Family (Up to Author) by Loup Noir +24
Responses: 0
Categories: Season 5, Season 6
Characters: Angel, Buffy, Darla, Ensemble, Spike
Summary:

I recently read Fly Me To The Moon by Megan. And I really enjoyed this fic, especially because it deviates from the common portrayal of Angel, the guy who is secretly jealous of Spike because he's a better champion/man without soul etc. I'm a perpetrator of this myself, because it's very easy to do. In short, in this fic, Angel shows that he actually cares about Spike and is amazed by his ability to change without the soul. More importantly, he stands up for Spike against the Scoobies and Buffy.

And I'd like to see another fic like this.

The concept is this, Spike goes through a traumatic event within canon (being chipped, used a punching bag by the scoobies, tortured by Glory, so on and so forth) and Angel hears about it. Either Angel can call Buffy to find out what the hell is going on or he calls Spike away to help him (being his Grandsire it's certainly plausible he can do this.) But take it the next step further, requires some deviation from canon, in that Darla is present as well (soulless or not is up to author.) And they are furious about how their family member is being treated. Dru can also be present. This could also be a series of events. For example, Angel first shows up after Riley and his plastic stake and is furious, attacking Riley in retribution for targeting his family, but asks Spike to stays in Sunnydale because he can help Buffy. Fast forward to Season 6 and Buffy beating Spike in the alley. Angel and Darla arrive in Sunnydale and rip Buffy a new one for how she treats Spike when he clearly loves her before taking Spike back to L.A to recover.

I think vampires have a warped but very genuine view of family, largely due to the lack of soul. There is a huge sense of loyalty to each other. As a result, Angel and Darla (and maybe Drusilla) roar into Sunnydale and demand answers from the Scoobies. How these leads to Spuffy is up to the author. 

Must Haves

  • Angel caring for Spike as his progeny. This is a huge part of the story. Spike is essentially Angel's progeny so Angel does care for Spike in that regard. Angel could say it like this: "Yeah, Spike drives me insane. He pisses me off more than anything else. And, for the love of God, there're days I want to take a stake and shove it through his heart. But that's what it means to be family. There're days you hate them, but there're never days you stop loving them."
  • Angel furious with the Scooby Gang for how they treat Spike. Having the souled vampire tell them how wrong their actions are must really rattle them. Of course, there must be the standard denial phrase (looking at Buffy and Xander) but eventually they realise that he's right.
  • Angel acknowledges that Spike loves Buffy. Calls Buffy all kinds of foolish for pushing it away.
  • Angel is the one to tell Buffy that they are over and have been for a while. There're too many fics where Angel obsessively tells Buffy they're destined when they clearly aren't. Make sure he acknowledges his fault in the whole thing and apologise for being wrong.
  • The Scourge standing up for Spike. Emphasise the protective family instinct of vampires, it's clearly there in the show.
  • Angel/Darla pairing. I always see Darla as Angel's soulmate or true love because of the lengths he goes for her, even with a soul. Find a way for them to be together. Perhaps Darla was changed by her experience as a human and having a soul and this makes her decide to turn over a new leaf (Like Spike!) Just make sure Cordelia ends up happy in some way.
  • Scoobies eventually get their act together. They must apologise to Spike (You especially Xan-man!)
  • Spuffy outcome. Don't rush this too much, Buffy is in denial for a bit, but when it happens it can be as explosive and sexy as you like.

Can Haves

  • Drusilla. She is Spike's sire and is greatly distressed by the mistreatment of her Prince. Show she does love Spike in her own away.
  • Angel attacking Riley in retribution for the plastic stake. If set in season 6, have him beat Riley down for the whole 'Doc' thing too.
  • Darla saying something about her attack on Buffy in season 1 being related to the fact the Master was her sire and she was trying to protect him, not just kill Buffy.
  • Angel and Buffy fight about Buffy's beating Spike in the alley. This could be dramatic.
  • Tara, Dawn and Anya are the only scoobies allowed near Spike at first, as they have never hurt him the way the others have. And Joyce, if she lives.

Can't Haves.

  • Angel bashing.
  • Too much Spike bashing by Scoobies, they are quickly sorted out.
  • Character deaths
  • Bangel. They are finished.

I recommend reading Fly Me To The Moon as a starting point. Have fun!