Re: Fic: "Up For Grabs" Rating: PG

[danspector@xxxxxxxxx]

I too initially thought it was Buffy comforting Willow over Oz, not
Willow soothing Buff about Angel. But I don't see this as a flaw at
all.

While usually I dislike "guess who" fics, I think this one works because
the interchangeability shows the similarities of the girls, both in
situation and in character, and thus reinforces the theme that they are
meant to be together. Here Willow is thinking that she's all alone,
that Buffy could never understand what's going through her mind, and
meanwhile 'Yoshi and myself (and doubtless others) were mistaking her
reactions for those that we imagined Buffy would be having just a few
short months down the line. The refutation to Willow's angst is being
created in the readers' minds even as we read it. Neat.

And let me "wow" a little over the dialogue, too.

> And who made up that rule, anyway?

> This very second, while I hold on to her, someone is falling for his or
her best friend.

And I also loved the description of Willow's heart's purpose as keeping
her alive so she would be able to meet Buffy. Nice literal touch on the
"all my life has been leading up to this" romantic idea.

Glad to have you back, A. M.! Stay awhile (please?).

And if this story is any indication, keep Fiona and Diana around, too.

Thanks,

Dan