#and in my heart Buffy definitely had a fling with Faith

[vampirismadvocate]

spuffy is the closest a straight couple has ever come to being gay. I won’t elaborate. I hope this helps

[dingoes8myrp]

Buffyverse Ships: Top 5′s

Okay. So, I’ve sworn off OTP’ing because I just can’t limit myself to one “true” pairing. However, I do prefer some ships over others. I’m going to rank three sets of top 5’s below.

Canon: A relationship that has been seen on either Angel the Series or Buffy the Vampire Slayer in which the two characters are an established couple.

Semi-Canon: A relationship that was eluded to, hinted at, or an “almost, but not quite” in either of the shows. This includes one-night stands, flirtations, and flings.

Non-Canon: A relationship that never happened and was never eluded to in the shows.

I haven’t read the comics, so I’m not including those ships here, as I don’t know enough about them to rank them. If there’s a ship not listed and you’d like to know where it ranks, let me know.

Note: I’m always up for hearing alternate points of view on ships! Feel free to try to change my mind about a ship, particularly if it’s one you really enjoy that I’ve ranked too low for your liking (or haven’t ranked at all). It has been known to happen (see Fuffy, Spuffy, and Spander). If you want to point out some unhealthy/problematic things about a ship, please respect those with a differing opinion and try to avoid straight up ship bashing. I welcome all shippers to follow/comment on my blog and I’d like to keep things respectful for everyone in the comments. If Tumblr had a better moderating system I wouldn’t have to say that.

Canon

One: Buffy & Angel

These two are one of my top ships ever. The story arc has everything: a giddy school girl crush, forbidden love, murder, Hell, death, redemption, and teamwork. My favorite thing about Buffy and Angel is their ability to work as a team even when they’re not a couple. They compliment each other so well in terms of occult knowledge and strength. From a storytelling standpoint, this was my favorite ship to watch. It was layered, complicated, and heartbreaking. It’s the one that got me right in the feels the most.

Two: Willow & Oz

I’m so into these two. Oz is my favorite and he and Willow were so cute together in the early stages of their relationship. They’re two nerdy, smart kids who bonded over their nerdiness. And I related so hard to Willow when I was in high school, so they were a bit of a vicarious ship for me, which is why it’s one I’m particularly fond of in general.

Three: Willow & Tara

If I could tie Tillow with Willoz I would, but that’s cheating. The only reason Willoz got the edge was because of my personal relation to it. But, I love Tillow! They started with a friendship that naturally progressed into something more. We see an entirely different side to both women when they’re together. They bring out hidden skills and talents in one another through their mutual strength and encouragement.

Four: Fred & Gunn

This was such an unexpected relationship, but a pleasant surprise. Fred was so sweet and Gunn was so tough, but Fred brought out this sweet side to him I don’t think we would’ve seen otherwise. These two were just adorable. Maybe a little mismatched, but that was one of the things that made it awesome.

Five: Wesley & Lilah

Out of left field came Wesley and Lilah! But, it made so much sense in the context of their storylines as characters. On the surface of this relationship, Wesley and Lilah were born out of convenience where each of them needed the other one. But, as the relationship developed further more layers were revealed and they genuinely had warmth and passion for one another. The blurred lines of morality were great here.

Semi-Canon

One: Faith & Buffy

This relationship is under the surface for most of season three. It’s not only subtext, it’s very nearly text. They had a Single White Female thing going on where they were both envious of one another for different reasons. The fact that they’re both slayers gives them a bond and an understanding of one another hard to find elsewhere.

Two: Cordelia & Doyle

These two brought out some lovely aspects of one another as friends. Cordelia made Doyle more introspective and self-aware. Doyle made Cordelia more humble (unfortunately most of that development occurred because of/after his demise). So much groundwork was laid for this relationship only for it to never happen. It had a lot of potential.

Three: Angel & Cordelia

Both Angel and Cordelia evolved so much over the course of Angel and alongside one another. Cordelia gained a lot of humility and became a hero in her own right. Angel continued his redemption arc and found a new purpose outside of Sunnydale. These two were a very good team, always picking each other up and keeping each other going. That’s the heart of a good relationship, isn’t it?

Four: Angel & Spike

The bromance with these two is so strong. They’re like a bickering married couple and I love it. I can’t find the actual evidence to site, but I know there’s context in the shows eluding to a romantic/sexual past with these two. I definitely buy that it happened. Their chemistry is fantastic. Two old, bitter vampires both trying to redeem themselves and never quite feeling like they do.

Five: Faith & Angel

There’s so much Faith and Angel have in common. They both crossed moral lines that can’t be uncrossed, and they understand important aspects of one another (and forgive them). They have so much chemistry and they support one another. They’re each that person for one another where they could call and ask for any favor. “Hey, I gotta dump a body.” “Damn, alright. Let me get my shovel, but we’re gonna have a talk about this later.”

Non-Canon

One: Buffy & Xander

At any point post-season four I would’ve bought these two as a couple. Mature Xander and Owning-Her-Slayerness Buffy were so ride or die for each other. They’re each other’s heart, strength, and discipline when needed. Again, excellent teamwork always.

Two: Faith & Gunn

These two were gritty and edgy and I think they would’ve complemented each other wonderfully. They would’ve been a badass fighting duo, probably would’ve argued like hell, but they would’ve been hot.

Three: Connor & Dawn

Connor and Dawn are both mystically constructed beings who weren’t meant to exist, but they do, and they have issues as a result. They’d probably connect over this aspect of their lives no one else shares. Connor could train Dawn to fight and defend herself (and feel needed, which is helpful). Dawn could give Connor lots of spirited pep talks and be the little ray of sunshine he desperately needs.

Four: Spike & Dawn

This is a little taboo because Spike became almost like a paternal figure for Dawn, but I do love their dynamic. He’s protective of Dawn and he stands by her unconditionally. Dawn trusts and looks up to Spike, but doesn’t take his crap. This would be an interesting romance.

Five: Xander & Oz

These two always had a great, low-key bromance. There’s a mutual respect there and a cute friendship. I’m not gonna lie, I saw a Tumblr post pointing out they sometimes wear the same shirt but never at the same time, implying these two secretly hooked up here and there and, if they hadn’t been dating other people most of the time, I totally would’ve bought it.