Work Text:
Comic
The bitterness gives way as Ballister hovers over Ambrosius's hospital bed. He makes sure that he is the first thing that Ambrosius Goldenloin sees when he opens his piercing pale eyes.
“Ballister…”
Lord Blackheart gazes over the scars; in order to treat them all, some of those beautiful blonde locks have had to be shaved.
“Ambrosius.”
Despite himself, the Institute’s former golden boy manages to smile. “You look dreadful.”
And despite himself, Ballister manages to laugh. “Well, I suppose the two of us match, then.”
Ambrosius reaches with a shaking hand. Ballister doesn’t hesitate; he reaches back and holds tight.
Movie
It was funny...Ambrosius had thought that, at this point in his life, he’d still be living in the Institute. It was where all knights stayed.
He was no longer a knight, though. Neither was Ballister.
Which meant that neither of them had funds. Which meant they had to make do with a cheap apartment in the outer city.
“Did you expect it to be like this?” Bal’s eyes are soft and dark in the light of the setting sun.
They’re not what they used to be. But Ambrosius will work at it. He kisses him. “No,” he murmurs. “This...is better.”
Zombies
The ring looks odd on Bal’s left ring finger, but it feels as familiar as ever beneath Ambrosius’s lips.
“I know that look; I forgive you. You saved me.”
“Yeah, but...if I’d known…”
Bal fixes him with those eyes of his. “None of us knew.”
The kid in their living room had been the key. A simple blood test had led to the creation of the undead cure.
The thought they both had went unspoken. How many had they killed?
How many had died that hadn’t needed to?
“So, now what?”
“We move forward.” What else can anyone really do?
Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) Crossover
It wasn’t gunfire or distant explosions that Ballister awoke to.
“Easy, Bal…” Ambrosius Goldenloin’s concerned face was before his, his magnificent antlers silhouetted against glowing gold light.
“Give him space, Ambrosius.” That was Sir Charles’ voice.
Ballister squeezed his right fist, feeling, and yet...not. A glance down realized why; black fur had been replaced with ebony metal.
“Congratulations.” The mustachioed hedgehog gave a wry grin. “You’re the first one to test the roboticizer.”
“It...it worked?”
“Yeah, Bal.” Ambrosius laughed, relived, water. “It did.”
“Your husband got you here in the nick of time.”
Ballister kissed Ambrosius. “Thank you, Love...thank you...”
Monsters
There were differences, of course; changes they had to make to their lives. Ballister had to start avoiding the sunlight; Ambrosius suddenly gained a new allergy to silver.
After his monthly transformation, Ambrosius lumbered through the house on new, long legs...and clawed at the front door, whimpering.
After setting him free as a human, Ballister shifted into a large black dog and joined him. They enjoyed the wind in their faces.
Once they caught their breath, Ambrosius draped a leg over him and licked his ear.
...Okay, that was kind of gross. But it was part of the learning process.
Fallout Crossover
“How are you feeling?”
Bal could only manage a moan. This was one of the few completely dark rooms in their vault; even in the dim green light of Ambrosius’s Pip Boy, he could see his boyfriend’s pain in how he hunched on the mat.
“Poor guy.” He’d rushed through his daily chores to get here, and didn’t hesitate in spooning up behind him, wrapping his arms tight around his waist.
There was nothing for the chronic headaches the vault lights caused some of its residents. Not that knowing that helped.
“Thanks, Amb.”
Ambrosius managed a weak smile. “Sure, Bal.”
Prince and Knight
Valerin knocked on Ballister’s door, smiling at the rustling and hushed whispers behind it. “Ballister?”
“Coming!” A moment later, her son opened the door, breathless and with his crown askew.
“Here…” She adjusted the crown, earning a sheepish smile from him.
“Thanks.”
“Of course. Are you ready for the interview?
“Of course! Er...very nearly.” He was at least fully-dressed. That was fast.
“Very good.” She glanced over his shoulder at a conspicuous pair of boots poking out from underneath the curtains. “Perhaps you could tell Sir Goldenloin to do the same.”
She left him blushing, knowingly laughing under her breath.
The Owl House Crossover
The Day of Unity had arrived, and Ballister was doubled over in pain.
He cursed as he fell. Opening his eyes, he saw the glow coming from the brown fist on his forearm.
That was the source…
“Bal…”
Blearily, he made out the golden visage of his husband. “Ambrosius…”
“This...this isn’t…” The Emperor’s mark on Ambrosius’s arm glowed, too.
“I know…” Ballister opened his arms for him.
Ambrosius did not fall into them. He unsheathed his weapon.
In seconds, the pain was replaced with a different, more manageable pain.
“Run…”
“No…” Not until he grabbed Ambrosius with his new magic.
Pokemon Crossover
“Whoa…” The boy with the dyed blond hair gazed, wide-eyed, at his fainted growlithe.
Ballister called back his maschiff. “Well, that was pretty good, still.” Being a good sport was important. That was what helped make a trainer. Two of his own had been knocked out, after all.
“Well...thanks! Here…” The boy held some coins out to Ballister, which he took.
“Take care.” He turned back in the direction of the pokemon center.
The boy fell into step beside him. “I’m Ambrosius. What’s your name?”
“Ballister.” He frowned.
“Wanna travel together?”
He didn’t have a good reason to say ‘no.’
Modern
It was one thirty-four in the morning when Ambrosius awoke and found that he was alone in bed.
Reaching for his bathrobe, he padded his way out of the bedroom in the direction of soft light.
There was Ballister, clad in pajamas, holding their new daughter. His left and only arm held her close, lightly bouncing her up and down; her tiny fists held fistfuls of his black shirt. Ambrosius could hear him singing softly from here. He watched as Ballister pressed a kiss to her hair.
His eyes stung as he watched and fell in love all over again.