GIP

[leethet]

Thanks to Nat who felt my icons were a trifle stale. :) Whee!

I have a question that's been asked before (what a surprise). I was thinking, of Napoleon and Illya, supposing they found themselves realizing that (despite, perhaps, having never found a man sexually attractive before) they were very attracted to their partner. Which of them, do you think, would have most trouble expressing it? Not so much admitting it to himself (I think they'd be neck and neck with that) but admitting it to the other (if he believed the other to be straight)? I was thinking that because I have this image in my head of Napoleon as the braver of the two in that sort of circumstance. He'd just say it, damn the consequences. Whereas Illya, though equally brave in general, would be less inclined to admit it aloud -- because of the consequences.

Comments

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Actually, to take the other POV, you can look at in the opposite way: Napoleon, having a huge macho image to contend with, might find it rather alarming to admit his attraction, whereas Illya is so much more pragmatic that he might just state it and let whatever happens happen.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I can see it going either way. Napoleon might have problems getting over the image of himself as a lady killer while Illya doesn't have any of that to overcome. The flip side would be that Napoleon is probably more comfortable with his sexuality and would be more inclined to go with the flow whereas for Illya it would be unknown territory.

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

I have always maintained that whether or not it's slash depends upon Illya.
He's the one who determines what happens, no matter how he chooses to determine it. Solo would probably go along with any scenario.

First Move

[tgabrielle.livejournal.com]

This is another good topic, Lee. I think it could go either way in fanfic and has. One could imagine a set of circumstances where Napoleon makes the first move and an equally plausible scenario where Illya does. While Illya is not the ladies' man of the show, this does not mean he is clueless, gay, or finds sex less important. He may, in fact, take sex more seriously-- or not. These attitudes are subject to interpretation and hardly cut & dried. They both flirt with each other on the show and it is possible to see how they would handle this spark between them from various and opposite directions. There's just not a simple or obvious conclusion to be drawn.

[dinahmt.livejournal.com]

My money would be on Napoleon having the most trouble, given a straight Illya - say if he were the one attracted - because he comes over as the archetypal ladies' man, an image he works hard at projecting. If however, Illya were to be gay or bi and giving out the right signals, then I think Napoleon would risk his image for the experience. Illya seems to be the one who is more up front with his emotions on the show, contrary to popular fanon, so I think it would depend pretty much on him.

my two cents on the straight and gay question

[nsandik.livejournal.com]

The idea of Solo as gay and IK as straight is interesting, although if I were to accept that as a scenario, they would never get together. (My Solo is gay but came out late in life, and my IK is gay. Solo may have a toe or two dipped in the bi pool because he was able to have sex with women and appeared to enjoy himself before he came out, but he was full of angst and suffering. )

The reason I say they would never get together (with Solo gay and IK straight) is two-fold: 1) they would respect each other's sexuality (assuming IK didn't request a new partner when he found out Solo was gay); and 2) in my experience straightness and gayness run pretty deep, and the idea of sex with a partner of the "incorrect" gender would probably strike them both as either laughable or squicky. :)

I agree with Lee that Solo would be the braver of the two, and he might even discuss the possibility with IK, but once IK explained that he was straight ("No. End of discussion," might be his explanation ), Solo would surely accept that and back away. AFter all, we've seen his attitude even on the series. Both people have to want it and agree that they are having fun. :)

Would IK want to experiment? I mean, a truly straight IK? I think not. (Remember, my opinion only.) And if Solo is gay, he would also prefer a partner who is gay. I doubt that they would experiment with each other in any way that would cause harm to their friendship.
In my AU, where IK is gay and Solo doesn't know what he is yet (early on), IK agonizes about coming out to Solo, and when he finally does, Solo doesn't self-realize in that moment (because he has no clue yet on a conscious level about his own sexuality), but he does profess his deep affection for IK. And that tender exchange allows IK to be openly gay around Solo, a huge bonus for him, a huge plus in his life, and it makes it possible for him to continue as Solo's partner and friend even though IK's love remains unrequited at that point. :)

agreeing with Lee, and responding to st crispins

[nsandik.livejournal.com]

leethet I agree with your image of Solo. :) If their roles had been reversed in "Sleepless Nights", I too could imagine Napoleon coming out (albeit uneasily) and once that was done, yes, he would have probably inquired gently about IK's inclinations and then accepted the answer. :)
Two great minds in total synch. LOL! :)

And for st_crispins I meant that if Solo were gay, he would prefer a gay sexual partner. I didn't mean to imply it would affect his choice of a working partner. :) That wouldn't be a problem. And yes, I do have mixed working partners in my AU. :) You can't be gay in this world without mixing with straights. LOL!
Would that they were all as wonderful as you.