Joyboy

Fanfiction
Title:	Joyboy
Author(s):	Syn Ferguson
Date(s):	1992
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:	online here
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Joyboy is a K/S story by Syn Ferguson.

It was published in the print zine Before the Glory.

Summary

"Ambassador Sarek’s young son finds life during a diplomatic conference somewhat restrictive. Then the survivors of Tarsus IV arrive - and his life changes in a most unexpected way. Another summary: A young Kirk is ostracized on his way back to Earth from Tarsus when it becomes known how he managed to survive."

Reactions and Reviews

Unknown Date

pre-tos adult. you didn't think there was world-building when you were using someone else's universe, did you? but there is.

1990

This was a thoughtful and complex story dealing with the outcast in society, his alienation and courage, It dealt with a young Kirk, who survived the horrors of the Kodos Regime by selling his body but not his self respect. It dealt with a Spock in conflict with his dual origins, of course. And then there was Richard -- the antithesis of Kirk -- an example of an individual who could no longer cope with his reality. All were victims of "society" struggling against prejudice and group conformity. I enjoyed this story immensely. I loved the fact that Kirk took responsibility for Richard, and Spock took responsibility for Kirk, even though it meant he had to deal harshly with him. The overall flow of the story was very good, but the ending was too abrupt and caught me by surprise: I felt this should have been a much longer story, considering the many themes covered, alongside that of their developing relationship.

2001

One of the immutable laws of slash fandom is that everyone was a teenage prostitute. Some of them started earlier than others, both in terms of age and in terms of fannish history. Syn Ferguson's stories are starting to appear on the web (thanks to Killashandra, I believe), so you can go and read Joyboy, revel in the K/S-ness of it all, and feel a sense of tradition and continuity. (Though to be honest, I'm recommending the story more because it's well written than because of the teenage prostitution angle. We all have our kinks.)

2011

Jim Kirk has always strangled every drop of hope out of despair. The author's story reminds us of this trait. His honor is a purity all its own no matter his circumstance.

2013

This was....

man.

intense.

what a way to end it off! with such high-leveled emotions! I can't - even begin to - I... wow. The character study, the setting study, the backstory, the overall theme, the emotion buildup, the style... Wow~

Very very different from the usual variety I've read. and very very intriguing. Like tasting a very succulent foreign delicacy. It's a pleasant flavour, but strange and new and alien in all its out-of-this-world-ness.

I'm impressed.

this was so sad yet hopefull. i hope you write a sequal

2014

Amazing story, I really enjoyed your very believable characterization and how you dealt with Spock's dual heritage. And your aliens are unique and interesting! //I'm tempted to illustrate them, actually ahahaha

Overally, it was a very good fic and I'm definitely reccing it for others!

THANK YOU!

2015

I have not come a cross this story before but what a tale. A genuine attempt to consider the potential alien existance will have on education and parent child interactil woven into bigotry. The glimpses of the integrity of character of Jim were thought provoking especially the issues of external actions versus internal character nature. How you build up the role of Tarsus in influencing how Jim becomes the captain par extraordinaire is quite something.