I wasn't sure exactly where to ask for this, but the marriage thread had me thinking. What if players could marry NPCs?
In the event that said NPC dies for story reasons, like for real perma ded, then cutscenes that follow would set them to a widow status. However- it would come a t a heavy risk. They wouldn't be able to divorce, and they'd be locked out of player marriage for the character. It almost physically pains me to see my character cringe when Aymeric shows his utmost enthusiasm towards me.I want to bury my face in his muscular chest.
If the player is married, then cutscenes would only have a slight deviation in the same way NPCs comment on things you've done in the past. Like unlocking NIN when talking to Yugiri. Small things, but enough to establish you're a couple. Alternatively the way race/gender is treated.