xparrot: Chopper reading (Default)
X-parrot ([personal profile] xparrot) wrote2009-03-19 10:47 pm
Entry tags:

MFU fic: Making Perfect

Illya is my new beloved, the object of my latest obsession. So, naturally, this story is...all about Napoleon. Well, and Illya, of course, because, you know, two sides of the same coin and all that. But Napoleon Solo is like John Sheppard, in that to make sense of his character, you have to suspect there is some fascinating stuff going on inside his head.

It's a tag to "The Gurnius Affair" - I suspect one of dozens of tags written over the years of the fandom. Hundreds, maybe. This episode might well have induced the spontaneous invention of the very concept of a tag-fic in many a budding fangirl. (If you don't watch/don't remember, this is the ep where Illya goes undercover as a neo-Nazi and has to torture Napoleon to preserve his cover, and then there is absolutely ZERO RESOLUTION WHATSOEVER.)

So. Resolution. And angst. And no slash, except what you want to see. (It's gen the way most of my gen is gen.) And a dash of (unresolved) het, because really, this is Napoleon Solo we're talking about.

MFU: Making Perfect {~8,000 words}
PG; gen, angst; tag to 4x11 "The Gurnius Affair"
Four years is a long time. But this is not Napoleon's decision to make anyway.


Read it on AO3

[identity profile] hyoutan.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Amazing fic, as usual. I'm always impressed with Muncle fandom for turning out fantastic, in character, episode tags that might as well be episodes in and of themselves.

I love your Illya. And I look forward to more gorgeous fics. *fingers crossed*
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
So glad you enjoyed it! Especially that you like my Illya...I like any Illya, but it's very happy-making to know mine pleases.

And I won't swear that there will be more, but...well, yes, I really do like Illya, so...

[identity profile] ashley-pitt.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)

That was fantastic!

ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

(eeeh, your icon is from the ep, but I don't recall that angle, do you know where it comes from??)

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[identity profile] dmarley.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I really enjoyed this, and especially enjoyed the view from inside Napoleon's head. You added so many little details about his date that showed him being the gentleman he is, doing his best to make Terry feel comfortable and welcome. I thought her reactions were likewise well-done. She has good reason to rip into Illya, but was understanding enough to not do it in front of Napoleon, respecting *his* respect for his partner. I really liked that.

The conversation between Napoleon and Illya was, of course, the highlight of the piece. Awkward and uncomfortable and yet still taking place with a great deal that didn't have to be said. You did a wonderful job showing the friendship and trust between them, and of showing that they're capable of working out those issues. So well done all around, and thanks so much for sharing it.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed it! I rather liked Terry in the ep (I like any innocent who picks up an axe and starts swinging when there's stuff that needs destroying!) so I'm happy to know I did her justice.

And yes, I so love how much trust the guys have in each other. I'm terribly partial to guys who can't ever quite say their true feelings but always circle around them, and these two epitomize that...
ext_942: (Default)

[identity profile] giglet.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, nicely done!

Thank you, I liked this a lot.
ext_3572: (muncle old skool)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[identity profile] dark-cygnet.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, this was lovely and so spot on. I really, really enjoyed reading this and looking to way more Muncle fic from you in the future. Thanks for sharing this with us, it was fantastic. Take care!
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much! I can't promise way more, but more...yeah, it's a distinct possibility ^^

[identity profile] jessebee.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, fan-freaking-fastic! Yes. Your Napoleon voice is dead-on and Illya is very much himself, strong, solid, self-confident. This is going to rank up there with my top "Gurnius" tag, for sure. :D
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
Ee, so glad you enjoyed it! I'm very happy to know both of them sounded like themselves...

[identity profile] georgiesmith.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I really loved your story. I'm a sucker for angst and happy endings so your story perfectly fit the bill. (Only if Illya would have crawled in bed with him at the end though... *g*)

I'm so pleased you've started to write MFU fic.
ext_3572: (muncle old skool)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
Hee, I'm totally a sucker for angst + happy endings myself, so glad you enjoyed it! (and heh, I wasn't quite sure that it wasn't going to go slash when I started the story, but Illya's a cagey little Russian...)

I'm very pleased to have finally discovered MFU! ^^

[identity profile] spike21.livejournal.com 2009-03-19 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
*sniffle* That was wonderful. I hope you write more in this fandom, which was my very very first fandom from when I was three and fell in love with Illya.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
Hee, so glad you enjoyed it! I feel like I've missed decades of fannish tradition, but I'm finally here now XDDD

[identity profile] alessandriana.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
I've never seen the show, but this was fantastic-- I loved the sense of partnership and trust between the two of them. I suspect I may need to go track down an episode or three now...
ext_3572: (muncle old skool)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

I'm thinking of doing a couple pimping posts, since I know I'm not the only fangirl who's managed to miss the show up until now. And really, no fangirl should be denied Illya! :D

[identity profile] joonscribble.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
I've recently gotten reacquainted with my love for MFU so thank you so much for this!
ext_3572: (muncle shack)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
You're welcome! :D I don't believe it took me so long to get into it...but I'm here now, at least!
settiai: (Illya -- theladyrose)

[personal profile] settiai 2009-03-20 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, this was absolutely lovely.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] stitcher2ficcer.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
I just started catching up with LJ this evening, and didn't hit your previous post and this one until a little while ago. Haven't had a chance to read it yet. But I wanted to let you know that your dad is highly amused that you are now into Man from U.N.C.L.E. It was one of his all-time favorite shows when he was a kid. He saw every episode and still is quite fond of Robert Vaughn.
ext_3572: (muncle shack)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
I am highly amused to be into a show from my father's teen years! But it's fun TV! (not exactly *good* TV, so much, but tremendously entertaining...) And hee, of course he liked Robert Vaughn - it seems all the boys liked Napoleon and all the girls liked Illya! (also if he still likes Robert Vaughn you definitely have to see Hustle, he's great in that, along with everyone else!)

(So he knows, this fic isn't slash but it still might be kind of, er, traumatic for Dad, as it's angst and thus takes the show wa~y too seriously ^^;)
Edited 2009-03-20 04:40 (UTC)

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[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com - 2009-03-22 14:04 (UTC) - Expand

"Making Perfect"

[identity profile] certainlysandy.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
Just perfect. This is beautifully written, lyrical, insightful, moving. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm Illya-centric, too. There just isn't another cute (beautiful) blond guy with compact bod who competes. Believe me, I've looked. So I continue to squee on Illya. Oh, and I've added you as a friend. Thanks, Sandy
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

Re: "Making Perfect"

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! Yes, Illya is quite irresistible...(and welcome to the flist!)

[identity profile] kanders07.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 08:49 am (UTC)(link)
This is wonderful. I love seeing into Napoleon's head.

The conversation at the end is so them. Kind of dancing around any real feelings.

I hope to see more MFU from you. Great story. And Gurnius is one of my favorites.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Napoleon's head is an intriguing place to poke around. And yes, Gurnius is a gift to fangirls!

(also, hee to your icon!)

[identity profile] leethet.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
This was entirely lovely. Thanks for sharing it.
ext_3572: (muncle old skool)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-20 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! (your icon cracks me up ^^)

[identity profile] elijahwildchild.livejournal.com 2009-03-21 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow! This is so beautifully written it made me ache. You've grabbed the characters off the screen and honed them down to their finest elements. I loved it. Thank you.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-22 06:17 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

(and love the icon, mmm!)

[identity profile] nangi-akki.livejournal.com 2009-03-23 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
This was a wonderful story. It's hard to believe it was your first. You got into Napoleon's head so effortlessly and showed the complexity of his character in such a nuanced way. So many little things - the ordering of the wine at the restaurant is a great example.
And then Illya turns up and you do an equally amazing job with him. Your style reminded me a little of Keelywolfe. Have you read her "Eternity in an Hour"?
http://www.chromeandgunmetal.com/chrome/archive/0/eternityin.html

Thanks very much for the story. I hope you will continue to be inspired to write MFU.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-24 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! These are such interesting characters, it's very entertaining to try to sneak inside their heads.

I haven't read Keelywolfe's MFU fic though I think I've encountered her in other fandoms...she's a newer writer? Some of the elements of my style are what I think of as "modern" slash...we've probably had the same influences!

And it doesn't look like this will be my last MFU fic...

[identity profile] tanndell.livejournal.com 2009-03-24 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad to see you writing in the MFU fandom. I never even knew about the show till last week, when I had to watch the first season for a paper, and fell in love with Ilya immediately. Then I checked my LJ and found you writing, and I'm so pleased by the whole thing, I could just squee
Your Napolean is fascinating and complex, and your Ilya is wonderful and edgy and brilliant and I can't wait to see more MFU fic from you.
ext_3572: (muncle old skool)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-25 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
Hee, good to know I'm not the only MFU newbie! I'd heard of the show but never actually seen an ep (or Illya!) until a month ago...

So glad you enjoyed the fic, and yes, it won't be my last...

[identity profile] theladyrose.livejournal.com 2009-03-25 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
If I could write like this one day, I think I could die happy.

This is one of the best stories I've read in any fandom for ages - your character voices are just perfect in their wryness and that balance of communicating what's unspoken without giving it all away as they wrangle with personal and organizational politics.

Absolutely terrific work, and I can only hope to read more from you in the future!
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-25 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
*blush* Thank you! I adore writing chars who are bad at communicating...though Napoleon & Illya are a bit different, because they don't *need* to communicate, they're on such the same wavelength.

I just posted another MFU fic (well, ficlet), and while I will make no promises, I don't think it's my last with these boys...hope you enjoy them!

LOC

(Anonymous) 2009-03-26 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
From a long time MFU writer to a new MFU writer. I hope your infactuation with Illya spans as long as mine has - 42 years and counting and that you write compusively for everyone of them. You are a terrific writer, the characterizations were perfect to my eye and the story needed to be told. I'm glad the boys were whispering in your ears.

Deb
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

Re: LOC

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-27 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, thank you! There's something awesome but vaguely nerve-wracking, writing for a fandom with this much history behind it. So many people have loved these characters for so much longer than I have - so I'm so glad to know you feel like I'm doing them justice.

[identity profile] xjestx.livejournal.com 2009-03-27 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
The range of emotional nuance that comes through in this story is brilliant. Thank you for writing and sharing.
ext_3572: (Default)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-28 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[identity profile] miwahni.livejournal.com 2009-03-28 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad I bookmarked this to read today, when I had a bit of time, rather than rushing through it when it was first posted. It deserved to be read slowly, and savoured. Your Napoleon inner voice is very well-done and I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for sharing.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-03-29 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
I am so glad you enjoyed it, especially that Napoleon's voice worked for you...much as I love Illya, his partner's fascinating, too...

[identity profile] katyabaturinsky.livejournal.com 2009-04-30 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
Just wonderful -- Napoleon's POV is note-perfect here, and completely true to the episode. I love the careful way in which he and Illya tiptoe around what they want to happen with their partnership, and the sense of history between them that you've conveyed so well. Beautifully done.
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

(and just got your message - thank you again, so so much! eee~!)

[identity profile] wneleh.livejournal.com 2009-05-01 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
This is the story I rec'd to my parenting list :-)

I'm totally gaga for exhausted-understated-watching-over-while-sleeping gen.

Very well done!

- Helen
ext_3572: (muncle gaze)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2009-05-02 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, yays! I'm really very fond of this story, very glad you liked it too ^__^ (and yeah, watching-over-while-sleeping is a huge button of mine, gen or slash ^^)
ext_422737: uncle hallway (Default)

[identity profile] elmey.livejournal.com 2010-07-25 01:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi!

I wanted to let you know I recced this story on crack van today:
http://community.livejournal.com/crack_van/4553457.html

Linking to AO3 though, since that link should last forever :)
ext_3572: (Default)

[identity profile] xparrot.livejournal.com 2010-07-25 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Waah, thank you for the lovely rec! And I appreciate the AO3 link, too, it's good advertising ^^