A Trick of the Light by Viviana (R)
Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Length: 27,691 words
Author on LJ: viviana7
Author Website: Chrome & Gunmetal Madhouse has an almost comprehensive selection.
Why this must be read:
If this wonderful, emotionally complex story were easier to find (it's not archived anywhere) it would be an MFU classic. Napoleon Solo is a fortunate man. His talent, his charm, his luck, have brought him everything he wants: the job he was born for--he's the still young head of UNCLE Northwest; and the devotion of Illya, who stands by his side both professionally and personally. But perhaps it's all come a little too easily. When UNCLE is called on to protect a controversial politician, Napoleon is unexpectedly faced with his past, and with a glimpse of the road not taken. And that glimpse throws his life into turmoil.
A Trick of the Light has everything: strong emotion, action, an appallingly funny dinner party from hell, and a kick-ass rescue scene that plays like a wide-screen movie. Most of all, it has two strong all too human men; Napoleon, searching within himself to find what he really needs, and Illya who refuses to accept anything but Napoleon's best.
Illya pocketed his glasses and sat down at the desk, looking at him as though trying to decide whether to speak his mind.
'The Director is a very cautious man, Napoleon,' he ventured. 'If anything happens, he wants it to be on your watch, not his.'
'I know that. But nothing will happen. Because I've turned the whole thing over to you.' He grinned.
Illya scowled. 'You learn some things quickly enough, don't you?'
'I adapt,' said Napoleon, simply.
Illya glanced down again at the briefing notes on Senator Bryce, scanning dates and places. Napoleon could guess what was coming next.
'Did you know this lady in college?' Illya asked casually.
'Yes.' Best to get it over with now, thought Napoleon. 'Very well, in fact. We were sweethearts.'
Illya treated him to his best freezing stare. 'I would say it's a small world, Napoleon, but your proclivities do tend to shorten the odds somewhat.'
A Trick of the Light--Parts 1 & 2
A Trick of the Light--Parts 3 & 4
Pairing: Napoleon Solo/Illya Kuryakin
Length: 27,691 words
Author on LJ: viviana7
Author Website: Chrome & Gunmetal Madhouse has an almost comprehensive selection.
Why this must be read:
If this wonderful, emotionally complex story were easier to find (it's not archived anywhere) it would be an MFU classic. Napoleon Solo is a fortunate man. His talent, his charm, his luck, have brought him everything he wants: the job he was born for--he's the still young head of UNCLE Northwest; and the devotion of Illya, who stands by his side both professionally and personally. But perhaps it's all come a little too easily. When UNCLE is called on to protect a controversial politician, Napoleon is unexpectedly faced with his past, and with a glimpse of the road not taken. And that glimpse throws his life into turmoil.
A Trick of the Light has everything: strong emotion, action, an appallingly funny dinner party from hell, and a kick-ass rescue scene that plays like a wide-screen movie. Most of all, it has two strong all too human men; Napoleon, searching within himself to find what he really needs, and Illya who refuses to accept anything but Napoleon's best.
Illya pocketed his glasses and sat down at the desk, looking at him as though trying to decide whether to speak his mind.
'The Director is a very cautious man, Napoleon,' he ventured. 'If anything happens, he wants it to be on your watch, not his.'
'I know that. But nothing will happen. Because I've turned the whole thing over to you.' He grinned.
Illya scowled. 'You learn some things quickly enough, don't you?'
'I adapt,' said Napoleon, simply.
Illya glanced down again at the briefing notes on Senator Bryce, scanning dates and places. Napoleon could guess what was coming next.
'Did you know this lady in college?' Illya asked casually.
'Yes.' Best to get it over with now, thought Napoleon. 'Very well, in fact. We were sweethearts.'
Illya treated him to his best freezing stare. 'I would say it's a small world, Napoleon, but your proclivities do tend to shorten the odds somewhat.'
A Trick of the Light--Parts 1 & 2
A Trick of the Light--Parts 3 & 4