Re: Fic: We Band of Buggered 2/2

[Crys Loch <pagansoul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A response, if y'all don't mind.
Crys

o163210 wrote:

> First off I've got to say bravo. You really cut to the meat of the 
> issues and resolved it in a way that doesn't make any of the Scoobies 
> look like a complete jackass.

Thank you.  At least for my own sanity, it had to be done.  They only 
skimmed over it or flat out ignored it on the show.

>  
> >"We're not turning evil,"  Buffy offered.  "It's just you can't get 
> into the fight without getting some of it on you.  Or in you."
>
> A very valid point but also a worrying one.

lol  Well, see title of fic. <g> 

>  
> >"But you are."  Xander persisted.  "I check the driveway now for hand 
> baskets."
>  
> Hehehe. If you find one Xander, just don't look into it. You just 
> don't know what the 'Hell' you'll find in it.

<g>  My bad.  I couldn't resist.

>  
> >I have to do something. I can't just stand by and let the evil suck 
> you both in."
>  
> This is the Xander that we all know and love. The question remains 
> where the FUCK was this Xander during seasons 6 and 7? (damn Marti).

Skimmed over and ignored.  Actually, this is the character trait that 
drives me the most crazy about Xander.  Or rather, his choice of 
'action' following this thought always seemed to set him against Buffy 
and/or Willow.

>  
> >"But it can, Will."  Xander countered. "There's all sorts of evil and
> it can get us too: swallow you up whole. I've seen that look in the
> eyes before. You forget, I grew up with it. As long as I can remember,
> my dad's eyes would go blank and then he'd hit me. In fact, it's my
> earliest memory. I can't let that happen to you."
>
> They do tend to forget that Xander grew up facing a different sort of 
> evil and his worry just isn't plucked out of thin air. Nice use of a 
> characters history to change the tone of their discussion.

Thank you.  A couple things- First and following my comment above, I had 
to give him a reason why he seemed so intolerant at times of their 
choices and situations.  Second, this reason I give him I'll admit is 
mostly fanon.  A jump (small leap) in conclusion of canon innuendo.  But 
given that canon innuendo, valid fanon character history. <g>

> >How much more could I see before anger just turned bitter and I stare 
> blankly in the mirror at a demon? And I see you both spiraling down 
> and a part of me wants to sink with you." 
>  
> >if we do go to hell, you're welcome to follow."
>
> >Xander laughed a little in relief, himself. "No. I'll do anything, 
> but I won't do that. Someone has to be around to remember.
>  
> >"I'll watch and I'll stay with you both, till whatever end happens. 
> Just think of me as watcher guy, only without the pesky research." 
>  
> I believe he would (and looking at season 7, he did) sink with them. 
> Xander can escape being dragged under by the sins of the father, but 
> if it ever came to Buffy and Willow sinking he couldn't walk away 
> or just sit back and watch. He'd either jump in and try to save them 
> or decide that (to twist Oz's words) "As Buffy and Willow goes, so 
> goes my nation." Xander's heart is just too big and Buffy and Willow 
> just own too much of it for him to not go down with them.

Ah, I disagree.  (but this did make me think)  I think Xander finally 
realized he'll be the one left standing at the end.  He can't heal 
scars.  And he can't changed what's happened or what it's done.  If the 
darkness in them won and swallowed them whole, he'd want there to be 
someone to make sure that wasn't all that was remembered of them.  And 
if they went down in the fight... let's look at the last show. (consider 
that your spoiler warning)  Let's say that spell did kill Willow (a last 
sacrifice/the price) and Buffy did die in the fight, I believe they 
still would have won.  That leaves Xander above, getting away on the 
bus, and living.  He would never be the same, but he'd be left at least 
to tell the tale correctly.  They may have only skimmed by him in season 
7, but there is his talk with Dawn, the fact that he was willing to 
leave with Dawn, and that he was fighting up above in the end with Dawn.

>  
> >Turning to Willow, his eyes softening as he reached out and tucked 
> her hair behind her ear. "A big part of me was hoping you'd take me 
> with you that day."
> ::makes inappropriate and unmanly sniffling sounds while trying not to 
> cry::
>  
> >Buffy watched them for a moment. She felt a little apart as always, 
> yet somehow more connected than she had ever been. They were truly in 
> it together. Any one of them unable to let any of the others go. There 
> should be guilt, but what she felt was love in that gray area between 
> right and wrong.
>  
> >Xander was asleep in the middle of the sofa, Willow curled up between
> him and the side.  She thought of just going up to her room, alone, but
> the thought felt lonely.  She started for the chair but let herself end
> up on the other side of the sofa.  Feeling Xander's arm circle around
> her, she rested her head on his shoulder and let sleep connect her to
> the daylight world again.
> ::gives up any pretense of manliness and turns on the waterworks::
>  
>  
> Outstanding work. One of the best Scooby friendship stories I've seen 
> for a while. If I ever get the time, can I add this to mine and 
> Tony's B/W/X List?

That'd be a "hell yes."  Um, I mean, "sure, I'm honored."

>  
> I'm trying to collect all the best B/W/X friendship and shipper fics 
> with the intention of one day putting up a web site for them (but 
> don't hold your breath, it'll be a LONG time before I get around to it). 
>  
> Mike McD

*holding breath*  There, now the clock's ticking.  Please, I'd love a 
site like this. <g>
Crys





Willow: "It's a good fight, Buffy, and I want in."
Buffy:  "I kinda love you."
                     'Choices'

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