The Smile Experiment - Percico

Chap 1 : Picking You Up At 7

Nico Di Angelo. Son of Hades. People saw him as a creep. But I saw him differently. He was my little brother. And he was so depressed and so sad. So broken. Because of me. I didnt protect his sister like I promised him I would. And now she's dead, and he's depressed, and its all my fault. Thus, I, Percy Jackson will make Nico Di Angelo smile. And I will not give up until those lips stop being their permanent scowl.

Experiment One : Find Leo, the master of pickup lines and jokes. Maybe the cheesiness will make Nico smile?

*PERCYS POV*

Where is Leo? And then I laugh. He's at Bunker Nine. Where else is he? Insert me face-palming myself. No wonder people call me Seaweed Brain.

But then I stop in my steps as I realize that only Annabeth called me that. I shuddered as I thought of her. No, Percy. She's gone. It's over. Stop crying about it. Why can't I get over her? She cheated on me. I shouldn't still be loving her. Damn you, Aphrodite. I don't know why I'm trying to make Nico smile when I can't even smile at all at the moment. I slapped my arm. That's who I am, Percy Jackson, putting other people before himself. I'm scared that's how it'll always be. Me helping people when I need help. But this is for Nico.. And Nico needs more help than anyone.

I looked up to walk straight into Bunker Nine's door. I groaned as I stumbled to the floor. The door creaked open and Leo, the 'Flame Master', opened the door and curiously looked down at me.

"How's the floor, Percy? Comfy, yah?" He snorted.

"Like a nice fluffy rug," I mumbled, rubbing my head.

"Sassy, just how I like 'em!"

"I am Persassy," I laughed.

"I don't understand why we don't talk that much! You're funny," Leo snorted.

"Funnier than you!" I exclaimed.

Leo put a hand over his heart. "Oh how you wound me, Percy Jackson!" After we stopped laughing for several minutes, tears in our eyes, I got a poker face on.

"Leo, I need your help!"

"Mechanical help? Because that's kinda my only skill."

"No, no. Humor."

"Oh. Ohh! Wait. Why?"

"Nico is being a depressing butt and I need your help." Leo looked flattered and he bowed.

"The Flame Master is at your service."

"Thanks, man."

A while later, Leo looked at me, considering our plan. And then he snapped his fingers and beamed, like he knew the answer to a complicated math problem. (it would've taken me years to do that math problem)

"As cliché as this is, Percy, I have the perfect plan!"

"And it is?"

"Pick-up lines!" I inwardly groaned.

"Oh gods no," I muttered as Leo dragged me inside to tell me many, many pick up lines, from dirty, to innocent, to cliche as hell.

This better work, or gods, I'm drowning Leo.

Hours later, I put my plan to work.

I knocked on Nico's door many times until I got tired of him being a butt and not answering. I ran back and hit the door with my shoulder, effectively knocking the door down. Success!

"NICO, DI, ANGELO!" I yelled.

"Mmmph.." I froze and saw the bundle of blankets on the bed. I felt really stupid. I should've known he was sleeping. It was 10pm after all. Oh well. I nudged his shoulder, cooing for him to come out. He didn't budge, he actually refused more. He curled into a tighter ball.

"Percy, no, leave me alone.. Stop lying to me! You don't care," he mumbled, the tears streaming down his face. I tensed up. What dream could he be having?

"Nico, wake up! Oh gods," I kept shaking him until he startled awake. His eyes were red and his cheeks were puffy. The tear tracks were still evident on his face. He looked so upset. This was not my goal. He looked at me and groaned.

"May I ask why you're suddenly in my cabin?"

"May I ask why you're crying?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"It doesn't matter, Percy. Why are you here?"

"I was going to ask you something, but.." His eyes looked hopeful but they lost it and it turned to fear and pain. I sighed and got up, getting a tissue box. I handed it to him and he promptly blew his nose, before he threw it across the room into the trashcan. I gave him a thumbs up and a smile.

"Good shot." Nico returned my smile with a frown.

"Once again, Why are you here?"

"You know what would cheer you up?" I asked.

"I dont have time for this, Percy, dont you have better things to do?"

"Nope, im much more content bugging you." I gave him my best puppy eyes. He sighed and frowned, afraid of what he just got into, I'd be afraid too if I knew what I were doing.

"Fine, I guess.. What is it?"

"You'll see," I winked. His face remained emotionless, except for the curious look in his eyes.

"Hey Nico?"

"What, Percy?"

"I'm not a photographer, but I can picture me and you together."

"Wait what?"

"Did you sit in a pile of sugar? Cause you have a pretty sweet ass."

"Why are you looking at my ass..?"

"I don't have a library card, but do you mind if I check you out?"

"This is a camp.. Not a library.. Since when do you read? Why would you have a library card anyways?"

"Do you have a sunburn, or are you always this hot?"

"I don't get sunburned.. Its called staying in the dark.."

"You, me, at 7?"

"How do you even know when it's 7? There's no clocks here!"

"I give up!"

"That was your version of cheering up someone?"

"Uh, yes?"

"You're a idiot, Percy Jackson.."

"I'm probably an idiot because everytime I look at you, my brain turns to a blue slushie.."

"Get out before you start saying more cheesy stuff. And if you don't mind, I'm going to sleep before its interrupted again." Then he shooed me out and I sighed.

That didn't go according to plan.

I TOOK THESE PICKUP LINES FROM pickuplinesgalore. Soo.. Yeah. SORRY THIS ONE WAS SHORT. THE NEXT ONE SHOULD BE LONGER! :-)!