Top 5 Spike/Xander fic
Given that this is my OTP, and most of what I read falls in this category, this was a tough call. But each one of these stories was, I thought, distinctive, and wonderful in its own way.
(1) Nessuno by riani1 - Teen - I really enjoy historical fiction and so I loved seeing various characters play out a tale of intrigue and villainy in Renaissance Rome. It also contains one of the tenderest scenes between these two characters I’ve read. If you like the genre, I think you’ll enjoy “Nessuno," even if S/X isn’t really your thing.
(2) There’s Your Trouble by savoytruffle - Mature - From historical fiction to an AU with a fantasy twist. It’s funny how writers can have completely different styles and be equally riveting. To me, savoytruffle writes in a way almost opposite of tabaqui (below), with spare sentences, precise pauses and a usually wry humor. Yet those words can say so much. I’ve enjoyed her other stories but I just loved this one. Xander finds himself swapped into an AU with another version of himself, and, of course, tries to figure out how to get back home. The discovery of why it happened in the first place is marvelous.
(3) Under the Mountain - by tabaqui - Mature - This occurs in a world that went AU in BtVS S6, and I would say it’s domestic schmoop in the very best sense. Everything tabaqui writes is so riven with rich detail that it immerses you in the worlds she creates. And sometimes they’re places you’re perfectly happy to lose yourself in. If you’re looking for a story that is a lovesong to the characters and goes by in a slideshow of scenes that make you feel like you’re there, this is it.
(4) Choices - by crazydiamondsue - Mature -Xander gets an unexpected visitor in Malawi, both of them want something from each other and it’s not what either expects. I love the way it brings up their issues, and the pragmatic take both have on what happens.
(5) Beholder - Teen - by kimberly_a - Teen - Post-Chosen, Xander has to adjust to many new things, not the least of which is the loss of his eye. Spike turning up in Rome ends up moving things along. This is really more a story about Xander but I liked the way it explored his adjustment issues. I hadn’t seen another take quite like this.
(1) Nessuno by riani1 - Teen - I really enjoy historical fiction and so I loved seeing various characters play out a tale of intrigue and villainy in Renaissance Rome. It also contains one of the tenderest scenes between these two characters I’ve read. If you like the genre, I think you’ll enjoy “Nessuno," even if S/X isn’t really your thing.
(2) There’s Your Trouble by savoytruffle - Mature - From historical fiction to an AU with a fantasy twist. It’s funny how writers can have completely different styles and be equally riveting. To me, savoytruffle writes in a way almost opposite of tabaqui (below), with spare sentences, precise pauses and a usually wry humor. Yet those words can say so much. I’ve enjoyed her other stories but I just loved this one. Xander finds himself swapped into an AU with another version of himself, and, of course, tries to figure out how to get back home. The discovery of why it happened in the first place is marvelous.
(3) Under the Mountain - by tabaqui - Mature - This occurs in a world that went AU in BtVS S6, and I would say it’s domestic schmoop in the very best sense. Everything tabaqui writes is so riven with rich detail that it immerses you in the worlds she creates. And sometimes they’re places you’re perfectly happy to lose yourself in. If you’re looking for a story that is a lovesong to the characters and goes by in a slideshow of scenes that make you feel like you’re there, this is it.
(4) Choices - by crazydiamondsue - Mature -Xander gets an unexpected visitor in Malawi, both of them want something from each other and it’s not what either expects. I love the way it brings up their issues, and the pragmatic take both have on what happens.
(5) Beholder - Teen - by kimberly_a - Teen - Post-Chosen, Xander has to adjust to many new things, not the least of which is the loss of his eye. Spike turning up in Rome ends up moving things along. This is really more a story about Xander but I liked the way it explored his adjustment issues. I hadn’t seen another take quite like this.