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blackfrancineOkay, you guys. Here we go! Recommendation day is here at last! My main way of participating in fandom has been to consume the amazing work created by others more talented than myself. So, I'm really excited to have an excuse to talk about some of my favorite works and maybe introduce some of y'all to one or two new fics or vids.
But there's a lot here. Especially in the vid section, as you can see. So, you might want to stretch and get some water--I don't want anyone pulling a muscle or getting dehydrated trying to marathon all the awesome that's about to come flying at your head.
FYI--This post is going be my html masterpiece if even half of the embeds and links work. It took me all day.
Fic
My fic interests are INCREDIBLY narrow. I almost exclusively read Spuffy fic. And I have a very, very strong preference for post-series Spuffy reunion fic. Which might be boring to some people--but whatevs. I never tire of it when it's done well.
A lot of what is listed here is fun, post-series Spuffy. But some is angsty. Some isn't post-series. And some isn't Spuffy. Hell. Some isn't even BtVS (because you can't tie me down with your rules, MAN). But it's all wonderful.
This list doesn't even begin to be a comprehensive list of the fics I love. Not even close. This was just off the top of my head--and I was trying to leave off the fics that most people are probably already familiar with.
I should probably also mention that I'm clearly a masochist--because I have a habit of falling in love with abandoned or slowly-updated WIPs. Hopefully this doesn't bother you.
Look Who’s Stalking by
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buffyprof aka candysayz at ffn (where she tends to update more frequently) --WIPGuys. This fic. It might be the most perfect thing ever written. I ask you, f-list: Are you concerned with Buffyverse gender issues? Are you concerned with Buffyverse race issues? Do you enjoy hilarity brought to you by the overlord of a stable of wiley Vengeance Demons? Do you enjoy pitch-perfect Buffy and Spike voices? Clever plotting? Witty repartee? All arching over the aching beauty of the Buffy/Spike love story? Well, this is the fic for you.
Seriously--PLEASE read this. Read it and, if you like it, leave the lovely author a comment. Because while she's working on it still, and fully intends to finish it, she's putting it off because she doesn't think anyone likes it. So, please. Do it for me (Do it for the CHILDRENNNNN!). So that this amazing and underappreciated writer will finish what is without a doubt one of my favorite fics ever. Thank you. That will conclude the begging portion of this post.
Good Feelings by candysayz WIP
By the same writer as Look Who's Stalking--this fic has absolutely nothing to do with BtVS. It's a Breakfast Club fic. But it's amazing and delightful in every way. So if you love the Breakfast Club, give this a shot. She's regularly updating this one. NC-17-ish. (The NC-17 chapters are actually isolated into a separate fic--so you can read an R version or an NC-17 version. Both versions are HAWT).
Thought You Should Know by
angearia WIPIf you don't know that I love this fic, then we probably have just met. Because I talk about it all the time. I love it so, so much. Most people are probably familiar with it--but I love it too much to not rec it anyway. Re-read it, dang it. Post-series, Season 8-ish. Best Buffy and Spike voices around. Most in-character expressions of emotion between Buffy and Spike ever. Also twisty and plotty and full of hilarity and angst.
Unqualified Applicant Need Not Apply by
angearia Not Spuffy! Post-Chosen spell short fic on Slayer-ness and beauty expectations in the media.
All the Things That Are Lost by Lady Kate WIP, probably abandoned
Post series Spuffy. Angsty, wonderful interdimensional-traveling Spuffy reunion.
His Majesty, the Bug Queen by
angearia Post season 8 hilarity. Only vaguely Spuffy-ish. Short fic. It is perfection in fic form.
Slayer Mask by
angearia Not Spuffy! Drabble, Buffy's dark side.
The Peanut Butter Incident by
angearia Not Spuffy! Not even BtVS! This is an adorable 30 Rock fic Emmie wrote. If you watch 30 Rock, read this. It's glorious.
Ars Poetica by
penny_lane_42 Amazing Spuffy overview. Spans entire series and goes post-series. Beautiful, poetic, optimistic.
Basiare by
penny_lane_42 Post series Spuffy reunion. Angst, sweetness, great characterization.
Pen Pals by treacle_antlers
Post series? I can't remember when this takes place. But it's a short, funny, and achingly melancholy shot of correspondence between Spike and Angel.
Where Pies Go When They Die by
ghostyouknow27 Post Series Spuffy just how I like it--a la mode. With wackiness and emotion and a little tinge of darkness. [And yes, I edited this just so I could insert that "a la mode"/pie joke.]
For Good by
biggrstaffbunch WIP, abandonedPost Series Spuffy reunion. This is just a lovely, different take on a Spuffy reunion. It's filled to the brim with witty dialogue--and has some of the best Buffy/Dawn interactions I've read in any fic.
Strangers by
lusciousxander Season 8-ish Spuffy. Love this. I was skeptical because I don't like baby fic. And I'm not that into the idea of Buffy/Xander (which this has a little bit of). But this fic. It's plotty and wonderful and has incredibly convincing characterization. Also has probably my all-time favorite OC.
Marking Time by
annapurna_2 WIP, updating relatively regularly--should be complete soonPost series, plotty Spuffy reunion. Interdimensional travel with angst and a S/B/A triangle.
Mortgage Crisis by
annapurna_2 Season 6-ish. Randy and Joan buy a house! Adorable!
Tell Her This by by
eowyn315 Post series Spuffy reunion. One of the most convincing scenarios around-- and with wonderful voices. Sweet, funny, angsty. Just plain good.
Vids
For your convenience, I have organized the vids according to character or pairing. If you find something you like, consider following the links and telling the lovely artists how great they are.
Also, I tried to put a note of "SEASON 7" for Season 7-heavy vids--because
eilowyn and gabrielleabelle were discussing season 7 vids last week, and I promised some. BtVS-general
I Just Wanna Live by
shoopdancer Fun look at the high school years.
Destiny Calling by
diff3rent_light Ats and Btvs: Big damn heroes!
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Take me to the hospital by
charmax Fun vid that looks at how hazardous Sunnydale is to your health.
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Bachelorette by
obsessive24 THIS VID IS AMAZING. Meta on the feminist message of BtVS.
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The Gift by
bisclaveret password for the vid = thechosenone
Wonderful vid that examines the sacrifice it takes to be a slayer.
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The Ones Who Stand by
nvrbnkisst Beautiful look at the relationships between the core characters and how those relationships get them through.
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I Don't Dance by SemiCharmedMike
AMAZINGLY crafted, fun dance video featuring BtVS and AtS. Note how all the clips of dancing/moving are exactly in time to the music. Very well done.
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Oh My God by
thedothatgirl One of my new favorites. A look at what everyone goes through in Season 6. Really well crafted, and gives a balanced, compassionate examination of the season.
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Mortal Kombat by
bradcpu BEST EVER. Cracky, hilarious vid. Just pure silliness. But it's really artfully-made, clever crack.
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Creep by
bradcpu Has to be downloaded--but... You must. Watch. This. An examination of Spike and Faith's view of Buffy which compares their perspectives to Buffy's own experience. Masterful.
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Man or Animal by
bradcpu password=heartattackMen are lusty beasts. Fun, energetic vid about boys and their urges. Like all of bradcpu's vids, this is so well done, it'll blow your mind.
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Not Enough by michaelvm92
Angsty look at the Scoobies.
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Crawl by MarisaMovies
Another angsty look at the Scoobies. It made me cry.
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Fix You by Michaelvm92
Even more angsty Scoobies
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This Is Our Town by michaelvm92
Kick ass Scoobies. Nice overview of the series--drama and action married quite nicely.
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Suburbia by
dualbunny (SEASON 7) A look at seasons 1 and 7--bookends of BtVS.
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Smile by
charmax Fun, upbeat vid.
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Rest of Our Lives by
diff3rent_light SEASON 7. Energetic, warm look at season 7, especially Chosen.
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Brick by Brick by
thedothatgirl SEASON 7. Look at how Buffy kicks ass in Season 7, especially in Chosen.
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Buffy
No Longer Feels Like Home by
nvrbnkisst Unbelievably insightful and compassionate examination of Buffy's depression in season 6 and how she fights back against it. Easily one of my favorite vids ever.
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It’s Not by
stormwreath Buffy’s POV during Season 6. Angsty!
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Someone Like Me by
nvrbnkisst Beautiful Buffy POV vid. It gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.
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Spike
Bullet with Butterfly Wings by
bradcpu password for the vid= cannotbesaved
High-energy look at Spike's nihilism and his battle to live life as he chooses.
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Champion Song by
nvrbnkisst WATCH THIS NAO. I can just rewatch this character study of Spike over and over. It's so fun and sexy, and yet still insightful. Love.
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Spike (Gimme More) by
darlapr0duction Hot Spike is hot. This vid is like potato chips--I cannot watch it just once. So fun.
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US of Spike by
sdwolfpup Punk Spike. Hilarious, cleverly-assembled vid.
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Plowed by
sdwolfpup More Spike.
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Black, Black Heart by
dualbunny Spike's relationship with his coat.
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Still Breathing by
charmax Amazing. Love this. Wonderful look at Spike's struggle toward redemption and independence.
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Other character-specific vids
Anya-Stand Still, Look Pretty by tonya1980
Anya character study. A loving, sensitive look at Anya's journey.
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Faith-Living Dead Girl by
bradcpu Faith. In all her messy, complicated glory.
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Wes/Lilah-We'll Never Know by
nvrbnkisst God. I cried. Such a beautiful look at this complicated ship.
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Anya-New Soul by michaelvm92
Adorable, peppy look at Anya's silliness.
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Spike/Angel-Awfully Different by
thedothatgirl Fun look at the two souled vampires.
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Ben/Glory -Brothers and Sisters by
obsessive24 Character study of Ben/Glory (subtly juxtaposed with Buffy/Dawn)
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Spangel-Your Woman by
charmax Spangel isn't exactly my thing--but the craftsmanship on this vid is incredible. Great story vid about these two.
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Spuffy
Everything Will Break by
nvrbnkisst Touching Spuffy.
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If You Can Reach Me by
nvrbnkisst An examination of how Buffy's relationships with Angel and Spike compare. Beautiful.
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Just a Dream by
nvrbnkisst May be my favorite Spuffy vid of all time. Comprehensive, moving look at the ship, with season 7 shown lovingly from Buffy's POV.
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Untouchable by
nvrbnkisst Season 6 Spuffy. Sniffle.
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Halo/Great Love/Because I Care by
darlapr0duction This is 3 vids. Halo is a music vid about Spuffy from Buffy's POV, Great Love and Because I Care are relationship studies. They're all touching and beautifully done.
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Hello by
thedothatgirl Funny look at Season 5 Spuffy.
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Disappearing World by
nvrbnkisst One of my faves! Shortish vid on Spuffy, with a concentration on the PARTNERSHIP and equality that exists between these two. Optimistic and beautiful.
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Effigy by
effulgent_girl Haunting, ethereal Spuffy.
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Say When by
shoopdancer Spuffy from Spike's POV.
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Must Get Out by
dualbunny Spuffy, a little sad/angsty.
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Sorry by
dualbunny HILARIOUS. Fun look at Spuffy sort of from Spike's perspective. I legit LOL at a certain moment every time.
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Hot chick by
ladyofthelog SEASON 7--Silly season 7 vid. I love the juxtaposition of the Spuffiness with the unsentimental song choice.
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Multifandom, including Buffy
My Medea by
yunitsa Examination of patriarchy in BtVS, Dollhouse, and Firefly. (This is light on the BtVS, but it's an incredible vid.)
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This Is the Picture by
obsessive24 password for the vid=therewillbeblood
Examination of Whedon shows. Visually magnificent.
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One Girl Revolution by
arefadedaway I love this vid so hard. I actually watch it when I need to lift my mood. It fills my heart with pure, liquid joy. A look at all the amazing ladies of the fictional world.
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Enjoy Being a Girl by
absolutedestiny Buffy, Kara Thrace, Veronica Mars, and Sydney Bristow. They're just into girly things--like saving the world from unspeakable evil.
ETA: I just added a couple things that I had accidentally left out of my first posting. But, I've certainly not included every great vid and certainly not fic. So, if you want to make a recommendation, please feel free! It's all about celebrating these wonderful, creative folks!
