ext_2694 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
azdak.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2007-07-20 09:11 am
azdak.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2007-07-20 09:11 am
Entry tags:
Room at the Top by Viviana (PG 13)
Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
viviana7
Author Website: None
Why this must be read:
Viviana is a bit of an enigma. As far as I know, she has written only a handful of MfU stories, which are so outstanding that they've all already been recced here, with the exception of two drabbles and "Room at the Top". I'm not sure why this one escaped, because it's a lovely long, emotionally involving story, written with Viviana's characteristic poetic touch. However, I'm glad it did, because otherwise I wouldn't have had an opportunity to drool publicly over her work. Viviana is one of those authors who write so well that they can reconcile me to things I normally don't care for, in this case hardcore, explicit emotional wallowing. Napoleon has been offered the Number One spot in Hong Kong; Illya believes this means their relationship must be over. I'm not sure I've ever read a better version of a catastrophic argument, with each starting off being reasonable by his lights, then going for blood and ending with the horrified feeling that he had never really known the dark side of his partner. The pig-headedness, the conflicting motivations, the absolute impossibility of finding a solution all ring true, and the language in which they conduct this bitter debate is a delight:
'It's a good thing they've finally found you a top job, Napoleon. Maybe now your monstrous ego will be satisfied, and give the rest of the world a chance! It never occurred to you that anyone could refuse you, did it? That they might have a life, reasons, ties they do not wish to break, careers, plans, or any purpose in existing but to serve you?'
Napoleon looked stunned. 'Hey, don't hold back. Express yourself.'
The story is on Viviana's lj but not behind a cut, so you need to scroll down past her two drabbles (which you can read on the way - they're both excellent) to find it. And once you've finished, you can go straight on to the story which follows, "Poker Night", which has already been recced here.
Room at the Top
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ:
viviana7Author Website: None
Why this must be read:
Viviana is a bit of an enigma. As far as I know, she has written only a handful of MfU stories, which are so outstanding that they've all already been recced here, with the exception of two drabbles and "Room at the Top". I'm not sure why this one escaped, because it's a lovely long, emotionally involving story, written with Viviana's characteristic poetic touch. However, I'm glad it did, because otherwise I wouldn't have had an opportunity to drool publicly over her work. Viviana is one of those authors who write so well that they can reconcile me to things I normally don't care for, in this case hardcore, explicit emotional wallowing. Napoleon has been offered the Number One spot in Hong Kong; Illya believes this means their relationship must be over. I'm not sure I've ever read a better version of a catastrophic argument, with each starting off being reasonable by his lights, then going for blood and ending with the horrified feeling that he had never really known the dark side of his partner. The pig-headedness, the conflicting motivations, the absolute impossibility of finding a solution all ring true, and the language in which they conduct this bitter debate is a delight:
'It's a good thing they've finally found you a top job, Napoleon. Maybe now your monstrous ego will be satisfied, and give the rest of the world a chance! It never occurred to you that anyone could refuse you, did it? That they might have a life, reasons, ties they do not wish to break, careers, plans, or any purpose in existing but to serve you?'
Napoleon looked stunned. 'Hey, don't hold back. Express yourself.'
The story is on Viviana's lj but not behind a cut, so you need to scroll down past her two drabbles (which you can read on the way - they're both excellent) to find it. And once you've finished, you can go straight on to the story which follows, "Poker Night", which has already been recced here.
Room at the Top