FIC: Ghosts 3/5 (Buffy/Angel, R)

[carlyinrome]

TITLE: Ghosts
RATING: R
FANDOMS: BtVS/AtS
PAIRING: Buffy/Angel
SPOILERS: Post “NFA.” There are some aspects of the S8 comics-namely, location-but this story contains none of the comics’ original characters or plotlines. The sequel to If You Drive Me Back, though it isn’t really a prerequisite.
SUMMARY: I married my lieutenant.
AUTHOR’S NOTES:

Comments

[dlgood]

I find it telling that Buffy's transgressions are smaller than Faith's, but Angel's more willing to forgive Faith. He doesn't take her sins personally, I guess.

It's also an image/expectations thing. Angel sees Faith as flawed like himself, but not nearly so bad. He understands that she will make mistakes, isn't shocked when she does, and gets encouraged as she demonstrates progress. It's important to him that Faith be seen as forgiveable. (By himself, and others)

With Buffy, even with what she's been through and done, he still sees her as a much better person than himself so he's less tolerant of her major mess-ups. (In his mind, she's not supposed to...) There's also the part of him that rebels against authority, and he does see her as that sometimes. Of course, once she stops fighting him back and starts looking defeated, it flips the other way and triggers his instinct to bolster her back up.

If he were more able to forgive himself, he wouldn't be so bothered by the idea that Buffy isn't really any more or less human or "better" than him. It probably wasn't nearly an issue when he didn't have the memories.

[carlyinrome]

This is laden with excellent points. Thanks so much for making me think, Dave. :)

[dlgood]

You're welcome. That man has issues.