"Empty Shoes" by Meris (G)

[laughingacademy.livejournal.com]

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: gen (or Illya/Napoleon implied)
Author on LJ: Meris_mfu
Why this must be read:

Illya had always thought Napoleon would make the perfect clown — self-possessed, inventive, limber, able to carry off the silliest clothes with panache, doing pratfalls and last-minute saves, making people laugh with that incalculable charm.

The undercover-at-the-circus premise can be the occasion for a riotous romp (for a wonderful example, check out the glorious due South story “Juggling Act” by cesperanza), but Meris uses it as the springboard for a haunting vignette.

"Why don't you just make them laugh...?"

Napoleon shrugged, tall collar moving on his shoulders. "Not all clowns tell happy stories."

Empty Shoes

Comments

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I really liked this. I do see it very much NS/IK (after all, Napoleon does call Illya love,) so Illya's violent reaction to the show are very understandable. Thanks so much for rec'ing the story.