Alright. I've been meaning to review this for a very long time, because I fell in love with it immediately, but reviewing is not my strong suit so I have to build some momentum and get a few re-reads under my belt until my thoughts come together in a big round old snowball.
It goes without saying that the highlights in this story, for me, were the moments of Archer/Reed, but I was very glad to gain some new insight into Trip and Jon's backstory, and it worked particularly well against the scene where Malcolm propositions Trip (loved "If it wasn't right; it wasn't right. They were friends, and nobody wanted that ruined."). All the relationships, romantic and friendship, were portrayed as complex and natural, and were really a joy to read.
I'm also not prone to the warm shippy feeling, but damn if this didn't initiate a bubble: "They'd broken all the rules. Not just Starfleet rules, either. Jon had done things — done things to Malcolm and with Malcolm that he'd never done to or with anyone. Worse, it hadn't felt wrong or dirty or even doomed. It had felt right." What a hopeful beginning to their relationship.
Naturally, I also love imagining all the wonderful things that may have gone on between Jonathan and Malcolm in that bath house, the build-up from Malcolm's point-of-view has to be my favourite part of the whole story. In fact, whenever I feel like writing porn, the idea of a dalliance in bathhouse will not get out of my head thanks to this, it was really a fantastic setting and plot device.   Then there's the fact that you mentioned so little, but you still managed to make it pretty steamy in there, which takes talent, and I think you're doing a great job for being so new at slash. (I also want to know what would have happened here: "A guy headed to the orgy room had clearly wanted a shot at him. Being the new boy always had its advantages." but I guess that's another story for another reality...)

Finally, I want to say the TnT wasn't just a garnish for me, either. I confess the series of drabbles and stories to which this belongs is a very big part of why I'm warming to that pairing (in tandem with my OTP), and the way you portrayed them here was very special, particularly watching them cope with what has happened. They move forward different, but stronger together.

So much packed into such a short thing, you're awesome.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much. Since, as you say, I'm relatively new to the slash world, and your stamp of approval means a great deal. I had originally planned a much steamier (pun intented) sex scene between Jon and Malcolm, but when I tried to write that, it felt like I was intruding on their intimacy. I will get explicit with them someday, but for now whatever went on between them has to be between them and only hinted at. In contrast to when Trip and Jon found themselves in the same situation, it was really just fun for Trip. But with Jon and Malcolm it's a moment that gives them permission to admit the sublimated feelings that have always been bubbling beneath the surface. The title of the story means something, that love is alive. Also, glad you liked the TnT. Their love is still alive here, too, despite the tragic circumstances.

Seeing as I've only just got myself into Reed/Sato, I'd never read this before, so I'm enjoying it very much as you post it here. The suspense is, in fact, killing me.

This is my new favourite Archer/Reed fanfic. That's all I can really say. And it gave me much amusement this morning - starting the day off right. Malcolm/Peach = OTP.

I do believe I've read these before, and they were beautiful then, and they are beautiful now. I love Jon and Malcolm's inner thoughts, but of course my favourite part is the ending, tied wonderfully together with that same "hollow... bereft..." line.

This is such a beautiful piece of writing. I love how the senses you selected for each of them were so perfect for their personalities and backgrounds, and your writing itself was very evocative, I really felt as if I were tasting the water and smelling the air. This was a pleasure to read, and a brilliant response to the prompt.

This is hilarious! I'm so glad I read this this morning, definitely cheered me up. Poor Jon, shot in the butt by his own dog and made to endure the amusement of his security officer. I'd be laughing, too.

This is absolutely the last thing I expected to be reading and enjoying, but damn if this wasn't intense and totally hot. This is one exploration of female pon farr I can definitely get behind.

I've been looking forward to this! And it didn't disappoint! I was laughing out loud by the end, especially at the mention of Malcolm's impression of a salad with vingairette dressing, and Trip's name suggestion. Even the title got a chuckle out of me. Thank you so much for sharing!