Oo I have to respectfully disagree (which is hard because I am a huge fan of yours!), I can't see Archie not giving (at least) Wolfe presents.
See, I think it's just one of those weird things that comes from the fact that their relationship is, primarily, boss-employee. Like how Wolfe calls Archie & Fritz & Theodore by their first names, but they all call him "Mr. Wolfe." Not even Fritz calls him "Nero!" There's a certain inequality there, even though there's also a closeness.
That is a huge amount of time spent together and conversations had. To me this gives/implies/creates an underlying, extremely serious emotional backdrop to the books, which is why imho Archie is so flip about everything; if he talked about it seriously it would sound like something more odd than the books really convey
*nod nod* I really like the bits in the books where we get small glimpses of what "everyday" life is like when they're not on a case.
I can't see Archie 'not' giving something back, partly because of how he's so proud (in a way, ie. 'he owns his own furniture'.)
Well, that could cut both ways-- he might see giving a present to a boss as "sucking up" and be too proud to do it. Especially, maybe, the first year or two (when they weren't as close as family) and then when do you *start* doing it once you've already established not doing it as a habit? Which brings us back to the "omg leather wallet" birthday present thing. I don't think it would be such a big deal to Archie that Wolfe *knows when his birthday is* if he and Wolfe gave mutual Christmas presents like friends/family do. It's a big deal, I think, because up until that point Wolfe was still trying to keep some distance, maybe unsure about expressing himself-- and then seven years in, something changed, and he made the gesture. <3
And of course Fritz (and Saul maybe) often seem like old friends of Wolfe, and I would assume they would exchange gifts. I do wonder if all Archie gets are presents that don't fit his own modern cultural milieu! (ie. the silk dressing gown; since he's involved in choosing the cars I discount them from Christmas gift ideas.)
Hm, I can see Wolfe and Saul exchanging presents, because Saul is a freelancer, not an employee. Maybe.
I wish that Stout had set up Lewis Hewitt or Marko (or Felix) as a 'potential Archie rival', or even ~Zeck~ somehow, though obviously that would be almost impossible to swing, since he's so evil.
I really like your idea about Archie meeting another genius and Wolfe being jealous that this someone might steal Archie away. :D
Also, *cough*, I would totally read Archie/Marko, were someone to write it. Although realistically it would probably happen in some situation with Archie, Marko and a girl. "Gentlemen, you don't have to compete over me," etcetera. And Marko would be all cool and casual and continental about it and Archie would be like !!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Haha, also, maybe I used to be "bigger" on LJ but I haven't even been in an established fandom in years, and I hardly write anything except for Yuletide, so I don't know what my superpowers consist of as far as getting people into the books... I think the books speak for themselves. *G*
no subject
Oo I have to respectfully disagree (which is hard because I am a huge fan of yours!), I can't see Archie not giving (at least) Wolfe presents.
See, I think it's just one of those weird things that comes from the fact that their relationship is, primarily, boss-employee. Like how Wolfe calls Archie & Fritz & Theodore by their first names, but they all call him "Mr. Wolfe." Not even Fritz calls him "Nero!" There's a certain inequality there, even though there's also a closeness.
That is a huge amount of time spent together and conversations had. To me this gives/implies/creates an underlying, extremely serious emotional backdrop to the books, which is why imho Archie is so flip about everything; if he talked about it seriously it would sound like something more odd than the books really convey
*nod nod* I really like the bits in the books where we get small glimpses of what "everyday" life is like when they're not on a case.
I can't see Archie 'not' giving something back, partly because of how he's so proud (in a way, ie. 'he owns his own furniture'.)
Well, that could cut both ways-- he might see giving a present to a boss as "sucking up" and be too proud to do it. Especially, maybe, the first year or two (when they weren't as close as family) and then when do you *start* doing it once you've already established not doing it as a habit? Which brings us back to the "omg leather wallet" birthday present thing. I don't think it would be such a big deal to Archie that Wolfe *knows when his birthday is* if he and Wolfe gave mutual Christmas presents like friends/family do. It's a big deal, I think, because up until that point Wolfe was still trying to keep some distance, maybe unsure about expressing himself-- and then seven years in, something changed, and he made the gesture. <3
And of course Fritz (and Saul maybe) often seem like old friends of Wolfe, and I would assume they would exchange gifts. I do wonder if all Archie gets are presents that don't fit his own modern cultural milieu! (ie. the silk dressing gown; since he's involved in choosing the cars I discount them from Christmas gift ideas.)
Hm, I can see Wolfe and Saul exchanging presents, because Saul is a freelancer, not an employee. Maybe.
I wish that Stout had set up Lewis Hewitt or Marko (or Felix) as a 'potential Archie rival', or even ~Zeck~ somehow, though obviously that would be almost impossible to swing, since he's so evil.
I really like your idea about Archie meeting another genius and Wolfe being jealous that this someone might steal Archie away. :D
Also, *cough*, I would totally read Archie/Marko, were someone to write it. Although realistically it would probably happen in some situation with Archie, Marko and a girl. "Gentlemen, you don't have to compete over me," etcetera. And Marko would be all cool and casual and continental about it and Archie would be like !!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Haha, also, maybe I used to be "bigger" on LJ but I haven't even been in an established fandom in years, and I hardly write anything except for Yuletide, so I don't know what my superpowers consist of as far as getting people into the books... I think the books speak for themselves. *G*