Fic: And Fear Finds Nothing Left to Mend, Part II (Buffy/Spike, T)

[rahirah]

And Fear Finds Nothing Left to Mend, Part II
By Barb C.

Rating: T
Setting: Post-Gift AU (Barbverse)
Pairing: Buffy/Spike
Synopsis: Knowing that the Slayer has hard decisions to make is one thing. Being the subject of one is quite another.
Author’s notes: This story takes place in the same universe as "Raising In the Sun," "Necessary Evils," and "

Comments

[kerry_220]

It's always a pleasure to watch you take some really naff canon villain and make them actually fit into a sensible storyline. Archaeous was so bizarre in the comics and barely worth the effort.... except to get under Spike and Angel’s skin, I suppose.

I feel a bit squeaked about the next bit, but I’m waiting with bated regardless. I don’t want our heroes all broken :-(

[rahirah]

Well, they're certainly going to get bunged up a bit, but since I wrote this particular part of the story arc backwards, at least you already know they get better. :)

Archaeous was so frustrating in the comics -- not just because of the silly-looking design, but because it was all so unresolved. (And why was he so invulnerable? Buffy has this super demon-killing scythe and it just bounces off him like it was made of rubber? And, and and-- !!)

[relurker]

I'm reading this with an half closed eye, fully expecting to be clobbed on the head-or hit in the stomach-at any given time. Beautiful as always, but I'm so affectioned to this 'verse of yours, and the people in it, that I'm already crying about little Christopher.
Do I have to wait until next Seasonal to get more of it?
I loved that there were reveals about your background story all through this, as well as including comic canon.

[rahirah]

Well, I always hope it won't take that long, but I don't want to make promises I can't keep. I'll get it out as quickly as it comes to me, I can say that much!

[readers_only]

Ahhh, back in the Barbverse! Loving it and waiting for next installment!

Thank you,

[rahirah]

Thank you!

[double_dutchess]

I know things are going to get really angsty, but this was mostly still good old adventurous fun. I'm really enjoying Spike's narration and his irreverent attitude towards just about everyone and everything. Of course, anyone would agree with him that Archaeus looked super silly.

When I reread the previous chapter I started to get my suspicions about the identity of the mysterious Wellington, and they got a lot stronger when reading this one. I only couldn't fathon why he'd be doing what he was doing -- until the reveal of his true motives made it all make sense. I love the coherence and consistency of the Barbverse. You run a tight ship as a storyteller.

[rahirah]

Yep, I've had this bit plotted out for a good long time. Way back when I wrote "The Lesser of Two Evils," one reader complained that the characters weren't punished for their bad naughty evil. I tried to explain at the time that I don't believe in "punishing" characters. After all, I'm the one who's making them do what they do. What I believe is that actions have consequences, intended or otherwise, and the characters will eventually have to deal with those consequences, one way or another.

[thisficklemob]

Hi Barb -- I cannot deal with angst right now, but I want you to know I re-read your fic I have saved to my ipad over and over (and over).

No stunning new insights -- just ongoing appreciation -- but I've realized that if I had super-healing, I'd definitely take being beaten up over doing ten years in prison for sure.

[rahirah]

:hugs: Don't worry about it -- I totally understand.