Having spent his morning with the livestock Tyrian now wove through the Range in search of Lachlan. They had been spending a not insignificant amount of time together which had got Tyrian thinking. He could keep inviting Lachlan over the border and let him wander around like he lived here...or he could maybe actually live here. Was that too much? Too fast? Too...clingy? Fuck if he knew, but it seemed worth finding out. At some point he was going to have to decide what this was and put a label on it. Or...if this was not what he thought it was...best get it sorted, then. On a hunch Tyrian made his way over to the barn and peeked inside. The lamb that Lachlan had gotten attached to was far too big for bottle feeding at this point, but the barn was still the hub of the Range, if not the hub for all of Fireside. It housed the bulk of the important stuff, at least when it came to the livestock. And now, hopefully, it housed a little red head. "Lachlan?" ""

Lachlan found himself content in the way his days went by, he spent much of his time in Tyrian’s presence, usually helping with the livestock. Especially the little lamb that now followed him wherever he went. Lach felt comforted in the sheep’s presence even if he was a little butt headed sometimes. He was looking more like a ram instead of a lamb now, little horns had long sprouted from his brow. As much as he was bonding with the young sheep there was another he felt closer to. Tyrian didn’t hesitate to invite him around, and there was never a time the young man turned him down. Lachlan enjoyed Fireside, mostly for Tyrian but the lifestyle was more and more appealing.

He was contemplating those thoughts and more in the barn as he helped to feed the young animals. With spring in full swing there were many lambs and less food. They needed the winter to finally subside so the flock could graze better but Lachlan didn’t feel like anything was getting warmer besides how he felt for the Fireside King.

The man was often on his mind as he worked, but his name was on his lips as he shouldered a mass of hay. Russet ears perked as he lifted his head to attention, icy eyes sparkling as Tyrian’s presence brought an instant smile. ”Tyrian,” Lachlan answered as he took a few steps forward to greet him.

His eyes lit up as he caught sight of Lachlan's pale form in the gloom of the barn. "Ah, thought I might find you here." Tyrian met Lachlan halfway and bent down to nuzzle him affectionately. It was becoming clear that even on poor days the one thing he could count on making it brighter was Lachlan. He just found his presence warming in a way he'd never experienced before. It was hard to explain it; how the sight of him brought up a feeling like strong liquor pooling in his chest. Even though that was the nearest feeling Tyrian could compare it to, it didn't quite do it justice and in his musing Tyrian was left grasping at a need to define it better. He flicked at the hay Lachlan was carrying and teased, "Taking your life into your jaws again, I see." The babies weren't always well mannered as Lachlan knew well. If he held onto the hay too long he was bound to get mobbed and Tyrian thought it possible, bordering on likely, that he would before the task was done. If he hadn't been mobbed already. ""

Finding work and taking care of the young sheep was a workload he had easily and naturally settled into. His patience was unending when it came to the young wool bearing babies. They were demanding and pushy, but Lachlan loved their soft wool and innocent bleating. His attention easily shifted from sheep to King as Tyrian made his way into the barn. Lachlan returned his affection as slate features met his rusty fur. There wasn’t much else in the world that called to him like Tyrian’s tender touch. He had a strong presence, an echo of the physical strength that the man naturally held. He put Lachlan at ease but at the same time caused a storm of emotions inside of him.

Tyrian teased him, only further causing the knots in his belly to pull tighter and bringing a fresh flush to his cheeks. ”Well, you know. Lambs are always hungry.” He answered bashfully, knowing full well what was in store for him. ”My job would be so much easier if the spring grass returned…” He couldn’t help but comment on the harsh weather. It was unnatural to not have the flocks and herds on fresh grazing. Instead they got this dry old forage the wolves managed to collect before the cold settled. Hopefully it would be enough.

”You don’t look like you came prepared to take such harrowing risks.” He tried to tease back. ”What brings you out here looking for me?”

Tyrian's easy manner faltered a little at the mention of the spring grasses. "Mine too," he commented with an exasperated sigh. The sheep could and would forage below the snow if they had to, but the grazing lands Fireside had were largely shared with bison, whose normally welcome presence made grazing a tight competition at home. Not only did he have to feed the sheep in the present but he had to take the future quality of the fields into consideration. Over grazing was a problem for the now and for the future if he didn't plan right. Even in the good times the flocks were taken outside Fireside for that reason. Now more than ever it was a balancing act. ”You don’t look like you came prepared to take such harrowing risks.” Tyrian snorted a soft laugh and would have happily stayed buoyed by Lachlan's humor if not for the question that followed. He may have come out in search of Lachlan but that didn't mean he was prepared. Tyrian had tried, he really had, but Lachlan's presence had a way of stripping him of his plans. "You're right, as delightful as watching you play lion tamer is that's not why I came." He frowned, unsure of how to begin, and then threw tact to the wind before he could chicken out. "I've been thinking...You know, you're here a lot and all and...well, I'm wondering if you're ready to make it official." ""

Lachlan was around enough to know how hard the long winter was bearing down on the pack and its resources. He didn’t like to pay too much attention with how… removed he was from the pack. Not that he even looked like a spy but who wanted anyone getting ideas. The boy decided staying with and helping the sheep was his best and favorite course of action. Apart from his time with Tyrian. There wasn’t much that could outshine time together, even if it was usually over chores. Lachlan aimed to nudge the man’s shoulder lightly as he lamented the need for spring grass.

Rusty red features pulled back in a bashful grin as he made Tyrian laugh softly, seeing the joy in his features always brightened Lachlan’s day. Observing his lamb wrangling skills wasn’t the reason he’d found him, Lachlan tilted his head as Tyrian frowned. Worry gripped him only a moment before the King went on as though he hadn’t prepared for this moment. Lachlan blinked back his icy blue eyes in slight surprise. He had been a loner for a long time, having nowhere he really fit, but here he was carving his own place into Fireside’s hearth. And maybe a place at Tyrian’s side.

”You’ve been thinking of me?” Lachlan asked bashfully. Surely Tyrian thought a lot about the future, but knowing he was thinking of one that might include Lachlan sent a small jolt of electricity over his skin and through his belly. ”Official? Like becoming a member of the pack or uh…” Or like officially official as a couple? Or was he just thinking too far into everything? He blushed slightly as he trailed off, uncertain where he could go that wouldn’t make him look ridiculous if he was mistaken.