Fic: Lotophagi

[gabrielleabelle]

Title: Lotophagi
Pairing: assumed Spike/Buffy, but it's not the point of the fic
Warning: Possibly disturbing Spike violence of the unredeemed kind
Word Count: 1,195

Author's Note: This fic...is an odd one. It's really a pretty meta-type fic as I wrote it after a run-in with someone who had a not-so-complimentary opinion on Spike's character. This

Comments

[ms_maas]

i like this, a lot. *applause*

[gabrielleabelle]

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[rahirah]

I always thought Buffy's description of Heaven was... kinda scarily solipsistic. Just her, complete unto herself. Might have been what she wanted at the time, but...

[gabrielleabelle]

Yeah, the ending wasn't planned but was something that came about as I wrote the fic and started wondering at the nature of Heaven. If Heaven guarantees perfect happiness (as Buffy makes it out to be), then, by nature, it would have the effect of either making people forget the people that aren't with them in Heaven or make them simply not care in their blissed out state. After all, you can't be perfectly content if you know your lover is being tortured in Hell for eternity.

That's just an interesting concept to me, and it served as a way to make the ending kinda tragic in a way.

[rahirah]

She pretty much said as much when she described it to Spike - while there, she felt that all her friends were all right, which they manifestly were not.

There was a time when I thought that S6 was going to be more of a rebirth metaphor, and that Buffy's return from heaven was analogous to leaving the womb - yes, it's safe and warm and you're loved, and you have no responsibility, but nothing can ever happen there, and you need to leave it in order to really grow up. I don't think that things really played out that way, though.

[gabrielleabelle]

Very interesting thought. I'd never considered S6 in light of that metaphor. Will have to ponder on that. I think Normal Again might actually play into it quite well, but the rest of the season...not so much.

[angearia]

If not...well...you'll be in Heaven. You will forget your grievance, as is customary in the land of lotus-eaters. It is your reward.

*sob* That part got me to tear up. And the utter sadness of it, of an "enforced paradise" where she'll go on "missing him without remembering him" - it's just sitting in my gut like this horrible angsty horror. Oh, Buffy. Oh, Spike.

This was awesome.

[gabrielleabelle]

*hands you tissue* Glad you liked it.

Obviously, it's necessary to read your fic about Willow's hats after reading this one. Just to get the angst out. :)

[angearia]

Lol! We're like two parts of a seven course fic meal. Yours was the meaty, soul-searching entree and mine is the lighter fare to follow that cleanses the palette so you don't cry yourself to sleep later on that night. ;)

[gabrielleabelle]

Well, to add to that meal, here's a fic rec for ya:

Heroes in Hell by Glassdarkly

I actually started reading this by random chance while writing this fic. It amused me because it's another take on the "Buffy fights to get Spike out of Hell" trope, but it's much happier in the end.

Plus, it has some smut. And smut is awesome.

[penny_lane_42]

Oh, that is just chilling. On so many levels. Well done.

[gabrielleabelle]

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

And...damn, your icon's sexy! Eyeliner + Spike = *swoon*

[penny_lane_42]

Isn't it fabulous? I'm not typically one for guys in makeup, but he makes it look so good.

[rebcake]

The sullied bliss of ignorance.

Chah! That's scary. I mean, we just survived the Bush Jr. years, so I can relate (except for the not being aware part). Now I've got this vision of Spike breaking Buffy out of a Heavenly opium den. Bunny!

Well done.

[gabrielleabelle]

*g* I have thought of applying this idea of Heaven to Buffy's experience after S5 and writing a fic that has the Scoobies actually going to Heaven to get her out.

Glad you enjoyed the fic. :)