The Family Affair by Nataliya (NC-17)

[vysila.livejournal.com]

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ: cousinnat
Author Website: None

Nataliya is one of the most popular slash authors writing in Man from UNCLE fandom these days, and anyone who has read "The Arrangement", previously recommended here on crack_van, will easily understand why. She writes Napoleon and Illya as if they've just stepped out of the tv screen and into her stories, with accurate details and vivid descriptions that make for a lush and satisfying full-sensory reading experience.

"The Family Affair" is my personal favorite of her works because it's a beautifully balanced story featuring strong adult characterizations, a committed relationship between equals, witty dialogue, a plot that integrates their personal and professional lives into a seamless whole, and scorching sex. No kinks, no hurt/comfort - just mature men secure in a loving relationship, trying to live their lives with as much dignity and honesty as they can. One of the first stories I read in this fandom, its appeal has held up very well. And it contains my absolutely favorite dialogue exchange ever, where I can hear Illya's dry, biting humor and Napoleon's warm sincerity.


Napoleon watched Illya looking after them until they were out of sight. He leaned into his partner and whispered lustily in his ear, "Tonight, the earth will move."

Illya was jolted from his thoughts and looked back at him. "And I suppose that will be just another excuse not to have sex with me."

Napoleon turned his head away in a half-hearted attempt to hide the big grin on his face.

Illya pretended to be annoyed. "You give me those straight lines to distract me from my legitimate complaints."

"No, I don’t," Napoleon said, turning back to him and trying to sober, but the humor in his eyes couldn’t be hidden. He slipped his hand behind Illya’s head and grabbed a fistful of hair, then kissed him hard, awkward as it was with his mouth upturned in a smile.

Illya began to chuckle while still in the kiss, but kept his lips pressed to Napoleon’s, unbelievably happy in the moment.

Napoleon broke the kiss and looked into the ocean-blue eyes. "That should hold you for a while, shouldn’t it?"

"I guess it will have to hold me for approximately," Illya paused while he mentally calculated, "16 hours."

"All things come to those who wait," Napoleon said, his lips very close to Illya’s. "And come... and come..."


I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do!

The Family Affair, Part 1
The Family Affair, Part 2

Comments

[ardent-muses.livejournal.com]

I love that moment on the beach also, for all the reasons you mentioned. Nataliya's Illya voice is particularly good.

[vysila.livejournal.com]

Doesn't she practically channel IK? His attitude toward things really rings true to my ear, too.

The other beach scene in the moonlight is so completely adorable - I wanted to excerpt that one too, but then, if I kept pointing out my favorite parts I'd have half the story posted! *g*

[cousinnat.livejournal.com]

Thank you,Irene! You are such a sweetheart. I didn't KNOW I was one of the most popular MFU slash writers. In fact, I'm sure a LOT of people don't know it. After reading your rec, my head has swelled to several times its normal size. I doubt if I can go out today.

[vysila.livejournal.com]

Heh. Well, just keep on writin' these fabulous stories and the sekrit will be out. *g*

[barbaratp]

Olá a todos, caí de cabeça nesse fandom em 2015 após a adaptação cinematográfica. Li há um tempo atrás, uma história inspirada na duologia Family Affair e achei incrível.