Because it is not a secret that I’m a Xander girl, every year I challenge myself to do at least one rec list for
buffyversetop5 that doesn’t have Xander in any of the stories. This is this year’s list.
In
Living Dangerously by andraste Andrew bakes muffins (with real blueberries…) and has an epiphany. This is short, nicely written and quite delightful.
Since we have an Andrew fic, it feels right to have a Jonathan fic.
Mascara by sharkbait is a kick in the gut. Jonathan has a ritual, a host of memories, but no redemption. Warning - there is talk of rape in this story.
Memorial by lyrstzha is a gorgeous refresh of both the amnesia trope and the Buffy as Anne trope. Buffy is Anne and waiting tables in LA when she encounters Gunn and his crew. This is beautifully bleak and wonderfully written and the ending will knock you off your feet.
Doing it Wrong by
thea_bromine is Giles/Spike. Spike is trying to bleach his hair, making inappropriate use of Giles’ grandmother’s crockery and generally driving Giles crazy. Something has to give and in this case it’s Spike. I really like how thea turns the normal convention of Spike’s sexual experience on its head, it gives a whole different dimension to the relationship. Warning - This is slash in case that’s not your thing.
And finally, a wonderful glimpse into Wesley’s psyche in his early days in Sunnydale.
Brave New World by Fay Jay really makes me feel for baby Wesley here.