So this is the fluff I was supposed to have given Takara in her sequel, but gave her angst instead...haha! Also, she got me in the mood of holidays, but since New Years is past, I picked Valentine's Day! And since I'm Italian (yay me!) I decided why not make a story tribute to my favorite day? Buon San Valentino in advance all you lovely people! And Takara, here's your fluff!

Fourteen Days

When Percy woke up on February 1st, it was to a fluffy wall of white. Blinking stupidly at the barrier that hadn't been there when he'd woken up, he sat up slowly, blearily staring down at the new item on his bed. It was a stuffed animal, clearly, but what was it? Reaching out, he poked a single finger at it, only to meet squishy insides. Intrigued, he reached out and picked it up, turning it around to come face-to-face with a baby arctic seal. Big brown eyes stared back at him, and Percy squealed, hugging it close as he wriggled where he sat. It was so cute! He was a sucker for cute things, but he'd never thought to explore the realm of stuffed animals. But the greater question was, who had given it to him? Percy loved most small aquatic animals, so seals and otters weren't hard to place in his interests, but how had it gotten onto his bed in the first place? Frowning softly, he looked around, only to spot yet another oddity.

Sitting innocently on his bedside table was a single white rose. A folded card of similar color was perched to house the stem between its shadow. On the front, facing him, was his name. It was scripted beautifully, clearly calligraphy, in black ink. Hugging his new plushie to his chest with one arm, he reached out and plucked the card up between his fingertips, opening it curiously. Inside, he found a small note.

Dearest Percy,

For the next two weeks, I will woo you. Whether you accept my affections by the 14th or not is your decision. Please enjoy the stuffed animal and the rose.

xoxo

Your Admirer

Percy's cheeks burned, and he hid his blushing cheeks in the soft fur of his new stuffed animal until it stopped. Peering up over the white of the fabric he had buried his face in, he stared at the innocent white rose. Standing, he went to search for a vase, filling it with water bubbling from the fountain in his room and placing it in the vase carefully. Smiling at it, he hugged his seal one more time before placing it on his pillow. It would be destroyed in an hour if he took it outside his cabin. His stomach was warm and fluttery with the knowledge that he was going to be romanced. It was such a foreign idea, but it made him want to squeal and dance around happily.

Who was it, though?

With Nico ::

"I'm not sure about this, Hazel…" the Italian said softly, grunting a bit. Hazel scoffed and waved away his concern.

"He'll love it, I promise! Honestly, you already delivered the first gift, and you're only now having doubts?" she chided, making the Italian man blush a bit and shrug his shoulders. Well, she had a point at least. He was dying to see how Percy had reacted to his first gifts- meant to be small, of course, to keep with tradition- but he also knew it may reveal that it was him too soon. Hazel smacked him in the back of the head and he hissed in pain and surprise, glaring up at his sister.

"Stop worrying, idiot! It'll work, how many times do I have to tell you? Honestly, you two really are perfect, the both of you are so thick-headed!" Huffing good-naturedly she turned and strode out of his room in the Underworld, most likely off to find her boyfriends, Frank and Leo. Nico rolled his eyes after her and stood from where he'd been sitting. He had to plan his second gift.

Shadow-traveling to New York was simple enough, especially with the new control he had over his powers. It was a little tricky, but he'd landed on Percy's fire escape enough times to not worry too much about appearing in a restaurant out of nowhere. Climbing in through the window, content with the knowledge that Percy was at camp and therefore wouldn't find out about this little trip, he hopped into Percy's room and set off down the hall.

Sally gasped and nearly dropped the plate she was holding when she saw him. He walked so silently, it wasn't like the other demigods that loved to pop into her apartment, who usually betrayed themselves with their trustingly loud entrances. "Nico!" she exclaimed, quickly setting the now-dry plate in the open cupboard above her. Hurrying over to him she enveloped him in a motherly hug, and he gave a bittersweet smile, enjoying it thoroughly as he wrapped his arms in turn around her waist. She pulled away and ushered him to the sofa to sit him down, perching upon the edge of a cushion beside him, beautiful grey-green eyes peering at him with a twinkle of curiosity.

"So Nico, what are you doing here? Percy isn't here, you know that." Nico felt a small blush cross his cheeks, knowing that while Percy was oblivious to his affections, it was rather obvious to everyone else. Sally's knowing smile was more than embarrassing.

"Actually...that's what I'm here about. I...well, San Valentino- er, Valentine's day- is in exactly two weeks. So I decided to confess through a two-week romancing of Percy. I was wondering if you could help me with a few of the smaller gift ideas, perhaps the first week or so? You know him best, after all." Nico mumbled softly, still embarrassed by the fact that Sally herself had confronted the son of Hades months ago, gently asking him to tell her the truth about his feelings for her son. She'd supported the relationship before it had even been created, which Nico felt good about, but it didn't make it any less embarrassing.

Sally laughed softly and reached to place a small hand on his thigh, a touch normally warded off, but one he welcomed for all the maternal love that came with the action. "Nico, you know him as well as I do! Honestly, Percy is oblivious, but I'm surprised he doesn't realize how much he trusts you, to let you know so much about him. Now, lets plan those gifts, shall we? I've been waiting months for this!"

Jumping up, Nico stared at her as she bustled about, grabbing a coat, her purse, and slipping on some shoes. Only when she called for him did he snap out of his dumbfounded trance, leaping off the couch and hurrying to catch up with her as she grabbed his sleeve and began tugging him down the streets of New York, ready to go shopping.