Chapter Text
After being cleared by his doctor, Ambrosius had run around the hospital to try and find Ballister. In the aftermath of Nimona’s sacrifice, they had been separated before they could really talk. Ambrosius just had to know where they stood, and he had to apologise again, properly this time.
Having burst into multiple rooms and surprised several random people (including an oddly sombre looking Todd), Ambrosius was beyond relieved when he finally found Ballister’s room and rushed to his bedside.
“Bal! I’m so glad I found you! Are you okay?! I-!” He stopped short when he finally noticed the whole other person in Ballister’s room, his doctor.
“Um, Sir Goldenloin, you really shouldn’t be here right now, Sir Boldheart is still recovering,” the doctor said.
“It’s fine, Doctor Tincture. Can we have a moment alone, please?” Ballister asked.
After the doctor left, Ballister turned to Ambrosius and sighed.
“So, I think we need to talk-”
“I know! I’m so sorry! About everything. Your arm, for not believing you, for trusting the Director, for… well,” Ambrosius ran out of steam. He didn’t want to bring up what had seemed like the final nail in the coffin where their relationship had been stuck in.
“Um, so how are you?” Ambrosius asked in hopes of changing the subject.
“Well, the doctor said I should recover just fine. There’s a lot of bruising, head injury and concussion, and they’ve checked the state of my arm; what’s left of it, that is,” Ballister answered as he gestured to his prosthetic on the side-table.
“It was a clean cut at least, and I managed to treat well enough,” Ballister smiled, “I’ll be fine.”
Ambrosius smiled back. This was going well, Ballister didn’t seem too upset with him.
Everything was going to be fine.
“Sooo, maybe after we’re both cleared, we could… get nachos or something?” Ambrosius asked.
Ballister frowned again.
“Or-or something else! Maybe it’s too soon for nachos!”
“Ambrosius,” Ballister started, he was clearly trying to find the right words.
“Ambrosius, it’s not that simple.”
“I know, but I just think if we talk about it-”
“We need to take a break.”
Ambrosius froze.
“What.”
“I mean- okay, poor choice of words. I think we need to put… us on hold for a while. I’m still processing everything that’s happened. Not just between us. I,” Ballister slumped, “I don’t know if I can deal with mending our relationship whilst my mind is such a mess.”
Ambrosius swallowed as he took in Ballister’s proposal. It was hardly an unfair request. Ballister had been through a lot, Ambrosius had put him through a lot. He was probably grieving for that… kid, shape-shifter, girl? Person.
Never mind the burning sensation in his heart at the thought.
“Okay.”
Oh, and did Ballister look relieved by that.
“I’m so glad you understand. I think it would be good for the both of us, you know.”
With that, Ambrosius bid his love farewell, to allow him to rest.
This was fine. ‘On hold’ was not a break-up. They would be back together soon.
Right?