Unnaturally Coloured Snack Foods
I love the dynamics of the story, and the dialogue, and the unspoken things. It bothers me how often Oz says "baby," but the rest of it totally overrules that little complaint.
By Sheila Perez. PG.
Voluntary Madness
I would never have pictured Gunn/Xander, but here it is, and the author maked it work so well. And--hot! I could totally picture everything that was happening in this story.
By scarletfiction. NC-17.
The Case of the Caribbean Bubbly
No words. No. Words. I am in complete awe of this vastly complex and intricately beautiful alternate universe, and can say nothing more coherent regarding it.
By glossolalia. NC-17.
Christmas in Nairobi
This is Oz/Xander like I've never seen it before, all missed chances and apologies. And it works, because they're grown and living very different lives. I also adore the obvious research behind this story, because it gives it such depth.
By Josey. PG-13.
An Atlas of the Beautiful World
A pairing I've never pictured, done remarkably well. But what's best about this is the imagery. The whole thing is just these pure little snapshots. Gorgeously tactile and sensory.
By Croupier. R.
Here's to Forever
It takes more than a little stretch of the imagination for me to believe this fic, but I still ended up liking it. Mostly because of the dialogue. And because, oddly, all the characters seem very in-character even though they're in relaitonships and doing things I mostly can't picture them doing.
By VenusBlue. R.
His Word Is Sweet
It's Lindsey/Oz! Yay! And also yay because it is quiet and meditative, just like it should be, and there's this whole extra level of environment to it that I can't really explain. Not that I should, because you should read the thing and find out yourself.
By Lar. PG-13.
Five Black and Gold Rings
Another "five things" story. I initially read this just for the basic theme (a particular ring) that tied it all together, and ended up loving it because Giles is so--so Giles here. And because these are five background stories that all would still hold up well separately. Very nice.
By beccaelizabeth. PG-13.
Perfect Day
I normally don't read Troika fics, because I hate it when they try and turn Warren into a good guy. But I read this, and the author didn't do that, and all the geekery is so, so perfect. Great stuff.
By Dolores Labouchere. PG-13.
The Amazing and True Adventures of Dawn Summers and Her Zombie Twin
This is just...weird. In a very good way. It's not nearly as silly as one would expect, given its basic plot, and it actually works really well, as a sort of episode-that-didn't-happen.
By Kyra Cullinan. PG.
‘...it's less dangerous’: Five Things That Never Happened During In the Dark
I love these "five things that never happened" stories, when they're done well. And here the author uses them to their full potential, telling five totally different, equally plausible stories set during the same time. Excellent.
By glossolalia. R.
Human and not wholly human, writ by the finger of the Divine
This was written after a vague request from me, and the results are just...unspeakably breathtaking and perfect. Oz finds a new life for himself, further down the road, using his gifts to the fullest. In this story he inhabits a whole different world--and yet it's the same world and, oh, please, just read it.
By glossolalia. PG-13.
Blue Train
Oz is giving Xander some much-needed musical education, and they find common ground and share more conversation than Oz probably has in his whole life. So cute!
By ms. mouse. PG.
Untitled
A quick little smutty story about Angel and Xander. and--I just love the immediacy of this story. There's no hesitation, specifically on Angel's part. That's lovely characterization for him, too, especially at that early point in his arc.
By J. Crew Guy. PG-13.
What the Scarecrow Saw
This is classic darkfic. It's Cousin Beth, and Tara didn't come back home. These are the consequences of lives and actions misdirected and scrambled. This is a piece of such succinct magnitude and achievement, I can't even go on about it.
By Bluebell. R.
Respite
It's Connor, and it's Faith, and it just fucking blew me away.
By Maya. NC-17.
fitter happier more productive
Five lives that Connor might have. This story is sharp and brittle and hurts deep down inside, but it makes you shiver with the possibilities.
By zara hemla. R.
Farther Than Russia
Connor in his new life, a few years down the line, Connor wishing for something he can't remember and thinking it's all a dream. Awesome.
By Minim Calibre. PG-13.
Evil Hand
It's Lindsey's hand, and it's evil, and I don't know whether to smile or groan at this.
By Kate Bolin. PG-13.
"The key and the doors"
This is a Dawn story. A story about Dawn being the Key and what that really means. I just love this. There's rhythm and a slow creeping dread that crawls up your spine and then lodges at the back of your throat. Priceless.
By Hecate. PG.
Happily Ever After
A deliciously creepy story about how Season 5 could have ended. I've heard that this isn't a very popular story, but I don't see why. I find the possibilities it brings up to be absolutely thrilling.
By Mary Borsellino. PG-13.
Tied
Oz/Tara Wishverse goodness. I really like Tara's characterization here--much closer to what she was like on the show than I normally read. And, of course, Oz. And the brilliantly-written expansions on what that other universe is like.
By Mary Borsellino. PG.
Salvation
This is Tara, in the Wishverse: a girl on a mission armed only with a shotgun and her own dreams. I like this because unlike most Wishverse fics, it manages to present a radically different character interpretation, while still keeping the character recognizable. To call this femslash would be simplistic, but yeah, it's there.
By Faithtastic. R.
Down Through the Morning
Okay, see, Oz/Tara is my secret little unrequited OTP. And this is an Oz/Tara story. But it's also about the spaces left behind when someone you love is gone, the lack of rightness, and restoration. This is the story of what would have happened if Willow died instead of Tara, and oh my, is it a lovely one.
By Kyra Cullinan. NC-17.
And Janus Dances
Willow and Ethan and the thrill of true chaos, and Giles and Oz caught between. This is thrillingly surreal and utterly fascinating. By Sascha. R.
Something Damn Manly
Written for me in December 2002. It's Giles! It's Xander! And they're lonely and spending Christmas together, and getting really drunk, and stuff happens. And by "stuff," I mean "porn."
By Sam. PG-13.
Debts
An Ethan/Oz written for me in December 2001. Still reads as just as powerful and original and subtly erotic a story as the first time I read it.
By Isabeau. R.
Forgive Us Our Debts
Giles and Oz and sushi. Yes.
By Dolores Labouchere. R.
Crystalline, of the Vine
This is Ethan, in all his pagan hedonistic glory. If it weren't fanfiction it would be a hymn.
By Wendy. R.
Disclaimer:
This is a not-for-profit, fan-made website created for entertainment purposes only. Neither the site nor anyone connected with it are in any way officially affiliated with the original media on which the linked fiction is based. No infringement intended.
A panavatar.net production.