secret slasha:
+All the stories can be found here.
First, the fic written for me: Joyce Summers' Calendar: July 1998. Joyce/Pat. I really enjoyed this. It's a time of in Joyce's life when she needs some happiness and some distraction, both of which Pat supplies. The fic is whimsical without being silly and understated without ignoring the difficult emotions. And the slash is both completely natural and a complete break from reality as Joyce knows it. All in all deftly done. A++ would request Joyce/any again.
And all the rest:
Long Winter's Nap. Xander/Oz. The writing is very good, with strong characterization. Oz who's not understated, Xander who's not overstated, and the OTP arises naturally from their circumstances. Like Oz himself, these men and their relationship just feel right, nothing excessive or overdone.
Rome, 16:42. Faith/Buffy. Terrific Faith and a Buffy I love. The resolution of their relationship doesn't feel forced, but the angst is at a minimum. Terrific.
Watching Strawberries Lose Their Shape. Buffy/Fred. I read this fic at 2ish in the morning when I was starting to lose coherent thought, and the babbling cuteness of these women cuddling made perfect sense to me. This fic makes me feel so smiling and hopeful for the future of them and their relationship. Wondermous.
Ruin Me. Dana/Faith. What a terrific idea. This is a terrific Faith-fic; she's absolutely in her element here, really astute and totally in control, and the observations that she/the author make please me a lot. The slash makes perfect sense, but the story goes deeper than that.
Last Kiss Before Leaving. Cordelia/Buffy. This is mostly a Cordelia character study, although the slash fits nicely. As a Cordy-fic, though, it's excellent. Some giggle-worthy lines, and a Cordelia-voice that's lots of fun without losing sight of her humanity.
Sign of the Apocalypse. Cordelia/Willow. Another great Cordelia fic. The pairing is not one I appreciate, usually, but this author has sold it in these circumstances. More than a replay of Xander/Cordy, but builds on those dynamics, and never loses sight of either girl's character. It's mostly about Cordelia, but what we do hear from Willow is terrific, and the last line is lovely.
And finally what will probably be the official guilty pleasure of 2007, After All, Buffy/Dawn. I love the way the voices sell it, the way it feels like the Buffy and the Dawn I know although they're doing something I imagine they wouldn't. Perfect incesty mix of oh-so-wrong/feels-so-right.
There are several other good-to-great stories in the archive, and several that I'm sure you'd enjoy If You Like That Sort of Thing, but the stories above are probably my favorites.
+There are two fics of mine in the archive. For each that you can correctly identify before the reveal, I will write (if you choose) a Buffyverse slashfic in the pairing of your choice*. Sometime before next year's Secret Slasha. (And I remembered to screen comments, so you can go ahead and guess.)
Now. Where is my Yuletide! And why have I not started attempting quiche, muffins, and other breakfasty foods? Besides coffee. Coffee I can make. Perhaps I shall make myself some right now.
*With the caveat that you could request, e.g., Xander/Angel, but it would totally suck, so I don't know why you'd want to.
First, the fic written for me: Joyce Summers' Calendar: July 1998. Joyce/Pat. I really enjoyed this. It's a time of in Joyce's life when she needs some happiness and some distraction, both of which Pat supplies. The fic is whimsical without being silly and understated without ignoring the difficult emotions. And the slash is both completely natural and a complete break from reality as Joyce knows it. All in all deftly done. A++ would request Joyce/any again.
And all the rest:
Long Winter's Nap. Xander/Oz. The writing is very good, with strong characterization. Oz who's not understated, Xander who's not overstated, and the OTP arises naturally from their circumstances. Like Oz himself, these men and their relationship just feel right, nothing excessive or overdone.
Rome, 16:42. Faith/Buffy. Terrific Faith and a Buffy I love. The resolution of their relationship doesn't feel forced, but the angst is at a minimum. Terrific.
Watching Strawberries Lose Their Shape. Buffy/Fred. I read this fic at 2ish in the morning when I was starting to lose coherent thought, and the babbling cuteness of these women cuddling made perfect sense to me. This fic makes me feel so smiling and hopeful for the future of them and their relationship. Wondermous.
Ruin Me. Dana/Faith. What a terrific idea. This is a terrific Faith-fic; she's absolutely in her element here, really astute and totally in control, and the observations that she/the author make please me a lot. The slash makes perfect sense, but the story goes deeper than that.
Last Kiss Before Leaving. Cordelia/Buffy. This is mostly a Cordelia character study, although the slash fits nicely. As a Cordy-fic, though, it's excellent. Some giggle-worthy lines, and a Cordelia-voice that's lots of fun without losing sight of her humanity.
Sign of the Apocalypse. Cordelia/Willow. Another great Cordelia fic. The pairing is not one I appreciate, usually, but this author has sold it in these circumstances. More than a replay of Xander/Cordy, but builds on those dynamics, and never loses sight of either girl's character. It's mostly about Cordelia, but what we do hear from Willow is terrific, and the last line is lovely.
And finally what will probably be the official guilty pleasure of 2007, After All, Buffy/Dawn. I love the way the voices sell it, the way it feels like the Buffy and the Dawn I know although they're doing something I imagine they wouldn't. Perfect incesty mix of oh-so-wrong/feels-so-right.
There are several other good-to-great stories in the archive, and several that I'm sure you'd enjoy If You Like That Sort of Thing, but the stories above are probably my favorites.
+There are two fics of mine in the archive. For each that you can correctly identify before the reveal, I will write (if you choose) a Buffyverse slashfic in the pairing of your choice*. Sometime before next year's Secret Slasha. (And I remembered to screen comments, so you can go ahead and guess.)
Now. Where is my Yuletide! And why have I not started attempting quiche, muffins, and other breakfasty foods? Besides coffee. Coffee I can make. Perhaps I shall make myself some right now.
*With the caveat that you could request, e.g., Xander/Angel, but it would totally suck, so I don't know why you'd want to.