Hey guys how's it goin?

So I was actually working on a longer fic, but then I had this plot bunny come to me randomly. So I took a break from the longer one to write this before I forgot. I hope y'all enjoy it!

I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Rick does.

Up until this moment, Percy had always thought Blackjack was the most adorable thing he had ever seen.

Then she walked in.

Percy had just opened the pet store up, and he was currently the only one working it that morning. Normal people don't come to buy a pet at 8 AM on a Saturday. But this girl, she was definitely not normal.

She came in right at as the automatic doors were unlocked, like she had been waiting for this moment her entire life. Percy was already behind the counter, fiddling with his blue vest that signified he was an employee, when he looked up and saw her walking in. She was about his age, by the looks of it. And she was most definitely out of his league as well. Her hair was in a simple ponytail, but there were a few loose strands that fell to the side of her face in beautiful blonde curls. She was tan, very tan… way too tan to be a native New Yorker, Percy thought. When her grey eyes found his, he knew it was endgame.

She hesitated, like she was calculating her next move, and then she walked over to the counter in front of Percy. She smiled.

Well, crap Percy thought. She's hot and adorable at the same time.

Percy was really glad he put on his extra strength deodorant that morning, otherwise he would've already been sweating up a storm.

Pull yourself together man, Percy said to himself. He tried for his friendliest smile and prayed he didn't make a fool of himself.

The girl smiled back at him, and Percy sighed internally. Then he realized he had to speak.

"Oh, uh… how are y- I mean… good morning. How can I do you? Wait no… sorry that came out wrong."

She laughed, a laugh that was loud and obnoxious and so very endearing. Percy was infatuated.

"I'm looking for a pet," she said finally.

"Ok… what kind of a pet did you have in mind?"

"That's the thing," she replied, "I don't really know what I want. I was hoping you could help me."

Percy blinked at her. "I-I'm confused."

"Well you see, I live in an apartment by myself, and it can get kind of lonely sometimes, so I was thinking that getting a pet would make me feel… less lonely."

"Why not a dog? Or a cat?"

"My apartment doesn't allow dogs, and I'm allergic to cats."

"Gotcha." Percy said. He tried not to think of the girl and the way she probably has an adorable sneeze when she's around cats.

"So, I was hoping you could help me figure out…" the girl trailed off, and her eyes got wide as she stared at something on Percy's chest.

"Um, is there something alive in your shirt pocket? Because I think it's moving."

Percy looked down at his shirt, and he realized what it was. He laughed as he reached into the pocket on his shirt and placed the tiny occupant on the counter in front of the girl.

She stared at it for what seemed like hours, before she finally looked up at him with a startled expression.

"You keep a flying squirrel in your shirt pocket?"

Percy rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, he likes to hang in there during the day. They're nocturnal animals usually, so he prefers to sleep in there, or sometimes he'll hang on my shirt just below my neck. Looks to me like he just woke up from his nap."

The girl was now bent down so that she was at eye level with the squirrel.

"What's his name?"

"Percy."

Wait…

"That's a cute name for a squirrel."

Percy wanted to smack himself.

"Wait, no… his name is Blackjack," Percy gestured to his pet. "MY name is Percy."

He said that last part with some very apparent embarrassment.

Once the girl had recovered from her laughing fit, she glanced up at him for a second before returning her gaze to Blackjack.

"Annabeth," she said, with a small smile.

Percy couldn't stop the grin from covering his face.

Annabeth straightened up, and then looked at Percy.

"I bet he gets you lots of attention from the ladies, huh?"

"Uh… no?" Percy rubs the back of his neck.

"Most people, girls included, don't even notice he's there. He's usually sleeping, and rarely comes out of my shirt pocket."

"That's a shame."

The way she says it, Percy detects a hidden undertone, but he's not sure what exactly.

"Does he let other people hold him?" Annabeth asks, her voice filled with curiosity and hopefulness.

"I mean… you can try. He's not exactly comfortable around other p…"

Percy's words died in his mouth as Blackjack jumped from his hands and soared into Annabeth's shoulder.

Percy and Annabeth stared at each other with shocked expressions.

"Well I take it back, it seems he likes you a lot," Percy grinned at the girl who still wore a shocked look on her face. A smile quickly overcame her, however, and she looked at the newest occupant of her left shoulder. She was obviously trying her hardest not to squeal.

"Where did you get him?" Annabeth asked.

Percy shrugged. "Kind of a long story. I found him after he had been abandoned by his mother. He was probably the runt of the litter, which would explain why he's so small. I've been raising him in my apartment ever since."

"And he just goes with you everywhere?"

"Oh um… For the most part, yeah. Sometimes I leave him in my dorm room if I can't take him wherever I'm going. He usually just sleeps during the day anyways, and if he's not sleeping, he just glides around the room and… chills, I guess?"

Annabeth is now holding Blackjack inches away from her face. "What about at night? Doesn't he keep you awake?"

"Not really. He's a tiny guy… and I'm a very heavy sleeper."

"Not surprising," Annabeth replies, and Percy rolls his eyes.

"You said you were in a dorm correct?" she asks.

Percy nods.

"Where do you go to school, if I might ask?"

"Columbia," He replies.

"Same."

"Major?"

"Architecture. You?"

"Marine Biology."

She nods in response, a smile still showing on her face, and Percy can't help but notice she has the cutest dimples.

Annabeth hands Blackjack back to him, and Percy puts the squirrel back in his shirt pocket.

"I believe you said you were looking for a pet of your own, correct?"

"I don't suppose you would happen to have some more flying squirrels around, would you?"

"I'm afraid not. However, you're more than welcome to come visit Blackjack and myself whenever you like."

Percy wanted to flick his own ears. No... no… no we are not flirting with the pretty girl.

Percy couldn't help but notice, however, the small blush Annabeth was now sporting. He mentally fist bumped himself for having the capability to make a pretty girl blush, even if it would probably be the only time in his life that ever happened.

But now all Percy was thinking was damage control.

"If you want, I can show you the various option we have, and we can see if there's anything you particularly like. Is that ok?"

Annabeth nodded, a grateful smile on her face, as she turned to follow Percy down the aisle.

Percy manages to not totally embarrass himself during their casual conversation as they make their way through the store. He learns that she's from California… San Francisco to be exact, (which would explain the tan), and that her favorite animal is an owl.

"I feel like an owl would make a good pet, don't you?" Annabeth asks.

All Percy can do is give her a sheepish shrug, as they begin to look at the reptiles. She shows absolutely little to no interest in any of the reptiles, so they move on to something that is apparently even worse in her opinion.

"What, in the hades, is that thing doing in your hands?" She practically screams, while taking a few steps back. Percy looks at her confusingly, before looking down at the hairy arachnid in his hand.

"You mean this thing?" he asks. "It's a tarantula, totally harmless… well most of them are, such as this one."

Annabeth looks absolutely terrified.

"Judging by the look on your face, I'm guessing you're not the biggest fan?"

Annabeth shakes her head. "Spiders… I don't do spiders."

Percy nods, and turns to put the tarantula back in its terrarium.

Just keep the conversation going Percy, you can do this.

"So? Lonely huh?"

Great start Percy he chides himself.

"Have you tried finding a boyfriend at all?"

Percy didn't mean to say it, it just slipped out. He slaps his hand over his mouth, a horrified expression on his face.

Annabeth remains quiet for a minute, and Percy panics.

"I-I'm so sorry, I overstepped. I didn't mean to prod into your life like that. Gods, I'm such an idiot!"

"No, no it's fine. Really," she consoles him. "I was just… thinking about how best to explain."

Percy nods, understandingly.

Annabeth takes a minute to collect her thoughts.

"My career has always been the most important thing to me, so I've always spent my time trying to do well in school and stuff. But my friends… worry about me. They think I need to get out more, meet some people, meet… someone. They've set me up on some dates… but none of them have gone well."

"How many dates have they set up for you?"

"Just in the past couple weeks? Eight."

"And you didn't like any of them?"

Annabeth nods. "Typical reasons. Too arrogant and cocky, too old or too young, too creepy… you know one guy actually showed up with a jar of belly button lint? Apparently, he collects the stuff."

Percy's jaw drops, "Nuh uh."

"Yep," Annabeth continues, "plus none of the guys could really hold a conversation. They usually gave up once we got past the casual small talk."

She sighed deeply. "It's like they didn't expect me to have any sort of intelligence, and to just be all looks with no brain… sometimes I really hate being blonde. You know I've actually considered dyeing it just for that reason?"

Before he can stop himself, Percy blurts out "Please don't!"

Way to go dude, now you have to explain yourself!

Annabeth looks at him weirdly, and Percy tries not to stumble over his words.

"It's just… I really like your hair. I think it's pretty. And I could tell you were smart, even before you told me you were an Architecture major."

"Please, you're just saying that to be nice."

"Nope, it's true. I can see it in your eyes."

"Whatever," She's looking down at the floor, and shuffling her feet. "But thanks, that was really sweet of you."

Percy knows he's blushing a deep red, but he still smiles at her glowingly.

They move on to the next aisle.

This is Percy's favorite aisle in the entire store. The walls on either side are lined with fish tanks, its like a little Percy heaven. Him and Annabeth move from tank to tank discussing the different species of fish, and other water bound creatures. Percy takes a moment to show Annabeth how to feed one of the fish they're looking at.

"Gods, that fish food smells awful," Annabeth says, covering her nose with her hand.

"Personally, I like the smell… It doesn't taste half bad either."

Percy realizes what he's saying too late to stop himself. Annabeth stares at him with an incredulous look, before she doubles over in laughter.

"You mean to tell me," She spits out between fits of laughing, "That you have actually eaten..." she stares at the label on the container, "Seaweed Flakes before?"

Percy is red with embarrassment.

"It wasn't one of my finer moments okay? I had heard of people eating seaweed, and I wanted to know what it tasted like. These seaweed flakes were the closest thing I could get."

"Mhm," Annabeth nodded, still holding her hand over her face while giggling, "and how did that work out for you?"

"Like I said before, they weren't that bad."

Annabeth snorts, then mumbles something under her breath that Percy doesn't quite catch.

"Excuse me, what was that?" he asks playfully.

Annabeth gathers her composure.

"Seaweed Brain. I said you were a Seaweed Brain."

"Explain."

"Well, for starters, you're a marine biology major. And you obviously like anything that has to do with water, plus you literally know the most useless facts about fish ever…"

"I'm sorry, there's literally a species of fish called a slippery dick! What am I supposed to do? Not tell anyone?" (It's true, look it up)

"And…" Annabeth continues, "You once literally ate some seaweed-flavored fish food because you wanted to know what seaweed tastes like. So, there you go, Seaweed Brain."

Annabeth has on a smug, triumphant smile, like she just won an Olympic medal.

Percy's face must be royally absurd, because Annabeth takes one peek at him, and falls into another fit of laughter. Percy decides he needs to be the mature one in this instance and take the high road.

He sticks his tongue out at her.

Annabeth returns the sentiment.

"Whatever," Percy says, "If I'm a Seaweed Brain, the you're a… a…"

It's at this point Percy's brain fails him utterly and completely.

"A wise girl!" He shouts smugly.

"Really?" Annabeth has her arms folded across her chest, and a smirk on her face. "The best insult you can come up with… is a compliment."

"It's an insult because you're a nerd." Percy retorts.

Annabeth rolls her eyes, "You know, it's a good thing you're cute."

Percy's eyes grow as wide as dinner plates. Now it's Annabeth's turn to smack her hand over her mouth.

"You… you think I'm cute?"

"No… no, I didn't say that. I said I think your pet squirrel is cute. Blackjack is cute."

But Percy is already bouncing with glee.

"You think I'm cute, don't you?" Percy practically sings, "It's too late now, you already said it. You can't take it back."

"I hate you," Annabeth states as she begins to walk back towards the front of the store. Percy follows her, and maybe, if he wasn't so busy singing, he would've noticed the faint blush and slight smile on her face. Once they reach the counter, Percy leans up against it, still smiling from ear to ear, despite Annabeth's glares.

"Can I just say something?" Percy starts.

"Well, no one's stopping you I guess," Annabeth is still peeved about the fiasco from earlier.

"This is the most fun I've had with a customer… like ever."

"You mean you don't tell all your customers that you once ate fish food because you wanted to know…"

"All right, all right, I get it." Percy stops her. Annabeth's smirk from earlier has returned.

They stand in a semi-awkward silence for a minute.

"So, you didn't see anything you liked as far as a pet goes?" Percy asks.

Annabeth shakes her head.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you much…" Percy is looking at the floor now. "Who knows though? Maybe one of your dates will end up being a good one eventually."

"Yeah…maybe," Annabeth seems genuinely enthusiastic, like she knows something Percy doesn't.

"Well, if you ever change your mind about a pet, you know where to find me."

Annabeth takes a piece of paper out of her back pocket. She reaches forward and pulls a pen out of Percy's employee vest.

"Oh… I don't think I'll be needing a pet after all."

Percy stares at her blankly. She just shrugs.

"I've found something that I think is a little bit better," she says as she hands him the folded-up piece of paper.

Percy is breathless now, due to their close proximity, but he manages to squeak out, "Oh, yeah? And what's that?"

"A date." Annabeth turns and begins walking away.

Before she gets to the door, she stops and turns.

"Oh, Percy?"

All he can respond with is a throaty huh.

Annabeth smiles.

"Bring the squirrel," and with that she walks out the door, and disappears around the corner.

Percy unfolds the piece of paper in his hands.

Annabeth Chase

xxx-xxx-xxxx

Blackjack squirms in Percy's pocket and the boy chuckles.

"Well buddy, maybe you aren't such a bad wingman after all."

He gives his shirt pocket a fist bump, before getting back to work.

I hope you guys enjoyed that. I had a lot of fun writing it. Please leave a review!

So, I have a neighbor who actually had a pet flying squirrel once upon a time. It was adorable, and he is the inspiration for this particular fic.

As said at the beginning, I have another, longer fic coming soon hopefully.

Question: Why do people hate on Jasper as a couple so much? They're my favorite pairing behind only Percabeth, and I just don't get why people didn't like them so much. Let me know what you think/what your opinion on them is plz!

I'm asking this because the longer fic that's coming is mainly a Jasper fic.