His family had yet to show, irritation beginning to spread under his dusty skin the more he glared into the ocean. Had he merely acquired the dunes to become his death bed then? Who was he to be without the fire of his little family beside him?

The bellow of the one he’d called echoes just beyond himself, and despite his eyes determined to watch the incoming tide for the dark bodies of Switch and their children he turns to watch the approach of the roan stallion; his mask slipping into place to give nothing away as he does so. The other stallion is far bigger than any other Fiero had the pleasure of working with in the lagoon, his height and size would have surely bulldozed right over the dunalino had things come to blows instead of words. He counts his blessings early as the man closes the distance between and climbs up the dunes Fiero had no reason to leave just yet.

“Grazie,” his lips turn into a meager grin as he gives his thanks to the warm welcome and in return extends his own neck to breathe in the sweat touched scent the male carries with him, and as Fiero rakes his eyes over the heavier form of what could potentially be his new ally he can’t help but to agree with his words with a tiny laugh; more so a chuckle of breath if anything as he didn’t wish to insult the man when he’d clearly been trying his best.

“Such a warm welcome,” Fiero’s voice drops to his own husky tone, warm golden eyes peeking at the male from under blonde lashes that lower just slightly to veil the interest that swirl in them or else the poor guy would surely run for the hills instead of listening to what else Fiero may have to say. “I have lived my life in the confines of the lagoon, so this is a vast difference in terrain to even begin to wonder about, but i think my dear that with my brains and your brawn we could truly do something here,” the offer slips off his tongue before he could really think about it but had the male not wanted to stay he wouldn’t have come to greet Fiero like he’d had. He wanted the extra security that his family would be safe and secure, and this roan was just the thing he was looking for to do so.

Fiero would not let the lagoon reach even here as long as he was around, knowing that by leaving he is giving his half-brother a much more open target on the backs of his family; his threat from that day echoing in the back of Fiero’s mind.

“Plenty of time to speak of the finer details later. I am Fiero, a son of the one who currently leads the bachelor men of the lagoon. My family should be coming soon, my mate and our two children in case you happen upon them before I manage to round them up,” he heaves a heavy sigh, knowing that it was only half the battle with his switch yet. He shifts his weight, dried salt and sand scattering when his muscles bunch and then ease with the sudden move, but it gives him the precious time to maintain his cool composure and not let his newfound friend see that he and his yet to arrive family had a few screws loose.

“And what shall I call you friend? A name to go with the stallion I think could stay and be my second,” the mask in the place, veiled curiosity as eyes strike the roan where he stands in all his tall and sweaty glory; focus fiero, he reminds himself.