“E-excuse me?”

Anansi rolled his eyes and leaned forward, “Don’t play dumb Jericho, you’re rash, crude, a little suicidal, but you’re not stupid.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“How long do you think you can keep up the facade that your ok.” He got up and started to circle Jericho, he felt as if the spider was weaving a web around him. “Diana hadn’t noticed the change in your eyes, but how long do you think it would take Marcus to notice? And you’re cheap hair dye won’t last forever.”

Self consciously Jericho ran his hand through his hair, it felt fake due to the amount of dye he applied. “How… how did this happen.” He finally admitted. “ I thought you needed a ritual and magic to become a vessel, the hell happened to me?”

Anansi stopped and inspected Jericho, with a swift movement he plucked a single strand of his hair. He ran his fingers along the strand of hair, and he watched as the dark brown strand of hair became translucent and white. It became a strand of silk. “Rituals aren’t the only way Vessels are made it’s also a trait passed down by blood. Vesseling gods aren’t the only thing that could be passed down in a bloodline.”

A cold shiver passed through Jericho. “What.”

Anansi nodded, “After the war, Keepers made sure that all of the remaining Vessels were infertile.” Glancing at Jericho he sighed, “Apparently they couldn’t even do that right.”

Jericho sat in silence, he was adopted, and he always wondered what his real parents were like. Would they have accepted him better than his adopted one? Or did they give him away for a reason. He stopped thinking about that once he met Marcus years ago. Now those feelings were starting to resurface. “Do you know… what’s going to happen to me?” Jericho asked, calmer than he expected.

Anansi looked into the distance, all eight eyes glossed over as if he was in a trance. “Your story is not yet finished little one, but I should warn you young vessel, keeping this a secret will do more harm than good.”

Jericho perked up, looking directly at Anansi’s eyes. “You’re not gonna tell anyone?”

“Like hell, I want to see this play out. If you tell them or not, it doesn’t change how amusing this’ll be.” Anansi mused, as if Jericho’s life was part of a juicy telenovela.

“Thanks.” Jericho grumbled. He was about to leave until he remembered something, “If someone is using my body as free motel, who is it and why haven’t I heard them yet.”

Anansi sighed, “Your the type of person who likes to read the ending of a book before starting it huh.”

“Saves the nail biting suspense. I’m a sucker for spoilers.” Jericho announced.

“And I’m not, remember who you are talking to little vessel.” Anansi announced, he huffed and walked towards a window, Jericho guessed that he was looking towards Marcus. There was a long pause before he looked at Jericho again. “For Marcus’ sake I’ll tell you. The god hasn’t spoken to you because they still haven’t finished settling into your body. By the looks of it, they’re almost done.” He helped Jericho on his feet and started walking him to the door. “As for the god who is inhabiting your body, only your dreams can tell you.”

“What kind of fortune cookie bull-“ Jericho wasn’t able to finish as he was pushed outside by an invisible force.

He landed with a loud thump as he hit the cement of the sidewalk. He groaned as he got up and looked back. The door was closed, and Anansi the spider was nowhere to be seen. “Note to self.” He stated as he was getting up, “They are still gods. Watch your tone when speaking to one.”

Marcus and Diana soon met up with him, they wondered what took him so long, “Anansi was just shaking me down, you know dating his adopted kid and all.” Marcus flushed red as Diana laughed.

“I think we should call it a night.” Marcus announced. “Kappas are like children, they’ll probably be asleep by now. We can check out the river tomorrow.” No one objected, despite the lack of action, they were all tired.

Once a date and time was set, they said their goodbyes to Diana. Once alone, Marcus and Jericho held hands and started to walk home, he was happy despite the cryptic news he was given.

“I have a surprise for you when we get home.” Marcus announced, leaning on Jericho’s arm.

“Oh?” Jericho couldn’t help but feel flushed. “What will that be.”

Marcus smiled slyly and motioned Jericho to lean in.

Seeing no reason not to he did as he was told, but to his surprise Jericho felt Marcus hold him by the cheeks and looked intently in his eyes. “Uhh.”

“I knew it. You’re a vessel aren’t you!”

Crap…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The walk home was as awkward as hell, Jericho walked a couple of paces behind Marcus who was speaking angrily in a language that sounded like a mix of french and mandarin, Jericho couldn’t recognize it. Anyone who even glanced at Marcus was given a scornful look and an ear full of unrecognizable language.

Once home, Marcus lead Jericho to his apartment complex below the roof. He would usually be excited for this kind of alone time with Marcus but now… he wasn’t so sure.

Once inside he stomped into his into his room and shouted, “Sit your ass on the couch!”

Instinctively, he did as he was told. He sat awkwardly as he heard Marcus curse loudly as he dug through his closet.

As quickly as he left, he appeared with a small purple crystal. Once in front he was in front of Jericho he crushed it within his fist and blew the powder remnants into Jericho.

He coughed and wheezed, “Th-The hell…” Then suddenly he felt a warm breeze wash over him. “Woah. What was that..”

“Cleansing rune. It rids person of glamors, illusions, spells and hair dyes. It reveals one’s true self.” He studied Jericho with a careful eye and asked, “Anansi knew huh, that’s why he wanted to talk to you.”

Jericho leaned back into the couch and nodded, “Yea… can I see a mirror?”

Marcus dug in his pocket and took out his phone and handed it to Jericho. “You don’t look too different JJ, if that’s what you’re wondering.” He breathed through his nose and paced back in forth.

Jericho took his time to inspect himself in the reflection of the black screen. He saw the changes were more obvious than what Marcus lead him to believe. The blue in his eyes were obvious as they contrasted with his green eyes. As for his hair, he realized that he didn’t need to apply so much dye. As he saw, there was only a messy golden strip, that started above his ears which circled back to the ear. “Hmm.” He fashioned his hair back messily, which made the golden stripe more visible. It almost resembled a halo “That works.”

~~~~

A pack of goldfish crackers later, Marcus was on the laying couch, pillow over his head, unmoving. Jericho was sure he wasn’t asleep as he heard Marcus mumble to himself, “Why did he have to be cute…. Why couldn’t I have just wanted to be friends…”

Jericho spoke up, “I’m sorry… but I wasn’t 100 percent sure until Anansi confirmed it.”

“I’m not mad or anything.” Marcus spoke through the pillow. It was muffled but audible, “I’m just worried… if I wasn’t immortal, you alone would have shaved 50 years off my life due to stress. Probably exaggerating but you get the idea.”

Jericho nodded, he was a big enough person to say that he was a little scared. The unknown did that to people. So many possibilities could happen, what if Diana and the Keepers saw him as a threat, what of the Cult. As he was lost in his own thoughts he felt warm arms wrap themselves around his waist. Looking down he saw Marcus, laying on his lap, face buried in his stomach.

“I’m not complaining or anything but, what are you doing?” Jericho asked as he instinctively started to run his hand through Marcus’s soft hair.

Marcus sighed, “Checking to see if it’s still you… a lot of people can change during this transition.”

“Well duh, I have a golden halo colored into my hair, course I’m changing.”

“I meant your personality. People take on traits of the god that they’re hosting. A trickster could inhabit the sweetest person but after a couple weeks that said person is found starting drama between two kingdoms. That’s if the transition haven’t killed them in the process. I don’t want you to change.”

Jericho smiled fondly and patted Marcus’ head, hoping to reassure him. He knew better than to promise Marcus that everything will be alright, and that he’ll never change. It would be pretty, but fake. “Do you have any idea on what god is squatting in my head?”

Marcus chuckled, “Did you have to put it like that?”

Jericho shrugged, “As far I know they ain’t paying rent yet so they are squatters.”

Marcus sighed and looked up at him, “Alright, don’t freak out though.” Before Jericho could question what he meant, Marcus’ eyes changed. The white in his eyes went black as his pupils slitted. The look sent shivers down his spine, but he kept his composure.

“Can… you see who’s there?”

Marcus nodded, blinking away the blackness in his eyes, “I’ll be damned. It’s a god from Trishula’s pantheon.”

“Really? Who?” Jericho asked, happy to receive a straight answer.

“Midas, the god of dreams and magic.”

It took a bit for Jericho to process the information. “Can we… change the subject.” Jericho muttered. It was a lot to take in for one night, even for him. Less than a month ago he was adventuring to the woods investigating la llorona, now he was the one people are going to investigate. There was irony in there he would never admit out loud. Marcus must’ve sensed his mood and he nodded. He got up from Jericho’s lap and walked towards the kitchen in a steady stride, leaving Jericho miss his warmth.

Jericho simply followed and wrapped his arms around the other’s waist and rested his head on top the other’s hair. “Are we… ok Marcus?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well.” Jericho started, “We.. still in a relationship?”

Jericho felt Marcus vibrate, it took him a bit to realize that he was holding in a laugh. “I’m sorry what!?” Jericho flushed and felt slightly embarrassed, he was about to speak again until Marcus planted a kiss on his unexpected lips. “As far as I know were better than good and no god, monster or Keeper is going to change that.”

Jericho felt warmth surge through him as he stared at Jericho, face flushed red and stars in his eyes. “Cool.” He mumbled.

Marcus laughed and stood on his toes to kiss him again, “Get some rest JJ, we have a lot to do tomorrow.”

Jericho snickered and draped his arms around the other’s shoulders, “You just want to see me shirtless and wet.” Jericho teased.

Marcus rolled his eyes and moved away heading towards his room, “Flirt all you want Jericho, I’m heading to bed.” Jericho chuckled as he watch him go by, “You coming?” Jericho wasted no time following him, slipping off his shirt and tossing it across the room and joined him in bed.