Fic: Untitled (post- The Gift; the "Goodbye to This (and Hello to Oblivion)" & "Lilies" Remix)

[red_satin_doll]

Sunnydale Memorial Fanfic Awards, Round 27 Nominee: Best Angst, Best Characterization, Best Gen Fic, Best Quickie
Runner-Up, Best Angst (Gen)

Absence of Light Awards, Round 4 Nominee: Best Drabble, Best Author; Runner-Up, Best Drabble.  Judge's Comments: "I really like how this is AU, but doesn't feel like one. It easily seems to fit in with the

Comments

[rebcake]

Oh, sweetie! That's terrific. Really heartbreaking, but not in a way that's absolutely final, you know? Very, very well done.

He smiles at her fondly, proudly, even, the way he did in the car that night. Before Jenny...Nice callback. Also heartbreaking

[red_satin_doll]

Oh thank you! (I honestly didn't think anyone would actually read this.) This turned out twice as long as it was in my head, so I was worried. (It was originally just Buffy and the doctor, barely four lines or so. Giles and Willow popped in at the last minute.)

I'm so glad it worked for you. And getting compliments like from writers I admire? that's just priceless.

Really heartbreaking, but not in a way that's absolutely final, you know?

You know, that's exactly what I intended, because brutti_ma_buoni's story is very sad in that "final" way, and this was meant as a sliver of time before her story. I'm so happy that came across.

Nice callback. Also heartbreaking.I loved Jenny so much.A mature woman, smart, sexy, a computer/tech teacher, not afraid to make the first move on a guy and express her desires - so of course, she HAD to die, right? And thus another chapter in the "Joss is not as much of a feminist as he thinks he really is" saga

[rahirah]

Welcome to the Dark Side. :D

[red_satin_doll]

Hah! Thank you! I've been corrupted, there's no turning back now. (Literally. I woke up this morning with ficlet ideas pouring out of my ears. The earth is definitely doomed.)

[zanthinegirl]

Oh Wow, this is just gorgeous and angsty in all the best ways! I have a huge weakness for "what if" stories, and this one hits hard!

[red_satin_doll]

Thanks! I had never thought of it until I read BMB's story, and then it just popped in my head as perfectly logical - or at least as logical as anything that actually happens on that show, which is to say, not very much. :)

I love your icon btw - that's our girl. *hugs Buffy*

[readerjane]

Oh, ouch, poor Buffy!

I never thought through what it would do to the monks' spell if Glory did succeed in using Dawn to open her portal. But yeah, that could be one outcome -- with the Key out of the world, and the reason for the spell gone, no more edited memories. For everyone except Buffy, who was so close when it happened, anyway.

So now Buffy's in a similar situation to Angel when he was the only one to remember Connor. Except that Dawn's not better off with a happy, normal family. Poor Buffy!

[red_satin_doll]

Oh I hadn't even thought of the parallel to Connor - but then again I've not watched AtS, only read about it. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

But then I actually feel a little guilty saying that; I felt guilty writing this, on some level. Am I torturing Buffy? (I rant about JW/ME/DH doing that. Any dif here?) Am I enjoying her pain just a little too much?

[snowpuppies]

Lovely. Buffy's reaction is so wonderfully painful and I adore how you brought Joyce and her promise into things. :)

[red_satin_doll]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it, and that the painfulness is realistic too you (and hopefully not just angst for angst's sake?)

And I'm glad you noticed the promise to Joyce. I really love that about S5 (Joyce never got enough love on the show IMO). I don't know if you read my previous meta on the importance of Buffy's promise to Joyce to protect Dawn? It's rarely mentioned in fandom but for me it's a very important part of Buffy's motivation. And god knows Buffy's super-responsible - of course she would try to keep Joyce's dying wish. it just got mixed up with the other things going on in her head and heart at the time.

mcjulie wrote a very nice meta on the Gift and why Buffy's decision to save Dawn stems from the instinct she's displayed over and over in stopping apocalyses, knowing what the right decision is on a subconscious level, but not knowing exactly how to get there.