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Heroes in Hell by Glassdarkly (R)
Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Length: 30,054 words
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
shapinglight
Author Website: Distorting Mirrors
Why this must be read: After Spike burns to ash in "Chosen", Buffy goes to Hell to rescue him, but it doesn't go as easily as she'd hoped. This story is amazing on many levels, and it's full of substance. First of all, there's the novel and richly detailed vision of hell, which is sometimes starkly horrifying and sometimes oddly funny. There's also the brilliant characterizations. Neither Buffy nor Spike are perfect people, and this story never shies away from their flaws; nevertheless, their best qualities are here, too, in a true balance that feels very human and natural and canonical. I think what I like best about this story (though it's a close race) is the way those exquisite characterizations don't leave off in the character interactions. Buffy and Spike have issues---let's face it, both of them are difficult people, even separately---and this story does an amazing job of dealing with those issues in ways that feel very plausible and satisfying.
The check-in demon pushed his glasses back up his nose and regarded her sullenly.
"It’s like this. You may think this vampire of yours doesn’t deserve to be here – and can I just say - vampires and Slayers? Eww! What's that all about? -but your boy has a soul now. He may just not agree with you."
Buffy’s cheeks flamed up at the vampire/Slayer remark. Why did everyone think that? "That’s insane! Who in their right minds would want to stay here if they didn’t have to?"
The check-in demon gave her an inscrutable look. "Oh, you’d be surprised. And haven’t you read what it says on that door about abandoning hope? No one goes through it until they have."
He indicated the rows of people sitting in their chairs, staring at them both. The rows of people went right on staring, but then they had nothing else to do.
"Some of these people have been here for centuries. They all think they deserve to be made an exception for, so they sit and wait. But they all go through in the end. Your guy, though, he marched straight through that door –" and the check-in demon cocked his head towards it –"without a backward glance the moment he arrived."
"I don’t believe you." Buffy gaped at him. Then she shut her mouth and glared. He had to be kidding her. "Spike wouldn’t do that. Why the hell would he do that?"
The check-in demon was looking sympathetic again, which was worse than anything somehow.
"Because he believes this is where he belongs. In fact, he probably thinks he deserves worse. And unless you can persuade him otherwise, you’re wasting your time here, lady."
Heroes in Hell
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Length: 30,054 words
Author on LJ:
shapinglightAuthor Website: Distorting Mirrors
Why this must be read: After Spike burns to ash in "Chosen", Buffy goes to Hell to rescue him, but it doesn't go as easily as she'd hoped. This story is amazing on many levels, and it's full of substance. First of all, there's the novel and richly detailed vision of hell, which is sometimes starkly horrifying and sometimes oddly funny. There's also the brilliant characterizations. Neither Buffy nor Spike are perfect people, and this story never shies away from their flaws; nevertheless, their best qualities are here, too, in a true balance that feels very human and natural and canonical. I think what I like best about this story (though it's a close race) is the way those exquisite characterizations don't leave off in the character interactions. Buffy and Spike have issues---let's face it, both of them are difficult people, even separately---and this story does an amazing job of dealing with those issues in ways that feel very plausible and satisfying.
The check-in demon pushed his glasses back up his nose and regarded her sullenly.
"It’s like this. You may think this vampire of yours doesn’t deserve to be here – and can I just say - vampires and Slayers? Eww! What's that all about? -but your boy has a soul now. He may just not agree with you."
Buffy’s cheeks flamed up at the vampire/Slayer remark. Why did everyone think that? "That’s insane! Who in their right minds would want to stay here if they didn’t have to?"
The check-in demon gave her an inscrutable look. "Oh, you’d be surprised. And haven’t you read what it says on that door about abandoning hope? No one goes through it until they have."
He indicated the rows of people sitting in their chairs, staring at them both. The rows of people went right on staring, but then they had nothing else to do.
"Some of these people have been here for centuries. They all think they deserve to be made an exception for, so they sit and wait. But they all go through in the end. Your guy, though, he marched straight through that door –" and the check-in demon cocked his head towards it –"without a backward glance the moment he arrived."
"I don’t believe you." Buffy gaped at him. Then she shut her mouth and glared. He had to be kidding her. "Spike wouldn’t do that. Why the hell would he do that?"
The check-in demon was looking sympathetic again, which was worse than anything somehow.
"Because he believes this is where he belongs. In fact, he probably thinks he deserves worse. And unless you can persuade him otherwise, you’re wasting your time here, lady."
Heroes in Hell