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buffyversetop5My top five stories of 2008 that were in some way unexpected. My criteria include unexpectedness, in-character voices, breezy writing skills and memorable happenings. There are stories I might not otherwise have read but was incredibly glad I did.
Item Title or Description: Spill
Creator’s Name:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
miriam_heddy
Pairing: Xander/Spike, Harry/Bob (Dresden Files)
Rating: Adult
Why: I haven't read Dresden Files but seeing an imperfect Spike and Xander through the eyes of a stranger who has a pretty intriguing pairing in the works himself with a ghost was compelling. The story itself? Pure fun. And fantastic Spike and Xander voices and snarky relationship all the while saving the world of course. Or at least Cleveland. From sex. Seriously.
Item Title or Description: Project Hell
Creator’s Name:bruttimabuoni
Pairing: Xander/Andrew
Rating: Mature
Why: Bruttimabuoni gives good Xander. Also many inappropriate giggles. Xander and Andrew don't know each other - until they land the dreaded Beaver account. Human AU. Her humor caught me by surprise and I liked it.
Item Title or Description: The Most Surprising Thing
Creator’s Name:mireille719
Pairing: Xander/Larry
Rating: Teen
Why: Stories cobbled from drabbles usually don't hold my attention and certainly don't stick in my mind. This Xander/Larry was an exception because here the minimalism just enhances the story. It's the story that's not being told that gets told in the silences between drabbles. Larry survived graduation and stuck around. The story is what happens after.
Item Title or Description: Recalled To Life
Creator’s Name:nwhepcat
Pairing: Gen (Buffy, Wesley)
Rating: Teen
Why: Buffy Summers, post-death therapist. Wesley came back to life only to discover Fred's alive - and has married Xander Harris, who had sex with Illyria - which upsets Wesley a lot for many many reasons. When Wesley gets upset, he broods. He could challenge Angel for the brooding crown. Buffy takes it upon herself to step in. She does, after all, have a lot of experience. This is the Buffy I love. I never would have dreamed of her filling this role for Wes but y'know what? It really really works.
Item Title or Description: Between The Legitimate Parts
Creator’s Name:miriam_heddy
Pairing: NB/JM
Rating: Adult
Why: I don't read RPS - at least I thought I didn't. But this is the RPS that proves me wrong. She turns Nicky and James into characters I want to read more about. Once you get to Nicky's Lost And Found, you too will understand.
Item Title or Description: Spill
Creator’s Name:
miriam_heddy Pairing: Xander/Spike, Harry/Bob (Dresden Files)
Rating: Adult
Why: I haven't read Dresden Files but seeing an imperfect Spike and Xander through the eyes of a stranger who has a pretty intriguing pairing in the works himself with a ghost was compelling. The story itself? Pure fun. And fantastic Spike and Xander voices and snarky relationship all the while saving the world of course. Or at least Cleveland. From sex. Seriously.
Item Title or Description: Project Hell
Creator’s Name:
bruttimabuoniPairing: Xander/Andrew
Rating: Mature
Why: Bruttimabuoni gives good Xander. Also many inappropriate giggles. Xander and Andrew don't know each other - until they land the dreaded Beaver account. Human AU. Her humor caught me by surprise and I liked it.
Item Title or Description: The Most Surprising Thing
Creator’s Name:
mireille719 Pairing: Xander/Larry
Rating: Teen
Why: Stories cobbled from drabbles usually don't hold my attention and certainly don't stick in my mind. This Xander/Larry was an exception because here the minimalism just enhances the story. It's the story that's not being told that gets told in the silences between drabbles. Larry survived graduation and stuck around. The story is what happens after.
Item Title or Description: Recalled To Life
Creator’s Name:
nwhepcat Pairing: Gen (Buffy, Wesley)
Rating: Teen
Why: Buffy Summers, post-death therapist. Wesley came back to life only to discover Fred's alive - and has married Xander Harris, who had sex with Illyria - which upsets Wesley a lot for many many reasons. When Wesley gets upset, he broods. He could challenge Angel for the brooding crown. Buffy takes it upon herself to step in. She does, after all, have a lot of experience. This is the Buffy I love. I never would have dreamed of her filling this role for Wes but y'know what? It really really works.
Item Title or Description: Between The Legitimate Parts
Creator’s Name:
miriam_heddyPairing: NB/JM
Rating: Adult
Why: I don't read RPS - at least I thought I didn't. But this is the RPS that proves me wrong. She turns Nicky and James into characters I want to read more about. Once you get to Nicky's Lost And Found, you too will understand.
