"Red roses and white lies" for the Short Affair Challenge

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #1 - Forgive

-Prompt Colour – White

Title: Red Roses and White Lies

Author: mrua7

Word count: Approximately 950

Napoleon walked into his office, drawing his partner’s immediate attention by what he was carrying, a long narrow white box. Of course Kuryakin was curious and asked what it was.

“Long stem roses and I was damn lucky I got them, it being the day after Valentine’s day.”

“I thought you swore off giving gifts for Valentine’s day; it caused too many problems among the ummm, masses,” Illya cocked his head, giving Napoleon a sly look.

“Well yes but, this is for a special lady, you know Jennifer Bondar that really cute blonde. I had to cancel our date on Saturday night as I didn’t want it to be misconstrued that I was taking her out for the holiday.”

“Oh how very thoughtful of you,” the Russian snickered.

“I thought so.” Napoleon countered his partner’s snarky remark. He opened the box, showing Illya the beautiful red roses wrapped in tissue.”A dozen of these puppies and you have no idea what they cost me.”

“Oh I would suspect it was about ten dollars as that is what you borrowed from me.”

“Well,” Napoleon blushed,”I was a little short and thanks for the loan by the way. I was expecting things to be half off the day after Valentine's day but apparently that's only true of chocolates and not flowers. Jennifer doesn't eat chocolate as it gives her hives.

“Unlucky for you, for once. I added the ten dollars to your tab.” Illya moved the tissue aside; peeking again at the roses. “You are giving Jennifer Bondar red roses?” He clicked his tongue.

“Didn't I just allude to that and what’s wrong with doing it?”

“Well she is Ukrainian by ancestry and there red roses convey a simple message of ‘I love you.’ Is that what you wish to say to her?”

“Well, ummm, no not really not in that sense. I like her alot and I do want to see her again.”

“Perhaps you should give her white roses as they signify truth and innocence. They also represent secrecy, and charm. You can use them to say, ‘You are heavenly,’ that is a bit less intense. Or you could present her with light pink roses as they suggest fun. They also convey admiration and appreciation.”

Solo huffed. “Now what am I going to do? I don’t want to give her the wrong message?”

“That is your problem my friend.”

“Hey you wouldn’t know where I could get a can of white spray paint would you?”

“Napoleon!”

Solo turned sheepish as he knew what he had to do.

“Illya can I borrow another ten dollars from you? I swear I’ll pay you back on Friday when we get paid.”

“For what now may I ask?”

“I need to go find some white roses and fast. I’m supposed to meet Jennifer for coffee at the French style bistro on 39th Street around lunch time.”

Kuryakin reached into his pocket and grabbed his money clip, tossing it to his partner. “Take twenty and buy her a nice lunch, but just make sure you pay me back by Friday,” Illya warned.

“Scout’s honor tovarisch, I promise, and thanks!” Napoleon dashed through the office door; the money in hand.

Illya calmly closed up the box of red roses, and whistling contentedly he headed out into the corridor and took the elevator up to Waverly’s Conference room.

The door opened with a swish, and he entered.

“Mr. Waverly sir, I was able to procure those roses you wanted,” he set the box on the table and opened it.

“Excellent Mr. Kuryakin. You are indeed a life saver. I’m going home to Connecticut and wouldn’t want to disappoint my wife. I’ve never missed giving her red roses for Valentine’s Day in all these years, but with this nonsense going on with THRUSH and their latest scheme to drain the Great Lakes...well, needless to say I’ve been distracted.”

“I understand sir,” Illya turned to leave.

“Mr. Kuryakin, what do I owe you?” Waverly took out his billfold.

“Oh no sir nothing,” he waved his hand,

“Don’t be ridiculous, I know roses are sold at a premium right now. Though UNCLE pays you well enough; you are no Rockefeller.”

Illya felt embarrassed, but daren’t tell the Old Man where he’d gotten the flowers. “They were, ummm...  ten dollars sir.”

“Tsk, highway robbery what the florists charge around holidays, wot? A dozen roses should cost no more that seven.” He offered the ten spot to the Russian.

“Yes. If that will be all sir?”

“Indeed it is and thank you again young man. I don’t know if my Estelle would forgive me if I showed up without them."

Illya nodded and disappeared out the door, holding up the ten dollar bill.

He felt a little guilty but supposed in the long run it would come in handy as he knew it would be a long time before Napoleon actually paid back the money he owed him...

Comments

[ssclassof56.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. Clever, sneaky Russian.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Isn't he now? Illya's gotta get a few over on his partner now and then. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the comment.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Thank you for a very nice Valentines fic. I did laugh aloud at “Hey you wouldn’t know where I could get a can of white spray paint would you?”.

Great Waverly twist. Also, it was nice of Napoleon to be scrupulous about the message he was giving Jennifer, and I liked the little lecture on rose colours.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! The info on rose colors actually came from a Ukrainian site, though I think the significance of the color of a rose has now become universal, but maybe not back in the 1960's when things were not as terribly commercialized as they are today.

The Waverly twist was an afterthought as I needed a reason for Illya to be taking the roses, and we know in general on the show he isn't not for giving gifts to women. Though he did try a few times, and it backfired on him as I recall.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

By the way, I came back and reread this with great pleasure - it's a keeper, this one - and I realise I should have complimented you on the scheme to drain the Great Lakes. If only S3 had managed a few like that!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

A keeper! Wow thank you, as well as for your other compliments, and for rereading git too!

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Sneaky, clever and downright cunning. That's our Russian. Good job on this it was very entertaining.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Worked out well for a post Valentine story. :D

[pactnmmt.livejournal.com]

Oh that sneaky Illya! Serves NS right.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

BUT otherhawk made a good comment, what if Napoleon gets whiff of what Illya did with the roses. Thanks for reading and commenting!

I may do a followup story on this one. "D

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Fantastic! As everyone else has said, Sneaky Russian. I wouldn't feel guilty if I were him :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Chuckle. Thank you. I think IK will get over that guilt very fast. "D

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Oh, this was brilliant! Loved that Illya was getting the flowers for Waverly in the end. He is totally sneaky...and I wonder what would happen if Waverly happens to idly mention to Napoleon that Illya got him the flowers?

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hmmm that could make for a very interesting story as surely Napoleon will ask Illya what happened to the red roses...wheels are turning.

Thanks for the suggestion and for commenting! Glad you liked the story. :D

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Napoleon might have purchased Sunflowers instead of roses. Sunflowers are the national flower of the Ukraine. They'd be cheaper that roses too. Lovely story!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Interesting suggestion but Napoleon thinks like an American, I doubt it even occurred to him the girl was of Ukrainian ancestry until Illya said something. Since she was raised an American too, I doubt if sunflowers would even have gone over well. Roses for Valentine's are the number one choice. And February in the 1960s, I suspect florists might not have stocked sunflowers for Valentine's Day

Glad you liked the story.

The colors of the roses and meanings I got off a Ukrainian site btw. Sonyashnyk-Sunflower in Ukrainian folklore and tradition is the symbol of the sun, and a symbol of Spring, and of the vigor of life and of well-being. In Ukrainian heraldry, the sunflower symbolizes fertility.... another message I'm sure Napoleon wouldn't want to have misinterpreted. LOL!

[rose-of-pollux.livejournal.com]

Oh, Illya, you are a devious one!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Sometimes he can out fox his partner, that is unless Napoleon asks what happened to the red roses. Kuryakin's going to have to think fast.

Thanks for reading and commenting!