The Flavor of Gold

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	The Flavor of Gold
Author(s):	Sylvia Bond
Date(s):	1993
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:	The Flavor of Gold and here Flavor of Gold
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The Flavor of Gold is a Kirk/Spock story by Sylvia Bond.

It was published in the print zine First Time #37 and is available online.

Summary

"Spock follows Kirk after finding out that Kirk took an undercover assignment while on shoreleave."

Excerpt

"He walked briskly through the maze of streets, and tried to shut out the roar of the city, the clatter of voices and footsteps, and the ever present high pitched, slightly off-key sound of rain spluttering against a million square feet of transparent aluminum, steel and concrete. It hadn't taken him long to deduce where Kirk had gone, once he'd spoken to McCoy."

Reactions and Reviews

I really like The Flavor of Gold in part because there is some really insightful characterization in it. I’m sorry that the author wrote only two K/S stories.

I liked this long story very much! it had a lot of nice moments, such as the repair of the space heater (pg. 81) and Spock's cup of coffee (pg, 90/91) - "I prefer ...tea," - among many others. Wow, and I have never before read such a wonderful description o( a simple (?) kiss. Pages and pages of kissing! Thrilling! Only one thing really disturbed me: in the beginning the author describes Spock walking through the rain ("within minutes he was as if he'd submerged his whole body." (pg. 78) Spock is cold and wet, but you hear nothing of all this, when he finally in Kirk's room. When I come home in this condition, the first thing is taking off my clothes! I waited and waited, that he take off at least his cape, but - nothing- I was freezing with Spock! (By the way: don't they have umbrellas in the 20th century??)

I recently reread this long, juicy story because it was just that cool. I enjoy reading the twisted, meandering analysis of why Kirk thinks he's not a capable captain without his first officer or without his ship and wanting to prove that he is just as capable as the next guy by taking a mission all by himself. Spock , of course, gets wind of it and follows him and that's when the fun begins. Spock has the patience of Job as he watches and helps Kirk with the mission. Lots of fantastic domestic-ish scenes and that tender moment when Spock got shot. This is one of the best first time stories I have ever read. You have the dialog, the action and adventure, especially the well written action and adventure, the building of the budding relationship, and 10+ kissing scenes and no unnecessary tedious sex stuff. It has all the elements of a great story. Two thumbs up says me. The only bad part was the reaction from Spock after the first few kisses scene, Spock went the repressed, puritan, double virgin wanting to flee from that Kirk, and having the butter won't melt in my mouth, you will not touch me attitude. The reaction was way over done for a half Vulcan and half Human. I would think that Spock being half Vulcan and a scientist would just analyze the kisses and if he had felt too much would just say that is enough in that Vulcan high falutin' tone that he gets when he feels too much. After all, he spends a great deal of time and energy repressing his human half and that's why I thought it was over done for him. Other then that it was excellent bar none.

Once again, Kirk’s pride has led him into a dangerous situation. Are we sure Tiberius is his middle name? Could it, instead, be Trouble?

Finnegan’s barbed remarks about the Captain’s ability to function without the Enterprise and Spock lead to the latest escapade. Kirk is determined to prove otherwise and volunteers for a one-man intelligence mission on a rain-soaked world in lieu of shore leave. He is, of course, soon missed by Spock, who after a bit of detective work, comes knocking on the door to his cold, shabby room.

At first Kirk is angry at the intrusion, but he gradually comes to understand something about himself — it is more important to have Spock with him than to prove himself to Finnegan. This is all resolved with some really masterful dialog, which consistently keeps the reader involved, never on the outside looking in.

Spock, too, becomes introspective and is so absorbed in his thoughts he loses three standard chess games in a row. This obvious distraction causes Kirk to lean over and kiss him lightly on the mouth. Kirk is rattled and tries to dismiss it as a joke, but can’t stop wondering what made him do it. He begins to review all the times Spock’s been there for him — which gives us nice glimpses into several touching scenes from the series. Recollection of their forced separation by the Klingons on Organia and the way their eyes met across the room causes him to ask himself just what it was he saw in those eyes. Sitting (undercover) in a bar he sees again that “flicker of dark fire in a pair of Vulcan eyes.”

Then in a discussion that is both brilliant and beautiful, Kirk reminds Spock of the time they thought he’d lost his sight and how glad Kirk was that it had been temporary. An excerpt of the exchange follows, and what an inventive way it is to express love:

“I knew I would have missed you looking at me.” The way your eyes are now, liquid dark. “I thought I would have killed Bones if it had made everything alright.”

“My eyes are not worth a man’s life.” “Oh yes,” Kirk softly said,” yes, they are.” This is so typical of the absorbingly realistic and captivating discussions that fill this story from beginning to end.

Yes, I've reviewed this before. And I must have been under the influence of too much tranya because I totally blew it off the first time and I'm determined to get a second chance to offer my opinion.

First of all, to not mention the eloquent way in which the author sets the scene was a crime. She does such a magnificent job of describing the rainy, dreary planet. Water dripping off your nose, down your neck, feet squishing in the stuff. Cold. Miserable. Mood setting. Through this slogs Spock - what would get him out into this despicable weather but Kirk?

Spock has thrown himself into the unappreciated role of protector and it is one he questions and questions even as he persists in maintaining the persona. And Kirk is at the same time having some severe introspection about his own character, seeking to validate the image he's always had of himself against the man who leans more and more on his Vulcan friend.

The two men may be thrown together, but it is anything but a soothing situation. The climate is lousy, the accommodations are worse. The solitary mission Kirk has volunteer to undertake is thankless and unproductive. And both men are struggling with themselves.

There are shining moments in the gloom. Spock brings Kirk an unexpected gift—a hat to keep the rain from his neck. Kirk, offering no encouragement at first, ultimately asks Spock to stay with him. Fine moments. Courageous in light of the internal conflict faced by each man. An impulsive kiss, given and returned, sets two thought processes on another wild journey of self- evaluation. There's a beautiful moment of camaraderie when Spock starts cataloging Kirk's kisses as the Vulcan has observed them with women. Kirk is witty and charming in reply. But the silliness is short-lived, the self-analyses continue. Conflicting emotions are so well drawn against the ever-moving background story oftheir mission.

When the mission ends, the drama is simply refocused to that inner turmoil both men must meet head-on as they examine their true feelings for each other.

The final scene, which is many unbelievably engrossing pages long, brings a resolution that would satisfythe most jaded of critics. Spock's need to control what to him feels like the dreaded fires of ppn farr is a marvelous study of this complex being. Kirk's inborn daring shines through, as even in this, he recognizes what action is needed and brings it to conclusion. He simply worships Spock's body with his own.

Worth a second read? Absolutely!

I loved this! It portrays many facets of their relationship that made me happy. Good characterizations of our men and a nice ending. But before that wonderful ending, I felt something had been left out, like a transition paragraph or two leading up to the eroticism; it seemed to me that Spock changed his super-reserved attitude too abruptly. But when he finally gets into the swing of things and falls for Kirk's blandishments, Spock slips thrillingly into the dominant mode. And, boy, does Kirk like it like that!!

While on shore leave, Kirk runs into Finnegan, who tells Kirk that he would not have been as successful without Spock. Kirk takes on a one-man mission in order to prove Finnegan wrong. (Kirk so has issues with this!) Meanwhile, Spock, wondering where his 3D chess partner has gone, goes after Kirk. He finds him, of course, and then the fun ensues! Wonderful, wonderful first-time fic.

Kirk crosses paths with Finnegan once more - the real one this time. His enemy suggests that Kirk would be nothing without his fine ship and his finer first officer to solve his problems for him. Kirk is angry of course, but beyond the anger he wonders if that’s the truth. Using a convenient shore leave, and quite without telling Spock what he is planning, Kirk volunteers for a solitary undercover mission. Spock’s curiosity is aroused and he manages to track down his captain, proving to Kirk that what Finnegan suggested is accurate.

My favorite scene has Spock describing Kirk’s five types of kisses because, of course, he’s paid particular attention to his captain relationships with women.

This lovely long story has everything I’m looking for in a K/S tale: action, h/c, the lovely repartee between them and at 80 pages, a good long read.