Chapter Text
Heat. That is all that Little James could feel at the moment as he struggled to find a comfortable position on the boulder Mathew had cornered and made him sit on. It bloomed in his cheeks, face, and chest. This heat was not caused by the scorching sun however but by the embarrassment of being treated with over consideration when the women were not far away, waiting for the boys and Jesus all to return from Jairus' home.
“Mathew please, I promise you that I am fine.”
“You were shoved with a force so great the measure of it affected more than the calculated normal collateral a bump or shove could cause in a crowd. By my calculations, you most definitely suffered some type of repercussions or injuries from the projectile.”
“Mathew. I did not say that I did not suffer injuries, I said that apart from them, I am fine.”
“So you did suffer injuries.”
“Yes but minor ones, see.”
Little James knew that Mathew would not drop the matter so he showed his palms to Mathew. They were covered in dust and spots of blood bloomed from many spread-out areas.
“They do not account for the line of blood coming down your leg.”
Sighing Little James reached down and pulled his tunic up until both his knees were exposed as well. There were multiple droplets of blood coming down from his knees as well.
“We must clean them or else the rate of a possible infection will continue to grow.”
“Mathew-”
“Mary! Can you please find me some water? I must clean James' wounds.”
“That’s not necessary-”
“Of course!”
Sighing, Little James looked up and asked Adonai for patience. He looked back as he saw Mary approach and hand Mathew a small bowl filled with water and a cloth. Mathew thanked her shyly, which had Little James raise his eyebrow at Mathew in amusement as he delicately thanked Mary as well. Mathew knelt in front of him and hesitated for a second.
“May I touch you? I promise to make it quick.”
“Yes.”
James answered softly as Mathew dipped the cloth in the water, ring it out, and then very gently, dabbed his wound and worked his way down.
“That man had no right to shove you to the ground.”
“He shoved you as well Mathew.”
“But I was not the one to meet the ground. Neither did Mary, Tamar, or Eden. Thank God Zee did not see, the man would have met our maker today. Then again…”
“Mathew, no. Do not let this brief moment darken your heart. He was desperate to meet our Rabbi, we cannot blame him for it.”
“But he-”
“Besides, I am used to meeting the ground as you say. My condition has been my oldest friend.”
“Well, you should not have to be.”
“What?”
“You should not have to be use to it. I know I never was.”
Little James couldn’t help but simply stare at Mathew as he finished washing away the blood and dust before pulling his tunic down and moving to clean his hands.
“I can do that part, Mathew, but thank you.”
Mathew stood up and held the bowl as Little James dipped both of his hands in the water, rinsing off the blood and dust. Once pulling away, Eden came over and handed James two long slim bandages for his hands and took the bowl from Mathew.
“Thank you, Eden.”
Both men echoed as she simply gave them both smiles and swiftly turned back to where Tamar and Mary were waving down Nathaniel, Thaddeus, and Philip, who after parting with Veronica returned with Judas and Andrew.
“What did you mean, when you said you were never used to it?”
Mathew stared at him for a few seconds before fidgeting with his handkerchief and surprisingly leaning a little bit closer, showing James the side of his face.
“I received this when a man struck me on the way to my booth. The ring he wore cut my cheek. The scare is faint, but when I graze my cheek, I can still feel it.”
Clarity came to Little James’ eyesight as Mathew traced a faint line right on top of his cheekbone. It did not look deep, plus with Mathew growing out his beard it was being covered, but Little James could see that it was still very much marked and prominent in Mathew’s soul.
“You did not deserve that Mathew. I am sorry that people took it upon themselves to exact what they believed was justice. As our Rabbi has said, vengeance belongs to Adonai. And no one had the right to judge you….even Simon."
Little James couldn’t help but chuckle at Mathew’s confused stare.
“I heard about what happened that night by the fire when Jesus was healing so many people. Simon, Andrew, and many others had no right to demand an apology from you. They are not the Messiah, and the only person who is perfect enough to be able to judge you so is Jesus. And if he didn’t, then why should they?”
Mathew continued to shuffle awkwardly in front of Little James. Yet James could see the sense of relief that flowed through Mathew as the realization and understanding of his words sank in.
“Was that a rhetorical question? Or did you mean for me to answer it?”
Now Little James couldn’t help the laugh that burst out of him, slightly startling Mathew but causing him to smile either way.
“You just did. Here, help me up please.”
Mathew moved forward to grasp his arm when a loud exclamation froze them both. Oh Adonai please, no.
“Little James…”
James shifted his gaze to look beyond Mathew’s shoulder, and there stood Zee. Tense and his sharp gaze examining him up and down. His gaze became hard as stone when he saw his hands bandaged, and his tunic slightly stained with blood and dust.
“Zee…I promise you, I am fine!”
Simon stomped forward, almost barreling through everyone trying to get to Little James.
“Zee, don’t! I’m ok…”
Mathew quickly moved out of the way as the other men, taking a split moment to take in what was going on, quickly filed behind Zee, anger masking their expressions as well.
“Everyone, I am fine! Mathew!”
Little James' cry for help was deafened by the multiple voices and bodies surrounding him. As the men demanded to know what happened and if he was ok. Mathew couldn’t help but laugh at Little James' exasperated expression and placations at the rowdy group trying to get extremely close to him. All the while knocking the multiple outreached hands away from his injuries and body.