Diana explained that she’ll need to return to base and that they’ll need to leave the day after next. The trip to Shasta Lake from Sacramento wasn’t very long but Diana wanted to be prepared for anything. She wanted Jericho and Marcus be prepared for anything.

Once home Jericho just wanted a warm shower and time with Marcus. With everything going on with the investigation and the news about him being a vessel, things had gotten complicated real fast. He wanted to do something special for him while they still had time.

After a couple of hours of getting ready Jericho was dressed in his best blue jeans and his lucky raptor shirt. He dawned his cloak, which formed into a convenient jacket once it touched his clothing. “Marcus, get dressed, I want to take you out.” He announced loudly.

“I am dressed.” Marcus replied, walking into the room. Doing a little twirl. Jericho examined Marcus and chuckled, he wore his usual work attire of button up shirt and vest with nice khakis.

“You always wear that, c’mon, spice it up a bit. I’m trying to take you on a date.”

Marcus face flushed, “Oh.” He turned back into his room and disappeared from sight. “Are you sure? Don’t you want to sleep tonight, aren’t you tired?”

Feeling cheeky, Jericho stood beside Marcus door to wait for him. “I don’t plan on sleeping at all with you tonight.”

Jericho waited for the thrown object to hit the door. When it didn’t hit, he waited for him to say something, when that didn’t happen he started to worry. “Hey, Marcus, I’m sorry, I was kidding.” He slowly opened the door and saw Marcus dressed in his favorite clothes, shorts with a random dinosaur punned shirt, but despite this, he looked exhausted, even though he looked perfectly fine a couple minutes ago.

“Hey Jericho, I’m so sorry, but can we reschedule going out? I’m just not feeling it tonight.” He kept his gaze towards ground, he couldn’t bring himself to look at Jericho.

Jericho hugged his boyfriend and kissed his head, “It’s fine, but you’re not escaping me this easily.” He laughed then stretched his arms to continued “Meet me on the couch with your favorite and dirtiest sweatpants. We’re gonna catch up on what you missed while the Keepers had you.” Marcus gave him a weak smile and nodded, planting a kiss on his cheek before returning to his room to change.That night Jericho and Marcus spent the rest of the evening watching cartoons and sitcoms in each other’s arm. Long after Marcus feel asleep Jericho stayed awake to spend time with his thoughts.

Staring at Marcus, asleep in his arms, Jericho couldn’t help think but what caused that sudden drop of energy. Wrapping his arms tightly around him, Jericho wondered if it had anything to do with Trishula. He still knew nothing when it came to Vessels other than getting a makeover.

He had to think what it also does to the mind, Marcus had been with Trishula for hundreds of years, it made his think what will happen to him. Will he make it through the entire transition? Would he go crazy like the one’s Caspian described.

He shook off the idea and chided himself, he shouldn’t think like that. Any god would be delighted to have a vessel like him. He’s more than capable to handle anything life threw at him. Let it be wendigos or kappas. He is willing and ready.

“What are you still doing up?”

Looking down at his chest, he saw Marcus in middle of a short soft yawn. Jericho’s heart skipped a beat as Marcus wrapped his arms around the other’s neck and nuzzled into his chest.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” Jericho quietly asked. Kissing his messy bed hair.

“Too loud. Trishula is mad.” He mumbled, “We’ll find his murderer.” He continued, holding onto Jericho a little tighter.

Jericho sat up all weariness drained as he held onto Marcus. “Marcus?”

“I need rest Trishula… I need to get used to this again. No, we can’t raze a city.” Marcus slowly started to gain full consciousness as he let go of Jericho and sat up. “I don’t care if it’ll get easier after that, no unnecessary death.” Marcus flung the covers off and started to pace the room, his eyes switching from normal to his slitted demonic look. “I know you’re a primordial being of chaos and death, I was your priest remember, but that does not mean I’m going to listen to you.” He paused, listening to Trishula talk and replied back, “I’m not doing what you’re saying because it’s idiotic, we’re not those people anymore Trishula, please understand that.”

Jericho looked at Marcus almost dumbfounded at what he saw. Marcus was actually talking to Trishula. From the looks of it, he was trying to convince the genocidal god to calm down.

“Let’s make a deal. Tomorrow you can let off some steam ok. We’ll go somewhere quiet and barren and do what we used to do. No, we’re not turning the city into the quiet barren place.” He held his head as if the conversation was starting to give him a migraine. “Please Trishula… we have a second chance here. Let’s not waste it. Please…” There was a long silence before Marcus fell to the bed, his eyes slowly turning back to normal..

Jericho got up and went over to Marcus. He looked drained like before, his natural tan paled as bags under his eyes formed, but before Jericho could say anything Marcus spoke up, “I’m sorry. Trishula is becoming impatient with this.”

Jericho sat beside Marcus and held him, “It’s ok.” His bare skin greeted with Marcus’ pajamas. He knew Marcus took comfort in physical contact, he just hoped it was enough. “You two were talking earlier?” Jericho asked.

Marcus nodded, “He wants to do something. Centuries without his magic made him crave power again. Now that he has it, he wants to show off. Talked him out of cow tipping earlier today.”

“Cow tipping?” Jericho couldn’t help but laugh. He imagined Marcus, possessed by an ancient god, tipping cows and running from farmers.

“He does not like them for some reason, he doesn’t kill them just humiliates them.” Marcus laughed at what he said, “Weird right?”

After sharing a laugh Jericho asked, “Where are we going tomorrow?”

“You shouldn’t come. Trishula is very destructive, he will try to hurt you.” Marcus spoke up.

“He probably would, but you won’t. I trust you. Besides, it’ll be good practice once you find the murderer. You can practice reeling him in.”

Marcus looked up at Jericho from his position who gave him a bright smile, “You just want to see him in action don’t you.”

“Maybe.”