A/N: If you like this story, maybe you should check out the new Walking Dead kinkmeme - totally some interesting prompts, and I have a few short fics up there. It's still new, so join in! Heaven knows the original Walking Dead kinkmeme was amazing. twd - kinkmeme - redux . dreamwidth . org (take out the spaces)

Alright, so let's see what's up with Daryl, and how it's going with the boys he's staying with! I sure hope the poor hunter is in the clear now that he's found someone to trust.

Aaron and Eric were fine with him staying until he was healed up some. They were worried, but really good about not asking questions. That really made Daryl trust them all the more. Even Rick, someone he'd do anything for, would ask and ask and poke and prod if he thought there was any danger. But These two understood that Daryl had his reasons to not talk about it, and right now it was infinitely more important to heal than to explain.

After a week, The minor injuries were just faded bruises. Of course, the ribs - some broken, others bruised - still hurt like a bitch. And his broken wrist was still far from healed, treated only by being wrapped in some gauze.

But all in all, the risk of driving his group mad from not knowing what was happening, and driving himself mad with feeling trapped inside, was too great to stay inside longer. Of course, he'd asked Aaron to tell Rick that he was alive but that he needed to heal up in peace. Rick and the group had wanted to come see him, aggressively so, by Aaron was dutifully adamant. Not until Daryl was ready.

Now, he was. He was up early, anxious about going out. There was a lot to consider. How would he answer the group's questions? What if they didn't believe him? Would he stay with Aaron and Eric longer?

What if Pete-

No, Daryl cut his own thought process off. He was fine. Pete couldn't do anything to him.

The healing man slowly walked downstairs, minding his aching ribs, and sat at the dining table.

"Good morning, sunshine!" Eric chirped, then nudged the hunter's shoulder.

Daryl didn't even flinch. In fact, he nodded and said, "You too, 'lovebug'."

Eric gasped theatrically. "Oh, you did not. Aaron told you? AARON!" Eric called out. "Aaron, get your ass in here, what did you tell him?"

Aaron walked in, smiling wryly. "What did I do this time?"

"You total pig, you were bragging about your conquests again! I swear, you find any man that will listen to you and you swap stories like they were baseball cards!"

"Oh, come one, lovebug..."

"Cut it OUT!" Eric swatted at Aaron as the latter walked past him to dish out breakfast.

Daryl tried to suppress a smile at the antics. Aaron and Eric were mindful not to get too lovey-dovey around him, but Eric had no reservations in being totally cheesy when he was tired.

"Oh, shut up, Daryl," Eric sighed at the hunter's failed attempt at hiding his amusement.

From his first step outside, Daryl looked around to take in the changes. They weren't obvious, but a hunter could see them. There were some people that would usually walk around that he didn't see, probably lost to the dead. A few people looked to be mourning.

But he did see Glenn walking out of their group's house, so the hunter headed that way.

He made it halfway when Glenn saw him.

Glenn's face lit up and he grinned. "Daryl! I was starting to think you were never going to come out of there!"

The hunter made it over to him and accepted a hug, wincing at the pressure. "Good to see you," He offered.

"Hey, why don't you come in and see to everyone? Judith's been crying non-stop, we all think she misses you too."

"Yeah, sounds good."

It was good to be back with his friends. Years ago, he would have preferred death over polite interaction with others, but not now. The feeling that washed over him when he saw all of them safe and happy was amazing. They were all overjoyed to see him. Judith was especially happy, instantly wanting to be held by the ragged man.

When Rick asked what had happened, Daryl answered that he'd been swamped by walkers in the panic and he'd taken some damage in the struggle along with scared townsfolk knocking him down. He chalked it all up to being an unavoidable, slightly embarrassing mess that he'd just wanted to get out of the way before facing them. But he was better now, he promised, and everything was fine.

They ate it up and continued to chat until they all got to update him on life since the panic and grew tired of socializing. Rick was taking Carl out to the woods to hunt, relax, whatever. The others went about their daily business. Daryl decided to go see Carol at the pantry, where she went early in the morning as it opened to get supplies for lunch.

When he got there, the woman running the food supply - he didn't remember her name but she didn't mind - let him in, making him promise not to take any chocolate. He made his way to the back and found Carol filling a basket with cans of food.

"Always knew you were a stress-eater." He quipped as a greeting. She spun around and smiled at the sight of him.

"Daryl!" She replied warmly. "It's so good to see you!" She set the basket down and hugged him tight. He grunted and she pulled away.

"Are you alright?" She eyed him warily, worried he was hurt.

"'M fine. You makin' that casserole again?"

She looked skeptical, but let him change the subject. "Yes. Why, don't you like it?"

He shrugged. "Could use some more meat."

"Oh, you think everything could use some more meat!" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "If you had your way, we'd be eating venison at every meal."

"'S good for ya."

"So are tomatoes and spinach." Carol offered.

Daryl was about to respond with a joke about how she only liked canned food because she didn't have to work to get it, when someone else spoke.

"Well, I'll be."

Daryl tensed and turned around. There, in the narrow hallway, stood Pete.

"Haven't seen you around in a while, Daryl, heard you weren't feeling well. Want to come in for a checkup? Don't get many patients these days."

Daryl forced himself to remain calm. He looked Pete in the eyes. "'M busy."

Pete walked closer until he was standing next to him. "In my experience, there is no time like the present." Out of Carol's sight, he grabbed Daryl's broken wrist and squeezed. The hunter fought to hide his pain, swallowing a yell.

"Uh, sure, why not." Pete let go, flashed a polite but strained smile at Carol, and left first. Daryl nodded to her then followed the doctor out.

Carol watched them go, not trusting the interaction for a second.