sakura_no_miko

Title: Love Is Strange

Author: garryowen

Fandom: Star Trek / Dirty Dancing (film, 1987)

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Kirk/Spock

Warnings: explicit sex (gay), prejudicial behavior, partner betrayal(-ish), references to prostitution

Other notes: big bang entry, fusion/crossover, character study, family, alternate universe

Length: 45k

Summary: Spock accompanies his parents to an Earth resort where Jim Kirk is a dancer. Dirty Dancing redux.

You know, I don’t think I’ve seen Dirty Dancing in its entirety. But, as I’ve said many times before, I read a lot of fic without knowing the shows behind them. I read the Merlin version of Ponyo before I saw the movie, for example. Definitely made seeing the movie a different experience.

So, I actually don’t know how good of a homage this fic is to the film, or even how many of the scenes I like were directly inspired by it. I just know I love this fic.

That said, this kicks my hurt/comfort triggers like mad. It’s just so–I don’t know if ‘fluffy’ is the right word, but it’s a fic where everyone is hurting and alone and yet they manage to forge together strength and comfort. It’s so full of hope and the desire for change.

The painful parts are really painful–T'Pring shutting Spock out hurts. Even if he doesn’t especially like her to begin with, the callous way she treats him hurts. The knowledge of his father’s disapproval hurts. His own fear and lack of confidence in himself hurts.

And then there’s Jim, just toeing the line of being a Manic Pixie Dream…erm, Guy, I suppose. He’s energetic, he doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks–he’s such the polar opposite of Spock. And yet he also feels trapped, frustrated with his life and his inability to feel like there’s meaning.

I probably empathize too much with these characters. I remember the times in my life where I was lost, when I was scared to speak up. I still have those times. So being able to read a happy ending to all that pain and fear, even in fictional form, just cheers me right up.

(Looking for more fic recs?)
Originally posted on tumblr on 11/30/12