#buffy summers; the every girl

[still-nix-d-goffic]

I made this comment in relation to a thread about Bangel on Reddit but I like it and want to share it here to.

"This is kind of spreading into my philosophy on first loves a bit. It's always the most intense as people are figuring out a new aspect of themselves and unfortunately both parties end up causing a lot of damage to each other (not always but most first loves don't work out.) but then people idealize that intensity, sometimes call those people the ones that got away, etc etc. But people change and usually over a short period of time. The person you loved as your first love has gone through some much evolution they're probably a whole different person. A stranger. Just as much as you probably are to them. And if you were young at the time you might think back and realize you don't really know or remember much about those people outside of their involvement with you and vise versa. How much did you really share with your first love? It might feel like everything but if you were young especially really think back... Did you even have the vocabulary to express EVERYTHING. Did they experience enough to understand EVERYTHING... Not usually. And that's okay.

Buffy's time with Angel is kind of a perfect encapsulation of this. She knows he reads, he knows she likes ice skating. Does she know which book he's read the most? Does he know which move took her the longest to master?

Even so, she learned the ups the downs, the pain of what love can be and most importantly- that it's survivable when it ends. I think that's the point of their story, not so much that they're soul mates or anything."

I think Bangel is just such an excellent example of what people go through in a first love situation. Like all things Buffy, the extremes are EXTREME and a lot of the times made literal. (We had sex and then he changed!) Anyways, BtvS, to me, is the ultimate coming of age story.

[oveliagirlhaditright]

This is definitely one of my favorite parts of the "In Every Generation" series. Frankie reminds me of her mother a bit here:

But also Buffy of course, too.

Which is fitting, because author of the series, Kendare Blake, has described Frankie's personality as a mix of Willow, Buffy, and Sailor Moon. LOL.

[co-mixed]

One Girl in All the World: a super spoilery review

There’s a non-spoiler review on my insta but here I’m planning to go all out. I wanna share my thoughts on all the things that were going through my mind while I was reading, but because there were too many, I’m just gonna talk about some. 

In Every Generation was exactly what I wanted the canon to be. Picking up after the show’s been off the air for a while (a long while), not focusing on what happened to the majority of main characters (but briefly hinting at that), and telling the story of a slayer (or the slayer). 

And One Girl continues this tradition, putting Frankie against a new Big Bad. 

Here come the spoilers so go on ahead if you’ve read the book. 

The story

It feels like season 2, where Frankie already has her slayer routine down, has her Scoobies in check and training, and a demon to swoon after. I guess, for a slayer, this would be what passes for normal life. First of all, this all fits in well with Buffy s2. It definitely gives off the same vibe and, what I like most, the Big Bad is not ancient evil like the Countess, but something more personal – a slayer. Or rather a band of slayers with Vi, which makes it personal for Hailey, and Aspen as their leader, which makes it personal for Frankie (because she’s Grim’s evil ex although he himself may or may not be evil, so…). And the fact that Buffy’s disappeared makes it personal for everyone else. 

Of course, you don’t trust the sappy “I want to give the power back” from Aspen. You buy it from Vi, but we know her. Vi isn’t evil but she’s traumatized which I love as a concept because we never got to see the real impact of surviving the first with no slayer power to back you up. And those girls went through hell. Just getting the power doesn’t make you strong and doesn’t make you a hero. 

But Aspen wasn’t there, and she’s the other side of that coin - when you get the power you might want more. I think I called it right away through all of the hints at her personality. Which are brilliantly done, I can almost see how it could have happened in the show, somewhere mid-season. So Aspen is the evil slayer who recruited a bunch of others, including Vi, for her cause that is seemingly humanitarian but really just a power grab. I actually see Kennedy trying to pull something like that and not just because she’s irritating, but because she’s too power-hungry. Alas, it’s not her. It’s Aspen, who skillfully invents just enough propaganda to brainwash a bunch of slayers who weren’t in s7 and are nowhere near Buffy’s inner circle.

Speaking of Buffy, she’s alive (which no one tells Dawn, which IS classic Willow to be fair), and imprisoned in another dimension. This is a good balance between where we need her to be – not in this story, and where we can’t in good faith put her – in the ground (again! Third time’s a charm). And this is very fair, since Buffy has no place in this particular story. No matter, at what point she shows up, she will immediately draw all attention to herself. She is a great motivation and role model for Frankie, and in a way, it would’ve made every bit of sense to me even if she was dead. Yeah, I love Buffy and don’t go all you’re betraying the icon for a new kid. But as long as Buffy’s alive, it would be hard to let her go and follow another slayer. 

And the inevitable question of who she ends up with? It shouldn’t really be resolved. That’s it on Buffy because see? She’s already taking up too much time, and this isn’t even her story. 

So Frankie’s up against slayers which is scary and unfair and seems impossible. 

To make things worse, she’s up against an army of familiar demons. And here is one of the things I love: every book tries to namedrop the demons we know: Fyarls, M’Fashniks, hellhounds, etc. Most do it randomly and aggressively and you feel slightly irritated. This one gives you a damn good reason with the beacon and doesn’t really focus on the demons as much as their impact. And the “greatest hits” comment is very well deserved.

The swim team tho… that really made me laugh out loud and with joy. It’s like every easter egg is done in a very loving manner. I love that, and while it doesn’t hit at nostalgia (because I just finished a rewatch and because I watched the show 8 times in 3 years), it does tie in to the history of Sunnydale. 

Frankie and her Scoobies are up to the challenge though, and with a little help from their friends and adults, they defeat demons with blunt force and slayers with smarts. Which really sums up Frankie and establishes her as her own slayer with her own approach. She has the “I’m not Buffy” moment and I love her for owning that. And once again, this follows the show in a smooth manner. Something similar, mind you, already drove Faith to evil, so could we stop comparing slayers? 

The story is wholesome like a tv season, so you feel like you’re still watching the show. And its ending leaves so many stories to be told. I am really not ready for this to be just a three-book story. 

The Characters

Always my favorite part. 

Are we the grownups?

I watched Stranger Things just last year and the thing I loved most is that it feels like a ya show, but it has several arcs for several groups of characters with different ages thus avoiding the absent parent issue that used to be a staple for ya. 

This same thing happens in both IEG and OGIATW. Only the adults are actually involved where it matters. We know these adults and we know how it used to be only their thing. Yeah, they had Giles also, but he was still very much a watcher, an authority. And Willow and Oz, they feel much more like how we feel now. Relatable. They still don’t know what they’re doing (because who ever does?) and they have to combine parenting with the supernatural stuff. They wonder how Joyce and Giles managed (they drank). This hits close to home whether or not you have kids. And immediately you can put yourself in Willow and Oz’s shoes. 

How mature are any of us anyway? 

There’s their relationship as well, that’s brought up again in this book. The fragile co-parenting thing on top of their past. It’s lovely how this gets resolved and then Sarafina shows up to both complicate and uncomplicate things. Again, like in the show, life is happening and it feels cozy.

The kids are alright 

The only issue I have with this book is there’s not enough room for everything that I wanna know. I wanna spend more time with these characters, hang out with them between patrols more and I understand that that’s simply impossible in just one book. But some side stories would sure be nice. Tell them in comics because I don’t see much fan art and I want to see fan art. I think I’m most impressed by their non-toxic dynamic. Buffy, Willow, and Xander managed to be terrible to each other and never address them. We still love them, (except for Xander) but we call this out daily. Frankie, Hailey, and Jake are not that at all. They are supportive and open, and that helps them. That’s why when Frankie’s with Jake before the final battle, getting their kindergarten magic, it seems natural and honest. If they ever turn on each other, there better be a damn good reason.

Frankie 

This girl is fantastic. I already covered her slayer side and her skill. But I’m yet to talk about who she is. Which is something she herself is trying to figure out, and like most teens, she compares herself to others. Like most teens, she looks at herself through a magnifying glass and finds herself lacking. But she learns to appreciate it and sticks to her own style. That’s so useful coming from a teen character who isn’t confident. Gaining that confidence without relying just on superpowers (because so what if she’s a slayer, who isn’t?) is what Frankie does flawlessly.  

There’s also first love (in her case it’s really more hormones than in Buffy’s). Still, all the similarities are done in such a hilarious way when everyone around her says “No, no, no!” (except Hailey who’s all “Go for it!”). I love how it dawns on Willow that she used to be that same support group for Buffy. But Frankie did indeed, inherit the main Slayer gene with going for the dark broody type who may or may not be evil. And there’s something both mature in the fact that she understands this ambiguity right away, and her incredibly immature teen-crush attitude. 

While many may say that it was the same for Buffy, I can’t agree. Buffy was more independent by that point, her life was entirely different, and she continued to grow in that relationship. Also, 200 years vs 2000 is a considerable difference. But you know what, we aren’t talking about that, and not ever in comparison to real life. 

Back to Frankie and her hot demons. She has her own way of dealing with relationship issues, and that’s a damn straightforward one. I admire that, and to me, this is one of the things that modern teens probably do better than we used to. There are fewer games and assumptions. Still, even with that, a teen is a teen, so she isn’t wise beyond her years and she will make mistakes.

Hailey 

The dynamic between sisters, especially conflicted, is something I had no doubt Kendare Blake could manage. After Three Dark Crowns and (earning redemption for Kat of all people), that is a given. Hailey is the “powerless” one of the bunch. But she works hard and she is a very formidable opponent even for demons. She has a lot going on too, with the new relationship that seems to be going well prior to meeting the parent. And that’s a timeless issue, I mean when was it ever not an issue? Expectations are absolutely always in the way and she ends up in this annoying limbo where she wants to know what Sig is thinking but he doesn’t let her. And like so many of us, she takes the only exit we know – push ‘till you get the answer. Is that right or not? I mean, who really knows? 

Now there’s an irreparable strain on her and Sig, and Sarafina might go away but the issues won’t. 

See, High school is still hell doesn’t matter whether you’re actually in class. 

Jake

Jake also has things to sort out. First of all, with his wolf: he wants to get the level of control Oz has, but is he doing it for the right reasons? This can be a metaphor for a lot of things, especially in your teens. But he’s trying to grow up faster and become more of use. While no one actually knows how it would work for him. I honestly even forgot that he was born a werewolf, and we haven’t seen that yet. But I love that with this book Buffy lore is getting richer.  

The other thing for Jake is his feelings for Sam (who’s still wondering why Spike didn’t let him join the D&D campaign). Sam is Jake’s friend, we already met him, and here has his first encounter with the demonic creatures. He is gonna have a tough choice to make and had it been a show, imagine the drama. But so far it seems like their relationship is gonna go fine, they both like each other and have things to discuss and figure out. I keep saying it feels like season 2, and it does because of these little things. That’s why I want more time with these characters, they have their own sectors of life that are so exciting.

Spike (neither a kid nor an adult really)

I was thinking of throwing him in with the adults but come on, it’s Spike. If you missed him for what he was in the show, then don’t sleep on this series. It’s literally the same character: he’s not an overly romanticized love interest, he is still recalling the good old days when he ate people, he attends a poetry club (which is both funny and perfect for him), he’s irresponsible when it comes to his day job (rebel). And you can bet he will try to look cool when there’s a chance of seeing Buffy again. 

Not to compare but the things that irritated me in Big Bad and Bloody Fool for Love (neither book is bad but I prefer both vampires closer to canon) are averted here. You instantly recognize the Spike you know. And his Watchering… well let’s just say we could argue whether his statement from the first book is true and Wesley was the worst. I mean both got rogue slayers on their hands, and he is still learning how to be the good Watcher with Frankie. But no one is perfect and he’s at least getting closer. 

Personally, I think Robin Wood would’ve been the perfect Watcher. Much better than Andrew.

To sum it up:

The story continues to metaphorize teen experiences.

It works well for both old and new Buffy fans, and for every generation.

Every character we know feels absolutely true to who they should be by now. 

Lore gets expanded and some theories even bring more sense to the go show. 

New Scoobies are established and going strong.

There are hints at future character arcs and a strong idea of what’s at the core of the next book.

As far as expansions on the canon go, this one is perfect in every sense.

[youhavethesun]

the hardest thing in this world is to live in it. be brave. live. is so beautiful and such a heart wrenching moment between buffy and dawn but it’s also the saddest thing I have ever heard. this is coming from buffy summers, who ever since she was called has had to fight every day of her life to survive. coming from a girl who was murdered when she was sixteen years old, who didn’t want to die. this is coming from a girl who had to kill the person she was in love with to save the world. someone who has seen classmates slaughtered on a regular basis. a girl who found her mother dead on their living room couch from a brain tumour. a girl who fought tooth and nail to survive every battle, every single apocalypse. who despite every effort to live is sacrificing her life all over again at twenty.

the hardest thing in this world is to live in it. buffy summers knows better than anyone just how hard that is.

[nunyabznsbabes]

I'm sure people have said this about twelve quintillion times before but the thing about Buffy and Faith's relationship that just KILLS me is how Faith sees Buffy. Like. I'm watching Season 3 right now and it's just so...

Okay, we as an audience know that Buffy is imperfect. She's brave and compassionate and selfless, yes, she's a deeply good person, but she's also a person! She's seventeen, and she's scared all the time, and she can be self-centered and cutting and messy. She just spent a summer taking care of herself, all alone in a dingy little apartment in a lonely, dirty city. We know this!! Buffy knows this about herself!! She fails and falls sometimes, and it's genuinely difficult for her to get up again. She's flawed. She makes mistakes.

But Faith. Faith comes to town running from the monsters that killed her Watcher, the monsters that Buffy is brave enough to face. Buffy understands Faith's paralysis - she's run from things, too! She's frozen up before, too! But all Faith can see is this hero, the original slayer, who has more experience and more courage. Buffy has friends and family, and Faith doesn't really know what she looks like alone - hardly even knows that she's been alone. Buffy is responsible and reliable, and Faith doesn't know that she really isn't, for a Slayer. Buffy is the good one, and Faith is the bad one, and that's all that Faith can see.

It just. It kills me every time. Because Buffy understands Faith! She reaches out to her and has hope for her and tries to help her, as much as she can at seventeen years old and faced with her shadow self. She worries about Faith because she's been Faith, or at least been on the brink of being Faith. "Slaying's a rough gig," and "Stuff gets pent up," and she GETS that.

But Faith just doesn't know that they're sharing the same struggles. To her, Buffy is this good golden girl, who has people that love her and always does the right thing and doesn't know what it's like to feel lonely or terrified or twisted. So she's so wrapped up in her own self-loathing and insecurity that she can't accept the extended hand, and she distances them more and more. ARGH. Anyway.

[alwaysakin]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fanfic Rec

Guys I have so much useless fanfic knowledge -- one of my friends asked me for a list of Buffy fics and this happened.

Non-Buffy Centric, One-Shot Fics

Potential Friend by srmcd1 - a cute little ficlet that looks at what might have happened if Jesse lived.

Age Difference by Amina - for all the Oz fans out there! A time-travelling Oz gives Buffy a new perspective on life and relationships. Slightly Angel-bashing.

All that I wanted was just to be haunted by you by chasingfictions - After the events of "The Body," Jenny's ghost bullies Giles into moving in with the Summers girls. This one made me BAWL.

Appropriate conduct by The_Eclectic_Bookworm - an increasingly angry series of memos between Principal Synder & Jenny, Giles, and the other teachers of Sunnydale High. Absolutely hilarious.

i belong to time, you belong to me by chasingfictions - Dru knows when she meets Spike, that he will fall in love with a slayer. She forgets, until she doesn't. Beautiful, poetic, and very Dru.

One Girl in All the World by zedpm - a trans!Buffy AU, where she was born in a boy's body and is still the slayer. A beautifully done AU, with Oz and (surprisingly! Riley) as particular standouts. Minor Spike/Buffy.

The Holy Grail of Buffy Fics: Long, With a Focus on an Ensemble Cast. Absolute Masterpieces.

hit rewind by untiljanuary - Hands down, the best Buffy fic I've ever read. Buffy (from some time in season 6, but unclear when), is sent back in time to season 3. What makes it so interesting is that it's from everyone else's perspective! The author writes Cordelia, Willow, Faith, Angel and Spike in particular so well. Lots of interesting character work, though the plot hasn't deviated too much from canon so far.

Ships: Buffy/Spike, Angel/Cordelia, Willow/Tara, Anya/Xander. The Buffy/Angel ends on mutual terms.

two roads diverged (and that has made all the difference) by RoseyPoseyPie - a Buffy season 5/Angel season 2 crossover. Hoping to escape Glory, the Scoobies end up in Pylea with the Fang Gang. This fic is absolutely hilarious (the scene where everyone gets high and drunk together is a notable standout). The author writes Anya, Lorne and Cordelia in particular super well. Dawn and Angel's dynamic is also amazing.

Ships: Buffy/Spike, Angel/Cordelia, Anya/Xander, Willow/Tara.

don't know how to stick around, but I wanna by chasingfictions - a series in an alternate universe where Faith, instead of going to prison, joins Angel Investigations. Very Fang Gang centric, but really builds up their family bond. Darla, Faith, and Wesley were stand outs to me in this.

Ships: eventual Faith/Buffy, and minor canon pairings. Faith briefly pursues other girls, including Darla.

Best Spuffy Centric Fic

wouldn't it be nice? by SummerFrost - an alternative universe, where the will-be-done spell in season 4 goes a little differently, and Spike and Buffy start a slow crawl towards friendship that becomes... something. So soft and sweet. Has two sequels, and the season 6 one in particular is WONDERFUL.

Every Letter That You Write Me by othellia - the obligatory fandom soulmate AU. Young Buffy is absolutely adorable in this one, and Spike and Buffy's relationship is bittersweet, raw, and believable.

Choices by lafillesauvage - An AU. After Season 5 of Angel, Spike becomes human. Angel does not. Buffy still chooses Angel, and these are the consequences. Slightly excessive Angel bashing, but the characterization of Buffy and Spike, and little notes like Buffy's relationship with Giles being slowly fixed and Willow getting a non-Kennedy girlfriend are great! Buffy/Angel with a happy Spike/Buffy ending.

The Darkling by OffYourBird - the iconic time travel Spuffy fic. Buffy goes back in time and meets Spike... in the 1970s. His slow path to redemption starts differently, with tons of interesting changes in the timeline. Be warned, this one is LONG and smutty. Shout out for making me believe Giles/Anya could work as a couple!

Inside Man by HollyDB - An Angel season 5 fic. Spike calls Buffy. This shows all the things that change when Buffy has a spy on the inside of the Fang Gang. Follows canon up until the last episode, but provides fun context.

Short, Cute Cangel Fics

give them all that they can drink by eagle_eyes. The one where Cordelia is ace. Amazingly written, and the Cangel relationship is so soft and believable.

Another Chance by NikitaDreams - After the events of Angel: the Series, Cordelia travels back in time. Focus on Cangel and Connor. Lots of cute family dynamics.

Halloween Happily Ever After by GeckoGirl89 - cute, mutual pining between Angel and Cordelia in season 3. Angst with a happy ending. Really highlights how oblivious Cangel were to each other's feelings.

[sapphicjjareau]

cherry lipgloss.

read on ao3 | masterlists

description: buffy and you have a fight while patrolling, you get hurt and she can’t help but realise you were right, she does love you.

relationship/s: buffy summers x fem!reader

a/n: this is me trying to combat my internalised homophobia.

wc: 920

It was a dark night, the wind brushing through your hair as you walked in a calm pace, slightly behind the blonde. The mist reached your knees, you could hear the crickets in the grass and a car driving by on the road next to the cemetery’s gate.

“If you’re going to be pouting you could’ve went alone.” You spoke up, making Buffy stop and turn. Her hair was long, down to her shoulders, she had a dark blue hat on and a beige coat that covered her outfit, except the bottom of her pants and her dark shoes.

“We have nothing to talk about.” She stated coldly, her eyes piercing through you. “God, why did I even agree to this…” You heard her mumbling as she turned her back to you and started walking away.

“What?” You scoffed as you walked faster, catching up to her, your hand grabbing her arm as you turn her, to face you.

“Stop.” She just says her brows frowning, yet she doesn’t move an inch, you don’t either.

“I’m not the one pouting, blondie.”

“Don’t call me that.” She sighs, her eyes still on you.

“Why are you like this?” You frowned your own brows, letting her arm go free as you crossed your arms on your chest. “Are we never going to talk, just because you can’t admit that you love me? That— That you love a girl?”

She shook her head taking a step back.

“I don’t love you.”

It stung, every time she said it, because you knew it wasn’t true, she did too, no matter how much she denied it, there was no denying how her eyes traced you wherever you went, how she looked at you after you two fucked, how she comforted you and you comforted her, how she told you everything, how she kissed you with passion, how she always checked if you were okay before any other of her friends. There was a spark between you two, until she decided it was over, until she pulled away, hiding it was her idea, breaking it off was her idea, all her visits in your bed after that were also her idea.

“What will it take for you to finally admit it!” You yelled out, the anger was burning you from the inside, it was devouring you, alongside the love you had for her.

“We’re on patrol. This isn’t the place or time for this… We’re done. Accept it. Move on.”

She turned her back on you again, she knew you hated it, she still did it. You would continue talking if it weren’t for the vampire that suddenly ran at the two of you, Buffy pushed you away and started to fight the vampire.

You could see the tiny drops of water on your coat as well as on the side of your jeans which were moist in the dew. Buffy was fast, she kicked and was close to losing for a moment, you didn’t get to see the rest as someone grabbed your shoulders pulling you up, their hands clunched on your stomach, trapping your arms as you tried to pull away, their fangs dug in your neck, making you yelp out in pain, you could feel drops of your own hot blood pouring down your neck, it hurt, more then you could imagine, it was so invasive in a way, you could feel the fangs burying deep in your skin, as they drank your blood.

“No!” A familiar voice yelled, with the corner of you eye you catched her moving towards the two of you, she staked the vampire who was feeding on you, as they dusted away you hit the cold, wet ground, she kneeled down by you.

“Oh my—Don’t move!“ Her eyes were wide open as she helped you sit up, your back pressing against a tree.

Her warm hand went up to your neck, gently pressing on the wound, making your eyes shut from the pain the pressure caused.

“I-I’m okay, Buffy.” You whispered, making her eyes meet yours, Buffy’s eyes softened as she looked deeply into yours.

“We need to go back, we need to patch you up. I don’t know how much blood you lost, are you lightheaded?”

“Buffy. I’m okay… He didn’t bite me that long, it felt longer, but you got here fast.” You nodded as you talked in an attempt to reassure her, she was clearly still shaken up as her eyes continued to glance at your wound and her own hand which had some of your blood on it.

“I’m sorry…” Her eyebrows inner corners drew up together, as she spoke in a shaky voice. “I should’ve protected you better… Now you’re all… bitten.” Her eyes traced along your face and stopped at your lips for a second before moving back up to look in your eyes. You noticed that, she always did it right before she kissed you or when she wanted to but couldn’t, your lips curled up in a smile and you nodded lightly. “Just do it.”

She didn’t kiss you right away, her lips parted but she stared at you for a moment, as if she was considering the pros and cons of it all. Eventually she got closer to you and pressed her soft lips against yours, one of Buffy’s hands on your neck and the other one on your cheek gently caressing your skin, you buried your hands in her gold locks as you tasted her cherry lipgloss.

[raisedbythetv89]

OK.

ALRIGHT.

It’s official…I’ve gone insane but it’s all their fault for being such insanely talented actors who gave so much nuance to their performances

I hadn’t given this moment in “Crush” the attention it deserves but the reason it’s so important is this is the first time Buffy lays eyes on Spike after Dawn tells her Spike is completely in love with her and Spike is literally at her house charming her family and planning to ask her out on their first date NOT date aka the biggest and boldest move he has made in an attempt to move them from enemies to lovers

She’s been going on and onnnn about how sick and wrong it is and how freaked out she is about the idea of “the slayer” and “the slayer of slayers” in love since she found out BUT THEN SHE ACTUALLY LAYS EYES ON HIM AND SEES HIM FITTING PERFECTLY INTO HER FAMILY AND LIFE AND MAKING HER MOM SMILE AND HER SISTER FEEL NORMAL AND SAFE and she has this like soft shocked bewilderment and she’s looking to him like “care to explain why you’re sitting on my kitchen counter rn?” (them having secret conversations with just their eyes in front of her family makes me insane 😩) and not one single look of disgust that she’s been claiming to feel all day because she’s surprised and therefore her guards aren’t up

And he’s got his terrified deer in headlights look he gets every time he first sees her unexpectedly 😭

and it’s SO CUTE because he is so terrified and he knows this is lunacy and the idea of them is insane and makes no sense but still in his heart of hearts he is a brave, vulnerable romantic. Shooting his shot just like he did with Cecily because “fella’s gotta try” compared to Angel who stalked her for over a YEAR before introducing himself and was the most wishy-washy, bread crumbing mother fucker when it came to actually being with her and Riley who had to be told he liked her and then had to get a bunch of help from Willow before he even made a move. Riley and Angel are genuinely both cowards who want to play the hero but never truly had the courage to do so which is why they always infantilized and shamed/guilted Buffy into being smaller to make them feel bigger which is the CORE of why Spike is literally the only one of all of Buffy’s romantic interests worthy of her because of his bravery, despite knowing with the utmost certainty he will fail and get hurt over and over again, that doesn’t stop him from trying anyway. He’s the only one brave enough and tbh crazy enough to love Buffy Summers in the ways she both needs and deserves.

And I SWEAR the softness in her gaze and overall demeanor of dazed bewilderment and considering what she’s seeing in front of her just gives off this vibe to me that a part of her really likes the scene she’s walked into, the part of her Dawn represents that’s considering, again (but now with new light because I think she’s already considered it after “Something Blue”) what her life would be like if she dated Spike. It’s this TINY MOMENT of her girlhood that still exists under her slayer armor shining through - she’s seeing her (forbidden) crush after finding out she’s his (forbidden) crush too and he’s in her kitchen!! Making an effort with her family and he’s so CUTE and laughing and she basically classic Buffy swoons over a cute boy for just a second before her armor is back on and it’s actually too much for me

AND SPIKE uggghh 😭 he shifts sitting up taller like his inner William standing up when his lady walks in combined with his punk persona that meets every challenge head on but always with a bit of attitude and swagger. Already ready for the battle that is William the Bloody trying to love The Slayer.

This tiny moment of unspoken communication and body language perfectly encompasses what they both bring out in and give to each other and I’m obsessed. Spike brings out the abandoned young girl who is soft and vulnerable and just needs love and support and Buffy gives our brave, big-hearted, protective warrior looking for his place of belonging and people finally worthy of his love that he can care for and protect.

Am I insane for writing all of this about a 2 second clip? Yes, yes I am but this moment is IMPORTANT and it happens so quickly yet it contains so much and completely backs up what I already knew about this episode which was that the only reason Buffy was making such a big deal about Spike being in love with her is because she’s VERY attracted to him but that was so much easier to ignore before she knew the feelings were reciprocated. If she didn’t care about Spike she wouldn’t care about his feelings because they would be of no consequence to her but now…. her crush on her mortal enemy that’s killed two slayers wasn’t a big deal because it was literally never gonna happen…… suddenly could happen and she was SO unprepared for how to handle all of that and so overcompensating the entire episode and beyond 😹😹😹 because also it’s been well established how perceptive Spike is about how people are doing and what they’re feeling so when he says he knows there is something between them he’s not being delusional he is right on the money which freaks her out even more because how could he know about something she didn’t know about herself AGAIN 😹

[iwillrememberyoumarathon]

I Will Remember You Fic Marathon 2024: Masterlist

It was truly a November we'll never forget! Our amazing Buffy/Angel community celebrated the 20th anniversary of the marathon, and the 25th anniversary of "I Will Remember You" the episode, with 33 stories and 16 artworks. We are so grateful for everyone who contributed, commented, and cheered along!

fics

Day 1: Nocturne by @missfiggy Day 2: Fuzzy Feelings by fatalfae (@fatalfaeri) Day 3: Burn by @buffy-targaryen Day 4: Dreams of Home by Liana_Medea Day 5: A New Dawn by @sasusc Day 6: Escape to Capri by melodys_muse Day 7: will we find this light by bonniesfire (@lalosalamcnca) Day 8: Wherever You Go by a2zmom Day 9: Surprise by MeTheMermaid (@casenpoint) Day 10: A Moment of Peace by koholintdream (@burkleswinifred)

Day 11: Love is a Child by @greensword101 Day 12: Tell Me by @evesock Day 13: Buffy Summers Is Getting Married (Баффи Саммерс выходит замуж) by B_E_S Day 14: The Path by KairosImprimatur (@kairosimperative) Day 15: Love is Like Starlight by MadeInGold (@reallyreal-madeingold) Day 16: Vengeance by belladamon29 Day 17: A Different Kind of Death by @mamabewear Day 18: Change of Plans by fatalfae Day 19: Scenes From a Possible Future by a2zmom Day 20: Let's Do Some Living After We Die by @buffy-targaryen Day 21: Impatience by NicHawkins Day 22: say you'll always wonder by claddaghrings (@bangelism) Day 23: Sun in the Storm by bonniesfire (@lalosalamcnca) Day 24: Blood Group (Группа крови) by B_E_S Day 25: Do Vampires Dream of Undead Sheep? by @taaroko Day 26: Gambit by @aboutafox Day 27: The Blood of Eternity by Liana_Medea Day 28: Do Si Dos and Aliemande Left by a2zmom Day 29: Just One Day by MeTheMermaid Day 30: In Every Generation by @taaroko

art

1. Grounded ~ drawing by @mamabewear 2. your lips, my lips, apocalypse ~ wallpaper by @casenpoint 3. bangel + locations: buffy's house ~ gifset by @ptieuca 4. now i'm haunted... ~ gifset by @lalosalamcnca 5. bangel — between good and goodbye ~ gifset by @peeta-mellark 6. s3 ep14 'Bad Girls' ~ drawing by @nugge-is-my-duckie 7. bangel + locations: cemetery ~ gifset by @ptieuca 8. True Heaven ~ wallpaper by @lalaithquetzallicaresi 9. bangel + locations: the bronze ~ gifset by @ptieuca 10. 'I Can't Remember' ~ illustration by @casenpoint 11. bangel + locations: sunnydale high school ~ gifset by @ptieuca 12. 'Together' ~ wallpaper + gif by @lalaithquetzallicaresi 13. 'i will remember you': 25th anniversary ~ gifset by @liam-summers 14. bangel x like real people do ~ edit by @bangelism 15. bangel + locations: the mansion ~ gifset by @ptieuca 16. bangel + locations: angel's apartments ~ gifset by @ptieuca

another minute fics

1. Ted Talk by fatalfae 2. The hundred and first time (Сто первый раз) by B_E_S 3. Sharing is Caring by fatalfae

[coraniaid]

Of course the boring truth is that (with just a handful of exceptions) the Buffy writers never really take seriously the idea that Buffy is not actually "the" Slayer. They try as much as possible to pretend that Kendra and later Faith simply don't exist when they are not the immediate focus of the current episode or arc.

In fact, they do this so aggressively that the episode immediately after Kendra's first appearance (in the two-parter What's My Line?) starts with Giles's pre-show voiceover solemnly repeating the (just proven false) claim that "in every generation there is a Chosen One … she alone will stand against the vampires" (and after What's My Line?nobody mentions Kendra again until she shows up to die a few episodes later). And so aggresively that, between going to prison in Sanctuary [which happens just before Season 4's The Yoko Factor] and coming back to Sunnydale in Season 7's Dirty Girls, Faith's name is spoken just four times over a run of 63 consecutive episodes (once in Season 4's Restless, twice in Season 5's Checkpoint and once in Season 7's Bring On The Night). In fact they do it to the extent that Faith's very last words in the show are to earnestly ask Buffy what Buffy is going to do now that she's "not the one and only chosen anymore" (something that Buffy has of course never been at any point in the roughly four years Faith has known her, exactly because of the mere existence of Faith herself).

But. Putting that aside for a moment.

Do we think that the monks who turned the Key into a human and sent her to be protected by "the Slayer" knew in advance that there was actually more than one Slayer in the world? Or did they only know to come looking for her in Sunnydale after the fact?

I mean, it doesn't seem like they had much time to prepare after "the abomination" found them, turning the Key into a human seems very much to have been a last minute spur-of-the-moment kind of plan born of desperation as much as anything else, and it's not clear why an order of monks who guarded some mystical glowing green energy for centuries would have spent much time keeping track of the lives of individual vampire slayers (let's face it, even the Watcher's Council didn't ever bother to do that, and some would argue that it is quite literally their only job).

In other words, did the monks actively pick Buffy Summers to look after the Key (and if so, how did they know who she was?) or did they just send the Key to "the" Slayer and get very lucky?

Is there some possible alternate world where one day Faith Lehane wakes up in prison somewhere in California and suddenly remembers that she has an estranged kid sister she hasn't seen in years who lives on the other side of the country?

[mcgnagallsarmy]

Top 10 Spuffy fics I’ve read (Sept 2023)

A Game of Getting Caught by EllieRose101 [NC-17]

The eternal question: What is the most powerful force in the universe? Buffy's denial, Spike's need to prove her wrong, or Xander's pig-headedness? (Set in a world in which Riley doesn’t visit Sunnydale in Season Six, so the Spuffy sexcapades continue––and so do the close calls of almost getting caught by the Scoobies.)

The Bad Penny by OffYourBird [R]

Six years ago, Buffy made a home in a new dimension with a Spike who defied every rule to be by her side. Now it’s time to put to rest unfinished business in her original dimension. However, a visit there quickly turns apocalyptic, and at the heart of it is the two vampires who set Buffy's original journey in motion, and both of them have a lot of explaining to do.

Best Wishes by bookishy, Dusty, Grief Counseling, ashcrashed, MaggieLaFey, womanaction [R]

Well Hell's Bells! It's a Sunnydale style wedding! You know what that means: things are going to go very very smoothly.

Binding Effects by simmony [R]

What was supposed to be a simple truth spell takes a dark turn when Buffy can suddenly read Spike’s feelings—and he hers.

Future Happiness by EllieRose101 [R]

High School is over and Angel is gone, leaving Buffy worried about what lies ahead. At least until Willow tries to help. (Set in the summer between Seasons Three and Four. Mostly.)

The Future is Ours by DarkEternity96 [NC-17]

What if in mid-Season 4, Spike demands another spell from Willow, in a last-ditch attempt to get Dru back… but rather than having her cast a typical love spell, Spike wants to travel forward in time, to experience the future Drusilla claims she ‘sees’, and prove to her that there is bugger all between him and the Slayer. Cue the spell going awry, and S4 Spike being trapped in the body of his future self, in the very unexpected world of Season 6. And you can only imagine Spike’s utter shock when a lust-fuelled Buffy turns up at his door…

Night Swimming by Geliot99 [R]

An unexpected heatwave in mid-March is reason enough for an impromptu pool party for the Scoobies. But when Richard takes a second stab* at winning Buffy's affections, Spike is all too keen to show her how much fun night swimming with a vampire can really be… *see what I did there? Set between 'Older and Far Away' and 'As You Were'

Right Where You Left Me by acekoomboom [R]

Buffy is a newer ghost, as far as ghosts go, and she can't move on. She sits in the corner she haunts, right where he left her, waiting for him to return. Time moves differently for the dead. Haunted Diner AU.

Taste and Temptation by RavenLove12 [NC-17]

For a sticky sweet, tasty treat: Take one stressed-out Slayer, add one snarky vampire, place in an empty house and mix well. Bake on high and top with whipped cream.

Thing of Doom by Sunalso [Adult Only]

AtS S5. Things go a little off canon in Destiny and Buffy ends up with a whole lot more than she bargained for. Human? Demon? What makes Spike who he is and what’s a girl to do with the love of her life when he’s double the trouble?

[evieelyzabethh]

Hi me again! 👋🏻

I was wondering if you had time maybe to write a small fic (or one shot whatever you’re comfortable with) where the reader is Buffy’s cousin ( also library assistant or whatever you would like ) and the reader and Giles are in a secret relationship ( maybe smut?? ) and they’re navigating that and Buffy finds out and it’s this whole thing. If you’re busy I totally understand or if you just don’t want to, again it’s okay. I really do enjoy your work 🥰.

Not Unavailable, More Unimpressed

pairing(s): Giles x Summers!Reader

summary: what started out as a short term fling has gotten increasingly complicated when the reciprocity and sincerity of feelings is called into questions. pt.1 of ???

warnings: smut, fem!reader, drinking, hand job, a bit of breast worship, clothed grinding, riding, slight choking, age gap (Giles is in his mid to late 40's, reader is in her late 20s/ early 30s), reader has nipple piercings bc I said so and I think they are hot

an: This fic will contain smut so be warned. You are responsible for your own media consumption, read at your own risk.

The man at the bar was a mystery to you. He didn't quite fit into the bar atmosphere. He wasn't one of the barely legals or illegals who snuck in eager to drink, he wasn't one of the old guys who came to hit on the bottle girls, he didn't smell like a smoker or shoot whiskey like a drinker. He was also British, something that left an odd taste in your mouth.

You couldn't call yourself a regular here, more often than not you found yourself at the Bronze, purely per Buffy's request, which had okay enough booze and slightly better music. Here, some place clearly meant for an older crowd called Jack's, is where the older man sat. Alone, he sat at the far corner, sometimes looking longingly at the stage like he was a performer. He didn't look like a performer though.

He was older than you. He was greyed out and looked like he came from when TVs were still in sepia tones. He looked like Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird, like he was always a moment away from scolding someone. It didn't help that he always looked tired, like a lot of his age came from stress. If that was the case, it still didn't make sense as to why he chose a bar to be his spot to wind down.

It was loud. Not in the way that the Bronze was, a type of loud filled with life. A loud spurred by rowdy souls, people who couldn't let loose at home, so they came to one of the only shitty bars in the small town to drink a shitty beer and watch their favorite sports team lose. Not to mention the countless barely legals who got into fights with the bartenders after they failed to get their underage friends a drink. Jack's wasn't a place to have fun, it was the place to avoid doing something reckless during your midlife crisis. You were only there because of convenience, and after being there for a half hour were already beginning to get a migraine.

Job hunting was rough. When you moved to Sunnydale on behalf of your aunt, she offered to let you stay under her roof, but being a grown woman who got up to grown woman shenanigans, it would be more than distasteful to do it in Joyce's home. You were lucky enough that the housing market was great in the area, with all the supernatural happenings so one chose to move to Sunnydale, but that still didn't mean that a decent looking apartment wouldn't cost you a nice sum of money every month.

I could just work here, was your first thought. You were once a young college student also desperate for money, you had bartended, you could always go back if you lacked self-respect. You had a degree dammit, sure you didn't have a doctorate, but you shouldn't need one to get a nice quiet desk job. Neither option was all that fulfilling, but something told you that bartending in a town when demons just roamed the streets didn't seem like a great idea.

The mystery man looked like he had a nice job. Maybe a nice car. Possibly a nice house. He looked financially stable, and fuck was that hot. What did he do? What was there to do in Sunnydale? You could ask.

You looked at his hands to see if there was a ring or any indication that there was someone waiting for him wherever he came from. Maybe a picture of a kid, maybe a photo of a significant other. Nothing. Nothing.

You slinked over to the seat beside him, not meaning to make your presence immediately known yet he still looked up as he felt the heat of someone else beside him. His glasses perched low on his nose and his grey hair tussled. His eyes were green. He was pretty.

"Hello?" He looked at you confused. He took a moment to drink you in. Younger, gorgeous, clearly bold.

"Hello."

"Are you waiting for someone?" You shook your head.

"No. Are you?" and he'd be lying if he said he was.

☽✯☾

"You know, I don't do this often." He said between the rare breaths that were allowed in between suffocating kisses. Whatever he took up in his free time must've involved a great workout regimen. His hand sat comfortably at your neck, and you basked in the warmth that it provided in his cold apartment. His other held your cheek, his thumb mindless rubbing against it in a way that was hypnotizing. It almost had a numbing affect, your skin not being able to get past the feeling making your brain pause as he kissed your lips.

He tasted like fine wine. He smelled like old books. You half expected him to quote a classic at you, you didn't know him well enough to gauge if he was the type. His tongue contradicted his previous statement. These weren't the kisses of a man out of practice, that or he did it so much in his youth it was impossible to forget. Something like riding a bike.

"For a man who doesn't do this often, you're mighty good at it." He smirked; you could feel it against your lips. You wished you could see it, but he had the lights in his bedroom turned low and you weren't sure you wanted to open your eyes in the fear that you were dreaming. It was warm, he was so warm. So warm it was noticeable when his lips left yours and moved to your neck, hovering under your ears. His breath fanning against your neck was enough to send shivers down your spine.

"You haven't even seen how good I am, darling." The pet name alone made you weak in the knees, but you would be damned if you swooned at someone called you darling. Granted, you couldn't help how your mouth went dry or how your pussy clenched at nothing, but he didn't need to know that. He was going to find out, but he can find out later when your lust ridden brain stopped listening to reason and pride.

"Show me, then."

He dipped his head to kiss you, grabbing a fistful of your hair to tip your head back and you let him, grabbing on to his broad shoulders to stabilize yourself. You were pressed between the wall and him, pressing him even closer as you fisted his shirt to pull him closer, but he was hesitant to oblige. He was teasing, you could tell by the way he smiled into your kisses, pulling away like he needed air while you chased after his lips.

"You having issues breathing, old man?" The hand at your neck squeezed, not enough to choke you but enough to make your head even dizzier. His other hand travelled to any piece of skin he could get his hands on. Feather light, his fingers ran across your arms, then your collarbones, before knocking the straps of your dress off your shoulder. His kisses moved slow, his tongue damn near like languid waves that you were somehow managing to drown in.

Still, you chased after him, and still, he ran. His lips ran to the corner of your mouth, to the skin of your neck his hand didn't engulf, to where your strap lay useless. His kisses scorched your otherwise cold skin, his mouth sucking hickeys and then immediately soothing them.

He was so soft. Soft in how his hands found the back of your dress, soft in how his eyes looked into yours, asking permission without even saying a word, soft like the way the fabric slipped of your body and onto the floor. Soft like the bed he laid you on. Even soft in the way he continued to tease you, his knee meeting the crotch of your panties and him meticulously unsnapping your bra as if you couldn't tell he knew how to do it.

He then paused for a minute, finally coming across something he hadn't experienced before. His fingers took the ball of cool metal between his fingers, and you moaned at how it pulled ever so slightly at your nipple.

"What are these?" You chuckled.

"I got 'em pierced ages ago. Drunk night out with a few friends my senior year." He continued to play with the metal ball, well aware of how you keened and ground yourself into his knee.

"So, I can play with them." Fuck. It was how he said it. Like a nerd you might've messed around with in school because he was a good tutor but also because he had that nerdy charm to him. Like playing with your body was a game of Operations he had been so eager to play and was determined to get good at. It was easy to imagine Giles like that, fogged up glasses, eyes concentrated and focused on figuring out what buttons to press to get a prize. There was the curiosity in his lust-blown eyes, and in your lust addled brain you were fine with being his toy.

"Please do." He didn't need to be told twice. Avid learner he was, he went in, his large hands easily covering your breasts. His fingers pulled at the bars, drawing whimpers out of you the more he prodded. It wasn't too rough, Giles was too soft to ever be truly rough, but the feeling of his gaze, your clothed pussy rubbing against his soft slacks, and his large hands over your chest was getting a bit much. And he hadn't even put his mouth on you yet.

It didn't take long for him to realize the feeling of your pierced tits in his mouth was one of the best things he's felt, and it felt even better for you. A wet patch had long since been growing and he certainly felt it too, it egged him on. He wasn't even in you, he hadn't even tasted you, and you were almost there. You were so close.

You grabbed at anything you could, his shirt, his sheets, his hands that held yours as you rocked yourself onto his knee until you saw stars. Then he grabbed your face and swallowed your moans as he kissed and kissed you until you came down. A moment of clarity hit you, and you pulled on his shirt. "Off." you told him simply, and he obliged. You smashed your lips into his, peeling off button after button until the shirt was thrown to the side and his undershirt beneath was discarded with even less care.

"Issues with patience, darling?" You shook your head.

"Not fair I'm practically naked and you were fully clothed." His retort was cut off by your lips as you sat up to meet him, his hands absent-mindedly finding your breasts and yours finding his belt and making quick work of it before he even realized what was happening. You kissed him through it, anyway, still chasing after him as he pulled away to curse at the feeling of your hand around his dick.

"Gods." he muttered, words tumbling out clumsily as you rubbed the tip of his cock. He never had the control to pull away fast enough for an adequate breather, just a second to get a breath out and pray. You were flattered. His hand seemed like it wanted to swat you away, but it didn't have the strength to betray his brain like that. It felt good. Too good. So good he couldn't even think, and Giles never stopping thinking and now he was drawing blanks. He was sure you had mocked him once or twice, which went through one ear and out the other.

He caught himself thrusting into your hand before he caught himself, grabbing your wrist. "Hang on." He choked out, but you didn't listen. Your hand moved up and down his shaft terribly slow, and it was almost worse. Watching you spit on your hand and collect pre-cum from his tip and spread it like some sick simulation of what it would be like to be in you, and yet he couldn't help but watch his hand completely cover yours as you pumped him. Don't cum yet.

"I said hang on." His breath was ragged and his voice was deep. This time he meant it. "There are condoms in the top left drawer. Take one out for me, love." And you did as such. Did it with so much assurance that you slid it on without him even needing to ask you. Slid your panties off and sank down so fast neither one of you was ready.

You both sat there a moment, feeling your nerve endings tingle and burn, like you were both on fire. But you were on fire together. Like you could feel every atom in your body, like it had all been reduced to nothing but water, you were both feeling everything and anything yet absolutely nothing at the same time. So much feeling any nuance got lost in the moment. Just being there, breaths away, with a complete stranger you were sleeping with because he was pretty and looked financially stable.

You kissed him, a real kiss. Spontaneous. One with a feeling neither one of you could decipher and both assumed meant nothing. You rode it out until you had both exhausted each other, you falling on top of him and him catching you.

"Would you like to use my shower before you go? Did you need a ride home?" You cheesed to yourself. And they say chivalry is dead.

"Yeah, that would be nice." You had already rolled out of his bed in search of your dress and waiting for feeling to return to your legs. "I never got your name."

"Giles. Rupert Giles." You giggled as you shook of your dress after picking it up from the floor. Sounds about right.

"And what do you do for a living, Mr. Giles."

"Do these things typically end in interviews?" He made no effort to get out of his bed, he even had the decency to turn away while you get dressed as if he wasn't just balls deep in you.

"No, but I am new to town and would like to not be broke."

"I'm a librarian." Of course, you are. "Have you any interest in literature?" You did. You were a nerd. You had tried convincing yourself you weren't for years, but you majored in philosophy and minored in classic literature; and no one likes philosophy majors.

"I dabble a bit. Got a degree from all the reading I did if that counts." He looked at you like he knew you were trying to make yourself sound cooler. Nerd calls to nerd.

"Well, plenty of places are always hiring. The turnover rate is quite atrocious here." And even new to town, you believed it.

"I just might."

☽✯☾

You did end applying, you even ended up getting the job. Apparently, your little cousin's high school was in desperate need of a library assistant. You also had the pleasure of freezing when you saw Giles again and watching your little cousin greet her favorite teacher.

It was almost worth it for the look on his face, though.

[oveliagirlhaditright]

And the fact that the "In Every Generation" canon had Giles start taking Buffy to the Ice Capades:):):):):):):)

[bethanydelleman]

do you have any book recommendations beyond classic lit + Jane Austen? Love your blog by the way!

Thanks! I read/have read a ton of books. My favourite genre as a child was fantasy, but I read almost everything except true crime*, thrillers, murder mysteries, self-help, and biography. But I do sometimes read those, my favourite thriller is Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney. I'm going to start with children's books because honestly, I find so much imagination in that genre.

Children's/YA Books: Gail Carson Levine, specifically The Princess Tales 1 & 2, and Ella Enchanted, among others Jean Little/Kit Pearson - these authors have the same vibe to me. Willow and Twig is a favourite from the first one, The Guests of War trilogy and Awake and Dreaming from the other. They both write coming of age novels for girls, both Canadian. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - I loved the whole trilogy (haven't watched the movie). The story being based around real antique trick photos is my favourite part The Echorium Sequence by Katherine Roberts - a trilogy of books about magical singers with blue hair and their interactions with half-human magical creatures Margaret Peterson Haddix, specifically Running Out of Time, the Shadow Children series, and Double Identity. Margaret Buffie, who writes stories about teenage girls and ghosts. Also Canadian, which I guess isn't that surprising. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Re-read it last summer and it's as good as I remembered. Roald Dahl, I really loved Matilda as a child, it's been fun to read some of these novels with my kids. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar - and it's sequels. Amazingly quirky and funny stories about a class of students in a weird school

Fantasy: Mercedes Lackey, specifically the Five Hundred Kingdoms series and The Obsidian universe. I also loved the Elvenbane series, but due to the death of Andre Norton it may never be finished. I would advise caution if sexual assault is triggering for you, the ones I like are mostly free of it but that can come up in her other works. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - obviously. Also loved The Hobbit, have not read further The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin - the book opens with the triggering of an apocalypse. The world contains people who can control earthquakes A Baroque Fable by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - this book is so hilarious but I don't know if anyone has heard about it Once Upon a Winter's Night by Dennis L. McKiernan - and it's sequels. This is a romance retold fairy tale series

Science Fiction: Michael Crichton - who spans a bunch of genres but I'll put him here. I've read everything he's written and I recommend most of it. State of Fear has not aged well. His books are very fast-paced and Timeline has one of the best enemies to lovers. Orson Scott Card - I am aware, but Ender's Game is a masterpiece. He also has this single novel called Magic Street that is a sequel to A Midsummer Night's Dream. I also loved Memories of Earth but it's been a while since I read it. I, Robot by Issac Asimov - short stories about artificial intelligence and how it might go weird

Graphic novels: Astro City by Kurt Busiek - superhero, but more focused on how living in that world would affect normal people Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra - every male on earth dies, except for one, and his monkey Fables by Bill Willlingham - after being attacked by an army of wooden soldiers, fairy tale characters and creatures seek refuge in a non-magical world (ours) Nimona by ND Stevenson - a villain gains a shape-shifting sidekick, but she is not what she seems Scurry by Mac Smith - post-apocalyptic earth, the main characters are all surviving mice. Best artwork I've ever seen in a graphic novel American Vampire by Scott Snyder- vampires have different traits depending on their home country, this is about the new, American species. Asterix and Obelix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo - a small group of powerful Gauls defend themselves against the Romans using a magical potion

Non Fiction: Stephan Pinker, I've read both of his trilogies on language and the brain. Trying to get through his huge book about violence The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks - writen by a neurologist, fascinating book Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick by Maya Dusenbery - what it says on the tin

Toddler/Young Child Books: The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone - I give you a 100% guarantee that if you read this book aloud, the kids will be fascinated. It is literally always a hit Robert Munsch - most of his books are amazing, but if you don't want to cry, DO NOT read the backstory of Love You Forever. The Paper Bag Princess was one of my favourites as a child. Little Critter - only the older ones, the new ones are religious for some reason. Just for You and I Was So Mad were favourites for my kids. Early lesson in unreliable narrators. Phoebe Gilman - Something From Nothing, the Jillian Jiggs series, The Balloon Tree... so many good ones! Really good illustrations too Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal - a book about a pea who hates eating candy. This book is fun to read and my kids loved it (I have the box set) The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak - kids love when adults have to do weird things I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen - perfect opportunity to do a lot of funny voices The Mitten by Jan Brett - a whole bunch of animals squeeze into a mitten. That's the whole thing. It's great. The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland - and the rest of the series. These are fun to read because they rhyme. Jonathan Stutzman - my kids LOVE Tiny T. Rex and the Llama series. We haven't read the others An Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems - we have this entire series, they are a delight. An elephant and pig are very silly friends. Good drawings Dr. Seuss - be careful with him though, his books are quite long and can be hard to read, so I recommend waiting until your kids are a bit older. But The Lorax slaps and my personal favourite as a kid was The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

Other: Still Alice by Lisa Genova - or any of her books really. She is a neuroscientist and her books are really interesting explorations of different disorders. Book is better than the movie Warm Bodies by Issac Marion - zombie Romeo and Juliet Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder - a novel that is also an intro to philosophy course Calvin and Hobbes - I own all of them, so excited for when my kids can understand them. I also love The Far Side, Zits, and the earlier Dilbert comics The Women in Black by Madeleine St. John - this book is absolutely charming. I saw the Netflix movie and then bought it right away.

*I avoid true crime because I have heard that the genre causes harassment to victim's families

General Note: I am aware that some of these authors are now considered controversial, some for more serious reasons than others. Sometimes flawed people make really good art. I mean, flawed people make all art because nobody on earth is perfect.

[moistvonlipwig]

a lot of people in fandom conflate "bad things happening to a character within the text" with "the character being mistreated by the narrative" and a lot of people conflate that with "the showrunner/author/creator hating or not caring about the character".

but bad things can happen to a character as part of their organic character journey. marcy wu from amphibia, for instance, is not mistreated by the narrative; she is given a full, complex arc. the stabbing + possession by the core are part of that arc. they do not detract from it. having her learn an actual lesson from her mistakes and not be handed everything she wants on a silver platter was also good for her arc, actually. she would not be half the amazing character she is if she had just stuck around being the same old marcy in season 3 and then chosen to stay in amphibia forever (???).

and buffy summers of buffy the vampire slayer fame is literally the main character in a show entirely about the hardships of growing up. of course bad things are going to happen to her, that's what happens when you grow up...the only bad thing that happens to buffy that does not add to her arc is the attempted rape in "seeing red". which is significant to be fair but it's also only one writing choice in seven seasons' worth of television. her boyfriend turning evil in season 2 is not her being "punished for having sex", it is about how sometimes when you are a teenage girl your boyfriends will turn out to be abusive and you have to learn to trust and rely on yourself and not blame yourself for their behavior.

or take derek hale from teen wolf, a character with a powerful and triumphant arc about healing from trauma and choosing not to let the past define you and thus rejecting your destructive quest for power and revenge as embodied by your evil uncle and reclaiming the positive legacy of your family as embodied by your mother instead. except according to some people, he is horribly mistreated by the narrative because sometimes bad things happen to him. at least half of these bad things, by the way, are consequences of his own damn actions. the other half are either part of his backstory or are obstacles put in his way on his journey to becoming a better person. which happens to every major teen wolf character so like. what do you expect lol.

and even when characters are genuinely mistreated it does not mean the writers hate them. for example regina mills from once upon a time was the subject of racist and misogynist writing choices and was held to unfair double standards by the narrative, which often demonized and punished her while rewarding white characters and male characters for similar or worse behavior. but she was also blatantly the creators' favorite character and it would be absurd to pretend otherwise. sometimes writers don't treat their favorite characters well or don't think through the implications of their choices...it doesn't mean they hate the character. come on now

[whatisyourchildhoodtrauma]

Gifs of 2024 ☾⋆｡

Post your favorite and most popular post from each month this year (it’s okay to skip months)

Tagged by @charmedslayer. Thanks for tagging me, this was fun XD

JANUARY:

FAVORITE: Julie Benz as Darla (1.1k) MOST POPULAR: Buffy/Faith in "Bad Girls" (1.5k)

FEBRUARY:

FAVORITE: "She's a hero, you see. She's not like us." (1.3k) MOST POPULAR: Joyce & Spike in 3x08 (1.4k)

MARCH:

FAVORITE: Cordelia in BTVS S1 (699) MOST POPULAR: Tara in 4.16 (736)

APRIL:

FAVORITE + MOST POPULAR: Bianca Lawson as Kendra Young (2.2k)

MAY:

FAVORITE: Spike + Giles 'choose your fighter' (485) MOST POPULAR: 🎵"BUNNIES, BUNNIES, IT MUST BE BUNNIES"🎵

JUNE:

FAVORITE: Juliet Landau + bleach blonde hair (156) MOST POPULAR: Tara's leather jacket in 6.18 (722)

JULY:

ONLY POSTED GIFSET: Giles being extremely British in 1.02 (421)

AUGUST:

FAVORITE + MOST POPULAR: Faith's impression of Buffy is bang on (1.4k)

SEPTEMBER:

FAVORITE: Harmony Kendall + Every Outfit (489) MOST POPULAR: The Summers sisters + their food themed pajamas (656)

OCTOBER:

FAVORITE: "We need the only person who can make sense of what's happening." (575) MOST POPULAR: Dawn in 6.06 appreciation (952)

NOVEMBER:

FAVORITE: Tara + Tag Yourself Edition (977) MOST POPULAR: Buffy + girl power 💪 (1.1k)

DECEMBER:

FAVORITE: Faith bringing Buffy & Joyce xmas gifts in 3.10 (970) MOST POPULAR: Cordelia being a badass in 1.12 (1.1k)

tagging: @5bi5, @clarkgriffon, @detectivedawnsummers, @andremichaux, & @sophsun1 (no pressure if you're busy or simply don't wish to participate; it's all in good fun)