#nilesodin

[someobscurereference]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

“Before I came to—here, I used to see people eat desserts like this at tea parties all the time. But I could never have any of them. So I suppose now that I’m able to buy and eat my own, I can’t help but do so every opportunity I get.”

“You kept witnessing tea parties you weren’t invited to?” Niles's eyebrows raised.

---

A beat. Then he heard the sound of Selena plopping onto the grass next to him.

“Does it still bother you?” she asked wearily. “The dark?”

New  Doll AU fic!

First chapter can be either implied Niles/Odin or just two friends chatting and talking. Second chapter is a platonic Laslow & Selena talking about the past.

[someobscurereference]

I was just thinking about the whole Trio-Mystery-Drives-Niles-Insane situation and it just becomes so much funnier with the added flavor of him being into one of them. I'm just entertaining the idea of, despite Owain being Oblivious™️, his friends are not. Niles being Niles, being nosy and clearly trying to tease some secrets out of them, annoying the hell out of Selena and Laslow. Selena and Laslow doing things like "accidentally" dropping something or spilling something on his shirt at dinner, causing Odin to bend over or take his shirt off, effectively drawing Niles' gaze and crashing whatever train of thought he was acting on. Niles is aware of what they're doing but, unfortunately, he has caught feelings and Odin manages to distract him without knowing or trying (I'm kind of thinking about those two scenes in Unique in All the World when Niles gives him dessert and Odin doesn't realize the signals he's giving. I'm excited to read Full Disclosure but haven't had the time yet) but yeah, anyway, Selena and Laslow weaponize Niles' crush and Odin's ability to flirt entirely on accident in order to get through dinner without letting secrets slip

Leo: Niles, it's fine if you have a crush on Odin

Niles: What? I don't have a crush on Odin

Leo, with a tone of plain disbelief: Sure, of course not. I'm just saying, if you want to get his attention, there are better ways to do it

Niles: My Lord, I'm investigating Odin's past as a safety precaution. Because his origins are so mysterious.

Leo: Of course. And his mysterious origins are... fascinating, I'm sure. It's just, I don't think he'd be happy if he caught you doing that. I know this may be hard to hear, but negative attention is not good attention

Niles: Sir. I'm not doing this for Odin's attention.

Leo: Of course not. I'm just saying I'd understand if you were

Niles:

Leo: Anyway, have you tried sharing a hobby with him instead?

[later]

Niles, after his and Odin's A-Support where he promises not to look into Odin's past anymore, setting his sights on Selena & Laslow: Okay, Odin is in the clear, but you both are still very suspicious--

Selena: We're not going to put in a good word for you with Odin unless you stop following me around like a creep in the market. Or at least start holding my bags for me

Laslow: If you need me to be a wingman, I'm free to help you out whenever 😉 So long as you stop harassing the women at the tea shop away when I--

Niles: That's not!! Why I'm doing this!!!

[someobscurereference]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

“Is it bad?”

Glass crunched underfoot as Inigo—thankfully still wearing his shoes—crossed the gap between them and pressed the cloth against Owain’s forehead himself. Owain pulled back with a hiss of pain; Inigo pressed onward.

“Head wounds bleed a lot,” Inigo said, which wasn’t an answer. His worried look worsened when he peeled back the towel to glance at Owain’s skin underneath, grimacing. “Oh, yikes.”

[someobscurereference]

for your proposal hc i also imagine that this extends to courting rituals and even just like some common methods of flirting and i raise you modern!trio being completely oblivious to the intense overtures of their lords/fellow retainers. (i know niles is full of innuendos and stuff, but i like the idea that when he becomes legit interested in odin hes gets more serious/proper ab it) meanwhile the trio is like '? why wont they make a move also they gave me a ruby bracelet what do i do with it'

(referring to this post)

Definitely extends to regular dating too!!! Niles is full of innuendo and jokes when he’s with most people, sure, but he canonically takes his romance very seriously in canon! He’s very heartfelt, romantic, and there’s zero doubt about his feelings for his partner at all! So absolutely I can see him shifting into a more “serious” gear when he’s trying to (seriously) put his cards on the table about romance, lol. In fact, I really enjoy that and want to see it more!

That said, while I think the Trio could and should definitely be oblivious to certain courting rituals in Nohr, I think the gift of fine jewelry is pretty straightforward until the giver is particularly vague about it, lol. But that could still work! Like maybe they don’t think it’s a gift for some reason? Or the intended purpose seems to be more for protection or something else rather than a straight up gift! Other examples fall in the same vein too! Like an invite out to tea or dinner or something but *insert member of the Trio here* is under the impression it’s for some other purpose besides pure hanging out and romantic atmosphere. Meanwhile they’re fretting because their heart longs for romance, and clearly this isn’t it (lol)

(modern!trio courting things cont.) the alternative (or concurrent issue) is the modern!trio doing things that are like. SUPER romantic by nohrian standards but like? being very nonchalant about it. laslow sees a nice scarf he thinks xander would love and it IS a bit out of his price range, but he saves a bit and xander is so shook but laslows like ? its ok i love to buy things for friends :) odin picks up a pretty flower and gives it to niles and walks off like its nbd but niles is like O.O

Definitely concurrent!!! I love both of these, lol. Absolute pining over someone who isn’t making a move/maybe isn’t into them like they think + nonchalantly doing the most romantic gestures and practically teasing the life out of the very person they’re pining over, lol. These are my favorite tropes to work in tandem! And I love the examples you’ve used too!

[someobscurereference]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

There was a rumor in Ylisse that if your soulmate was in danger and your connection was strong enough, the gods would allow you to appear before them to assist, no matter the miles between. Stories like that popped up from time to time, though never firsthand. It was always a rumor or a romantic line or a reminder that someone was looking out for you, somewhere.

Owain liked stories. Mostly stories about brave warriors and cunning heroes, but stories all the same. He liked the idea of magic and fate.

But truth be told, he wasn’t sure that rumor was true.

[someobscurereference]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

He tried to imagine Niles fighting off even one Vallite mer in the water by himself and then somehow dragging Odin’s unconscious body back up to the deck right after. The mental image was nothing short of incredible.

For everyone who sent me a message on Fanfic Author Appreciation Day yesterday— Thank you! I wrote most of this fic a few weeks ago but only finished it because of you guys. 

[nerdyflowerboy]

Happy Holidays!

I don’t really know what else to say besides, thank you so much @dorkpatroller ! for allowing me to take inspiration from your fanfictions!