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crack_van2006-04-10 09:30 pm
tatkreiswok.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2006-04-10 09:30 pm
Entry tags:
"The 'To Thine Own Self Be True' Affair" by Taliesin (PG13 to NC17)
Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Taliesin’s Reach
Why this must be read:
Taliesin has written some wonderful Man from U.N.C.L.E. stories, and she knows how to balance humor and angst beautifully. I think that one of her most enjoyable stories is "The 'To Thine Own Self Be True' Affair." For me, it’s a textbook example of how to flawlessly incorporate fanon into canon, taking everything we know – or think we know – about Illya Kuryakin and running it through a fine filter. The sieve, in this case, is none other than Napoleon Solo.
Told from Illya’s point of view, Taliesin spins a yarn that explores the fallout of a mission where Napoleon's been rescued after having been captured and interrogated by THRUSH. What’s the fallout, you ask? Well, let’s just say Mr. Solo’s not himself right now. This little twist, which could easily have walked off the pages of a MFU script, sets the stage for Illya to not be himself either, which leads, inevitably to a solution, which leads directly to our two favorite men from U.N.C.L.E. tumbling into bed together.
He turned briefly from opening his office door at Mark's parting shot.
"He thinks he's you."
"He what?"
But Mark was retreating rapidly, and someone inside his office growled for him to "either enter or go away and be done with it." The voice was Napoleon's... sort of; the tone... well, it might have been Illya himself. The faint accent was a perfect imitation, as was the somewhat clipped manner of speaking Illya had adopted to minimize that lingering accent.
Apparently he hesitated too long, for he was roundly cursed for wasting valuable time. Illya blinked. He'd never suspected Napoleon knew that much idiomatic Russian.
Taking a deep breath, Illya pushed the door open and strode in. Once inside, he suddenly discovered he wasn't at all prepared for what he found.
Napoleon wore black pants and a black suitcoat over a similarly somber turtleneck -- Illya's standard attire. He wondered where Napoleon had found the clothes, for he knew for a fact their like was not to be found in the sartorial splendor of his partner's wardrobe. The unrelieved black displayed the broad shoulders and deep chest in a way Napoleon's expensive suits never had. His hair was uncharacteristically mussed, his soft brown eyes chilled. Napoleon looked solid and powerful and, in fact, somewhat frightening. Illya suddenly understood Mark's discomfort.
Napoleon had apparently decided to ignore him in favor of the paperwork he was diligently bent over, which gave Illya an opportunity to study the man. As he did so, he came to realize just how well his partner knew him. Every movement was spot on, every expression mimicked him perfectly. For all the differences in their height, build and coloring, he might as well have been watching himself. It was disconcerting to watch this Napoleon in action, for Illya knew, with a vaguely frightening sense of familiarity, that he was seeing himself as others saw him. It was both highly disturbing and oddly comforting to realize that Napoleon's knowledge of him went that deep.
"Either state your business or go away." The harsh edge to Napoleon's voice shocked Illya out of his reverie. "I have better things to do than be stared at like a side-show attraction."
"I... sorry," Illya managed after a moment, having no idea what to say. He fumbled for the door and stumbled out into the hall, belatedly remembering to pull it shut behind him when another growl from inside reached him.
Not once had Napoleon actually looked at him. Illya was almost grateful he hadn't had to meet his partner's eyes. He really needed a drink, but that was out of the question. Illya settled for an audience with Waverly.
The “To Thine Own Self Be True” Affair
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Taliesin’s Reach
Why this must be read:
Taliesin has written some wonderful Man from U.N.C.L.E. stories, and she knows how to balance humor and angst beautifully. I think that one of her most enjoyable stories is "The 'To Thine Own Self Be True' Affair." For me, it’s a textbook example of how to flawlessly incorporate fanon into canon, taking everything we know – or think we know – about Illya Kuryakin and running it through a fine filter. The sieve, in this case, is none other than Napoleon Solo.
Told from Illya’s point of view, Taliesin spins a yarn that explores the fallout of a mission where Napoleon's been rescued after having been captured and interrogated by THRUSH. What’s the fallout, you ask? Well, let’s just say Mr. Solo’s not himself right now. This little twist, which could easily have walked off the pages of a MFU script, sets the stage for Illya to not be himself either, which leads, inevitably to a solution, which leads directly to our two favorite men from U.N.C.L.E. tumbling into bed together.
He turned briefly from opening his office door at Mark's parting shot.
"He thinks he's you."
"He what?"
But Mark was retreating rapidly, and someone inside his office growled for him to "either enter or go away and be done with it." The voice was Napoleon's... sort of; the tone... well, it might have been Illya himself. The faint accent was a perfect imitation, as was the somewhat clipped manner of speaking Illya had adopted to minimize that lingering accent.
Apparently he hesitated too long, for he was roundly cursed for wasting valuable time. Illya blinked. He'd never suspected Napoleon knew that much idiomatic Russian.
Taking a deep breath, Illya pushed the door open and strode in. Once inside, he suddenly discovered he wasn't at all prepared for what he found.
Napoleon wore black pants and a black suitcoat over a similarly somber turtleneck -- Illya's standard attire. He wondered where Napoleon had found the clothes, for he knew for a fact their like was not to be found in the sartorial splendor of his partner's wardrobe. The unrelieved black displayed the broad shoulders and deep chest in a way Napoleon's expensive suits never had. His hair was uncharacteristically mussed, his soft brown eyes chilled. Napoleon looked solid and powerful and, in fact, somewhat frightening. Illya suddenly understood Mark's discomfort.
Napoleon had apparently decided to ignore him in favor of the paperwork he was diligently bent over, which gave Illya an opportunity to study the man. As he did so, he came to realize just how well his partner knew him. Every movement was spot on, every expression mimicked him perfectly. For all the differences in their height, build and coloring, he might as well have been watching himself. It was disconcerting to watch this Napoleon in action, for Illya knew, with a vaguely frightening sense of familiarity, that he was seeing himself as others saw him. It was both highly disturbing and oddly comforting to realize that Napoleon's knowledge of him went that deep.
"Either state your business or go away." The harsh edge to Napoleon's voice shocked Illya out of his reverie. "I have better things to do than be stared at like a side-show attraction."
"I... sorry," Illya managed after a moment, having no idea what to say. He fumbled for the door and stumbled out into the hall, belatedly remembering to pull it shut behind him when another growl from inside reached him.
Not once had Napoleon actually looked at him. Illya was almost grateful he hadn't had to meet his partner's eyes. He really needed a drink, but that was out of the question. Illya settled for an audience with Waverly.
The “To Thine Own Self Be True” Affair
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