PJO/HOO one-shots

Dentist Trip Confessions - Percico (Re-Write '23)

Nico attempted to seek help from everyone he knew, from Reyna to Frank and even Annabeth, but no one was available. Standing before the Poseidon cabin, he pondered whether to knock; Percy was his last option, being the only person with a car and likely available. Annoyed, he knocked on the door, and Percy greeted him cheerfully.

"Hey Neeks! What's up?" Percy's chipper voice grated on Nico's nerves.

"Are you free later?" Nico asked, already regretting the question. Percy's enthusiastic response only exacerbated his irritation.

"Nope, I'm free! What's going on?" Percy beamed.

Nico hesitated before explaining, "I have a dentist appointment, and I'll be too out of it to be alone. Can you drive me and stay with me?" Percy's enthusiasm was overwhelming, and Nico left to inform Chiron.

~

In the dentist's chair, Nico's discomfort grew, his ADHD reacting to the mask over his mouth. He focused on suppressing the effects. As the mask was removed, he felt foggy and slow, unable to form coherent thoughts. Percy waited as Nico got his teeth pulled.

The procedure ended swiftly, leaving Nico with a dull throb. The dentist asked if he should call his friend in, and Nico nodded slightly. Percy entered a few minutes later.

Nico looked up and mumbled, "Who are you?"

Percy raised an eyebrow, playing along, "I'm your friend, Neeks."

"My friend?" Nico's voice was soft and slow.

Percy nodded, trying not to chuckle, and moved closer. "Yes, Nico."

Nico stared at the ceiling. "Yeah... Wait!" He sat up urgently. "Do friends tell each other secrets?"

Percy masked his eagerness, "Yes, of course. You can trust me."

Nico hesitated and finally admitted, "For the longest time... I've had a crush on Percy Jackson. But... He's cute, just not my type."

Taken aback, Percy struggled with mixed feelings. Not his type? Percy grumbled inwardly, "What do you mean, not my type?"

The dentist entered with paperwork, diverting their conversation. As they drove back to camp, Percy muttered about not being someone's type. After the laughing gas wore off, he thanked Percy and they parted ways. One remained lost in his mutterings, the other starting to feel the ache in his teeth.