The Artic Nights Affair by Rosemary (NC-17)

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

I am back after a week of absence. As I had supposed, the very limited access to Internet I could get where I was staying didn't allow me to send any rec during my vacation. I intend to catch up on my planning before the end of the month.

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ: tiranog
Author Website: Unknown

Why this must be read:

This is a first time story of a decidedly non-romantic type, at least in its premises: Napoleon and Illya are assigned to take in charge the training of a bunch of rookies in a secret U.N.C.L.E. base, located "five degrees above the arctic circle". In such an isolated environment, the nervous tension is growing fast; the more so for Napoleon that, unfortunately, there is not a single sample of the female genre in the group. To say the truth, our infamous womanizer and U.N.C.L.E. resident stud is getting more and more horny as the days and weeks are passing, with all the imaginable consequences his quickly worsening mood may have on the job.

You can easily guess the next move; what are partners made for? Not that Napoleon appeared to welcome the proposition with much enthusiasm, or that Illya had set it out in a very enticing way; his formulation seriously lacks poetry or delicacy:

"Why would you want to do something so...repugnant?"

Illya sighed. "Repugnant is hardly an adjective that applies to you. As to why? I imagine I offered for much the same reason that you cleaned the vomit and excrement off me when you found me chained in that THRUSH cell two months ago)to ease discomfort. Six weeks is a long time to suffer, Napoleon."

Solo seemed to digest the comparison for a moment. "It's not quite the same thing," he said at last.

Indeed! Don't fret; the subsequent developments are going to duly put things right between the two friends-would be lovers, through all the expectable hesitations, tentativeness, scruples, embarrassment and second thoughts, so that the outcome would be as satisfying as any romantic reader could wish. The psychological evolution is smoothly and cleverly presented and made believable by the author's skillful writing devices.

The Arctic Nights Affair

Comments

[susan-peri.livejournal.com]

This is one of my personal favorites. Even though you know how it will eventually end, it avoids following a formula and gives a fresh look at the Napoleon tries sex with Illya/Napoleon discovers it's okay/Illya loves Napoleon routine.

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

I think it was the first of the type I read, so I wasn't too demanding; but, anyway it's well rendered.

[tatkreiswok.livejournal.com]

One of my faves, as well. Another thing "The Arctic Nights Affair" does a brilliant job at, without being trite or ridiculous, is of explaining just why sex and love have always been mutually exclusive to Illya, and shows subtly just how the line between both begins to melt once he and Napoleon become lovers.

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's a good example of a story where the sex scenes are undoubtly necessary because they support, precede or follow the feelings' progression.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

FYI, Rosemary is on LJ as tiranog.

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

Thanks; I corrected it.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

What a gorgeous story! I'm so glad Rosemary seems to be posting a lot of her stories to the net.