The Pomegranate Affair by Kleenexwoman (PG)

[elmey.livejournal.com]

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: none
Length: 2232 words
Author on LJ: kleenexwoman
Author Website: Kleenexwoman on AO3
Why this must be read:

The same thing happened to me last time. I recced another of kleenexwoman's stories, then flailed madly trying to describe it. All I can tell you is that we're in another world now; spooky, beautiful, scary. Yet it's anchored in MFU. Napoleon and Illya are completely themselves, but they're lost in a strange underworld maze: solid as the rock walls they touch to reassure themselves, insubstantial as the people only Illya can see.

Vivid, evocative language; witty, heartbreaking, unique. Go read please, you won't regret it.

"You idiot," Illya hissed, "what do you think you're doing? What if one of them saw you?"

Napoleon risked a glance over his shoulder. The cavern seemed devoid of people; still, sometimes Illya could detect snipers or spies hidden in places Napoleon wouldn't think to look. "Who? Where are they?"

"Everywhere! Crowds of people, walking round in a ring. They must have all come in while I was bringing you here."

The Pomegranate Affair