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lyrebird.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2006-02-06 07:06 pm
lyrebird.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2006-02-06 07:06 pm
Entry tags:
Only Optimists by Viviana (PG-13)
Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
viviana7
Author Website: no, but you can find her fics on her LJ and the CaGM archive
Why this must be read:
This excellent story uses the episode "Shark Affair" to explore the relationship dynamic between Napoleon and Illya. Viviana not only recreates scenes from the episode with impressive precision, she expands on them with generous dollops of banter, hurt/comfort, suspense and, most importantly, delivers the character-driven drama that was only hinted at in the script. In first-person present tense, we are easily drawn into Illya's mindset as a young agent harbouring a crush on his partner. Through his eyes, we see the many facets of Napoleon Solo: his charm, his skill as a bartender, his unflappable humour, his steely determination...and his capacity for empathy and forgiveness under duress. Illya grapples to make sense of this aspect of Napoleon, so consumed is he with helpless fury and vengeance.
Their attempt to understand each other forms the heart of this story. There is no romantic resolution, no vows of love voiced aloud. But the moving depiction of the bond between them will reassure anxious slash fans. Sometimes optimism can be contagious.
Fans who haven't seen the episode may like to check out this summary by Vicky L - but you don't need to know the episode to enjoy this story.
Only Optimists
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ:
viviana7Author Website: no, but you can find her fics on her LJ and the CaGM archive
Why this must be read:
This excellent story uses the episode "Shark Affair" to explore the relationship dynamic between Napoleon and Illya. Viviana not only recreates scenes from the episode with impressive precision, she expands on them with generous dollops of banter, hurt/comfort, suspense and, most importantly, delivers the character-driven drama that was only hinted at in the script. In first-person present tense, we are easily drawn into Illya's mindset as a young agent harbouring a crush on his partner. Through his eyes, we see the many facets of Napoleon Solo: his charm, his skill as a bartender, his unflappable humour, his steely determination...and his capacity for empathy and forgiveness under duress. Illya grapples to make sense of this aspect of Napoleon, so consumed is he with helpless fury and vengeance.
Their attempt to understand each other forms the heart of this story. There is no romantic resolution, no vows of love voiced aloud. But the moving depiction of the bond between them will reassure anxious slash fans. Sometimes optimism can be contagious.
Fans who haven't seen the episode may like to check out this summary by Vicky L - but you don't need to know the episode to enjoy this story.
Only Optimists