FIC: No Happy Ending

[angearia]

Title: No Happy Ending
Summary: When Buffy’s reality becomes a nightmare, how can she hope to wake up?
Pairing/Characters: Buffy, ensemble
Rating: PG
Warnings: Spoilers for Buffy Season 8 Retreat arc.
Disclaimer: Joss is boss.
Word Count: 1146
Author's Note: This story explores the canon question of Season 8 and The Girl in Question and how fans choose

Comments

[angearia]

I should feel bad about that, but mostly I just want to say thank you. :)

[mulder200]

Huh. I know there are a lot of Buffy fans out there who wish Season Eight was just a dream.

[angearia]

Then they're like Buffy in this moment, yeah? Find comfort in the delusion. :)

[fangfaceandrea]

I love this choice you're giving us mostly because between an undefined possibly morally twisted boyfriend who might or might not be awesome, to Buffy having Tingly feelings for Xander, I'm always going to choose dark twisty undefined Boyfriend.

Other than that? Dawn was just how I want Dawn to be. Perfect voice.

great twist on things.

[angearia]

Thanks!

I admit to landing on the other side of the perspective here - Season 8 is real, the Immortal is the dream - but the ambiguity lets the reader really make up their mind. Though there's some hidden threads favoring my point, I think. :)

[fangfaceandrea]

yeah, while I don't necessarily would go with the S8 is a dream choice I will forever chose to live in denial of Buffy ever having more than asexual sister to brother feelings for Xander. blergh.

Dawn/Xander OTOH? I'm freezing cool with it XD

[angearia]

Buffy's just all confused and lonely without her fave snarky blond vampire stalking her. She's so used to be surrounded by eye candy that she's lost perspective. ;)

[rebcake]

So, is this like Normal Again or something? 'Cos I'm with Drea, the possible tingly Xander feelings are the scariest thing that's ever been implied in BtVS. I was willing to forgive just about anything, so I'm choosing to believe that Buffy's shock is because of Dawn being involved with a Scoob. Yep.

I also think that she should wake up just one more time, and I've got a few ideas for where. ;-}

Terrifying story. You are new Queen of Halloween!

[angearia]

I personally think Buffy's interest in Xander is just another sign of her questionable judgment lately. Buffy/Xander doesn't squick me anymore, mostly I just find it boring. :)

So, is this like Normal Again or something?

Kinda yeah. I leave it ambiguous so the reader can make up their mind, can impose their own reading on the story. But for me, Buffy is struck with so much misery (both at being cut off from Xander and Dawn, out in the cold) and the threat of imminent death and her failure to protect the ones she loved that she psychologically breaks away into this dream world with the Immortal. But for others, it can be the reverse - that Season 8 is the nightmare and it's a relief to wake up in the TV show canon of The Girl in Question.

I also think that she should wake up just one more time, and I've got a few ideas for where. ;-}

Haha I know! The sequel to this will have Buffy waking up in a hospital (she managed to survive the bombing) with Spike at her bedside .

Terrifying story. You are new Queen of Halloween!

Thank

[amyxaphania]

I loved this, and I'm happy to believe that the season eight parts were the dream, and that soon after the ending, Spike turns up and kicks the Immortal's arse. That's what happens, right? XD

But no, seriously, this was fab and had a great style. I would have voted for this one if I hadn't been participating myself :)

[angearia]

Thanks, Amy!