"Twenty-Eight Days", by Hth (Rating: PG-13?)

[zulu.livejournal.com]

Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pairing: Tara/Willow
Author on LJ: Not sure.
Author Website: http://gatefiction.com/hth/
Why this must be read:

This story was brought to my attention by a friend of mine, who said, "I know you're not much for canon Tara/Willow, but, no, really. Give this a try." Always attempting to be open to new things, I did.

Here on crack_van, we're encouraged to rec the controversial, the seminal, and the intro-to-fandom type stories, and, obligingly enough, "Twenty-Eight Days" is all three. It was written way back when Buffy was in its fourth season, and it follows the development of Willow and Tara's relationship--which the viewers didn't get to see much of at the time--from Tara's point of view. On this count, it's an intro-to-fandom, because back then we didn't know Tara very well. The character could have evolved in pretty much any direction, and Hth picked one as likely as any other.

Which brings us to the seminal and the controversial bits. The Tara in "Twenty-Eight Days" follows a path that would later be trodden by Evil Witchy Willow, and for very much the same reasons: love, protective instincts, and, of course, that most Hellish of paving materials--good intentions. I never enjoyed Willow's character arc of Descent Into Madness (TM), but Hth, using Tara's point of view (to me, a much more sympathetic character), makes it seem an easy, almost natural progression. This is no Saint!Tara, patron of many a schmoopfest. This is the story of someone who was tempted--and the story is made all the more universal because of it.

And, most impressively of all, there is Tara's wonderfully perceptive view of Willow:

Maybe there's a little tiny bit of something true--this would insult her--to the way that some people think she's rebelling, or being in a phase. The way she smiles that too-sharp, sickle-smart little smile, the one she gets whenever she wins something...or whenever she manages to surprise someone who thought they knew her. Maybe it's not women she loves, but getting something that no one expected her to get.


Twenty-Eight Days

Comments

[rhi-silverflame.livejournal.com]

This is no Saint!Tara, patron of many a schmoopfest. This is the story of someone who was tempted--and the story is made all the more universal because of it.

Ordinarily I avoid Willow/Tara fic like the plague, because like you said much of it is a schmoopfest.

However, this intrigues me greatly. The perfect Tara that seems to show up in most fics is . . . well, not very compelling. But a portrayal of Tara that actually gives her flaws? I just can't resist. Thanks! :) *clicks and goes off to read*