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buffyversetop5Really, you won't see many het recs from me because, for whatever reason, they, with the exception of a very few 'ships, aren't able to hold my interest for very long. However, the following fics are truly, in my estimation, outstanding enough to have stayed with me for (in most cases) years. By the way, did I mention that most of these are loooooooooong as all get-out?
1. Than Serve in Heaven by Maayan (Angel/Buffy)
I hesitated at putting this on my list because, it's implied, isn't it? I mean, if you've read ANY Angel/Buffy 'shipper fic (and really, I, personally, haven't read much), you've probably been here and done this one. It was one of the first I read when I arrived in fandom about 5/6 years ago and there's a real reason that it's on all of the short lists of bests I've ever come accross. Yep, it's that good and not a bit overrated. I promise, it'll stay with you for eons whether you re-read it frequently or not ever again. Seriously, if you haven't read it already, what the heck are you waiting for?
2. The Underground by Jypzrose (Buffy/Spike)
This is the ONLY Buffy/Spike fic that you'll ever see me rec. I loathe this pairing and I can't even remember what the hell made me start reading this particular fic (as I usually run away screaming from this 'ship), but I was glad that I started it and once I did I couldn't tear myself away from the screen. Long story-short, after a whole lot of angst and really great plot building, Buffy and Spike are made to fight each-other arena-style to save Dawn! Of course there's some 'shippy stuff too, but the plot and action are so well done that I didn't feel like stopping to vomit (too many times). Really, if a Spuffy hater like me can like this fic, a Spuffy 'shipper would probably cream and faint (though, I'm not sure in what order) :-)
3. Take Your Time by Carrie (Spike/Willow main, but also Angel/Willow)
This is one of the fics that can, honestly, be attributed with sucking me into fandom in the first place. I started out loving Willow on the show, which lead to me becomming a Willow/Angel 'shipper and stumbling on this fic. Needless to say, if I wasn't hooked before reading this fic, I was after. (There's also an unfinished sequel that I have some fond, yet fuzzy memories of as well).
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wickedslayer & _wes_pryce_(Faith/Wesley)
By far, the most recently written story on this list. Wesley was, clearly, a wreck and danger to himself and others by the end of season 5 and rather than dragging him along on a suicide mission a la NFA, this plot has Angel taking pity on the man's wretched state and calling for help (aka Faith) in getting his friend out of his hellish fugue. Watching the two of them navigate their mutual/personal demons/issues just... well... angsty as hell, but also a damn good read from two people who really had a handle on what these incredibly complex characters are all about. (At the end, the game moved to greatest journal and more characters were added, but the story peters out within a few posts, so I wouldn't really stress about following that thread).
5. Don’t Say Goodbye by LilahKat (Faith/Wesley)
Absoloutely, my favourite post-NFA Wesley redemption/reward fic EVAH! The poor guy got put through such hell during the series and it's nice to see a writer acknowledge and attempt to repair that in such a sweet and fantastic, yet plausible (in the BtVS/AtS verse) way :-) This one feels epic in scope, yet it's nowhere near as long as any of the others (less than 100 pages), but I just love it so much that I had to include it :-)
Honorable Mention: Absolution Part 1 & 2 byminim_calibre (Buffy/Wesley)
This is, probably one of the most WTF-pairing het fics that has stayed with me the longest. I mean, Buffy and Wesley and sex (not to mention a baby too)? But really, I read it a few times a year and it never fails to *grab* me. It's only an honorable mention because it's only a 2-parter, but there are no words for how much I love it, so, I couldn't, in good conscience, leave it out.
1. Than Serve in Heaven by Maayan (Angel/Buffy)
I hesitated at putting this on my list because, it's implied, isn't it? I mean, if you've read ANY Angel/Buffy 'shipper fic (and really, I, personally, haven't read much), you've probably been here and done this one. It was one of the first I read when I arrived in fandom about 5/6 years ago and there's a real reason that it's on all of the short lists of bests I've ever come accross. Yep, it's that good and not a bit overrated. I promise, it'll stay with you for eons whether you re-read it frequently or not ever again. Seriously, if you haven't read it already, what the heck are you waiting for?
2. The Underground by Jypzrose (Buffy/Spike)
This is the ONLY Buffy/Spike fic that you'll ever see me rec. I loathe this pairing and I can't even remember what the hell made me start reading this particular fic (as I usually run away screaming from this 'ship), but I was glad that I started it and once I did I couldn't tear myself away from the screen. Long story-short, after a whole lot of angst and really great plot building, Buffy and Spike are made to fight each-other arena-style to save Dawn! Of course there's some 'shippy stuff too, but the plot and action are so well done that I didn't feel like stopping to vomit (too many times). Really, if a Spuffy hater like me can like this fic, a Spuffy 'shipper would probably cream and faint (though, I'm not sure in what order) :-)
3. Take Your Time by Carrie (Spike/Willow main, but also Angel/Willow)
This is one of the fics that can, honestly, be attributed with sucking me into fandom in the first place. I started out loving Willow on the show, which lead to me becomming a Willow/Angel 'shipper and stumbling on this fic. Needless to say, if I wasn't hooked before reading this fic, I was after. (There's also an unfinished sequel that I have some fond, yet fuzzy memories of as well).
4.
gave_you_grace by wickedslayer & _wes_pryce_(Faith/Wesley)By far, the most recently written story on this list. Wesley was, clearly, a wreck and danger to himself and others by the end of season 5 and rather than dragging him along on a suicide mission a la NFA, this plot has Angel taking pity on the man's wretched state and calling for help (aka Faith) in getting his friend out of his hellish fugue. Watching the two of them navigate their mutual/personal demons/issues just... well... angsty as hell, but also a damn good read from two people who really had a handle on what these incredibly complex characters are all about. (At the end, the game moved to greatest journal and more characters were added, but the story peters out within a few posts, so I wouldn't really stress about following that thread).
5. Don’t Say Goodbye by LilahKat (Faith/Wesley)
Absoloutely, my favourite post-NFA Wesley redemption/reward fic EVAH! The poor guy got put through such hell during the series and it's nice to see a writer acknowledge and attempt to repair that in such a sweet and fantastic, yet plausible (in the BtVS/AtS verse) way :-) This one feels epic in scope, yet it's nowhere near as long as any of the others (less than 100 pages), but I just love it so much that I had to include it :-)
Honorable Mention: Absolution Part 1 & 2 by
minim_calibre (Buffy/Wesley)This is, probably one of the most WTF-pairing het fics that has stayed with me the longest. I mean, Buffy and Wesley and sex (not to mention a baby too)? But really, I read it a few times a year and it never fails to *grab* me. It's only an honorable mention because it's only a 2-parter, but there are no words for how much I love it, so, I couldn't, in good conscience, leave it out.
