You Don't Have To

by luminousbeings

Fandom: Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies)
Relationships: James T. Kirk/Governor Kodos, Gaila/James T. Kirk, James T. Kirk/Spock, James T. Kirk & Leonard McCoy, George Samuel Kirk & James T. Kirk, James T. Kirk & Joanna McCoy
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The abridged sexual history of James Tiberius Kirk.

Or, Jim’s varyingly unhealthy idea of what sex is supposed to be (a it-gets-worse-before-it-gets-better story)

Words: 192321

Genres: Fan Fiction, Friendship, Science Fiction

657 pages, fanfiction

First published April 3, 2016

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts off really strong, and I enjoyed reading it. The last two chapters or so, after the trial, feels extraneous to me, though and made it feel like the story slowed down a bit to me. The chapters felt like they should have been it’s own little side story instead of part of the first. I understand the author wanting to wrap things up with a happily-ever-after, but the relationship between Spock and Kirk here was secondary to the main story - Kirks’ recovery after the abuse he suffered at Kodos’ hands. The trial brought that story arc to and end, as Kirk has had time to heal, and confront Kodos, bringing him to justice.
It was an interesting read, and feels like a realistic depiction of how someone might react to the kind of trauma Kirk goes through here. Though perhaps a bit unbelievable in how little long-term effect Kirks’ acting out has on his life.
I also found the frequent modern references stood out a bit oddly - sure, the books mentioned, I can see lasting until whatever future time this takes place in. They’re common and popular enough that copies could last until then, even with the war that I remember being mentioned in the tv series.
The Pokémon reference, however, was amusing, but… seemed odd as something that would last to be commonly referenced. Not saying it’s impossible, just seemed odd. Not to mention the idea that a first-edition copy of “The Three Musketeers” not only surviving the passage of time, and the fore-mentioned war, but would be available on the budget of what’s the equivalent of a university student? That’s just me being nit-picky, though, and wasn’t too noticeable over all.