It reminds him of the prison, which he still privately considers one of the best years of his life. In close quarters with people he trusts, but never too close, surrounded by allies-- this time, he thinks, he can truly appreciate it.

And Maggie and Hershel are so excited when he comes home. They notice, and smile, and he's never quite had that before. It makes his chest hurt; it makes him sleep easier.

But it doesn't stop Daryl from leaving, regularly going out to get whatever supplies he can. Alexandria's low on everything, after the Whisperers-- their crops are ruined, their stores are spoiled. Carol has them on a diet of amaranth weeds, and Daryl is sure he's going to sneeze magenta soon. Yesterday, he caught Lydia eating a worm.

So when Aaron says he saw a boar in the woods, Daryl is more than ready to go. Maggie catches him off guard, pulling him back to the world of houses and walls, when he was all ready to disappear into copse and glade.

"Boar," he says dumbly. Dog barks at his heels, excited to recognize a command, but unsure what to do with it indoors. "Aaron saw a boar. Bacon for dinner."

Maybe, he should say, but it's hard not to feel confident with Maggie around.