Kinship by nothingeverlost (G)

[elmey.livejournal.com]

Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: none
Length: 6397 words
Author on LJ: wiccagirl24
Author Website: nothingeverlost on AO3
Why this must be read:

Napoleon's Aunt Amy. Mentioned once in a throwaway line--in questionable canon at that, the godforsaken Return movie--and an empty canvas for fanfic writers ever after. There have been some good Aunt Amys over time, but the Amy of Kinship is one of my favorites.

Illya wakes up in hospital, Napoleon is missing, and a strange woman is sitting in the room. She reminds him of Napoleon and no wonder; it's his partner's Aunt Amy.

This is a beautifully drawn picture of Illya (and by extension, Napoleon) interacting with a larger world. Amy recognizes Illya's loneliness, how much he misses Napoleon--and so she reaches out to him. And Illya, we see our cool and careful Illya letting himself be drawn into a friendship that helps fill the growing hole in his life.

“Would I be wrong if I said that Napoleon is like family to you?” She surprised him with the question that didn’t seem to have anything to do with the dinner.

He never could define his relationship with Napoleon with words. It was complicated and ever changing, but he was the closest to family Illya had known since he was a child. “You would not be wrong.”

Kinship