Top 5 Stories from IWRY Marathon 2019

[thenewbuzwuzz]

The best stories from the Bangel ficathon as selected by a Spuffy shipper, let's go!

Unrequited by aboutafox (2097w, T)
Setting: pre-series (Buffy is not present)
What I liked: in this character study, we get to see Angel from his own POV and from Whistler's, not from Buffy's, and I thought that gave him some lovely depth and maybe made him more consistent with AtS!Angel - the interesting, vulnerable kind of Angel. Also, there was at least one joke that I really loved, and a neat OC.

The Words Between Our Words by fluffernutter8 (1561w, G)
Setting: post-series
What I liked: sweet fluff grounded in some realism and characters working on communication <3

The Whole Point by GraceNM (1947w, T)
Setting: season 5
What I liked: (a) Angel doing what he offered and supporting Buffy after Joyce's death; (b) Dawn, the perfect proxy right there expressing my initial scepticism; (c) an incredibly convincing start to a Dawn&Angel friendship.
Also, there is acknowledgement that Spike matters to some of our favorite characters, which I think is a very fair level of Spike-inclusion in a Bangel story.

Ghosts and Vacations Don't Mix by Cornerofmadness (14,394w, T)
Setting: post-series
What I liked: this version of Connor!!! A lot of fun banter. A locally sourced, organically grown cryptid for our slayage needs. Amazing details on ghost hunting. Things I didn't know are sold in sex shops. A poly ship front and center (ish) and ANOTHER poly ship in the background! It was a fun time.
Plus, this story is SO Spike-friendly that the pairing is technically Spike/Buffy/Angel! *g* It just so happens that Spike is not present at the moment.

The Answer Will Always Be the Same by Aaronlisa (2112w, not rated - I'd say T)
Setting: post-series
What I liked: a sweet and wholesome story with a strong Buffy&Willow friendship and an older Buffy figuring out what she wants from life.
And my fave got the Shanshu and a family and twins! :D Angel admitted he cares about Spike! And Buffy's on friendly terms with him. (He's been paired with Dawn, in case that squicks someone - but it's really abstract and offscreen, and at least that way I know that this Spike is loved.)

Comments

[petzipellepingo]

Very generous of you to choose this topic, thanks for posting.

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Sometimes I like to be really obvious about supporting fans who have different taste in vampires. Thank you! :)

[aaronlisa]

Aw thanks for the kind words about my story :)

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Thanks for writing it! :)

[yourlibrarian]

I am so glad that IWRY has a collection at AO3, for several reasons. One is that I know I would not have found as many B/A works there from Top 5 recs, if it hadn't been. Many of our recs have come from IWRY but earlier ones that weren't were often just missing :/

[thenewbuzwuzz]

*nods* Useful place, AO3. Although I've got to say it still feels weird for me, personally, to post ficathon submissions directly to AO3. I prefer to archive things there after I've had a chance to get some initial feedback and tinker with them a bit more.

[yourlibrarian]

I tend to do that with meta, first post here at DW and then re-edit when I post there. Plus it's the only place I'd update. I think part of that is because I don't get the sense that people look through older posts much here, whereas stuff there could be perpetually found. And second it's just easier to have one "finalized" version.

[gracenm]

Thank you for putting this together, thenewbuzwuzz!! We were so happy to have you participate last year! Your contributions were fabulous!

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Thank you! <3 I had a good time.