Archived fic rec - Variations on a Theme (Science Versus Romance)

[sakura_no_miko]

Title: Variations on a Theme (Science Versus Romance)

Author: ken_ichijouji

Fandom: Star Trek

Rating: PG-13 for the main story, but it goes up to NC-17 for the series

Pairing: Jim/Bones, Spock/Uhura

Warnings: sex (gay), lots of angsting

Other notes: focus on the relationship, granting wishes,

Length: 25k + sequels

Summary: The Enterprise comes down with a bug. Jim decides to show Bones that they’re meant to be. These two things are related.

 

I came back to re-read this story, clicked on the masterpost, and my jaw may have dropped a bit, because I only remembered one sequel, and I wasn’t even sure of that.

I like what this story does with the “be careful what you wish for” trope. Nothing terribly tragic happens, but Kirk is very aware of the fact that there needs to be some amount of control. The fact that they manage to balance out the craziness of having a water park on the Enterprise and still keeps things running ship-shape is pretty nice. I also love that Harry Mudd is behind the whole thing. He’s one of those sort of campy characters from the original series who might have trouble fitting into the new universe–unless you use him right, like this author does.

The relationship here is just great. Jim decides to woo Bones and Bones brings out a list of reasons why they shouldn’t be together–which is a great, comedic scene, but it also sets up several very real reasons why both of them are a bit wary, a bit hopeful. The way they slowly get together is a joy to watch.

The only tiny, little, miniscule thing that draws me out of this story are the pop culture references. I feel bad, but security having a Rock Band tournament and Bones buying sheets at (Space?) Bed Bath and Beyond cracks me up for just the wrong reasons. Though the image of Chekov hopped up on Red Bulls is oddly cute.

 

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Originally posted to tumblr on 11/27/12