I have read this so many times and have to say it never grows old. All your stories are stellar, but this one is probably my favorite- well, this one or ‘Boys from Berlin’ :)) Exquisite imagery, smooth writing, and did I mention, rather hot! A thousand thanks for writing this!
From: aconitum Date: 08/26/2016
Oh, sometimes the most exquisite writing is just - well - even the second time you read it you're speechless... I have adored every single one of your stories. I've just read this one again and it is so beautiful. You're a genius.
From: Ty William Nash Date: 09/04/2014
OMG! This was so sexy, very hot. I'm 58 and I knew these guys since I was a little boy, a tadpole. I had the hots for them even then. I really want Illya though..... blondes, ugh, I've a weakness for them . Anyway, I'm such a bonehead, geeky boy, knucklehead thing. I swear I could visualize them in my mind's eye as I was reading this, I am that creepy and pathetic. The juicy parts I had to go back over them, rereading it, savoring it.... I'm such a hot mess, apologies. Very tasty stuff you got goin' on up in here Mr. Boy. Mee Likee Alot. I was squealing like a little girl. This is only my fifth Illya/Napoleon slash fanfiction I've read to date. I only discovered them three days ago. It's got everything. Delicious banter, passion, manliness, fluffy-stuff stuff romance even...... Eeeeeeee! Very Fine indeed. I'm going to bookmark this for a gloom and doomsday pick-me-upper. I love these guys, I hope there's more. You write intelligently, with furvor, understanding, and the characterizations are spot-on, dead-on. Bless You whoever you are out there in InternetLand. LOL!
From: YumYumPM Date: 12/14/2013
I read this when you first posted it and enjoyed it as much if not more than I did then. I love stories that bring in the episodes and yours did not disappoint. I like that you gave Napoleon a home town and related it to a previous episode. I'm glad that his brother died. It broke my heart to know how Napoleon felt about Illya and his not letting on. Better that Illya took charge and made Napoleon's dreams come true. I also loved the story of the spider and the spiderweb. Truely inspiring.
From: Avery11 Date: 12/20/2011
This may be one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Illya's compassion for Napoleon as he reveals his secret brought tears to my eyes. Exquisite.
From: ChannelD Date: 06/05/2011
Oh, Cord, what more can I say? I agree with the other posters that it is intriguing and fascinating to read about Napoleon's deprived and Illya's happy childhood. Also a ompelling version of Illya's difficult adjustment to liing in America. Just loved it, all the way through it. Thank you so much for your wonderful contributions to MFU fandom.
From: alynwa Date: 12/02/2010
I really enjoyed this story. Usually, it's Napoleon who had the great and loving childhood compared to Illya's deprived one. This was a nice change of pace. I loved that Napoleon knows that if his brother were alive, his partner would kill him for what he did.
Thanks for writing it.
From: Katherine Date: 03/16/2009
I really hope you're still getting these comments because this story really made my day. Just the dysfunction, the longing, the love ... it was wonderful.
My favorite part was the way Illya was so understanding in his question about why Napoleon hadn't kissed him yet. Melty goo here. The story could have ended with the kiss and I'd have still adored, but the hot sex and domestic ending really made for a full meal, hot and satisfying.
Love, love, love. Your stories still give.
From: JanDreamer Date: 12/11/2004
Ah Cord, how beautifully and perfectly you write those spyguys. This was a bit of a departure from your earlier stories...all of which I adored, by the way! A different perspective, a new slant on their joining. All I can say is: I want a spider for my Christmas tree...because of the beautiful legend, and for the new "memory"!
From: Jane Terry Date: 12/07/2004
This Christmas story is one of the most beautiful I can remember reading. It is told in first person, from Napoleon's point of view—an interesting perspective, revealing Napoleon as the product of a dysfunctional home life and a tragic past and Illya as hhaving the happier background, by far the more well-adjusted of the two.
The characterization is an interesting one, rare in our fan fiction, but the interpretation does not contradict what we see in the episodes. I personally have always adored the glimpses we see of the characters taking care of each other—even more when it is Illya taking care of Napoleon—and Cord gives us a very satisfying taste of this in "Spiderweb."
From: YumYum Date: 12/05/2004
You are a truely talented writer. You create pictures with your words. We want more.
