Fic: Also Ran

[penny_lane_42]

She glares at him when he wanders into Angel’s office, and it’s not as though he can blame her.  Bloody awkward, biting her because he thought she was evil, only to find out that his source was some ex-lawyer cowboy type who was playing him for the fool.  Good thing he doesn’t care about embarrassment as long as the Slayer isn’t around (and she

Comments

[snickfic]

Oh oh oh, this is so fabulous that I cannot even begin to say. I am a total sucker for conversations between pretty much any folks that didn't talk in canon, and what a lovely example of the genre this is! It would never have occurred to me that these two would have this much in common. I love seeing Ats S5 Spike from the inside where the emotions are - 'cuz he sure wasn't wearing them on the outside that season. And I love seeing him from outside, from the view of other people.

Incomplete list of favorite bits:
His mirth dies abruptly. “That, I didn’t know about. Sorry for that, love.”

Of course she wouldn’t know about Red’s fling with the dark side; the Sunnydale crew is notorious for keeping their dirty laundry to themselves, even, apparently, keeping it from those who had once been one of their own. So true.

He suddenly feels as though he understands how Buffy felt that night in the church. And the stuff following - wow. Would never have made that connection.

But then he shoves his fists into the pockets of that ratty old jacket she’s never seen him without, pulling the leather closer around his frame and making himself appear even smaller. “Saw a demon ‘bout a girl,” he says with a grin so self-deprecating that it almost makes her wince. Ohhhh, Spike.

Why can’t anyone ever get over her?” Oh, yeah, Cordy. That doesn’t sound bitter at all. Oh, Cordy. Although, there at the end, she was being sabotaged more by conspiracy by the universe at large than by the last traces of Buffy/Angel.

Somehow, she thinks his answer would be very different than Spike’s. Oh, yeah.

Watching him, Cordy actually wonders for the first time whether Buffy ever let this guy in (it hadn’t even been a question up until this moment). If she did, Cordy can possibly-possibly-understand why. Hah. Love this moment.

“But I won’t be around to do it.” And love this whole exchange.

I, um, maybe could have saved time by just saying "All of it!" Seriously, I've liked your stuff before, but this might just be my favorite. (But then, I think that almost every time you post something new...)

[penny_lane_42]

Oh, you! You're too kind! I was kind of iffy on it because it'd been in my head (and then on my harddrive) for so long that I didn't think there was any way it could measure up, so your kind words make me feel better about it.

I am a total sucker for conversations between pretty much any folks that didn't talk in canon Me, too. I was devastated when I figured out that Cordy wouldn't be back for S5--the whole point of my excitement over Spike being on that show was, "Cool! Now he'll get to talk to Cordy!" It was kind of crushing.

Thanks so much for letting me know exactly which parts worked for you; I can't tell you how valuable that is.

Although, there at the end, she was being sabotaged more by conspiracy by the universe at large than by the last traces of Buffy/Angel. Totally true. There are a lot of things in this fic that I have one or the other of them say/think that I don't think are necessarily true. I also think that Buffy cares way more for Spike than the Spike in this fic thinks, but it's from their POV, so obviously they're going to have different thoughts.

I, um, maybe could have saved time by just saying "All of it!" I'm so glad you didn't! I loved this!

*blush* I really am so glad that you liked it. It means a lot to me. Thank you.