A Favorite Fic: Stranger Things (S/X)

[shakatany]

Stranger Things by tolerik/Esmeralda is a very long series that veers off canon in the 4th season. In the first story "The Deal", Spike, in order to rescue Xander from becoming a demon sex toy, needs to prove his "claim" on the boy. Unable to be the one to penetrate a virgin Xander because of the possible pain setting off the chip, he must persuade and guide an astonished Xander to be the "doer" in front of his demon captors. In the next story, "The Arrangement" Spike and Xander decide that they have something real but the chip is an obstacle so Spike takes Xander to LA so Angel can "break him in" with Spike in attendance. Esmeralda stage manages the three of them beautifully and logically but of course Xander is Spike's and eventually he can claim his boi. In subsequent stories Doyle joins in the fun as Angel's companion and there is a time or two that it's the BtVS version of "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice". However the series is more than just PWP. There are major obstacles in the path to happiness like the return of the Initiative and Angelus.

Esmeralda is a very capable writer and her characters ring true even as they depart from canon into slashheaven. The first story "The Deal" was written in 2000 and since then this series has grown into 9 complete multi-chaptered stories and a 10th which is a WIP. It's up there with "Repossession" and "Quantum Xander I&II" in the length department. There are not many writers out there who have been writing as long as she has and is still producing fabulous fics. Go and enjoy.

Comments

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

It's Roadtrip to Freedome :D It's an okay fic, short, however, it's ver old, remember the days when Tara was hated by the fans, yeah, Tara bashing. That's why I said Sands of Time was the first to open my eyes.

First time I saw Xander was in S2, and I fell for him so bad. I wish Xander and Spike had developed some sort of friendship during S7. Scenes like the lighter scene (S5 Spiral), Xander saving Spike in Doomed, Spike saving Xander's other eye in Dirty Girls just show how these two need to get along.

[shakatany.livejournal.com]

Is that "Road Trip to Freedom" by Tienco? I've just re-read it (too many fics too little memory - I really need to upgrade my brain *g*)
Supposedly there's a sequel called "Dancing with Death" - do you know where it can be found? I'd forgotten that Tara was once hated. In most fics nowadays she's Mother Theresa Tara.

I too loved the scene with Spike and Xander in "Spiral" and when Xander said "Okay, I so need male friends" in Bargaining Pt.2 I had such hopes that ME would let them become pals. Instead they alienated Spike from everyone - grr argh! At least the Spander writers can rememdy that.

Shakatany

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

LOL @ Tara being Mother Theresa, so true!

About the fic, I've searched for it but I couldn't find it :(

[shakatany.livejournal.com]

I so dislike the ephemerality of stuff on the web. It's why I bought the fanzine version of "Twilight Time". I think we're in the 2nd generation of BtVS fans - the first became fans during the run of the show - and those who come to BtVS via syndication or DVDs will have little knowledge of the rich trove of fanfics produced earlier.

Shakatany