Rebcake-o-rama

I’m not a Buffy/Angel shipper. However, I read something recently that compared the Buffy/Angel relationship to the Bella/Edward one. Just as I thought, “Well, that’s not right,” I realized that it was a concept I may have entertained subconsciously. That’s really not fair of me.

For one thing, I’m not familiar enough with the Twilight series to really know what Bella and Edward are about as a couple. For another, I’m guessing people who ship Buffy/Angel don’t see Buffy as any kind of wilting violet damsel, which is what I assume is Bella’s deal. I haven’t read much fic for the B/A ship, but that can’t be what’s going on, is it? I mean, why would anyone bother to ship Buffy with anybody if they’re going to be satisfied with a super traditional romance heroine? Wouldn’t it be easier to just ship some other character?

I like Spike with Buffy in part because he seems to really appreciate her fierceness and strength. But doesn’t Angel also admire those qualities? Like, a lot? Or, is it the Bangel fandom consensus that he’s more attracted to her goodness and mercy?

Maybe the ship seems more heteronormative on its surface, and that’s why the Bella/Edward comparison is out there. But how deep does that heteronormativity ever go with Buffy? Not very with Spike, I’d say. Not successfully with Riley. Is it really so different with Angel?

I do see Buffy and Angel as two Alphas (as reductionist as that term is) and figure that’s an issue that’s got to come up in post-S3 Bangel shipping. I mean, if the ship is going to float on, she can’t stay 17 forever, so right there things are going to change, amirite?

Can anybody enlighten me about the kinds of issues that are unique to or typical of Bangel fic? Particularly later season or post-series fic? I’d love to know the kinds of things that set it apart from other ships in the Buffyverse fandom. Without, you know, having to read a bunch of it. I’m probably asking the wrong crowd, but y’all have Vast Knowledge, so I thought I give it a shot.
 

 

And yeah, this is gonna be a short entry.

( The positives... )

( The neutral... )

( The (mostly local) politics... )

New today! Another chapter of my set in San Francisco story/travelogue! NOT comics compliant. 

Title: Fire in the Soul (3/?)
Author: Rebcake 
Rating: PG13
Word count: 4150
Pairing: Spike/Buffy, but also a bit Dru-ish
A/N: Beta’d by snickfic, and reviewed by MiAmor. Some photos contained herein are copyrighted as noted.
Summary: A few years after Sunnydale’s spectacular demise, Buffy and her crew are getting on with their lives in San Francisco. A not entirely unwelcome blast from her past (Spike! It's Spike!) blows into town, but he’s brought more than the generally allowable amount of baggage with him. 

Previously: 
Chapter 1 on LJ / Chapter 1 on DW — In which a "chance" encounter leads to strong language and less-than-adult behavior. Also: animal magnetism.
Chapter 2a on LJ / Chapter 2a on DW — In which Dawn makes her feelings known and Buffy tries not to.
Chapter 2bc on LJ / Chapter 2bc on DW— In which Buffy gets on with her Sunday, which naturally ends up being weird.

New:
Chapter 3 — In which reports are made, scents are smelled, and sights are seen, pleasant and otherwise. Click here to read on LJ.


( It turned out the earthquake wasn’t that big a deal... )

Title: Fire in the Soul (2a/?)
Author: Rebcake
Rating: PG13, this chapter
Word count: 1140
Summary: A few years after Sunnydale’s spectacular demise, Buffy and her crew are getting on with their lives in San Francisco. A not entirely unwelcome blast from her past blows into town, but he’s brought more than the generally allowable amount of baggage with him.

A/N: This half-chapter takes place the morning after the events of Chapter 1. Alas, it's just a couple of gals sitting around talking, but more plot is coming soon (tomorrow?) on my journal. I'll link from the bottom of this chapter when it's up.


( Obligatory Sunday morning family phone call... )

I've been a busy little fic beaver (no cracks), but I've been remiss in linking things up here. So let me remedy that right now!

( Four stories (never before linked from this journal) below the cut... )

Title: Do You Believe?
Author: Rebcake
Word Count: 4102
Rating: PG-13 (some naughty words)
Characters: Buffy, Spike, Willow, Giles, Joyce, Xander
Warnings: Offscreen Buffy/Riley. Pretty much canon. Spoilers through Season 4.
Disclaimer: I disclaim to all and sundry that I didn't invent these people! They're peculiar!
Summary: When Buffy goes off to college, the magic just won't stop. How does she deal with the fallout from each, increasingly troubling, spell? And, why is her love life so screwed up?

A/N: This is my entry in the Fall 2008 round of seasonal_spuffy. Thanks to enigmaticblues for making that community happen. Beautiful banner created by the always wonderful alwaysjbj. Because It's Wrong by mahaliem very directly inspired my take on the fallout from the body switch (although it's much hotter than mine), and made me think about what else might've fallen between the cracks. This story isn't beta'd, except by MiAmor, who isn't tough enough. This is a fill-in the blank between episodes fic, from Buffy's POV. I'm working on another, rougher version from Spike's POV, but I probably won't get it into shape to post today. Feedback and concrit welcome!

( After the first enchantment of her freshman year, Buffy didn’t hate magic. )