#same with the vampire!xander doodle too

[aurora-boreas-borealis]

Doodle dump

The RPM rangers get a cat, Flynn goes through it, Anju and Kafei are there and Vampire!Xander

Quick pencil drawings! I’ve been struggling with burnout over the past week so I’ve gone back to drawing with pencil to ease myself into things again. (Apologies for my handwriting it is so scuffed)

Taglist:

Flynn with cat (suggested by @aeghina )

Flynn angst (suggested by me and encouraged by @lizzardwitch lol)

Anju and Kafei (suggested by @musical-chan )

[adashofniallandasprinkleoflunacy]

Vampy sticking his hand up bbs short golf skirt like this helps ur form 😌

Harry has his hand on her outer thigh, drawing random shapes and doodles on her bare skin as they chat while waiting for Niall to take his turn. His palm has been slowly crawling closer and closer to the edge of the skirt the longer they talk, and eventually he just bites the bullet and quickly ducks under the frilly baby blue fabric, not caring who might see. A cheeky simper highlights his features as he walks his index and middle fingers along Y/N’s inner thigh in a playful fashion, a boyish giggle escaping his throat when she starts squirming and tries to shoo him away. “Just give me a second, I’m trying to find the hole in one.”

“You’re gross.”

“Almost there, just gotta wade through the meadow.”

“Oh, fuck off.”

Meanwhile Xander and Adam are observing the whole scene from the snack table across the field, munching on tiny sandwiches as they watch the couple laugh and joke around, so hopelessly taken by one another that they don’t even attempt to disguise their affection.

Xander speaks first, tone disgusted and bitter as he watches Harry wrap his arms around Y/N’s lower back to draw her in for a kiss. “They’re so stupid. The matching outfits are bad enough, now this, too. So fucking annoying.”

“So annoying.” Adam agrees, taking a bite of his food with a dry expression on his face as their friends smile into each others’ mouths, bumping foreheads in a heartfelt gesture that makes him want to vomit. “Absolutely vile.”

“Like, get a room.”

“More like ‘get a grip.’”

A measured pause suspends the air between the two men, and then Xander speaks up again, voice less harsh and oddly resigned as he sighs to himself in defeat. “God, I’m so lonely.”

The other vampire doesn’t even hesitate to answer, dropping his cold facade in an instant and surrendering to the melancholy that lies below his irritation. “Me too, man.”

“The fact that Harry got someone before I did…I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life.”

“Same.”

“Now I can’t help but think there must be something wrong with me. If that control freak— with all his trust and abandonment issues and his insufferable narcissism— managed to get a partner before I did, then I must have some deep psychological issues buried somewhere. It’s the only explanation.”

“Should we call that therapist Mitch suggested?”

“Absolutely not. I’m not in the mood to be condescended by someone who doesn’t understand my problems in the slightest.”

“I mean…I’m pretty sure parental issues and struggling with your identity are human problems just as much as they are vampire problems, just on a different scale. You can always—”

“Now’s not the time to play mother hen with me, Adam.”

“Sorry…Want another sandwich?”

[ndkdndkdjdkdjkddjdl]

2/2

so that's their cryptic form yes but while they have a bit of sanity left

but in reality:

yyyeaaaaaassssss

also adding this too bc i like it:

oh and i did Xander too but its a quicker doodle

see this is why people dont like vampires (and werewolves)

they do infact act like animals too, hissing and growling, also violent and definitely would eat someone, both Siren AND Xander would. They dont talk much while the "animal-like" instincts are increased bt they can talk and usually do when the last shred of humanity returns. They have the same voice but it comes out a bit.. distorted? (Basically the same difference as The Owl House, Eda's voice's difference between normal vs cryptic form)

[killian-spey]

Death Would Be Kinder [Prologue]

Next Ch.

[Drusilla/Spike/Calendar!Reader]

Words: 1591

Fic Concept: Jenny Calendar’s sister spends some “quality time” with the Season 2 Vampire Squad.

TW/CW: violence

AN: Idea came from @prose-for-hire ‘s submission to the fic title game. It's a tad different from the original concept, but I just had so much fun with it! (Planned to be somewhere between 5-10 parts.)

It was Buffy’s 17th birthday today, but the mood seemed too heavy in the car for any giggling between the two of you. Truth be told, you both had a lot on your minds; not that you would have actually told her anything about your problems. You were staring out the window, picking absently at some dried paint on your arm; you never were able to master being tidy while you painted. Your older sister, Jenny, was driving the two of you to The Bronze, where the rest of the group was lying in wait to surprise her with a birthday bash. You made eye contact with her when she looked through the rear view at you, and you could tell she was just as worried as you were about recent developments.

Your Uncle had come into town recently and berated the two of you for letting Buffy and Angel get so close. Unfortunately for you and Jenny, if something didn't change quickly, Angel could lose his soul. All the work of your ancestors taken to curse him would be undone, and there would be no way to fix it. It's not that you wanted Angel to be unhappy, but the vengeance curse against Angel was not only important to your people, but possibly the thing that kept him from being a monster. If anything jeopardized that, it would crush Buffy and the gang. You didn't want to let anyone down.

Jenny pulled into the side street -having arrived at The Bronze- and you undid your seat belt. Before you could open your door, Buffy pulled your hand away from the handle.

“This looks funky, stop for a sec.”

You and Jenny both squinted, trying to see what she was even talking about. It took you both a moment, but sure enough there were two vamps clambering around on a truck in the shadows. Jenny tried to talk Buffy out of fighting them, but she left anyway. Something about destiny and all that. You were just impressed she could see that well in the dark.

Watching Buffy fight the vamps left you wincing, pitying the undead for having to go through such a beat down. You hung on the edge of your seat and leaned on the passenger seat in front of you. The two of you left in the vehicle hadn't had a chance to talk in private since Uncle had spilled the beans on the Angel problem.

“What are we going to do about the curse, Jenny?”

She made a face and shook her head, she didn't know what to do either. She knew more about the curse than you did -magic was never your strong suit- and if she didn't know, you both were stuck.

“If only there was a way to separate them.” You were spit-balling.

“Right, and how do you suggest we do that?”

She had a point, Buffy and Angel had been practically attached at the hip recently. You opened your mouth to speak, but paused as Buffy tossed the last vamp through a window into The Bronze. You and Jenny both made reactionary sounds that could only be summed up as “Yikes noises” and scrambled out of the car. Buffy hopped through the broken window and you both inspected the window. Jenny picked up a crate one of the vamps had been carrying and carried it inside.

After some pleasantries and some “Yeah, sorry! Vampires exist” talk with Oz, the group crowded around the mystery box. It was no secret that those vamps were Spike’s men, so whatever it was, it was definitely not good.

Your worry was confirmed when an arm shot out of the box, strangling Buffy before she and Angel managed to rip it away from her throat. According to Angel, it was the arm of The Judge. That meant Spike was building a one-man-apocalypse like some kind of demonic Lego figurine.

You glanced at Jenny, trying to communicate your plan silently as you addressed the group. “Someone has to take this thing as far away from here as possible- separate it from the other pieces.”

Jenny was quick, immediately understanding your idea.

“Angel, it has to be you. You're the only one who can protect this thing.”

It took a little convincing, but a plan was soon agreed on. You and Jenny shared a “Thank God” glance, secretly pleased that Angel and Buffy would be separated, at least temporarily. You could rest easy in the fact that Angelus wouldn't be loosed on the world in a freak accident of soul-losing proportions.

Or so you thought...

A couple hours later, you were back in the library doing research. Angel and Buffy had lost the box, and had everyone regroup to study up on The Judge.

To be entirely honest, you were doodling in your notes. Every text on The Judge said exactly the same thing, sometimes even verbatim. The Judge cannot be killed by any weapon forged by Man. It was exhausting!

Luckily for you, Buffy decided to break up the research with some good old fashioned recon, and Jenny suggested you go with them. Buffy was about to protest, but you cut her off.

“With the exception of you supernatural folks, I do have the best track record of holding my own. No offense, guys,” Xander seemed less than pleased with your not-so-subtle brag, but you continued anyway. “And, I’d be able to map parts of the facility super quick and easy. We’ll need that info if we plan on making a move.”

Reluctantly, Buffy and Angel agreed to take you with them and you snatched your notepad and pencil from the table, glad to be free from the texts and tomes… Even if it meant putting you in direct danger. You briefly wondered if maybe you shouldn't see a therapist about that someday, but shrugged it off as the three of you left the building.

---

Upon reaching the factory, the three of you climbed the fire escape and ducked into a broken, old window over a set of rafters. You had already begun sketching the layout of the rooms as you took in the sights below. It looked like some kind of party, to be plain. Vamps were crawling all throughout the place, a crystal bowl of what looked like punch rested on a table covered with cups in the middle of the warehouse space, and tall lattice-backed chairs were loosely strewn around a banquet table. You and Buffy creeper ahead on the grate walkway above it all. Your eyes were locked on the party, but you could assume Angel was following behind; he was too quiet for you to hear.

Your eyes fell on Spike, he was in a wheelchair. He seemed to be enjoying himself despite his weakened state, talking to someone just out of your line of sight. Not a second later, you saw Drusilla dancing her way across the floor, swaying to her own beat and sweeping the red chiffon ribbons of her dress through the air. Buffy gasped softly, but you didn't see whatever she'd seen.

“That's him. The Judge,” Angel whispered from behind you both and pointed.

You saw him, just as he craned his ugly blue head up to spot the three of you gawking. Fuck.

You spun to face the window, finding two vamps in the way of your escape. Buffy and Angel had flanked you from both sides, but fighting this many vamps was completely futile. Before long, the three of you were dragged in front of Spike, Drusilla and The Judge. Spike rolled his chair forward to get a better look at Buffy.

“Well, Well- look what we have here! Crashers.”

“I'm sure our Invitations just got lost in the mail,”

You almost rolled your eyes at Buffy’s one-liner. How she managed wise-cracks at a time like this was beyond you. Ignoring the monologues, your eyes darted around in search for an escape method. Nothing came to mind, but when you turned back into the conversation, Drusilla’s eyes had locked with yours.

She was ever so slightly swaying to music you couldn't hear and your eyes followed her intently. She raised two fingers, pointed at each of your eyes and gestured to her own. She beckoned you. She was enchanting. Beautiful. She was- she broke contact as Buffy suddenly made a move and you took a second to follow suit, twisting out of a vamp’s hold and knocking him -and accidentally yourself- off balance. You were suddenly unsure of your footing, almost groggy as you fought.

Angel pulled a chain, crashing a pile of video monitors you hadn't noticed down from their perch onto The Judge. The three of you scattered. You ducked behind some crates and heard Drusilla call for the lackeys to chase. You spotted Angel and Buffy slipping into a sewer drain and psyched yourself up to book it twenty feet to get there to join them. You took one last look behind the crates -Drusilla locked eyes with you- and you booked it, not entertaining her gaze this time.

As you dropped down the sewer drain, you caught a glimpse of her, just staring at you. You scanned both directions of the sewer system, but found no trace of Buffy or Angel. In a split second you picked a direction and ran. You didn't stop running. Not for breath, not to look behind you, and certainly not to entertain the nagging memory of Drusilla’s eyes, staring into your soul as they'd done just minutes ago.

Read Next Ch.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, June 19-Saturday, June 20

Connor: So, vampire slayers. I was told about them. How come you're always girls? Faith: I dunno. Better at it, I guess.

~~Salvage~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Radioactive (Giles, PG) by the_huffster

To Have and To Hold (Buffy/Giles, PG) by will_conqueror1

The Family Tea (Giles, G) by Darkheartwalsh

Old School Ties (Giles/Ethan, PG) by Darkheartwalsh

Rewind (Buffy/Giles, PG) by Darkheartwalsh

Never Enough (Giles, PG-13) by aaronlisa

A Day in the Life (Tara/Willow, M) by SometimesWaverlyDressesLikeAHooker

Reflecting (Crossover with Wiseguy, NR) by rosa_himmelblau

Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts (Willow/Tara, T) by SometimesWaverlyDressesLikeAHooker

Phoenix (Spike/Angel, M) by elisi

The Shape of a Thing Itself (Giles, G) by 23Murasaki

the holy dark was moving too (Crossover with Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, G) by Old Emerald Eye

Quiet Field of Flowers (Willow/Tara, G) by daisys-quake

William's Poetry for Miss Anne (Buffy/Spike, PG) by SzmattyCat

[Chaptered Fiction]

Shadowed Suspicion, Chapter 120 (Crossover with Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, G) by madimpossibledreamer

A New Understand, Chapters 1-5 (Giles, T) by cornerofmadness

Needlework, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by HollyDB

Unknown Factors, Chapter 115 (Spike/OC, M) by J_P_Lupine

Twilight for Anonymous, Chapter 19 (K) by regertz

Daddy's Monster, Chapter 8 (T) by rocket-queen98

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel The Full Story, Chapter 60 (T) by Lizzy100

Mist Swamp, Chapter 2 (T) by Kazakh Doom

Special Delivery, Chapter 13 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Behind Blue Eyes

Unknown, Chapter 44 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by sweetprincipale

Never the Same, Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by Wonder and Ashes

Blue Moon, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Callie8M

Waiting, Chapter 7 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by sweetprincipale

Strawberry Fields, Chapter 39 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Holly

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Buffy (worksafe) by Aaron Lopresti

Artwork:The Big Bad is in Love (worksafe) by French-Unicorn

Artwork:Buffy Summers (worksafe) by Whilce Portacio

Artwork: Xander Doodle (worksafe) by gh0stlatte

Artwork:That's because the dress is radioactive (worksafe) by French-Unicorn

Video: we fall but then we rise by To Shanshu in Fiction

[Reviews & Recaps]

A Buffy rewatch 5x06 Family by ettadunham

PODCAST: Heartthrob/That Vision Thing by Chosen – Buffy The Vampire Slayer Watch Through

[Community Announcements]

Now looking for award staff! by The Slayer Awards

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Multifandom: Writing Rainbow - Round Blue by wafflelast

[Fandom Discussions]

Age of consent in California is 18, right? So how come when angel and buffy slept together on her 17th birthday it isn’t considered a huge issue? by highonbandcandy

The poetry of Hush!! Tara is unable to act when she is expected to speak! But when all of Sunnydale is struck silent they don’t know what to do. But for Tara it’s her moment! by rainboisland

Bangel kink asks by we-pay-for-everything

Tillow ask prompts by daisys-quake and jenny-calendar

Banner and Icon Requests by spikenbuffy

Angel Rewatch: 1.11 Somnambulist by nightshade

Season 4: Your views, before and now by matt124

[SPOILERS] Whose death do you think was worse/more sad... by DangSavage

The juxtaposition of this scene makes it one of the top 5 heartbreaking scenes in all of Whedonverse by lanibear32

Favorite underrated Giles lines? by thewhimsicalbard

In Defense of Buffy's "shitty" friends by SosaLola

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By the way, I really like your dress by Use_Her-Name

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Question About Season 2 by booksmeller1124

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#20YearsLater by 1111Awakening

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Vamp Makeup by dead_frozen

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[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

PUBLICATION: Buffy The Vampire Slayer: 5 Unforgivable Things Faith has Done (& 5 Of The Most Heroic) by ScreenRant

[marshmallow-the-vampire-slayer]

MTVS Epic Rewatch #198

BTVS 7x14 First Date

Stray thoughts

1) I really don’t think Snyder would’ve gotten such a huge… oh, wait. Inferiority complex. Yep. He totally would.

2) I really don’t understand why Giles is so upset about Buffy having Spike’s chip removed? Like, he worked alongside Angel when he had a soul and not once did he show concern about Angel attacking them or going on a killing spree. Moreover, the chip had proven to be useless if Spike was under the influence of The First, so whether he had it or not was kind of a moot point at the moment.

Oh. I think maybe Giles was upset that Buffy didn’t check with him first. Like, how dare she make such an important decision without asking for my opinion?

3) Chao-Ahn is hands down my favorite potential. There’s no contest, really.

4) How convenient…

GILES I have to ask—why on Earth did you make that decision?

BUFFY Guess it was instinct, like you were talking about.

GILES I made that up!

5) It’s ironic that Giles accuses Buffy of letting her feelings cloud her judgment because I think that’s exactly what he was doing. Giles despised Spike, and I don’t blame him, he had reason to. But he was letting his hatred of Spike get in the way of seeing the bigger picture: if the First wanted Spike dead, then they should guard him at all costs because he might be a key player in defeating The First – as he rather obviously turned out to be…

GILES Buffy, I want more for you. Your feelings for him are coloring your judgment. I can hear it in your voice.

I’m not saying that Buffy’s feelings for Spike weren’t influencing her decision-making because they obviously were. But… Buffy’s emotions had always been her strength, her emotions are what drive her instinct, and the fact that she didn’t voice a logical reason to explain her choices doesn’t mean that they were wrong.

6) This is so me as a teacher...

PRINCIPAL WOOD Um, what're you doing tonight?

BUFFY Preparing for tomorrow's counseling sessions.

PRINCIPAL WOOD No, really.

BUFFY Watching a reality show about a millionaire.

7) Why would he keep his knife collection at the school, though? Doesn’t make any sense!

8) ICONIC!!

BUFFY You know, it's not even that he's acting that suspicious. It's just—there he is. On the hell mouth. All day, every day. That's got to be like being showered with evil. Only from underneath.

WILLOW Not really a shower.

9) That’s a clumsy way of admitting you once were…

WILLOW Right. Help you move on.

BUFFY Why does everybody in this house think I'm still in love with Spike?

10) I genuinely had to stop watching to laugh for a solid minute after this…

GILES Yes, and the language barrier is formidable. I was concerned that my Mandarin is a little thin, but as it turns out, she speaks Cantonese, which is thinner. But we muddled through, and, as I suspected, ice cream is a universal language.

BUFFY What'd she say?

GILES She's grateful to be in the land of plenty. 

11) Oh, the double standards…

ANDREW  Um, I follow Buffy's orders now. I'm redeeming myself for... killing you... I mean, for... killing Jonathan.

JONATHAN/FIRST Really, why? So you can earn a spot on her little pep squad? You think she'll ever let you in? You're a murderer.

ANDREW Confidentially, a lot of her people are murderers. Anya and Willow and Spike.

JONATHAN/FIRST Interesting. And you're the only one she makes seek redemption. Does that seem fair to you?

You forgot Giles on that list, Andrew.

12) I love the little callback to Conversations with Dead People…

BUFFY Well, it is unclear. That's why I chose a top that says, you know, I'm comfortable in a stodgy office or a swinging casual setting—or killing you, you know, if you're a demon.

ANYA It also says I sometimes get blood on my shoulder. Or it might be pizza. I don't think I can fix it.

13) Such a great delivery on Emma’s part here…

ANYA And I wasn't talking about your date anyway. I was talking about this sham date of Xander's. I think it's part of a plan to make me jealous.

BUFFY Well, it's not working.

ANYA Are you nuts? Of course it's working. Observe my bitter ranting. Hear the shrill edge of hysteria in my voice!

14) Oh, but he does care…

SPIKE Heard you got a date.

BUFFY Well, it's unclear. I mean, I have this whole theory about a promotion. Or he's evil.

SPIKE Buffy, I'm all right.

BUFFY You don't have to—

SPIKE What? Be noble? I'm not. Really, I'm all right. Think I still dream of a crypt for two with a white picket fence? My eyes are clear.

15) Oh, Xander, you’re still the same awkward dork you were seven seasons ago…

XANDER I'm just glad you're here. You're gonna love the coffee. Got myself a redeye—it's black coffee with a shot of espresso. It's kinda rough if you're not used to that sort of thing—

LISSA It's hot cocoa.

XANDER Well, sometimes I don't sleep too good.

16) ICONIC! So glad to see Giles’s gory doodles back, I fucking love them.

ANYA Giles made them for Chao-Ahn, and now she's locked herself in the bathroom. There’re other girls upstairs, and they're starting to complain.

GILES Those are flashcards. I made them to facilitate her training. Chao-Ahn never had a watcher. The language problem...

WILLOW You showed her these?

GILES I wanted her to understand the seriousness of her situation.

DAWN Holy crap!

17) Well, excuse you, Giles, but if I knew the world was going to end, I’d like to get laid. And seeing your flashcards is all the more reason to.

GILES For God's sake! How can anyone think about their social life? We are about to fight the original primal evil. These girls are in mortal danger. Didn't you see the flashcards? This isn't right.

18) I wonder why Xander doesn’t quite disclose exactly what was that he did to Anya… could it be that he knows is way worse than “bad” and he doesn’t want to seem like a douche in front of the girl he’s flirting with? I’ve said it before, I don’t necessarily disagree with Xander’s decision not to get married – although he truly picked the second to worst possible moment to do it. That being said, if you did the deed, own up to it, call it for what it was – you left your girlfriend at the altar.

19) It’s nice to hear Robin’s “origin” story, so to speak, but I felt the scene was lacking emotion and gravity. This was kind of a big revelation as far as the Slayer lore goes, you know? But it’s a scene that just goes under the radar.

Anyway, I also feel it would be very unlikely for Robin not to know Spike was the vampire that killed his mother before coming to Sunnydale. He says he was raised by a watcher, and we know there were written records about the Fanged Four. Plus, we know how Spike loved to brag, so if he truly tried to track him down, he would’ve found him.

20)

21) I still don’t see why they would take ANYTHING the First said at face value! Like, Giles hears this…

SPIKE Why did it appear to this one, then? I thought it was supposed to be pulling my strings.

ANDREW It said it wasn't time for you yet.

…and you can see that he’s thinking: “I’m right, he’s a danger to us all, we have to get rid of him immediately!”

But why would The First disclose its real intentions to any of them, especially the ones it’s trying to manipulate?

It’s just so dumb that they couldn’t read the First’s intentions properly, especially Giles of all people, it annoys me.

22) I find this moment really funny, but when exactly did Xander manage to send the bat signal? Or did he send the “I just got lucky” signal and thankfully they interpreted it wrong?

WILLOW No, it's a text message. Oh, it's from Xander. It's one of our signals.

AMANDA Signals?

WILLOW Yeah, the system we set up a while back. Like codes. Uh, this one's either "I just got lucky, don't call me for a while" or "my date's a demon who's trying to kill me."

KENNEDY You don't remember which?

WILLOW It was a long time ago.

DAWN Well, if we play the percentages...

GILES Something's eating Xander's head.

23) #awkward

24) And how annoying is it that Robin keeps LOOKING at Spike in the rear-view mirror? You’re not supposed to see anything in the mirror because he’s a vampire, ya mook! And if you happen to look in the mirror and not see someone who should be there, don’t you think you’d go “ooh”?

(btw, before anyone suggests this, he's not pretending he doesn’t know because later on when they’re fighting, Spike turns, and he goes: “you’re a vampire” all surprised!)

25) All you need to know about this scene, you’ll find it here.

26) This scene is glorious!

27) This is probably one of my favorite whole-gang dialogues in the show.

WILLOW What happened?

XANDER What do you think happened? Another demon woman was attracted to me. I'm going gay. I've decided I'm turning gay. Willow, gay me up. Come on, let's gay.

WILLOW What?

XANDER You heard me. Just tell me what to do. I'm mentally undressing Scott Bakula right now. That's a start, isn't it?

ANDREW Captain Archer...

XANDER Come on, let's get this gay show on the gay road. Help me out here.

BUFFY What if you just start attracting male demons?

DAWN Clem always liked you.

ANYA It would serve you right.

GILES Children, enough.

XANDER I'd need some stylish new clothes.

28) I think Giles’ speech would’ve resonated better if he hadn’t picked up the flashcards again, I mean, come on…

But in all seriousness, I get that he wants them to focus and he might have a good point that they seem to be distracted with trifles. But… don’t you think they needed that? Don’t you think amidst all the death and danger and apocalypses they’d want to have at least some crumbs of normalcy? Don’t you think that’s what has kept them sane and helped them plow through it all?

But let’s keep this reaction in mind for future episodes, okay? Let’s try and remember how Giles’s speech might have affected Buffy and the way she handled herself as a leader moving forward, okay?

29) I’m just going to leave this here…

SPIKE It, uh, it talked to the little boy. Said it wasn't time for me yet. I should move out. Leave town before it is time for me.

BUFFY No, you have to stay.

SPIKE You've got another demon fighter now.

BUFFY That's not why I need you here.

SPIKE Is that right? Why's that then?

BUFFY 'Cause I'm not ready for you to not be here.

30) This woman is just… stunningly beautiful.

31) Again, why would you believe whatever the ultimate evil has to tell you? I mean, this time, it was the truth, but Robin had no way of knowing that, and he immediately believes it? Everyone’s so dumb, it makes me angry.

32) I should probably re-read my recaps and figure out exactly when I started to get so pissed because I think I’m becoming angrier and angrier at the characters with each episode that I rewatch and I’m not even on Empty Places yet. I dread that moment.

33) If you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting it on ko-fi. Thanks!

[kevoreally]

#BuffyAt20 - S03E11“Gingerbread”

But this one’s one time at least! :D

> Ohhhhh my gosh, here we go. I actually love this one for a lot of reasons but it’s also a lot.

> JOYCE, you came along for patrolling?! Ugh, she’s too sweet.

> “It’s kind of an alone thing,” Buffy says, but actually your friends come with you all the time? So wtf.

> “It’s Mr. Sanderson from the bank!” Joyce is so precious.

> Sidenote: I’ve always loved the triangle symbol from this episode. I have a friend whose tattoo sort of looks like it, and I keep getting them confused, haha.

> Buffy has been in Sunnydale for almost two years. Like. Have there been no other child victims? I find that impossible to believe.

> The awkward Oz/Xander banter is delightful.

> Oh hey, Amy is back for her annual appearance.

> There is literally TEN SECONDS OF SILENCE after Xander’s awkward line about not being with Willow. That’s way too long. That’s how you filled that time instead of just talking about their feelings?

> Joyce says “Buffy told me you dabble” and that’s going to take on a WHOLE NEW CONTEXT soon.

> I can’t peg down Willow’s parents. It’s weird that this is her mother’s ONLY EPISODE EVER.

> Willow’s mom is SO TALL.

> Her mom read about this in the paper? It’s THE SAME DAY. Is that part of the demon’s magic or something?

> It’s really wild that Buffy doesn’t even know that the Mayor is going to be the Big Bad yet. Like, seriously, nothing he’s doing or done has come across her radar even once, and the season’s nearly half over!

> “Silence is this town’s disease.” Dang, Joyce.

> “It belongs to the monsters and the witches and the Slayers” - WHY YOU GOTTA CALL BUFFY OUT LIKE THAT, JOYCE?

> It’s Rilo Kiley’s Blake Sennett! Or Blake Soper. Or Blake Sennett Swendson, I’m not sure. He has a lot of names! But he was on Salute Your Shorts and Boy Meets World, and that’s all that matters.

> Michael was featured in one of my favorite Buffy spin-off novels, “Primeval.” So random.

> Xander says “Everyone expects me to mess up again” and I’m like WHO?

> “A doodle. I do doodle. You too! You do doodle too!” Love that line. Bless Willow.

> Buffy’s soft smile as Willow explains herself and says “happy birthday” - god I love their friendship. And then the way she slyly grabs the notebook with her notes? Amazing.

> Oz IMMEDIATELY GOES WITH WILLOW, jeez, I can’t.

> You’d think this episode would teach Giles a lesson about keeping his books here but apparently not.

> It’s not that I don’t like Mrs. Rosenberg in this episode but the appearances of Willow and Xander’s parents are so random, I’d rather they have stayed Charlie Brown-style and never be seen.

> “Come fill me with your black, naughty evil.” Gross, Willow, lol. Why didn’t you do an actual spell??

> “You will not speak to Bunny Summers again.” Classic.

>”Those books have no place in a public school library” - okay but that’s not wrong, tho.

> A lot about this episode doesn’t work but a lot also does. The scene between Buffy and Joyce in the dining room definitely works.

> BABY SHAWN PYFROM!! I don’t know the Little Girl (Lindsay Taylor) from anything, but Shawn Pyfrom, omg, call me.

> Ooh, apparently they BOTH appeared in a 2009 video called ‘The Alyson Stoner Project’? Weird!

> Xander’s “Frisky Watchers’ Chatroom? Why, Giles!” is great.

> What’s really amazing is that you don’t even notice no one is talking about the parents until it becomes a plot point here. They did an amazing job of that.

> THEY’RE USING INTERNET CHAT TO TALK, HOW MODERN, THE FUTURE IS NOW IN 1999.

> “Yeah, it’s all falling into place. Of course that place is nowhere near this place.” My life, Buffy.

> “I’m still spinning on this whole ‘fairy tales are real’ thing.” Really, Xander? With vampires and everything?

> Awww, and we never saw Michael again. I’d like to imagine, if Xander had been the gay one, Michael could’ve been his boyfriend. Another witch in the mix.

> So was Joyce really just holding a chloroform rag waiting for Buffy to show up?

> Cordelia’s continued inclusion on this show is so inorganic. She hates them - why is she always hanging around?

> Though I must say, Cordelia’s “One of these days you’re going to wake up in a coma” is great.

> “Just so we’re clear, you guys know you’re nuts, right?” Me @ most internet commenters.

> “We should stay close, have lunch.” This show is too clever by half sometimes.

> Aww, and bye, Amy! See you again in - gosh, three years, really. We get a cameo in Season 4 and then nothing again until 6.

> Okay, but Willow said she can summon 2 of the 4 elements. At least 1 should be able to stop fire, shouldn’t it?

> “Wolfsbane” lol, every single supernatural potion has wolfsbane, doesn’t it?

> We’re seeing a LOT of City Hall in this episode. Like, more than we ever see again, I think.

> So are we never going to talk about the fact that all of Giles’s books are on fire? Like. How did his collection recover?

> “Protect us! Kill the bad girls.” “Know what? Not as convincing in that outfit.” Good stuff. And then the “Did I get it?” Seriously, one of my all-time favorite slays.

> “We’re here to save you.” Oh Oz.

> This is one of those episodes that just sort of… ends. No consequences from the library being ransacked and Giles’s books being burned then soaked.

> Okay but can we talk about how it’s almost TOO dark that they really let Amy stay a rat for the next three years? They couldn’t call ANYONE ELSE?

> Woof. And on that note. Hey, birthday next week! I meant to say, I love that they kept saying Buffy’s birthday is next week. That’s a really interesting effort in continuity - especially from an episode that had no apparently consequences! Lol.

[burclay]

Be Held -- Chapter 5

“No one would think you were okay, B.”

Buffy stuck out her tongue at Faith. “At least I’m cute.”

ao3 chapter 1

The dreaded Scooby meeting did come, of course. After Buffy showered, she brought her food outside to find Kennedy talking to Xander and Giles, and as she came closer, she could tell that they were talking about what to do next.

“What about Cleveland?” Xander was saying.

“If we replace the Watcher’s Council in England,” Giles answered, “we will be able to send Slayers to every Hellmouth there is.” He paused when he noticed Buffy. “Hello, Buffy.”

“Hey,” Buffy said, joining the circle. “Is this the part where we realize we can’t actually sleep for the next three years?”

“Looks like it,” Xander said.

“Where’s Will?” Buffy asked.

“Still asleep,” Kennedy said. “That spell took a lot out of her.”

“Where’s Faith?” Xander asked.

“In the shower,” Buffy said. “Probably avoiding this conversation.”

“Actually, I’ve already spoken with Faith,” Giles said. “I’ve asked her to take a role in educating young Slayers. We have no clue how many there are going to be, and some of them will be coming from difficult and dangerous lives.”

Buffy nodded. “Like Faith.”

“Exactly," Giles said. "We’re going to have to organize, however." He turned to Xander. "Which is why I feel that we should go back to England.”

“That’s why?” Buffy asked. “Nothing to do with how much you miss scones?”

“What’s a scone?” Kennedy asked.

“It’s a British thing,” Xander told her. “Like crumpets, or Queen Elizabeth.”

“I do not want to go back to England because I miss scones,” Giles protested. “Or crumpets, or Queen Elizabeth, for that matter. I simply believe that we will be able to make use of the Council’s extensive resources and the foundation that already exists.”

“Shouldn’t we spread out?” Buffy asked. “We need experienced Slayers everywhere, right?”

“You and Faith should stay central,” Giles said. “As the Slayers with the most experience, we will need you to teach younger girls, and perhaps to step in when things get dire.”

“I’ll go anywhere,” Buffy said. “I’ve gotten over the idea of being able to choose.”

“Your life is yours, Buffy,” Giles said. “Perhaps you should consider taking a break before we start reorganizing.”

“I can’t,” Buffy said. “Not with all these new girls. Maybe when the new Slayers have some experience. Faith can’t teach them all herself.”

“It wouldn’t be just Faith,” Kennedy said. “I mean, I don’t have much experience as a Slayer, but I know stuff, right? Lots of us know stuff.”

Buffy sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I would do.” She looked at Giles. “I think I have to stay with you guys. I hate it, but I have to keep going. I have to help.”

“So, is England definite?” Xander asked.

“Not necessarily,” Giles said. “We will have to speak with Willow first, and Faith. We haven’t had long to recover.”

“Think there are any vampires near here?” Buffy asked. “I think Faith’s getting restless.”

“Just Faith?” Kennedy asked.

“Slayer’s gotta Slay,” Buffy sighed. “Seriously, I would love to just be able to kick back and watch some bad movies or something.”

“Could do some group training,” Xander said. “Get all the girls together, teach them to use their strength.”

“That’s actually not a bad idea,” Buffy said. “I bet Faith’ll be in.”

“In for what?” Faith’s voice came from behind Buffy, and a moment later her arm was snaking around Buffy’s waist. “You can’t be already making plans?”

“Just to do some group training with all the girls later,” Buffy said. “So we don’t all get too restless without anything to Slay.”

“Yeah, I’m in,” Faith said. “Girls won’t know what hit ‘em.”

“No hitting,” Xander said.

“You know what we do, right?” Kennedy asked. “It’s mostly hitting.”

“If we don’t do something to keep these girls active, there’s going to be hitting,” Buffy said. “Trust me, Xander. You want us to do this.”

“Plus, you know, lots of girls bouncing around,” Faith said. “Sounds like your paradise.”

Buffy stared at Faith. “Ew.”

“Seconded,” Kennedy agreed.

“Just telling it like it is,” Faith protested.

“Can we talk about something else?” Giles asked. “Anything will do.”

Kennedy grinned, looking over Giles’s shoulder. “Hey, Willow!”

Buffy turned her head, looking past Faith. Willow was walking towards them, looking far more chipper than anyone had the right to be.

“Hey, Ken, everybody.” Willow stepped around Buffy and Faith to get to Kennedy, putting her arm around Kennedy’s waist the exact way Faith had done to Buffy minutes before. Suddenly conscious of this, Buffy took an uncomfortable step away from Faith. She could feel Faith’s eyes on her, but she ignored it.

“We were just talking about what to do now,” Buffy said. “Since the big evil is gone and all.”

“What, no one new’s shown up yet?” Willow asked.

“I think we’re allowed a day off,” Xander said. “Just the one, though. We’ll be looking out for something coming at us tomorrow.”

Everyone laughed.

“Wow. When did that become funny?” Faith asked. “I mean, I knew I was messed up, but I thought the rest of you were okay.”

“Did you really?” Buffy asked, looking at Faith. “In your heart of hearts?”

“Yeah, good point.” Faith grinned a glorious grin at Buffy. “No one would think you were okay, B.”

Buffy stuck out her tongue at Faith. “At least I’m cute,” she said, turning back to the rest of the group. “So, if we continue this conversation, are we going to come up with anything new?”

“Probably not,” Giles said. “But we all need to be thinking about the next step. I, for one, don’t want to stay in this motel much longer.”

“You got that right,” Faith said. “I give it one more night before the girls revolt.”

Buffy looked around. Most of the girls were in various rooms, but a few were in the parking lot, looking through shopping bags and chatting with one another.

“We should clean that up,” Buffy said, gesturing at the bags.

“We should keep the clothes in the bus,” Faith said. “In case the girls want them. Is it unlocked?”

“I don’t actually know that much about buses,” Giles said. “Can they be unlocked?”

“The driver’s got to get on somehow,” Xander said.

“I’ll figure it out,” Kennedy said, peeling away from the group. Willow went with her, holding her hand.

Buffy started grabbing shopping bags, hanging them on her arm. Faith followed, taking the full bags from Buffy and bringing them to the bus, which Willow and Kennedy had indeed gotten open. A minute later, all the bags were on the bus, and Buffy leaned against the yellow metal and pulled Faith next to her.

“What do we do now?” she asked. “And don’t say we have to watch bad reality shows anymore, because I think I’ll explode.”

“Think the room’s big enough to spar?” Faith asked.

“If you want to explain to the front desk that we killed their lamp, sure,” Buffy said. “I guess fights in the parking lot are frowned upon.” She looked around. “We really do have to get out of this motel.”

“We’ll find somewhere to go,” Kennedy said.

“Possibly England,” Willow added. “Lots of room in England.”

“Have you been there?” Faith asked.

“Yes, actually,” Willow said. “I spent a while on a very nice farm. There were horses.” She paused. “I’m actually not the biggest fan of horses. But it’s the thought that counts.”

“So,” Kennedy said, “what’s going on between you two? Because my lesbidar is tingling.”

“Your what?” Buffy asked.

“She’s making fun of me,” Willow said. “And being rude about things that are really none of her business.”

“It’s okay,” Buffy said, grabbing Faith’s hand. “Isn’t this the sort of thing I’m supposed to tell my best friend about?”

“Hey,” Faith said. “Don’t I get a say?”

“Sure,” Buffy said. “Say something.”

Faith looked at Willow. “I’m gay for your best friend.”

Kennedy snickered. “You ever need tips, let me know.”

“Tips on what?” Buffy asked.

Willow pushed Kennedy. “Stop it!”

Faith laughed. “Don’t worry about us, Kennedy. We’re doing just fine.”

“I need new friends,” Buffy groused. “Maybe even a new girlfriend.”

“Too bad,” Faith said. “You’re stuck with me.” She slung her arm around Buffy’s shoulders. “Chosen two, remember?”

Buffy looked around for Giles and Xander. She didn’t see them, so she let herself kiss Faith’s cheek.

“Can’t forget.”

She looked back to Willow and Kennedy, who were giving each other a decidedly knowing look.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Willow said.

“I called it weeks ago,” Kennedy said.

“Faith wasn’t here weeks ago,” Buffy said.

“Feels like weeks,” Willow said.

“Fair enough,” Faith said.

“Do we get to do group training now?” Buffy asked. “I can’t just sit here.”

“I’m in,” Faith said.

“Me, too,” Kennedy agreed.

“Not for me,” Willow said. “I’m no Slayer.”

“You’re free to watch,” Kennedy said. “I’ll get the girls.”

Training with one Slayer had always been fun. Training with twenty Slayers was astounding. Twenty people, moving with power and synchronicity, all following Buffy and Faith, all drawing from the same energy, was beautiful.

“Imagine when we have hundreds,” Buffy murmured to Faith, forearms locked in a choreographed combination.

“Doubt we’ll have them all in the same place,” Faith answered, throwing Buffy’s arm to the side and kicking her. They each reset their feet.

“I think I like leading them,” Buffy said, attacking.

Faith blocked. “Me, too.”

Buffy kicked. “Good to hear.”

They reset their feet.

That night, Buffy was the good kind of exhausted, the kind of exhausted that came from safe exercise and not a fight to defend the fate of the world. She ate the food Giles had gone to get while they were training, and she took a good long shower, and then she pulled on a random T shirt and stretched out on the bed while she waited for Faith to do the same.

When Faith got out of the shower, Buffy was on her stomach and doodling on a notepad she had found lying around. She looked up at Faith, in a loose shirt and wet hair, and sat up, putting her doodle aside.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Never better,” Faith said, sitting next to Buffy.

“Really?”

“Well, yeah, but that’s not saying much.” Faith sighed. “I just keep thinking about the girls who died, you know? All those Slayers. Their energy has power. But--”

“There could be more,” Buffy said. “I know.” She wrapped an arm around Faith and pulled her close. “That’s why it’s hard being in charge. Even when you save the world, you lose something.”

“Yeah. We should do something,” Faith said. “You know, for all those girls. A memorial.”

“We should. When we get settled we can put something together.”

“Yeah.”

A moment of silence. Faith laid her head in Buffy’s lap.

“So what do you think about England?” she asked.

“I’m not wholly opposed to tea,” Buffy said, fingers twining through Faith’s hair. “I mean, Giles likes it, so I might as well try it.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“It’s far from home,” Buffy said, “but home isn’t an option anymore.”

“You know,” Faith said, “we could hang out at Angel’s hotel for a bit. He’s chill, and he’s got rooms.”

“We should suggest it to Giles tomorrow.”

“I’ll call Angel in the morning.”

“Cool.” Buffy leaned down. “Has anybody ever told you how soft your hair is?”

“I don’t let them get close enough,” Faith said.

They stayed like that for a while, Faith’s head in Buffy’s lap, Buffy’s hands in Faith’s hair, until Buffy leaned over and turned out the light and laid down, pulling Faith to a more comfortable position. Suddenly, Faith rolled over to the other side of the bed, facing away from Buffy.

“What’s wrong?” Buffy whispered.

“I don’t know,” Faith’s voice said. “I’m not good with the hugging.”

In the darkness, Buffy could see her curled in on herself.

“Thanks,” she said.

“For what?” Faith asked.

“Not running.”

“It’s no big, B.”

But Buffy, rolling to face away from Faith, thought maybe it was a bigger deal than Faith would ever admit.

“Night, Faith.”

“Night, B.”

Buffy fell asleep quickly. She woke up to an empty bed and rumpled covers.