#v; sunnydale

[xxgotthedevilinsidexx-archived]

@paranormaljunction Asked:

" Why do you have to leave ? " (Dawn to Buffy - takes place before our current storyline)

【༶•⛧┈♛】     ――――   ❝   Because,   Dawn,   ❞   Buffy   said   softly,   her   voice   trembling   just   enough   to   betray   the   war   waging   inside   her.   ❝   There   are   other   places   out   there,   other   people   who   need   help.   It's   not   just   about   Sunnydale   anymore.   We   stopped   the   Hellmouth,   but   evil   doesn’t   stop.   It   never   stops.   ❞

Buffy   looked   away,   staring   at   the   faded   wallpaper   of   their   new   apartment   in   Cleveland   as   though   it   held   all   the   answers   she   couldn’t   find   within   herself.   She   wished   there   was   something   simple   she   could   say,   something   that   would   make   Dawn   understand   without   breaking   her   heart.   But   there   wasn’t.

❝   You   know   life   isn’t   simple   for   me.   ❞   Buffy   said   finally.   Her   voice   was   steady   now—practiced.   ❝   This   is   who   I   am,   Dawn.   It’s   not...   optional   for   me.   Even   when   I   hate   it,   even   when   I’m   tired   and   I   want   to   quit,   I   can’t   just   turn   my   back   on   it   without   turning   my   back   on   myself.    ❞

Seeing   her   sister   so   upset   cut   deeper   than   any   demon’s   claws   ever   could.   She   reached   for   Dawn’s   hand   instinctively   and   held   it.   ❝   Dawnie...   ❞   Buffy   whispered.   Finally,   she   inhaled   deeply   and   forced   herself   to   look   Dawn   in   the   eyes—really   look   at   her.

❝   I   want   to   be   normal.   ❞   Buffy   admitted   softly.   ❝   God,   you   don’t   know   how   much   I   want   that.   To   just...   stay   here   with   you   and   pretend   like   we’re   normal   people   living   normal   lives.   ❞   Her   lips   quirked   into   a   small,   bittersweet   smile   as   she   added   faintly,   ❝   But   let’s   be   honest—normal   was   never   our   thing.   ❞

Buffy   reached   out   again   and   this   time   placed   her   palm   against   the   side   of   her   sisters   face.   ❝   I’ll   always   be   your   sister.   ❞   She   said   firmly,   her   green   eyes   blazing   with   sincerity.   ❝   No   matter   where   I   go   or   what   I   do...   nothing   changes   that.   ❞   She   hesitated   for   half   a   beat   before   adding   quietly,   ❝   I’ll   never   be   more   than   a   phone   call   away.   ❞

[v-thinks-on]

The weight of the world hangs over her as she lies six feet below.

The earth gives a violent shake.

Her hand plunges up through fresh dirt.

This Halloween, the dead rise in Ghosts of Sunnydale!

[wickedlehane]

@raisethestake gets a Season 3 starter

Sunset wasn't for a few more hours, but that didn't exactly mean the Slayers had time to rest. Buffy had just gotten off school and Faith had been itching to get some training in before the night's patrol -- punching her homemade training dummy got pretty boring after a while. It was nice having someone who could keep up with her and return some quality banter.

"See, B -- isn't this so much better than homework? 'Sides, you can let Willow get hers done first and then just, i'unno, tell her you didn't get it."

Faith held up two foam paddles for the blonde to punch. She ducked and strafed around Buffy's back yard (since Joyce knew about the whole Slayer thing now, she was pretty open to letting the girls use the lawn for exercise), taking the hits and trying to jump in with a few of her own. The brunette even tried to go all Karate Kid, sweeping the leg -- had to keep Buffy on her toes, right?

"I don't understand why you have to be cooped up in school all day. We're Chosen Ones, it's not like you can go to college and major in slaying."

[in-every-generation]

@wickedlehane is getting a #tequilamom starter. because reasons.

Sliding her glass across the island of Faith's kitchen, Buffy motioned for the other Slayer to refill her glass -- a slice of lime ready and waiting. "You would think I kicked her puppy. Not that we have a puppy. But still. The way Sara acts you would think I was a serial puppy kicker. Ruined her life. She actually said those words to me. Told me that her father and I ruined her life by moving her here..."

Glass refilled, Buffy downed the liquid in one before biting the lime and tossing it into the trash. "James seems perfectly happy. Even has himself a girlfriend. Or something. He doesn't tell me. And why should he? I'm all old now. I'm an old life ruiner."

[little-miss-buffy]

"What does my taste in men have to do with this?"

[in-every-generation]

Oh, Children... The Powers that Be are never that kind. The Slayer and her friends had felt compelled to return for a reason. Because no way would the Hellmouth stay dormant. Not with all this new life poking and prodding at it.

"I don't know. I can't imagine the old layout was too hideous. Apparently everything used to be walkable...and I think that's what Dad's trying to recreate. Update everything while keeping that small town feel?"

With any luck, their time would be quiet and not plagued by non-stop apocalypses. Their time back home had been mostly quiet but then it hadn’t been on a Hellmouth.

“It does have charm,” James agreed, rubbing the back on his neck. When she mentioned that they had tried to recreate as much of the original town as possible, he raised an eyebrow. “Is that really a good idea?“ He looked down and then around, trying to imagine what the old school might have looked like and how much of its ruins were still underground.

[raisedbythetv89]

The writers I think mostly completely by accident with the assistance of James charming his way into becoming a main character created the perfect storm to ensure people who love spike would reach absolute peak levels of being completely obsessively deranged about him forever

Season 2:

He’s a punk rock villain with killer cheekbones, enchanting eyes, and an absolutely DEVILISH smile - who’s an incredibly dedicated and dangerous fighter who specifically seeks out challenging fights he’s not guaranteed to win (brave and reckless - normally traits seen in heroes) hates everyone except his mentally ill physically sick wife (the statistics of men who leave their wives when they get sick in the US is horrifying like nurses literally have to warn married women who get sick it happens so often) who he’s hopelessly devoted to and unbelievably soft with and always listens to her while also exuding a psychotic amount of sex appeal and is just F U N he loves being a vampire and he loves fighting and it makes it so much fun for the audience. While still showing how much he respects and admires his enemy for her skill, strength, resourcefulness, and intelligence - NEVER underestimating her just because she’s a tiny blonde girl - and instead of destroying the world for love he SAVES the world for love - a villain doing good to get the love of his life back who essentially dumped him for her ex????????? D E V O T E D and shockingly extremely trustworthy??? And has amazing chemistry with our heroine and is there for a pivotal moment in her life and is the only one there for her when she has no one else????? *enemies to lovers girlies ENTER THE CHAT*

Season 3:

He shows he fucking MEANS IT when he says Dru is the love of his life when he shows up in Sunnydale because he blames Angel not Buffy or Drusilla but the man actually responsible for all their problems and he is the most pathetic mess we’ve ever SEEN!!!! He’s crying and drunk all the time and he’s so sad he goes to Buffy’s mom TO TALK 💀😭 our pathetic sensitive little self admitted lover boy who KNOWS he’s love’s bitch and he won’t be pretending he’s anything otherwise who shows how clearly he sees and understands other people and the depths of his emotional intelligence so much so Buffy herself admits she can’t fool Spike she can fool her friends BUT NOT SPIKE OR HERSELF EXCUSE ME MA’AM WHAT???????

AND Spike doesn’t just uselessly MOPE forever he gets some perspective and is like I know what I’m gonna do to her back and I’m gonna go do that now! 😁👍🏻 showing he never stays down for long and is always gonna get back up to keep fighting for his love while BOTH he and Buffy still honor the truce even though he’s broken it by coming back??? While Buffy’s all “I violently dislike you” YEAH OK GIRL WHATEVER YOU SAY *enemies to lovers girlies chomping at the bit intensifies*

Season 4:

CLEARLY heartbroken about Drusilla (DEVOTED!!!) but it’s turned into anger and resentment directed at Harmony who how bizarre looks nothing like Drusilla but A LOT like Buffy…… hmmmmmmmmmmmmm HOW INTERESTING *enemies to lovers girlies are vibrating with anticipation that turns into a full blown combustion when something blue happens*

Spike doesn’t pretend to love Harmony in order to get what he wants from her (shown in direct contrast to Parker) he’s ironically very honest despite being a villain - he’s showing he’s STILL loyal to Drusilla in ONLY loving her even after she’s dumped him... again!

We see Spike treat Buffy the EXACT same way he treated Drusilla during something blue reaffirming THIS IS HOW THIS MAN LOVES WHEN HE LOVES YOU. He’s extremely affectionate, helpful, protective, caring - D E V O T E D - and is truly just the most certified lover boy we’ve ever fucking seen

Season 5:

SURPRISE HE’S SECRETLY A LOVESICK MAMA’S BOY POET AT HEART UNDERNEATH THE BAD BOY PERSONA AND A PROTECTIVE BIG BROTHER AND NOW BUFFY AND HER FAMILY’S MOST LOYAL DEFENDER AND IS WILLING TO DIE NOT JUST FOR BUFFY BUT FOR ALL THE SUMMERS WOMEN AND HE KNOWS AND SEES BUFFY SO DEEPLY AND INTIMATELY AND CAN HOLD SPACE FOR HER PAIN LIKE NO ON ELSE CAN AND SHOWS THE DEVOTION THAT ONCE BELONGED TO DRUSILLA NOW BELONGS TO BUFFY AND IT IS GOING NOWHERE EVEN WHEN SHE DIES AND WE'VE SEEN IN HIM CRY BEFORE BUT NEVER HAVE WE SEEN HIM BREAK DOWN LIKE HE DOES AT THE SIGHT OF BUFFY'S BODY!!!!!!!!!!!

*all of us screaming, crying, throwing up, climbing the walls and generally just losing our minds*

Season 6:

No soul, his love is so great for Buffy as is his loyalty and devotion to her, he now helps all of his dead love’s friends fight evil and is raising her sister and dreams of saving her every night for 148 nights 🤚🏻😭 don’t even fucking talk to me I can’t take it

Forgive the absolute 180 in tone change here:

Dick game is FIRE - his touch is the only thing that makes Buffy feel alive AND SHE WAS IN HEAVEN BRO SHE KNOWS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE IN HEAVEN AND SPIKE IS THE ONLY THING KEEPING HER GOING like damn girl yes YOU FUCK THAT HOUSE DOWN!!! Also he is now just naked 50% of the time just to drive us all even FURTHER out of our minds and somehow has just gotten even hotter as the seasons have gone on like this is what’s been hiding under the leather jacket all this time! Enjoy!

And THE MOST unintended consequence of jw’s vindictive writing:

SPITE

He clearly didn’t want us to love Spike and tried to manipulate us into hating him in such a blatant and clumsy ooc attempt all that did was weed out the weakest amongst the Spuffy/Spike fans until all that remained were us:

The most devoted and stubborn fans who REFUSED to have the thing they loved ruined or taken away from us and were smart enough to see through his bullshit manipulation attempt in the first place.

Genuinely they created the equivalent of supersoilder strength level fans with this absolutely lethal combination of events 💀

AND THEN as if all that wasn't enough he goes and gets his soul on purpose for Buffy so he can be the man she deserves and she can love him without hating herself for loving him despite the immense pain it will cause him which is the most selfless thing we have ever seen anyone do for Buffy only to be topped when he sacrifices himself to destroy the hellmouth, save the world and free her from Sunnydale!!! Plus ya know once he gets the soul even though he did it for her he never tries to use that as leverage to get anything from her like he truly expects nothing from her at all but still wants to help her and James delivers the most devastating performances we've ever fucking seen, finally tells her friends off which has needed to happen for 5 seasons, the "you're the one speech" him being a dad to all the potentials with Buffy giving us supernatural parent core who made it through their rough patch with their first kid in season 6 with Dawn and now are just the beautiful team with their found family and Buffy finally has someone who can truly carry her burdens with her and just all the tenderness and devotion they both deserve after so many years of pain and fighting. Basically giving the audience the message that even if you have a metric ton of pain and trauma there are people out there who see you and understand you and there is a chance for you to heal both together and separately to build your own version of a more normal and stable life. It's a message of such hope and I personally know several people, including myself who watched what Spike and Buffy have and it inspired us to look at the relationships we were in and realize we deserved SO MUCH MORE than what we were getting and in my case it turned out I was being emotionally abused and manipulated that entire time!! Much like Buffy was by both Riley and Angel. So it isn't an exaggeration to say Spuffy saved my life in a lot of ways both in being there for me at such a dark time and helping me draw a map of how to get out. Not to mention loving them in fandom spaces has helped me connect with so many people just like me who share very similar experiences and have helped me feel so much less alone and has helped me heal in so many ways 🖤

Spuffies get "hOw cAn yOu liKe sPiKe aFtEr wHaT hE dId" all the fucking time and truly the better question is how can you NOT like Spike???? HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION AT ALL??? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT GOOD RELATIONSHIPS NEED TO WORK?? BECAUSE AT THEIR CORE SPUFFY HAS THEM ALL!

It's jw writing so NOTHING will escape his toxic bullshit but Spike - because he was hated by jw for so long - so much of the time when he tried to make Spike less popular he just kept making him better and more complex and more and more targeted to the female gaze which is exactly why he snapped and made the choices he literally forced everyone else to go along with despite their protests with that scene to make it the most traumatizing scene in all of Buffy history not just for the audience but for the actors as well because yes it is incredibly horrific and upsetting to watch (which is why I skip it on rewatches) but I still am able to see if for what it is which is a narcissist lashing out at people he hates because he hasn't been able to control them and too bad for him I refuse to be manipulated by his bullshit so it failed completely and made so many of us that much more stubbornly protective of Spike and his and Buffy's relationship not just from other fans but from the creator himself 🙃🖕🏻like he basically just trauma bonded us to Spike and Buffy which has led to the creation of one of the most devoted, loyal, intelligent fanbases who is absolutely unhinged (affectionate) with their love of this character and his relationship which is why we are all still creating and writing about this character 25 year later and show absolutely zero signs of slowing down or stopping 💀

[legallybrunettedotcom]

BUFFY READING LIST

As promised @possession1981 and I have compiled a list of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and Angel) related academic text and books. I think this is a good starting point for both a long time fan and for someone just getting into the show, or just someone interested in vampire lore. I have included several books about the vampire lore and myth in general as well. Most of these are available online.

BOOKS

Fighting the Forces: What's at Stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer; edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox & David Lavery

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy - Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale by James B. South

Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth L. Rambo & James B. South

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Myth, Metaphor and Morality by Mark Field

Televised Morality: The Case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Gregory Stevenson

Undead TV: Essays on Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Elana Levine

The Aesthetics of Culture in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Matthew Pateman

Girls Who Bite Back: Witches, Mutants, Slayers and Freaks by Emily Pohl-Weary

Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Ronda Wilcox

Into Every Generation a Slayer Is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Evan Ross Katz

The Lure of the Vampire: Gender, Fiction, and Fandom from Bram Stoker to Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Milly Williamson

Blood Relations: Chosen Families in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel by Jes Battis

Sex and the Slayer: A Gender Studies Primer for the Buffy Fan by Lorna Jowett

Diseases of the Head: Essays on the Horrors of Speculative Philosophy; edited by Matt Rosen (chapter 2 Death of Horror)

Public Privates: Feminist Geographies of Mediated Spaces by Marcia R. England (chapter 1 Welcome to the Hellmouth: Paradoxical Spaces in Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Open Graves, Open Minds: Representations of Vampires and the Undead From the Enlightenment to the Present Day; edited by Sam George and Bill Hughes (chapter 8 ‘I feel strong. I feel different’: transformations, vampires and language in Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

The Contemporary Television Series; edited by Michael Hammond and Lucy Mazdon (chapter 9 Television, Horror and Everyday Life in Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays; edited by Mary Ellen Iatropoulos and Lowery A. Woodall III

Buffy and the Heroine's Journey: Vampire Slayer as Feminine Chosen One by Valerie Estelle Frankel

The Existential Joss Whedon: Evil and Human Freedom in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and Serenity by J. Michael Richardson and J. Douglas Rabb

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20 Years of Slaying: The Watcher's Guide Authorized by Christopher Golden

Reading the Vampire Slayer: The Complete, Unofficial Guide to 'Buffy' and 'Angel' by Roz Kaveney

Hollywood Vampire: The Unnoficial Guide to Angel by Keith Topping

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Monster Book by Christopher Golden

Slayer Slang: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lexicon by Michael Adams

What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide by Jana Riess

ARTICLES, PAPERS ETC.

Bibliographic Good vs. Evil in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by GraceAnne A. DeCandido

Undead Letters: Searches and Researches in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by William Wandless

Weaponised information: The role of information and metaphor in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Jacob Ericson

Buffy, Dark Romance and Female Horror Fans by Lorna Jowett

My Vampire Boyfriend: Postfeminism, "Perfect" Masculinity, and the Contemporary Appeal of Paranormal Romance by Ananya Mukherjea

Buffy, The Vampire Slayer as Spectacular Allegory: A Diagnostic Critique by Douglas Kellner

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer": Technology, Mysticism, and the Constructed Body by Sara Raffel

When Horror Becomes Human: Living Conditions in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" by Jeroen Gerrits

Post-Vampire: The Politics of Drinking Humans and Animals in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight", and "True Blood" by Laura Wright

Cops, Teachers, and Vampire Slayers: Buffy as Street-Level Bureaucrat by Andrea E. Mayo

"Not Like Other Men"?: The Vampire Body in Joss Whedon's "Angel" by Lorna Jowett

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Domestic Church: Revisioning Family and the Common Good by Reid B. Locklin

“Buffy vs. Dracula”’s Use of Count Famous (Not drawing “crazy conclusions about the unholy prince”) by Tara Elliott

A Little Less Ritual and a Little More Fun: The Modern Vampire in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Stacey Abbott

Undressing the Vampire: An Investigation of the Fashion of Sunnydale’s Vampires by Robbie Dale

"And Yet": The Limits of Buffy Feminism by Renee St. Louis & Miriam Riggs

Meet the Cullens: Family, Romance and Female Agency in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight by Kirsten Stevens

Bliss and Time: Death, Drugs, and Posthumanism in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Rob Cover

That Girl: Bella, Buffy, and the Feminist Ethics of Choice in Twilight and Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Catherine Coker

A Slayer Comes to Town: An Essay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Scott Westerfeld 

Undead Objects of a “Queer Gaze” : A Visual Approach to Buffy’s Vampires Using Lacan’s Extended RSI Model by Marcus Recht

When You Kiss Me, I Want to Die: Gothic Relationships and Identity on Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Ananya Mukherjeea

Necrophilia and SM: The Deviant Side of Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Terry L. Spaise

Queering the Bitch: Spike, Transgression and Erotic Empowerment by Dee Amy-Chinn

“I Want To Be A Macho Man”: Examining Rape Culture, Adolescent Female Sexuality, and the Destabilization of Gender Binaries in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Angelica De Vido

Staking Her Claim: Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Transgressive Woman Warrior by Frances H. Early

Actualizing Abjection: Drusilla, the Whedonversees’ Queen of Queerness by Anthony Stepniak

“Life Isn’t A Story”: Xander, Andrew and Queer Disavowal in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Steven Greenwood

S/He’s a Rebel: The James Dean Trope in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Kathryn Hill

“Once More, with Feeling”: Emotional Self-Discipline in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Gwynnee Kennedy and Jennifer Dworshack-Kinter

“The Hardest Thing in This World Is To Live In It”: Identity and Mental Health in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Alex Fixler

"Love's Bitch But Man Enough to Admit It": Spikes Hybridized Gender by Arwen Spicer

Negotiations After Hegemony: Buffy and Gender by Franklin D. Worrell

Double Trouble: Gothic Shadows and Self-Discovery in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Elizabeth Gilliland

'What If I'm Still There? What If I Never Left That Clinic?': Faërian Drama in Buffy's "Normal Again" by Janet Brennan Croft

Not Gay Enough So You’d Notice: Poaching Fuffy by Jennifer DeRoss

Throwing Like A Slayer: A Phenomenology of Gender Hybridity and Female Resilience in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Debra Jackson

“You Can’t Charge Innocent People for Saving Their Lives!” Work in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Matt Davies

Ambiguity and Sexuality in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Sartrean Analysis by Vivien Burr

Imagining the Family: Representations of Alternative Lifestyles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Vivien Burr and Christine Jarvis

Working-Class Hero? Fighting Neoliberal Precarity in Buffy’s Sixth Season by Michelle Maloney-Mangold

A Corpse by Any Other Name: Romancing the Language of the Body in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for the Adam Storyline in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Amber P. Hodge

Sensibility Gone Mad: Or, Drusilla, Buffy and the (D)evolution of the Heroine of Sensibility by Claire Knowles

"It's good to be me": Buffy's Resistance to Renaming by Janet Brennan Croft

Death as a Gift in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Work and Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Gaelle Abalea

“All Torment, Trouble, Wonder, and Amazement Inhabits Here": The Vicissitudes of Technology in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by James B. South

Staking Her Colonial Claim: Colonial Discourses, Assimilation, Soul-making, and Ass-kicking in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Jessica Hautsch

“I Run To Death”: Renaissance Sensibilities in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Christine Jarvis

Dressed To Kill: Fashion and Leadership in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Christine Jarvis and Don Adams

Queer Eye Of That Vampire Guy: Spike and the Aesthetics of Camp by Cynthea Masson and Marni Stanley

“Sounds Like Kinky Business To Me”: Subtextual and Textual Representations of Erotic Power in Buffyverse by Lewis Call

“Did Anyone Ever Explain to You What ‘Secret Identity’ Means?”: Race and Displacement in Buffy and Dark Angel  by Cynthia Fuchs

“It’s About Power”: Buffy, Foucault, and the Quest for Self by Julie Sloan Brannon

Why We Love the Monsters: How Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer Wound Up Dating the Enemy by Hilary M. Leon

Why We Can’t Spike Spike?: Moral Themes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Richard Greene and Wayne Yuen

Buffy, the Scooby Gang, and Monstrous Authority: BtVS and the Subversion of Authority by Daniel A. Clark & P. Andrew Miller

Are Vampires Evil?: Categorizations of Vampires, and Angelus and Spike as the Immoral and the Amoral by Gert Magnusson

BOOKS ABOUT VAMPIRE LORE AND MYTH IN GENERAL

The Vampire Lectures by Laurence A. Rickels 

Our Vampires, Ourselves by Nina Auerbach

Vampires, Burial, and Death: Folklore and Reality by Paul Barber

The Secret History of Vampires: Their Multiple Forms and Hidden Purposes by Claude Lecouteux

The Vampire Cinema by David Pirie

The Living and the Undead: Slaying Vampires, Exterminating Zombies by Gregory A. Waller

Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend by Mark Jenkins

Slayers and Their Vampires: A Cultural History of Killing the Dead by Bruce A. McClelland

The History and Folklore of Vampires: The Stories and Legends Behind the Mythical Beings by Charles River Editors

Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology by Theresa Bane

Vampires of Lore: Traits and Modern Misconceptions by A. P. Sylvia

The Vampire: A New History by Nick Groom

Vampyres: Genesis and Resurrection: from Count Dracula to Vampirella by Christopher Frayling

Race in the Vampire Narrative by U. Melissa Anyiwo

Vampires, Race, and Transnational Hollywoods by Dale Hudson

[wickedlehane]

@sl2yer​ asked “ talk to me. “ {commands and demands} ((season 3))

“Oh hey... took you long enough, B,” Faith groaned, holding her tender side as she sat against the wall of an alleyway. Her knuckles were split and bleeding, and she had a bruise blossoming on her cheek. No way was she gonna die or anything, but it was definitely not her most reassuring look. “Sorry, I tried to save some of the fun for you. Definitely thought that demon was a one slayer job, but he got away and I’m not hot on chasing him.”

[wickedlehane]

Faith rolled her eyes. Xander was being really weird -- she wondered if a joke about being so happy he lost his soul would be in bad taste. Still, this dude really needed to get out more. "Yeah, well. Don't go touchin' yourself about it," she said, wrapping the rest of her baked goodies and stuffing the muffin in her jacket pocket.

Was going to the Bronze the best idea if he was feeling all weird? Probably not, but then again, Faith wasn't exactly looking to play naughty nurse with him or nothing. Maybe they'd run into a familiar face there she could pawn him off on.

"Fine, Xan. But if you're using that as an excuse to put an arm around me or somethin', you're gonna be missing a date with that precious hand. Maybe a coffee at the Bronze will perk you up or something."

his eyes are dead, but there’s a phantom smirk framing his mouth. dull amusement. oh, did we? “sorry,” he says, flat and void of life. “guess i’m still riding the high.”

shoulders roll back and he grounds himself, takes his eyes off the muffin girl and casts them around. plan. need a plan. need a bite and a plan. “i’m goin’ to the bronze.” the only safe place he knows… knew. then to faith, “walk with me? might fall down. crack my head. big, ugly mess if you aren’t here.”

[in-every-generation]

@ghxstwrxter sent: "Stop licking the damn thing!"

"It's fine...this toad isn't one of the poisonous ones; or at least I don't think it is. Arwyn said the toxins contained in its skin contain magical properties and can help with astral projection. I thought...if it worked...I could use it as a means of searching the town, seeing if I can pin point our demon."

[little-miss-buffy]

"Did you get a good look at this thing before it ran away?"

[tigerf00d]

Words Inside a Shell

Chapter 2: And Telling Me Your Memories

Pairing: Spike x Reader

Other Characters: Buffy and Willow, Xander

(mentioned), minor original characters.

Tags: NSFW later in the series! No use of y/n.

Afab but gender neutral.

Word Count: 1.3k

Summary: While trying to get over a crush on

a certain crispy-haired vampire, you end up

falling right back into his arms

Or, the one where a night out with the girls

goes wrong

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Series masterlist

A/N: chapter 2 yippee! As a reminder this comes out a week early on ao3! That link should take you directly to the work! Next update has smut I promise. It was originally supposed to be in this chapter, to be completely honest, but I like to keep chapters around 1.5k just for pacing/so I don't post ginormous ones and super short ones in the same work.

The Bronze, as always, was loud. Both through the other patrons speaking, and the live performers, music echoing through the street outside. As usual, a delicate concoction of booze, sweat, smoke (fake) and smoke (real) filled the air, creating the familiar slightly dank aroma of the club. Sunnydale didn't offer many other avenues of nightlife, if that wasn't already obvious. Though with the Hellmouth happily causing havoc this was probably for the best. 

Naturally, your interest in the Bronze shifted in and out of focus, and your visit today felt almost nostalgic, especially with your goal and the girls. 

Now, under the admittedly dim lighting of the entryway, you could better see Buffy and Willow’s respective outfits. 

Buffy wore her hair loosely styled, somehow smooth despite recently dealing with the undead, a pale blue scoop-necked halter top, dark (black maybe, it was hard to tell in this lighting) mini skirt, and the boots you’d come to think of as part of her signature. 

Willow’s red hair had been straightened. Willow’s top had long, slightly flared, sleeves and a neckline that came to a slight v, highlighting her thin choker beautifully; as well as a longer skirt that swayed when she moved. 

Willow suddenly froze and groaned, “We forgot to show Spike the necklace.” 

“I’m sure it’s fine, Will.” You reassured, “Besides, he always manages to turn up eventually.”

“That’s true…” 

“Especially now that we have his favourite toy.” Buffy winked at you,

“I’m not Spike’s toy. He never plays with me. Not the way I want him to, anyway.”

“Ugh, too much information.” Willow wrinkled her nose.

“Hey, I’m not the one that brought him up after we agreed on no vampire talk.” You pointed it out. 

“So, dancing or fuel first?” Buffy chirped.

"..."

“So, what can I get for you folks?” The bartender leaned in, a wide friendly smile on her face. The name tag (Hello Christine) hanging loosely off of her shirt glinted, drawing your eyes. Buffy leaned in in return, half-yelling over the music to order for the three of you. 

“Two Shirley Temples and a virgin mojito, please.” The slayer passed the cash over the counter. 

Christine nodded, “Coming right up,” 

Shortly after, the drinks were sliding across the bar to the three of you, which you accepted with an easy grateful smile and looked to find a table, seeing your former usual spot unclaimed. 

“Ok, temples for the two lovely ladies, and the mojito for me.” You placed each drink in their respective places. 

“No Shirley for you, too?” Willow prompted.

“Yeah, I want the freshness tonight. Might come in handy later.” You laughed.

Buffy took a sip of her drink, then asked, “Is that our goal tonight? Be your most excellent Wing-women?” 

“It's not that serious.” Waving a hand through the air to dismiss the thought, the other resting on the table, you continued, “I just… want a distraction. Being here with you two is enough.” 

Buffy touched your hand, both girls smiling. 

“Besides. We both know it's not that easy. What do you say we finish these up and then go dance? The music isn't half bad tonight.” 

“I'm pretty sure the band has played here at least once before.” Willow mentioned happily. 

“So have most bands that end up on that stage, it's the Bronze.” You laughed. 

The three of you finished your drinks relatively quickly after that, ready to descend on the dance floor as a trio right as the music was beginning to get more upbeat. 

Your bodies moved in time, a sea of undulating patrons. You raised your arms seductively, finding purchase in your hair before drawing them back down your body, and repeating the process. As you did this, you scanned the room for a stranger who held potential. 

Buffy regained your attention with a nudge, nodding in the direction of a broad blond man. His hair was natural, longer than some of the other men in the club as you saw hairs curl slightly around his ears and flip out at the back of the neck, or at least it looked that way as you observed him while he was moving. A faded dark blue short-sleeve shirt was tight against his body, along with the black jeans. His outfit was simple but effective. 

You smiled, pleased, ignoring the similarities between him and a certain vampire, and cast an appreciative glance towards Buffy and then started your efforts to gain the focus of the man. 

You moved your position on the dance floor to be in his eye line, further away from the stage, but at least the music wasn’t so loud that you couldn’t think anymore. Finally, the man’s head turned towards you, and you caught his eye. 

He tilted his head, eyeing you with a close-mouthed grin. You bit your lip playfully and crooked a finger towards him, enticing him to come closer to you, and he obeyed. When he reached you, you smiled openly as he leaned into your space. 

“Hi.” You spoke into his ear, voice playful. 

 “Hey,” He responded, matching your tone. “Name’s Luke. And you?” 

You offered your name, and he smiled easily. 

“Come here often?” 

You laughed, “Does that ever work?” you ask him, still dancing. 

“Haven’t had the chance to find out,” Luke answered honestly, his bashful shrug breaking the nonchalant persona he had just been displaying. 

“I used to, not so much anymore.” 

His “How come?” was lost as the band on stage played a particularly loud transition between songs. 

Unbeknownst to you, a familiar vampire circled you, hiding amongst the throng of bodies as you lost yourself to the music while you faced your new dance partner. 

“Pardon?” 

“I said, why’s that?” 

“Oh, you know, work stuff. Not the most interesting.” 

“Ah, I get it. I work out of town, near the college actually. So I don’t really get to go out often either.” 

“Oh, where do you work?” You moved further away from the stage to better hear him, but closer to the centre of the dance floor so that Buffy and Willow could still keep eyes on you. Luke followed, hands hovering around your hips when the pair of you found a new spot. 

He made a non-commital noise, “I don’t know if I can explain it.” 

Your brows furrowed at that response, but not one to dry up the conversation immediately, you persevered. 

“Try me.” 

“No, really. I don’t think you’d even believe me.” He scrutinised your face before brushing the weirdness off, “What about you?” 

“You know the magic shop in town?”

Luke’s lips thinned slightly, his smile becoming strained. You ignored it but noted the reaction in the back of your mind. 

“Yeah, you work… there?”

You frowned openly now. “I do. What’s wrong with that?” 

“Nothing, nothing.” Luke acquiesced, raising his hands. “You must be entertained all day.”

You pulled away from him. “I guess.”

“All those freaks coming in–”

You cut him off quickly. “Sorry, did you forget the part where I work there? This is Sunnydale, Luke.”

“I’ve noticed.” He replied, a smile on his face but voice somewhat frustrated. 

Your dancing slowed as you turned to walk away, but before you could make any distance, he grabbed your wrist. 

Wrenching your wrist out of his control, you face him again. “Excuse me?”

“I wasn’t done talking to you.”

“Yeah, well, I was.” You say curtly. 

“No, you came to me. I’m not done talking to you.” 

From just beside you, a familiar voice interjected. 

“They said they’re done talking to you, mate.” 

“Spike.” You greeted, not needing to look back to identify the vamp.

“Hey, precious. This guy bothering you?” 

“You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend, you bitch!” Luke shouted. 

“He’s not my boyfriend.” “I’m not their boyfriend.” 

The pair of you answered simultaneously. 

“And besides, you should’ve left me alone when I asked regardless.” You added to the other man’s retreating back. 

[mcgnagallsarmy]

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

The Blue Eye of the Storm by MaggieLaFey [NC-17]

Instead of the Scythe, what Buffy finds under the vineyard is a portal to another dimension. Spike has followed her there, and it’s the two of them that will cross the portal… and remain trapped on the other side for far longer than they’d expected. What will happen when the two of them—plus a local guide—are away from the stress of Chez Summers? Will they find some peace in the eye of the storm?

Candy Corn Mischief by honeygirl51885 [NC-17]

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

Fool me Once by Miss Marisol [NC-17]

Some weeks after Something Blue: When Tara helps Buffy find out the horrible truth - that Willow (with Xander's approval) has been dosing her with love potions, so that she thinks she loves Riley- she is furious. She is going to get her revenge on Willow and Xander in the most hurtful way she can think of – by dating someone they desperately wanted her to stay away from…

Hands Off by MillennialCryBaby [NC-17]

It started off as most of Willow’s spells did—with good intentions. And as with all the ones that came before, it ended with some weird consequences. This time, "consequences" meant Spike was now in control of Buffy's pleasure. She was going to kill him…but maybe she'd get some satisfaction first.

Hush Now by MillennialCryBaby [NC-17]

As he fell to his knees, Spike even had the arrogance to hold his pointer finger up to his lips as if to say: shh, love—don't draw attention. A smutty take on "Hush".

I Know Places by scratchmeout [NC-17]

Closing one door opens another. Immediately following "Lies My Parents Told Me".

new directions by trevino [Adult Only]

spike's been hinting at trying something new, and lucky for him— buffy's been paying attention.

Shh, Love by MillennialCryBaby [NC-17]

No one in town has a voice but the two of them have found their own way to communicate. Sequel to Hush Now.

Spike v. Logic by Soulburnt [R]

A ghostly Spike tries to reason his way out of being in love with Buffy.

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.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Monday October 28 - Tuesday October 29

Willow: Thanks for having me over, Buffy. Especially on a school night and all. Buffy: No problem. Hey, sorry about your fish. Willow: Oh, it's okay. We hadn't really had time to bond yet. Although for the first time I'm glad my parents didn't let me have a puppy.

~~Buffy Episode #29: "Passion" ~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Lingual Downtime (Willow, Xander, T, Devil May Cry xover) by madimpossibledreamer

Team Bonding (Willow, Xander, T, Devil May Cry xover) by madimpossibledreamer

Certain Admissions (Riley Finn/Buffy Summers, T) by captainamergirl

Sea Change (Pike/Buffy, G) by StrictlyNoFrills

The Family Itch (Spike, Angel, G) by Higgystar

temporary tattoo (Rupert Giles/Buffy Summers, M) by Skyson

V for Victory (Buffy Summers, Rupert Giles, Xander Harris, G) by Callarose_aka_FireDragon

Sacrifice (Angel/Spike, G) by MistressKat

Betrayal by omission (Buffy/Spike, T) by JSBirsa

Oh My Goddess, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, M) by Maxine Eden

Tricked, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Maxine Eden

[Chaptered Fiction]

What's in a Soul Ch. 1 (Spike/Buffy Summers, T) by Iris_Dietrich

Hope is the thing with feathers Ch. 14 (Buffy/Spike, E) by wildflowerr_wildfire

Near to the Wild Heart Ch. 8 (Buffy/Spike, M) by toooldforthis_ef

Aegis Ch. 28 (Xander, T, multiple xovers) by dogbertcarroll, Narsil

I was a Zombie for the FBI Ch. 1-2/2 (COMPLETE) (Buffy/Spike, T) by Callarose_aka_FireDragon

Whoa! Not What I Expected! Ch. 6 (Xander, T, NCIS xover) by danu40k

What If Love Was Enough? Ch. 1-17/17 (COMPLETE) (Spike/Buffy, E) by Spikelover4ever

Fury of the Fallen, Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, E) by CheekyKitten

reciprocity, Chapter 15 (Buffy/Spike, E) by HappyWhenItRains

Near to the Wild Heart, Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, M) by toooldforthis

Just Two Lost Souls, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Holly

Nemesis, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by scratchmeout

Not Ready to Make Nice, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by tragic

One Loop at a Time, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by hydranjenna

A Bite After Midnight, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Maxine

Always, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Spikelover4ever

The Neighbor's Point of View, Chapter 142 (Buffy/Spike, G) by the_big_bad

Perfect Clarity, Chapter 6 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Ragini

The Science of Being Yours, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, E) by ClowniestLivEver

Blood and Fame, Chapter 7 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Desicat

Psyer Ch. 10 (Xander, T, Psyren xover) by JoshuAB

It Started in Oxnard - How it All Began Ch. 13 (Xander/Tara, E, Highlander xover) by redjacobson

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Chosen One (Buffy) by glitch-h

Video: buffy the vampire slayer - this is war by Giulia Wonderwall

[Reviews & Recaps]

PODCAST: BTVS 605 - Life Serial by Another Buffy Podcast

PODCAST: The Yoko Factor by Buffy the Vampire Straya

PODCAST: Episode 47 - Death by Grape Soda (The Zeppo) by The Sunnydale Diaries

[Community Announcements]

Tuesday Prompts: Monsters & Magic by comment_fic

[Fandom Discussions]

How could the Shanshu Prophecy NOT have been about Spike in Chosen? by violettathepiratequeen

This is a Kendra headcanon that I like a lot but that I’m not sure will ever make it into anything I’m writing. by coraniaid

btvs 6x04 willow & giles kitchen conversation is so good it makes me feel so insane. by lesbianmarrow

For today’s fic back Friday, I wanted to recommend the fic To Live In The World by IvorySteel92. by noratilney

Why was Ethan Rayne such a wimp? by burrunjor

My alternative season 7 by hoponlilmama

Titles of episodes in English and other languages by Antho

Anybody find the “potential” melodrama and the squatting towards the end of Season 7 sort of unfit and strangely funny? by KENZOKHAOS

Season 6x18 Entropy by anon63171

I really loved the frenemy relationship of Buffy and Cordelia ! by Cailly_Brard7

What band plays at the Bronze in S6E6 "All the Way?" by Putrid_Humor4834

Did I Spoiler Buffy for a Friend? by aperturecake

Buffy season 7 by Prudent_Border5060

Would Buffy/Faith have been more interesting than Willow/Tara? by jogaforacont

Rewatching Buffy... Again by ALWS_0rweLL

S2E3 School Hard by Unimatrix_Zero_One

Just had a Buffy shower thought (season 6 spoilers) by jaduhlynr

Need Help Finding A Giles "Brain Bleach" Quote I Think Maybe Exists... by NikkolasKing

buffy the vampire slayer - this is war by buffy the vampire slayer - this is war

buffy the vampire slayer - this is war by buffy the vampire slayer - this is war

The most horrific thing in Buffy... *spoilers* by InternationalTeam605

Superstar hidden Easter egg spoilers for season 6 by soybeansms

S2 ep8 of Angel??? by Dismal_Present_8993

Loving all the late 90's/early 2000's fashion in my current Buffy rewatch by WerewolfBarMitzvah09

Do you think they were going for a love triangle in season 2 but decide not to ? by Cailly_Brard7

I Wish the Demon Had Finished off the Trio in "Flooded" by NikkolasKing

Disharmony episode... fun parts & newfound insights by sirtch_analyst

What's your favorite interaction between Spike and a character whose last name isn't Summers? by InfiniteMehdiLove

Does anyone ever think… by Kat-Attack-52

The board game by Anuk_Su_Namun

Slaying It Podcast? by becky119

So... Jasmine. by yukeee

Vampire martial arts by taylorscrews1

season 3 episode 2…. by thunpnz

One set of foils I think people sleep on a bit is Amy and Tara: by DeaththeEternal

Once more, With Feeling by Fuzzy-Reference1061

General Buffy to Chosen by Moon_Logic

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

PUBLICATION: Amber Benson looks back on 'Buffy's game-changing queer couple by Out Magazine

PUBLICATION: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Perfected the Halloween Episode With “Fear, Itself” by Den of Geek

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[housewarningparty]

thoughts on doing a s5 faith returns au? partly bc it would allow faith to be there to help out while buffys going through grief and dealing with finding out dawn is more than just her little sister, and partly bc im a sucker for thinking about what faith and tara’s dynamic wouldve been. its v sad to me that their only interaction is faith being rlly mean to her as buffy bc faith is 100% in spiral mode and is taking cheap shots

I HAVE thought about it. Basically I'm at a crossroads because my two strongest longfic ideas are an S4 au and an s5 au and I can't do them both.

S5 would be pretty straightforward - Faith has prophetic slayer dreams about Buffy's impending demise, gets Angel's blessing to bust out of prison, goes back to Sunnydale and elects herself Buffy's backup. It's compelling to me because of how much Buffy's situation in season 5 tangibly changes when she's not forced to be the only slayer. What happens when someone else can shoulder some of the burden while she's dealing with school and her mom and Dawn?

The other idea is one I've talked about a couple times which begins in an S4 where Faith gets chipped by the Initiative. Ideally this would be able to lead to an s5 au sequel in the same universe but getting too far into the details on that would really be counting my chickens.

Anyway I live in a prison cell where every brick is a unique torment I crafted and set myself, is the point.

Someday one of these AUs will exist and you'll be able to read it.

Anyway to your other point - YEAH I think both Faith and Dawn and Faith and Tara would be really interesting dynamics to explore. Faith and Tara as lesbians (to me ❤️) who are both from abusive family backgrounds is really compelling - I think in different circumstances they could connect to each other. Tara in particular with her aura-reading and her natural patience and compassion would be able to show a lot of empathy for Faith that people who experienced more of her evil streak directly would have a hard time with.