John The Beloved - Tumblr Posts

John the Apostle | One Day | Romantic

In spite of the bride being beautiful at the wedding in Cana, John only has eyes for the brightness surrounding you. 

Requested by Heather

“Okay, that’s— Ouch, that’s a bit tight!”

“Sorry,” Mary quips, “I’m not that good with braids… Uh, let’s see, it’s becoming a bit loose here—” 

“It’s fine, I’ll just—” 

You stand from your chair and tuck your hair behind your ears a little, walking over to the mirror. The braids Mary has attempted to create are a little asymmetrical, but neat enough. You give her a kind smile over your shoulder, which she mirrors nervously. 

“I don’t do other people’s hair all that often, and I—”

You let out a small noise at how apologetic she is, causing her words to hitch

“Mary, it’s fine. They’re very pretty. Thank you.” 

She smiles a bit.

“Are you serious? Aren’t you just saying it to make me feel better, now?” 

You give a small shake of your head, looking back at the mirror to tuck a few stubborn strands into place. 

“I’m serious. Have I ever lied to you?” 

Mary hums and smiles a bit, rubbing her neck. “Ah, I guess not.” 

“I really appreciate this, Mary. Thank you.”

“It’s the least I could do.” 

You slide your veil back over it in a way that it is still visible that something has been done to it.

A knock on the door and the voice of a slightly rushed John sounds from the other side. “Can you girls hurry? We have to leave before we—” 

You pull open the door before he can finish his sentence, and for a moment he stands with his mouth wide open on the threshold as he takes you in. It is obvious your (h/c) locks are differently placed than normal, and it frames your face in a certain way that has John’s heart skip a beat inside his chest.

“We’ll be right there.” you pipe up. It takes John a second to gather himself before he clears his throat. 

“Oh, um… Yes, of course. Your… Your hair, it’s… Uh… Different.” 

You nearly frown a little but manage to keep your face in check. After all, it doesn’t necessarily sound like a compliment.

“Ah, thank you. Mary fixed it for me.” 

John gives you a slow nod, trying his best to tear his gaze away from your face. He clears his throat once more, blinking as he steps back. 

“Ah, don’t be late. Jesus wanted to leave in a few minutes so that we’ll be arriving a short while before the ceremony, and… Well, you know.” 

“Of course.” 

The former fisherman pivots on his feet and heads back towards the others. Mary gives you a small, knowing smile.

“What?” you query when she raises an eyebrow at you. That look must mean something, although you aren’t certain what message it is supposed to convey.

“Nothing, just that I’m sure John thinks you look very pretty like that.” 

Your cheeks flame again at the notion. 

“It… It didn’t really sound like he enjoyed it a lot. He just said it looked different.” 

“I think he didn’t really know how to use his words.” Mary reassures you. You huff and shake your head, running your clamming palms down your dress.

“Nonsense, that’s just wishful thinking. John wouldn’t like me in that way, no way.” 

Mary hums and gives you another one of these looks.

“Whatever you say, (Y/n). Let’s go now, okay? The others are waiting for us.” 

You join the rest of the group, then head out to your meeting place, a little outside of Capernaum, where Jesus had agreed to catch up with you as well as a few other people - Thaddeus, Andrew and Simon as well as the two Jameses tag along as well. 

It’s already midday when you arrive, with the older son of Jonah reassuring his brother that everything will be alright, when Jesus walks up to the group with a kind smile on His features. 

“Perfect day for a wedding, huh?” 

“Master.”

“Simon, Andrew, Mary, (Y/n), James, John, Thaddeus. But where is uh…” 

As Jesus pauses in search of John’s big brother, Thaddeus is met with a piece of fruit against the back of the head and flinches.

“Uh-oh.” Jesus muses as James chuckles above you, already armed with another fruit. “Raining figs.”

“Figs for the journey.” James explains.

“Ah, how we won’t even need to stop for lunch!” 

He gracefully drops from the tree and lands on his feet, dusting down his tunic. 

“Thank you James.” Jesus says.

“Yes Master?” The curly-haired James standing in front of you asks, causing Jesus to straighten His back.

“Ah… Two Jameses. How will we solve this dilemma?” 

“Well, what if, uh… I go by Big James?” the taller James proposes. 

The others laugh a bit, including you.

“Is that acceptable to you, young James?” 

“Yes, I think that’s fair, Master.”

“And a sense of justice, too.” Jesus muses. “Then is settled. Now, to the road, my friends. The bride and groom await!”

A newfound tinge of excitement swells inside your chest. Weddings are always a fun celebration to attend. 

The ragtag group of people sets out to Cana, and you start your trek chatting with Mary about little things. “Have you ever been to Cana?” Mary wonders, at which you shake your head.

“I haven’t. Have you?” 

“No, and I also have never been to a wedding, either.” Mary responds.

“Ah, for me it’s… I think… My third one. My first one was my brother, the second one was Simon and Eden.” 

Mary’s lips part in surprise as she looks over her shoulder and you follow her gaze, but instead of meeting Simon’s face which you had expected to find, you look into the eyes of John. Your heart skips a beat as he quickly turns away, his jaw tightening. 

He looks like he has been caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing. Had he been staring at you? You swallow hard as you mull it over — no, you’re certain that is definitely not what he was doing. Wishful thinking, nothing more, you remind yourself.

Upon turning back to Mary, you find her oblivious to that little moment you just shared with John. 

“How was it?” Mary wants to know. You absentmindedly hum, a bit puzzled by that probably quite insignificant encounter. It replays inside your mind over and over again.

“It was a good day.” 

Mary frowns. “Are you okay, (Y/n)?”

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” 

You clear your throat and attempt to redirect the attention on the casual conversation. “Anyways, let me tell you everything about the wedding of Simon and Eden…” 

As you explain all the ins and outs of your friends’ wedding, you carry on through the plains of Judea, on your way to the party. The promise of good food and wine at the end of the road lights everyone’s spirit enough to not complain about blisters.

—

Cana is what you expected — a small village, about half the size of Capernaum, with not much going on. You’re certain that most guests roaming about at the local inns are actually wedding guests that have already arrived early, living too far away to head back home in between the days of festivities.

Jesus leads the group through the narrow streets, knowing where He has to be. For a moment, you look over your shoulder to see if everyone is caught up with the rest, and feel your heart flutter when you sense John’s eyes on you again. Not much unlike last time, he swallows hard and tears his gaze away with what almost looks like effort. You could swear there is a hint of pink on his cheeks, but perhaps it’s the searing afternoon sun that has left him flushed.

You arrive at a set of double doors. Jesus pushes through first, revealing that the preparations are already in full action. “Knock knock, can we come in?” An older woman tosses aside a small bouquet as she flings herself in the arms of Jesus. Your Teacher chuckles and lifts her off the ground a bit to meet her embrace. 

“Hi eema! Oh, how are you?” 

You smile at the gentle greeting in front of you, finding it sweet that Jesus is so close to His mother. 

“I have missed You!” she muses softly, cupping His face as she gives Him a once-over. “Look at You! It’s been a while… Have you been eating?” 

“I have been eating.” Jesus reassures her, putting a hand on her shoulder as He turns towards the group. You smile at Jesus’ mother as she takes you all in.

“These people have been helping me to eat, so…”

“Hi, how are you?” she steps forward and starts introducing herself as Mary. 

“My students.” Jesus clarifies as she goes through the line-up of people eager to meet her. Mary is a kind woman who clearly loves her Son a whole lot. You hadn’t expected otherwise, really. 

“Shalom, I’m (Y/n).” You shake her hand as she meets your gaze with glittering eyes.

“It’s so nice to meet you! And you are?” 

“I’m John.” You startle at bit, not realising that the man in question had been standing so close to you.

“Hello John, shalom! And you two are…” She points between you, and a confused frown appears on both of your faces, “You know, married?” 

“Oh— Oh no!” you quickly say, shaking your head as you take on an almost defensive stance. Your cheeks flame as John sputters an equally negative answer.

“No— We are just friends!” 

Mother Mary tilts her head a little. “Not betrothed, then?” 

You let out a nervous sound as you shake your head. “No— No… No, we aren’t.” 

She gives you a look alongside a small, high-pitched murmur — you are unsure what it means — and carries on introducing herself. You let out a shaky breath as you plant your hands on your hips, turning to John, who seems equally as flustered.

“Well, that was awkward.” you try to lighten the mood, causing John to scratch his neck. 

“Yeah… Yeah.” 

You clear your throat and take in the place in front of you as to avoid both eye-contact and making the situation even more uncomfortable. Flowers and candles adorn the place, tables already having been set, and servants are rushing about to get everything in order. 

“This is nice.” you murmur. 

John’s eyes are on you again, but you don’t notice it. “Yes.” he whispers in response, “Very nice.” When you turn over your shoulder to give him a small smile, he quickly looks at the scene of the wedding again, at the slightly crooked chuppah, and for a second, something flashes inside his mind that he quickly shakes off. The thought is long enough to make his heart soar inside his chest.

When he turns back to you, he notices you’ve already turned back in the direction of Mary Magdalene, and he lets out a shaky breath as he watches you walk off. 

Behind him, Thaddeus smiles at what’s happening in front of him. 

The day carries on. You and Mary help out Jesus’ mother with the final preparations and get to know more about the bride and groom. You find out that the groom is Dinah’s son, Asher, and that the parents of his bride Sarah aren’t as keen on the idea of her marrying a man of lower stature, at least by their standards. You have never understood parents who don’t want their children to marry out of love rather than out of convenience or political gain.

A few hours later, the wedding begins with drinks, food and music. You sit with the other women as you sing blessings over the newly wed couple. The bride and groom are positively glowing and you can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to stand there in the finest gown with your hand in… 

…You don’t dare finish that thought. Instead, you concentrate on singing the right words as you hold the shoulders of Mary Magdalene and a woman you don’t know. A large smile spreads over your face as you dance around the tables. 

A little away, John does the same with the men, a little off-key but not too bad, and even though he is thoroughly enjoying himself with the task at hand, he can’t help but let his gaze go over to the other table. He instantly finds you. It isn’t difficult to, for you stand out to him like a bright star in the night sky.

The way your (h/c) hair flows from under your veil as you dance the other women, the way you seem to be so at ease, it all comes together into a beautiful picture that John cannot tear his gaze away from. You look like a dream, with your smile reaching from ear to ear and the way your eyes sparkle, like the moonlight dancing on the Sea of Galilee. He could drown in them, he’s sure of it.

For a moment, John imagines that same thought that had been crossing his mind earlier — the two of you under a similar chuppah, saying your vows to one another. He allows the thought to linger this time, entertains it, almost tripping over his own feet, and as the song draws to a close, he almost forgets the cue to applaud. He is almost jealous of Mary and the other woman for getting to touch your shoulder and hearing you sing up close, even though he thinks it’s silly to feel that way.

The evening carries on with wine, blessings brought by the banquet master, and more music. Even though the food is wonderful, John can’t help but let his eyes drift from time to time. You’re having the time of your life. He can’t shake a nagging feeling inside his chest. The sun sets and the courtyard is illuminated by candles, bringing your features out even more. The former fisherman knows he isn’t supposed to stare, but he can’t help himself, tracing the edge of his empty wine cup with his finger as he sits with a few others at a table.

“She’s quite pretty, isn’t she?” Thaddeus whispers at John, who quickly seems to snap out of his thoughts. 

“What?” 

“You’re staring at her.” 

John lets out a scoff. “I’m not staring at (Y/n).”

Thaddeus chuckles lightly and gives John a look, smirking. “I didn’t mention her name, so you just confirmed it.” 

The younger son of Zebedee swallows hard and looks away, not liking the fact that he is apparently being obvious about it at this point. “Is it that clear, huh?”

Thaddeus hums. “I’m surprised you haven’t walked up to her yet to talk to her.” 

“I… I can’t. I’ll just make a fool out of myself.” 

The former stonemason shrugs. 

“By all means, do what you feel like is best. But I have seen the way you two look at one another.” 

John’s cheeks flush.

“You… She… How does (Y/n) look at me, then?” 

Thaddeus hums and takes a sip of wine. “Can’t you have a little faith in me, John? Just go up to her and talk for a bit. Try to figure out what she thinks about getting married herself some day.” 

John nearly chokes on his own saliva. “Are you trying to say I should ask her to marry me?” 

“Not yet— Just… In general, I mean. There is no rush behind all of this, you know? Just ask what she thinks of becoming a wife, and try to figure out if she hints at her feelings for you.” 

“Her feelings for me?!” John sputters.

Thaddeus hums, grinning a bit. 

“Oh, John. Have some faith, okay? Go talk to her.” 

“Now?” 

Thaddeus nods. 

The younger son of Zebedee stands, wiping his clammy palms down his tunic, and starts walking in your direction, hoping to have some of your time. 

Thaddeus clears his throat, causing him to halt.

“John?” 

He turns and looks at his friend.

“Yes?” 

“I pray that your wedding is the next one we’ll be celebrating.”