Under-rated Kirk-centric fic recs?

[thraesja.livejournal.com]

You ever feel like you're not done reading a fandom but your ability to find good fic you haven't yet read has slowed dramatically?

Could you please rec me your favourite fics that you think are under-appreciated, under-recced, or just plain under-known?  As much as I think things like Ceres_Libera's Switch, Waldorph's Illogical series, and Deastar's So Wise We Grow and How Many Roads? are all utterly incredible, they're too well known to be what I'm looking for here.

I'd prefer if recs were:
a) Kirk-centric or at least including Kirk as a major character,
b) AOS or an AU with the AOS characters,
c) slash, gen or het are all fine. Please consider labelling the ship (or lack thereof) as my preferences depend on mood and other people's enjoyment mileage may vary.
d) not RPF,
e) of reasonable writing quality - minimal POV breaks, only occasional grammatical issues, characters that act their age or have a really good reason for not...etc.

Thanks so much in advance!

Comments

[kitbaker123.livejournal.com]

A story that completely brought me into the K/S fandom, and which is on comparatively few rec lists, is 'Veritas', by theproblematique (all of her writing is fabulous and there is a lot on her work on LJ that isn't posted on AO3).

http://archiveofourown.org/works/1141066/chapters/2308617

Also, even if you don't usually read TOS, there is this stunning story which talks to the heart of any K/S shipper (and you can put your own voices to it, as it is mainly comprised of messages which are increasingly honest exchanges, between Kirk & Spock, when they are torn apart by duty, time and space and... then...OMG!) Anyway, PLEASE give it a go, people, 'Communication' by Jenna Hilary Sinclair:

http://www.ksarchive.com/viewstory.php?sid=1306&warning=1

:-)

[thraesja.livejournal.com]

I've read Veritas, though it's probably time for another go at it since I'm blanking on most of the plot. :)

As for the TOS one, with "stunning" and "OMG!" as descriptors, I'll have to give it a try. Besides, I have a weakness for well-done epistolary style, so it sounds great.

Thank you!!