#hello you do not know giles at all?????)

[marigoldbaker]

already seeing horrible giles audio drama takes on my dash without even listening to the audio drama yet. blessings upon the houses of those who are yelling at giles for “running away from the fight” as though this is something he would ever do anyway + compounding it with hatred for his actions in s6 and s7. you will need blessings to counteract how bad your takes are.

anyway, suddenly i’m a giles defender, bc many people who hate that man for his actions in the later seasons hate him because they’re convinced giles himself thought he was making the right decision!!! and ngl you are just not correct about that. just bc the show framed it as the right decision does not mean that he actually thought it was.

[ashwhowrites]

Ahhhh I've been so excited since you mentioned Buffy universe, so obviously I NEED to make a request (i have too much ideas, but I'll try to calm down 😅)

I was thinking about human reader x Spike (my love ❤️). Spike is so madly in love with her that scooby gang has fun watching it, but it is kind of adorable even for them.

One day Spike heard about Angel's visit in town and since then he tries to keep reader far from scooby gang and Angel.

He's telling himself he's not scared of losing reader to Angel because their relationship is strong and mature (not like his previous one) but he's insecure that reader could choose broody handsome brunette because of this all good things he's done

And with happy end pretty please

(I'm so happy, somebody wants to write about buffyverse 🎉🎉🎉)

Thank you for your time 💜💜💜

I'm so in love with Spike so I get it!

I hope this is what you wanted and you enjoy it. It feels very weird to write about a different character so I hope it feels like Spike. Thank you for requesting 🫶🏻

Ugh, not Angel

"So does this mean Spike gets to help?" Y/N asked with glee. She knew many of her friends didn't enjoy it when her boyfriend was around but at times she didn't care.

"I say we can do it without the blood-sucking vampire," Xander said as he rolled his eyes. Y/N shot him a glare.

"Be nice, Xander," Willow reminded him.

"Even though I hate to say it, we need Spike's help," Buffy said with disappointment.

~

"The man of the hour has arrived!" Spike said as he walked into Buffy's house. Y/N walked in behind him and closed the door. Together they walked to Buffy's couch and took a seat.

Giles and Buffy explained the plan but Spike was far from listening. His girl was tucked under his arm; all he could focus on was her face. He watched as she listened intently, nodding to what she agreed.

"Spike!" Buffy snapped, clapping her hands. The vampire was quick to look over at her with a snarl. "Pay attention!"

"Oh Buffy, don't be jealous," Spike teased giving her a small amount of attention before he went back to Y/N.

"Listen," Y/N warned, nodding her head toward Buffy. He listened to her, as he always did.

"Weren't you like a terrifying vampire before you got pussy whipped?" Xander joked. Buffy smirked at the comment but made sure not to laugh.

"I can still tear your throat out," Spike growled, biting the air. "I'm not pussy whipped. I just happen to worship the ground my darling walks on."

Y/N tried not to blush at Spike's words. His accent always made her heart race.

"Yeah, Xander! Would it kill you to worship me like that?" Anya complained. Xander groaned as he knew a new fight would happen by the time he went home.

"Quiet!" Giles said, gaining everyone's attention.

~~~

Spike was watching TV in his crypt when he heard someone enter. He turned his head and groaned to himself as Buffy walked in.

"Oh great the slayer," he said, clicking off the TV.

"It looks different here," Buffy realized, looking around. There were candles near the bed, which were covered in fuzzy pillows. There were twinkle lights hung up, for once giving the dark crypt some light.

"What do you need?" Spike asked, ignoring her comments.

"Y/N has a nice touch," Buffy smirked. Spike shifted uncomfortably in his chair, but a sense of pride in his cold chest knowing she was displayed in his home.

"Get to the damn point, slayer."

"Angel's back," Buffy sighed.

Spike quickly flew out of his chair, an unsettling feeling in his stomach.

"Why?" Spike growled. Spike and Angel didn't get along too well. Both vampires but Angel was the better one in people's opinion. Spike didn't tend to care about the comparison but Y/N had never met Angel before and he wanted to keep it that way. "Actually I don't even care." He sassed. Buffy watched confused as he ran out.

~

Y/N was painting her toes when Spike let himself into her bedroom. She looked up with a smile as she smelled him.

"Hello, handsome,"

Spike smiled as she went back to focusing on her toes, moving to sit on the hard floor. He didn't say anything as he grabbed the polish from her hands and began to paint her toes.

She smiled as she let him take over. She adored moments like this with him. When he was doing human things with her. She reached down and ran her fingers through his blonde hair, messing up the perfection it always was. He'd bite off anyone's hand if they touched him like that but it was her so he didn't mind.

"I'm glad you stopped by. The gang is having a movie night, would you like to come?"

Spike took his time painting her toes. The truth was, he didn't want her to go. He was worried Angel would show up with his stupid dark hair, charming personality, and a face that apparently many girls liked.

"Spike?" She said as he sat in silence.

"Could we maybe have the night alone together?" He looked up at her and she was taken back from the insecurity in his eyes.

"Sure, baby. Let me give them a call," she said as she ruffled his hair.

~~~

Spike did his best to keep her away from Angel and tried to keep it secretive. Spike wasn't sure how long Angel would be around but it had been a week too long. Y/N loved Spike so spending all the time with him wasn't a bad thing, but she was worried.

Spike was always confident and loved being seen by others. Even though Y/N hated it, he enjoyed the looks he got from women. He didn't get along with many of her friends but he never was this distant with them. Y/N worried something was going on and she was left in the dark about it.

The couple sat in silence as they watched Passions, even after a year of being with Spike she didn't see the appeal in the show. It had been a week since she left Spike's side. Anytime she made a comment to leave he went into a panic and begged her to stay. Adding to the worry she was feeling.

"Spike," Y/N said, nudging her boyfriend in the arm. His eyes dashed over to her. "Is there something going on between you and my friends? And I know you love me, but there's a reason why you don't want me to leave your side and I want to know."

"Darling, I have to confess something," Spike sighed.

"If you cheated on me I will have Buffy here to kill your ass in a second," Y/N warned. Her eyes squinting into a glare that sent a shiver down Spike's spine.

"Never!" he exclaimed. "Do you remember the stories of Buffy's ex Angel?"

"A little," Y/N said shrugging.

"He's a vampire and pretty much everyone fell in love with him when he was around. Buffy, Willow, and well Xander hated him like he does me, but they saw something good in him. It didn't matter how well-behaved I was, they always picked him for help. Whenever he is around, I'm not needed. I was worried his charm would work on you."

Y/N was in awe of Spike feeling a variety of emotions. She didn't think he felt much other than love and lust.

"You were worried I'd fall for him?" Y/N asked, reaching out to cup Spike's face.

Spike tried to show no emotion, "Not quite what I said. I mean look at me, I am way more of a catch." Y/N laughed at his words, allowing him to feel what he needed.

"Well, if you were saying that I'd make sure to say that I love you. I don't think there is anyone dead or alive that would make me feel the way you do. No one will take me from you." She leaned in and pressed her forehead against his.

He closed his eyes and nudged his nose against hers. Her words sank in and took the weight off his body. He opened his eyes and smiled as she stared at him. He leaned in and pressed a kiss against his lips.

~

With a lot of convincing sex, Y/N got Spike out of his cave. Her hand was in his as they walked into Buffy's house. The gang all said hello and Y/N noticed the new face.

She turned her head as she checked him out, Spike standing taller as he squeezed her hand. She shook her head and turned to Spike, moving to whisper in his ear. "Not even close."

Spike smirked at her words, his confidence taking over. "Well, Angel. I wish I would say nice to see you but it's not."

Angel scoffed but walked over, his eyes landing on the girl next to him. "She's new," Angel smiled. "Prettier than the last one."

Spike stiffened at Angel's words and the mention of Drusilla. The images of her and Angel together in his head were the exact reason he feared for Y/N to see him.

"I'm Y/N, Spike's girlfriend."

Spike smiled at her. Maybe he didn't need to worry about this one.

[reticent-writer]

Hey! Well, actually, I really like the set of stories about Teen!Reader and Alostor where the reader is classified as an assistant, I would like a story that shows how they met and how they get to the point where they consider him an assistant and their confidence to say him dad? Thank you, I'm sorry if the request was very long. (Writing this I remembered the fight Alastor and Lucifer had over Charlie about who she calls Dad, I felt it would still be a good scenario for indignation)

An: I had a storyboard for this exact thing but its messy and if you don't know me you probably wouldn't understand how my mind works but basically i have ocs for this

This took a bit longer because it happens before Alastor and reader dies plus I gave reader a family so...... some basic info

Y/n was born into a family that was picture perfect on the outside

father was a factory worker Mother was a dressmaker

Doll House by Melanie Martinez fits them perfectly

Y/n was the middle child of 5

When Y/n was born the eldest (Atticus boy) was 10, Second eldest 6 (Alma girl), Middle child (y/n)

when y/n turned 4 their parents had twins (Giles boy, Gideon boy)

This is a glimpse into my mind. It might not make sense.

✿✼:*ﾟ:.｡..｡.:*･ﾟﾟ･**･ﾟﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　

-1920-

Y/n is 10.

Your parents were perfectionists, especially when it came to the public eye. The L/n family was always the center of attention in your little town, deep in Louisiana.

You and your siblings were constantly dressed in Sunday's best.

"Kids make yourselves look presentable. A client is coming soon." Your mother called out from her 'workspace'. kids aren't allowed in there.

"Can't we just stay in our rooms." Atticus complained from his spot on the couch.

"Get. Dressed."

Atticus groaned as he got up to go to his room. On his way, he knocked on your door before opening it.

"You're supposed to wait for a response, Jackass."

"Next time you curse at me I'm poppin' you." He threatened but you knew he wouldn't do anything, "Mom said get dressed, tell Alma."

He closed the door before you could complain. You heard the shuffling of his feet as he ran to his room.

His room was at the end of the hall. the hall was short with 2 doors on each side. Alma was across from you and the twins were next to her.

Right across from your room is Alma's. She's going into her preteen years and started to spend more time in her room. Your mother says she's adjusting to becoming a woman and needs her time alone. She's also becoming very snappy.

You slowly opened your door to stare at hers. You slowly walk into the hallway and up to her door. You knock three time and wait for a responce. She didn't open the door.

"I heard Atticus." Her voice was horse and strained but you believed what your mother told you.

That was all you needed to get yourself ready.

-------

Your mother made all (except for Alma) of you sit in the living room and wait for the client.

*knock knock knock*

"He's here. You better behave." She says before opening the door with a smile only guests see, "Alastor, It's so good to see you again."

"Good to see you to, my dear and my my look at the children. They all seem to be in good health." He greeted all of you with a smile.

"Hello sir." Atticus spoke for all of you.

"You seem to be missing one." Alastor commented, making your mother chuckle.

"She's been feeling under the weather as of late, come along I need to take your measurements. Atticus, Y/n prepare some tea." She ordered.

Alastor and your mother went to her workspace and she shut the door.

----------

That night went smoothly until your father got home. He didn't like the fact that your mother was in her workspace with a man and the door closed, even if he was a client.

It caused fighting -well more than there normally is anyway- between your mother and father. It's always been easy to make your father mad.

It got worse when Alastor took notice of it he came by more often with the excuse of having gifts for you and your siblings.

He gave you a radio to listen to him when he went on air. Atticus was offered a job at the radio station. Alma got a set of jewelry.

This angered your father more and instead of taking it out on Alastor or your mother he took it out on you and your siblings. Atticus tried to protect all of you.

One day your father and Atticus got into a really bad fight and your brother was shot. He didn't make it.

It was around the same time when a horrid smell started coming from Alma's room. Your parents said she caught a fever and no one noticed but you didn't believe them anymore.

From then on you started distancing yourself from your family and growing closer to Alastor.

--------

When you got older (16) you started working with alastor at the radio station. He taught you how to live life without worry.

He treats you like your a person and not just your parent's child.

Your parents treated you like a decoration. Alastor treated you like a child he didn't know he wanted.

You found out he was a murder by accident. You forgot someone at the station late at night and went back to get it to see blood spattered in the talking booth.

At first you thought it was Alastors so you took a gun that the station had in case of emergencies and followed the trail.

Opening the back door you saw Alastor dragging the body. The two of you made eye contact. Your body moved without hesitation and helped him hide the body.

------

Sadly, there are times a birth parent is a dud.

✿✼:*ﾟ:.｡..｡.:*･ﾟﾟ･**･ﾟﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　

This is long and not what I usually write but it's been stuck in my head for a while.

A/n: I've decided to cut the twins and make y/n the youngest. I had something for them originally but it's better for just Alma, Atticus and Y/n

Art by @ghostly-one

[thevexinator]

DrDT cat au!

An alternate universe where your favorites are cats! You own a cate café! How do you manage?

warning [srs]: implied animal abuse, drdt spoilers for ch1/2(?)

warning [silly]: fluffy and goofy cats being themselves, maybe ooc?

♡ Ace Markey [Nyace]

♡ Was originally a barn cat meant to hunt mice, but his original owners found he was too skittish for the job, so he was handed to you. Needless to say, receiving that scraggly, orange ball of fluff was definitely among the best moments in your life.

♡ The core definition of what an orange cat is. Not a single thought in his head. From hissing at random objects to hissing at other cats, Nyace is definitely a handful. He picks fights with cats that can definitely carry him by the scruff, like Meowvi, Xanmeow and occasionally Nyaruko if he feels like trying his chances. He'll pick fights with everyone and everything. Including himself.

♡ Whenever he wants your attention, he'll come over and make sure you know he exists by throwing himself onto your back, lap, spleen, or hands. He wants attention, and he wants it neow. Enjoys ear scritches. He'll always hide when guests come over.

♡ When he's not needlessly aggressive, he's deliberately leaving orange hair all over your bedsheets. You can't get mad at him though, he's just silly. He's more of an indoor cat.

♡ That said, he'll proudly trot up to you with a toy mouse as if he actually hunted down a real one. You can't help but find it extremely cute.

♡ Arei Nageishi [Nyarei]

♡ She was removed from her original owners and rightfully so. You adopted a teeny tiny lynx-point siamese that was practically trembling in your hands when you brought her home.

♡ A sassy little princess. Will playfully bap other cats on the head. Whenever she does start something, she immediately runs to you for protection. She's also very protective of you. If it's her turn for you attention, she will make sure the other cats know that.

♡ She's besties with Meowden and J, but hates Nyarturo with a burning passion. Every time he walks by, she baps him in the head. She seems pretty chill with the other cats, baping them playfully.

♡ Nyarei will always be your side, lying on some part of your body or being in the same room. Whenever guests are over, she'll come over to say hello before going off to mind her own business.

♡ Whenever you're sad, Nyarei will come over and lie on you, purring to help you feel better. You're her favorite hooman. <3

♡ Arturo Giles [Nyarturo]

♡ Your friend came over one day and asked if you could look after this small, white somali cat they found wandering around. You took him in, wondering what could've happened for him to just wander the streets.

♡ He's a very hostile little thing. He'll judge other cats, but he seems pretty chill with Vermeow and Meowvi, even a bit nicer to Nyanco. He has beef with Nyarei, since he bullied Meowden once and got scratched by her bodyguard.

♡ He's very picky with petting. He'll only let you pet him. Behind the ears, under the chin and around the neck are where he'll allow pets. He's a bit iffy about back, but paws and belly are a no go.

♡ His owner, rather tragically, passed away. He's very attached to you for giving him the love he lacked. When he wants attention, he'll quietly come over, sit on your lap, and start to purr.

♡ He isn't fond of guests, opting to just be with the other cats and not the people who come over. He's also very well kept, cleaning himself often.

♡ Charles Cuevas [Charmeow]

♡ One day, you adopted a small kitty with an attitude problem. At first, he was just a sassy little snowshoe, but you eventually found he was rather loving.

♡ He's a pretty calm one. He's more for sitting in the sun and hanging with you. Occasionally, he gets up to shenanigans with Meowhit and Nyaruko. Even though Nyaruko attacked him, he didn't stop hanging out with her. By hanging out, I mean they just sit in the sun together or judge Davmeow. He just ignores Nyarei whenever she provokes him.

♡ He doesn't mind being touched by you, but he'll politely push others' hands away with his paw. A polite no. In private, he's a little snugglebug, even with Meowhit and Nyaruko. He cleans himself often, even allowing his two cat besties to do it.

♡ Charmeow has a cactus plushie he really likes to snuggle with. Every time he wants attention, he'll bring his cactus plush with him to snuggle while with you. He's actually a very neat cat, trying not to leave cat hair all over your clothes. When he does, he feels real bad about it.

♡ Every time you cook, he jumps onto the counter to watch. He just sits there, watching you cook. Sometimes he'll even pass you utensils. What a talented young man.

♡ David Chiem [Davmeow]

♡ You thought you adopted a starry-eyed, polite and sweet russian blue. A month later, you realize he's actually a little twat. Do you love him any less? No.

♡ Davmeow is very polite when guests come over. When they leave, he goes back to being a meanie. He seems to have feuds with Charmeow and Nyaruko. He isn't above bullying everyone, even you. He bites and scratches during his zoomies.

♡ He hits everyone in passing. Nyaruko is the only one who hits him back with no hesitation. Most of the other cats just look at him or hiss.

♡ Strangely enough, Davmeow seems to be in a somewhat passive relationship with Min. While he does occasionally bap her in the face, sometimes he'll loaf and birdwatch with her. He loves Xanmeow the most.

♡ Whenever he wants your attention, he will walk into the room and scream until you pet him on the head. Average cat activities.

♡ Eden Tobisa [Meowden]

♡ The silliest munchkin cat to breathe. Very friendly, you adopted her when your friend's cat had a litter of kittens and offered you one to take care of.

♡ Very fond of all the cats in the house... except Nyarturo. He bullies her a lot. Nyarei beats him up for it. Nyaruko seems to tolerate her, Nyanco seems to enjoy having her around, and all of the cats like Meowden save for the exception.

♡ Very energetic. For a cat of her tiny size, she enjoys running around and playing. In particular, she enjoys playfighting with Meowvi, despite him being a much larger cat. Her other daily activities include sunbathing, hanging with her besties, and napping.

♡ Second most prone to zoomies out of the girl cats. You have tripped on her multiple times.

♡ Hu Jing [PawJing]

♡ A very pretty bengal kitty, PawJing often helps you with house chores. One day, she followed you home and wouldn't stop meowing until you picked her up.

♡ She's very sweet around Nyanco, but she's very much sensitive around the other cats. She hisses at Nyace a lot, which is why they're kept at a distance. Her days are usually spent following you around. She has the sweetest meow of all the cats.

♡ If she senses something is wrong, she'll prance over with a blanket. She will literally not leave your side until you feel better.

♡ She's generally very sweet with guests. Next to Meowden wins "Nice Cat of The Week" many times in a row. As mentioned before, she'll often help you around with chores by carrying things and leaving them where you do.

♡ J Rosales [J]

♡ A generally pissy and tomboyish burmese. You found this one when opening up shop one day. Not sure how she got in. You just found her.

♡ Outside of actually trying to kill Nyarturo, her days are largely spent hanging around her cat buddies. Her favorite activity involves messing with the light switch.

♡ Generally okay with guests? Depends on the day, and if she's had her breakfast yet.

♡ Most of her days are spent being a normal cat, surprising as that may be. She'll rub up on your legs or loaf in your lap, pretty much the most normal cat of the litter.

♡ Levi Fontana [Meowvi]

♡ You saw a cat, covered in blood, limping down the street near the café. Concerned, you brought the [at the time] tiny maine coon to the vet for a checkup. With no chip or collar, you were allowed to keep him.

♡ He's a pretty sweet cat. Sure, he's very large and sheds like crazy, but that's just extra storage for all the love he has in him. He'll carry Meowden around, confusing her for a kitten. He also does that to Nyace, although results are very different.

♡ Much like PawJing, he'll help you with chores around the café. He's surprisingly intelligent, carrying utensils to their designated spots with no issue.

♡ When it comes to guests, he's actually quite shy. He'll come up and say hello, but he's usually hiding somewhere if a lot of people are coming in.

♡ Min Jeung [Min]

♡ It was the scenario of finding a cat inside a box with "please adopt me" written on it in sharpie in the rain. The little cornish rex came home with you and has been there ever since.

♡ Very shy. She skids when guests come over, and she'll only come out when it's a slow day or when the café is empty. She likes a few of the regulars, though.

♡ Despite looking like a very boring cat, she's insanely intelligent. She has figured out the tricks and you cannot deceive her into going to the vet.

♡ She's very attached to you specifically. She'll follow you around or sit on your shoulders, purring whenever you scratch her head. Most people confuse her for a stuffed animal at times.

♡ Nico Hakobyan [Nyanco]

♡ ... You're not entirely sure what they are. They're definitely a breed of short-haired cat, likely a scottish fold and british shorthair mix. They were the first ever cat you adopted into your care.

♡ Somehow, they're more shy than Min. Does not come out whenever the café is open. Exclusively hang out with PawJing, Purrose, and still prefer solitude.

♡ Really attached to you. Unbelievably clingy. While cats like Min, Meowhit, and occasionally Charmeow and the others can get clingy, none are as clingy as Nyanco. Will literally cling to you and never let go.

♡ Has a favorite mouse toy they bring with them everywhere. They will literally never go anywhere without one.

♡ Rose Lacroix [Purrose]

♡ A very sleepy tortie cat. You originally assumed she had died on the side of the street, only to find out that she was just asleep.

♡ As mentioned before, her hobby is sleeping. She is almost never awake. While she does seem to have some kind of kitty circle with Nyaruko, Meowden, and Min, she's usually sleeping through most of the day.

♡ When she is awake, she's usually pretty inactive. Never experiences zoomies and usually lies around whenever.

♡ Her favorite napping spot just happens to be your lap.

♡ Teruko Tawaki [Nyaruko]

♡ One day, while taking out the trash, you found this poor baby in the dumpster. The trip to the vet was definitely a fight, and it took her a while to get used to you... in the end, you're still the only human she trusts.

♡ On day one, she was pretty hostile to the others, even through the door meeting phase. Gradually, she warmed up to Charmeow and Meowhit. She began following them around and never left their sides until she was independent enough to hang out with the rest.

♡ She's distrusting of guests. At first, she would hide when they came over. Once she got a little more used to it, she would generally just sit in their vicinity, maybe come closer if she got curious.

♡ If you give her enough time, she'll come to you. She likes to nestle against you, as she finds you to be a source of safety. She couldn't be more grateful.

♡ Veronika Grebenshchikova [Vermeow]

♡ A strange calico you found in the café one day. No clue where she came from. She just appeared one day.

♡ She's definitely joyous and filled with whimsy. Very popular among guests for how silly she is!!

♡ When she's not bothering Nyarturo, she's causing general mischief around the café. Shenanigans that not even Nyarei gets up to. She'll look you dead in the eyes and reach for an electrical socket.

♡ She's very aggressive when playing. Of course, she doesn't cause any physical harm, but she gets rough sometimes. Somehow, more orange than Nyace.

♡ ... she's the one bringing dead mice to your doorstep.

♡ Whit Young [Meowhit]

♡ The charming turkish angora. Endearingly dubbed "vanilla custard" by guests, Meowhit is a very friendly cat!

♡ He loves to follow Charmeow and Nyaruko around. It's basically his hobby outside of cutesing his way out of trouble. He gets up to trouble with Nyarei.

♡ Strangely enough, he'll never let you go into the bathroom alone. He'll meow obnoxiously until you let him inside. Even then, he'll just sit on the sink and stare at you. You're not sure why... it's pretty worrying.

♡ He has a heart on his back. It would be a crime to miss this detail.

♡ Xander Matthews [Xanmeow]

♡ British shorthair with a missing eye. He was left at a shelter after he was abandoned. You have taken him in, and he's the most loving little creature ever.

♡ He's very hyper. He can run around endlessly and not get tired. Among Vermeow, Nyace and himself, he's somehow the most orange one of them. He is every single orange cat video to exist at the same time.

♡ So loud. He meows very loud without meaning to. Nyaruko hisses at him every time he does. The poor boy knows no rest. </3

♡ He's the one keeping everyone else in line. If they misbehave, she scruffs them and drags them into the corner for time out.

[geese-in-a-frock-coat]

What's your evidence for Watts and Murdoch being autistic? (I totally agree btw)

Hello, internet stranger. Buckle up cause I've thought too hard about this.

Ok disclaimer I have not really sat down and watched the whole thing for a hot minute. Its past nine, you're just gonna have to trust me this one.

Credentials: Mega autisitc

Murdoch:

Does not understand social conventions. Like this ones pretty obvious. He doesn't understand why people keep dogs. Raises his kid in a completely non traditional way. Frequently doesn't get why people care about something that he sees as not being worth it (sports and popular trends and so forth).

Doesn't like small talk

Cares about justice NOT the law. The thing that really makes me think he's autistic is that he cares about things being just and is prepared to break the rules to do so. The main example being he lets that woman out of prison depsite the fact that he could go down for it. He turns a blind eye to Watts and lets Giles go even though they're both criminals in the eyes of the law. And on the flipside he sends George to prison because I think that's what he percieves as justice (if anyone's seen the bridge this really reminds me of Saga at the end of season 2)

Sees through hierarchy. There are so many epsiodes that play out like "I think Mr X is the killer." "But Mr x is extrememly important and influential!" "I don't care he killed her."

Interest in science and inventing. Look I know we joke about stereotypes but like, its a stereotype for a reason. He builds things with an autistic brain. He uses pattern repition through learning about previous inventions and applying them to his own devices.

Visual learner. This is not autism exclusive but he solves cases in such a unique way that it screams ND to me. Murdoch often literally builds a case. They make a joke about clue/cludo but he literally has to make the model of a house to picture where everyone is. He makes all those model of the ladies that were covered in metal. And let us not forget his famous chalk board.

Buzzkill. I say this as a long-term sufferer of leaves parties at 8:45 syndrome. He does 'boring hobbies' which autistic people often have because we don't feel the need to take up traditional ones.

Remember that scene where he attempts to read out his and Julia's book and just absolutely cannot tell that no one gives a single toss about anything he's saying.

Wears the same thing for nearly 20 years. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Refused to let his wife cut his hair because he didn't want to change from the lady who used to do it.

breather. Part 2: watts.

Cannot read social cues: Frequently insults other station house four people. Pretty sure he called someone's baby ugly but I might have hallucinated that. "You're face is symetrical." Got chucked out of station house because he didn't get on with any of them

Disregard for societal norms: doesn't feel the need to be polite or tactful with anyone or to really follow police protocol. Acts very 'improper' a lot of the time. Only got one shoe shined that one time because that was all he needed. Puts his feet on the sofa, lies on the desk and leans over tables.

Makes limited eye contact.

The man will fidget with anything: Look this is clearly a character decision from Daniel Maslany but its an autistic character decision if ever I saw one. We're talking pencils, cups, fabric, anything. If it is on the set, he will find a way to play with out. And I don't normally like to assign autistic traits onto behaviour implemented by actors but it's basically stimming at this point. I dare you to keep an eye on this man's hands for any scene and I garuntee you they will not stay still.

Disorganised, but not: He always has tiny bits of paper and whatnot in his pockets but always seems to know where everything is. organised but doesn't have to time to be tidy. Same whenever we see his flat, it's equally disorganised. as an autistic person I find things end up all over the place because I don't have the capacity to keep them in order.

Bad handwriting and can't spell

Physicality: Most autistic people will have some sort of problem with co-ordination. He walks uneavenly. He has an odd posture. I always think about that scene where he steps in sick and moves around like a dear on ice. He's clumsy, can't sit straight and has a strange posture.

can't think when being interrupted

can't focus on two things at once.

George realised he'd been possessed by aliens because he was acting normally.

pretzels: dare i say safe food. If not, they're bland, usually the same everytime and take little mental effort to consume.

Strong sense of justic: see william murdoch.

SPECIAL MENTIONS:

Dr Emily Grace: didn't become a doctor becuase she didn't want to adopt a 'cheerful bedside manor.'

Dr Julia Ogden: Married to Murdoch (like calls to like) and sees through the bullshit of victorian society.

Susannah Murdoch: has those two as parents and I have the full confidence of genetics on this one.

In conclusion:

There's probably so much more I could talk about that I just don't remember because there is a lot more of this show than most others. But anyway. Murdoch is autistic because he has to be for the show to work and becuase he often comedic-foils far too close to the sun. And Watts is autistic because there is no way on God's green earth a man who stands like that is neurotypical.

Thank you, internet stranger, I am here all week.

[specialagentlokitty]

Giles x reader - happily married

Would you be up for a Giles married to reader who happens to be buffys aunt? - @sitkafay 💜

It had been a while since you had been in town, you had been away on work and all you wanted to do was go home, find your husband and go to sleep.

So, when you walked through the door of the house you set your bags down and looked around.

“Rupert?” You called.

You waited for an answer but there was none, so you grabbed your bags and took them upstairs, not even bothering to unpack them, all you did was go back down the stairs to put your jacket on the hook and made your way back upstairs.

You collapsed on the bed and let the jet lag take you to a much needed world of sleep, though it didn’t last as long as you hoped.

The door was thrown open, and you could hear the voices of people down the stairs.

“Giles?!” They called.

You furrowed your brows and grumbled a little, pulling the blanket of your head.

“Giles we need help!”

You pulled the blanket down, jumped out of bed at the sound of the voice.

Making your way to the stairs you walked halfway down them and looked at the small group of young adults standing in the living room.

“Well, look who we have here.” You grinned.

They all turned around and you grinned a little, making your way down the stairs.

“(Y/N)!”

Buffy wasted no time in running over crush you into a hug which you were more than happy to respond to.

You hugged her tightly, a smile on your face and you pulled away.

“My god Buffy, it’s been years since I saw you last, you’ve grown so much.”

She smiled.

“And you’ve gotten older.”

You playfully glared at you, and she grabbed your hand to lead you over to her friends and you smiled warmly at them all.

“Guys, this is my aunt (Y/N). You remember the one who was always travelling for work?”

Buffy then turned to you.

“(Y/N) this is Xander, Tara, Anya, Willow and that’s spike. We don’t like spike.”

You looked at the man who was eyeing you up down with a little grin on his face.

He went to step forward and was pushed back by Xander and he went to glare.

“Can’t a guy say hello now? Bloody unreasonable.” He grumbled.

“Not when it’s Buffy’s aunt you can’t, in fact you can’t ever, why are you ever here?”

They began to bicker.

“Children! Children!”

They all turned to you and you gestured for them all to sit down so they did.

Spike huffed and left the house.

“Why are you at Giles’ place?” Willow asked.

Buffy turned to you.

She gave you a sheepish look and you laughed a little, shaking your head at her.

“Please don’t..” she grumbled.

“Oh I’m so going to now.”

You turned to her friends and she jumped on you, covering mouth with her hand so you couldn’t say anything.

“Come on tell us!” Xander grinned.

“No! There’s nothing to tell!” Buffy yelled.

“Maybe she came looking for you?” Tara offered.

“Oh she definitely came looking for somebody else.” Anya smirked.

You carried on pretending to fight with your niece, until she finally gave in and let you go, giving you a pleading look.

You grinned a little and leant back in the chair, looking at her friends.

“So, what brings you guys by?”

“Do you know about demons?” Anya asked.

“Anya!” Willow hissed.

You laughed slightly.

“I know a bit, not much. I don’t think I’ll be much help to you.”

“Do you know where Giles is?” Tara asked.

You shook your head.

“I’ve been here a few hours maybe, I was asleep until you heard of elephants came bounding in.”

They grinned a little at you, and you looked at Buffy.

“Can we hang around until he gets back?”

“Yeah, of course. Just don’t break anything, now, I’m going back to sleep, you guys behave.”

You got up, hugging your niece you went to leave but she stopped you, and you looked at her, sighing softly.

Sitting back down on the chair, you let her squeeze herself next to you and you kicked your feet on the table.

“Go on then, tell me about all your adventures. If I fall asleep don’t take it personally I’m tired.”

So, that’s what they did.

They all excitedly told you everything that had been going on, especially Buffy who wanted you to know everything about everything she knew.

You knew about her being the slayer, and you were supportive of her just like her watcher was, you helped her when you could.

She loved telling you about her life, because you always just listened, no snide remarks or comments, no judging her choices or things she did, you just listened.

They got talking to themselves, and you had fallen asleep in the chair.

Buffy noticed this and shook your shoulder.

“Go to bed.”

You nodded, trudging back to bed and they carried on their discussion.

The door was opened and closed, and when Giles turned around he saw all eyes were on him.

“I’m going to change my locks, what on earth are you all doing here at this time?” He asked.

He looked at his watch to see it was early hours of the morning.

“Demons.” Anya said.

“Help.” Xander said next.

“Please?” Willow and Tara grinned.

He sighed, taking his jacket off he set it on the side and gestured for them to carry on while he went to the kitchen to make drinks.

He brought the tray out, setting it on the table.

“Well, it definitely sounds like demons, I’ll have to have a look through some books, but I’m pretty sure I know who these demons are, they’re rather easy to handle.”

They nodded and Buffy looked at him with a blank face.

“There’s something upstairs by the way, you might want to check that out.”

He furrowed his brows and handed the book to Willow, making his way up the stairs.

Turning the light on, he looked around and his gaze landed on the bed.

A wide smiled spread on his face, and he took his glasses off, setting them in his pocket as he made his way over, sitting on the bed he placed a hand on your shoulder.

“No…” you mumbled.

Giles leant down, gently pressing his lips to your forehead.

“Welcome home…”

You opened your eyes and you beamed a little at him, placing a hand on the back of his head so you could kiss him.

It was a kiss he happily responded too, placing his hand on the side of your face as he felt the feeling of your lips on his for the first time in months.

He pulled away and you sat up, shuffling over so you could tuck yourself against him in a hug.

He smiled, kissing your head a few times.

“You never said you were coming home..” he whispered.

“Wanted it to be a surprise, but the gang of heathens needed you help… and they woke me up…”

He chuckled a little at your disappointed tone.

“Well, I shall send them on their way, then you can go back to sleep darling.”

You shook your head, titling your head back to kiss his jaw.

“No.. it’s fine, help them.”

“Are you sure? I can ask them to come back, I don’t believe they would have an issue with that.”

You hummed a little as you stood up, stretching as you walked off.

Giles got up to follow you, and you stood near the wardrobe, looking for something more comfortable to wear.

With a little grin, he reached out, taking both your hands in his and turned you around, your back against the wall.

He let go of your hands, settling for cradling your face instead and you balled your hands into the fabric of his sweater as he leant down to kiss you again.

You didn’t want it to end, but when someone shouted his name he sighed and pulled away, giving you an apologetic look.

“I do love you, but if I don’t go down they’re going to come up.”

You laughed, patting his chest.

“Get, I’ll be down in a minute.”

He quickly kissed you before walking away and you found some more comfortable clothes to change into before following him.

You wondered into the kitchen to find something to eat, Buffy standing next to you to help raid the cupboards.

“Since your back now does this mean we can go shopping?” She asked.

“As in you want to spend your money or you want to spend my husbands money?”

She grinned.

“Your husbands.”

You hummed, glancing into the living before turning back to her.

“How long until they find out?” She asked.

She was trying to keep it a secret because she knew he friends would never let her live down the fact that her watcher, and old librarian was in fact her uncle.

“I’m gonna go with not long.”

She furrowed her brows and you pointed to Anya.

“She’s seen his wedding ring.”

“I don’t know how they haven’t noticed it before.” Buffy said.

Anya whispered something to Tara, who whispered to Willow who passed it on to Xander.

You walked into the living room, sitting back in your chair as you flicked through some books, silence taking over for a while.

But of course it never lasted.

“Giles!”

In an instant both yours and your husbands head shot up to face the boy who had just shouted in shock.

“What?” You both asked.

“Oh my god they are married!” Willow squealed.

Buffy hid her face and you laughed while Giles turned away in embarrassment.

“Buffy’s watcher is her uncle!” Xander laughed.

You reached up, placing your hand on your husbands, and he looked at you with a smile.

“How does it feel knowing you’re never going to escape him Buffy? You’re stuck with him now.” Anya said.

“Okay I’m going home!”

She ran towards the door while he friends ran after her.

“Congratulations Giles!” They yelled.

The house became empty and Giles sighed, sitting on the arm of the chair and you rested your head against his side.

“I’m never living this down, am I? They’re going to taunt me about this for the rest of my life.”

“Ouch, am I really that bad?” You teased.

He smiled, standing up and offered you his hand which you took so you could stand up.

“Nothing could ever compare to how perfect you are dear.”

“You’re such a suck up Rupert.”

He grinned a little.

“Isn’t that why you fell in love with me? That and I am ruggedly handsome if I say so myself, with a rather charming British accent.”

“I’m sorry, would you like to marry yourself?”

He rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms around you waist, and you wrapped yourself around his shoulders.

“I love you.” He whispered.

You leant up, brushing your lips against his.

“I love you too.”

[enigmatist17]

Part 1 - AU where Angel comes to help Spike after he escapes from the Initiative

-----

Buffy and Riley didn't notice as Cordelia slowly closed her phone and stood, one hand nervously swiping some imaginary strands of hair from her eyes.

"Cordelia? Is something the matter?" Wesley asks, currently bouncing back and forth between research texts with Giles.

"Um...Riley, is it?" Buffy and Riley look up from their conversation, the soldier a bit confused by the woman he'd only met a few days ago looking at him with concern? Disgust?

"Yes ma'am, how can I help?"

"You uh, wow you're really just like cardboard." Cordelia shook her head, and pressed on before he could express his offense. "So fun fact, Angel's coming, and you need to stick close to Buffy because he's totally going to rip your throat out if you piss him off." She finished with a grin, the room going silent as everyone stared at Cordelia and Riley.

"On a level of general irritation to dealing with Wolfram, how angry are we talking?" Wesley asked suspiciously as Giles headed for his defense stores.

"Like Doyle... like Doyle angry." Cordelia gripped her phone for a moment as her voice trembled before shaking her head. "Says he wants to talk, but you know how temperamental he can be."

"You're being nicer than usual."

"You got here fast." Wesley swallows thickly, the sight of Angel practically materializing in Giles' kitchen making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. "Is Sp-"

"Yes." The answer is more a growl than an actual response, and his eyes scan the room before fixating on Riley.

"We are talking, right?" Buffy had moved between the two men, and for a moment the two lock eyes before Angel shrugs, crossing his arms.

"You know Hos- the guy who escaped?" Riley bit his tongue, watching eyes colder than anything he'd ever experienced in training lock onto him.

"What did you do to him."

"Me? Nothing." Riley winced as he stumbled over his words, extremely uncomfortable that the vampire could probably hear the beating of his heart increasing as those eyes just stared.

"You should tell him." Buffy's voice is light, but both men are well aware that she's stamping down as much of her frustration as possible, so Angel slowly uncrosses his arms.

"Buffy I can't just tell one of them-"

"What can't you tell little old me?" Angel's lip twitched in a barely repressed snarl, and before Riley could move for the pistol strapped to his thigh, someone loudly cleared their throat.

"As much as I am loving this whole macho manly man dick measuring contest, we need to play nice now." Cordelia gives her brightest smile as all eyes shoot to her, and Angel to everyone's chagrin looks embarrassed, stuffing his hands in his pockets as Giles barely hides his chuckle with a forced cough.

"Man, I need some popcorn." All eyes turn toward the now open door as Xander walks in, freezing in place with Willow curiously peeking from behind his shoulder.

"Hey guys, welcome to the shit show." The two finished entering Giles' home as Riley sits back down with Buffy, constantly looking toward the far corner of the room, where Angel had joined Wesley to quietly murmur about something.

"Nice to see Deadboy hasn't really changed." Xander, helpful as ever quipped, earning an annoyed look from the vampire in question. "But Cordy, you look..."

"Amazing? I know." The brunette smiled, and despite their rocky departure, it's not long before she draws him to the couch to catch him up on everything she's done in L.A.

"H-Hi Angel, hi Wesley." Turning to his left, Angel is surprised to see Willow standing near his side, trying to look at the book they were rifling through.

"Hello Willow." The aspiring witch gave a smile, and her hands fiddle with a small pouch.

"Pleasure to see you again." The former Watcher gave a small bow and looked at what was in her hands. "May we help you with something?"

"I uh, I can help you." Willow held out the pouch, and Angel carefully accepted it with a raised eyebrow. "I um, I read up about vampires who get hurt, o-or starved, because that's what Spike is like right now? So, I found these different herbs and stuff, a-and if you mix it in the blood you give him, it should help accelerate his healing."

"You did this for him?" Angel is surprised as he opens it, seeing varying bags filled with dried powders labeled for a feeding schedule.

"I may not like him, n-not that it's like a bad thing, but no one deserves to be starved, you know?"

"...thank you, this is very sweet of you." Angel's praise was soft, making Willow blush a little bit, and he gently reached out to squeeze her shoulder.

"L-Let me know if you need anything else, okay?"

"Will do." He nodded, and Willow wandered off to join Xander on the couch.

"She's still such a lovely girl." Wesley hummed, glancing down at his books.

"That she is." Angel shook the bag before closing it back up, stowing it in his breast pocket for later. "Was Cordy really worried that I was going to hurt the kid?"

"Well, yes?" Wesley coughed, avoiding his gaze. "Angel, may I ask you something?"

"Go ahead." Angel leaned against the closest wall with his arms crossed.

"You hate Spike, don't you?" Wesley began cautiously, heart thudding in his chest as he kept his gaze away. "You're quite upset with his state however, helping him despite the fact he nearly tried to kill you, so I must ask...why?"

"Hate is not the word I'd use." Angel sighed, closing his eyes briefly as Wesley watched without a word. "As much as he's done a lot to cause pain and irritation, Spike is family, the blood we share supersedes everything. I can't explain it in ways you'd understand, but he's a childe of mine, and I just...have to help."

"I'd say I understand, but for the most part I don't." The former Watcher winced as he scrambled for the right words. "You know I follow where you lead."

"I know, and I really can't thank you both for leaving everything to come with." Angel gave him a small smile, missing the look of surprise from Buffy across the room.

"Speaking of Mr. Hair dye, what are we going to do with him?" Cordelia asked, the conversation with Xander and Willow having trailed off as both men looked over. "I mean, I don't think we can exactly leave him here, not with the government doing all their...wait, what are you doing anyways?" Cordelia looked behind her, Riley once again squirming in discomfort.

"We -" He glanced over at Buffy, who just squeezed his hand. "I can't disclose government information to civilians."

"We don't need a whole dossier." Angel crossed his arms, his words twinged with a growl that had everyone sitting up a but straighter. "What. Do. You. People. Do."

"Learn about the enemy." Riley's response is terse, and he's trained his gaze on the floor.

The silence could cut through steel.

"By any means necessary, right?" Willow crossed her arms as Giles did the same. "That's horrible."

"I just help keep the peace."

"By hunting down demons for capture." Angel filled in the blanks, rather unimpressed.

"...that's the crux of it."

The silence dominates once more.

-----

The sounds of the shower alert Angel Spike is once again awake when he returns shortly before dawn, the older drawing curtains closed to make sure the main area was kept from the sun. His jacket is slung over the back of the couch, the torn duster carefully spread over the coffee table and cleaned at the least, judging by some blood-soaked gauze tossed to the side. Angel scoops up the trash and tosses it before going to the half-emptied duffle from earlier, pulling out the several types of sewing kits and varying thread he'd scooped up earlier to place them beside the familiar jacket.

"Reckon I can fix it."

"Most likely." There's a small grunt of acknowledgment as Spike retreats back into the bedroom, Angel moving to get himself a mug and Spike two of blood. The powder Willow had given him mixed in with ease, and by the time Spike returned with clothes that shouldn't have been loose, Angel is offering his mug.

"Cheers." Spike raised in before his face changed with a slight wince, looking down at the blood in hesitation before bringing the cup to his lips and taking a large sip. Whatever reservations there could have faded when Spike chugs, reaching for the second mug before he has enough time to set down the first.

"Ease up, I'm not cleaning up vomit." Angel rolls his eyes when the other gives a grumpy growl, but slows down as his grandsire scoops up the empty mug and takes it to the sink.

"Dunno what's in this, tastes bloody amazin'." The smaller man hums, one hand snatching Angel's jacket and draping it over himself like a blanket.

"Healing powder, though I don't think it tastes like anything." Spike grumbles something he can't quite hear, but a quick peek shows that the other keeps drinking. "Do you need more?"

"No, likely going to be sick if I do." Spike is lying, he could drink for days, but his stomach decides it doesn't want to listen as it roils at the first decent meal in ages. "Bloody soldiers."

"I met one, dating Buffy of all people." Angel tries to not sound irritated, but Spike giggles. "He hasn't said much. Yet."

"You'll make him sing, peaches." Spike sets the mostly drained cup on the coffee table before tucking his legs underneath the coat.

He's so bloody tired.

"I know I will." Angel isn't much warmer than he is, Spike's mind supplies, but it feels like the arm that magically appears around his shoulder is as warm as the sun. "You need to rest."

"Can't, not for long." Spike mumbles, rubbing his cheek against Angel's shirt unconsciously. "They'll find me..."

"No, they won't." The pompous voice is so soft, so gentle, and Spike wonders what he's done to deserve it. "You can rest, I'll be on the lookout."

"You can't lookout for shit." Spike tries to keep his eyes open, but the task is herculean.

"I'll get by." There is the soft voice again, and now a hand is running through his curly hair. "Sleep."

For once, Spike listens.

[emma-m-black]

Soul Mate Magic - Chapter Twelve

Rupert Giles x OC (FanFiction) - MATURE 18+

A new magical transfer comes to Sunnydale High, and ends up discovering a magical connection with our favorite Watcher.

OC is 19+ (Not a Minor), Age Gap, Slow Burn-ish (with a little preview thrown in there during the Bandy Candy Episode).

____

Okay so I just finished writing Chapter 20!! I'm so glad that some people seem to be enjoying this story and reading it haha 🩷 I cannot wait to get these all uploaded, and it is taking all my willpower to not just post everything right now, but I'm gonna try and do a few days in between each post.

____

Author Master List

Read: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven,

Chapter Twelve:

Since Christmas Eve, Rose had barely a moment to herself, suffocated by the constant presence of her new-found friends. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate their concern, but their pitiful glances and whispered conversations behind her back gnawed at her nerves. She needed time—time to breathe, time to think. She craved silence from their endless protection. When classes finally resumed, it was her first chance to at least be alone in the crowd, despite Buffy and Giles’s lingering disapproval.

The ride to Sunnydale High in Oz’s van was a brief escape, but not nearly enough. By the time Rose sat down for English, the weight of everything pressed on her once again. She let her mind wander, her pen idly scratching across the notebook page when she felt it—a flicker of magic, like the brush of cold air against her skin. Her notebook lifted ever so slightly off the desk.

Her heart pounded as she found a folded scrap of paper underneath. The ink had bled through hints of jagged letters on the other side. Rose glanced at Willow beside her, but her friend was engrossed in her own work. Slowly, with careful fingers, she unfolded the note beneath her book.

If you want answers, you need to get away from your annoyingly attached friends. Use the cafeteria exit. Your equally annoying family isn’t watching it. - Ethan

Her breath caught in her throat. Ethan. A trick, maybe, but what would her family gain from pretending to be him? And why now? Despite the warning bells ringing in her head, it was tempting. Ethan was part of Giles’s magical past—a piece of the puzzle Rose had been desperately trying to solve.

It’s worth the risk.

There was no slipping away unnoticed if Willow caught wind of her plan. Rose steadied her breath, whispering a word beneath it, “Subsisto.“ The world around her froze mid-motion: the teacher, the ticking clock, the tapping of pencils. Time held still as she darted from her seat, her bag and books clutched to her chest.

Once in the hall, the spell’s effect ebbed. She could already feel it faltering. Heart hammering in her chest, she rushed toward the cafeteria exit, knowing Willow would soon be on her trail. Sunlight blinded her as she burst through the doors, but she barely had time to register Ethan’s dark, triumphant smile before everything went black.

When Rose awoke, cold tile pressed against her cheek, the metallic stench of mildew filling her lungs. Disoriented, she blinked through the haze clouding her mind. Where am I? A dingy bathroom spun into focus, and her stomach twisted as fear anchored in her gut.

“What—?” Her voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Ethan’s face came into view, a smirk plastered across his face as he crouched in front of her. “Why, hello love.”

Her first instinct was to lunge at him, but a sharp jolt of pain held her back. She looked down—her wrists were bound in thick iron cuffs, etched with runes that pulsed faintly. Chains rattled as she struggled, securing her to a rusted pipe behind her. Panic surged through her as she reached for her magic, only to find emptiness. The familiar spark was gone.

“They negate your magic.” Ethan’s voice dripped with amusement as Rose continued her futile attempts to summon her power. “Did you really think I’d meet you without a way to nullify your power? Plus, this keeps you hidden from both your lover and your family.”

Rose gritted her teeth. “So, this was all just a trap.”

“Yes and no,” Ethan replied, standing up and dusting off his hands. “I needed to separate you from your babysitters. As much as I enjoy chaos, I have information you want and I don’t need the band of misfits trying to kill me.”

Her mind raced, but it kept circling back to Giles—how furious he would be, how reckless she’d been. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

Ethan’s smile widened, a glint of malevolence in his eyes. “Because it will kill Ripper to know the truth, and nothing gives me more pleasure than watching him self-destruct. So don’t worry, today is not the day you die, Rose.”

His words struck like a knife, slicing through her resolve. The air around her felt heavier, suffocating. “Why do you hate him so much?” Rose spat, though her voice wavered.

“Hate? Oh, darling, I don’t hate him. I pity him.” Ethan crossed his arms, his tone thick with sarcasm. “Your white knight, hiding behind his books, preaching about morality when he’s done worse than most of the monsters he fights.”

Rose’s heart pounded in her chest. “If I’m here to just listen to you slander him, you’re wasting your breath. Rupert is a good man.”

“Is he now?” Ethan’s gaze bore into her. “Tell me, those feelings you have for him—do they feel real? Or are they just a spell, carefully crafted to bind you to him?”

Her blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a spell, love.” His voice was low, almost gentle, as though he enjoyed watching her break. “Years ago, Ripper and I performed a little ritual. A spell to draw out the one person whose magic would perfectly complement our own. Someone who would satisfy every need, every desire. We were lonely men dear, you have to understand. However, it is my luck that your pesky family curse has made everything so much more fun. “

Rose’s breath hitched, the world around her narrowing into a suffocating tunnel. “A spell?“

Her heart splintered under the weight of his words. Everything she had felt—her attraction to Giles, her growing connection—was it all fabricated and by Giles himself? Tears stung the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to give Ethan the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.

“We thought we did it wrong, that it didn’t work. Then, to my surprise, about five years ago, I found him. Hugh was my everything; we complimented each other perfectly... until the Watchers killed him for using dark magic.” Ethan’s voice was quieter now, but the bitterness behind his words cut deep. Then he left the room, his retreat leaving a hollow silence.

Rose’s pulse quickened, her heart pounding against her chest. It wasn’t just the realization that Ethan had lost someone—someone who completed him, just like she thought Giles did for her—but the creeping fear that slithered into her mind. Was her bond with Giles just an illusion? Just another manipulation?

“So this is all revenge on Rupert because the Council killed the man you bewitched into loving you?” she asked, her voice strained as she pulled at the cuffs, trying to loosen her wrist even a fraction.

Ethan reappeared, a twisted smile tugging at his lips. “No, I’ve wanted revenge on Ripper for much longer than that. Hugh... he gave me a purpose, a new life. But now that he’s gone, what else is there?” He stepped forward, the glint of something cold in his hand catching Rose’s attention.

Her heart dropped as she saw the blade—a ceremonial dagger, its hilt adorned with the same runes that marked her family’s coven. Recognition hit her like a punch to the gut. “How did you get that?” Her voice trembled with fear she could no longer suppress.

“You’re not the only one with friends, love.” Ethan’s smirk deepened as he leaned casually against the doorframe. He twirled the dagger, the metal catching the dim light, making her stomach churn. “Now, here’s where you find yourself, Rose. I want access to your coven’s magic. In exchange, I’ll give you the spell to sever the magical aspect of your romantic connection with Ripper. He’ll still be your guardian in this little curse of yours, but you’ll be free from the... nasty effect your death will have on him.”

Rose felt the walls closing in, her breaths growing shallow as panic settled in her chest. “Why would I even bother? I’m going to die anyway. What difference does it make?” The words came out sharper than she intended, though beneath them was a thread of desperation she couldn’t mask.

“The spell, love.” Ethan’s eyes gleamed with a cruel satisfaction. “Judging by how close you two were when I first met you, I’d wager you’ve already consummated your bond—emotionally and physically. That’s how the spell fully connects, you see. It ties you to each other in ways you can’t escape. If you die...” He let the words hang in the air, his grin widening. “Rupert dies too.”

Rose’s heart stopped, her blood running cold. “What?” Her voice barely escaped her lips. A strangled whisper as the weight of his words settled on her like a shroud. “But...”

Ethan’s smile widened. “But I’m alive, aren’t I? See, I severed the connection between myself and Hugh long before his death. I’m not one for being tied down and when I realized the love, I felt was a result of the spell, I found a way to break it.” He paused, watching her intently, savoring her unraveling. “Unfortunately, we really did love each other, so it still felt like my heart was being ripped out when his was pierced with a dagger. So, here’s your dilemma, love. If you die, are you going to take Ripper with you?”

“No...” Rose’s throat tightened, her vision blurring as tears welled in her eyes. The book Anya had shown her—the passage about the bond—it had been true. All of it, just not in the context they thought. “No,” she whispered again, as if saying it enough times would make it false, but deep down, she knew. She had known for a while that what she felt was deep down was only magic.

“You really are unlucky, aren’t you?” Ethan cooed, circling her like a predator, savoring its prey. “Cursed by your ancestors and bewitched by a warlock... It’s almost poetic.”

The first tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it, but once it started, more followed. She couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions crashing into her all at once. The love she thought was hers—real and pure—was a fabrication, an enchantment woven into the very fabric of her being.

“So... it’s all a lie?” Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. The room felt impossibly small, the walls pressing in as her heart broke into pieces.

“No, not entirely. The love I felt for Hugh was still there after I broke the spell, even when I didn’t want to feel it.” Ethan crouched down in front of her, brushing a tear from her cheek with a mockingly gentle touch. “The connection would have been there, but without the spell and given your age differences, you’d have dismissed it as a fleeting crush. And Rupert, well, he would’ve remained the saintly, rule-abiding Watcher, keeping his distance, never acting on his feelings.”

A sob caught in her throat as another tear slipped free. Ethan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched her crumble. “But I could have never expected what I would find here in Sunnydale, here you are... bound to him in ways you can’t control. Tell me, Rose, do you really want to take him with you to the grave?”

Rose closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the cold wall, feeling utterly defeated. Her mind raced, spinning through the impossible choices laid before her. She couldn’t bear the thought of Giles—Rupert—dying because of her. But to sever the bond meant surrendering to Ethan, allowing him into her coven’s magic. Was there any way out? Any path that wouldn’t end in ruin?

“I can’t do the ritual like this.” Her voice was hoarse, broken as she lifted her shackled wrists slightly in a half-hearted gesture.

“I’m well aware,” Ethan responded smoothly.

“Well?” Rose whispered, her voice trembling as she glanced down at the enchanted cuffs biting into her wrists.

“I’m not stupid, love,” Ethan replied smoothly, his tone condescending as he eyed her restraints. “I’m not releasing you until we’re ready for the ritual. Besides, I’d like Ripper to stew in his own guilt a little longer before we meet up again. Once the time comes, we’ll gather with your do-gooder friends, and once you’ve brought me into the coven, I’ll give you the spell to sever your connection with your beloved Watcher.”

He straightened himself, his gaze cold and calculating as it bore down on her. “But I think I’d like to see you a bit weaker before that. Can’t have you overpowering me, now can we? You see, with those cuffs binding you, the longer you and Ripper are apart, the weaker you’ll both become.” His smile was a cruel, deliberate thing, full of satisfaction. “Gotta even the playing field somehow, because I want to enjoy watching Rupert lose yet another woman he cares for.”

Rose’s heart pounded painfully in her chest as Ethan turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him. The moment she was alone, the silence of the musty bathroom swallowed her whole. It was as if every fear and doubt she’d been holding back came crashing down in an unrelenting wave. Her breath hitched, and before she could stop it, the sobs ripped from her throat, raw and helpless.

Her body shook as she cried, the weight of Ethan’s words crashing over her. Every tear that fell was a reminder of how trapped she was—physically, emotionally, magically. The truth carved itself deeper into her heart with every ragged breath. Her love for Giles twisted into a cruel, unnatural connection. It wasn’t real, none of it was real.

And yet, the pain that tore through her wasn’t a lie. The fear of what was happening to them—of what could happen to Giles—was all too real. Ethan’s game, his twisted manipulation, had reduced her to this—bound, broken, and desperate, with no clear way out.

Each sob that wracked her body felt like a betrayal of her own strength, but she couldn’t stop.

Chapter Thirteen

[mcgnagallsarmy]

Spuffy style Reading Challenge - #27: Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge #3

1st month - Secret, Heaven, True, House, Come, Only, Know, Winter:

A Wonderful Awful Idea by The Danish Bird [NC-17]

With nothing apocalyptic looming on the horizon and hoping to avoid a certain thick-headed commando, it seems like the perfect opportunity when Giles mentions a monster terrorising the good people of Lake Tahoe. What could be more merry than a Christmas trip to the mountains to investigate? The gang is all coming along, defanged vampire in tow. Buffy should totally be able to deal with the demon, ignore Spike and their recent “engagement,” enjoy some resort-town shopping, and be back with Mom on Christmas Eve. Right? What could possibly go wrong? Set in season 4 at the beginning of Doomed.

2nd month - Heir, Night, Bride, Down, Women, Hand, Teach, Guest:

Drive by Holly [NC-17]

Freshly turned and very grumpy about it, Buffy finds herself in a weird place. One where her friends smell like food, her former mortal enemy smells like heaven, and the so-called love of her life has made it clear that killing her is on his to-do list. Throw in some overly zealous army guys and this is not Buffy's idea of a party. So she and Spike decide to hit the road at least long enough to figure out why neither of them can hit anything else. And since they're both single and free, well, Buffy wouldn't say no to a distraction from the never-ending laugh riot that is her life. And Spike can be very, very distracting. Good thing soulless vampires can't fall in love or she might be in trouble.

3rd month - Story, Hunt, Plot, City, You, Cry, Another, Paint:

I Can Get Money by scratchmeout [NC-17]

Spike puts his past to good use to get money for Buffy. However, things become complicated when her ex shows up and targets Spike.

4th month - Darling, Funny, Familiar, Somewhere, List, Meet, Never, Word:

First Alternate by Soulburnt [NC-17]

After ‘Not Fade Away,’ Angel gets the Shanshu. A thrilled Buffy gets her curse-free soulmate. And Spike? He gets his heart shattered again. Gutted and seeing no point in staying in a world without his Slayer, Spike doesn’t hesitate when pursuing a deadly demon through a portal. He finds himself stuck in an alternate reality where he truly died closing the Hellmouth. He also finds another Buffy, one who is devastated that her Spike didn’t believe she loved him. They console each other over their losses… but are they only consolation prizes? Or can two heartbroken people get a second chance for love?

5th month - Library, Dark, Drown, Ex, Iron, Done, Love, Stranger:

If I'm Butter Than He's a Hot Knife by scratchmeout [NC-17]

Buffy meets a man at a bar on Valentine's Day.

6th month - Ink, Fragile, Road, Summer, Breath, Every, Push, Sorry:

Favor by EllieRose101 [NC-17]

Spike asks an impossible thing of Buffy––and is stunned when she says yes. Could he really have gone up in her estimation?

7th month - Mine, Again, Honey, Paradise, Still, Club, Train, Legend:

Eucharist by Holly [NC-17]

He had it all. The prophecy and the girl, merrily ever after and all that rot. But life doesn't stop.

8th month - School, Cut, Sky, Fate, Wing, Belong, Justice, Way:

The Time We Had by Dusty [NC-17]

She was there and then gone. All his life long.

9th month - Twice, World, Man, Quiet, Sweet, Hold, Shallow, Invisible:

Pardon My French by Girlytek [R]

In retrospect, it was probably a bad idea to let Buffy perform a spell in French. Begins at No Place Like Home.

10th month - Vampire, Here, Mist, Death, One, Missing, Bite, Witch:

Sweet William by cawthraven [PG]

After the fall of Sunnydale, Buffy’s living in Boston and working as a waitress, grateful that here, not everyone knows her name. She’s free for once to be herself—and to grieve.

11th month - Spice, Life, Hello, Keep, Truly, Couple, Joy, Young:

Candy Corn Mischief by honeygirl51885 [NC-17]

Spike gets roped into taking Dawn trick-or-treating.

12th month - Snow, Season, Ice, Merry, White, Under, Mistletoe, Inn:

A Christmas Wish by all choseny [PG-13]

On one lonely Christmas Eve, Buffy makes a wish to a stranger and is given a glimpse of what might have been with Spike.

[davidchiemcore]

transcript for DRDT Prologue Episode Three

Teruko: Why don’t we talk to that person next?

Xander: Hello there, we–

Arturo: Arturo Giles, Ultimate Plastic Surgeon. That’s what you want out of me, right?

Ultimate Plastic Surgeon - Arturo Giles

Arturo: We both have made sufficient introductions, so I’ll be taking my leave now.

Xander: Whoa, wait. Why are you leaving so soon?

Arturo: You two are far beneath my standards and are not worth my time, that’s why.

Xander: Excuse me?

Teruko: Erm, what standards are you talking about?

Arturo: Tch. Do I need to spell it out any more for you two?

Arturo: You two are ugly. And I don’t talk to ugly people. So get out of my sight.

Xander: …

Xander: …I’m confused.

Arturo: What is there to be confused about? I made my point perfectly clear.

Xander: Your standards for talking to people is based on their physical attractiveness? That doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Xander: Also… I’m not that unattractive. I’m not, right, Ms. Teruko?

Teruko: …It’s okay, Xander.

Xander: Wait, what’s that supposed to mean??

Teruko: Anyway, Arturo, you said your talent was Plastic Surgeon? I guess to an extent, it would explain why you’re focused on physical beauty so much.

Teruko: But going as far to say that you won’t even talk to people you think are unattractive is, how do I say, ridiculous.

Teruko: Do you possibly think that you’re so astonishingly attractive that you think you’re above us?

Arturo: Ugh, making me explain things to you… This is why I hate interacting with the hoi palloi.

Arturo: It doesn’t matter what I look like. After all, in the end we are nothing compared to those people.

Teruko: “Those people”?

Arturo: Yes, indeed… Those people… THose celebrities, actors, idols, who adhere so strictly to a beauty code and who have sacrificed everything for their appearance.

Arturo: That upper class who has attained a higher form with their perfect standards of beauty… Their elegant forms! Their stunning grace! Everything about beautiful people is so heavenly!

Arturo: Indeed, compared to those otherworldly gods, average people like us are merely a lower caste meant only to idolize them!

Arturo: That is the true purpose of my talent. I am only meant to serve those who are beautiful, help them attain even more magnificent forms!

Teruko: …

Xander: …

Teruko: Xander, we’re talking to a lunatic. I don’t have any clue what he’s even talking about. I think we should leave, right now.

Xander: Hey, no backing down, Ms. Teruko. Besides, we’re trying to gather information, remember?

Teruko: Something about this guy just makes me want to stay as far away from him as possible.

Xander: Hey, Mr. Arturo.

Arturo: Oh. I forgot I was still talking to you. What do you want?

Xander: First of all, can you stop talking about “attractive people?”

Xander: Second of all, do you know anything about our current situation?

Arturo: First of all, no.

Arturo: Absolutely not. Secondly…

Arturo: Hmm. All I can say is, the infirmary seems abnormally well stocked.

Arturo: Normally, an infirmary for a regular building would not contain surgical supplies, partly because there are not many people who are trained to use them.

Xander: The medical bay has that sort of equipment? I didn’t see anything like that; it must have been in storage.

Xander: Has whoever brought us here anticipated that there would be a surgeon amongst us and brought the necessary equipment?

Teruko: The alternate explanation is that whoever made this place expected that, for whatever reason, we’d be seeing a lot of serious injuries in the future.

Arturo: The latter explanation seems more likely. After all, there is quite a variety of equipment that would serve no use for cosmetic surgery, which is my speciality.

Arturo: …Not that two peasants like you would know anything about it. Run along now and leave me be.

Xander: Peasants? Is that really how he views others?

Teruko: I think I’m starting to slowly understand his worldview the more I talk to him.

Teruko: …No I don’t!! Just what on earth is he going on about??

Xander: If something goes wrong, it’d be useful to have someone like Mr. Arturo around who has medical training.

Teruko: It’s just that…

Teruko and Xander: I wouldn’t want this creep to operate on me!

Teruko: Next person is…?

Levi: Hello. Do you two wish to introduce yourselves to me, now?

Xander: That’s right.

Xander: I’m Xander Matthews, the Ultimate Rebel. And this is Ms. Teruko Tawaki, the Ultimate Lucky Student.

Levi: Hmm, it seems like you’re trying to create a striking appearance with your style of dress but are mostly wearing accessories on top of a school uniform. Do you come from a private school?

Xander: Oh, right, this uniform. It’s my old boarding school’s uniform. It’s pretty lame.

Levi: On the contrary, I think it accentuates your personality well.

Levi: You are trying to make use of whatever clothing or style is forced upon you by society and altering it to create something new and original.

Levi: Just from your clothing alone, I can tell that you are an unorthodox person who doesn’t like to be constrained by rules but knows how to make use of what he’s been given.

Xander: Whoa! You can tell that much by my clothing? That’s incredible! Who are you, anyway?

Levi: Ah, my apologies. I was so focused on analyzing you that I neglected to introduce myself.

Levi: I am Levi Fontana, the Ultimate Personal Stylist. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Ultimate Personal Stylist - Levi Fontana

Xander: Ah, guess that explains why you know so much about clothes. No wonder you seem like such a cool person. I suppose someone like you knows everything there is to know about style.

Levi: I don’t wish to mislead you into thinking that I am an expert in my field. I am actually a novice when it comes to fashion.

Levi: The truth is, I only turned towards this talent recently. I was quite a different person in my past…

Levi: Although that is not something I wish to discuss, my apologies.

Teruko: He turned his gaze to me.

Levi: As for you…

Levi: Oh, dear.

Teruko: Ah, geez. Are you going to talk about my outfit now? I know that I’m probably dressed a little too shoddily for my first day of school. I probably look like a mess.

Levi: No, it’s not that.

Levi: Judging from your battered outfit and your bandages, you seem like a person who gets injured very frequently.

Levi: I’m very sorry. I don’t know whatever circumstances you were in prior to our meeting, or what caused those injuries of yours. It’s a real shame.

Levi: As long as I am your classmate and acquaintance, I will do my best to keep you safe from now on.

Teruko: A–ah, that’s incredibly nice of you. Thank you so much.

Levi: If there is anything the two of you need, just let me know and I will be happy to help to the best of my abilities.

Xander: I’m relieved; it turns out that Levi’s an incredibly nice person.

Teruko: Right. I wonder what happened in his past, though? He brought it up but didn’t elaborate.

Teruko: It’s probably best not to pry.

Teruko: Hello there.

Ace: Huh? The fuck do you want, bitch?

Teruko: Eh?

Xander: Hey, don’t talk to Ms. Teruko like that. What gives you the right to be so rude?

Ace: What gives you the right to talk to me in the first place, asshole?

Xander: You’re being the real asshole here!

Ace: You wanna fight??

Teruko: …I think this is only going to escalate unless I step in.

Teruko: We don’t want to start a fight, okay?

Teruko: Well, I don’t want to start a fight. Xander may be halfway there already.

Teruko: My point is, I just want to know your name and talent, and maybe a little bit about yourself? We have no negative intentions, I assure you.

Ace: Why should I tell you who I am? Why exactly do you deserve this information, huh?

Levi: His name is Ace Markey. He is the Ultimate Jockey.

Ace: Why did you tell them that–OH GOD IT’S YOU

Ultimate Jockey - Ace Markey

Teruko: Oh! A jockey. That explains–

Teruko: –nothing. By the way, Levi, did you do something to Ace? He seems quite frightened of you.

Levi: I assure you I have not done anything, at least to my knowledge.

Ace: Bullshit! You’ve been watching me ever since I got here! You’re probably, like, planning to beat me up or something!

Levi: I have been watching you because you have tried to start a fight with every single person that has talked to you thus far, and I would like to avoid the chance of an actual fight breaking out.

Ace: Are you just making things up? When is the last time I even did such a thing?

Xander: Are you kidding me? Just now, you had asked me if I wanted to fight.

Xander: Which, by the way, I’m perfectly willing to accept.

Ace: EEYAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

Ace: W–W–Wait, don’t come over here, I was just kidding! Please don’t actually fight me! Y–You look so scary, holy shit, get away from me!!

Xander: So, you talk louder than your fists, huh? You’ve been rude to us this whole time, but the moment you face any sort of consequences you instantly become a coward.

Ace: What was that?!

Levi: Please stop, both of you.

Xander. Tch. I’m not going to get riled up again over the empty words of someone so weak-willed. Besides, it’s clear to me that you’ve got nothing useful to say. Ms. Teruko, let’s leave.

Teruko: Just another minute, Xander. I still want to ask some more questions.

Xander: Suit yourself.

Teruko: …Xander sure is way too serious about this sort of thing.

Ace: What the hell do you want with me?

Teruko: Don’t come any closer. If you do, I’ll curse you with my bad luck.

Ace: Wh, wh, what?! Is that really true? S–Stay away from me at all costs! I won’t touch you!

Teruko: Wait, you took that seriously? I wasn’t serious at all. Look, I just want to have a normal conversation without you starting a fight.

Teruko: …A normal conversation standing 10 feet apart. Why did you back up so much?

Ace: How far is far enough?? Don’t come near me!

Teruko: …

Teruko: I just wanted to know why you’re so aggressive, especially when it seems that you’re unwilling to actually have a confrontation.

Teruko: Isn’t it tiring acting like that all the time? Why do you even want to come to this school?

Ace: Oi, speak up. I can’t hear you all the way over here.

Teruko: …

Ace: …Hm? You askin’ why I came to this school?

Ace: To be honest, I didn’t fuckin’ want to!

Ace: I don’t want to be an Ultimate. Hell, I don’t even want to be a jockey!

Ace: I hate horses and racing is so dangerous, it’s terrifying. What if I fell off and broke a bone? What if I died??

Teruko: Um, why are you even here then? You know you could have just… turned down the Academy’s acceptance letter, right…?

Teruko: …He can’t hear me anymore.

Xander: Don’t waste your time with this guy, he’s not going to say anything worthwhile.

Xander: Anyway, what exactly did you say to him? He keeps moving away from you.

Xander: …

Xander: He’s like, on the other side of the room.

Teruko: I just meant to frighten him a little, I really didn’t think he’d take it this seriously.

Xander: A guy like that will get scared by anything that moves.

Xander: Come on, let’s move on.

Min: …

Teruko: This person looks intensely buried in some sort of textbook.

Xander: Hello there.

Min: …

Xander: Hey, do you mind putting your book down so that we can talk to you?

Min: …

Teruko: She looks pretty engrossed. Maybe we should come back later.

Xander: I’m Xander Matthews, and I’m the Ultimate Rebel. This is ms. Teruko Tawaki, the Ultimate Lucky Student.

Teruko: You never give up, huh?

Min: …

Teruko: Uh, I don’t know if she heard us.

Min: …

Xander: Hey! Stop ignoring us! We’re not going to leave until you give us an introduction, you know!

Teruko: She slams her book shut.

Min: Hmph. Alright, I understand.

Min: I’d really prefer not to be disturbed when I’m in the middle of reading, but it seems that you two aren’t going to leave me alone.

Min: I am called Min Jeung, the Ultimate Student. It’s nice to meet you.

Ultimate Student - Min Jeung

Xander: Ultimate Student, eh? Any relation to your talent, Ms. Teruko?

Teruko: I don’t think there’s any connection between an Ultimate Student and an Ultimate Lucky Student. They just happen to have similar names.

Min: I have finished introducing myself, so…

Teruko: She opens her book and starts reading again.

Xander: Are you kidding me? We’re not done with you, so stop reading! Haven’t you got any respect for your peers?

Teruko: We’ll just ask you one question, and then we’ll leave. What do you know about the situation we're in?

Min: I don’t know anything more than you do. I think if I investigated a little, I could find something out.

Min: But right now, I’m more focused on memorizing this anatomy textbook I found in the medical room.

Xander: Wait a minute. Memorizing?? I’m probably nowhere near as smart as you, but that still looks way too dense!

Min: I can handle it. In a day, I could probably fully memorize the contents of multiple textbooks like this one.

Teruko: That’s incredible. I guess you are the Ultimate Student for a reason.

Xander: Well, that’s not what’s important here.

Xander: You woke up in a mysterious place with all your classmates, not knowing how you got here or what’s going on, and your first instinct is to start… studying?

Xander: I understand that you are the Ultimate Student, but still…

Min: You may disapprove, but it’s a simple fact that I must be constantly working to hone my talent in order to maintain it.

Min: Every single bit of free time I get is an opportunity that I can and should be using to do something productive. That is the only way I can maintain my position as the Ultimate Student.

Min: My school performance cannot be anything less of perfection. That’s the work ethic I live by.

Xander: I would understand if you were studying towards a specific profession, or a particular purpose in life. But just to keep your grades up?

Xander: Do you do anything else in your free time, other than cram?

Min: Sometimes I sleep.

Xander: Do you have any hobbies?

Min: I participate in various clubs.

Xander: Do you have any friends??

Min: Yes, I–

Min: I don’t need to prove myself to you! Just why do you think you have the right to pry into my life, anyway?

Xander: This is messed up.

Xander: See, Ms. Teruko? This is what I mean when I say society is messed up. We’re teaching people that the only thing that matters are useless rankings or grades, not actual talents.

Xander: And for what, to raise an entire generation of kids who can’t even see in front of their own faces, much less their futures?

Min: I can see through my bangs just fine.

Teruko: I think she’s missing the point.

Xander: What do you plan to do after you graduate? What good is memorizing a bunch of meaningless things once you needn’t take tests anymore?

Xander: Have you ever even thought of your own life outside of school??

Min: …

Teruko: She went back to reading.

Teruko: Xander… You may have good intentions in mind, but I don’t think lecturing strangers about how their talent and lives are pointless is necessarily the right thing to do right now.

Xander: Oh.

Xander: Well, when you put it like that… I guess I did come off as too rude.

Xander: Sorry. I just get so worked up over these things; it’s hard to stay calm when I do.

Teruko: You’re a lot to handle.

Teruko: Why don’t we just move on to the next person, then?

[crawfordtil]

Roleplay Request

Hello everybody!!! I’m looking for new roleplay partners for a few different fandoms. I do ask that you are 20+ since I’m 21 and I do enjoy more mature themes at times. Also I roleplay paragraph style, and I will add an example at the end of this post!

*characters I prefer to play will be bold

Fandoms & Ships

Reanimator | Daniel Cain x Herbert West

Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Buffy Summers x Spike, Buffy Summers x Giles Rupert, Buffy Summers x Faith Lehane

Twin Peaks | Dale Cooper x Harry Truman, Dale Cooper x Annie Blackburn, Albert Rosenfield x Harry Truman, Albert Rosenfield x Dale Cooper

Evil Dead | Ash Williams x Ruby Knowny, Ash Williams x Herbert West, Ash Williams x Pablo Simon Bolivar, Pablo Simon Bolivar x Kelly Maxwell

I’m open to other ships in these fandoms so please don’t hesitate to reach out!!!

You can either reach out to me here on tumblr or add me on discord @ crawfordtil to rp!!!

Rp examples

1. Herbert couldn’t stand these pointless parties, he’s sees more than enough of their coworkers on the clock, he has no desire to see them *off* the clock. Honestly, he’d love it if him and Dan just weren’t invited, it would give them all the more reason to spend time in the lab or *elsewhere*. If he’s going to drink, he’d prefer it in the company of their home, and usually he would’ve stood his ground and insisted they can *’let loose’* in their own home. Of course, that’s before they started dating. It was far easier to turn Dan down, but now those big brown puppy dog eyes *tug* at his heart a little too hard. He caved in embarrassingly quick, agreeing to go to the hospital outside of work.

And it was everything he’d expected; loud, boisterous laughter echoing throughout the building, fake excitement over their arrival (Herbert knows they’d rather he not show up, they can usually tolerate Dan), and an obscene amount of liquor. Herbert can’t deny that he indulged just a *bit*, it made it easier to simply *exist*. Eventually Herbert had enough of the bright lights and chatter, dragging Dan outside only to find himself pressed against the brick wall. Now *this* was far more enjoyable. “*Really*, I’d much rather be here with you,” he says, tilting his head to capture his lips in a *passionate* kiss. They definitely should not be out here where anyone could walk by, but Herbert can’t find it in him to care tonight, pleasantly heady from the alcohol and having his boyfriend pressed up against him.

2. Buffy wants nothing more than to stay on the plane with Giles, honestly she’d take London over this place, but alas, duty calls. She takes the lead, Sylvia at her side and the other two girls behind them. It’s freezing outside, she’s never once experienced cold like this, and *god* does she hope she never has to again. Not only is it cold, but the snow leaves little to be seen, and the howling wind drowns out most noise. It’s feels like hours that they’ve been walking around, surveying the land. There wasn’t anything special about it, a whole bunch of snow and scattered lights outside the compound, and no signs of life, supernatural or otherwise. Then again, Buffy’s sure if anything disturbed the pristine snow, it would’ve been covered up in minutes.

Buffy has never been more relieved to hear that they’re almost there, hopefully they’ll be able to get some semblance of warmth inside. “I think I see it up ahead!” She yells back, squinting against the relentless wind to make out the fuzzy shape of a decently large building. And while Buffy isn’t exactly happy about the fact they haven’t found anything, because that’s never a good sign, she can’t complain about calling it a night. They’ve spent all day cooped up in a plane, then the afternoon— or evening, she’s not sure— searching for demonic activity in an unknown place, they deserve a break. She can tell the girls are a bit drained, and she can’t blame them, but it’s nothing some food and rest can’t fix.

The sight of the buildings entrance is everything she’s ever wanted, today at least. Hauling the door open, Buffy waits until everyone’s in before shutting it behind her, tugging on it for good measure. “Let’s all stick together and look around before we settle down for the night,” she suggests. It’ll be good to get familiarized with the building and to make sure their monster isn’t hiding out in a room waiting to pick them off one by one.

[marigoldbaker]

yeah yknow what i wrote this today. i will put it here only :) i don't know WHO the target audience is (3 ppl?) but. sometimes a girl wants to put her girl places

Buffy noticed the girl first. Her hair was red and frizzy in a way that was basically asking for a Cordelia Chase dressing-down, and she wasn’t exactly thin, but she was surprisingly pretty even with all that happening. She was dressed like a grown-up, which…honestly, probably wouldn’t stop Cordy from saying something anyway, though it minimized the possibility that the blow would be cutting enough to take the girl out at the knees. Lady. She held herself like a girl, though, and she was about as tall as Buffy and Willow, which was probably what had thrown Buffy off in the first place. That, and the fact that she was sitting like Willow while Giles yelled at someone on the phone.

“—no, Thea, I am not being unreasonable, you’re being unreasonable!” Giles was saying. “To me? To a Hellmouth? Do you not have any other friends you can call upon?” A brief silence, presumably while the other person answered, and then Giles said, “Oh, I’m sorry, yes, of course your other friends are conveniently either indisposed or in England. Really, Thea, how terrible is—well, that’s hardly—she’s twenty-three, that is certainly old enough to make her own choices!” Another pause, during which Giles’s face reddened, and he said, “That is beside the point!”

“You can always send me back!” said the girl, raising her hand. British-y, Buffy observed, but not necessarily Watcher-y; the Watchers she’d met all felt a little more seasoned than this girl, and Giles probably wouldn’t be half so upset about another Watcher on the Hellmouth.

“Oh, I can, and I will, and as soon as I get this sorted with your mum, you are going back,” Giles snapped. Something on the other end of the phone caught his attention. “Yes, Thea, she is going back, because I hardly think that her falling in love with—what did you call him, a failed wizard? How is that even possible? No, don’t tell me—”

“He’s already buying a plane ticket,” said the girl helpfully.

“Marigold,” said Giles, “for the love of God, please let me manage this on my own.”

“Can I have the phone?” asked Marigold.

“Christ!” said Giles, shoved the phone at Marigold, and stalked into his office.

It was at this point that Marigold finally noticed the other person in the room. “Oh, hello, Buffy!” she said, as though they’d been friends for quite some time—which, yeah, sure, maybe everyone in England knew about Buffy, or at least everyone in England who knew Giles, so Buffy decided to just sit down and watch this. Way more fun than trying to do early-morning trig homework.

Marigold shifted the phone to her ear. “Hi, mumma!” she sang out. “You know he’s not going to change his mind. Mhm. Well, you know I’m not going to change my mind, and neither is my sweetheart. Hm. Yes. Yes. So is your plan to just send me to get killed on the Hellmouth, then? Because you know I’m very accident-prone and have a tendency for—well, yes, Mr. Giles is here, but there’s really only so much Mr. Giles can do, given the circumstances, and especially if he’s watching over a Slayer of his own, and I’d hardly call protecting me a Slayer’s top priority when really what she’s doing is—no, I am not being difficult. You’re the one who sent her daughter to a Hellmouth rather than accepting that she is getting married, never mind what you have to say about it.”

Oh, this was definitely going to be the topic of lunchtime conversation. Buffy pulled out a bag of popcorn.

The rustle of the bag opening caught Marigold’s attention. She glanced half over her shoulder, grinned a bit, and said, “By the by, mumma, Mr. Giles’s Slayer is positively adorable! So I hardly intend to put her out, asking her to protect me—yes, well, if you think I’m making unwise choices, perhaps you shouldn’t have sent me mostly unsupervised to a foreign country! Why, who knows what sort of wizards I might meet here? In point of fact, I believe Mr. Giles mentioned an Ethan Rayne surfaced here more than once—”

The dial tone rang out. Marigold dropped the phone delightedly and called, “Mr. Giles, she hung up on me!”

Giles poked his head out of his office and said, “And why did she do that?”

“I like to believe I was so desperately insufferable that she’s on the next plane over to Sunnydale,” said Marigold, “and then she’ll take me back home, and I can do what I like without her deciding on my behalf to send me here. Which, of course, I don’t mind overly, I just think she isn’t thinking very critically—”

“Nor are you,” said Giles. “Marigold, how old is this man?”

“Oh, wow, Giles,” said Buffy, unable to keep herself out of this part of the conversation. “So I date a guy two hundred years older than me and you don’t bat an eye, but this totally British grown-up is dating some wizard guy who’s probably totally human, probably way younger than Angel, and that’s a problem?”

Giles didn’t seem to know what to say to that.

“Buffy!!!” said Marigold exuberantly, as if they’d been besties forever, which, actually, Buffy kind of liked. Besties in dating older guys, apparently. “Come sit next to me and tell me all about your paramour. Mr. Giles didn’t say anything about that!”

“Thea is going to kill me,” said Giles to the ceiling. “Thea is going to fly here, see this conversation happening, and kill me.”

“Entirely your fault for negotiating with Thea,” said Marigold primly.

“I didn’t—you showed up at my house—she told me after the fact!” said Giles, who seemed too outraged to string a full sentence together without a few others tagging along.

Marigold took the phone and began dialing another number. Giles sat down heavily in the chair next to Buffy and buried his face in his hands. “Hello, sugarplum!” she sang. “Oh, of course it’s me! Don’t worry about that; this phone’s a Council phone, so it can make international calls magically and free of charge—”

“Are you calling him?!” said Giles, and made a mad dash for the phone.

Marigold yanked the phone out of the wall and danced back. Normally that usually ended a call, but the phone crackled with a funny, fizzy sparkle that tickled Buffy’s nose delightfully. “I just wanted to make sure you know that I’m having a lovely time and there really isn’t any need to come down and collect me!” she continued, scrambling back and away from Giles as he tried to grab the phone away from her. “I’m personally looking at this as an all-expenses-paid vacation while mumma gets her head on straight about this marriage, which absolutely is happening, so don’t worry about that either.” She listened. “Yes. Well, I am with a Watcher and his Slayer, so I’m surely going to be completely fine and there’s no need for you to come down and—sugarplum? Sweetheart?”

She frowned at the phone, shaking the receiver. After it became clear that either the other person had hung up or the weird magic connection had cut, she tossed it back absently towards Giles, who hadn’t been prepared for this and caught it directly to the face. He crumpled.

“Oh,” said Marigold, “fuck!”

“Eh,” said Buffy. “This is just Tuesday for him.”

[ergothereforethus]

Basically my dream buffy/cordelia fic is this. post season 3, cordelia is done with the scoobies. she just wants to get on with her life, which at the moment is being a fashion major at UC sunnydale, and maybe acquiring a sporty boyfriend and cool friends. the problem is, now that she knows about the supernatural, she can't stay away. after witnessing a vampire attack on campus, she starts researching occult materials and designing monster-proof clothing for herself. one night, she's walking home alone in her latest creation and a vampire jumps out at her. buffy is coincidentally out patrolling and rushes over... but by the time she gets there, cordelia is totally fine, not a scratch on her. buffy is friendly to her and tries to get her to come back, but cordelia insists she doesn't need to be hanging out with such losers anymore; she has a life now. but the fact is, she's not really happy. her boyfriend is perfect on paper but totally boring. the clothes she designs for class assignments are okay, but making monster-proof clothing is the only thing that really feels creative. one day she runs into willow in the occult section of the library. and willow is all, "I thought you left this world" which means that buffy never told her friends that she met cordelia. oooooh. buffy has issues perhaps. so anyway they exchange some words. turns out they both want the same book, but willow got it first…. she says she needs to take it out for a few days…. but cordelia can come to her dorm room (or giles' apartment?) to read it also if she wants :) and cordelia of course says no ew I don't need you! and goes home. and then her bf texts like hey do u want to have a romantic dinner tonight? and she's so sick of him (several texts like hey babe how was your day? thinking about you<3 hello beautiful, to which she rolls her eyes) that she texts back spur of the moment like sorry I have plans tonight with some old friends. actually these are voicemails. and her roommate (popular girl etc) is like omg what a sweet bf you have<3 while cordy is rolling her eyes. and the roommate heard the plans so now she actually does have to go out so she might as well go to giles' apartment, nothing better to do!

and well I could go on but the document is like 2k words. you get the picture. obviously cordelia is going to start making monster-proof clothing for the scoobies. and she is going to have to take buffy's measurements for a body suit at some point. and it is going to be homoerotic

[drdt-headcanons]

one for each of the cast

Teruko Tawaki: will probably end up being somebody’s baby mama and living off that child support after she actually put up the child for adoption but pretends it’s alive for the money

Xander Matthews: I feel like he’s definitely the type to see someone cry and immediately try to make them laugh or cheer them up, and he will do anything from dad jokes to peek-a-boo to see the person smile again.

Min Jeung: She loves Brooklyn, Spanish and Sicilian accents. She really loves all accents in general and can understand almost anybody if any accent, but those are her favorites.

Arei Nageishi: massive Hello Kitty/Sanrio girl. I mean this girl has the stickers on her backpack, folders, dorm room, plushies, etc. she also definitely runs one of those hello kitty toxic female meme accounts that have like 25k+ followers.

David Chiem: There will be times before events where David just does not have the energy to shower so he will just drown himself in perfume and no one tells him that it smells like shit, but it does the trick for him.

Charles Cuevas: This man knows Spanish, but he can not roll his r’s. I’m telling you this man probably had Hispanic parents who were dedicated to learning English and never taught him Spanish, or they had been in the USA for generations. Everyone he knows rips on him for this.

Whit Young: This man drinks up reality TV. I’m telling you he probably watches every single Real Housewives and TLC for hours with just himself, comfy pajamas and a bowl of buttered popcorn.

Eden Tobisa: her parents used to buy her the Lego friends sets and she’d always throw away all of the men in the sets and build each of the sets so her women would have new spaces to have their love-triangle romance drama.

Ace Markey: he definitely lives on some sort of secluded farm and he’s just part of one big happy family, but he always feels he’s the odd one out because of his cowardice, and he was the only one who always got scolded about behavior and grades, so he feels excluded from his siblings.

Veronika Grebenischikova: before she got into horror she used to be a scene/skater kid and she had tons of hair extensions and jewelry made out of Monster tabs. She now is more into gothic subcultures and music.

Rose Lacroix: At one point her and her family were living in their car, so before Rose got into forgery, she would sit for hours until her moms got home and would either beg for money or rob people so they could afford rent for an apartment.

Levi Fontana: Levi’s older brothers are similarly built to him except even taller and even buffer, but they also acted much more tough and got into things and places he shouldn’t have. He learned his bad behavior from them and his parents who had mental issues and could not hold a steady job.

Hu Jing: Her family is always her number one priority but even though her parents are very kind and supportive, she always feels like she needs to lie to them and keep up being a perfectionist and a perfect balance of Chinese for her parents and American for her classmates.

Nico Hakobyan: loves the cottagecore aesthetic and even though they like baggy clothes with the tags cut off most of the time, if they had to ever dress formal for smth, they’d wear a cottsgecore dress.

Arturo Giles: definitely is a drag queen in his spare time or is trans female. He’s constantly up to date with everything celebrity including movies, music and social media, and is the most knowledgeable of people on pop culture at any moment.

J Rosales: her and her brother used to pretend to swap genders when they were younger and they are both transgender and afraid to come out to each other, but the swapping genders game is a core memory

Thanks for reading :)

:)

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Saturday, July 27

BUFFY: Where did you send him? ANYA: The land of the trolls. He'll like it there. Full of trolls. WILLOW: It's hard to be precise, though. Alternate universes don't stay put. Trying to send him to a specific place is sort of like... like... trying to hit a... puppy, by throwing a live bee at it. Which is a weird image, and you should all just forget it. ANYA: It's possible that he's in the land of perpetual Wednesday... or the crazy melty land... or, you know, the world without shrimp. TARA: There's a world without shrimp? I'm allergic. WILLOW: He, he's probably in troll land.

~~BtVS 5x11 “Triangle”~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Savor It (Spike, PG-13) by veronyxk84

burnin’ yearnin’ to learn (Buffy/Giles/Jenny, E) by evesock

spuffy drabbles: Normal is Overrated (Buffy/Spike, T) by spikesummers

[Chaptered Fiction]

Shadowed Suspicion Chapter 335 (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure xover, T) by madimpossibledreamer

But then he rose, brilliant as the moon in full, and sank in the burrows of my keep..., Chapter 1/? (Giles/Jenny, Ensemble, M) by ohrevienssoleil

1721, Chapter 1/6 (Buffy/Giles, T) by Dynapink

Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 3/6 (Lindsey, multiple xovers, G) by shadeshifter

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shadowed Suspicion Volume X, Chapter 28/29 (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure xover, T) by arcanedreamer

Knock, knock!, Chapter 15/17 (Buffy/Spike, not rated) by Popsy

The Right Swipe, Chapter 2/? (Buffy/Giles, E) by DancingAngel0013

Autobot Meets Vampire, Chapter 8/8 COMPLETE! (Faith, Transformers xover, M) by Philister

Pick Me Up, Chapter 12/30 (Buffy/Spike, T) by Dusty87

In Case You Haven't Noticed..., Chapter 29/? (Buffy/Giles, E) by Sdhuskerfan

Hungry Like the Wolf, Chapter 2/5 (Buffy/Giles, E) by fleetfootedfox

Secrets That We Keep, Chapter 7/? (Ensemble, M) by NegaCorgi

Once Chosen, Chapter 1/? (Buffy/Giles, Ensemble, M) by RowanIsabellaMcCarter

In the Company of Witches and Slayers:, Chapter 113/200 (Willow/Tara, E) by VladimirHarkonnen (TheLightdancer)

[French Language] Do as Romans do, Chapter 39 (Dawn/Spike, T) by OldGirl-NoraArlani

Faith of the Future, Chapter 3 (Faith, M) by LadyJDee

East of Nevada, Chapters 6-7 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Blissymbolics

Itty Bitty Wiggy Piggy, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by ClowniestLivEver

Blue Recall, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by VoronaFiernan, hydranjenna

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2], Chapter 36 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Ragini

Helped, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by Roboticghost

Arrive Before the Birds, Chapter 7 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by EverythingElse

School of Hard Knocks, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Melme1325

Way Out, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, R) by simmony

Love Lives Here, Chapter 90 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Passion4Spike

Night Carnival, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by tbd

Some You Lose, Chapter 19 (Buffy, Stargate xover, FR13) by lyapunov

Crave, Chapter 3 (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only) by NautiBitz

What the Drabble? Vol. 2, Chapter 53 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by VeroNyxK84

Love Lives Here, Chapter 90 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Passion4Spike

Indecent Proposal, Chapter 25 (Buffy/William/Xander, Adults Only) by harrisxander2

Risque Roommates, Chapters 8-9 (Buffy/Faith/Spike, Adults Only) by shithappens

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: spike (worksafe) by tacilustra

Artwork: [Drawing of Buffy and Faith] (worksafe) by ibtravart

Artwork: [Drawings of Buffy Summers] (worksafe) by tiaragloryart

[Recs & In Search Of]

ISO: Looking for a Faith x Buffy fanfic I read ages ago requested by gq_by_j

[Fandom Discussions]

there’s something about Buffy’s ‘hello Spike’ and her little smile that makes me desperately overthink this scene by youhavethesun

I do wish that Ted in Buffy wasn’t a robot by therulerofallpotatos

I think I get now why I feel so impatient during the Buffy/Angel scenes by agirlinsearchof

Buffy/Kendra would be such a cute couple! by agirlinsearchof

The main problem with Season 7 is that they set up character arcs and narratives and themes only to just drop them and do something else or ignore them completely by girl4music

I was kind of shocked by… well a lot of how Xander is in the first 2 seasons by yesbothways

[POLL] best buffy summers hair by evilwickedme

Merrick, my man! by redhatmeg

the first thing Angel does when he gets back from mourning Buffy by enigmatist17

Crazy how anyone– creators, fans, in-canon characters, even Spike himself– could possibly think his love for Buffy would ever stop by violettathepiratequeen

What type of Citroen did Giles drive? by ILLYRIAN

Bangel fans, What’s the appeal for you? by vamp-willow

Problems with the Bronze by Sorry-Personality594

Sunnyvale high has one hell of a school budget by Sorry-Personality594

Rewatching Chosen and realising this show is really getting on in years by JumpyParamedic32

Xander's bachelor party by Guilty-Tie164

Why do mental patients see that Dawn is the key? by 1800-burner

Is Dru actually crazy, or is it that she dgaf? by ginime_

Anya isn’t appreciated enough by the fanbase. by secretlifeofmex

I hated how Willow acted in The Body by cassandracurse

Season 4 : adult rewatch by bigbadllama

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Join the editor team :)

[thepunkmuppet]

disclaimer, this is from the buffy wiki and I have no idea where they got this information so it could be wrong, but in regards to the audible drama…

“ghost jonathan”??? hello??? the link just takes you to jonathan’s regular page, so it could just be because of his death and appearances as the first in season 7, but idk! maybe alternate universe jonathan is a ghost for some reason or we get our universe jonathan back as a ghost? no clue

juno dawson, aka the trans author who wrote the iconic “this book is gay” is in it! probably a minor role, but the idea of trans rep in the buffyverse makes me very excited!!

amy is in it, though she has been recast - probably an alternate universe scooby who works alongside slayer cordelia. a very interesting concept to me!

althenea is apparently a witch from a coven in england who met willow when she was there. she was only name-dropped in the show, so that is some crazy attention to detail lmao

olivia is coming back!! apparently in a starring role, although she isn’t on the main cast sheet. I would love to see her explored more, an alternate universe with her as cordy’s watcher or something would be absolutely awesome! but if she’s just there because she’s dating giles then i am not complaining, that man deserves a hot wife/girlfriend and some peace and happiness lol

that’s all I noticed, but if anyone notices anything else interesting or weird about this list then feel free to add in the notes

also apparently buffy will be mentioned, but definitely not in it as sarah has stated that she doesn’t want to ever play her again. bummer, I know, but at least she’s not being asked/forced to do something she doesn’t want to