Swimming With The Stars - PicFic 2/14

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Illya Kuryakin was a man who was comfortable indoors or out, in the wilds or the civilized cities of the world.  He was also fastidiously unpretentious, something he had on occasion accused his partner of being.  Pretentious that is.

As he reclined against a boulder in front of the fire, Illya could make out the silhouette of Napoleon, still wearing that Aussie style hat he had picked up in Perth as they headed for the campsite they were using now.  The hat was just another prop for the American, something to help him assume his role as a rich industrialist on a guided tour of the Australian Southwest.  From Perth they had traveled south towards the Margaret River region, camping in a spot that was both scenic and strategic.

Napoleon was star gazing tonight, enjoying the part of a vacationing millionaire much as might have a night on the town with a beautiful woman.  As Illya observed his friend, it occurred to him that this respite from their more hectic missions was something to savor for the sake of their location and lack of eminent danger.

Napoleon finally packed up the telescope and walked back to the campfire.   He poured a cup of coffee from the rustic pot and settled onto his sleeping bag.  They weren't using a tent, better to find a spot with some natural cover than to be caught inside a place from which they had no view of what was on the other side.  Illya had moved to his own position, sheltered by a bush and another large boulder.  Napoleon dragged his sleeping bag to a spot beyond his partner's, better to not be in the same place, just in case.

"Are you ready to get some sleep?"  Illya wondered if Napoleon was truly content to retire so early.  They didn't anticipate trouble, but the Russian was ready to take the first watch if Solo wanted to sleep.

"You go ahead, I'm going to drink this coffee and watch the sky.  It's really beautiful out here, and quiet.  Sometimes it really is a relief to be in a place where you can hear nothing but the sounds of nature."

Illya nodded, it was not the typical Solo philosophy to want to commune with nature, but he understood the sentiment.  Their lives sometimes overlooked the simplicity that existed in such a place.  He wondered that globe trotting had become so familiar, the constant state of flight his idea of normal.

"Very well, I welcome the opportunity to sleep for a bit.  Wake me when you need me to take over.' He settled into the sleeping bag, aware of a slight chill in the air.  "This time tomorrow we will be in the air once more, our mission behind us."

Napoleon took a deep breath, partly to savor the fresh air and also with a bit of regret.  This brief sojourn had been very satisfying in a way he hadn't anticipated.

"You know Illya, some days I could imagine living like this for the rest of my life."  That made Illya smile.

"You can imagine, I do not believe, however, that you could actually do it.  My friend, you are a creature of city life and city people.  This is something you do when your soul needs refreshing.  Afterwards, it is back to what feeds your soul."  He knew Napoleon, and no amount of star filled skies and fresh air would ever replace a night on the town with a beautiful woman on his arm.

"I guess you're right.  But this has been nice.  Tomorrow we meet with our contact and then it's back to business as usual.  I suppose I will be ready for it, but for now…' He looked up again at the stars and imagined what it would be like to jump into that like one might jump into a lake.  Swimming with the stars…

"I'm glad we made the trip.  I guess Mr. Waverly knew we needed this."

"Good night Napoleon."

"Good night Illya."

The stars blinked their approval.

Comments

[lilidelafield.livejournal.com]

Very nice fic. You paint such a serene picture, I found myself imagining that I was there with them.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

A little bit of peaceful respite is sometimes all our boys need. I love the serenity in this story.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Maybe a dip in the pool for you as well ;) I'm glad it gave you a sense of their company.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Everyone needs a break from normal. I'm glad you felt the zen of it.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

This was a breath of fresh air indeed. It would be lovely to have that moment to just sleep comfortably beneath the stars, just once.
Illya's description of Napoleon was perfect..." My friend, you are a creature of city life and city people. This is something you do when your soul needs refreshing. Afterwards, it is back to what feeds your soul."

Excellent use of the prompt!

Thanks for joining in this week's PicFic my friend!

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

A lovely fic, both the mood and the solid setting. All of it deserves quoting. And I do like your use of the hat.