Embers, Part 19/20 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

[coalitiongirl]

I've been away for most of the past week, and I'm only back online now, so instead of responding to your reviews from last time now, I'm going to post the chapter before I get to bed and respond tomorrow, instead. I have been receiving them via phone and they're much appreciated! *hugs*

Oh, and thank you so much to sintonia for the chocolate vgift! ;)

Comments

[anviloverheaven]

“Bugger this”

Oh thank goodness!!

But even before my little spuffy loving heart read that last part I had a giant smile on my face. There's so much hope, and moving forward happening here!

[coalitiongirl]

Yep, we're finally moving toward that happy ending I promised! ;)

[boot_the_grime]

Love the fic and can't wait for the last chapter!

I'd certainly love if Buffy/Spike interaction in S9 goes in a similar way. Although other things certainly won't: no Angel and Faith crossovers, and we can probably expect Slayers to hate Buffy for a much longer time, and a lot of other angst!

There will, however, be at least one similarity - mysterious killings. Have you seen the solicitations for S9 #2?

[coalitiongirl]

Thank you! It's a shame that they don't plan on crossovers (though I think an interview mentioned that there's going to be some spillover of plot between the two series), but other than that, I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with it! I've taken a very, very Spuffy-centric tack here, so I'm now much more interested in seeing what they do with the other characters in the real series, where they can't afford to focus on just two characters. And I'm very glad that I got this out before canon spoils the Spuffy perfection that S8 hints toward.... ;)

There will, however, be at least one similarity - mysterious killings. Have you seen the solicitations for S9 #2?

I did! I'm assuming that it's marked humans that the teaser's talking about, but still- odd coincidence! :)

[treadingthedark]

I am enjoying this fic immensely. So much to love. But I admit, I'm not really ready to see Angel too much, and the hug squicked me a little.

Great story though, I wonder if Season 9 will be anywhere near as good!

[coalitiongirl]

Thank you! :) I promise, Angel and Buffy hug in purely platonic, future-platonic-bff kind of ways. :D

S9 probably won't be as much gratuitous angst/fluff for Spuffy shippers, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with them! :)

[gingerwall]

He blinks up at her uncertainly, and she can sense his indecision and a startling amount of fear. Is he afraid of her?

Of course he is, after all that’s come before, after words spoken and retracted and hidden out of insecurity last time, and here they are again, her admission hanging between them.

You did such a great job of interrupting the relationship drama with plot drama and then bringing it all back around again. I'm going to miss this story. :)

[coalitiongirl]

Thank you so much! I admit, it's been nice to get back to plot for a few chapters, but I've missed all the Spuffy tension in between. :)

[lutamira]

I'm glad that in your future (and maybe the comics?) Buffy gets to hand the reins over to someone else. She deserves a chance to choose her slayer lifestyle, rather than being always coerced by circumstances, yaknow? And Kennedy will be happy as a clam being leader. I'm glad too that you've show the characters reconciling a bit - as much as I usually dislike Angel, it is good for Buffy if she feels like things are settled and comfortable between them.

I really liked the bit at the end with Buffy checking over Spike and seeing his insecurities and choosing to calm them. I wonder why Spike still doesn't say anything though?

[coalitiongirl]

Originally, I had this planned as Buffy wielding the scythe to victory, but I rethought it while writing, because that isn't Buffy anymore. She's become a warrior, not a general, and that's okay in a world where so many others can play the role she's been forced into.

Buffy's finally beginning to gain some insight in a relationship where she's been blinded by her own insecurities before. Spike, however, is too accustomed to reading too deeply into things to accept them completely even now... (Only Spike would deny that Buffy loved him after the events of S7. Be told that you're wrong enough times and you'll never have faith in it again. :/)