The Passion of Their Destiny

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	The Flavor of Gold
Author(s):	Shelley Butler
Date(s):	1994
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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The Passion of Their Destiny is a Kirk/Spock story by Shelley Butler.

It was published in the print zine First Time #38.

Summary

"The Vians torture Kirk and Spock in order to get them to reveal their “passion”."

Excerpt

"They've probed my mind, Spock," Kirk said, anger tingeing his rough voice. "They wanted to know about me." "Passion," Spock answered. And Kirk knew what he meant. "Yes," Kirk pulled on the tethers, feeling hope now that Spock was here by his side. Even tied as he was, somehow Kirk knew the Vulcan would find a way out of this. "They made me remember...." "The Enterprise and the first time we met," Spock completed. "Yes, Spock ," Kirk said clearly despite the pain. "My passions."

Reactions and Reviews

I really like this extrapolation of the author's choice of the "most intimate moment" in the TV series. First of all, the story is pretty well written; she seems to get better with everything she writes, and I'm impressed. Second, the choices she makes in rewriting the episode ("The Empath") are original and interesting. Instead of interrogating Gem, who appears in the story but whose presence is unexplained, the Vians interrogate first Kirk and then Spock in an effort to understand human (and Vulcan) passion and love.

There's some lovely language in this story and some superb, original phrasing. For example, from Spock's thoughts as he communicated wordlessly with Gem: "He wanted to tell her how for the entire year that he had served under the command of this brilliant and charismatic man. He had been unequivocally in love." Mmm. I like the idea of Spock thinking those words. It's romantic and Vulcan at the same time, a neat trick. Here's another in the same vein: "Just that delicate touch incited Spock to bring the beautiful mouth, possessor of that smile, to his own and claim it with a kiss meant only for a t'hy'la."

And how about the description of Kirk's erection as "the marrow of his desire"? I can almost feel this scene.

Then there's a bit of Kirkian dialogue that's absolutely drop-dead sexy: "'Fuck me, Spock.' The voice was demanding and imploring at the same time. 'Shove your Vulcan cock in me and make me cry.' 'Yes, my captain.'" Wow.

And consider: " 'Oh. Spock,' Kirk cried, his eyes so huge that Spock imagined he would fall into them. 'I want you inside me. . . .'" Be still, my heart! I could just see Kirk's eyes in that scene. (Sigh.) It's a nice example of how the author can give us just a few words but convey volumes.

I also enjoyed the flashbacks to Kirk's and Spock's first meeting, and the insights into what that experience was like for each of them. The bit about Gary Mitchell was a nice touch; I can believe that our randy captain might have had an affair with him.

There are also some missteps in the story, but most of them are technical problems: errors in diction, grammar, sentence structure, etc., that could easily be fixed.

One point I found interesting but contrived was Spock's memory of having dreamed of Kirk during his Vulcan boyhood. This point could have been developed convincingly, but wasn't, as though the author expected us to just take it for granted. Well, I don't buy it; it's a very romantic idea, but not terribly believable as written. But if it were couched in terms of Spock's psychic gifts, for example, it certainly might be believable. In that case, we would need to know of this premonition or at least see it foreshadowed the very first time we read that Spock loves Kirk. And the premonition should mean something. Otherwise, as it's written here, it just comes out of nowhere and then disappears back into nothingness.

Another quibble I have here is that the word "destiny" is thrown around but not really considered. Destiny is the idea that the future is already decided, and no matter what a person does, he can't change it. But I don't think Kirk really believes in destiny; he tries too hard to bend the universe to his will. He's just not passive enough for a person who believes that nothing he does can change the outcome. I realize the author intends the term "destiny" in a cloudy-eyed romantic sense, bui I think it's very much a distraction in what for this author, is a straightforward and sparingly written story.

I also have a problem with the title, for the reason just given, and also because it basically says nothing. It sounds like the title of a bodice ripper. Of course, this story is basically done in bodice-ripper (or spacesuit-ripper) style, but still I think the title could have been toned down.

The section where Kirk and Spock confess their love during their torture is also a bit unbelievable. They should be gasping their words out, and there should be a compelling reason why they must talk about their love at that moment. For example, because they believe they're going to die and they can't stand the thought that they will die without confessing it. Even a lesser reason would work. But the way this scene is written, K&S are hanging by their wrists, in terrible pain, and then suddenly it's as though they're exchanging valentines. A little too Monty-Python-esque for me.

Next, when they're released, Spock suddenly has an attack of shyness-for no reason-and he starts acting as though he hasn't just said he loves Kirk. Again, these problems could easily be fixed.

A little more troublesome is the ending. It's too glib, not really well thought out. It's a happy-ever-after ending that doesn't really convey a realistic picture of K&S aboard the Enterprise. And the last sentence makes no sense: the Vulcan and human were being watched - huh? The author was probably trying to tell us that the Vians were continuing to observe them, but if so, this wasn't clear.

I'd love to see this piece rewritten; it's really a first draft that needs some rethinking and technical cleaning up. But all in all it's a really nice effort from Ms. Butler; her best yet, as far as I'm concerned.

An excellent treatment of the Vian episode. A good place to explore passion and destiny. And very effective the way we come in on Kirk in Vian bondage. Intense and immediate.

I liked the way the memories are real - time flowed together when Kirk is in his quarters in past-time and all of a sudden from one word to the next is in the Vian-present; although all the time - switches are not done in that way, I liked how we went back to that memory (after a skip to Vian-present) exactly where we had left off.

I like Kirk and Gary as lovers. Great scene - roughly sexy.

And not overdone. I'm glad the whole thing wasn't spelled out. Very effective,

I liked very much how the same scene was repeated from the different POV's. (Kirk on meeting Spock; Spock on meeting Kirk.)

I loved the Spock/Gem scene a lot. A really good touch that she was able to take away psychic pain. I loved Spock's willingness to accept his vulnerability. He is a noticeably different person when with someone of equal powers, i.e., with whom has no place to hide. It was so beautiful, the highlighting of the scene of Spock's being caught watching Kirk, his love...

I'm afraid I found Spock's childhood dream of a hazel-eyed star companion rather too...too specific, or too convenient. It was wonderful how they revealed themselves to each other in their bondage- It had to be said, right then.

Kirk did not realize he was naked?! And then Spock had to look down to realize he was also naked? I never believe anyone is not aware they are naked.

There was some amount of overly-repeated phrases; and some use of extra words that can take away from the power of what is being expressed.

I love the story, its strength. Definitely one of the more unique uses of the episode I have ever read.