crack_van | Repercussions by DeniseV (K)

Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: None
Length: about 1950 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/94098/DeniseV
Why this must be read:

This, in my opinion, is the most "canonish" of all the various takes/aftertakes I have ever read on THE GURNIUS AFFAIR. Thus I consider it a great way to close out my trio of recommended fics on this particular theme.

Napoleon is exhausted and a bit "off" from the torture that occurred during the affair, but still trusting of Illya deep-down to his soul. Illya feels a bit uncomfortable with what he had to do during the Gurnius Affair, but he isn't lolling in guilt or bubbling over with angst. This tale is short and wonderfully simple, yet completely effective and affecting.

"Illya, I trust you. You are the best agent I know, excluding yours truly, of course." Napoleon tried his dazzling smile on his partner, though he knew the tenor of the conversation and the charcoal gray circles under his eyes betrayed the normally highly consistent and effective results he'd grown accustomed to. Trust was utmost in their relationship. Trust mixed with immeasurable mutual admiration for their skill and their commitment to the hard and dangerous work. And added to the trust and admiration, to make their friendship whole and immune to something as pedestrian as electro-shock, was a whole lot of love. Never admitted to, certainly never spoken of, and almost never demonstrated in any physical sense, save the occasional extra-long hold on an assist up from a raging river or when one of them suffered an injury and could not get up on his own. An unspoken love, not noticeable in any way to those outside their tight circle of two. A circle mighty in its minuteness, as was necessary in their line of work. But known to them, and that was indeed all that mattered.

Repercussions