# Chapter 18: Awakening Desires Percy drifted through the landscape of his dreams, sword in hand, facing down a hydra whose multiple heads snapped at him from all directions. The familiar weight of Riptide felt reassuring in his grip as he dodged and weaved between the monster's attacks. His muscles responded with perfect precision, his body strong and agile as it had always been. "Come on!" he shouted to the beast, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Is that the best you can do?" Behind him, he could hear the cheers of his fellow campers as they watched the legendary Percy Jackson in action. This was who he was meant to be—the hero, the champion, the son of Poseidon who could face any challenge and emerge victorious. With a powerful upward slash, Percy severed one of the hydra's heads, quickly following with a stream of water from his outstretched hand to cauterize the wound before it could sprout new ones. The creature bellowed in pain, its remaining heads rearing back. "That's it, Percy!" came Annabeth's voice from somewhere in the crowd. "Show them what you can do!" Pride swelled in his chest as he charged forward, leaping high into the air with supernatural strength, bringing his blade down in a devastating arc that cleaved through another of the monster's necks. He felt invincible, unstoppable—exactly how he used to feel. But as he landed, something changed. His legs suddenly felt weak, unable to support his weight. He stumbled, falling to his knees as Riptide clattered to the ground beside him. "What's happening?" he gasped, looking down at himself. To his horror, his muscular arms were shrinking before his eyes, the definition melting away to reveal thin, weak limbs that trembled with the effort of merely holding themselves up. The crowd's cheers turned to whispers, then to laughter. Percy tried to stand, but his legs wouldn't cooperate. He reached for Riptide, but the sword seemed to grow heavier with each passing second until he could barely lift it. "Look at him," someone snickered. "Not so strong anymore." "Percy?" Annabeth's voice was filled with disappointment. "What happened to you?" Shame burned through him as he knelt there, exposed and weakened. The hydra loomed over him, its remaining heads grinning with malicious intent. He was going to die, helpless and humiliated. Then a shadow fell across him, and a strong hand gripped the back of his neck. "I've got you," said a familiar voice—Nico's voice, but deeper, more commanding than Percy had ever heard it. Percy looked up to see Nico standing over him, a towering figure of strength and power. His broad shoulders blocked out the sun, his muscular arms rippling as he raised his hand. With a single gesture, darkness erupted from his fingertips, engulfing the hydra and reducing it to dust. The crowd cheered again, but now they were chanting Nico's name. Percy remained on his knees, looking up at his savior with a mixture of gratitude and something else—something he didn't want to acknowledge. Nico turned to him, dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You're safe now," he said, extending his hand. "As long as you're with me." Percy reached up, feeling the strength in Nico's grip as the son of Hades pulled him to his feet. But instead of releasing him, Nico pulled him closer until their bodies were pressed together. One powerful arm wrapped around Percy's waist, while the other hand tilted his chin upward. "This is where you belong," Nico whispered, his breath hot against Percy's lips. "With me." And then they were kissing, Nico's mouth claiming his with possessive hunger. Percy's body responded immediately, a wave of heat rushing through him as he melted against Nico's solid frame. It felt wrong, yet somehow right—as if his body knew something his mind refused to accept. He tried to pull away, to protest, but his resistance crumbled as Nico deepened the kiss. Percy's hands found their way to Nico's chest, fingers splaying across the hard muscle there. His entire body tingled with a strange, unfamiliar desire. "Say it," Nico commanded against his lips. "Say you're mine." Percy's mouth opened, the words forming against his will. "I'm yours." A jolt of pleasure shot through him at the admission, so intense it startled him awake. Percy's eyes flew open, his heart hammering against his ribs. The dream clung to him like a second skin, the sensation of Nico's lips on his still frighteningly vivid. He was breathing hard, his thin chest rising and falling rapidly beneath the blanket. And he was aroused—unmistakably, undeniably aroused. The realization sent a wave of confusion and shame washing over him. "What's wrong with me?" he whispered into the dim morning light. It took him a moment to register his surroundings, to remember where he was and what had happened. He was in his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, but nothing was as it should be. His body wasn't his anymore—it was small, weak, pathetic. And the warmth pressed against his back, the strong arm draped over his waist, belonged to the person who now possessed everything that had once been his. Nico. Percy became acutely aware of his position, nestled against Nico's chest, the son of Hades's powerful arm wrapped protectively around him. They were spooning, with Percy's smaller body fitting perfectly against the contours of Nico's much larger frame. During the night, they'd shifted from their initial position—Percy's head on Nico's chest—to this more intimate arrangement. Percy knew he should move, should pull away from this embrace that felt too comfortable, too right. But he didn't. Instead, he remained still, listening to Nico's steady breathing, feeling the rise and fall of the chest pressed against his back. Without thinking, Percy inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent that surrounded him—Nico's scent, rich and masculine, with an undercurrent of something primal that made Percy's heartbeat quicken. It was the alpha pheromones, he realized. His reconfigured body was responding to them, finding comfort and security in their presence. "This isn't me," Percy tried to tell himself, but even in his own mind, the words lacked conviction. Behind him, Nico stirred, the arm around Percy's waist tightening slightly as he shifted in his sleep. The movement pressed Percy more firmly against Nico's body, and Percy had to bite his lip to suppress a small sound that threatened to escape his throat. Slowly, carefully, Percy turned his head to look at Nico. In sleep, the son of Hades looked peaceful, his handsome face relaxed, dark hair falling across his forehead. The sight of him stirred something in Percy—not the resentment or anger he thought he should feel, but a strange, unwelcome attraction. Percy's eyes traced the strong line of Nico's jaw, the fullness of his lips, the broad shoulders that now carried the strength that had once been Percy's own. There was a bizarre sense of pride mixed with his confusion—those were his muscles, after all, even if they now belonged to someone else. But that didn't explain why his heart was racing, why his body was responding to Nico's proximity in ways that had nothing to do with recognizing his stolen attributes. Nico's eyes opened suddenly, dark and alert, catching Percy staring at him. A slow smile spread across his face as he took in their position and Percy's flustered expression. "Good morning," Nico said, his voice low and husky with sleep. "Sleep well?" Percy quickly looked away, embarrassed at being caught. "Fine," he mumbled, trying to shift away from Nico's embrace. But Nico's arm remained firmly around his waist, not forceful but present, a gentle reminder of the new power dynamic between them. "You don't have to be embarrassed," Nico said softly. "It's natural for you to seek protection now. Your body knows what it needs." Percy wanted to protest, to argue that he didn't need protection—not from Nico, not from anyone. But the words died in his throat as Nico finally released him and sat up, the blanket falling away to reveal his muscular torso. Morning light streamed through the window, illuminating the perfect definition of Nico's chest and arms—Percy's former physique, now belonging to the son of Hades. Percy couldn't help but stare, a complicated mix of emotions swirling within him—loss, envy, and something else he didn't want to name. Nico noticed his gaze and stretched deliberately, muscles flexing under his olive skin. "You were quite restless last night," he commented, watching Percy's reaction closely. "Were you dreaming?" Heat rushed to Percy's face as fragments of his dream flashed through his mind—kneeling before Nico, being rescued by him, kissing him. "No," he lied quickly. "I don't remember." Nico's knowing smile suggested he didn't believe Percy, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he stood and walked to the small bathroom attached to the cabin, giving Percy a full view of his powerful back and the way his boxers hugged his firm backside. Percy looked away, disturbed by his own inability to stop staring. What was happening to him? This wasn't normal. None of this was normal. Yet there was a growing part of him that didn't feel as outraged by these changes as he knew he should be. With Nico in the bathroom, Percy attempted to get out of bed. His limbs felt marginally stronger than yesterday—he noticed with surprise that he could actually stand without trembling excessively. Had some of his strength returned overnight? The thought sent a surge of hope through him. Perhaps Nico had been telling the truth about this being temporary, about Hades eventually reversing what had been done. Percy took a few experimental steps, marveling at his ability to walk without immediately collapsing. He was still weak—pathetically so by his former standards—but the improvement was noticeable. Just yesterday, he'd barely been able to pull on his own clothing without exhausting himself. When Nico emerged from the bathroom, Percy was standing by the window, watching the early morning activities of the camp. Campers were beginning to make their way to the dining pavilion for breakfast, their normal routine continuing despite the life-altering changes Percy had undergone. "You're up," Nico observed, sounding pleased. "And moving better than yesterday." Percy nodded, not wanting to show too much excitement. "A little," he admitted. "Still nowhere near... before." Nico approached him, now dressed in jeans that hugged his powerful thighs. He remained shirtless, his muscular chest on full display. "That's good," he said, placing a hand on Percy's shoulder. "I told you Hades wouldn't leave you helpless forever. He's probably starting to return some of your strength already." The touch of Nico's hand sent an unexpected shiver down Percy's spine. He should have shrugged it off, stepped away, maintained some distance between them. Instead, he found himself leaning slightly into the contact, his body responding to Nico's proximity in ways his mind couldn't control. "We should get to breakfast," Nico said, finally dropping his hand. "You need to eat, build up your strength." Percy nodded, grateful for the chance to escape the confusing intimacy of the moment. He headed to the bathroom to freshen up, catching sight of himself in the mirror. What he saw made him freeze. His hair—his golden curls that had always been cut short in a practical style suitable for battle—was noticeably longer. The curls now reached past his ears, giving his face a softer childish frame. Combined with his delicate features and thin frame, the effect was startling. Percy reached up to touch the longer strands, confusion furrowing his brow. "My hair," he said, loud enough for Nico to hear. "It's... longer." Nico appeared in the doorway, observing Percy's reflection with a slight smile.. "It suits you." Percy frowned, tugging at the golden locks. "But how?" Nico shrugged, the movement rippling through his muscular shoulders. "Probably another effect of the transformation. Your divine essence is redistributing itself, changing things to match your new... nature." Percy stared at his reflection, at the stranger looking back at him. The slightly longer hair did seem to fit his altered appearance—his face looked less out of place with the softer frame of golden curls around it. But it was yet another reminder of how fundamentally he had been changed. "I should cut it," he said, though there was a strange reluctance in his voice that he didn't understand. "If that's what you want," Nico replied neutrally. "Though I think it looks good longer. More... you." More "you." The words echoed in Percy's mind. What did that even mean anymore? Who was he now? Not Percy Jackson, hero of Olympus. Not the son of Poseidon who could command the seas. Just... what? A weak, diminished shadow of his former self? Yet as he continued to look at his reflection, at the golden curls framing his face, he couldn't deny that there was something almost right about the image. As if the longer hair belonged with this smaller body, this altered version of himself. "Come on," Nico said, breaking into Percy's troubled thoughts. "Let's eat." At the dining pavilion, Percy was acutely aware of the stares that followed them. News traveled fast at Camp Half-Blood, and it seemed that everyone had heard about the supposed "test" from Hades that had switched their physical attributes. Campers whispered behind their hands as Percy walked beside Nico, his smaller form making Nico's enhanced physique seem even more impressive by comparison. When they reached the serving line, Percy automatically took two plates, filling one with his usual breakfast selections and the other with a hearty portion of protein-rich foods. Without thinking, he handed the protein-loaded plate to Nico first. "Thanks," Nico said, looking slightly surprised but pleased. It wasn't until they had seated themselves at Poseidon's table that Percy realized what he'd done. He had served Nico before himself—a small act of deference that felt disturbingly natural. "I didn't—" he began, then stopped, unsure how to explain his automatic behavior. Nico said nothing, simply eating his breakfast with obvious enjoyment. Percy picked at his food, his appetite diminished by the confusion swirling within him. Every so often, he would glance at Nico, studying the powerful arms that flexed as he lifted his fork, the broad shoulders that stretched his camp t-shirt to its limits. "I talked to Chiron earlier," Nico said after a while. "He wants to see us after breakfast. I think we need to explain our situation to him properly." Percy nodded, grateful for the distraction from his troubled thoughts. "You're right. We can't keep hiding the truth. And maybe he'll have some insight into... into when this might be reversed." "Maybe," Nico agreed, though there was something in his tone that Percy couldn't quite read. "But we should be prepared for this to take some time. Hades operates on his own schedule." After finishing breakfast, they made their way to the Big House. Percy found himself naturally falling into step slightly behind Nico, almost as if he were following the son of Hades rather than walking with him as an equal. When he realized what he was doing, he quickened his pace to draw even with Nico, but it felt somehow wrong, unnatural. Chiron was waiting for them on the porch, his centaur form making him tower over both of them. His wise eyes took in Percy's diminished form with concern. "Percy, Nico," he greeted them, his gaze lingering on Percy's noticeably longer hair and thin frame. "I've been hearing some rather unusual rumors." "They're true," Percy said before Nico could speak. "At least, partly true. Something's happened to us—to our bodies. We've been... switched, in a way." Chiron's expression grew grave as he gestured for them to follow him inside. In the privacy of his office, Percy explained the situation as he understood it—how Hades had decided to test them by transferring Percy's strength and power to Nico. He carefully omitted the details of exactly how the transfer had occurred, too ashamed to admit the truth. Throughout his explanation, Chiron watched him intently, occasionally glancing at Nico, who stood with his arms crossed, his powerful presence filling the small room. "And you believe this will be reversed?" Chiron asked when Percy had finished. "Yes," Percy said firmly, clinging to this belief like a lifeline. "It's just temporary. A test." Chiron stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The gods work in mysterious ways," he said diplomatically. "And Hades has always been particularly... opaque in his methods. I will inform the other campers of your situation, so they understand what's happening. In the meantime, you should both adjust to your current circumstances as best you can." "Thank you, Chiron," Nico said, his voice carrying an authority that Percy's now lacked. "We appreciate your understanding." As they left the Big House, Percy felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. Despite the slight improvement in his strength, his energy levels remained drastically reduced. Even the short walk and conversation had drained him. "I need to rest," he admitted reluctantly, hating the weakness in his voice. "Could we go back to the cabin?" Nico nodded, adjusting his pace to match Percy's slower steps. "You're still adjusting," he said, not unkindly. "It's normal to tire easily." By the time they reached the cabin, Percy was breathing heavily, his limited stamina nearly depleted. He collapsed onto his bed, frustration evident in every line of his body. "This is ridiculous," he muttered. "I used to be able to fight monsters for hours without getting winded. Now I can barely walk across camp." "You'll get stronger," Nico assured him, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Like I said, I think Hades is already starting to return your strength. You're moving better today than yesterday." Percy nodded, clinging to this small hope. "I think I need to take a nap," he admitted, embarrassed by how childish it sounded. "Just for a little while." "Go ahead," Nico said, stretching out on his own bed. "I could use some rest too." Percy closed his eyes, listening to Nico shifting on the other bed. Despite his exhaustion, sleep didn't come immediately. His mind kept returning to his dream from the night before, to the confusing mix of emotions that had followed him into wakefulness. He must have made some restless movement, because suddenly Nico's voice came from across the room. "Having trouble sleeping?" Percy opened his eyes to find Nico watching him. "A little," he admitted. Nico hesitated, then patted the space beside him on his bed. "Come here," he said softly. "Like last night. You seemed to sleep better." Every instinct told Percy to refuse, to maintain the distance between them. But his body was already moving, drawn to the comfort and security Nico now represented. Before he could talk himself out of it, Percy was climbing onto Nico's bed, allowing himself to be pulled against the son of Hades's solid chest. "That's it," Nico murmured as Percy's head came to rest on his shoulder. "Just relax." Percy's body complied immediately, tension draining from his muscles as he pressed against Nico's warmth. He inhaled deeply, drawing in Nico's scent, finding comfort in the alpha pheromones that surrounded him. "This isn't normal," Percy whispered, even as he nestled closer. "The way I feel around you now. It's not... it's not me." "Maybe it is," Nico replied, his hand coming up to stroke Percy's hair. "Maybe this is just a side of you that's never had a chance to emerge before." Percy wanted to argue, to insist that this submissive creature seeking comfort in Nico's arms couldn't possibly be any part of him. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, he found himself drifting into sleep, lulled by the steady rhythm of Nico's heartbeat and the gentle motion of fingers running through his hair. He woke some time later, disoriented and groggy. The cabin was bathed in afternoon light, suggesting he'd slept for several hours. Percy was still pressed against Nico's side, his head on the son of Hades's shoulder, one arm draped across his chest. Nico was awake, watching him with dark, unreadable eyes. "Feel better?" he asked. Percy nodded, but made no move to pull away. Instead, his gaze was drawn to Nico's chest, to the firm muscle beneath his thin t-shirt. Without conscious thought, Percy's hand moved across the fabric, feeling the solid strength beneath. "So strong," he murmured, still half-caught in the haze of sleep. Then, realizing what he was doing, he started to pull his hand back. But Nico caught his wrist, gently returning his hand to his chest. "It's okay," he said softly. "You can touch. I know you're curious about what you've lost." Percy hesitated, then slowly spread his fingers across Nico's pectoral muscle. "These are mine," he said, a note of wistfulness in his voice. "I worked so hard for them." "Tell me about them," Nico encouraged, watching Percy's face carefully. Percy's fingers traced the outline of muscle beneath Nico's shirt. "The pectorals were always my strongest point," he said, a hint of pride entering his voice. "Even before I started serious training. I could bench press more than guys twice my age." As he spoke, Percy's hand moved across Nico's chest, feeling the familiar contours that had once been his own. "And my arms," he continued, his hand drifting to Nico's bicep. "I used to be able to climb the lava wall faster than anyone else at camp." Nico flexed slightly under Percy's touch, the muscle hardening beneath his fingers. "Like this?" he asked. Percy nodded, a strange mixture of loss and admiration washing over him. "Exactly like that. Perfect form." His fingers continued their exploration, tracing the lines of Nico's shoulders and the curve of his neck. "I miss being strong," Percy admitted quietly. "I miss feeling powerful." "I know," Nico said, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "But you'll get it back. Eventually." Percy's hand returned to Nico's chest, resting over his heart. "You look good with them," he said, the words slipping out before he could stop them. "My muscles. They suit you." Nico's eyes widened slightly at the compliment, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Thank you," he said. "Coming from you, that means a lot." Percy knew he should pull away, should be horrified by what he'd just said. But instead, he found himself continuing his examination of Nico's physique, his fingers moving with increasing confidence over the contours of muscle and sinew. "The abs were the hardest," Percy continued, his hand drifting down to Nico's stomach. "Hundreds of crunches every day. Swimming helped too—all that core work." He could feel the ridged muscle beneath Nico's shirt, the perfect six-pack that had once been his pride. Without thinking, Percy lifted the edge of the shirt slightly, revealing the tanned skin and defined muscle beneath. "Perfect," he murmured, tracing a finger along one of the ridges. "Exactly as they should be." Percy was so absorbed in his exploration that he didn't immediately register the change in Nico's breathing, the subtle tensing of his body under Percy's touch. When he finally looked up, he found Nico watching him with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. "You really were hot," Nico said, his voice low and husky. "But you still are, Percy. Just in a different way now, more pretty." The words should have offended him—Percy Jackson, hero of Olympus, described as "pretty"—but instead, they sent a strange warmth spreading through his chest. He looked away, confused by his reaction. "I should... we should probably get up," Percy said, finally pulling his hand away from Nico's abs. Nico nodded, though he made no immediate move to rise. "You're right," he agreed. "But Percy?" "Yes?" "It's okay to be confused right now. Your body is changing, adjusting to its new nature. The feelings you're having—they're part of that adjustment." Percy wanted to deny it, to insist that there were no "feelings" to discuss. But the lie wouldn't come. Instead, he simply nodded, climbing off the bed with as much dignity as his weakened body would allow. As he stood, Percy caught sight of himself in the mirror across the room. His hair it was true it has grown 2 cm, the golden curls reaching past his ears. Combined with his delicate features and thin frame, the effect was startlingly feminine. Yet as he stared at his reflection, at the stranger he was becoming, Percy couldn't summon the revulsion he knew he should feel. Instead, there was only a quiet acceptance, a growing sense that perhaps this new form wasn't as wrong as he had initially believed. Behind him, Nico rose from the bed, his powerful form dwarfing Percy's in the mirror's reflection. The contrast between them was stark—Nico all strength and power, Percy all delicacy and vulnerability. They looked like natural opposites, perfectly complementary in their differences. The strength in Nico's awesome muscles made him look taller than he was now, while Percy's pathetic body made him look smaller, so even if Percy was 4 years older and now only 10 cm taller, both boys looked the same height. The thought sent another shiver through Percy, one that had nothing to do with fear or anger. He quickly looked away from the mirror, unwilling to examine the implications of that reaction too closely. Percy couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had shifted within him—not just in his body, but in his mind as well. The boundaries between what he had been and what he was becoming were beginning to blur, and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to stop it.