Gen stories I've been enjoying (BtVS, Critical Role)

[thenewbuzwuzz]

I have had this list almost ready to post for a year. Now that February is upon us again, its time has come. :) In the BtVS part of it, I added notes on how gen each story is to facilitate the avoiding of romance for anyone who would like a post-Valentine's palate cleanser.


Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Mirror Man by sparrow2000 (Giles & Angel, G) - 100 words
An absolutely delicious character study with a self-aware Giles.
Notes on gen/shippiness level: nothing but gen

Unlikely Companions by procrastinationfairy (Spike & Tara, T) - 200 words
The author had me at the summary: Tara meets Spike at a gay bar!! (Don't miss the hilarious end credits scene in the notes.)
Gen/ship level: the end notes mention that Tara and Willow are girlfriends

memento by womanaction (Xander & Jesse, G) - 593 words
I loved this! womanaction made some brilliant choices filling in the gaps around Jesse and his family, and Xander's relation to both.
Gen/ship level: Jesse's parents are a married couple, but it's not a central theme

Bring the Flavor, Show You How by rippergiles (Giles & Dawn, G) - 666 words
The perfect missing scene to expand on this line: "We listened to aggressively cheerful music sung by people chosen for their ability to dance. Then we ate cookie dough and talked about boys."
Gen/ship level: they do talk about boys

Useless One by ErebusBeck (Xander, G) - 857 words
A lovely tribute to Xander that got me right in the feels!
Gen/ship level: a very short mention of the concept of nubile girls

An Assignment from Buffy's Senior Year English Class by LittleRaven (Buffy, G) - 879 words
An interesting character study through the lens of an unconventional format.
Gen/ship level: general contemplation of grieving dead lovers

Self-Taught by that_one_kid (Buffy & Giles, G) - 900 words
A brilliant and very sweet story about Giles doing his best.
Gen/ship level: gen only

Going Through the Unimaginable (Forgiveness?) by ancslove (Angel & Giles, T) - 1085 words
We love to see a complicated platonic relationship! I thought the author wrote a great Giles.
Gen/ship level: Bangel mentioned

An Old Man and a Cat by 23Murasaki (Giles & Patches, T) - 3542 words
A delight of a story! Giles' relationship to the zombie kitty from "Dead Man's Party" deserved exploring, and it's beautifully written! I was so invested in the cat's well-being, I didn't know I wanted anything else, but then Chapter 2 went wonderful, whimsical places!
Gen/ship level: Ethan flirts with Giles briefly



Critical Role (Campaign 2)

Some of these have a romantic or sexual subplot, but other pursuits or platonic relationships are more central to the story.

Slip Knot by AgentMint (Caleb & Beau, T) - 4287 words
Fake dating, but make it platonic! What a concept, what fun execution.

sheltered by ivelostmyspectacles (Caduceus & The Mighty Nein, T) - 4536 words
Caduceus in a big cuddle pile, like he deserves!

proof by contradiction by Chrome (Dairon & Essek, T) - 19,620 words
Sweet delicious Dairon POV with spy shenanigans!

a question of access by stygius (Essek, temporary Essek/Adeen, Explicit) - 22,184 words
The beacon heist! Exciting action music was playing in my head as I read this.

spider silk vows by hanap (Beau & Essek, T) - 88,103 words
Arranged marriage, but make it (queer)platonic! This was beautiful and poetic, and I adored it.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

The Old Man and the Cat sounds delightful! Downloading.

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Yay! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)

[itsnotmymind]

Thanks for the links!

[thenewbuzwuzz]

:)