely to bolt and run, too.
Daryl does think of some things, though, while he sits in the grass. He thinks about the job that Aaron has offered him, being a recruiter. So far they haven't been out; Aaron has told Daryl that Deanna wants to give the new group more time to settle in first before they scout for more people. That's all right with Daryl who, apart from spending time with the horse also enjoys watching his family settle and heal.
He still doesn't feel like mixing with the Alexandrians much, though. Letting them into his thoughts and his life feels too much like a repeat of the Woodbury people coming to the prison. Daryl knows that if he ever lost that many people he cared about ever again, he'd also lose his mind. So he prefers to stick with the horse. Fewer chances there to have his heart ripped out.
A few days after they bring back the animal Rick comes to the makeshift paddock. Daryl knows that Rick is an expert rider and is not surprised when the other man manages to win this horse's trust in minutes. Rick has brought some sugar, too, and soon he is busy inspecting every inch of the animal.
"He is beautiful." Rick's look at Daryl is full of admiration. "You did a great job, bringing him in."
Daryl shrugs, as usual unable to accept simple praise. Rick strokes the horse's soft nose for a few more moments, then comes over to sit next to Daryl.
"How did you know what to do to calm him?" Rick asks, and when Daryl looks at him with surprise he adds, "Aaron told me how you did it."
Daryl shrugs again. "Jus' felt right, y'know. Gave him his space til he was ready, then he came with us. S' no big deal."
Rick seems like he wants to disagree but then thinks better of it and says nothing. The two men sit in silence for a while. Then Rick says, "You seem to be getting along, you two. Two friends helping each other settle."
Daryl ponders this. Rick is right, he realizes. Since they got the horse in here Alexandria seems like more the kind of place Daryl can see himself settling down in for a bit.
"He just lets me be with him without wantin' anything much, y'know?" Daryl is surprised that he is sharing this with Rick, that he's even putting it into words. Strangely, it feels right.
"Sugar lumps an' apples, and he's happy. Long as I give him t'space he needs when he don't want touchin, he always comes back for a nuzzle when he's good'n ready." Daryl looks at Rick. "I get that, y'know?"
Rick looks at him all strange like for a moment, and Daryl worries that he's weirded him out with his strange horse talk. But then Rick smiles at him, shifts closer and leans into Daryl's shoulder, and Daryl knows he gets it, too.