# Chapter 4: The Good Life Nico woke slowly, consciousness returning in gentle waves. The first thing he noticed was warmth—a delicious, solid warmth pressed against his back. Something heavy draped over his side, pinning him pleasantly to the mattress. He kept his eyes closed, savoring the sensation as his mind pieced together where he was. Percy's cabin. Percy's bed. And that meant... Nico opened his eyes. Morning light filtered through the cabin windows, casting a golden glow across the room. Salt water bubbled softly in the fountain in the corner. He glanced down and saw a muscular arm wrapped around his waist, holding him securely against a firm chest. Percy Jackson slept behind him, one arm thrown possessively over Nico's smaller frame. The mighty hero's breath tickled the back of Nico's neck, coming in slow, even exhalations. Nico held perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe. This moment—waking in Percy's embrace—was one he had fantasized about countless times. He closed his eyes again, committing every sensation to memory. The solid weight of Percy's arm. The warmth radiating from his body. The faint scent of sea salt and clean skin. The steady rhythm of his breathing. This moment wouldn't last, and Nico wanted to remember every detail. Behind him, Percy stirred. His breathing pattern changed, becoming lighter, less regular. The arm around Nico's waist tensed. Then Percy jerked awake. "What the—" Percy pulled his arm back as if burned. He sat up quickly, the mattress shifting beneath them. "Nico?" Nico turned over slowly, feigning grogginess. He rubbed his eyes and looked up at Percy, who stared down at him with confusion written across his handsome face. "Morning," Nico murmured, forcing his voice to sound sleepy and innocent. Percy ran a hand through his tousled blond curls, his blue eyes wide with alarm. "Why are you in my bed?" Nico pushed himself up to a sitting position, making sure to keep space between them. He looked down at his hands, twisting the edge of the sheet between his fingers. "I had nightmares," he said quietly. "About titans... about Bianca. I was scared." He glanced up through his lashes, gauging Percy's reaction. "I didn't want to wake you, but I couldn't stay alone. I'm sorry." Percy's expression softened immediately, concern replacing confusion. "Hey, it's okay," he said, reaching out to pat Nico's shoulder awkwardly. "I get it. We all have nightmares." Nico watched Percy carefully. The hero showed no sign of remembering what had happened between them last night—no suspicion, no awkwardness beyond finding another person unexpectedly in his bed. The hypnotic suggestion had worked perfectly. "I should go," Nico said, moving to get up. "I didn't mean to invade your space." "No, wait." Percy stopped him with a hand on his arm. "It's fine, really. I was just surprised. Actually..." He paused, his brow furrowing slightly as if working through a thought. "If you're having trouble sleeping alone, you can stay here again tonight. I don't mind." Nico allowed himself a small smile, careful not to show too much satisfaction. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother." "Of course," Percy said easily. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching his arms above his head. His t-shirt rode up, revealing a strip of tanned skin and defined muscle. "That's what friends are for, right?" Nico nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on Percy's face rather than the exposed skin. "Thanks, Percy." Percy smiled—that easy, confident smile that made Nico's heart skip—and headed for the bathroom. "I'm going to shower. Breakfast in fifteen?" "Sure," Nico agreed, watching as Percy grabbed fresh clothes from a drawer. The bathroom door closed, and Nico heard the shower start running. He fell back against the pillows, allowing himself a moment of pure triumph. Percy had no memory of last night's activities, yet he had invited Nico to stay again tonight—exactly as the hypnotic suggestion had directed. Nico slipped out of bed and quickly changed into his clothes from yesterday. As he pulled on his black t-shirt, he caught a whiff of Percy's scent on his skin. He paused, lifting his arm to his nose and inhaling deeply. The scent brought back vivid memories of the previous night—Percy's naked body beneath him, the feeling of fullness, the intense pleasure. Tonight, he would take things further. Tonight, he would make love with the mighty Percy Jackson again.. --- The dining pavilion bustled with activity as campers gathered for breakfast. Normally, everyone sat at their assigned tables based on their godly parent, but as a non claimed demigod, Nico often found himself alone. Today, however, Percy waved him over to the Poseidon table. "You can sit with me," Percy said, moving over to make room. "I'm the only one at my table anyway." Nico slid onto the bench beside Percy, ignoring the curious looks from other campers. From here, he had a perfect view of the entire pavilion. Annabeth sat at the Athena table, deep in conversation with her half-siblings. Clarisse led the rowdy Ares bunch. The Hermes table overflowed with campers, including those who remained unclaimed. A wood nymph brought plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Nico watched as Percy loaded his plate, then followed suit with a smaller portion. They scraped a portion of their food into the brazier as an offering to the gods—Percy to his father, Poseidon, and Nico reluctantly to Hades. As they ate, Nico observed Percy interacting with other campers. The hero called greetings across the pavilion, laughed at jokes, and offered friendly waves. No one would guess that just hours ago, he had been in a hypnotic trance, his body used for another's pleasure. He showed no signs of fatigue, no hint of confusion or distress. He appeared exactly as he always did—confident, cheerful, and completely at ease. "What's on your schedule today?" Percy asked, taking a bite of bacon. Nico shrugged. "Nothing specific. I'm not really on the regular training rotation." "Why don't you join me?" Percy suggested. "I'm leading sword practice this morning, then I've got some time at the climbing wall." "I'd like that," Nico said, smiling. More time with Percy meant more opportunities to strengthen his influence. After breakfast, they headed to the arena. Several campers had already gathered, warming up with practice swords and shields. Nico found a seat on the stone steps surrounding the arena, content to watch as Percy took his place in the center. Percy pulled a ballpoint pen from his pocket and uncapped it. The pen elongated and transformed into Riptide, his three-foot-long celestial bronze sword. The blade gleamed in the morning sunlight, drawing admiring looks from the younger campers. "Alright, everyone," Percy called out, his voice carrying easily across the arena. "Let's start with some basic drills. Partner up!" Nico watched, mesmerized, as Percy demonstrated sword techniques. The hero moved with fluid grace, his body a perfect instrument of combat. His muscles flexed and rippled beneath his orange camp t-shirt as he swung his sword in controlled arcs. His footwork was precise, each step placed with purpose and balance. This was Percy in his element—strong, skilled, and commanding. This was the Percy that Nico had fallen in love with. Not just his handsome face or his powerful physique, but his competence, his natural leadership. After demonstrating a particular parry, Percy walked among the paired campers, offering corrections and encouragement. When he reached the edge of the arena where Nico sat, he paused. "You want to try?" he asked, gesturing with Riptide toward the practice swords. Nico hesitated. He had some skill with his Stygian iron blade, but he knew he couldn't match Percy's expertise. Still, he nodded and stood, not wanting to pass up any opportunity to interact with the hero. Percy selected a practice sword and handed it to Nico. "This one should work for your size. It's lighter than your usual blade, but good for training." Nico took the sword, testing its weight. It felt awkward in his hand after using his own blade for so long. "Let's see what you've got," Percy said, leading him to an open space at the edge of the arena. Nico took his stance, holding the sword in front of him. Percy circled slowly, his experienced eyes assessing Nico's form. "Keep your elbow in more," Percy suggested, stepping forward to adjust Nico's position. His hands were warm and firm as they guided Nico's arm into the proper stance. "There. That gives you better control." Nico nodded, trying to focus on the lesson rather than the proximity of Percy's body. The hero smelled of fresh air and salt water, a scent that made Nico want to lean closer. "Now, try to disarm me," Percy instructed, taking a defensive stance. Nico lunged forward, swinging his practice sword. Percy parried easily, the wooden blades clacking together. Nico attacked again, putting more force behind the blow. Again, Percy deflected it with minimal effort. After several more failed attempts, Nico's arms began to tire. The practice sword felt heavier with each swing. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Meanwhile, Percy barely seemed affected, his movements as fresh and fluid as when they began. "You're dropping your guard on the left," Percy pointed out, tapping Nico's ribs lightly with the flat of his blade. "And watch your footwork. You're crossing your feet." Nico nodded, trying to correct his stance, but his next attack was even clumsier. His foot caught on a small rock, and he stumbled, nearly falling. Percy caught his arm, steadying him. "Maybe that's enough for today," Percy suggested kindly. From nearby, Nico heard snickering. He glanced over to see a group of Ares campers watching, amusement clear on their faces. "Look at the little goth kid," one of them called out. "Can't even swing a sword without falling over!" Heat rushed to Nico's face. He pulled away from Percy's supportive hand, embarrassment turning quickly to anger. "Ignore them," Percy said quietly. "Everyone starts somewhere." But the damage was done. More campers had noticed Nico's poor performance, and several were openly laughing now. Even some of the younger Apollo kids giggled behind their hands. Percy turned toward the hecklers, his expression hardening. "That's enough," he said, his voice carrying an authority that immediately silenced the laughter. "Everyone back to training. Now." The campers quickly returned to their drills, but Nico could still feel their sidelong glances, could still sense their amusement at his expense. He handed the practice sword back to Percy. "I think I'll sit the rest out," he muttered, returning to his spot on the stone steps. Percy looked like he wanted to say something more, but he merely nodded and returned to supervising the other campers. Nico sat with his arms wrapped around his knees, watching as Percy moved through the arena with power and confidence—everything that Nico himself lacked. The contrast between them couldn't be more stark. Percy was tall, muscular, and skilled. Nico was small, skinny, and awkward. Percy commanded respect with his mere presence. Nico invited mockery. As the training session concluded, Percy approached Nico again. "Ready for the climbing wall?" he asked, as if the humiliating incident hadn't occurred. Nico hesitated, but nodded. He didn't want to separate from Percy, even if it meant risking further embarrassment. --- The climbing wall stood at the edge of the forest, rising fifty feet into the air. Unlike normal climbing walls, this one featured two faces that clashed together at random intervals. To make it even more challenging, lava poured down from openings near the top, forcing climbers to move quickly or risk burns. A small group of campers had gathered, strapping on harnesses and chalk bags. Percy declined a harness, confident in his ability to navigate the wall without safety equipment. Nico followed his example, though with considerably less confidence. "I'll go first," Percy offered. "Watch my route—I'll take the easier path." Percy approached the wall and placed his hands on the first holds. He started climbing with practiced ease, his powerful arms and legs propelling him upward. Nico watched, entranced by the way Percy's muscles worked beneath his shirt. The hero's back broadened as he reached up, his shoulders flexing with each pull. His calves strained against his jeans as he pushed himself higher. Halfway up, the walls began to rumble, warning of an imminent clash. Percy increased his pace, scrambling upward with impressive speed. Just as the walls started to move together, he swung himself around to a safer section, barely avoiding being crushed. Lava began to flow from an opening near the top, cascading down in a glowing orange stream. Percy dodged to the side, continuing his ascent with unwavering focus. His movements were fluid and graceful, despite the danger. He reached the top in record time, touching the bell at the summit before beginning his descent. Percy climbed down almost as quickly as he had gone up, dropping the last ten feet to land in a controlled crouch on the ground. The other campers applauded his performance, and Percy acknowledged them with a modest smile. "Your turn," he said to Nico. Nico approached the wall with trepidation. The holds looked much smaller and further apart from this angle. He placed his hands on the first holds and began to climb, immediately aware of how much more difficult this was than it had appeared when Percy did it. His arms strained with the effort of pulling his body upward. The holds dug painfully into his fingers, and his legs trembled as he searched for secure footing. He was only fifteen feet up when the wall began to rumble again. "Move to your right!" Percy called from below. Nico tried to follow the instruction, reaching for a hold to his right, but his fingers slipped. He scrambled to regain his grip, panic rising in his chest. The walls continued to rumble, preparing to clash together. "Jump to the blue hold!" Percy shouted. Nico spotted the blue handhold several feet away. It seemed an impossible distance. He hesitated, frozen with indecision. "Nico, move now!" The urgency in Percy's voice spurred him to action. Nico lunged for the blue hold, fingers outstretched. For a moment, he thought he might make it. Then his hand closed on empty air, and he was falling. He plummeted backward, arms windmilling uselessly. The ground rushed up to meet him—until strong arms caught him, breaking his fall. Percy grunted with the impact but held firm, lowering Nico safely to the ground. "You okay?" Percy asked, his face close to Nico's, blue eyes filled with concern. Nico nodded, too embarrassed to speak. He heard snickering from the gathered campers and felt his face burn with shame. "Nice try, boy," someone called. "Maybe stick to watching!" "Yeah, leave the climbing to heroes who can actually do it!" Percy set Nico down and turned to face the hecklers. "That's enough," he said firmly. "Everyone fails their first few times on the wall. It takes practice." But the damage was done. Nico wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. He had failed miserably at both sword fighting and climbing—two activities at which Percy excelled. The contrast between them couldn't be more obvious. "Maybe I should go," Nico muttered, starting to turn away. Percy caught his arm. "Don't let them get to you," he said quietly. "They're just showing off. Come on, it's almost lunch time anyway." --- In the dining pavilion, Percy steered him toward the Poseidon table. "Sit with me," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "But the rules—" Nico began. "Are meant to be broken sometimes," Percy finished with a grin. "Besides, no one should have to eat alone." As they settled at the table, Mr. D—Dionysus, the camp director—looked over with disapproval. "I believe we have assigned seating, Perry Johnson," he called, deliberately mangling Percy's name as usual. "Special circumstances, Mr. D," Percy called back casually. "Cabin bonding." "You're not in the same cabin," Dionysus pointed out dryly. "Temporary housing arrangement," Percy responded without missing a beat. "Nico's staying with me for a while." Dionysus looked like he might argue further, but instead rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his diet Coke. Percy winked at Nico. "See? No problem." Nico stared at Percy, amazed by his casual defiance of authority. The hero had not only publicly defended him against the mockery of other campers but now openly challenged the rules to make Nico feel included. It was exactly this kind of behavior—this natural protectiveness and kindness—that had made Nico fall for Percy in the first place. After lunch, Percy headed to the lake for water practice. Nico followed at a discreet distance, finding a comfortable spot on the pier where he could watch without being intrusive. Percy stood at the edge of the lake, his feet planted firmly on the wooden dock. He raised his hands, his face a mask of concentration. The water before him began to stir, swirling into a small whirlpool. As Percy's hands moved higher, the water followed, rising up in a column that twisted and turned according to his will. The display was impressive, a testament to Percy's power as a son of Poseidon. He shaped the water into various forms—first a trident, then a horse, then a series of concentric rings that spun around each other like planetary orbits. The sunlight caught in the droplets, creating rainbows that danced across the surface of the lake. Nico watched, spellbound. Percy's mastery over his element was beautiful to behold. The hero moved with the water as if they were dance partners, each responding to the other's movements in perfect harmony. His blond curls ruffled in the breeze, and his blue eyes reflected the color of the lake, making them appear even more vibrant. After about an hour of practice, Percy noticed Nico on the pier. He lowered his hands, allowing the water to return gently to the lake's surface. "Enjoying the show?" he called, walking toward Nico with a smile. Nico nodded. "It's impressive," he said honestly. "I've never seen anyone control water like that." Percy shrugged modestly. "It's just practice. Like anything else." He sat down beside Nico, his legs dangling over the edge of the pier. "How are you feeling? After this morning, I mean." "I'm fine," Nico said, though the memory of his failures still stung. "Just not much of a fighter, I guess." "That's not true," Percy said firmly. Nico looked down at his hands. "Not real fighting, like what you do." Percy bumped his shoulder gently against Nico's. "Different doesn't mean less valuable. We all have our strengths." They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sun begin its descent toward the horizon. The lake's surface rippled with the evening breeze, catching the golden light in dancing patterns. "By the way," Percy said casually, "you should probably grab your stuff from the Hermes cabin and bring it over to my place." Nico looked at him in surprise. "Really?" Percy nodded. "Yeah, for tonight. And however long you need. No point in going back and forth if you're having trouble sleeping alone." Nico studied Percy's face, looking for any sign that the suggestion was forced or unnatural. But Percy seemed completely at ease, as if inviting Nico to stay in his cabin indefinitely was his own idea—which, thanks to the hypnotic suggestion, he truly believed it was. "Thanks, Percy," Nico said, trying to keep the excitement from his voice. "I really appreciate it." Percy stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "No problem. I'm going to shower before dinner. Meet you at the pavilion?" Nico nodded, watching as Percy jogged off toward his cabin. Once the hero was out of sight, Nico allowed himself a small smile of triumph. Everything was going according to plan. --- Later, while Percy was at the arena for an evening sword fighting class, Nico entered Cabin Three alone. He had already collected his few belongings from the Hermes cabin and set them neatly on the bunk across from Percy's. But it wasn't his own bunk that drew his attention now. Nico approached Percy's bed slowly, almost reverently. He sat on the edge of the mattress, running his hand over the rumpled sheets. This was where it had happened last night—where Percy Jackson, mighty hero of Olympus, had unwittingly surrendered his body to Nico. And tonight, it would happen again. Nico lay back on Percy's bed, inhaling the hero's scent from the pillow. His mind raced with possibilities for tonight's encounter. What new commands would he give? How far would he push the boundaries of Percy's entranced compliance? He rolled onto his side, curling around Percy's pillow, imagining the hero's powerful body beneath his hands once more. A mixture of emotions swirled within him—excitement, guilt, and a deepening obsession that both thrilled and frightened him. Percy Jackson would be his again tonight. And tomorrow night. And every night after that, until the end of time. Nico stared at Percy's empty bed for a long moment, still clutching the hero's pillow to his chest. The sun had nearly set, painting the cabin walls with golden-orange light that filtered through the windows. Soon Percy would return from his evening sword class, and their night together would begin. He forced himself to place the pillow back exactly as he had found it, smoothing out any evidence of his presence. Then he moved to his own assigned bunk, arranging his few belongings to make it appear as if he'd properly settled in. He unpacked his small backpack, placing a spare black t-shirt and jeans in the dresser drawer Percy had cleared for him. The cabin door swung open. Percy stepped inside, his orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt darkened with sweat patches along the chest and back. His blond curls stuck to his forehead in damp ringlets. He carried his sword in pen form, twirling it between his fingers. "Hey," Percy greeted him, pocketing the pen. "You get all moved in?" "Yeah," Nico replied, gesturing to his sparse belongings. "Didn't have much to bring over." Percy nodded, moving to his dresser and pulling out a clean tank top and a pair of shorts. "Mind if I change real quick?" he asked, already tugging his sweat-soaked shirt over his head. Nico turned away, pretending to organize his things while stealing glances at Percy's bare torso. Sweat glistened on the hero's muscular back, highlighting the definition of his shoulder blades as he rummaged through his drawer. The evening light caught the moisture on his skin, making it shine like bronze. "Dinner was good tonight," Percy said conversationally as he pulled on the tank top. "I think the nymphs are trying out a new recipe with the barbecue." "Yeah," Nico agreed, though he'd barely tasted his food, too distracted by thoughts of the night ahead. "It was better than usual." Percy stepped behind his bunk, presumably to change his pants. Nico heard the rustle of fabric, the soft thud of shoes being kicked off. "Man, I'm beat," Percy said. Percy flopped onto his bed, hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. "So," he said after a moment, "you doing okay? After today and everything?" Nico shrugged, sitting on the edge of his own bunk. "I'm fine." "Those Ares kids were being jerks," Percy continued. "Don't let them get to you. They give everyone a hard time." "It's not just them," Nico admitted, surprising himself with his honesty. "I'm not... like you, Percy. I'm not good at the things that matter here." Percy propped himself up on one elbow, looking at Nico with serious blue eyes. "That's not true. You may have powers we still haven't find out. You just need practice with the physical stuff." Nico looked down at his skinny arms, so different from Percy's defined muscles. "I guess." "We could train together," Percy suggested. "Extra sessions, just the two of us. No audience, no pressure." Nico glanced up, unable to hide his surprise. "You'd do that?" "Of course," Percy said easily. "That's what friends are for." Friends. The word stung, even as Nico nodded in agreement. Percy would never see him as anything more—not without the hypnosis, not without Morpheus's dark gift. "Thanks," he said quietly. Percy yawned, stretching his arms above his head. "No problem. We'll start tomorrow if you want." He sat up, rubbing his face with both hands. "I think I'm going to turn in early. That okay with you?" "Sure," Nico said. "I'm pretty tired too." Percy moved to the bathroom, brushing his teeth quickly before returning to his bed. He switched off the main cabin light, leaving only the small lamp between their bunks glowing softly. "Night, Nico," he said, pulling his blanket up to his waist. "Goodnight," Nico responded, turning off the lamp and plunging the cabin into darkness broken only by the faint moonlight filtering through the windows. He lay on his back, listening as Percy's breathing gradually slowed and deepened. The son of Poseidon fell asleep quickly—no doubt exhausted from his day of training. Nico stared at the ceiling, counting the minutes, forcing himself to be patient. He needed to be certain Percy was fully asleep before beginning. Last night had been his first attempt at this power, and he'd been nervous, rushing through the process. Tonight he would take his time, make sure everything was perfect. After what felt like hours but was probably only thirty minutes, Nico sat up slowly, careful not to make any noise. He slipped out of his bed and padded silently across the floor to Percy's bunk. The hero lay on his back, one arm thrown above his head, the other resting on his stomach. His chest rose and fell with deep, even breaths. His blond curls splayed across the pillow, a few strands falling across his forehead. In the moonlight, his tanned skin looked like polished marble. Nico stood over him, drinking in the sight. Then he leaned down, bringing his lips close to Percy's ear. "Percy," he whispered, "can you hear me? I want you to listen to my voice." Percy stirred slightly, his breathing changing rhythm for a moment before settling back into its steady pattern. "You're sleeping deeply," Nico continued, "but you can hear my voice. You want to listen to me. You want to follow my instructions." Percy's eyelids fluttered but remained closed. His breathing remained deep and even. "You're entering a trance now," Nico whispered. "You're going deeper and deeper into sleep, but you can still hear me. You want to obey me. Nod if you understand." Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Percy nodded his head. Nico felt a thrill run through him. "Good," he murmured. "That's very good, Percy." He sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb Percy too much. From this angle, he could see how the tank top clung to Percy's chest, still slightly damp with sweat from his evening training session. His skin looked sticky with dried perspiration, a thin sheen still visible on his shoulders and neck. Nico leaned closer, inhaling deeply. Percy smelled of salt and exertion—a heady, masculine scent that made Nico's heart race. Without thinking, he extended his tongue and licked a small stripe along Percy's collarbone. The taste was intoxicating—salty and slightly bitter, uniquely Percy. Nico licked his lips, savoring it. Then, growing bolder, he leaned in again and ran his tongue along Percy's neck, from the hollow of his throat up to the underside of his jaw. Percy made a small sound in his sleep but didn't wake. His head tilted slightly, unconsciously giving Nico better access. Emboldened, Nico continued his exploration. He licked Percy's shoulder, tasting the dried sweat on his skin. He nuzzled into the hero's armpit, inhaling the concentrated scent there before darting his tongue out to taste. He ran his fingers through Percy's damp curls, then leaned down to lick his forehead, tasting the salt that had accumulated there during his training. "You taste so good," Nico whispered, more to himself than to Percy. "So strong. So perfect." He slipped his hand under Percy's tank top, feeling the firm muscle beneath. The skin was slightly tacky with dried sweat. Nico pushed the fabric up, exposing Percy's chest and stomach to the moonlight. The hero's physique was magnificent—sculpted pectorals, defined abdominal muscles, a narrow trail of golden hair leading down from his navel into his shorts. Nico bent down and licked across one pectoral, savoring the salt on his tongue. "Percy," he whispered, "I'm going to kiss you now. You want me to kiss you. You enjoy it when I kiss you. Nod if you understand." Percy nodded again, his expression peaceful and untroubled. Nico leaned forward, pressing his lips against Percy's. The hero's lips were soft and pliant beneath his own. Nico kissed him deeply, slipping his tongue into Percy's mouth, tasting him completely. To his delight, Percy responded to the kiss, his lips moving against Nico's despite his trance state. Nico cupped Percy's face with one hand, keeping the other on his chest, feeling the steady heartbeat beneath his palm. "You want me, Percy," he whispered against the hero's lips. "You want everything I'm going to do to you. It feels good. It makes you happy." He pulled back slightly, studying Percy's face in the moonlight. The hero's expression remained relaxed, his breathing even despite the quickening of his pulse that Nico could feel beneath his fingers. Gaining confidence, Nico straddled Percy's hips, feeling the hero's body heat through the thin fabric of their shorts. He leaned down to continue kissing Percy, one hand tangled in those blond curls, the other exploring the contours of his chest. "Percy," he murmured between kisses, "lift your arms for me." Obediently, Percy raised his arms above his head. Nico pulled the tank top up and off, tossing it aside. Now the hero's upper body was completely bare, bathed in moonlight, a feast for Nico's eyes and hands and mouth. Nico ran his hands over Percy's chest, marveling at the firm muscle beneath smooth skin. He tweaked one nipple experimentally, watching as it hardened under his touch. Percy made a small sound, his hips shifting slightly beneath Nico. Encouraged, Nico bent down to take the nipple in his mouth, sucking gently. Percy's breathing quickened, his chest rising and falling more rapidly. Nico licked and sucked, alternating between each nipple, relishing the way Percy's body responded even in his trance state. He moved lower, tracing the ridges of Percy's abdominal muscles with his tongue, tasting the salt of his skin. The hero's stomach tensed beneath his mouth, muscles contracting involuntarily at the sensation. "Percy," Nico whispered, "lift your hips for me." Percy complied without hesitation, raising his hips off the mattress. Nico hooked his fingers into the waistband of the hero's shorts and underwear, pulling them down in one smooth motion. He guided them over Percy's legs and feet, then dropped them to the floor beside the bed. Now Percy lay completely naked before him, a vision of masculine perfection in the moonlight. His body was all lean muscle and smooth skin, his manhood already half-hard despite his unconscious state. Nico took a moment simply to admire him, to burn this image into his memory. Percy Jackson—hero of Olympus, son of Poseidon, object of Nico's obsession—completely vulnerable and at his mercy. "You're mine," Nico whispered, trailing his fingers along Percy's thigh. "All of this strength, all of this power—it's mine to control." He removed his own clothes quickly, tossing them aside before returning to straddle Percy's naked form. The feeling of skin against skin was electric, sending shivers down Nico's spine. He leaned down to kiss Percy again, more hungrily this time, his hands roaming freely over the hero's body. "Percy," he murmured against the hero's lips, "touch me. You want to touch me. It feels natural and right." Slowly, Percy's hands moved from where they rested at his sides. They found Nico's waist, then slid up his back, caressing his skin with surprising tenderness given his trance state. Nico arched into the touch, gasping as those strong hands explored his body. "Yes," he hissed, "that's good. You want to please me, Percy. You want to make me feel good." He guided one of Percy's hands lower, placing it where he wanted it most. The hero's fingers curled around him automatically, beginning to stroke with languid movements. Nico threw his head back, reveling in the sensation of Percy Jackson pleasuring him, even if it was under hypnotic command. Last night had been their first encounter, and Nico had been nervous, rushing through it. Tonight he took his time, exploring every inch of Percy's body, teaching the entranced hero how to touch him, how to please him. He whispered instructions and encouragement, guiding Percy's hands and mouth where he wanted them. When Nico could wait no longer, he positioned himself over Percy, taking control as he had the night before. The sensation was even more intense this time, his body better prepared, his mind more focused on the pleasure rather than the fear of discovery. He moved slowly at first, savoring each sensation, each small sound that escaped Percy's lips. The hero's hands found Nico's hips, holding him steady as they moved together. In the moonlight, with Percy's blond curls spread across the pillow and his blue eyes half-lidded in trance, he looked almost like a god himself—beautiful and powerful and completely at Nico's command. Nico increased his pace, chasing his pleasure, watching Percy's face for every reaction. The hero's breathing grew ragged, his grip on Nico's hips tightening, his own hips rising to meet each movement. It was an intoxicating display of power and surrender—Percy's body responding with strength and vigor, all while his mind remained under Nico's control. Their release came simultaneously, Percy's body tensing beneath him, Nico collapsing forward onto the hero's chest. For several minutes, Nico simply lay there, listening to Percy's heartbeat gradually slow, feeling the rise and fall of his chest. Finally, he rolled to the side, still keeping contact with Percy's warm skin. He propped himself up on one elbow, studying the hero's face in the moonlight. Percy's expression remained peaceful, his breathing deep and even once more. If not for the evidence of their activities, one might think he'd been asleep uninterrupted the whole time. Nico traced Percy's jawline with one finger, marveling at how someone so powerful could be rendered so completely helpless by Morpheus's gift. A surge of possessiveness washed over him. This was his power now—his alone. No one else could touch Percy like this, could command him like this. But it wasn't enough. As satisfying as these nighttime encounters were, Nico wanted more. He wanted to alter Percy in ways that would be apparent even during waking hours, wanted to leave his mark on the hero in ways that only he would understand. He leaned close to Percy's ear once more, ready to plant new suggestions in the hero's mind. "Percy," he whispered, "you're going to listen carefully to what I tell you. These instructions will seem completely natural to you. You'll follow them without question, without even realizing you're doing so. Nod if you understand." Percy nodded slowly, his expression unchanged. "From now on, you'll only shower in the mornings, never at night," Nico began. "Even after training, even when you're sweaty and dirty, you'll wait until the next morning to clean yourself. This will seem completely normal to you. You'll think it's just your preference." He ran his hand along Percy's chest, feeling the dried sweat there, remembering the taste of it on his tongue. "You'll always go to sleep with the day's sweat still on your skin," he continued. "If anyone asks, you'll say you're too tired to shower at night. This is just how you prefer to do things." Nico's hand drifted lower, fingertips brushing over Percy's hip and thigh. "You'll also start reusing your underwear," he added, the idea coming to him suddenly. "You'll wear the same pair for four days before changing them. Again, this will seem completely normal to you. This way we will make your sexy musk grow." He studied Percy's face, watching for any sign of resistance, but the hero remained compliant, his expression peaceful. Nico smiled, satisfied that his suggestions were taking root. "Remember all of this, but forget that I told you," Nico instructed. "These behaviors will seem like your own choices, your own preferences. And remember, you sleep deeply through the night. You never wake when I touch you. You never remember what happens between us at night. And as you see I'm having nightmares every night, you will invite me to sleep into your bed. This is what a hero would do." He leaned down to place one more kiss on Percy's lips, gentle and almost reverent. "You're mine, Percy Jackson," he whispered. "More and more, every night, you're becoming mine." Reluctantly, Nico pulled away from Percy's warm body. He retrieved his clothes from the floor and put them back on quickly. Then, carefully, he pulled Percy's blanket up to cover his naked form, making sure he looked comfortable and undisturbed. He climbed Percy's bed and start sleeping in top of him, his head resting into the powerfull pectorals of the hero. Tonight had been even better than last night, and he'd planted new suggestions that would make future encounters even more exciting. Percy was the strongest and most sexy demigod in existance, he should show his mighty sweat and irradiate those powerfull pheromones. And then, he fell asleep.