1/4: Codename Kids Next Door
Title: Operation SHIP
Fandom: Codename: Kids Next Door
Pairing: Nigel/Wally (1/4)
Spoilers: Everything up to opMAURICE, though nothing significant.
Incomming Transmission
Codename: Kids Next Door (commonly referred to as KND) is a quirky, funny little cartoon that shows on Cartoon Network. The basic premise goes something like this: there’s a secret agency of children, living in massive treehouse bases, who fight the tyranny of adult villains intent on crushing the rights of kids (i.e., enforcing bedtimes, adult swim, assigning homework, etc).
Sounds like a show for 8 year olds. And it is, until you add in the quirky (and oh-so-grown-up) humor, which has included scene-by-scene remakes of the Animatrix, entire episodes of Star Wars references, and hundreds of throwaway lines about everything from teenage hormones to roman emperors. And, of course, more hints of romance than you can throw a Rainbow Monkey at.
Operatives
Meet one Nigel Uno (more commonly known as Numbuh One), commander of Sector V and fussy, whiney Brit. Bald, pale, and always adorned with his signature sunglasses, Nigel is a bossy, workaholic, anal-retentive revolutionary. Fully believing in the Cause, completely paranoid of any and all adults, and full of more crazy theories than anybody can shake a stick at, he never the less manages to be a good Commander, at least when he bothers to remember his team is human and might like a break once in a while.
Of course, beyond that, there’s a different side. The kind that likes Rainbow Monkeys, cares deeply about his friends, and lets his girlfriend Lizzie drag him away from work. The side that likes pistachio ice cream and accompanies his friends to the beach, even though he hates it and would rather go on a mission. The Nigel that is afraid of bugs and freaked out when he got turned into a grown-up that one time.
Nigel... is complicated.
And then there’s Numbuh Four. Wallabee (Wally) Beetles, short man with an attitude, angry blond, and the original Saucy Aussie. Impatient, outspoken, always ready for a fight. The quintessential tough guy - at least, until something really bad happens and he starts crying.
Four’s character is a lot more straightforward, as he tends to say the first thing he thinks of and always says what he means. Honest. He’s not the brightest crayon in the box, but he’s more than loyal enough, showing a fierce devotion to both his friends and family. He’s also inordinately proud of his position in the KND, though his ability to take orders is sometimes questionable.
Mission Specifications
So why pair them together?
First and foremost, they’re on the same team. The same team, of five members, who all live together, work together, and are slowly growing up together. So there is already the ‘best friends’ foundation, simply by virtue of both being members of Sector V. They know each other intimately, have an established trust and ability to get along. This in of itself makes for a decent basis for shipping.
However, there’s more to it than that. Numbuh Four greatly respects his leader, and looks up to the other boy for guidance. There are many, many instances of Four turning to One for backup in an argument with a third party, or reminding his team of “what Numbuh One would do”, or worrying about One when something bad happens. When it looked like One would have to leave the team, Four was nearly in tears before he was (in typical fashion) able to redirect his hurt into anger.
So we have a strong bond of friendship, amplified by Wally’s trust and admiration. But what does Numbuh One get out of the deal?
Nigel, in all his complicated, stressful life, is looking for something simple and easy. This is likely why he currently likes Lizzie - she is uninvolved, direct, and will instigate most of the relationship. One, for all his Super-Leader-Skills, doesn’t mind relinquishing control when it comes to romance. It’s a break. He wants somebody who isn’t going to play games, expect him to do everything, or even be that subtle. That’s why he dates Lizzie and that’s why he could easily date Four.
But all of that’s just justification. The reason why I like them together - why I wrote this essay - is a bit more than simple “well, this, so this.” I like how they are both fundementally boys. How Four’s strong personality is tempered by the intrinsic power difference of leader/follower. How One almost casually relies on Four on missions. That they both care about each other, but don’t let it interfere with their overall goals or (as happens with the canon love interests) get mushy and silly. A bit more shallowly, how they both have very sexy accents.
Compromising Elements
The most significant obstacle to this pairing, I believe, is the fact that both have a canon love interest. One is officially dating Lizzie, and Four has a crush on Numbuh Three. However, these are not insurmountable. After all, we have no idea if Numbuh Three in any way returns Four’s feelings. And, really - in canon, they are all 10 years old. To say that there isn’t room for romantic leanings to change, or the characters to get new interests, is silly.
Mission Support
Of Downtime and Dreaming - First 1/4 fic ever, and still one of the best. The sequel is required reading, as well.
Cereal Obsessions - Sweet, thoughtful little oneshot.
Certain - Funny Rape fic. ...Yes.
Ish - I hate to self-rec, but probably the only long completed 1/4 out there.
Fandom: Codename: Kids Next Door
Pairing: Nigel/Wally (1/4)
Spoilers: Everything up to opMAURICE, though nothing significant.
Incomming Transmission
Codename: Kids Next Door (commonly referred to as KND) is a quirky, funny little cartoon that shows on Cartoon Network. The basic premise goes something like this: there’s a secret agency of children, living in massive treehouse bases, who fight the tyranny of adult villains intent on crushing the rights of kids (i.e., enforcing bedtimes, adult swim, assigning homework, etc).
Sounds like a show for 8 year olds. And it is, until you add in the quirky (and oh-so-grown-up) humor, which has included scene-by-scene remakes of the Animatrix, entire episodes of Star Wars references, and hundreds of throwaway lines about everything from teenage hormones to roman emperors. And, of course, more hints of romance than you can throw a Rainbow Monkey at.
Operatives
Meet one Nigel Uno (more commonly known as Numbuh One), commander of Sector V and fussy, whiney Brit. Bald, pale, and always adorned with his signature sunglasses, Nigel is a bossy, workaholic, anal-retentive revolutionary. Fully believing in the Cause, completely paranoid of any and all adults, and full of more crazy theories than anybody can shake a stick at, he never the less manages to be a good Commander, at least when he bothers to remember his team is human and might like a break once in a while.
Of course, beyond that, there’s a different side. The kind that likes Rainbow Monkeys, cares deeply about his friends, and lets his girlfriend Lizzie drag him away from work. The side that likes pistachio ice cream and accompanies his friends to the beach, even though he hates it and would rather go on a mission. The Nigel that is afraid of bugs and freaked out when he got turned into a grown-up that one time.
Nigel... is complicated.
And then there’s Numbuh Four. Wallabee (Wally) Beetles, short man with an attitude, angry blond, and the original Saucy Aussie. Impatient, outspoken, always ready for a fight. The quintessential tough guy - at least, until something really bad happens and he starts crying.
Four’s character is a lot more straightforward, as he tends to say the first thing he thinks of and always says what he means. Honest. He’s not the brightest crayon in the box, but he’s more than loyal enough, showing a fierce devotion to both his friends and family. He’s also inordinately proud of his position in the KND, though his ability to take orders is sometimes questionable.
Mission Specifications
So why pair them together?
First and foremost, they’re on the same team. The same team, of five members, who all live together, work together, and are slowly growing up together. So there is already the ‘best friends’ foundation, simply by virtue of both being members of Sector V. They know each other intimately, have an established trust and ability to get along. This in of itself makes for a decent basis for shipping.
However, there’s more to it than that. Numbuh Four greatly respects his leader, and looks up to the other boy for guidance. There are many, many instances of Four turning to One for backup in an argument with a third party, or reminding his team of “what Numbuh One would do”, or worrying about One when something bad happens. When it looked like One would have to leave the team, Four was nearly in tears before he was (in typical fashion) able to redirect his hurt into anger.
So we have a strong bond of friendship, amplified by Wally’s trust and admiration. But what does Numbuh One get out of the deal?
Nigel, in all his complicated, stressful life, is looking for something simple and easy. This is likely why he currently likes Lizzie - she is uninvolved, direct, and will instigate most of the relationship. One, for all his Super-Leader-Skills, doesn’t mind relinquishing control when it comes to romance. It’s a break. He wants somebody who isn’t going to play games, expect him to do everything, or even be that subtle. That’s why he dates Lizzie and that’s why he could easily date Four.
But all of that’s just justification. The reason why I like them together - why I wrote this essay - is a bit more than simple “well, this, so this.” I like how they are both fundementally boys. How Four’s strong personality is tempered by the intrinsic power difference of leader/follower. How One almost casually relies on Four on missions. That they both care about each other, but don’t let it interfere with their overall goals or (as happens with the canon love interests) get mushy and silly. A bit more shallowly, how they both have very sexy accents.
Compromising Elements
The most significant obstacle to this pairing, I believe, is the fact that both have a canon love interest. One is officially dating Lizzie, and Four has a crush on Numbuh Three. However, these are not insurmountable. After all, we have no idea if Numbuh Three in any way returns Four’s feelings. And, really - in canon, they are all 10 years old. To say that there isn’t room for romantic leanings to change, or the characters to get new interests, is silly.
Mission Support
Of Downtime and Dreaming - First 1/4 fic ever, and still one of the best. The sequel is required reading, as well.
Cereal Obsessions - Sweet, thoughtful little oneshot.
Certain - Funny Rape fic. ...Yes.
Ish - I hate to self-rec, but probably the only long completed 1/4 out there.