Together in the Afternoon

Fanfiction
Title:	Together in the Afternoon
Author(s):	Robin Hood
Date(s):	1999
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Together in the Afternoon is a Kirk/Spock story by Robin Hood.

It was published in the print zine Encore.

Summary

"Kirk has finally reached retirement age, and Spock cannot believe that his long-time friend will be leaving the service—without him."

Reactions and Reviews

This is a first-time story that takes place in the time period after the movies. Kirk is ready to retire, but as he's trying to tell Spock about what he wants to do with his life, they are interrupted and Spock is left to dwell on what he thinks is his loss of Kirk. Of course that's not the case- Kirk wants Spock with him. They finally admit to their feelings and make love, and there's a nice picture by G.E. Millsthat goes with it. A nice story, characters are good, but it makes me a little sad. That they had loved each other but never took that step to be lovers, for thirty years. But it's a happy ending, now that they will be spending the rest of their lives together.

Robin Hood has written so many wonderful K/S stories and has been such a leader in the field that it's not surprising that 'Together in the Afternoon" is such an excellent story. Whenever I think that all the first time stories have been written, she comes up with a new and original scenario. I think this is one of her most romantic stories. Naturally, it takes place on the beach but this is not your typical beach encounter! I loved the depth of emotion she brings out in Spock while keeping totally within character.

"Read and enjoy" was the decree in the introduction for this story. I read it - and I enjoyed it! Very much so.

“Together In The Afternoon” is a classical study of misunderstanding. Kirk is planning to retire and tries to ask Spock if he would come with him, live with him. But their meeting goes all wrong, they get interrupted and part with Spock having heard only "I ́m going to retire." Spock thinks Kirk would leave him behind and despairs. Kirk on his part deduces from Spock ́s reaction that the Vulcan wouldn ́t want to leave Starfleet with him. But, thank God, Kirk is persistent!

I always liked this old theme of misunderstanding and the resulting high flying emotions of anger and hurt and regret and reconciliation. It is so basically human, the everyday tragedy of everyone. As is the theme of an aged pair who find they have wasted their youth and agree not to waste the rest of their days also, in which the story ́s title finds its reflection. The timeframe is a fine symbol of their state of minds, starting in the afternoon and ending at the break of dawn. The beach of the San Francisco bay is always a beautiful setting and I could see and hear the ocean roar against the rocks, echoing the breaking apart of Spock ́s world. Ah, I ́m a sucker for beach scenes! When they finally kiss it ́s just beautiful and I laid the story down with a satisfied grin in my face. Real good work, Robin. Thank you.

Admiral Kirk asks Spock to dinner to discuss his retirement. Spock is horrified at the prospect.

This is a really good premise for a story, but it was unevenly written with some difficult parts and some really good things as well. At one point, they take a walk outside at night. We didn’t find out until later where they were—a beach on San Francisco Bay. Kirk jogs away from Spock even though he’s still talking to him and so Spock only hears part of what he’s saying. There’s no real reason for it. Also, some of the dialogue is awkward like Kirk saying to Spock: “Easy, big guy.” And the term “in harness” was really good once: “He’d simply envisioned that Kirk would die in harness...”, but not so good twice and immediately afterward: “they had worked on the ship in harness...”. Also, I was uncertain about Kirk’s telling Spock to take off his wet clothes in the nighttime out there on the cold beach. I thought they should have gone inside somewhere.

But some very nice moments as Kirk tells Spock that when he said he was going to retire he meant for Spock to come with him—not that was going to leave Spock. I liked the tie-in with the title of them having the afternoon of their lives together.