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crack_van2004-03-23 07:02 pm
vysila.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-03-23 07:02 pm
Entry tags:
The Louis Armstrong Affair by Veronica (R)
Full story title: The Louis Armstrong Affair (A Kiss to Build a Dream On)
Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Illya/Napoleon
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
veronicaluv
Author Website: ooooh, shiny
Why this must be read: Because everyone miscalculates the odds once in a while, even men like Napoleon and Illya. A mission turns very sour and they don't expect to survive the night, and make confessions they don't ever expect to have to follow through on. But since they do survive, they must deal with the consequences of their words and actions. They are delightfully tentative and awkward at times, but they don't fear to go where less courageous men might retreat.
Veronica writes very concise and elegant prose, and has a flair for vivid metaphors that really draw the reader into the heads and hearts of these guys. Her ear for dialogue is nothing short of perfect pitch; Napoleon and Illya banter and snark with laser-sharp precision. There's angst, humor, action, hurt/comfort, hot sex and tension in abundance, and their evolving relationship always takes center stage.
"'Give me a kiss before you leave me.'" He spoke the words quickly, teasingly, knowing that Napoleon would recognize the lyrics. Clouded eyes lifted to meet his, a tender smile warring with fathomless sorrow as Napoleon shook his head.
"L-Louis Armstrong? At a t-time like this?"
Illya flexed a finger, allowing a tiny caress to Napoleon's grimy cheek. "You would prefer The Beatles? Madame Butterfly? How about the Star-Spangled Banner?"
"Good p-point. Um, let's see - cough - think the n-next line - 'my imagination will f-feed my hungry heart - " Horrified, Illya watched the dark eyes drift shut as Napoleon's body began to grow slack against him.
"Napoleon- "
"'Leave me - cough, - leave me one - one thing - Illya, I'm s-sorry, always hate - hate t-to l-leave a g-good p-party early - "
"Hush, Napoleon, I'm here - ' - leave me one thing, before we part - a kiss to build a dream on…'" With the last of his strength, Illya pressed his mouth to Napoleon's, unsurprised to taste fresh blood in the kiss. Napoleon returned the pressure with a broken sigh, the sound reverberating in Illya's lax mouth as he felt Napoleon slip away.
It wouldn't take long now, he knew. Napoleon still breathed in shallow gasps beside him, but without medical help soon, he'd never reawaken. His own condition was no better, but whatever poison had been used on him was not one to grant an easy death. With calm acceptance, he felt his lungs begin to seize and finally the great heat that had consumed him began to ebb away. With Napoleon's blood still warm on his lip, he looked up at the stars, so cold, so distant - and smiled.
When I'm alone with my fancies, I'll be with you, weaving romances, making believe they're true.
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.
The Louis Armstrong Affair
Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Illya/Napoleon
Author on LJ:
veronicaluvAuthor Website: ooooh, shiny
Why this must be read: Because everyone miscalculates the odds once in a while, even men like Napoleon and Illya. A mission turns very sour and they don't expect to survive the night, and make confessions they don't ever expect to have to follow through on. But since they do survive, they must deal with the consequences of their words and actions. They are delightfully tentative and awkward at times, but they don't fear to go where less courageous men might retreat.
Veronica writes very concise and elegant prose, and has a flair for vivid metaphors that really draw the reader into the heads and hearts of these guys. Her ear for dialogue is nothing short of perfect pitch; Napoleon and Illya banter and snark with laser-sharp precision. There's angst, humor, action, hurt/comfort, hot sex and tension in abundance, and their evolving relationship always takes center stage.
"'Give me a kiss before you leave me.'" He spoke the words quickly, teasingly, knowing that Napoleon would recognize the lyrics. Clouded eyes lifted to meet his, a tender smile warring with fathomless sorrow as Napoleon shook his head.
"L-Louis Armstrong? At a t-time like this?"
Illya flexed a finger, allowing a tiny caress to Napoleon's grimy cheek. "You would prefer The Beatles? Madame Butterfly? How about the Star-Spangled Banner?"
"Good p-point. Um, let's see - cough - think the n-next line - 'my imagination will f-feed my hungry heart - " Horrified, Illya watched the dark eyes drift shut as Napoleon's body began to grow slack against him.
"Napoleon- "
"'Leave me - cough, - leave me one - one thing - Illya, I'm s-sorry, always hate - hate t-to l-leave a g-good p-party early - "
"Hush, Napoleon, I'm here - ' - leave me one thing, before we part - a kiss to build a dream on…'" With the last of his strength, Illya pressed his mouth to Napoleon's, unsurprised to taste fresh blood in the kiss. Napoleon returned the pressure with a broken sigh, the sound reverberating in Illya's lax mouth as he felt Napoleon slip away.
It wouldn't take long now, he knew. Napoleon still breathed in shallow gasps beside him, but without medical help soon, he'd never reawaken. His own condition was no better, but whatever poison had been used on him was not one to grant an easy death. With calm acceptance, he felt his lungs begin to seize and finally the great heat that had consumed him began to ebb away. With Napoleon's blood still warm on his lip, he looked up at the stars, so cold, so distant - and smiled.
When I'm alone with my fancies, I'll be with you, weaving romances, making believe they're true.
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.
The Louis Armstrong Affair