Fic: Fragments

[pricelessspike]

Title:  Fragments

Author:  PricelessSpike

Era/season/setting: Post all seasons, including comics.

Rating: PG

Warnings: Character death

Authors Note: This is not a happy story, it deals with issues with aging and does not have a happy ending. Thank you to my wonderful beta Stoney.

Comments

[teragramm]

OMG, I am in tears! This one will stay with me for a long, long time.

I have to say that this wasn't easy to read, I know quite a few people who are going/went through this with a parent, spouse, or loved one. BUT it WAS worth the tough read and tears. It's a beautiful story of love. Thank you.

[pricelessspike]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you got something from the fic. My aunt has dementia and she was my inspiration.

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Ouch, that was painful. Well done!

This was my favorite sad line: "Spike begged forgiveness for every blow he’d ever inflicted"

And I loved Angel being his awkward self. :D "It’s Irish." Amazing.

[pricelessspike]

Thank you. I couldn't even imagine that conversation between Angel and Spike, so I left them to their drinking.

[double_dutchess]

That was an unexpected and heartbreaking interpretation of the "25 years" theme. Such an unfair fate, and all too realistic, sadly! But I loved how bravely Buffy faced this new, unconquerable "demon" and how Spike stuck by her until the bitter end. For me, the most hard-hitting part (forgive the pun) was the line that thenewbuzwuzz also quoted, "Spike begged forgiveness for every blow he’d ever inflicted". How terrible he must have felt!

[pricelessspike]

I know it was a cheat but I counted 25 years from the end of S12 when Buffy was 30, so she's 55 in this fic 🙂 I was worried it was a bit too depressing for a celebratory anniversary, but I went for it anyway.

[ston3y1]

And it still tears me up. I love the tweaks you did to the ending. Really powerful story Pricey. :)

[pricelessspike]

Couldn't have done it without you Stoney, thank you for all your time, patience and advice. You really are the best ❤️

[gillo]

Ouch. So horribly true. I fear you have watched someone go through this, as I have. The question about her Mom rings dreadfully true.

Beautiful and heartbreaking.

[pricelessspike]

Yes, my aunt mistakes me for my mum and asks me if our mum and dad are dead. It' heartbreaking. She accepts the answer without tears, but I feel like crying 😧

[gillo]

I'm so sorry. My mother would tell me my father was away at the moment, some seventeen years after he died. I think, deep down, she didn't want to know the truth any more.

She remained herself to the end, though. My mother-in-law lost everything, including speech and movement.

It is such a vicious condition. Terrifying to go through, beyond heartbreaking to watch. I love the way your Spike stays with her and continues to care.

[pricelessspike]

It really is a terrible disease, I'm so sorry you've had to deal with it in your family. As for Spike, he'd never leave Buffy, not when she needed him the most, would he ❤️