#talleyparte

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

Someone once half joked/half seriously asked me to write Talleyrand/Napoleon and I am hilariously tempted

It’s your classic “Garbage Fire” to “What The Fuck Is Wrong With Everything” to “hate fucking but It’s Complicated Ok”

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

What's one Napoleonic pairing you like but don't get much chance to talk about?

oh man, this is a hard question. Mostly because I will just talk about whatever it is I want to about regardless of whether people interact with the posts/me/etc lol especially when it comes to pairings and fun stuff like that

If I had to choose, I think I would go for Napoleon/Talleyrand. It's such a perfect mutual-respect-but-also-mutual-dislike To annoyed-with-each-other-still-don't-necessarily-like-each-other-mutual-respect-also-dwindling To ???? To BETRAYAL

which is a very unique set of circumstances.

also it means I can frame Talleyrand (apocryphally, allegedly) making snarky comments about Napoleon and Bourienne's close friendship as pure, unadulterated jealousy.

it really does hit all of my favourite dynamics, too. Two very smart people at odds with each other, age difference, Repression (tm), Strong Opposing Personalities, [insert relevant John le Carre quote about betrayal], both are melodramatic and Stupid, Talleyrand is a SURVIVOR and Napoleon is YEE HAWING OFF A CLIFF, mutual exasperation, oh man those insults they traded, they make each other worse! but have a slim/slight potential to make each other better but neither would take it, they're Tumblr's Favourite Mountain Goats song (N: I hope you die. T: I hope we both die) etc.

Talleyrand: babe. have you thought about.. , not? doing that?

Napoleon: t o o l a t e.

I want a story with them being forced to work together after Talleyrand's first "fuck this I'm out" leaving of Napoleon's service and it's again idk think something like el Coco but worse.

I am a sucker for things that are shaped as shadows and hunt within the shadows and vanish people (children traditionally, but let's broaden it) to eat or whatever.

Anyway, it'd be great.

My two close runner ups: Napoleon/Metternich and Talleyrand/Metternich.

You might be noticing a trend, here.

thank you for the ask!! <3 <3 <3

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

Wow, I’m surprised other people actually ship Talleyrand/Napoleon. Nice!

I know! It's always a pleasant surprise to be like "oooh there's another two (2) people who ship this very rare pair".

I just love how brutality aware they were of each other's faults and failings while, of course, recognizing and respecting their talents and abilities. Even when backstabbing!

Metternich: you're betraying him, why are you still calling him babycakes?

Talleyrand: Look. Klemens. This is a judgement free zone.

Metternich: You're here. Fouche is at the door listening in. This is the most judgement filled zone in Europe. The only way it would have more judgement was if Napoleon himself were here.

Talleyrand: I came here to softly backstab my emperor for the sake of myself and France and I do not appreciate this treatment.