Categories: Episode Rewrite, Season 4, Season 5, Alternate Reality
Characters: Buffy, Ensemble, Riley Finn, Spike, Willow
Summary:
So in valerie21601’s Steampunk challenge below she mentions that in the season 4 commentary Joss reveals that the actors who played Willow and Riley had good onscreen chemistry, and that if it hadn’t already been decided for Willow to come out as gay, he would’ve allowed a romantic relationship to develop instead of putting Riley with Buffy.
What if he had let it happen?
Willow and Riley end up spending a lot of time together in order to try and get Riley with Buffy, but she keeps rebuffing their efforts. Overtime feelings develop between Willow and Riley.
Have it so Tara is in the picture, but she and Willow are only friends (maybe with a one-sided crush on Tara’s side).
With Riley out of the way, there’s room for Buffy to explore a possible relationship with Spike after “Something Blue”.
Would like it if Willow and Riley’s relationship doesn’t last. Like in canon he begins to feel useless and wants to keep up with Buffy because his typical male ego can’t stand that she’s stronger than him. With a strain on her relationship, Willow hangs out with Tara more often and falls in love with her.
This entire set-up would lead to an interesting take on “New Moon Rising”.
Everything else is up to the author.