Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Come on, where’d he vanish off to?” Judas mumbled to himself while looking down at his phone. It was telling him that the time was already 13:14. Jesus promised to be here at 13:00 and not a minute later. Yet here Judas was, waiting, his boyfriend nowhere to be seen.  

He had already attempted calling and texting, both to no avail. His texts haven’t even been read. Although knowing Jesus and his difficulty with technology, it shouldn’t be cause for much alarm. (for all Judas knew, he could have just straight up forgotten his phone when he got ready in the morning, and now it was just buzzing off in their tent).

But Judas still found himself getting antsy. His fingers twitched for the back pocket of his jeans.

The couple had arranged to meet up for a walk and some lunch, each making the effort to find some time in their busy schedules for it. Ever since Judas got convinced to try quitting smoking Jesus had insisted that they spend more time together during the day. And Judas did truly appreciate it. It helped distract him from his cravings and he was touched by Jesus’ unconditional support, which he was still not quite used to even after over a year of knowing this extraordinary man who so easily made his way into Judas’ cynical heart. And of course, he’d never pass an opportunity to spend time with his boyfriend. All things considered, these little dates were nothing but good for both of them. However right now Judas was getting on edge and his need for a smoke was only rising. He had gotten rid of his cigarettes and lighters, so he had nothing on hand, but he could just hop into a shop for a-

“Hey, Jude!”

Judas turned his head in the direction of the voice and was finally greeted by the sight of his Jesus rushing towards him.

“So sorry for being late. It’s just Simon stopped me to ask about something, and then Thomas too-” He rambled off with a sheepish smile. While he apologised, Judas took in his appearance. He had clearly been in a hurry. His scarf and coat were messed up. His dark bouncy hair had gotten tangled up as well. Well they simply couldn’t have that for their little date, as casual as it was, so Judas reached out to fix out all of it. At first, Jesus, interrupted from delivering his apology, looked up at him with surprise, which quickly morphed into a soft smile.

“Aw, thank you luv,” He said, his big brown eyes meeting Judas’, as the man’s hand comes down to cradle his face. All at once something fluttered in Judas’ chest at the sight of his partner. His cheerful expression, the way he leaned into his touch. He felt as if bathed in sunshine just by looking at this wonderful man. For one of the first times in his life, Judas felt lucky.

“Um, right,” Judas coughed into his fist, suddenly feeling awkward. Even after months of dating it was still difficult for him to be vulnerable about his feelings. He averted his eyes. “So, should we go grab something to eat?”

“Yes, please. I’m absolutely clamming!”

Judas snorted as the two started walking along the canals.

“Clamming? Clamming? What are you, a shellfish?”

In response Jesus just pouted. It wasn’t the first time their slangs clashed, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Even though Jesus tended to quite successfully mask his rather thick northern accent in order to be more understood whenever he was some place more southern, Judas certainly wouldn’t miss a chance to lightly tease him for his way of speaking and choice of words.

“Are you ‘clamming’ for some monkey’s blood on top of your ice cream?” He prodded with a smirk.

“Hey now!” It was an anecdote from the previous summer, when Jesus had accidentally used the phrase during a conversation with the apostles, and he still couldn’t hear the end of it.

“I still can’t believe normal people actually say that.”

“Yes we do! Sure it’s needlessly gruesome, but people do actually call it that!”

“Sure, sure. Whatever you say hon,”

The couple continued their light bickering (“Do you feel at home here in Brum? You know, since we’re up in your familiar North?” “Don’t you dare call Birmingham northern. You southerners think anything past Watford is ‘the north’!”) while they made their way to a small kebab place they’ve grown fond of and frequently got lunches from during their stay in the city. Judas’ mood had improved drastically compared to what it was mere ten minutes ago. Being around the ray of sunshine that was Jesus tended to do that to him. His previous strong craving for a cigarette has been wholeheartedly forgotten.

The two had each ordered their meals to-go, as they intended to eat them in the nearby park. They settled down on a bench located on a secluded pathway. The autumn sun shone through the warm-toned leaves which were still clinging to the trees.

“Oh this one’s for you,” Jesus said, as he handed Judas a second cup of ayran he got.

“Did you just get a second one just for me?”

“Yes, ‘cause you I know you love it,” Jesus beamed at him.

“Oh… Thank you,” Judas felt a smile of his own forming on his face once he had accepted the ayran. He really was lucky, wasn’t he?

“I wanted to do something nice, since it’s been four weeks since you’ve decided to quit. I’m just very proud of you, you know that right?”

Judas was stunned. The pair sat in silence, with only the distant sounds of the bustling city and the soft chirping of the birds being heard.

“Luv?”

“I adore you so fucking much,” Jesus was about to reply, but he stopped him. “No, but genuinely, I don’t think you can imagine how much-” He halted. God, this emotional vulnerability deal was hard. “Your support- it means a bunch to me.”

His boyfriend just chuckled.

“And you’re always welcome. I’m glad I can help you.”

“Hm, you know what’s the best way to keep me distracted from compulsions?” Judas questioned, tapping his finger on his chin.

“What is it?”

Judas leaned closer, closing the gap between them, and kissed him, which Jesus immediately reciprocated, smiling. It was simple, sweet and loving. Something that Judas never new before, but was slowly getting used to with Jesus.

When the two pulled away, their faces stayed close, their foreheads touching.

“You know.. there is technically an even better way to get your mind of it…” Jesus’ eyes were attentively fixated on him. “They say that chewing gum and stuff helps, since your mouth is preoccupied and stuff. Well, I know that if you got a boyfriend there’s an easier and frankly more pleasant way, to keep your mind off things by preoccupying your mouth-”

“Judas!” Jesus feigned horror, playfully slapping the man’s thigh. “How dare you- And in public as well!”

Judas grinned devilishly at him.

“Later,” He heard Jesus mutter.

“Oh? Is that a promise?”

Jesus turned away from him to grab his lunch, but the smile on his face was clear.

“Eat your durum, before it goes cold. Besides, we’ll have to return to the camp soon enough.”

But before starting his food, Judas got in a quick peck to Jesus’ lips, after which the pair proceeded to eat their lunch in relative peace, still continuing their lighthearted bickering.