A/N

I took the inspiration from the guest 'L' from my other one-shot series. Thanks for the prompts.

florist!percy AU, and mortal au as well.

It's a longer one, folks.

"Hi! Welcome to Sally's boutique, how may I help you?"

"Look up, Kelp-Head."

Percy Jackson's eyes widened at the familiar voice and his mind went into full-on panic mode as it registered Thalia Grace to be the customer today. The Thalia Grace.

Calm down, Percy. Calm down.

Slowly, the boy looked up and cursed internally as he felt his breath catch at the beautiful sight of the girl in front of him. Some said she was too masculine; Percy didn't care how masculine she was, because Thalia Grace was the epitome of perfection.

His eyes locked onto hers, the vivid hue of electric-blue sending shocks through his body just from the sight of them. Tattoos could be seen anywhere; around her neck, on her arms, which were on full display from the lack of sleeves, and on her face, where a cross was tatted on her left cheek.

Ironic, seeing she was an atheist. From what Thalia said, though, it meant 'turn the other cheek' because 'Jesus said it'.

So. Points for creativity.

Suddenly, Percy remembered that he was, in fact, behind a counter. And Thalia was, in fact, supposed to be a customer of his.

"Oh! Oh, right. Sorry about that." Percy felt a blush creep up his neck, and his ears started burning in embarrassment. Thalia simply stood there, smirking a little, with an eyebrow raised. "How can I help you?"

"Shut it with the niceties, Kelp-Head," the girl snapped, though it was rather obviously playfully.

For some unknown reason, however, Percy felt the urge to respond with the affirmative.

"Yes, ma'am."

Thalia looked up at him, mouth slightly open and quirked slightly in a sort of smile. Her tongue stuck out and she licked her lips, eyes slightly darkened.

"Ma'am. I like the sound of that."

Percy's mouth opened and closed rapidly, like some sort of fish. Which he supposed was appropriate for his nickname anyways. Kelp-Head.

Thalia cut in with a booming laugh at his lack of a response. "Relax, horny guy." The boy's mouth opened in protest but she continued before he could interject. "Take me out on a date then we'll talk."

By now, Percy had regained enough composure to actually respond. "Maybe if you finally buy something first." It was true; Thalia had only ever come down to have a quick chat. Despite her frequent visits, however, actually buying something was something she'd never done before.

"Okay," Thalia responded, earning her a surprised look and raised eyebrows from the boy behind the counter. "I need some flowers."

"Let me see the money. I don't trust you."

Thalia tilted her head slightly, an unreadable expression set in her features, before she sighed. "Fine."

Thalia then reached into her pocket, apparently looking for some money. Maybe loose change. She wouldn't be able to anything with a couple of pennies, though.

Percy took the time to study the girl. They'd been friends for a pretty long time before high school, when they'd kind of drifted. The boy had never been too loud; Thalia was very, very outspoken.

Still, he had to admit he did have a crush on Thalia for the longest time, ever since middle school. Stolen glances and moody days where he mused on his inability to ask her out comprised much of his formative years, though Percy doubted Thalia had ever given him a second thought.

"Here."

Thalia's voice pierced his thoughts and Percy looked up, about to retort that a few pennies would not be able to get her some roses.

He was surprised to see that she was holding an actual wallet, and cash in hand.

She just sent him a questioning look. "So. You've seen it. Now, I want my flowers."

Percy was still sceptical of her intentions, but acquiesced to her demand. "Sure. Do you just want the roses?"

"Who do you think I am? Some sort of basic bitch?"

"So no roses."

"No, you idiot."

"Then what do you want, Thals?"

For the second time that day she gave him an unreadable look that left him momentarily confused before shaking her head.

"Give me one Gloxinia, two Daffodils, a Red Carnation and... three Cyclamens."

"Coming right up."

Percy strolled around the counter to look for her requested items; with his familiarity with the shop, it didn't take him too long to make his way around.

Gloxinia. Love at first sight. Percy sighed, thinking of his own experiences with love while he rolled the flower-stalk around between his fingers. He would make sure Thalia got the best flowers in stock; she deserved them.

As he walked around the little shop of his mother's, the meaning of each flower came to him. Two Daffodils... Unrequited Love, or 'you're the only one'. A Carnation, Red... Admiration, Heartache for the recipient. Three Cyclamens... resignation.

"Oh! Percy! And, uh..."

The boy in question turned around to look at Thalia, who looked uncharacteristically nervous.

"Yeah?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"What?"

Thalia blinked rapidly a few times before responding. "A –a bunch of Arbutus flowers."

Thee Only Do I Love.

Percy froze in his spot. The Arbutus flower was something he'd held close to his heart; God knew how many times he'd contemplated giving them to Thalia herself.

He opened his mouth slightly, as if to talk, before clamping it shut and nodding. Percy turned around, the wheels turning in his head, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Her choice of flowers seemed to be rather specific; Love, Heartache and Resignation.

Sounded like Percy's life so far, actually.

His hands shook but Percy still managed to grab the Arbutus flowers as gently and delicately as possible, with the poise only an experienced worker could have.

"That'll be... uh... 25 dollars."

Thalia nodded. "That's cheap."

"Friends and family discount."

The two chuckled a little awkwardly, before Percy went to give Thalia her items, arms outstretched.

"Uh – can I – can I have it delivered?"

Percy blinked. "Oh. To your address?"

"No. Um. I'm sending this to someone."

Percy could basically feel his heart crack at this point. Damn it. Of course.

"Yeah. No problem. Want to write a note?"

Thalia seemed to consider it before shaking her head. "Nah. They know how to read flowers anyways."

"Oh – okay. Can I get the address?"

"The shop on the corner of 5th and Edmonton."

"Yeah, sure – wait. That's-" ours.

In a split second Percy felt himself being lurched forward over the counter, the flowers still in his hand. The collar of his shirt was held in a firm grip by Thalia Grace, who had aggressively attacked his lips with hers.

No doubt it would leave bruises.

As soon as it happened, though, it stopped, and Percy whined not-so-subtly as Thalia looked downwards, uncharacteristically sheepish.

"Those – those are for you."

A smile slowly spread on Percy's face, realising what had just happened.

"Well – well – "

Thalia bit her lip, seemingly anxious about his response. "Yeah."

In a stroke of inspiration, Percy found his sass again. Thank God, he had no clue what to say next.

"Well, at least take me on a date first before you're gonna get all horny at me."

Thalia looked up, her innocent eyes wide. Then, they darkened – just like an impending storm.

"I'll take you up on that, Jackson."

Fin.