Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Length: ~3,100 words, one-shot
Author on LJ:
cousinnatAuthor Website: Not that I know of, but her stories can be found on
The Chrome and Gunmetal Madhouse and at
File 40Why this must be read:Any MFU fan will tell you that things are
really bad when non-introspective Illya, the man who shrugs his shoulders and says "things are what they are", is troubled enough by nightmares to seek out a psychiatrist's advice
This story is a wonderfully revealing, character-driven gem of Freudian sleuthing. Contrary to the sexual innuendo of the title, "Sometimes A Cigar..." isn't about sex, but about everything else that makes life worth living – namely, other people and how we feel about them.
Nataliya has a marvelous ear for dialogue, and her Illya sounds as if he could've stepped right out of an episode. And even if Napoleon only makes a cameo appearance – well, he's certainly at the heart of the story.
Sometimes A Cigar…I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.