Title: The Matter in Hand by Draycevixen
Pairing: William Bodie/Spock
Length: 1,466 words
Author on LJ: draycevixen

Why this must be read: Because it's crossover day, and it's draycevixen, and it's crack. Nobody does crack like draycevixen. What better place to rec crack then on crack_van. Besides, everybody needs a grin once in a while.

The Matter in Hand

Fandom: STAR TREK: ALTERNATE ORIGINAL SERIES
Pairing: Jim Kirk/Spock
Length: 57,642 words
Author on LJ: waldorph
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read:
This is an alternate universe story (of an canon alternate universe, natch!) where Spock's family moves to Earth early in his life and he makes friends with one James T. Kirk, even though Sarek and Amanda think the other boy is Trouble. Spock is steadfast with his friendship, though, and that makes for a wonderful story, both angsty and fun in turns. The side characters (Amanda, Sybok, Pike, T'Pring, Stonn) really help make this story, because the author fleshes them out and gives them all real, believable motivations and interests. This is a fantastic combination of world-building and canon reference.

Author's Summary: Spock met Jim when he was 7 and Jim was 6. It has since been generally agreed that this was a mistake (or: the one where they grow up together and things are simultaneously better and worse for it).

Magpie by waldorph

Fandom: STAR TREK: ALTERNATE ORIGINAL SERIES (also, THE ORIGINAL SERIES)
Pairing: Spock/Leonard McCoy, Spock/Alternate Leonard McCoy, Alternate Spock/Alternate Nyota Uhura
Length: 20,355 words
Author on LJ: (unknown)
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read:
Because this fic gets that the universes are DIFFERENT. Just because the original Spock never had a romantic relationship with Nyota doesn't mean that the alternate relationship is doomed to failure. And just because Spock loved his own Leonard McCoy doesn't make it true in this bold new universe. Except perhaps it does...

I like that this story focused a lot on Spock and his reaction to seeing the Vulcan of the universe he finds himself destroyed, his relationship to Sarek, and his ambivalence towards the alternates of his best friends, Jim Kirk and Leonard McCoy. I also like the focus on McCoy, too. Good reading, this!

Once More by Nikita

Fandom: STAR TREK: ALTERNATE ORIGINAL SERIES
Pairing: Leonard McCoy/Spock
Length: 13,773 words
Author on LJ: sullacat
Author Website: fic Masterlist, on AO3
Why this must be read:
I think many fans will agree with me that the episode of TNG called The Inner Light was totally one of the best of the whole series. This story takes the premise of that episode (Picard living an entire life in a few minutes) and runs with it, except this time it's Spock and McCoy that live out another life on an alien world. Gorgeous story.

Be sure to check out Sullacat's other stories, they're all very good!

Somewhere Only We Know sullacat

Hi, I'm Cloudtrader, and I'll be recommending Star Trek stories here this month. I'm a second generation Trekkie, and TNG is my first love. I'm not a huge fan of AOS, but I don't hate it. I ship just about anything well written, but I do have my favorites. I am a HUGE fan of the Star Trek novels. I hope that you enjoy my recs this month!

Fandom: STAR TREK: ALTERNATE ORIGINAL SERIES
Pairing: Leonard McCoy/Spock
Length: 16,710 words
Author on LJ: awarrington
Author Website: Fic Masterlist
Why this must be read:
I enjoyed the characterization in this story particularly, along with the slow and not frictionless process of McCoy and Spock getting to know one another. Both characters make mistakes and hurt each other, but they also apologize and make up for it.

Also, there's hot sex in a cave.

Mission Impossible by Amanda Warrington

Fandom: STAR TREK: REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: 167854 words (total)
Author on LJ: keiramarcos
Author Website: Keira Marcos
Summary: Spock convinces his father to move to Earth after refusing to bond with T’Pring. The consequences of this change the dynamics of his family and sets him on the path that will lead him directly to James Kirk.

Why this must be read: Keira Marcos is a pretty polarizing author in fandom. Personally, I think she writes crack. Magical, addicting crack. And since that's what we're here for, I'm rec'ing her only Star Trek series, Tangled Destinies. I'll warn off the bat for overpowered!Kirk, but Keira is an amazing author so if you don't mind (or enjoy) that kind of thing this is a must read series.

Basically, Spock and Kirk meet when Spock and his family move to Earth instead of staying on Vulcan when Spock is a kid. What follows is a lengthy romance, some interesting political manoeuvring, and many adventures.

While there is more to come in the series, the first arc is completed and can stand as-is.

Tangled Destinies

Fandom: STAR TREK: REBOOT
Pairing: Gaila/Jim Kirk, Gaila/OCs
Length: 1417 words
Author on LJ: no lj listed on AO3
Author Website: archiveofourown.org/users/Rubynye/pseuds/Rubynye
Why this must be read:

This one was a surprise to me, since it's not only STR het, but a Jim/Gaila fic. Two things that usually don't interest me that much. I never really understood fandom's seeming obsession with her. The only real impression she left on me in the first Star Trek reboot movie was that she was hot, nice, and liked to have sex with Jim Kirk. That was all fine and good with me, but I never felt more than dead-neutral about her. Ever since the first JJ movie came out, I've seen various fics where authors try and shoehorn her into some kind of cardboard polyamorous, feminist archetype. It always annoyed me and made me scroll right past any summary that hinted as such. I'm all for equality and female empowerment, but I don't like feeling like I'm being lectured when I read fic.

Which is why "False Friends" is so great. Even if you're not particularly into het in this fandom, you might be into a unique and sincere portrait of a friendship that defies conventional boundaries. Here, Jim and Gaila are friends who occasionally like to have sex with each other. I say "friends who occasionally like to have sex with each other" rather than the harsh "fuck buddies", for a reason. The center of this fic revolves around a very sweet and considerate friendship between two people who don't always follow the usual definitions of friendship that other people do.

In this story, Gaila confides in Jim a troubling incident in which a casual, fully consensual threesome with a friend and that friend's boyfriend results in the "homewrecker" accusation being thrown around by that friend's roommate. Gaila wants to know the exact meaning of this term and if she has hurt anyone by her actions, as is implied by the namecaller. The way Jim responds to her questions is perceptive and kind and above all, helpful.

Rubynye gives us an intriguing glimpse into an alien culture without making it come across as a cheap podium for intrusive authorial beliefs.

False Friends

Fandom: STAR TREK: REBOOT
Pairing: Jim Kirk/Spock
Length: 2618 words
Author on LJ: no lj listed under AO3 profile
Author Website: archiveofourown.org/users/waldorph/pseuds/waldorph
Why this must be read:

This is an interesting one. A quietly devastating and darkly romantic Spock POV, “my boy builds coffins” lives up to its chilling name. With the exception of a few Britisms, this fic is damn near flawless. It’s almost like a half-step towards Mirror ‘verse fic, existing somewhere between STR canon and that one. This is a less forgiving look at the codependence between Jim and Spock. It supports its reasoning for viewing the two men as maybe a little less heroic, maybe a little more sociopathic, with the same cold logic that the author’s Spock uses in his view of events. There’s a lot of mass killing here, but as waldorph’s Spock points out, it’s not unprovoked mass killing. It’s all done in defense of one’s self and one’s friends. The choice is repeatedly made: Them, or Us. Both Spock and Jim continually choose “Us”, meaning both the Enterprise crew, and each other. And maybe they even feel a little bad about the costs that come along with that. But not that bad. waldorph lets us see that not all of the characters embrace this menality. That maybe Spock and Jim are a very dangerous partnership.

I don’t necessarily agree with every slant of the facts and each bend of characterization (particularly regarding Uhura, considering certain reactions of hers in the Into Darkness movie, but this was written before then, so that’s forgivable) that waldorph takes here, but I can see the seeds for such an approach and appreciate it for its fiercely romantic and gleefully savage qualities all bound up in extremely elegant prose. This is kind of like Mirror ‘verse fic for people who have no stomachs for all that usually entails. It’s not about the gore, but the eerie beauty that can be found alongside the viciousness of protecting one’s own. It’s about what protecting one’s own really means.

It doesn’t come cheap.

Let me just leave you with one of my favorite non-spoilery lines:

Jim has taken hold of the universe and forced it to accept him[.]

my boy builds coffins

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Jim Kirk&Winona Kirk
Length: 4177 words
Author on LJ: No lj listed on AO3 profile
Author Website: http://archiveofourown.org/users/Thistlerose/pseuds/Thistlerose
Why this must be read:


Hey guys. First, I want to apologize for being such a flake on the reccing front. Real life just slammed me until I found myself with only a few hours left to rec. But enough excuses, I will try to squeeze in at least a couple recs with the little time I have left.

Now for the rec. Normally, I pass right on by gen. It just does not do it for me. But for some reason I've lately been completely taken by interesting depictions of the relationship between Winona and Jim. Despite the title "Darkness Always Gets There First", a fitting way to complete that thought would be "But Light Eventually Follows". I've read and enjoyed both ends of the Winona spectrum in fic: the ones where she's ruthless, icy, ambivalent towards Jim at best, though not completely cold-blooded; and the ones where she's just as kick-ass and free-spirited as her son (her seemingly canon-supported neglect conveniently smoothed over, if not blithely ignored). But Thistlerose's version of this mother-son relationship is probably the most realistic as far as canon-support goes. The author restrains his/herself from demonizing or idealizing any of the characters, including Frank The Stepdad, who, although unseen in the movie, we all pretty much assume is an asshole. ( Read more )

Darkness Always Gets There First

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Jim Kirk/Spock
Length: 5500 words for the first; no word count for the second, but it is a medium-sized one-shot
Author on LJ: keelywolfe
Author Website: http://web.archive.org/web/20090612032701/http://www.ravenswing.com/~keelywolfe/
Why this must be read:

Hey guys, I'm your STR reccer this month. I come from the POV of someone who's more familiar with the Reboot 'verse, as opposed to the other Star Trek canons. Because of that, I'm particularly interested in fics that fully embrace the J.J. Abrams version, with canon details such as the characterization of "Jim", instead of "Kirk". I wanted to do all Into Darkness fics since it just came out, but most of the ones that caught my eye are multi-chap WiP. I'll try to slip in a couple non-WiP. I wanted to have some kind of theme, but that's also kind of gone out the window. I'll probably rec a variety of slash pairings, since that's my preference in this fandom, though there might be some gen in there 'cause I've had a thing lately for fics that explore the estranged relationship between Jim and Winona. I'll warn you, I can be kind of long-winded. I'll try to keep that in check, but no promises.

To start with, I bring you "This Rebellious Nature" and "These Fevered Dreams". I'm reccing these two together, because even though the first stands alone, the second is an au of the first and does not stand on its own. If you read the first, you will feel the need to read the second, which will fill the void the first one left. The end of the "Rebellious Nature" is what would happen if Jim wasn't his proactive self in the sequel/AU "Fevered Dreams". Vague enough for you? ;) Bear with me as I try to avoid spoilers.

( Read more )

Link goes to "These Fevered Dreams", which has a link to the previous "This Rebellious Nature" in its header:

These Fevered Dreams

Well, folks, here’s my last rec for Star Trek Reboot for May, and I saved one of the best for last. I hope you’ve had as much fun discovering these works as I have had reccing them!

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT/STAR TREK ORIGINAL SERIES
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: 45k
Author on LJ: bigmamag
Author Website: On LJ and On AO3
Why this must be read:

With my now-known love of presumed-dead fics, what do you think one featuring actual death does to me? Yes, it gets my hurt/comfort bell ringing. This is not, however, a typical “deathfic,” at least not the way I define it, because, well, the dead person is brought back to life for starters, and the story goes on to not only fix that, but fix a few other things in Star Trek canon that were in need of it!

( Long rec is long… )

The Preserver

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Pike
Length: 7700
Author on LJ: rubynye
Author Website: Rubynye’s stories on AO3
Why this must be read:

Oh my hotness.

I am a fanfic writer, as I’m sure many of you are too, and – welp, have you ever read something and just thought it was time to slam your laptop closed and just whimper about the pointlessness of it all when there are SUCH WORKS OF ART OUT THERE? No? Then maybe you shouldn't read this one…

The premise is simple: Christopher Pike meets rentboy Kirk a few years before that Iowa bar fight, at a high-end hotel during shore leave. They have one memorable night, the end. But holy crap, what a night! Rubynye’s writing is so sensual, so descriptive, and knowing, and, well, visceral that you literally feel it in your bones. I’d quote an excerpt of the good stuff, but it’s all good stuff. Not a single word is wasted, and in addition to being literally one of the best erotic stories I have read, this story will make you ache for the relationship that could have been between these two.

Come for the porn, but stay for the… porn! Srsly, this is to be read in your bunk.

Never, Once

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: N/A
Author’s Tumblr: Thylaa’s Tumblr
Why this must be seen:

Taking a break from all the angsty fics I’ve been reccing, this is a picspam of the first reboot film that everyone – Kirk/Spock shippers in particular – will find highly entertaining. I just love the attitude here as Thylaa fondly skewers the film's well-worn tropes.

It really is hilarious – please check it out. Here’s a taste:



Star Trek, a Summary

And the inevitable sequel: Star Trek: Into DarkWhiteness

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: 51k
Author on LJ: kariye
Author Website: kariye’s fic on AO3
Why this must be read:

This story is like a puzzle inside an enigma wrapped in the mystery that is Jim Kirk. It is a story of non-linear, Heller-esque proportions, that jumps around to different points of Jim’s life through the first five-year mission to tell the story of a complex man who holds himself up to the very highest of standards and the Vulcan who calls him on his bullshit.

As the story unfolds, it continually circles back on itself, each twist unveiling a bit more about Jim and Spock, but it’s much more than a relationship story or a mission fic – it’s almost impossible to categorize, actually. It is about the hell that is the responsibility of command. It is about questioning the very mission of your life and the choices you have made. It is about surviving life in general, and finding the people in it that make it bearable.

It’s a stunningly relentless yet touching work – I have so many FEELS for it. And it’s got everything this fangirl could ask for – hurt/comfort, romance (after a fashion), adventure, angst, emotional turmoil and, of course, rocks.

Give this story a read – you won’t regret it, or forget it.

( Here is an excerpt… )

For Gladness of You on AO3

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: 2700
Author on LJ: jouissant
Author Website: Fics on LJ and AO3
Why this must be read:

I expect Star Trek: Into Darkness will inspire a lot of stories with this theme – hell, I’m writing one myself – but I’m here to tell you that this one will be what you should measure all the rest against.

( And I’m putting the rest of this rec behind a cut because it’s a huge spoiler for the film… )

post tenebras lux on AO3

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Spock/McCoy
Length: ~76k
Author on LJ: mattmetzger
Author Website: Masterlist on LJ
Why this must be read:

This is a modern-day AU set in San Francisco where McCoy and Spock are introduced by their mutual pal Jim, start dating, and eventually fall in love.

It’s a simple-sounding setup, right? But the telling of it is so maturely done, so real, it feels like a contemporary novel, and the fact that the characters are so familiar to us makes it all the more satisfying. Len is a stubborn SOB, Jim about as Jim-like as he can be, and Spock a total mystery that McCoy manages to unravel whether Spock wants him to or not. The story is a great character study of both men in addition to featuring some hurt/comfort that is neither sensationalized nor woobie-fying of its object. Oh, and the sex scenes? Smoking hot.

The author says that this is a prologue to a longer story, but it is wholly satisfying as a standalone. Read this story, you won’t regret it. I will also note that the author has seemed to have abandoned posting updates to his LJ for this, so definitely head on over to the AO3 version.

( Here is an excerpt… )

A Temporary Madness on AO3

Title/Author Break Down in the Shape of Things to Come by Shaenie
Fandom: White Collar/Star Trek Reboot fusion
Pairing: Neal/Peter
Length: Over 100k
Author on LJ: shaenie
Author Website: On LJ, On AO3

Why this must be read:

I don’t tend to read many crossovers (though I’ve written a few), because they need to involve fandoms I have at least a passing familiarity with, but this one came at just the right time for me. I was just getting into the Star Trek Reboot fandom last summer when this fic fell into my lap, and, because it involved my primary fandom, it made the Trek ‘verse that much more approachable. The story is a fusion of White Collar into the Star Trek Reboot ‘verse, and while the characters of the Reboot are referred to often, they don’t really play a part. Hope that counts for Crack Van Collision?

( Lengthy rec is lengthy… )

Break Down in the Shape of Things to Come on AO3

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock, with initial Spock/Uhura
Length: 65k
Author on LJ: awarrington
Author Website: Her master list on LJ and the KS Archive

Why this must be read:

Another trope I adore is the accidental bonding one, and there is an absolute plethora of it in this fandom. This one, however, is the one against which all others should be measured.

"Silver Lining" starts with Spock going into pon farr, and so he must be taken to his bonding with his intended, T’Pring, who survived the destruction of Vulcan. As in the original series ep Amok Time, T'Pring challenges their bonding so that she can be with the man she has chosen for herself. Jim, in the meantime, has insisted on accompanying Spock to the ceremony – because he’s a good bro, people – and in the process winds up accidentally bonded to his first officer. Spock’s pon farr hasn’t abated, however, and naturally the two must consummate their match.

That’s just the beginning, of course, as the story shows us a friendship that grows into a deep affection and eventually love, with a lot of really hot sex along the way. How Jim falls for Spock is done in a believable and natural way, and when a crisis affects them both, Jim learns exactly how deep his feelings lie. But the great thing about the story is that it doesn’t hand-wave the complications – Spock was in a relationship with Uhura, and they loved each other, and Jim really isn’t the marrying kind.

As if this story wasn’t brilliant enough, the author then wrote a 30k word sequel from Spock’s POV that is even better! “Children of Destiny” doesn’t just rehash the events in the original, it shines a light on them that provides a fresh perspective that will make you see the whole tale differently. In many ways, it’s a tragic yin to the initial story’s romantic yang, as we learn how painful Jim’s diffidence about their bond is for Spock, as well as Jim’s betrayal of it when he hooks up with someone on shore leave. But as we already know, they fall in lurve, and the journey is somehow more satisfying the second time around.

This writer has one of the best Spock voices in the fandom, making him very sympathetic, yet still Vulcan, and she never portrays him as a robot like many writers tend to do. I hope you’ll check this out.

( Here is an excerpt… )

Silver Lining on AO3
Children of Destiny on AO3

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Jim/Bones
Length: ~3,500
Author on LJ: hoosierbitch
Author Website: Hoosierbitch’s Star Trek tag on LJ
Why this must be read:

Another Academy fic, this is a heart-wrenching character study of Jim through Bones’ eyes that is devastating in its honesty. Both men here are wounded and damaged by their lives, but find something in each other – Jim someone to confess his darkest secrets to, Bones someone to care for in the aftermath of his painful divorce. Along the way, they fall in love and maybe even heal each other a little. This story is sweet and affecting and will bring a tear to your eye.

I love every single thing this writer produces, even in fandoms I’m not even interested in – I hope you’ll explore her other works as well (because in addition to bringing the poignant, she writes some smoking-hot smut as well).

( An excerpt… )

i think i'll keep you (like a secret) on LJ

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock with a McCoy assist
Length: ~5k
Author on LJ: aldora89
Author Website: Aldora89's Master List on LJ
Why this must be read:

I didn’t MEAN to rec two works by the same author, but this fic is so damn HAWT, I had to. The setup: Jim, Bones and Spock get a little lit on Valentine’s Day and then there is sex. But, MAN WHAT SEX THERE IS: Jim convinces Bones to allow Spock to meld with him while Jim sexes up Bones.

Beyond the hotness, though, is Spock’s utter abandon and joy in at last getting to feel - both the physical sensations as well as Bones’ emotions - and in the process he is able to let his own inhibitions go and admit his love for Jim. And Bones, because he’s the best friend of ever obligingly lets Spock take control of his body and, in the process, helps these two crazy kids get together. Oh, and he gets ridden hard and put away wet as a bonus.

Basically, Bones is one great friend to have.

( Here’s a snippet… )

Vicarious on LJ

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: ~20k
Author on LJ: littlebirdtold
Author Website: LittleBirdTold’s works on AO3
Why this must be read:

I’m a bona fide hurt/comfort junkie, and of all the tropes within that genre, one of my favorites is presumed dead. There is something completely irresistible about pretty heroes and heroines mourning prettily about their nearly departed (and pretty) loved ones. This one doesn’t disappoint.

Four years into their mission, Spock is lost in a transporter accident, and Jim falls into a depression that can’t be alleviated by anything but the sound of his deceased First Officer’s voice from his personal logs. As he struggles with his grief, he also learns that Spock had been working on the transporter system and figures out a way to bring him back. And that’s only the first half of the story!

The rest falls into a wonderful clueless!Jim fic (and I love that trope way too much, lemme tell ya), where it takes not one but two of his friends to hit him over the head with a great big clue bat PLUS alienating his future t’hy’la to figure out what he’s missing in his life. This is simply a delicious, initially angsty story written by one of the most delightful authors in the fandom – please give it a read!

( Here is an excerpt… )

Within Reach on AO3

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
Length: 66k
Author on LJ: yeomanrand, shinychimera
Author Website: YeomanRand’s fic list on Google and ShinyChimera’s Master List on LJ
Why this must be read:

Of all the damaged!Jim stories I’ve read, this is one of the very best. I’m not usually a Kirk/McCoy ‘shipper, but, excerpting from the authors’ summary, this one’s “A whole new spin on ‘I want my pain, I need my pain.’" This description was just too fascinating to pass up when I saw it on the startrekbigbang master list for 2010. I’m so glad I read it.

This is an Academy fic, and is an AU telling of Jim and Bones’ first term at that institution. Bones is surprised to learn that Jim seems addicted to pain on a certain level and, instead of lecturing him or shaming him, he approaches the problem with understanding and friendship - though not without the occasional confusion and missteps. Eventually, his love and patience helps Jim come to terms with the horrors of his childhood as Bones helps Jim approach his kinks in a healthy way.

This is a very finely-wrought Bones – so refreshing from the cranky, cock-blocking caricature he is too often portrayed as – and Jim, while he has many issues, is no victim either.

I’m telling you, this fic kept me up all night on a cross-Atlantic flight – it’s that damn good.

In for Repairs on AO3

Hi, I'm RabidChild, and I'll be driving the van for Star Trek AOS for May. I'm primarily a Kirk/Spock gal, but I hope to offer a few other pairings for your enjoyment.

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: 93k
Author on LJ: aldora89
Author Website: Master List
Why this must be read:

From the Author’s Summary: Stranded on the planet Sigma Nox while searching for a missing away team, Spock and Kirk find themselves pitted against a disturbing native life form.

What sticks with me most about this fic is the slow yet satisfying and believable build up to a Jim/Spock relationship, all buried in one of the best mission fics I have ever read. The two are stranded on a planet that may ultimately be lethal to them both, and to Jim especially, but they wind up saving each other (as well as one of the most well-wrought and imaginative OCs I have yet to see) while solving a deep mystery about the very planet that has captured them. Along the way, they fall in love.

The fic deals with issues of addiction and loyalty and friendship that matures into devotion and, eventually, love. Also: exceptional action and adventure scenes with very memorable native creatures. It is a masterpiece.

The Lotus Eaters on AO3
The Lotus Eaters on LJ

Fandom: Star Trek (2009)
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: 11,366
Rating: M
Warnings: Spoilers for the movie
Author on LJ:
Author Website: Gyptian on AO3
Summary: Five ways in which Spock recognised Kirk in another universe, and one way he didn't. Or the one where I-Chaya is a daemon, because Spock is secretly a gentle soul with claws and big teeth.

Why this must be read: Although Gyptian presents this as a five times, this reads quite well as a standard get together. This fic covers the canon and presents us with a few modifications that fanon has accepted (such as Kirk and Bones at the academy). Both men have unusual relationships to the daemons. Spock can communicate telepathically with his daemon, as can all Vulcans. Kirk can be separated great distances from his for a tragic reason; Tarsus fans should be pleased.

The majority of this fic is focused on Kirk and Spock slowly learning each other. One great technique Gyptian uses is that Spock's daemon is aware Kirk is their th'y'la from the start, whereas Spock is plagued with doubts and insecurities. I found this to be a great use of Spock's canonical problems dealing with his own soul and emotions: even when his soul is in physical form, he still can't listen. I have to also say that I found Kirk's relationship with his daemon upsetting in the extreme. His ability to leave his soul behind is not something to be taken lightly, yet it's handled quite well.

There is sex presented on-screen here but, as usual with most Star Trek fic and the daemon mythology, the physical sex is shown as completely secondary (I would say almost totally ignored) when compared to the mind-blowing experience of sharing souls mentally and emotionally. For anyone still worried, Kirk and Spock's daemons are not involved in any physical way besides being in the same room. That said, if you like Star Trek or Spork at all, do yourself a favor and read this fic.

Familiar, So Familiar


Note: This fic is Part 1 of the Daemon I-Chaya series. Even though the overall series is a WIP, I strongly feel this first part is the best in the series and can be read as a standalone. In fact, I'd recommend stopping after part 1. It's a good ending, and since the series isn't complete, it's the only ending you'll find. If, however, you find yourself wanting more, here are links to the next three parts (which I enjoyed despite lack of closure):

How to Survive an Apocalypse - Gen; Jim's history with Tarsus.
Can't Cross the Sea - Amanda/Sarek; How Spock's parents meet.
The Talk, the Talk and Another Talk - K/S; Spock withdraws and Kirk misunderstands.

Vidder: DarlaPr0duction
Musical artist: Red
Pairing: Kirk/Spock, though I suppose you could possibly see it as epic bromance
Vidder on LJ: darlapr0duction
Vidder's website:
Why this vid kicks ass:

darlapr0duction is easily one of my favorite vidders in the Reboot!verse and it's easy to see why.  She's an incredible storyteller and I'm in awe of her editing skills.  With Pieces, she does an amazing job of incorporating dialogue, scenes, music, and even text to great effect.  And the end result is a gorgeous, gorgeous vid that tells a complete story.  I think perhaps what I love about this vid, outside of the amazing editing skills is how it's the exact story of Kirk and Spock meeting in the film with the same scenes and dialogues but it's through a completely different lens because all the parallels between them are highlighted.  Also if anyone is interested, another one of her K/S fanvids has been rec'd before on Crack Van, Forget.

*This vid was made for Senses, a story by mazaher and athens7.  Which is breathtakingly beautiful but is not required to be read to appreciate the fanvid but adds an extra depth to the meanings behind the scenes and the quote at the end if you do read it (also if you like Kirk/Spock and philosophical/lyrical writing that has significant amounts of poetry then you'll probably love the story).

Pieces  (Her LJ header may not technically be SFW just as heads up)

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Gen
Length: 1473
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: DW or AO3
Why this must be read:

For her amazing Vulcan characterization and description of Vulcan culture.

This is a short but exquisitely written fic on Vulcans adapting to their new planet as well as Spock dealing with the loss and change on the Enterprise. It so rare to see Vulcans being written as being alien and different from humans rather than just another strange version of humans. And LauraJV does it incredibly well. The style and language works adds beautifully in capturing the tone of the fic and there is some great subtle details in referencing TOS and profic novels.

The Word for World Is---

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock, Kirk/Spock Prime
Length: 9918
Author on LJ: eldritchhorrors
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

For the sheer brillance of the plot, which is both well-crafted and spins the much-loved "mind-meld" trope in an absolutely sinister way.

Summary: "Something...was wrong. Jim wasn't sleeping. Wasn't eating. And those dreams...those goddamn dreams...A Love Story."

I was on the fence about reccing this because on the one hand it is a phenenomally well-put together and well-written story but on the other hand it's not a story for everyone.  It's comes with a bunch of warnings, which you should read if you have any sort of triggers.  But if not, keeping the caveat lector warning in mind, read it without the warnings.  The twist towards the end comes across more shocking.  It is exactly what it says in the summary...a love story...just a very twisted one.  And as most commentators have stated it's a complete mindfuck.  It's a wretchedly devastating read and the idea...the plot (in retrospect so incredibly simple) is like a punch to the gut...but it's well worth the ride.

A Gilded Hook (comes with warnings listed)
A Gilded Hook (no warnings listed)

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Leonard McCoy/Jocelyn McCoy
Length: 2264
Author on LJ: boosette
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

For her painfully tragic and realistic description of the breakup of the McCoys marriage. And because it's a gorgeous piece of writing.

I've read some amazing remixes in the reboot ST fandom and this story is one of the many examples.  It's a remix of igrockspock's Love is a Losing Hand (which is also wonderful) and boosette takes the piece and turns into a journey from the very beginning to it's painful end in a precise and at times poetic way. The realism though is probably why I really enjoyed this story.  I could see people I know in the voices of Jocelyn and Bones. People who fall breathtakingly fast into love and those who slowly grow apart because of time and work or something else. People who stay on because of duty or the for the sake of their child thinking that it will get better or somehow they can endure it.  And boosette manages to convey all that perfectly in a few snippets. 

The Moment Our Greatness Flickers (The Love is a Losing Hand Remix)

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock, Spock/T'Pring, T'Pring/Stonn
Length: 23,055
Author on LJ: what_alchemy
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

For her amazing characterization of T'Pring and Stonn and description of Vulcan culture. 

Summary: When Stonn goes into pon farr, T'Pring must break her bond with Spock, which has unforeseen consequences. But that's not where their story starts.

I can't even express how much I adore this fic. Gorgeously written, switching between when Spock was younger to present day where he's suffering from the break in the bond with T'Pring. There is so much subtle detail and beautiful imagery that it almost felt tangible. The portrayal of the relationship between a younger Spock and T'Pring to T'Pring's and Stonn's relationship and then Kirk and Spock...it's just perfect. It's easy to paint T'Pring and Stonn as the enemy and very few writers are able to write them as normal individuals with their own thoughts and dreams which is exactly what what_alchemy does in On Restless Pinions.  Just fantastic characterization all around.  I also loved Vulcan in this story, where it makes its presence quietly in the background as if it's part of everything that it's like almost a living presence.  IMHO, this is one of the best stories to come out of Star Trek Big Bang 2011.


( Excerpt )

On Restless Pinions

Fandom: STAR TREK REBOOT
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Length: 1441
Author on LJ: saucery
Author Website:  AO3
Why this must be read:

Pretty much what the summary says: "Kirk and Spock play chess. On and off the board.  Or, the one in which Spock stealth-marries Kirk. Because Spock's sneaky that way."

I know the "chess equals foreplay" analogy has been done quite a bit in the fandom but this is a delightful read, scorching hot, with so much UST and full of witty humor.  Saucery has such a lovely, precise way with words and she does a fantastic job of building the mood of the scene.  The banter between Kirk and Spock is so much full of win (I did mention the UST right?) and I love her characterization of Spock in this.   Highly Rec'd!

Endgame