Damn it -> recs

[dragonyphoenix]

I just cannot post to the Buffyverse Top 5! I was just starting to get the 2012 recs together when they closed it. And today I'd gotten together 5 Buffyverse long recs only to look more closely at their post and find this one is all things Whedonian outside of the Buffyverse. So, here it is, 5 looooong Buffy fanfics:

And another damn it! I've edited this twice, adding lines between each story rec so they don't run into each other, and LJ keeps taking them out. Once more with feeling... or two lines this time!  *sigh*

Of Old Mystics by omphalos and Wolfling: The title gives the pairing away: Giles/Ethan. After Season 7, Giles rescues Ethan from the Initiative. Doesn't take the comics into account, but Giles is head of the Council. As Giles and Ethan rekindle their old flame for each other, they face a new Apocalypse. It's got most of the Scooby gang as well as OCs. Excellent story. I reread this one regularly.

Secretary by JaneDavitt: Fath/Wes. She's his secretary; he's a lawyer. It's based on a movie of the same name but apparently (haven't seen it yet; in queue at the library for the DVD) the story goes far beyond the plot of the movie. I read this through very quickly; it was hard to put down. What I truly adore about this story is its healthy depiction of a S&M relationship and how the two of them grow and improve their relationship until is is healthy. For example, at the start Faith knows nothing of safewords. After Wes has first explained them, she thinks that she disappoints Wes when she uses them, but by the end of the story she understands that safewords protect them both by letting Wes know when he's going too far.

The Lamb by Tara the Phoenix: Tara/Willow. It's been a while since I've read this story but my summary is, if not exact, fairly accurate. Tara, instead of going to college at Sunnydale, becomes a nurse, working with the dying and the extremely ill. When Willow is brought in, after she's helped take on the First in Sunnydale, only Tara's powers can bring her out of the coma, but in order to save the world, Willow must sacrifice Tara.

Sands of Time by James Walkswithwind and Wolfling: Xander/Spike, Giles. After being adopted by Giles in season 1, Xander's life changes dramatically. It's wonderful to see how Xander blooms with the right kind of parent, becoming better even than Giles in demonic chemistry. But Xander's wounds are still there, drawing him to the darkness, and into a relationship with Spike. (Given how much I adore Spander, it's surprising this is the only Spander rec in here.) This is another sacrificial ending, which is a fascinating twist to the plot and how season 4 goes.

New York by Dr. Squidlove: Xander/Giles. Another one I read once and long ago so my summary, while close, might not be spot on. Giles, having been trapped in a demon dimension, has moved to NYC (THE City if you happen to be local to that area!). Xander, now a divorced father, has distanced himself from the supernatural aspects of his past and mainly wants to protect his kids from ever learning anything about demons, etc. But after he hooks up with Giles, Xander gets caught up in saving the world again. If I recall correctly, there was something about a giant rat-king under the sewers. Sounds hokey, but it's not. It may have been a while since I read this, but I do recall thoroughly enjoying it.

Obviously I need to reread at least a couple of my own recs!

Comments

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

Sorry that it's World Without Shrimp, but great recs!


Gabrielle

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks. That was basically me not noticing. I got so excited that the dates weren't limited to the past year that I didn't read closely enough to see the fanfic type was limited.

I'm rereading Of Old Mystics and New York at the moment. They are great! ;-)

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

I've never seen Secretary, or even heard of it before reading this fic. I'm on-hold for it at the library but there are others in line before me.