[fic] no lies, no apologies

[kwritten]

fic: no lies, no apologies
fandom: btvs
pairing: buffy/tara
word count: 2,000
setting: an au in which Dead Things ends just slightly differently
note: inspired by a conversation had with red_satin_doll about the tropes that are used in bara fic. WARNING: this is *not* the bara that you may be used to. not too sure about the ending, but ... it is what it is

Comments

[lanoyee]

Wow. This is fantastic. This is an excellent perspective in a Tara-centric fic in particular -- so often we focus on Tara's kindness and givingness without considering her history. Her history which most certainly gives her her own darkness, as you beautifully illustrated here. And especially the pressure of having to be everything for everyone else nonstop is something Tara and Buffy could really connect over. And it's just so touching, this bravery they show in taking for once.

Just wonderful.

[kwritten]

Thank you so much!

And it's just so touching, this bravery they show in taking for once.
Oh! I'm so glad you think so!

Yes, it's hard to walk the line between Tara's goodness and her past/ongoing trauma, but it's a line I'm willing to mess up a few times in an effort to try.

Leaving me babbling like an idiot...

[feliciacraft]

Hi, you don't know me and I'm not even sure how I got here (su_herald, maybe?). I should be writing but instead I'm procrastinating by poking around LJ. But then I came upon this, and this is absolutely gorgeous that I must let you know! :)

I'm not a bara shipper (first time I've heard the term, really, such is my tunnel-visioned spuffy-ness), but after reading this, I feel like I could be. Should be, even. :) I've always felt that the relationship between Buffy and Tara was under-explored in canon, and given the layered similarities and differences between the two characters, it was such a terrible waste. The struggle with the (perceived vs. actual) demon-within, Buffy's status as the Slayer and the alpha of the group vs. Tara's taken-as-read position as weakest of the pack and forever the victim, etc. are themes built up in canon only to be discarded...such a shame

Re: Leaving me babbling like an idiot...

[kwritten]

*waves* hihi and welcome!

Thank you so much for reading and letting me know that you enjoyed it! Authors live on comments :)

The struggle with the (perceived vs. actual) demon-within
Yes. I've always wished there was more fall-out from this for both of them.

Anyway, this piece is just unbelievably beautiful and nuanced and delicate, like Tara.
Thank you so much for all of your kind and sweet comments! You are incredibly thoughtful and I'm so, so glad that this piece touched you! It's very dear to my heart.

If you ever feel like leaving the Spuffy-tunnel, there's a bit more Bara-fic in these parts :) Though mostly I write Dawn, actually.

Re: Leaving me babbling like an idiot...

[feliciacraft]

Hmm, will have to check out your writing on Dawn. I'm branching out on LJ as I'm writing other characters too, though mostly in a canon-compatible manner.

I just wrote an end-of-S5 piece where all the Scoobies and Spike are mourning Buffy, and getting into Dawn's head really made me realize how resilient and incredible she is. I mean, I always thought she was insufferably whiny on the show, but trying to do her justice in writing, I finally got the perspective that at age 15, she's gone through more craziness and heartbreak than I have in easily twice that, and honestly, she has a right to her behaviors, to say nothing of her emotional journey. And Tara, oh, I want her for my best friend.

Anyway, I find it always satisfying, in a soul-replenishing way, to stumble upon great writing, no matter what the subject. :)

[clockwork_hart1]

I ADORE YOU

thank you for bringing me here thank you for this

we have like these brainwave things i'm sure, we're always on the same wavelength with these things, these GIRLS - good girls, taught to be a certain way and never quite fitting it even without understanding that an alternative is there

let's promise to always be selfish and never apologise here

[kwritten]

I adore you. I knew you would understand this and need this the way that I did.

being a good girl is so heartbreaking

let's promise to always be selfish and never apologise here
deal

xoxo