"Roughing it"~ for The Short Affair

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #2 – Outside

-Prompt Colour – Purple

Author: mrua7

Title:  Roughing it

Word count: Approx. 630

A dark haired man squatted, resting on his haunches while he studied the setting Sonoran desert sun.  He rose as the yellow and oranges faded to pink, and finally purple; the few clouds disappeared, giving way to the clear deep blue night sky.

Everything was peaceful, not a sound could be heard other than the snap and crackle of the campfire burning behind him.

Being far enough from civilization; he could see every star shining above him; sparkling crystal clear.

It wasn’t often Napoleon Solo found himself outside in the middle of nowhere and not being pursued by someone, and so for a change he let the serenity of the moment fill him. Communing with nature wasn’t half bad, though he still preferred a first class hotel with room service.

A rustling sound called the agent from his reverie and he automatically drew his weapon, aiming it in the direction of the noise.

“Illya?”

The Russian emerged from the darkness; something dangling from his left hand.

“Dinner,” Kuryakin smiled.”I caught two small coneys and will clean them, but you my friend shall do the cooking.”

“Fair enough, though I did build the fire,” Napoleon joked; holstering his Special in one quick move. He didn’t mind the cooking part as cleaning carcasses wasn’t exactly his favorite thing to do.

Kuryakin went about gutting and skinning the rabbits, carefully removing the fur and upper layer of skin from each one. He thoroughly rinsed them with fresh water from his canteen;  they had no worries about water since there was a nearby pool in the rock formation beside which they’d made camp.

Napoleon set up the spit at just the right height; when their feast was cleaned and ready, he rubbed down the meat with spices he’d brought with him in his kit; a little salt and garlic along with some wine he’d made sure to bring along as well.

“Tovarisch, this is the closest I want to get to roughing it,” he smiled.

“I have no complaints about that. Still this camping trip I think was good for you to disengage yourself from civilization.  We have plenty of comforts; sleeping bags, a tent, ample supplies for the next few days, water...wine,” he snickered, acknowledging his partner’s attempt to hang onto his pleasures; Illya grabbed the bottle from Napoleon’s hand and took a swig from it.

”Not bad, though I prefer vodka.”

“Hey I did bring glasses you know,” Solo groused.

Illya simply laughed, handing the bottle back to him.” Go ahead, rough it just a little bit more my friend. It will do you good.”

Napoleon shrugged, thinking why not? Maybe there was something to this camping thing after all. They were in the desert so no chance of rain, no Thrushies to bug them, peace and quiet. “Yessss,” he thought, not bad at all my friend. He grinned and pressed the mouth of the bottle to his lips.

The scent of their cooking meal, the wine, the peace and quiet as well as the company...“To good ideas tovarisch. Thank you.” Napoleon raised the bottle in toast.

“You are most welcome moy drug,” Illya cut a off a piece of meat, spearing it with the point of his knife and passed it to his partner.

“The fruit of our labors,” he smiled. “Would that life could always be this simple.”

“Well not quite this simple,” Napoleon returned his partners smile as he tasted the food. “Pretty good if I say so myself.”

“Hmmm, yes, it must have been the wine that made it so,” Illya quipped.

“Smart aleck, though it’s probably true. So I guess then a little touch of civilization is acceptable after all?”

Kuryakin didn’t answer as he was busy eating...

Comments

[yumyumpm.livejournal.com]

What an enjoyable look at our two agents relaxing in the wild. Of course Illya would concentrate on the eating part. lol.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D Glad you liked it!

[carabele.livejournal.com]

Nicely written vignette giving such a perfect picture of the guys' relaxing at leisure and truly enjoying the moment.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I think they get little time to stop and smell the roses. Think about all the exotic locals to which they travel. The may get a little time to themselves post-mission but I image it's never long enough.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Glad you liked it.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Did this have anything to do with our conversation this morning? You have set a beautiful scene for the boys to enjoy, perhaps relish someday while in a THRUSH cell. I just hope it doesn't rain ;)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Nope that was written yesterday and scheduled...thank goodness. But I suppose it could relate to some of our conversation. "D

Thanks for the comment!

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

A lovely bit of downtime, but I don't think Napoleon's quite ready to go full 'survivalist' just yet. Nice story.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think Napoleon will never really rough it completely unless he had to. Doing it as a pastime ...not so much. (that's why I had him bring spices and wine to add to the camp food)

Hmm can you just imagine the sleeping bag he has...wonder if it's made of silk? lol!

Thanks for commenting!

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

I think this would be more Napoleon's idea of camping. (Also, mine)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

LOL! That's just too perfect for words! :D

[(Anonymous)]

Nice story. Went camping a lot growing up. There was always wine!! Camping italian style. Lol

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! "In vino veritas, in aqua (and camping) sanitas" And to Illya, Что у трезвого на уме, то у пьяного на языке» ("What a sober man has in his mind, the drunk one has on his tongue").