Chapter Text
They ran the whole way home.
“Well, that was a close one, boys,” Mr. Silverblade’s warm voice welcomed them at the gates. Ambrosius bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath he wheezed “We lost ”— deep breath— “track of time.”
“Sorry,” Bal added a little quieter.
“I hope you had a good time,” he urged them inside “To beds boys.”
The lights in the windows of faraway buildings were one of Ambrosius’ favorite views. The summer breeze felt like a caress on his skin.
The glass door of the balcony opened “Can I join you?”
“Always,” Ambrosius patted the spot on the floor next to him. Bal sat down, automatically leaning his head on Ambrosius’ shoulder. It felt so casual and so extraordinary at the same time. Ambrosius turned his head to place a kiss on the top of his boyfriend’s head. Bal looked up at him “You love me,” he said softly.
Not a question. Ambrosius answered anyway “I do,”
An array of emotions passed Bal’s face until it settled on one Ambrosius knew all too well- determination. Suddenly, he stretched up. When their mouths met Ambrosius’ mind went blank. On instinct, he closed his eyes. One of his hands found its way to Bal’s hair. Gloreth’s name, how many times had he imagined this? How many nights did he spend dreaming about this moment? The kiss exceeded all his fantasies. Bal’s lips were a little bit chapped, Ambrosius was set to commit every detail to his memory. The same way he knew every callous on his hands. When Bal pulled away there was none of the typical apologetic expression on his features. Instead, his face was split in a coy smile. He buried his face in the crook of Ambosius’ neck and Ambrosius wrapped him in his arms. Nobody said anything, too scared to disturb the moment.
Who knows how long they sat like that, Ballister dozing in his lap.
“Hey, it’s getting cold,” Ambrosius whispered, stroking his back “We should go to sleep,”
Bal grumbled something unintelligible. Good Gloreth, he was adorable.
“Come on,” he kissed his hair “It’s late.”
Eventually, he got Bal to stand up and, still half asleep, pad over to bed. Ambrosius draped a blanket over him and started for his own bed. Bal caught his wrist “Stay?” he mumbled.
And how could Ambrosius ever deny him? He took a place behind him. That’s how they fell asleep, chest to back, one arm protectively wrapped around his boyfriend. At peace.