# Chapter 16: Changed Nature A smile spread across Nico's face as he looked down at the fallen hero. "What happened to me?" Percy whispered again, his voice barely audible, broken by exhaustion and shock as he stared down at his transformed body. Nico felt a surge of power coursing through his veins—not just the physical strength he'd stolen from Percy, but something deeper, more fundamental. The divine essence of Poseidon's son now resided within him, thrumming like an ancient tide beneath his skin. He flexed his new muscles experimentally, marveling at how they responded to his command with perfect precision. "The transfer is complete," Nico said, his voice deeper and more resonant than before. "How do you feel, Percy?" Percy attempted to sit up, struggling pathetically against the weakness of his own body. His arms trembled with the effort of pushing himself upright, muscles that no longer existed unable to perform even this simple task. Nico watched him struggle for several moments before extending a hand to help him. "I feel... wrong," Percy finally managed, now sitting with his back against the headboard. His eyes darted frantically between his diminished body and Nico's enhanced one. "Everything feels wrong. My body doesn't... it's not mine anymore." Nico sat on the edge of the bed, conscious of how the mattress dipped significantly under his new weight. "Your body is still yours, Percy. It's just... different now." Percy's hand moved to his chest, fingers tracing the flat, undefined contours where powerful pectoral muscles had once been. Then, hesitantly, his hand moved lower, toward the tiny nub that had replaced his manhood. When his fingers made contact, he flinched as if burned. "Gods, no," he whispered, tears welling in his eyes. "This can't be happening." As Percy examined his transformed body, Nico was struck by how the hero's face remained unchanged—still perfectly proportioned, with high cheekbones, full lips, and those striking blue eyes framed by golden curls. If anything, Percy's face seemed even more beautiful now, the strong jawline softened, creating a more delicate appearance that contrasted sharply with his formerly powerful physique. "You said this was temporary," Percy said, his voice catching. "You promised Hades would switch us back once I... once I did what you asked." Nico feigned concern, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Percy's shoulder. Even that simple touch reinforced the changes they'd undergone—Nico's hand now large and strong, Percy's shoulder now bony and frail. "And he will," Nico lied smoothly. "We just have to wait. Divine transformations take time to settle." Percy looked unconvinced, his beautiful face contorted with distress. He shifted slightly on the bed, then froze, his expression changing from despair to confusion. "What's that smell?" he asked, nostrils flaring slightly. Nico knew exactly what Percy was detecting. The pheromonal changes that had accompanied their physical transformation were now fully established. Percy was registering Nico's new alpha scent—powerful, masculine, dominant. "What smell?" Nico asked innocently, moving slightly closer to Percy. Percy's eyes widened as Nico approached, his breathing becoming more rapid. "You... you smell different. Like..." He trailed off, seemingly unable to articulate what he was experiencing. "Like what?" Nico prompted, knowing full well what effect his new pheromones would have on Percy's reconfigured body. "Like..." Percy swallowed hard, a flush spreading across his cheeks. "Like strength. Like power." His voice dropped to a whisper. "It's making me feel strange." Nico nodded, watching Percy's reactions closely. "I can smell you too, Percy. You smell... different as well." Percy's flush deepened. "How do I smell?" "Sweet," Nico replied honestly. "Submissive. Vulnerable." He paused, then added with deliberate cruelty, "Weak." Percy flinched at the last word, but Nico didn't miss how the hero's breathing had quickened even further. Percy's body was responding to Nico's presence in a way that his conscious mind didn't yet understand—drawn to the alpha pheromones, responding with submission to Nico's dominance. "I don't understand what's happening," Percy said, distress evident in his voice. But even as he spoke, Nico noticed how Percy's gaze kept returning to his body—to his broad chest, his powerful arms, his flat stomach. There was something new in that gaze, something that hadn't been there before. Desire. The realization brought a fresh wave of satisfaction to Nico. The mighty Percy Jackson—once the object of his unrequited love, once untouchably straight—was now physically attracted to him. The hero's reconstituted body was responding to Nico's new form just as Nico had once responded to Percy's. "It's part of the transfer," Nico explained, stretching deliberately to show off his new musculature. "Our bodies are still adjusting." Percy's eyes followed the movement of Nico's muscles, seemingly unable to look away. "This... this isn't right," he murmured, but there was a note of uncertainty in his voice. Curious about the extent of Percy's new responses, Nico stood and walked to the mirror on the opposite wall. He knew Percy's eyes were following him, tracking every movement of his newly powerful body. Standing before the mirror, Nico stripped off his shorts, leaving himself completely naked. The reflection that greeted him was magnificent—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, powerful arms and legs rippling with muscle, and between his thighs, an impressive manhood that now exceeded even what Percy had possessed originally. Nico turned slightly, making sure Percy had a clear view of every aspect of his transformed physique. "Gods," Percy breathed, the word escaping him involuntarily. Nico glanced over his shoulder, catching Percy staring openly at his naked form. The hero quickly averted his eyes, but not before Nico had seen the unmistakable look of attraction in them. "Is something wrong?" Nico asked, feigning innocence. "N-no," Percy stammered, still looking away. "I just... I've never... felt this way before." Nico turned fully to face Percy, making no attempt to cover himself. "Felt what way?" Percy's eyes betrayed him, flicking downward to Nico's exposed manhood before darting away again. "I don't know," he whispered. "Drawn to... to look at you. To touch..." He trailed off, clearly disturbed by these new feelings. Percy had always been exclusively attracted to women—to Annabeth specifically. This sudden desire for another male—and not just any male, but Nico—was as disorienting for him as the physical changes to his body. "It's normal," Nico assured him, walking slowly back toward the bed. "Your body has changed. Your... responses have changed too." Percy's breathing quickened as Nico approached, the pheromones growing stronger with proximity. His hands twisted in the sheets, as if physically restraining himself from reaching out. "I want to touch your muscles," Percy admitted, the words seeming to surprise him as much as they pleased Nico. "I want to... to feel how strong you are." Nico sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that Percy could reach him if he chose to. "You can touch me if you want, Percy. I don't mind." Percy hesitated, conflict evident on his face. This was Percy Jackson—hero of Olympus, slayer of monsters, champion of the gods. Even reduced to this weakened state, some part of him fought against the submission his body now craved. But the changes went deeper than mere physical transformation. Percy's divine essence—the core of his being—now resided within Nico. And without it, Percy was not merely weaker; he was fundamentally altered on a level that transcended the physical. Slowly, trembling slightly, Percy reached out one thin hand. His fingers made contact with Nico's shoulder, tracing the curve of muscle there with something like reverence. "This was mine," Percy whispered, his touch moving to Nico's bicep. "All of this was mine." "And now it's mine," Nico confirmed, flexing slightly under Percy's exploring fingers. Percy's hand moved across Nico's chest, feeling the firm pectoral muscles, the defined abdomen. His touch was tentative at first, but grew more confident as he continued. When his fingers brushed against Nico's nipple, both boys gasped—Percy at the firm hardness so unlike his own now softened chest, Nico at the unexpected pleasure of the contact. "Your skin is warm," Percy observed, his voice taking on a dreamy quality. "And so firm." His hand drifted lower, tracing the ridges of Nico's abdominal muscles. Then, before either of them fully registered what was happening, Percy's fingers brushed against the base of Nico's manhood. Percy snatched his hand back immediately, a look of horror crossing his face. "I'm sorry," he gasped. "I didn't mean to—" "It's okay," Nico interrupted, pleased by Percy's reaction. "Like I said, your responses have changed. It's natural for you to be curious." Percy's gaze had dropped to Nico's groin, seemingly fixed there despite his obvious embarrassment. "It's so big," he whispered, then immediately flushed deeper. "I mean—" "Bigger than yours was," Nico confirmed, deliberately cruel in his assessment. "Much bigger than what you have now." Percy's hand moved unconsciously to cover his own diminished member, shame written clearly across his face. "Can we change back now?" he asked, a note of desperation entering his voice. "I need to change back. I can't stay like this." Nico stood, moving to retrieve his clothing. "Like I told you, we have to wait for Hades to reverse the process. It shouldn't take long. A day or two at most." The lie came easily to his lips. There would be no reversal, no return to what Percy had once been. But Nico needed Percy to believe the deception a while longer—at least until he had fully explored the extent of his new power over the fallen hero. "A day or two?" Percy repeated, panic edging into his voice. "But I can't let anyone see me like this! What will everyone think? What will Annabeth think?" The mention of Annabeth—Percy's girlfriend, the daughter of Athena—brought a fresh wave of jealousy to Nico. Even now, weakened and transformed, Percy's thoughts turned to her. "We'll stay here until the reversal is complete," Nico said, pulling on his shorts. "No one needs to see you like this." Relief washed over Percy's face. "Thank you," he said, genuine gratitude in his voice. "I couldn't bear for anyone to see me this way." "You should send a message to Chiron," Nico suggested. "Tell him we're both sick and need to rest for a few days. That will keep anyone from checking on us." Percy nodded, reaching for the small pouch of drachmas he kept by his bed. His hand trembled as he picked up the golden coin, his weakened muscles struggling with even this small weight. "I can't even hold a drachma properly," he muttered, frustration evident in his voice. "Let me help," Nico offered, taking the coin from Percy's trembling fingers. "What do you want me to say?" Percy outlined a brief message for Chiron, explaining that both he and Nico had come down with some kind of flu and needed to rest in isolation for a few days. Nico created a small rainbow using the water basin near Percy's bed and the morning sunlight streaming through the window, then tossed in the drachma. "O Iris, goddess of the rainbow, accept my offering," he intoned. "Show me Chiron at Camp Half-Blood." The rainbow shimmered, and Chiron's face appeared in the mist. The centaur looked concerned when Nico delivered Percy's message. "Are you sure you don't need medical attention?" Chiron asked. "I can send someone from the Apollo cabin—" "No," Nico interrupted, perhaps too quickly. "It's nothing serious. We just need rest, and we don't want to risk spreading it to others." Chiron seemed to accept this explanation. "Very well. I'll inform your activities directors that you'll be absent for a few days. Rest well, and let me know if your condition worsens." The rainbow dissipated, leaving the two boys alone once more. Nico turned to find Percy attempting to stand, his thin legs wobbling dangerously beneath him. "What are you doing?" Nico asked, watching as Percy clung to the bedpost for support. "I need to use the bathroom," Percy replied, determination in his voice despite his obvious struggle. "I can do this. I just need to..." His legs gave out beneath him, sending him crashing to the floor in an undignified heap. Nico made no move to help him, instead watching as Percy tried and failed to push himself back to his feet. "Damn it," Percy cursed, tears of frustration welling in his eyes. "Why can't I even stand?" "Because your body isn't what it used to be," Nico replied simply. "You're weak now, Percy. Weaker than a child." The truth of Nico's words was written in Percy's trembling limbs, in the pathetic way he struggled against his own inability to perform even the most basic functions. Finally, after several futile attempts to rise, Percy looked up at Nico with defeat in his eyes. "Help me," he whispered, the words clearly costing him what little pride he had left. "Please." Nico stepped forward, easily lifting Percy's diminished form into his arms. The hero weighed almost nothing now, his once-powerful frame reduced to skin and bone. Carrying him to the bathroom, Nico set Percy down gently beside the toilet. "Can you manage from here?" Nico asked, conscious of how humiliating this must be for Percy. Percy nodded, gripping the edge of the sink for support. "I think so. Just... give me a minute." Nico stepped out, closing the door behind him to give Percy some privacy. He heard the sound of water running, followed by a crash and a muffled curse. Despite Percy's obvious struggle, Nico made no move to help. Let the hero learn the full extent of his new limitations. Several minutes passed before the door opened again, revealing Percy leaning heavily against the doorframe. His face was pale with exertion, his breathing labored from even this small effort. "I can't even wash my hands properly," he said, holding up fingers still slightly soapy. "My grip isn't strong enough to turn the faucet all the way on." Nico took Percy's hands in his own, noting how small and fragile they felt. He led Percy back to the bed, helping him sit on the edge. "It's just temporary," Nico reminded him, the lie feeling more natural each time he repeated it. "Once Hades reverses the transfer, you'll have all your strength back." Percy nodded, clinging to this false hope. "Just temporary," he echoed, his voice small. As the morning wore on, Percy became increasingly aware of his new limitations. Simple tasks—reaching for a cup of water, adjusting his position on the bed, even holding up a book to read—required enormous effort from his weakened body. Each failure seemed to diminish him further, stripping away the confidence that had always been as much a part of Percy Jackson as his power. But perhaps most disturbing to Percy was his continued reaction to Nico's presence. Throughout the morning, his eyes kept returning to Nico's muscular form, drawn by some compulsion he couldn't understand or resist. Each time Nico moved near him, Percy would inhale sharply, his body responding to the alpha pheromones with a mixture of submission and desire. By midday, Percy had given up trying to fight this new attraction. Sitting on the bed while Nico moved around the cabin, Percy made no effort to hide the way his gaze followed the son of Hades. His eyes traced the contours of Nico's muscles with obvious longing, lingering particularly on his powerful chest and arms. "You keep staring at me," Nico observed during one such moment, catching Percy's gaze fixed on him as he performed a series of stretches that showed off his new physique. Percy didn't even try to deny it. "I can't help it," he admitted, a note of desperation in his voice. "Every time you come near me, I feel... drawn to you. Like I need to be closer to you." Nico approached the bed slowly, watching as Percy's breathing quickened with each step. "What happens when I get closer?" he asked, standing directly before the seated hero. Percy's eyes were wide, his pupils dilated. "Your smell gets stronger," he whispered. "And I feel... I want to..." "Want to what?" Nico prompted, leaning slightly closer. "Touch you," Percy confessed, his voice barely audible. "Feel your muscles. Your strength." His eyes dropped lower. "Your... all of you..." The choice of words was telling—"strong" was how Percy had always thought of himself, of his body. Now he was projecting that quality onto Nico, seeing in him the heroic proportions that had once been his own. "These urges you're feeling," Nico said, straightening up again, "they're part of the transfer. Your body recognizes what it used to be, what it's lost. It's drawn to those qualities in me now." Percy nodded miserably. "I've never felt this way about another man before. About anyone but Annabeth." At the mention of Annabeth again, Nico felt a surge of possessive anger. "Your attraction to Annabeth was part of who you were as a hero," he said, the words cutting. "The mighty Percy Jackson, with his beautiful girlfriend. But you're not that person anymore, are you?" Percy flinched as if struck. "I'm still me," he insisted, though his voice lacked conviction. "Inside, I'm still Percy Jackson." "Are you?" Nico challenged. "The Percy Jackson I knew would never look at another man the way you're looking at me right now. He would never feel the things you're feeling." "That's not fair," Percy protested, tears welling in his eyes again. "My body has changed. You said so yourself—my responses have changed too." Nico nodded, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Exactly. You're not the same person anymore, Percy. You're something... different now." By evening, the physical and hormonal changes had fully settled into both of them. Nico moved with the easy confidence of someone who had always possessed great strength, while Percy had grown accustomed to the constant struggle against his own weakness. The pheromonal bond between them had strengthened as well, with Percy increasingly unable to resist the pull of Nico's alpha presence. He found himself gravitating toward the son of Hades whenever he moved around the cabin, like a satellite caught in the orbit of a larger body. Even now, as they sat on opposite sides of the small dining table eating a simple dinner, Percy couldn't tear his eyes away from Nico. The hero watched as Nico lifted his fork to his mouth, muscles in his arm rippling with even this minor movement. There was grace in that strength, a fluid power that Percy had once possessed but could now only observe with growing desire. "You're staring again," Nico noted, setting down his fork. Percy didn't bother denying it. "I know." "Does it bother you?" Nico asked. "These new feelings you have?" Percy considered the question, his beautiful face thoughtful. "Yes," he admitted finally. "I'm disgusted by wanting another man, but I'm even more disturbed by how... how right it feels." He looked down at his weakened body, then back at Nico's powerful one. "Like this is how it's supposed to be." Nico leaned forward slightly. "And how is it supposed to be, Percy?" "Me, weak and... and submissive," Percy whispered, the admission clearly difficult for him. "And you, strong and dominant." His eyes met Nico's, a new understanding dawning in them. "That's what the smells mean, isn't it? Your alpha scent, my... whatever I smell like now." "Omega," Nico supplied. "You smell like an omega. Submissive. Meant to be protected. To be dominated." Percy swallowed hard, his hand unconsciously moving to his tiny manhood beneath the table. "And your smell... it makes me want that. Want you to dominate me..." Percy froze himself, the admission hung in the air between them having escaped his mouth, heavy with implication. Percy's submissive nature was becoming increasingly evident in his behavior, in the way he deferred to Nico in even small matters, in how he positioned his body to appear smaller when Nico was near. But even as his body surrendered to its new reality, some part of Percy—the hero who had faced down gods and monsters, who had saved Olympus itself—still resisted the complete submission his transformed nature demanded, his hero mind was still there. "But this is only due to the transfer your father made us do, it's not trully us. Your present body is only a lie, it's mine." Percy said suddenly, his voice stronger than it had been all day. "No.... we will switch back." He looked at Nico with pleading eyes. "We will switch back, right? Hades will reverse this?" Nico regarded the fallen hero, taking in the desperate hope in those beautiful blue eyes, the trembling of his thin fingers on the tabletop. Percy Jackson, reduced to begging for the return of what had been stolen from him, clinging to a lie because the truth was too terrible to contemplate. "Of course," Nico lied smoothly. "Just be patient. It won't be long now."