Originally, I was going to include one story by elviswhataguy in the fanfiction.net list, but I realized that there was so much great work it deserved its own post.

elviswhataguy writes thoughtful, subtle Buffyverse stories that offer fascinating insights into the character's minds. I love all of the little details about what demon-fighting tasks they're working on, the books they read, the odd little incidents that they remember.

1. Let It Bleed Willow/Faith, Rated M.
The first story in the Wickedgeekyverse trilogy. There's an intriguing plot, and along the way both Willow and Faith are struggling through the hard work of redemption--and find themselves unexpected allies, friends, and eventually lovers.

The way we see the relationship through the point of view of the other characters (Kennedy, Buffy, Dawn and Xander) is also terrific. Nobody is in the story just to be a one-dimensional cheerleader for the relationship, or a jerk about it. Xander in particular is well-drawn in this story; the story explores both his worst qualities and his best. He's a complex person who has his reasons to be less-than-thrilled about a Willow/Faith relationship.

The thing that takes it over the top for me is Faith: she is alternately hilarious, idiotic, aggravating, endearing, and insightful, and her journey to something approaching a real relationship is a joy to read. The sequel, Beggar's Banquet, is less plotty, and includes a Giles point-of-view chapter where Faith and Giles hunt a dragon in Cleveland.

( The other four after the cut )