The Frozen Lake Affair

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

I heard of heat... so perhaps some cool air?
And I'm sorry, lj cut... cut the text. And eventually I used the "manual system"...

“No!”

The tone was scathing, the look... kind of murderous. End of the discussion. Period.

Napoleon Solo sighed but pointed at the lake. “It's a wonderful place. Look, we could have a good time and...”

“No.”

“But...”

Icy blue eyes peeped at him icily over the dark glasses. Napoleon smiled tentatively in a new attempt to coax his partner into joining him.

“I rent skates for both of us...”

Pursed lips and fingers waved towards the lake were the only answer he got.

Stubborn Russian...

Napoleon shrugged his shoulders, left Illya's skates next to the bench and put on his own.

He loved the feeling. It wasn't about figure skating, about dancing gracefully on the ice. No. It was about the way you went faster and faster, almost effortlessly, sliding, gliding in the cold air It was about freedom...

Stubborn Russian.

The landscape was breathtaking, a world of rocks, ice, snow and dark blue fir trees... It was wonderful. Napoleon sliced delightfully through the air.

Stubborn Russian.

Illya was still reading his magazine, so obviously concentrated in ignoring his partner... Why? Napoleon remembered images of young Russians ice skating on lakes, rivers... He had thought, really that Illya would enjoy it... He didn't know much about his friend's childhood. Illya was supple, lithe, he was a gymnast, an acrobat but... Napoleon slowed down. He had taken it for granted but... perhaps Illya didn't know about ice skating. And of course, he wouldn't admit such a shortcoming...

Napoleon slid towards the board and peeped at his partner. Good... The magazine had been left on the bench, the glasses taken off and Illya was considering the skates. Encouraging...

“Illya? Give it a try... I'll...” He hesitated, “I'll help you...”

***

Illya Kuryakin couldn't help smiling at the sight. His partner stood on the ice, tousled hair – Brylcreem had lost the battle... -, rosy-cheeked thanks to the cold and the ride... Napoleon looked twelve... holding an inviting hand out to him...

“Illya?”

The Russian shook his head and gave up, putting on the skates.

“Come on, partner...”

Ice skating... Ice skating could be a pleasure, eventually, Illya thought. Speed, freedom, the feeling you were flying over the ice... Safely... It was exciting. He let go of his friend's arm and glided in a graceful arabesque.

Napoleon frowned at the obvious mastery. “Are you making fun of me, tovarish?”

The Russian brushed his disheveled hair aside, rosy-cheeked and smiled his devastating Illya's smile. “ I've been taught about ice-skating, Napoleon, as I've been taught about gymnastics...” The smile faded. “But I wasn't good enough to win a gold medal...” He put his hand on his friend's arm. “Today...” He smiled again, “I've been taught about how pleasant ice skating is... I watched you. You were so easy, so relaxed, so obviously happy...”

Napoleon chuckled.

“Though...” Illya raised a finger, “you could practice a little...”

“Oh, no... don't even try...”

The Russian slid back. “It's a matter of balance and...”

Napoleon Solo set off in pursuit of his mocking partner.

“Illya!”

Comments

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, the cool blue-eyed Russian and his effervescent friend, out on the ice in a nod to boyhood days. A very 'refreshing' story for a warm day.

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

I noticed many stories and drabbles about heat... I heard the news...so I called two gorgeous ice skaters...
Thank you!

[avery11.livejournal.com]

Not about the winning, but about the pleasure of the experience--a gret message.
I feel cooler already, thanks.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Lovely fic, both the fun and the serious touches.

And lovely pic to go with it!

[eilidhsd.livejournal.com]

And here he is, reading his magazine and pretending not to see Napoleon.



(I can't get the hang of this new photo system at all.)

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you like this...

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, exactly like this...

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

This was wonderful, especially on a near 90˚ day and it's only 11 am here. The idea that Illya had been trained to perform...gymnastics, figure skating were very logical. Perform, don't enjoy. Good Napoleon showed him the difference...but leave it to Illya to nitpic.

Really enjoyed this piece a lot....for several reasons!

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you like this cooling ficlet!
We had a warm day, too... I love heat...

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I'm fond of heat too, but not when it is over 32˚ C, heading to 40 ˚ C and humid.

I retreat inside my air conditioned cave, but there's been too many days like this. We're on our fourth heat wave with such temperatures, and I'm felling a bit 'confined' having to stay indoors....