History EveryoneCanSeeIt / Literature

* Everyone opposed to Elinor's and Edward's budding romance in ''Literature/SenseAndSensibility'' is convinced that the two will marry, no matter how much the two try to hide it (particularly from each other).

* You'd be hard-pressed to name a character in ''Literature/MoDaoZuShi'' who ''doesn't'' comment on Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian's UnresolvedSexualTension. The only reason it takes so long to be resolved is that Wei Wuxian is seemingly the only member of the cast who hasn't noticed Lan Wangji's obvious crush.

** Subverted with [[DatingCatwoman Eloise Pritchart and Javier Giscard]]. Everyone who sees them together ''knows'' that despite their outward shows of grudging, if chilly, respect, on a personal level the two passionately loathe each other. Their feelings for each other are passionate, all right, but they are the exact antithesis of 'loathing'.

** Subverted with [[DatingCatwoman Eloise Pritchart and Javier Giscard]]. Everyone who sees them together ''knows'' that despite their outward shows of grudging, if chilly, respect, on a personal level the two passionately loathe each other. Their feelings towards each other are passionate, all right, but they are the exact opposite of 'loathing'.

** Subverted with [[DatingCatwoman Eloise Pritchart and Javier Giscard]]. Everyone who sees them together ''knows'' that despite their outward shows of grudging, if chilly, respect, on a personal level the two passionately loathe each other's guts. Their feelings towards each other are passionate, all right, but they are the exact opposite of 'loathing'.

** Fairly [[AllLoveIsUnrequited tragically]], everyone knows that [[spoiler:Molly]] is head-over-heels in love with Harry. For [[{{Squick}} a]] [[MentorShip variety]] [[PowerPerversionPotential of]] [[AboveTheInfluence reasons]], this won't happen. After the events of ''Literature/ColdDays'', though, Harry doesn't rule out the possibility due to the shifted power dynamics.

* Taken to a comical level in L.M. Montgomery's ''Literature/AnneOfGreenGables'' series. While Anne is completely oblivious to the fact that her former enemy and childhood friend Gilbert Blythe is madly in love with her, everyone in the town of Avonlea are perfectly well aware. After Gilbert proposes and she refuses, everyone reacts with disappointment. This happens so often for awhile, it leads to this conversation:

** More conventionally, everyone from Harry's family to his perennial FriendlyEnemy can see that he and Murphy have feelings for each other. This is taken UpToEleven in ''Literature/SkinGame'', where literally everyone other than Harry himself can see it, including ''Harry's own subconscious''. More than one character refers to Murphy as Harry's girlfriend, to his consternation. [[spoiler:Nicodemus even counts on this as part of his BatmanGambit to manipulate Murphy]]. They've even admitted to each other on occasion, but always convinced themselves that it would never work.

* ''Literature/GriffinsDaughter'': everyone knows Jelena and Ashinji are crazy about each other. Each denies it for differnt reasons: Jelena because she didn't want to get her hopes up that an elf prince could love [[FantasticRacism a "hikui"]], [[HalfHumanHybrid (a half-elf)]], like her. Ashinji because [[ItsNotYouItsMyEnemies he fears]] his sadistic brother will try hurt her just to spite him.

* You'd be hard pressed to name a character in ''Literature/MoDaoZuShi'' who ''doesn't'' comment on Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian's UnresolvedSexualTension. The only reason it takes so long to be resolved is that Wei Wuxian is seemingly the only member of the cast who hasn't noticed Lan Wangji's obvious crush.

* In ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice'', meanwhile, it's played around with more. Everyone who sees Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy spend any time around one another over the course of most of the novel is convinced that they're practically a confirmed item (whether they like it or not). On the other hand, Elizabeth's immediate family are uniformly taken completely by surprise when Darcy proposes, and she has to do a lot of convincing before her older sister and her father will believe her when she says she really does want to marry the man.

* Happens in ''Literature/ThePrincessDiaries''. When Michael and Mia finally confess their feelings to one another, Lily comments that everyone already knew how they felt, and that they were only people who weren't aware of it.

** It's actually a given that they're going to end up together since the goddess of love herself, Aphrodite, tells Percy she's going to set him up with Annabeth, but no one else heard it but him.

* Taken to almost a comical level in L.M. Montgomery's ''Literature/AnneOfGreenGables'' series. While Anne is completely oblivious to the fact that her former enemy and childhood friend Gilbert Blythe is madly in love with her, everyone in the town of Avonlea are perfectly well aware. After Gilbert proposes and she refuses, everyone reacts with disappointment. This happens so often for awhile, it leads to this conversation:

* In the Franchise/StarWarsLegends, Corran Horn comments that Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade were the only ones who didn't realize they were meant for each other.
* Tony and Lee in ''Literature/SmokeAndShadows''.
* Everyone opposed to Elinor's and Edward's budding romance in ''Literature/SenseAndSensibility'' is convinced that the two will marry, no matter how much the two try to hide it (particularly from each other).
* In ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice,'' meanwhile, it's played around with more. Everyone who sees Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy spend any time around one another over the course of most of the novel is convinced that they're practically a confirmed item (whether they like it or not). On the other hand, Elizabeth's immediate family are uniformly taken completely by surprise when Darcy proposes, and she has to do a lot of convincing before her older sister and her father will believe her when she says she really does want to marry the man.
* In the novelisation of ''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture'' -- [[WordOfGod written by]] Creator/GeneRoddenberry -- a footnote reveals that rumours about Kirk's [[HoYay relationship]] with Spock have been floating around even in-universe. In response, Spock merely raises an eyebrow and gives the inquirer the equivalent of a Vulcan glare, and Kirk [[http://www.alternateuniverses.com/judygran/footnote.txt infamously dances around the topic]] in a quote that doesn't really answer much at all. Yes, Kirk, ''everyone'' noticed.
* In the ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' stories, the relationship between [[spoiler:Honor and Hamish Alexander]]. The first six chapters of ''War of Honor'' are full of secondary characters who are restraining themselves from telling the two principals that they're only fooling themselves.
** And in the Creator/JaneLindskold short story "[[PunBasedTitle Ruthless]]", this trope is {{exploited}}: The long list of people other than Crown Prince Michael and Judith who can see it include a pair of plotters who intend to use their feelings for each other against Queen Elizabeth.
* By the time you get to the last book in the ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' series, it's pretty obvious that everyone around them can see that [[spoiler:Percy and Annabeth]] are in love with each other. It's made especially apparent towards the end of the book when they finally kiss and [[spoiler:Clarisse]] growls, "Well, it's about time!"
** It's actually a given that they're going to end up together since the goddess of love herself, Aphrodite, tells Percy she's going to set him up with Annabeth, but no one else heard it but him.
** Even [[spoiler:Annabeth's mother Athena]] knows the score. When [[spoiler:she]] pulls an IfYouEverDoAnythingToHurtHer on [[spoiler:Percy]],[[spoiler:he]] starts to insist that [[spoiler:he and Annabeth]] are JustFriends, but [[spoiler:Athena]] cuts [[spoiler:him]] off with a curt, "Oh, spare me."

* Ron and Hermione from ''Literature/HarryPotter''. Harry starts seeing it around [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire Book Four]] (as did readers, which is why the films start the WillTheyOrWontThey in ''Movie Two''), and even basically shouts "Finally!!!" in his head after TheBigDamnKiss in the final book (followed immediately thereafter by "...but can we finish the bloody war first??").
* The title character and Lord Sheftu in Eloise [=McGraw=]'s ''Literature/MaraDaughterOfTheNile.'' Sheftu is extremely put out when he realizes this is the case.
* [[MayDecemberRomance Tom Levin and Rose Casson]] from the ''Literature/CassonFamilySeries''. Rose takes a lot of guff for it due to her stubbornness and the fact that she can't see that she has a PrecociousCrush on him, especially in ''Permanent Rose''.

-->'''Anne''': I wonder why everybody seems to think I ought to marry Gilbert Blythe.
-->'''Miss Lavendar''': Because you were made and meant for each other, Anne -- that is why. You needn't toss that young head of yours. It's a fact.
* In the ''Literature/LittleHouseOnThePrairie'' series, everyone but Laura herself seems to figure out rather early on just why Almanzo's willing to make the long, cold drive every weekend to bring her home from her teaching job. She's quite shocked when one of her friends clues her in, and initially panics. Fortunately, Almanzo sticks it out as a DoggedNiceGuy until she falls for him, too.
* Kell and Lila in the ''Literature/ADarkerShadeOfMagic'' series get this from both Kell's brother, Rhy (having had to deal with Kell pining after Lila for much of the second book) and a shopkeeper, Calla [[ShipperOnDeck (who only needed one look at them to see that they were perfect for each other)]]. They deny this without any success.
* Literature/TheDresdenFiles:
** Fairly [[AllLoveIsUnrequited tragically]], everyone knows that [[spoiler: Molly]] is head-over-heels in love with Harry. For [[{{Squick}} a]] [[MentorShip variety]] [[PowerPerversionPotential of]] [[AboveTheInfluence reasons]], this won't happen. After the events of ''Literature/ColdDays'', though, Harry doesn't rule out the possibility due to the shifted power dynamics.

* The consensus opinion of the villagers about [[Literature/AuntDimity Nell Harris and Kit Smith]] being a perfect couple is this trope, at least after the death of Prunella Hooper in ''Aunt Dimity: Detective''. [[spoiler: The process takes a few years (and a few novels), but after many postponements (for a variety of reasons), they wed at the end of ''Aunt Dimity Down Under'']].
* Very much the case in ''Literature/GreekNinja'', where everyone seems to notice the tension between Sasha and Daichi, whereas they are oblivious to it (or denying, like Sasha).
* ''Literature/GriffinsDaughter'': everyone knows Jelena and Ashinji are crazy about each other. Each denies it for differnt reasons: Jelena because she didn't want to get her hopes up that an elf prince could love [[FantasticRacism a "hikui"]], [[HalfHumanHybrid (a half-elf)]], like her. Ashinji because [[ItsNotYouItsMyEnemies he fears]] his sadistic brother will try hurt her just to spite him.
* It seems like everyone in Panem knows that [[Literature/TheHungerGames Katniss]] is in love with [[spoiler:Peeta Mellark]] before she does. Including the other guy in the love triangle.
* ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'':
** ''Literature/CaptainVorpatrilsAlliance'' centers on what the principals ''think'' is a [[CitizenshipMarriage quickie marriage of convinience]] between a runaway Jacksonian MafiaPrincess and a well-connected Barrayaran Officer who considered it a better option than the former throwing herself off his balcony to escape Immigration. Neither his relations (including the guy he ''thought'' he had roped into signing off on the divorce) nor hers miss the feelings they have for each other.
** In ''Literature/ShardsOfHonor'', Cordelia and Aral can't take their eyes off each other, and she reflects they'll have to work on that. A doctor calls Aral out on the unspoken relationship.
* At the beginning of ''Literature/EarthUnaware'' Victor's family elders sent his second cousin Alejandra to another clan's fleet because they noticed that they were developing feelings for one another even though they hadn't realized it, and endogamy is forbidden. After it's pointed out to him Victor realizes it was true and spends much of the book mooning after her.
* In ''Literature/{{Overenskommelser}}'' by Creator/SimonaAhrnstedt, Sofia and Johan know that Beatrice and Seth should be together. [[IdiotPlot But alas...]]
* In the ''Literature/PrinceRoger'' series, Roger and Sergeant Despreaux spend a novel and a half in UST, partly because they're part of the same military unit and partly because she's one of his {{bodyguard|Crush}}s. The other soldiers, instead of acting to stop this, set up a betting pool about when they'll get down to business.
* Happens in ''Literature/ThePrincessDiaries''. When Michael and Mia finally confess their feelings to one another, Lily comments that everyone already knew how they felt, and that they were only people who weren't aware of it.
* The companions all seem to regard Taran and Eilonwy's marriage as an eventuality, even before Taran's willing to admit how he feels about her and while he still has no idea if she's remotely interested, in ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain''.

* The evil overlord in ''Literature/DeltoraQuest'' actually uses this to his advantage by using [[spoiler: a fake long-lost sister to lure Jasmine to the Shadowlands, knowing the only thing that would convince Leif to cross the border was a quest to save his friends. Wisely, he used the friend with lady parts for added incentive]]. Apparently they were so obvious even the goddamn Shadow Lord could see it.
* In ''Literature/TheWitchlands'', Merik is the last person aboard his ship to realize he has feelings for Safi. It takes Kullen (who's bedridden for most of the journey and ''still'' sees what Merik doesn't) suggesting that the two of them have a "tumble in the bedsheets" while on land for Merik to realize that yes, he's been attracted to this woman for quite some time now.

* ''Literature/{{Worm}}'' has Taylor heavily crushing on Brian, to the pint where Alec, an emotionally stunted sociopath and Rachel, whose brain has literally been rewired to canine psychology, think it's obvious. Brian remains [[ObliviousToLove oblivious to this]] as he's too focused on providing for his chronic runaway younger sister (who also noticed it immediately the first time she saw them together). In fairness, Taylor has spent the last two years being abused and emotionally neglected, so it would be strange if she didn't fall for the attractive beefcake who goes out of his way to make her feel welcome, and is one of the few people to treat her with warmth and respect.

* ''LightNovel/CookingWithWildGame'' is set in a conservative, tightly-knit village, so when the local spinster invites an unmarried stranger to stay in her house for the foreseeable future, everyone knows why.

* Ron and Hermione from ''Literature/HarryPotter''. Harry starts seeing it around [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire Book Four]] (as did readers, which is why the films start the WillTheyOrWontThey in ''Movie Two''), and even basically shouts "Finally!!!" in his head after the BigDamnKiss in the final book (followed immediately thereafter by "...but can we finish the bloody war first??").

** Even [[spoiler:Annabeth's mother Athena]] knows the score. When [[spoiler:she]] pulls an IfYouEverDoAnythingToHurtHer on [[spoiler:Percy]],[[spoiler:he]] starts to insist that [[spoiler:he and Annabeth]] JustFriends, but [[spoiler:Athena]] cuts [[spoiler:him]] off with a curt, "Oh, spare me."

** Even Annabeth's mother Athena knows the score. She eventually pulls an IfYouEverDoAnythingToHurtHer on Percy, and when he starts to insist that he and Annabeth JustFriends, Athena cuts him off with a curt, "Oh, spare me."

--> '''Rachel (threateningly):''' What did you say?
--> '''Marco's thoughts:''' ''Like it was some big secret.''

* In the ''LittleHouseOnThePrairie'' series, everyone but Laura herself seems to figure out rather early on just why Almanzo's willing to make the long, cold drive every weekend to bring her home from her teaching job. She's quite shocked when one of her friends clues her in, and initially panics. Fortunately, Almanzo sticks it out as a DoggedNiceGuy until she falls for him, too.

* By the time you get to the last book in the ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' series, it's pretty obvious that everyone around them can see that [[spoiler:Percy and Annabeth]] are in love with each other. It's made especially apparent towards the end of the book when they finally kiss and [[spoiler: Clarisse]] growls, "Well, it's about time!"

* In the PrinceRoger series, Roger and Sergeant Despreaux spend a novel and a half in UST, partly because they're part of the same military unit and partly because she's one of his [[BodyguardCrush bodyguards.]] The other soldiers, instead of acting to stop this, set up a betting pool about when they'll get down to business.

** More conventionally, everyone from Harry's family to his perennial FriendlyEnemy can see that he and Murphy have feelings for each other. This is taken UpToEleven in ''Literature/SkinGame'', where literally everyone other than Harry himself can see it, including ''Harry's own subconscious''. More than one character refers to Murphy as Harry's girlfriend, to his consternation. [[spoiler:Nicodemus even counts on this as part of his BatmanGambit to manipulate Murphy]].

** More conventionally, everyone from Harry's family to his perennial FriendlyEnemy can see that he and Murphy have feelings for each other.