This story was simply amazing. The characterisation was top notch (everyone was real and imperfect) and you handled some very difficult issues well. The original and minor characters were genuinely interesting and I would happily read many stories about Patty, Harry and Paul, Chapel, Gaila, Pike etc.

However, the bit loved most about this fic was the very thing you kept 'warning' about: the slow, slow burn. 'From best friends to lovers' is hands down my favourite fic cliché of all time. The prolonged ust and the mental intimacy here felt tailor-made for my preferences. Instant favourite, shall be saving this on my hard drive.

ps. I saw you mentioned a possible snippet from Kirk's point of view and just wanted to say that would be amazing. I would happily read the whole verse again from his pov... *g*