Toys 16: The Strength of Submission

[lit_gal]

Um... I think this is Toys. Okay, it is, but the tone of this one is quite plotty and thinky. There's sex, but just not as much of the *whoa* sex that Toys normally inspires in my muse.

Toys XVI: The Strength of Submission
Rated: ADULT!
Part A Part B Part C
Previous chapters in the series are HERE, and this is pretty hardcore D/s, guys.  We have

Comments

[missus_grace]

This has to be the most powerful chapter of this story.

I love the description of Spike's court, and especially what it looks like to Wes.

The Spike/Angel dynamic was handled so well.

Wonderful, darling, just wonderful!

[lit_gal]

Thank you so much. Spike does have his own version of a court, and his respect for his subordinates means he has more than just vampires in it.

[lilithbint]

*purrs*
There is nothing hotter than a dominant Spike and you write him so well.

[lit_gal]

Oh yes, this Spike is so very very dominant! I really had wondered what to do with him and Angel, but with Willow being the baddie, I really think Angel had to give someone else the authority and responsibility.

[50ftqueenie]

First the beta comments:

"I have studied vampire culture. I am well of the place humans play within it,"

I think there is a word missing in the second sentence. 'I am well aware' perhaps?

Now the good stuff:

I remember reading the first of this story and absolutely hating this Spike. I didn't hate the story or the writing, I just seriously loathed the Spike who sat there and maliciously glued those lego's just cause he was there and he could. Somehow the bastard grew on me. Now I absolutely LOVE him. The dynamics of the court are great and this Spike is just fun to read. Seeing Angel and his people react to the court and Angel's submission worked really well. Both Wesley and Fred were completely in character. (Her babble even confused me for a moment or three just like on the show. :-p) As always it leaves me wanting even more.

On a different note:

I noticed a 'happy birthday' message to you on someone's LJ dated a few days ago. Happy Belated Birthday. :)

[lit_gal]

It's the same Spike, but back then, he had no power, no group, no where to belong. He was a petulant child trying to get back at people for not loving/accepting/respecting him. Now he's totally in charge. And the more in charge he feels, the more comfortable he is with giving others their respect.

And Joss has a thing for smart women. Like with River, I had to do a bit of research for Fred's dialogue.

[50ftqueenie]

I enjoyed watching him evolve into this current version. You always manage to give your characters such depth and dimension, while still keeping them true to Joss's creations. They're voices ring true but they have so much more as you write them. Its almost like Joss had all these amazing diamonds in a really cool display case... and yeah they're still diamonds and they look great, but when you get to writing about them, there are times when you manage to jimmy open the case and show us the same diamonds shining in the sunlight. Whole new facets in the same brilliant gem.

[ladyvirgo1956]

Wesley is an idiot. He deals with demons on a daily basis and still can't accept what they truly are and their way of life. Fred lived on a demon world and Xander grew up on a Hellmouth and is more accepting of the way they are. Even though Wesley was trained by the counsel he should realize that demons expect certain things. He needs to wake up to reality and fast. Is Xander going to be the one to stop Willow or will she be killed. I'm glad that Spike is taking care of Dawn and Tara so Willow won't go after them.

[lit_gal]

Wesley is... and he knows he is... but he's still struggling with putting the pieces of reality where they should be. Certainly Wesley understood Angel's submission... at least that first one. He knew that Angel had to let Spike play master. He totally didn't know that Angel had to truly be forced to submit so that Spike was the master.

[outsideth3box]

This is amazing. I loved seeing Wesley's ingrained misconceptions challenged before his eyes. I really liked that Spike is the stronger vamp now and both Spike and Angel knew it. And still Spike looks after his Sire in the best ways he knows how.

I *adored* the fight scene between Xander and Angel, as well as Wesley's view of it.

Another gorgeous chapter of this story. Thank you.

[lit_gal]

Wesley is still in that awkward growth stage here. He certainly knows that the CoW is wrong, and he'd no longer the dork, but this level of involvement in court politics is totally freaking him out.

And yeah, Xander's a good boy and an excellent fighter!