Unwelcome attentions

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

An innocent rejects one, but not the other
Click on image for AO3

Comments

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

That background guys really could get so much more if he wanted, maybe he could give Napoleon some lessons.

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the background guy doesn't want much more - who knows?

Napoleon is never going to be a background guy (of course, it isn't him in this story) and he's managed quite well without assistance, so far. Can you see him accepting Illya's help...?

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I had to reread to get the POV's, (Maybe I'm not awake yet) This story is definitely one to get your attention. A lot said, yet left unsaid, awkwardness, being uncomfortable, kindness, you make the reader feel it all. Very very well done!

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

Nice that you wanted to read it again. Thanks for that and the kind comments.
I try to let a character's actions or words imply the background as well as tell the story - it allows for ambiguity, and lets the reader decide. It's surprising how differently people interpret a story sometimes. I quite like that - how do I know what I meant, after all?