Cordelia tells Buffy about Darla by Loup Noir +24
Responses: 0
Categories: Crossover (AtS), Season 4, Season 5, Alternate Reality
Characters: Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Darla, Spike
Summary:

Set in a somewhat A.U universe here, bare with me.

One of my gripes with Angel, well Bangel to more precise (though there are many) was that Buffy never learned about Angel sleeping with Darla, or the lengths he went to in order to help Darla that he never did for Buffy. By extension, I don't think Buffy ever knew about Connor either (may be wrong, feel free to correct me.) Even more frustrating was that no-one thought 'well, maybe this is something Buffy should know about' about either of those things. So, my challenge this time is that our favourite beauty queen does this.

Now, Cordelia's reasonings could vary. Maybe her own investment in Angel, which was gradually blooming at this point, leaves feeling her hurt and angry at Angel's obvious though warped fixation and love for Darla, leads her to telling Buffy whom Angel similarly 'led on' to a degree. Maybe the lack of respect Angel shows for Buffy by not telling her himself pushes her into action. Or maybe Cordelia sees through Angel's wish for Buffy to be 'normal,' and realises he just wants her waiting for him to Shanshu so he can claim her. Though my personal, though perhaps non-canon, favourite is that secretly Buffy and Cordelia were much closer friends than anyone realised, especially after the Xander cheating with Willow thing, and so her friendship with Buffy leads to her returning to Sunnydale and telling her secret bestie what's up.

Regardless of the reasoning, Cordelia returns to Sunnydale, visions and all, to inform Buffy about Angel and Darla. Now we enter the very alternate reality at this point. I know that technically the seasons of Angel are meant to take place alongside the Buffy seasons, but for the sake of this fic, let's say the Darla portion of events happen much quicker. When she returns, Cordelia is surprised to find Buffy is sleeping with Spike. Sort of a Season 6 deal, a secret, but happy, arrangement that they keep from the Scoobies. Nonetheless, Buffy is shocked and rightfully upset to hear about Angel's sleeping with Darla, especially after his spew about them being destined and soulmates. Cordelia and Spike comfort her about this, and Buffy decides to leave Angel in the dust and enjoys her sexual trysts with Spike, fully embracing her Slayer side and love for fighting, especially with/alongside Spike.

Cordelia stays in Sunnydale this time, helping the Scoobies with latest Big Bad, while secretly being Buffy and Spike's confidant about their affair. Along the way, Cordelia sees Buffy and Spike's chemistry: physically and emotionally as they just seem to bounce off each other and does her best to ensure this isn't destroyed by the likes of Xander, Riley and especially Angel when he inevitably roars into Sunnydale looking for her.

Must Haves.

  • Cordelia telling Buffy about Darla- the whole purpose of this challenge is that the two women who invest the most emotionally in Angel have enough of his games and stand up to him. Cordelia is furious at being strung along by Angel and Buffy is furious at his constant saying 'he can't move on' and making her feel guilty when she tries to. The two bond and become good/better friends than before.
  • Spike and Cordelia bonding- I always like the Spike and Cordelia dynamic as he always seems to find time to compliment her when he sees her. So seeing the two bond and become friends would be cool. I can imagine Cordelia being charmed by his bad boy persona but also seeing that he's actually a very caring and emotionally mature man as well as extremely educated underneath the rough exterior.
  • Spuffy- So the basis of this challenge is that Cordelia's revelation of Angel leads to an emotional closeness between Buffy and Spike. Obviously, physically the two just click. The backstory to this is that instead of Riley stuck in the Lowell house with Buffy, it's Spike and the sexy shenanigans of that night made them realise this. So Buffy, who had her heart broken by Angel and was humiliated by Parker, is not keen on a relationship and is simply looking for no strings attached. Of course, her chemistry with Spike means the two spend as much time cuddling as they do sexing, but because it's so casual she doesn't think about it. Cordelia is able to make her see light, how is up to the author.
  • Cordelia keeps Spuffy's secret- recognising Xander's jealousy, Riley's bigotry and Angel's sense of entitlement, Cordelia acts as Spuffy's confidant and runs interference whenever the two sneak off. She also stands up for Spike in Scooby meetings and takes Buffy's side when it comes out.
  • Buffy likes Spike's vampire side- Nothing fancy here, Buffy enjoys that Spike is honest about who and what he is and doesn't pretend to be anything else. She likes his enjoyment of his vampire side, especially in the bedroom wink
  • Unchipped Spike- Hated this concept, so no chip for Spike. Show his willingness to change without it just to keep Buffy happy.
  • Happy Cordelia- Don't put her with Xander, it's not a pairing I really liked and he cheated on her. Just ensure Cordy ends up happy with an OC or otherwise (see Can Haves)
  • Angel taken to task for his dishonesty- Don't bash him too much, not looking for Angel to be bashed throughout the story. Just when he turns up (with or without Darla) read him the riot act for his actions, by BOTH Cordy and Buffy. Give him a bittersweet happiness: he realises his warped though deep love for Darla, but loses both Cordelia and Buffy as a result.
  • Supportive Willow- Have Willow, and Tara, support Spuffy. They keep it secret and participate in girl talk with Cordy and Tara. Also have Cordelia and Willow bury the hatchet and become friends.
  • Riley bashing- This guy I love seeing bashed, because I hate his guts (call me petty.) For real hate points, have Riley hit on Cordelia while trying to get with Buffy, leading to him getting slapped by our beauty queen. also, have Spike beat him up at least once for his disrespect towards both Spike's ladies. 
  • Initiative/Glory Big Bad- Have Adam appear as in canon, but with Cordelia (and her visions) around, she can possibly prevent a lot of the death that occurred in the show. If this takes place closer to season 5 like in canon, Cordelia can help with Glory, mainly seeing Ben is Glory's host and/or preventing Dawn's kidnapping.

Can Haves

  • Xander tries it on with Cordelia- I can see him doing this. Just make sure he's rebuked, harshly. Don't overly bash him, just put him in his place. He ends with Anya like in canon.
  • Cordelia sees Faith's return- Cordelia is able to prevent the body switch with Buffy and Faith is redeemed. Have her reveal her death wish like in Angel, only this time with Buffy as they fight. Faith becomes a Scooby again, as well as another of Buffy's friends.
  • Cordelia moves in with Joyce- Cordelia needs a place to stay and, seeing her friendship with Buffy, Joyce lets Cordy stay with her. Cordelia could 'see' Joyce's brain tumour early and helps prevent her death.
  • Cordelia/Faith pairing- Just an idea for Cordelia ending up happy. She and Faith could bond over the course of the story, leading to them falling into a relationship. Faith gives me major Bi vibes (as people reading by Dust in the Wind series will know) so this could be a pairing.
  • Cordelia and Spuffy ménage-a-trois- This is me being immature and wanting to really stick it to Angel (that and I'm being immaturely male regarding Charisma Carpenter and Sarah Michelle-Gellar. Feel free internet smack me) Cordelia and Buffy could really bond over Angel's omission of Darla, as well as an attraction to Spike, which ends up in the three of them having a three-way relationship. If this is included keep the focus on Spuffy, but I'd like to see some Buffy/Cordy/Spike, Buffy/Cordy and Spike/Cordy sexiness. Not too much, just include them.

Can't Haves.

  • Angel forgiveness- Don't Buffy or Cordelia forgive him for Darla.
  • Spuffy breaking up- Don't break them up at all.
  • Scooby Bashing- Don't bash the Scoobies, put them in their place sure but don't bash them.
  • Biley- Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope! Okay I'm done.
  • Character deaths.