crushing on my characters
Resharing a Judas and Jesus story, because I can’t stop thinking about them.
“So…that poem you wrote.”
Jesus and Judas are sitting on a bench outside Edentown’s conservatory. It’s a clear February night, the waning moon is lighting up the outlines of the lush insides of the greenhouse. The two only met a few days before, but everything between them feels fast and dark red…an unfurling. After eating tacos from a local food truck, they ended up outside the conservatory, a shared favorite spot in town.
“Uh-huhhh. Did you like it?”
“No…I adored it. In fact, I’ve been keeping it in my pocket.”
Jesus retrieves the poem from their jumpsuit pocket, folded and crumpled, as if it has been read a thousand times.
“Will you read it to me? I want to hear it in your voice.”
thrift me
threads of a thousand hours
woven into open road, tempers, a scooped cobbler
sleeves tinged with berry and silken chanel–
all the crease, oaky closets, the pilling,
the pull.
i watch your tender folds, a sweater to your temple,
your sarcoline yearning.
i would like to be in each pocket
you check
for
patina
crumpled hearts
clutches of sobsoft holes of devotion.
Because Judas has memorized most of it, he is able to lock eyes with Jesus as he reads. Jesus feels their whole body shimmer with warmth, filled with a lushness much like the conservatory.
“soft holes of devotion…” Judas finishes and slowly lowers the crumpled paper to his lap.
Jesus looks at Judas’s lips, his purple, metallic lipstick gleaming with moon and poem. The breeze picks up and rustles Judas’s silver streak of hair, filling both their noses with the scent of his rosehip shampoo.
“Hey,” Jesus whispers, “want to kiss me?”
“I do,” replies Judas. He leans closer to Jesus, who turns their face upward. Judas cups the back of Jesus’s head, caressing their curls.
They look into each other’s eyes again for a moment (later on, Jesus will describe this moment as “fucking hot. SMOLDERING hot.” to Mary Magdalene), and then their lips meet.
At first soft, slow, sweet, the kissing gains momentum as Jesus lightly bites Judas’s bottom lip and Judas brings their other hand to Jesus’s lower back and pulls them in closer. The rosehip, the dark red, the ache…
Eventually, after checking to be sure no one is around, Jesus tosses the poem from Judas’s lap and straddles him against the bench, their hips pressed deeply into Judas’s thighs, checking to be sure Judas is comfortable..
As Jesus begins to kiss Judas’s neck, collarbone, etc., the breeze picks up again and carries the discarded poem down the path, straight into the heart of a rosebush.
Come springtime, the little poem finds itself surrounded by dark red, unfurling roses.
HOT HONEY ASH
Tell us about you, hot honey!
Ash Bruxvoort // Des Moines, IA / Báxoǰe land
Ash is a self-expression coach, astrologer, and writer. Her business Ash Gravity Earth Healing supports creative visionaries through the process of rebirthing their brand.
(Note from editor: Ash is my coach and working with her has been transformational!!!)
2024 summer bop?
THE DINER—Billie Eilish
Article of clothing or accessory you rewear all summer? Outfit you love? Anything about your summer style that the people should know?
I tend to go towards a winter color palette during the summer months, which is pretty different from the rest of the year. I wear a lot more black and especially love black denim shorts. I would say I go for an arty punk Sporty Spice vibe this time of year.
Which are you: A/C slut or sunkissed and sweaty slut?
A little bit of both.
Ultimate summer food/snack?
Watermelon, which is my favorite food ever of all time. Eating watermelon is also a reminder for me of Palestine right now, so it feels extra tender and like a moment for presence and prayer.
What can we not live without this summer?
I got these really huge sunglasses and I just love them. They make me feel like a movie star in some kind of sneaky crime drama. I listen to Takeshi Terauchi while I drive around for the full effect.
Summer activity you have to do every year?
I always end up growing flowers, even when I don’t really plan on it. This year my dad wanted to plant a memorial garden for my grandma so I’ve been helping him with a wildflower garden. I especially love Cosmos—they’re so pretty and spunky even in their seedling form!
SMUTSCOPES: yr leo szn mojo word
[I recommend reading for your rising and/or sun sign]
Aries
QUAKE.
Taurus
NETHER.
Gemini
COQUETTE.
Cancer
SUPPLE.
Leo
HOT.
Virgo
HEDON.
Libra
STRADDLE.
Scorpio
LUSH.
Sagittarius
GRIP.
Capricorn
WOLF.
Aquarius
EDGE.
Pisces
TUNNEL.
HOT HONEY COLTON
Tell us about you, hot honey!
Hi and hello! I’m Colton, based out of the “lovely” Westminster, Maryland. [Mary to insert something fun and fresh about me here.]
(Note from editor: DON’T MIND IF I DO!! Colton is the Sagittarian babe of all babes who knows how to graphic design the hell out of any project. He is constantly making his colleague Mary LOL and has two cute pugs named Frank and Fiona.)
All-time summer bop?
All time summer bop is Super Bass by Nicki.
2024 summer bop?
But currently I’m obsessed with the icon Chappell Roan and HOT TO GO!
(Note from editor: I’ve been waiiitttting for someone to drop Chappell.)
What’s a scent you love that you associate with summer? What does summer smell like?
Daisy by Marc Jacob’s is my choice of summer fragrance. Light, refreshing and delicious.
Beach read you have devoured this or past summer?
Reading? I just get drunk and people watch from the comfort of my beach chair. Just kidding! I am currently obsessed with RuPaul’s new memoir House of Hidden Meanings. 10/10 recommend.
Article of clothing or accessory you rewear all summer? Outfit you love? Anything about your summer style that the people should know?
Sunglasses are a necessity not an option. Protect your eyes you only get two!
Which are you: A/C slut or sunkissed and sweaty slut?
Oh 100% AC WHORE. Unless there is a body of water nearby, I will be inside.
Ultimate summer food/snack?
Chex Mix hands down. But in the evening give me some ice cream and I’ll be a happy camper.
What can we not live without this summer?
Portable rechargeable fans, crocs, tequila, and sunscreen.
Movie you watch every summer?
Legally Blonde…it’s like the 4th of July…makes me want a hot dog REALLLLL BAD.
Summer activity you have to do every year?
Does getting drunk on a beach count as a summer activity? If yes, than that. If not, it’s going to mini golf with my parents and brother. We are incredibly competitive so it’s always fun getting to see who’s the sore loser for the year.
Beach babe? Cabin cutie? Home honey? Road trip angel?
Oh, a beach babe. I love the sand and the relaxing sound of waves. I also love to people watch and doing it at a beach is the most fun.
What gets you hot about summer?
That the sun stays out until 8:30! So much time for activities.
What’s a sweet-as-honey memory you hold?
My favorite memories of summer involve the last day of school, when my mom would take me to the local Walmart to buy a new pool inflatable. We actually still go every year and get new ones because we always buy the cheep ones that dry rot or break after a month. But I just loved that we would get to have something new to enjoy in the pool every summer.
How do you take your water in the summer?
In a Stanley cup, with a metric ton of ice and it better be as cold and chilly as my heart. Nothing is worse than warm or room temp water. And anyone who drinks their water like that… you can’t trust them.
VENUS WUZ HERE
[outfit of the week]
GAYSBALL!!!! Thanks to my little brother for snatching this jersey for me at the pride O’s game. Paired with thrifted black Levi’s shorts and my beloved Ozweegos. Gotta stay sporty, the Olympics are here! Styled with dappled sunlight and work stress (you can’t tell, right??? She’s stressed AND cute!).
Thanks to Ash and Colton for their hot honey goodness. And to all of you for reading Queer Jesus. Until next week. <3
P.S. ICYMI, there’s a Hot Honey Summer playlist cooked up for your listening pleasure:
can you tell I have Mercury in Capricorn? 💁🏻♀️ thanks for featuring me 🍯