Tom Nookie

The "Third Wheel"

"Well, what am I supposed to do here?" Lyle crossed his arms and whined.
"Well, for once you could help me with the cooking, it's almost lunchtime." You say as you stand up and tie an apron to your waist.
"Oh ho! Well, I'd recommend you leave me here then. You wouldn't want your house burning down!" Lyle chuckles.
"Common, you can't be that bad at cooking..." You roll your eyes.
"Oh, little Ms. Y/n... You have no idea about the number of things I am terrible at!" He nods.
"Pfft - Alright then. Well, you guys stay up here. I'll go downstairs and whip something up real quick." You say while you trot down the stairs.

Lyle smirks over at Nook.
Nook tilts his head."Whatever is it now Lyle..."
"Oh don't act all innocent Nook! I saw how you looked at Y/n when she walked out." Lyle nudges Nook.
"What!?" Nook frowns.
"Just admit it Nook, you want Y/n badly don't you? Can't help but stare. Tsk tsk tsk, you should know staring is rude." Lyle sneers.

"I was not staring-"

"Mmhm..." Lyle hums sarcastically. "That's exactly what you said last time," Lyle recalls.
"T-that was a long time ago..." Nook looks away.
"Ah don't act like you don't remember!" Lyle teases.
"Well I certainly remember it now that you've brought it up..." Nook eyes him unamusingly.

"I can't believe I was the first one to know about your crush on Ms. Y/n!
I have to admit I am pretty good at finding out secrets." Lyle nods.
"Well, I can't say that you aren't..."Nook Agrees.
" I remember it so clearly-"

*Flashback*
Lyle's POV

"Were you able to get those documents done Mr. Lyle?" Mr. Nook approached my desk.
"Yes, of course, Mr. Nook." I nodded.
Mr. Nook walks back to where he stood, in front of the doorway, to greet the customers that came in.

My boss ain't much of a chit-chat kind of guy... He's more of a reserved businessman.

Serious!

Sharp!

And overall professional!

BANG!

I see why most people would think he was a heartless capitalist. But that ain't the truth! Ol' Lyle knows him well!

Such a great friend!

Mr. Nook saw I lost my job and all my money.
He saw everything Lyle went through...

Scams...

Bankruptcy...

And Crisis...

And then- BOOM!

I got offered a job at the HHA! The best thing that could have happened to Lyle!
Mr. Nook even hired my niece, Lottie!

He's just a shy guy, that's all. I wish I could uncover something about him-

Like a secret!

Something personal! Or embarrassing!

Like an unknown past- Or a bad habit!

Stir up the pot!

I know he must have feelings of some kind, he can't be all that bland...

But how will I ever get him to show em'?...

Oh! Well, he has the little nooklings! I wonder how he got them. Maybe he is divorced?

BAM! That's an idea!

"It is surprising how your children run a market all on their own at this age!" I say in an attempt to break the ice.
I watch as his ears perk up as I say that.
"Children? Oh ho ho, they aren't my children! I'm still a bachelor you see...
They are merely just my pupils. But they do seem to like calling me their uncle." He explained.