Pictures at an Exhibition by Kellie Matthews (NC-17)

[susan-peri.livejournal.com]

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Solo/Kuryakin
Author on LJ: kelliem
Author's Website: http://kellie.mrks.org/

Why this story must be read:
Kellie is well-known for her writing, and deservedly so. Her characters stay very true to canon and the dialog sounds just like the television show. Her stories have interesting plots and the language is witty and sophisticated.

This particular story traces the development of the relationship between Napoleon and Illya in a series of vignettes over the years of their partnership, beginning at the point where they are still addressing each other by last name and ending when they reunite after the 15 year separation.

And, of course, there are some fantastic sex scenes between the two men, both when they are young and when they are middle-aged. Even better is the depiction of the affection and friendship between the two men. Then there is Kellie’s treatment of Illya’s reaction to Napoleon’s leaving. It could be very angsty in the hands of another writer, but Kellie makes it more bittersweet and poignant.


”You need a featherbed,” Illya complained.

Napoleon chuckled. “On my salary?”

“I’ll bring mine down next time,” he said, finally finding a marginally comfortable position.

“Good idea. I want to see you explain that to the guys who monitor the hall security cameras.”

”Sleepover. We can burn marshmallows over your stove,” Illya said sleepily.

There was a short silence, then a chuckle. “That’s ‘toast’ not ‘burn,’ and your encyclopedic knowledge of American boyhood never ceases to amaze me.”

”Part of my training to be a mole,” Illya said, knowing Napoleon would wonder if he were lying or not.

Another silence was followed by an annoyed snort. “Has anyone every told you that you’re evil?”

”Yes. Nearly everyone. Turn out the light, I’m tired.”

Story at Chrome and Gunmetal: http://www.chromeandgunmetal.com/chrome/archive/1/picturesat.html

Story on Kellie’s website: http://kellie.mrks.org/fic/mfu/pictures.htm

Comments

[jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com]

Your first link is broken.

[susan-peri.livejournal.com]

I'm editing it as I speak. I also messed up the lj-cut.
Thanks for pointing it out though.

[bluster.livejournal.com]

The story can be found at Chrome and Gunmetal here:

http://www.chromeandgunmetal.com/chrome/archive/1/picturesat.html

[susan-peri.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the help.
The problem wasn't that my links were bad but that I had dropped a quotation mark in the lj-cut and that threw everything off from that point. I usually proofread better, but my computer picked that moment to freeze up. Hopefully I have my act together.

And after all that, I do hope you enjoy the story. I really like it.

[bluster.livejournal.com]

I figured it was something like that. My main reason for posting the link was for anyone who came along before you got it fixed. The more folks that use Chrome & Gunmetal the happier I am. :-)

Kellie is a wonderful writer and I'm really pleased to see this story getting recced.

[susan-peri.livejournal.com]

Good idea. I would have fixed it immediately if my computer hadn't blown up. This is a good excuse to go get a new computer, don't you think?

I love Chrome & Gunmetal! I use the random story feature when I want to find something new to read. I also think it has got one of the best search features for when you sort of remember the plot but not the title.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I've always liked the way Kellie Mathews portrays Napoleon and Illya, two strong men who, if they have a major weakness, it's each other. And I've always thought this story's reason for the separation the most logical of all the reasons I've ever run across. Thanks for bringing it to mind with the rec; it was a joy to reread.

[susan-peri.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the comment. I hadn't realized until I started doing the reviews how much I would crave feedback. It's nice to know someone liked the story.