Footwork by Kellie Matthews (NC17)

[tatkreiswok.livejournal.com]

Very few people can hold a candle to Kellie Matthews. She is an amazingly talented writer who handles canon and fanon beautifully, is a master at capturing Napoleon and Illya’s voices, is great at characterization, and wholly inhabits whatever genre she’s writing in to the extent that you can easily imagine her stories as actual episodes. Plus, she writes incredibly hot sex scenes.

I was a big fan of her “Due South” stories, and was thrilled when I discovered that she also wrote “Man from U.N.C.L.E.”

Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: kelliem
Author Website: Home Page for Kellie Matthews
Why this must be read:

It’s nice to get to rec a light-hearted romp on such a nice spring day! “Footwork” presents us with unique undercover assignments for Illya and Napoleon: a ballet dancer and an I.R.S. agent, respectively. This amusing premise also gives us a great turnabout in regard to the roles they normally play undercover (Illya gets to be the one salivated over, and Napoleon’s makes him less noticeable). It also gives us a rarity in any fandom: a well-handled previously established relationship between our favorite guys. Although this story is done with a light touch, a little poignancy near the end balances it, giving it depth and emotional resonance, and really makes it a perfect read.

What makes this story so good? The writing (crisp and beautiful), the dialogue (Kellie’s got Napoleon and Illya’s witty banter down brilliantly), the set-up, the sex (*fans self*), and Illya in tights (really, need I say more?)





To add insult to injury, the dance company's business office had a window that overlooked the practice floor. It was far too easy to glance up from the endless rows of figures to see the graceful, long-legged beauties and lithe, muscular young men of the troupe. And though even Napoleon could see that in comparison with the others Illya did indeed have a less practiced grace, his economy of movement and the controlled power of his lifts apparently impressed more than just his sporadically-cultured partner. Most of the girls and several of the boys made no secret of their interest in the newest member of the company. Illya had a veritable plethora of pulchritude to choose from.

That morning he‛d overheard a flock of the boys engaged in a serious debate as to whether the new guy filled out his tights better from the front or from the back. They seemed to be evenly split on the matter, but either way, they all thought he was the coolest thing since Herman and the Hermits.

The fact that Illya was modest to the point of self-deprecation endeared him further, or so Napoleon gathered, listening to the chatter of the girls gathered around the coffee urn, inconveniently located in the business office where they all skirted him like he was a leper. It was disconcerting. He was used to being the one flocked-to. Even his mousy 'accountant' character usually got a few looks, but it had gotten around that he worked for the IRS, and that apparently had as much cachet as a shot of skunk spray.

They also thought Illya's accent was 'dreamy.'

He thought briefly about attempting an Anglo-Russian accent. Very briefly. Then he turned back to the books, embarrassed to have even thought about it. Fortunately finding an undocumented ten-thousand-dollar credit entry took his mind off his embarrassment in short order, and he applied himself more assiduously to his work. He was so involved in it, in fact, that it was only after two throat-clearings that he realized someone actually wanted his attention.

He turned and was confronted with a lean, bare torso, gleaming faintly with sweat, narrow hips and powerful thighs encased in tights that were... tight. Everywhere. He realized he'd been staring at someone's crotch for far too long and quickly looked up, meeting the man's extremely amused gaze. For a moment, just a moment, he didn't realize whose eyes he was staring into. Then, in the space of an eyeblink, he did recognize him. Not as his partner, but as a man who had shared his bed. They were not precisely the same person. This half-naked, sensual . . . no, blatantly sexual being, bore virtually no resemblance to his buttoned-up, intellectual partner. The dichotomy was disconcerting.




Footwork

Comments

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

I read it as soon as it was published. Very well written indeed. Illya as a dancer is not my favourite image of him but it may be justified in the context.

[tatkreiswok.livejournal.com]

Kellie makes it work, though (i.e., Illya as a ballet dancer)! The premise never bothered me because I keep recalling some of the more fanciful undercover assignments in the series -- if memory serves, wasn't Illya undercover as a personal hairdresser at one point?

Anyway, what's good for the goose in canon, is sauce for the gander in fanon. :)

Glad you liked one you'd previously enjoyed, and hope you get to take a turn behind the wheel at crack_van; I see you've signed up!

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

I keep recalling some of the more fanciful undercover assignments in the series -- if memory serves, wasn't Illya undercover as a personal hairdresser at one point?

Absolutely yes! And I see your point. But to act as a ballet dancer, even in a minor role, needs a long and hard professional training and I didn't know how it could have been possible during Illya school years, given all his other academic or sportive achievements (gymnastic is not dance). And in my mind, dancing has something too charming and feminine for this tough, austere and very male character (that's a prejudice, I know but I feel that way). There was the same premise in Lois Balzer's work and prevented me completely to enter her universe. I must admit, my ability in "suspension of disbelief" is very low.

So, the fact I read the story with great interest nonetheless is still more indicative of the author's talent.

As for crack_van, it would be a pleasure but I already did two months and a half, plus about the same for "Pros" and I think the site's managers are expecting more variety in contributions. They banned the "Pros" fandom bcause of that. And beware! If I'd come back now, it would be with a lot of old, buddy action stories, gen or barely slashy, for it's my mood nowadays.

[tatkreiswok.livejournal.com]

You do make some very good points! I think the story works very well, and Kellie gets around any stumbling blocks by emphasizing Illya's lifting ability rather than his grace. I never gave it any more thought while reading than: 'Hmmm, a gymnast would have to do a floor exercize in competition, and gymnasts do take a little ballet to round out their athletic abilities...' And as Illya states in the story, he's just going through the motions and pretending, making it believable enough for rehearsals, but not for a real performance. In fact, he blanches when Napoleon suggests otherwise.

I also think Kellie shows a similar aspect to Illya, making it more about his ability to inhabit an undercover role, when she has him impersonate a Royal in the story. Napoleon sees Illya become someone else before his eyes without a change in clothing or make-up, but with just a shift in his demeanor.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed to the story, and I hope you get to rec "Pros" again!

[ardent-muses.livejournal.com]

Kellie's so great, isn't she?

This was a very insightful rec. I love being reminded of all the things I liked in a story. Thanks!

[tatkreiswok.livejournal.com]

Glad to be of service, and thanks for the compliment!

Kellie's stories are wonderful, so they're easy to gush over! I adore "Footwork," but "Lost & Found" is my current favorite of her's. I'm sure the next one she writes will also become a fast favorite. :)

[dinahmt.livejournal.com]

Great rec. Kellie's one of my favourite writers too and her stories never disappoint.

[tatkreiswok.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the rec, and that you (along with me) are looking forward to whatever Kellie writes next. :)