forallyoucare | The Last Temptation

JARVIS alerts Tony Jesus is here, which is maybe the singular most surreal sentence the AI has ever said in his life, and Tony goes down to meet his... friend, possible one night stand, in the lobby. Tony's fresh off a business meeting, dressed in a black suit with faint red pinstripes and a crimson tie. He tends to work his Iron Man colors into everything he does and owns, now, without realizing it. It's just a habit.

Tony smiles at him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Yeah, no. Unless that bag has pajamas in it, you're borrowing some of mine. You're my guest, you get stuff," he explains by way of greeting. "Don't fight it, nobody's won on that one with me yet. C'mon, let's go somewhere people won't stare so much at you. My staff means well, but they can be a little rude."

"It's fine," Jesus says good-naturedly enough. He's all smiles. No one's come up to him asking for an autograph or spitting on him so he thinks that's a win-win situation.

Jesus has no qualms about being here at all, no expectations other than a good, late night discussion of how Tony can find meaning in his life again and become a part of a society that needs him and not the superhero he feels he must be.

He has no idea if Tony looked him up online. If he'd watched videos, followed Twitter hashtags, if he's realized who, exactly, Jesus is other than a name or a symbol for a new version of the Occupy movement. It hardly matters.

"Do you give to charity?" he asks, breathless in the elevator. There's so much finery.

"Constantly. You have no idea. But that's old news for me. It's pretty much Stark family tradition - donate a ton of excess profit, and it'll soothe your conscience over. I keep hoping one day, the more I give, that'll kick in."

He has. And it's weird, but damn if it doesn't make him more impressed with the man. He's not just nice, he's important, and yet he found it in his heart to give Tony Stark, of all people, a chance. It's one of those things he just doesn't get.

The Tower is luxurious, but Tony's floor? It's all futuristic mod furniture and holographic interfaces and lots of splashes of color against stark black and white, like something out of a sci-fi film, except for the piano in the living room.

Let loose in such a room, all Jesus cares to do is stand by Tony's side. He's glad to hear about the charity work, but has nothing to say about how self-disparaging Tony truly is. It's a shame. Quite a terrible shame. Jesus reaches down to take the other's hand, his own calloused. He'd been something of an artist when he was younger, working with wood, making things to support him and mother...and then the first parts of his ministry when he was called to find the Twelve and to start to bring about change.

That he is here with Tony, one of the 1%, might seem to be against his teachings, but Jesus knows better than any other. What he does, everything he does, has purpose.

He draws Tony through his own living room, passed collections of expensive luxuries, to the window. The sun will set soon and now is the perfect chance to see the city as it is.

"Beautiful and terrifying. The haves and the have nots solely focus on themselves. But that is not what God wants. God wants us to love each other. To be good to each other. Beauty can wash the suffering away."

"I care about people who aren't in my income bracket. I try. But remember the reaction when I quit making weapons? People get scared if they don't know they have a way to hurt one another, to fight back. Look at what happens if you try to even regulate guns. What people want and what God wants are as far removed as matter is from anti-matter."

Tony links his fingers inbetween Jesus', stroking his thumb over the other man's skin. He's not sure if that'll be comforting, but it's all he really can offer up. He'd love to act like everything is going to be great and everyone will come together and it'll get better. But he doesn't believe that, or at least, not that it'll happen in his lifetime.

He presses closer to the other man, looking at the buildings. "I used to hate this place. Thought I'd just go live with my grandparents until I had to take over the company. Live in Canajoharie with them, out of the media eye. Do normal stuff, whatever that even means... and yet, here I am. And here you are, right next to one of the most corruptive forces on Earth. Life sure falls apart fast."

There's no form of handholding that Jesus doesn't like. The connection is powerful. Children accept the tether to another but so very often, adults forget the comfort of it. He smiles at their faint reflections in the glass, at how they stand side by side.

"Nothing corrupts more than your own mind," he preaches, attempt to teach life lessons while they enjoy the sky colouring from blue to orange and pink. Purple will join the pallet soon. It's one of his favourite times of the day. Sunrise surpasses it, but only just.

His hair glows radiantly however. It's as if the sun favours him somehow.

"You may well be giving yourself too much credit, Anthony. Or not enough. I suppose both are true. Tell me of your day since we last met."

"Experience worked pretty well on me, actually. Did the job so thoroughly nothing undid it until Afghanistan."

Tony watches him more than the sunset. He looks good. Better than Tony usually manages to look, because there's something honest to him. A pang of emotion he can't place hits him as he wonders if he ever looked that honest. If there was ever a point where he had a trustworthy face.

"Well, uh, my ex-girlfriend and CEO, Pepper, told me she didn't have time for one of my 'phases'. Which is referring to me doing the whole religion thing. So then I went down to the lab, finished up a paper on transhumanism, did two business meetings, one on selling and helping other spread clean energy, and one legal meeting on how to keep from being labelled a war criminal in Albania."

Jesus listens, turning to lean back against the window. Most people wouldn't. The window is safe, yes, but many people are too afraid of even the possibility of falling through to do this. Jesus acts as if nothing scares him. That's almost the truth.

Almost.

Relaxing in his pose, he listens to Tony tell him about things he only vaguely understands, picking out choice moments here and there to focus on. That Tony doesn't try to dumb himself down is interesting, but Jesus doesn't think it's out of respect, more out of pride on Tony's end. He likes that, though pride itself is rightly one of his downfalls.

"Clean energy?"

No, Tony. He doesn't have a television. Or a phone. He doesn't read magazines. He doesn't know you. And yet? He does. The inner you.

"The world's too dependent on fossil fuels that we are going to, at this rate of consumption, run out of within this lifetime. But more importantly than that, whole wars have been fought over them. I created the only truly 'clean' energy - energy from almost nothing. No wars needed, no land disputes, no legal battles.

Oil companies are not happy. If I supply everybody with energy for next to nothing, they don't get to bleed the people dry with higher prices on everything."

It's a little bit out of respect. When Tony wants to he can resort to the 'small words, slowly' treatment. Hell, he's done it with his own staff. He doesn't particularly care who he offends with that, if it's striking him as funny at the moment. And yeah, he could outrun this man by a mile in technobabble, but he just doesn't feel right doing it, for once.

Tony watches him back, eyes lingering on the form in front of him, drinking him in. He's never had any shame when it comes to checking people out. It's one of those things he's been doing for so long he doesn't know how to stop.

He likes this, though. This business chatter. It's a lot easier than the emotional wringer of emotions they discussed earlier.

Jesus doesn't notice. Refreshing or maddening? That's for Tony to decide. He's use to people sizing him up but he doesn't mind. Checking him out-- That's never happened. Oh, there's probably Tumblrs dedicated to him and one Apostle or another. Probably photoshopped pictures of him and Mary together--

It's not something he cares about and the Twelve don't bring it up to him. Jesus has other things to worry about.

He has other demons to slay than ones created on the internet.

"I see the trouble. You and I are on the same side," he smiles warmly at that, lifting his hand for Tony to take again. "A world without war-- I've never been sure why humanity is so obsessed with fighting."

It just gives him more incentive to keep doing it. No complaint here. He's fine with this, honestly. Things are usually not this smooth when he decides to oggle someone. The comfort between them is still odd, but it's good, in its' own way.

"Aside from you being the 99% percent and me being the 1%." Tony steps closer, linking both of their hands together, pulling him closer to study the man's palms closely. Jesus' skin is rugged and a touch rough. Tony's is smooth and near perfect. "Just take a good look. It's right there."

"I'll not deny that you could do more," Jesus says. "There's always more a person can do, though it should never become a hardship. There are martyrs enough already."

He's speaking from experience.

Pulling Tony closer to him, hips to hips, Jesus tilts back his head to watch the way that Tony gazes at him. He can't pick it apart. He's never said he's a smart man. He just understands.

There's...there's nothing for him to go on here. Just a twinge of desire to have another kiss. How ridiculous is that!

"How hard do you think you must try to come clean?"

"Ever heard the song 'Clean' by The Sneaker Pimps? I remember it was playing after I sold a full payload of weapons to the Albanians with the promise they'd be used outside where any reporters could see it.

It was playing, and one of the lines stuck out to me: 'it's gonna take a thousand waterfalls to get yourself clean'. I think that sounds about right. A thousand bursts of good things. Maybe more. It's a start."

He leans in and steals a kiss, before he can stop himself. "You have no idea how good it is to have somebody who listens."

There's no need to steal anything from Jesus. There's nothing to steal. He gives himself freely...and that's often the problem. He gives. People take. One day they will take too much and his best friend will try to save him from himself. Jesus knows all of these things but they cease to really matter as Tony's mouth touches his.

Could the man be a mind reader? Just when Jesus wanted this, here it is. Of course, he's still got to learn about how body language works first.

And how he's just invited Tony in for this.

"One thinks a teacher ought to just teach but that's not entirely true," he breathes, thumb moving across Tony's cheek as he gazes intently at him. "A good teacher must be taught by his or her students and to do that, one must listen. Let me help with your burdens, Anthony."

"I could get used to that. Help, I mean. Having someone I can depend on." And he is far, far too old and has done way too many things to be as turned on as he is by a man just touching his face like that, but they're still standing pressed together and it's warm, grounding. He doesn't want it to stop, so he kisses him again, hands casually moving to pin Jesus on either side of his shoulders to the window. It's a personal space invasion, sure, but he doesn't care.

He just like the gentleness of the kisses, the way there's none of that alpha-male power struggle bullshit here. It's got to be the most peaceful make out session he's ever initiated, so when he leans in, wedging a knee between the man's legs, pressing their thighs together better, it's a smooth, slow action.

If the world's beauty could be summed up in kissing, this particular act here and now, the joining of two similar men with far reaching and polarizing ideals, might become it's poster child. And happily so. Jesus' kisses are coupled with smiles, with happy sounds and surprised, pleased, and flattering noises deep in the back of his throat.

He doesn't take offense to the knee -- Tony is leaning towards him, he has to stabilize himself somehow -- and shifts accordingly to accommodate it. Perhaps this isn't exactly what a preacher should be doing, but it's innocent, isn't it?

Harmless. It's like holding hands. Like touching. It is touching. And until someone tells Jesus differently, he'll unabashedly give in to his all too human instincts for intimacy. Oh Tony. What have you done to him?

Tony makes a soft, pleased noise, shutting his eyes for a moment, letting the sensation linger, before slipping his tongue into Jesus' mouth. It's not harsh or invasive, just exploring, slowly, tasting him, trying to coax him into even more of a response.

He shifts his knee closer against the other man's crotch, trying to gain more friction, bring them closer. He's keenly aware he's doing something wrong, but it feels so incredibly good. Tony's kissed a lot of people and no one's ever been like this, gentle and soft and putty in his hands, open and innocent, no angle, no hidden agenda, not even a doubt in Tony's mind about it. This is almost painfully good.

Every kiss is expertly placed and his tongue knows all the tricks to coax Jesus into reacting, being a little bolder.

The tongue alone gets a gasp and maybe a timid reprisal of Tony's bold move. Jesus doesn't know where this is going but it still feels good and there's nothing at all to worry about, right? Someone ought to have sat him down with some porn. At least when Mary Magdalen joined their little tour from city to city on the way to New York!

This might all make sense to him then. This might register as unchaste then.

Jesus works on the instinct all human beings possess when he drags a hand through Tony's hair and pushes off of the cold glass and more against the other's, broader chest.

Bold might not be the word for Jesus' response but it's certainly not lackluster. He just isn't the sort to be anything more than gentle and careful. Clacking teeth will just have to be for another time with another person.

Tony sucks at Jesus' tongue, trying to coax a little more action out of him. He's fairly sure going off of these reactions that Jesus hasn't done any of this before, so a little - or a lot, let's be honest - of leading is going to have to happen. It won't be like Tony's first time, though, all rough and pain and speed. This, he's going to try to make into the opposite.

He makes an approving noise at both actions, even if he's unsure of what the reaction will be when Jesus feels the arc reactor. It's not exactly anyone's turn on. Even Tony doesn't like it. So he tries to focus on the other ways they're touching, instead.

Jesus still believes what he said about the reactor. It's machinery meant to keep Tony alive. It's a tool. An extension of himself, like braces or a metal hip joint. Of course, it's also far more complicated than but Jesus boils it down to substance just as he boils down Tony to substance.

He is a good man, trying to be a great man, living in the shadows of his past. If only Jesus could--

The idea strikes him as Tony is right in the middle of his coaxing and he draws back with wide, happy eyes.

"Do you have a bath?"

It takes a lot to make Tony Stark stop thinking of sex and even more to strike him speechless, but yep, this'll do it. Those words coming out of that mouth with that expression, he just can't even begin to process or figure out where this is going. He blinks at him in open confusion.

"...yeah. Why?"

What is even happening.

"Take me there."

Hands still locked, the way ought to be easily sought out and Jesus, ever eager, will begin to unbutton his shirt with his free hand. This is not an invitation or a suggestion, Tony Stark. This man with you is an innocent, his calling is different from your own and his approach to life, sweetness and goodness, will not be what you are expecting.

Even if the man's managed to keep himself quite fit while sleeping in tents and cheap hostels along his way.

Tony's bathroom is bigger than it really needs to be, but his claustrophobia after Afghanistan hadn't really faded entirely. If he was going to be near water the area couldn't be dark or small. It didn't end well for anyone.

Still, he's surprised at the fact Jesus is undressing. Tony isn't bothered by it, and his eyes do yet another once-over, because, well, he's him, but it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Tony loosens his red tie, puts it aside, still not sure what exactly they're doing. His hands pause over his own shirt. The light of the reactor can be seen through the fabric. It stares back at him, a reminder of all the things he did, all the crimes, that led up to needing it.

In the bathroom, Jesus kneels to start the water, hands running over gilt fixtures. Judas would find this entire space to be terrifyingly extravagant. He'd be cataloging each and every inch of space and giving it a monetary value to purchase bread or to donate to a shelter for the poor. His dear Judas, as materialistic as Tony, though on opposite ends of the spectrum.

He might think on it later and tell it as a parable to his flock. They might enjoy the comparison but likely miss the message. So many do. Even the Twelve do at times. He tries so hard not to let it dishearten him.

"You mentioned waterfalls, from a song you admire? Let me begin. Let me cleanse you."

Tony's jaw actually drops. And as much as he'll deny it later, his hands cover up the reactor like a woman might cover her breasts. It's different, though, because while in Tony's opinion breasts are great, the arc reactor is most definitely not.

The familiarity of the golden fixtures, the marble tub, the cool colored red of the walls and brightness of the lights make him manage not to panic entirely. The key word is entirely. He bites his lip, looking away.

"It's not exactly a song I admire. Just one I listen to. One that sticks with me. And I'm pretty sure it was meant to be a metaphor. Not something to actually be attempted."

He keeps his hands over the reactor, as if it's somehow going to offend the other man. Like it's a testimony to how much he does not deserve it.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Let me just say that this is amazingly beautiful. Because it is.

It is, but at the same time, I keep thinking 'I don't know how this thread even happened'.

You mentioned religion. Mr. Religion needed to come say hi. Stuff happened. XD

Tony Stark happened.

... Damn you Tony. <3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Link to the song in question, in case you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDhzRUfdH_Y