Top Five Post-NFA Fics

[shapinglight]

I've been racking my brains trying to think of a suitable category for my recs and at last I've come up with one. Here are five of the fics set post-NFA that I enjoyed the most in 2006.

Secret Language of the Heart by twilightofmagic, Giles/Spike, Wesley/Giles implied, Spike/Angel implied, rated G.
A beautifully-written story of loss and eventual hope set in England. Giles has a visit from a certain blue-haired former god-king and her travelling companion, Spike.

More behind cut



On the Rocks by frimfram Spike/Angel NC17. This is a gorgeous, sensuous (and sensual) fic that evokes both emotion and sense of place with a deceptive effortlessness. It's also shot-through with a delightful whimsical humour. A pleasure from start to finish. Everyone should read it.

General Kitchener and the Gods of Islay by frimfram. Giles, Spike PG. Another post-NFA Giles POV story - funny, sad, atmospheric. If you don't know what November is like in England before you read it, you certainly will afterwards.

Mating by herself_nyc Angel/Spike/Buffy NC17. I find it very hard to believe that Buffy, Angel and Spike would ever be comfortable in a threesome but if anyone can convince me, Herself can. She gets to the emotional heart of things in a way that no other writer in the fandom does and all three characters are so convincingly written they come to life right in front of you. The story isn't all resolved here and Herself is currently writing a sequel. When finished, I'm certain this will be the definitive A/B/S story.

That Good Night by shadowscast S/X, rated R. I wanted to rec shadowscast's extraordinary story, Sock Puppet, but I'm aware it's been recced before on here (and quite rightly too) so I thought instead I'd link to this WIP, part of her Fragmentsverse stories, in which a post-NFA human Spike is in a very believable relationship with an older, wiser Xander. I'm not much of a Spander reader but shadowscast can always make me believe in Spike and Xander as a couple and this story is a terrific read like all her fics.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

You know what's sad is that I have read so little Giles/Spike that I initially thought the first one was the third one (all I could remember wsa that it was a good story but not by who) and it turns out I read both! In fact I've read all of these. You've chosen some wonderful writers :> I liked reading your write up as well.

Speaking of B/A/S I have to say (again) I really enjoyed your Vampire Winter take on it. I think you approached that ambivalence they're likely to haee in an interesting manner. There's something elusive about being able to write that threesome convincingly, even though I am personally sure that it could happen if done the right way. Maybe that's a reason they don't get written that often. (Can you tell they're my OT3? ;>)

[shapinglight]

In fact I've read all of these. You've chosen some wonderful writers :> I liked reading your write up as well.

Thanks. It's very hard to do them justice.

I'm not sure there is all that much Spike/Giles around, though it's one of my favourite pairings. I mean to write a long, Spike and Giles friendship fic one day. I have vague ideas for it in my head but I've always thought of it as my fic writing swansong so I'm in no hurry to get round to it.

As for B/A/S - I suppose I'm like rahirah (who I believe was sort of behind Herself's beginning to write Mating. She wanted someone to show her convincingly the mechanics of the threesome being initiated and hopefully, that's how the story will end. Mostly, we're just presented with the relationship as fact, and that will never quite do for me.

They do make a very sexy threesome, though. I'd love to have another bash at it myself some day. Maybe Herself can convince me it could work?

[yourlibrarian]

I mean to write a long, Spike and Giles friendship fic one day

Well if you mean it to be your last I guess I'm not either but I'd love to read something like this. I don't find them a particularly plausible pair but I would love to see a working relationship develop between them. Some Spuffy fics have done this well and I've always enjoyed it. In some ways I see their relationship the same way as his and Buffy's -- it's always Angel standing between them.

[shapinglight]

In some ways I see their relationship the same way as his and Buffy's -- it's always Angel standing between them.

You mean the Angelus/Jenny thing? Of course, there is that - though I think Buffy stands between them too. I don't think Giles would ever change his mind about Spike (or Angel) not being suitable partners for Buffy.

[yourlibrarian]

Actually it was more the Angelus torturing Giles for two days. I remember reading a great fic about Angel returning after Buffy's death and it revealed the fear Giles still feels around him. (I think it may have been recced here at Top 5 last year). I had never considered that before but I can imagine it's one of the worst things Giles had been through. But yes, I also agree about his feelings re: Spike/Buffy.

[shapinglight]

Actually it was more the Angelus torturing Giles for two days.

Heh! Yes, that would be bound to make an impression. I wasn't thinking.