Snow Gardens by elfin (NC-17)

[periwinkle27.livejournal.com]

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Author on LJ: elfinessy
Author Website: http://www.sundive.co.uk/

Do you ever read a story, finish it, and then it starts to grow on you the more you think about it? Eventually you find yourself reading and rereading it until you've practically memorized it.  I had that sort of reaction to "Snow Gardens."  The first time I read the tale I enjoyed it, then I discovered myself thinking about it more and more until now it's one of my favorites.

I find it hauntingly beautiful, especially in the way Elfin's writing evokes Illya's dignity when Napoleon wants to take him to bed for the first time, just hours after Illya has survived a bad time with Thrush.   There is an equal partnership here with real caring and desire for each other.


"You owe me a bottle of vodka."

Napoleon hesitated before throwing in, "There's a well-stocked bar in my room."

Cool blue eyes assessed him for just a moment before Illya threw back his head and laughed.

Solo was stunned.  He tried to recall a time when he'd seen such open delight on his partner's usually stoic features and found that he couldn't.

"Does this ever work?" Illya asked when he was able.

"Does what ever work?" Solo responded, unsure whether or not to be offended.

"This strategy, that pick up line."  He shook his head, snow falling from his hair.  "If you want to take me to bed, Napoleon, just say so.  You don't need to seduce me."

Illya's quiet grace had always been able to succeed where his boisterous charm failed.

Napoleon swallowed and stepped forward.  "I want to take you to bed."

His partner's reply was a smile.  "Let's go back to the house."


Snow Gardens

Comments

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

It was Elfin's stories that actually got me into MFU in the first place. I'd read her Silver/Steel pre-slash story and went to her site to see if she'd written a sequel and found some MFU stories. So breaking my own rule of 'never read unless I've seen at least one ep' I read and . . .

I love this story.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Great rec. I love her MFU stories and this is one of my favorite.

[georgiamagnolia.livejournal.com]

fantastic rec! I love this show and have since I was a kid. This is the first fic I have read in this fandom and it was the perfect one to start with.

:)

[periwinkle27.livejournal.com]

Your icon reminds me of the weather outside.

I'm glad you liked this rec. I was surprised it wasn't done before, although other ones of elfin's stories were.

[periwinkle27.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you were pleased. Have you read her other stories?

[georgiamagnolia.livejournal.com]

yes, I explored her archive, all goodness there. :)

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I'm using snowy icons in the faint hope that it might snow here!

[elfinessy.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the wonderful feedback :-)

::blush::

I've had feedback about this story from people who have been disturbed by it, so it's nice to read that people are enjoying it :-)

Your story

[periwinkle27.livejournal.com]

It is a little disturbing in tone because of what Illya's just been through, but I think that's why it haunts me. And it's neat to know you were responsible for another writer joining the fandom isn't it?

I like your descriptions of Illya's quiet dignity and Napoleon's response. I feel Illya is often weakened down -- here he is a very strong person.

Re: Your story

[elfinessy.livejournal.com]

It is what Illya's been through, although I'd read much worse before writing mine.

I'm very proud - I love to be an inspiration :-)

I read so much fic where Illya was the weak one but his history, his background, all points towards a very strong personality. I wrote '4.20am' to point out that very thing.

[alinewrites.livejournal.com]

Excellent - like all of elfin's MFU stories. Thanks for reccing it