Jeff sat back in his chair, staring at the screen, his new body feeling strange but oddly comfortable. His fingers ran through the thick, curly hair now draping his scalp and brushing over his ears. The weight in his belly was foreign, but the softness somehow welcomed him. He flexed his larger arms, feeling the unfamiliar but solid heft beneath the skin.
For a moment, he worried he might feel gross or out of place in this new body — but no. A slow grin spread across his fuller, stubbled face, revealing surprisingly bright white teeth. Somehow, the changes hadn’t affected the small habits he’d always prided himself on: brushing, showering, and taking care of himself. That was still Jeff, he thought. This new form was just... a new canvas.
His eyes drifted to the frog on the shirt. “Out of paper towels — dry hands on cat.” He chuckled, the sound deep and slightly rougher now. It felt good. Silly, but good.
The more he moved around, the less awkward it felt. The chest hair tickled as he stretched, and the softness of the belly was oddly comforting. He reached for a nearby mirror and studied his reflection.
There he was: a hairy, burly guy with a bit of a paunch, wearing a goofy frog T-shirt and too-large jeans. But he liked it. He liked him.
It wasn’t just the way he looked—it was the way he felt inside. More grounded, more real. He could almost hear a new voice in his head, calmer, slower, a bit more laid back. The mental changes from the Chronivac were blending smoothly with his own thoughts. He felt confident, maybe even a little proud.
Jeff grabbed a beer from the fridge—something he normally wouldn’t do alone—and popped it open. Sitting back, he smiled again, “Yeah… I think this is going to be okay.”
The adventure was just beginning.