Star Trek Mirror!verse Fic: I'd Take a Bullet (Part 3 of 3)

[brighteyed_jill]

Title: I'd Take a Bullet Meant for Both of Us, Part Three
Pairing: Kirk/McCoy, Pike/McCoy, implied Kirk/various (including Kirk/Pike)
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: mirror!verse morals, consent issues (of the dub-con and coercion variety), uneven power dynamics, and various kinks, including (highlight to view, or don't if you prefer your kink non-spoilery

Comments

[anonymous]

UNF. *Tries to reform after melting into a big pile of goo.*
This is freaking hot, and god, oh.
I just don't even know where to start. Words cannot describe how much I love this story.
I was so wrapped up in it I got no studying done and almost missed my final midterm.
If I fail counselling skills 2... I'm blaming it on your sexy writing skills.

[brighteyed_jill]

Oh no, I don't mean to be responsible for academic woes! On the other hand, I regret nothing. ;) Thanks for reading!

[syredronning]

This story was my biggest, dirty pleasure of the last days, significantly improving boring bus travels (smartphones are great). Enjoying this latest part on my home couch was the icing on the cake. Unexpected developments in the end, but it kind of makes sense. And it's been very, very hot.

Thank you for the ride :)

[brighteyed_jill]

I'm so glad I could entertain you during your commute! Oh, the joys of smartphones. As I told someone else, I felt a little self-indulgent including porn in nearly every scene, but... Meh. I'm kind of fine with it, actually. Thanks for reading!

[affectingly]

Oh wow. spikeface has been on me for DAYS, trying to get me to read this, and I kept putting it off because I was busy with work and my own writing, and blahblahblah. ANYWAY. Basically: I wish I had read this so much sooner. This is utterly BRILLIANT. So much fun, beginning to end, and just... the way McCoy's understanding of his own feelings for Jim came together and Pike's manipulation of the situation and *everything*. So, so good. This is so my favorite version of Jim and Bones in mirrorverse. Well done. <3

[brighteyed_jill]

I should give spikeface cookies for pimping me out! Anyway, I'm so glad it all worked for you! I had a great time playing around with the developing McCoy's understanding of his situation and his evolving plans. The mirror!verse is so deliciously complicated. Thank you for reading!

[savoytruffle]

I was trying to explain to spikeface how I felt like this fic fits into this certain type of mirrorverse story that I love obsessively and I think I failed but maybe I'll try again.

First, it's something about the in-depth look we get at how the particular mirrorverse portrayed in the fic actually works. What's expected of people? What's tolerated? What kinds of deals are made? How does one survive? And it has to be the case that not just anything goes and everything is not simply hopeless. There has to be some sense that there are rules and particular ways to break them and strategies to be made based on particular human strengths and weakness.

You, of course, did all that excellently.

Then, what I think the other element is, is showing how - while that mirroverse is generally hostile to love, loyalty, sacrifice and vulnerability - Kirk and McCoy find themselves taken by these feelings and inextricably tied up in each other. I find this idea of love growing on what should be utterly barren and poisoned ground extremely compelling. And then

[brighteyed_jill]

Ooooo, thoughtful commentary! I am filled with glee.

There has to be some sense that there are rules and particular ways to break them and strategies to be made based on particular human strengths and weakness.
Yes indeed! As much as I love all the possibilities for terrible, horrible, and okay, yeah, kinky things to happen at the drop of a hat in the mirror!verse, order must be maintained somehow. How else would the Empire have conquered everyone they run into? I think the mirror!verse has a society every bit as complex and nuanced as the regular trek verse, just built around different core values.

I find this idea of love growing on what should be utterly barren and poisoned ground extremely compelling.There! What a lovely image! One of my favorite things about writing the mirror!verse is finding those moments of surprise, when Kirk or McCoy experiences something unfamiliar or forbidden in those feelings of love. Even more so than in a more traditional universe, love between these two probably seems pretty scary; they've each got

[abigail89]

Whoa, not only was this hot, but the intrigue was outstanding. I'm not usually a fan of m!u, but since it was you, and them, I knew I could give this a read.

“I own you as much as you own me,” Kirk snapped back.

And there it is. That declaration that just made this for me. The level of detail, the dangerous game McCoy played with Pike AND Kirk, Jim's unswerving loyalty--most, most excellent.

[brighteyed_jill]

Your icon is perfect!

I'm glad you gave the mirror!verse a try for this one. I really enjoy the possibilities for intrigue in this universe, and I also love watching Kirk play politics. Er, and Bones try to play politics. So happy you liked!