This was a perfect story. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment. I truly appreciate it. So glad you enjoyed the story. I am working on a sequel, slowly but surely!
I have to say your Human Spuffy stories pull me in. They are never what I go looking for but there is something about them and I can't put them down until I've finished them. Sometimes they are too real and I have to take breaks cause I relate a little too well to the very human confusion and anxiety that are real human relationships but it is their reality and vulnerability that bring me back with a need to see them through. Thank you for writing.
I deeply appreciate you sharing your thoughts on my writing. Real is what I aim for. Sometimes it's lovely to escape into a story, but sometimes it's lovely to be able to relate on deeper levels, and know we aren't the only ones who think and feel that way. It can be cathartic to walk through emotions with characters we've come to care about. I know writing helps me own and process my feelings and experiences, and explore how people operate. I think it helps me be more understanding, forgiving and appreciative of people in my life and the human condition in general.
I know these aren't the typical Spuffy stories and I'm always touched that people give my version a chance. I think this Will and Buffy are heroes in a quieter way, facing the demons of their own personal fears and failings, and helping each other grow. 
Good God that woman needs to get out of her own head.... I've been there though... depression messes with everything and so does wanting to be the thing that someone else needs with all their heart. Wow being human is tough.
Amen, it's like a dog chasing its tail, speeds up faster and faster, more and more pointless until it just falls down into a panting tumble. It can be hard to self regulate when we're feeling fearful, unworthy, or sad. It's nice if we have a partner who can help us recognize when we are going down a harmful mental path and help us get back to our better self.
Oh my God, the end of that chapter was so delightful I actually DID laugh out loud. Thank you I needed that.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on the story. It's lovely to know that even after it's been here awhile, it's bringing joy and some laughter to people. I'm working on the sequel to this one now. I like that Will never lords his age and greater experience over Buffy, while at the same time allowing her to learn from and get the advantages of it.
I just re-read this and it was honestly just as fantastic as the first time. I really hope you end up doing a sequel!
Such a well written, funny, and heartwarming story- thank you!!
Thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed the story! I am working on a sequel, but it's slow going right now, so I won't make any promise as to when it will be posted. Knowing people are still reading and liking the story definitely make for wonderful incentives to spend time with my keyboard. Hopefully we'll see more of our favorite couple soon.
Whaaat a sequel? Mark me down as cheering you on as incentive!
Whaaat a sequel? Mark me down as cheering you on as incentive!
I've just re-read this and it's so perfect I think it's my favourite and I cannot wait for the sequel! ♥a039;
Thank you so much! What a lovely thing to say. I've been hearing from several people who have re read and are hungry for more, and it's making me want to make the time to work on the sequel. I have begun in, but life has had other plans for me lately. I really need to get back to work on it!
This is such a wonderful chapter. I adore the conversation between Mary and Will, I always love spuffy interactions, but I absolutely go mad over spike and amazing OCs building out different parts of his character and world. Just lovely, touching, delicate, and real. bringing me lots of joy 2 years down the road xx
One of the things I love about writing fanfiction is that it gives me a chance to explore the characters more deeply, and Spike was a lonely character on the show. He was emotionally isolated both due to his situation and his "swagger", always needing to play the big bad, and never being able to let anyone close. I enjoy allowing him true friends in my fics, giving him the opportunity to lean on others and for them to enjoy the gift of friendship I believe he was capable of. I'm so glad to hear that you like that as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. Happy reading!
I love this story! Absolutely one of my favorites, I would never stop re-reading it! 
Thank you so much! That's lovely to hear. I am, slowly but surely, working on the sequel!
Very beautiful. Looking forward to the sequel! Weddings and houses and babies, oh my!
Thank you! Seems like these chilly winter days would be perfect for writing, but my muse is not amused lately. It's happening, slowly, but surely.
I want to know what happens with the suggestion box, I could read this on forever absolutely wonderful
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed the story. Haha, that suggestion box could be the inspiration for a few one shots. Lol.
I love this story! Hoping for a sequal soon!
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. A sequel IS in the works, but it's been slower going than I had hoped. It's encouraging to know people are reading and enjoying the story...gives me incentive to write!
I just reread this story and enjoyed it as much as I did the first time. Wonderful!!!
Aw, thanks! Glad you still enjoy it! I'm hoping to work on the sequel again this Nov for Nanowrimo. I didn't make nearly the headway I expected in April Nano Camp. I feel like I've had to write a lot of rubble and hope that I can ultimately mine some gems from it. I was basically in total isolation then due to Covid and found it hard to concentrate or muster any genuinely fun scenes. Feeling more normal now so hopefully the words will flow more easily. It's time I reread this to get back into the energy!
Since I translate to read the fic can I ask a question? But how old is Spike? and Buffy?
Spike is 50 and Buffy is about 30. Hope that helps!
Lovely, lovely, lovely story. I hope your sequel includes Dru's reaction to Buffy and Will's wedding.
So glad you enjoyed the story! I am working on the sequel, but it was tabled for a couple months while I dealt with art projects and the holidays...but ideas have been flowing again this week. I hope to get back to writing soon.
Holy crap! That was both beautiful and painful at the same time. 😄😭 Love should get easier with practice, but all that pesky reality just makes it ten times harder, especially when you're over forty. Great job!
So glad you enjoyed the story. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and let me know! I guess love is always challenging, but maybe in different ways at different stages. After my divorce in my mid forties I dated men who were good companions to me, but I would NEVER have chosen to father my children, but that was no longer an issue. I also realized I didn't have a "type" as much as when I was younger. On the other hand, I don't have that starry eyed "love can conquer everything" idealism I had when I was young, but I have a greater appreciation for the time and effort my partner puts into the relationship and I'm less inclined to get upset over little things or things not going exactly as I hoped.
Part of the fun of this story was having to deal with two people who were in very different stages of life, yet still determined to create a life together. It was a fascinating process, but also very moving and challenging for me. I had to set the story aside at times to let my feelings work themselves out because sometimes it felt to raw and close to home.
I can definitely see how this story would take a lot out of you. The depression angle alone...tough stuff.If I had to compare myself to anyone, I'd be Ethan- seemingly worldly wise from a lifetime of Dionysian shenanigans, but maybe realizing later in life that there's something to be found in "boring" I love all the characters, though.
This was such a great chapter depicting Buffy's happiness as well as her own longing for what her sister has. Although the story is all human, this totally feels like it could be in canon. I liked the bachelorette party, it gave me a rush of nostalgia. Great Chapter.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! I can just imagine how Buffy must have felt, knowing Dawn wasn't actually her sister yet her mom having cute pet names for her etc. I know that Buffy came to totally love and accept Dawn as her sister, as well as the role she played as key, but Buffy was human and had feelings, fears, jealousies just like the rest of us.
I had to do some research for that Bachelorette party, I've been out of the game for some time. It was fun!
I have to ask! Why did you title it Blank Check? I was curious about it the whole story, feeling like it would have some great significance but other than the note in Wils pocket at the very beginning reminding him to give Dru the cheque I can’t recall anything about a check.
this story was a delight to read. I truly appreciated all of the thoughtful work that went into crafting it into a REAL LIFE relationship. Noting that love isn’t romance but rather choosing to be with someone when the romance has left the room.
little details like getting a piece of toilet paper in his mouth when he was going down on her, how he smelled like an old person (though that was a little disturbing as well), Buffy’s mood swings and depression- humanized these characters in a way they are often not humanized.
im so excited to read your other fiction! I’m hoping to find that you stay true to this style in those pieces as well. d84;a039;
Blank Cheque, was the working title. I think it fit in the sense that Will had the opportunity to do anything he liked with his life, but he felt he owed this person or that person something. He was always trying to make everyone happy rather than attend to his own future, always feeling a vague sense of failure and guilt. In a sense, this new relationship was a blank cheque for both of them, but they had to decide what they wanted to write it out for and be willing to sign it. It was a process, and ultimately Will decided to cash it in rather than keep "paying off" the people in his life or hanging on to an idea of himself that no longer fit.
I considered changing the title but nothing else ever came to me that fit any better. I changed cheque to check on the suggestion of an early beta on this story.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the story and the characters. I am a great lover of realism, I like writing characters and situations that I (and the readers) can relate to. I always like reading a story and feeling a little less alone and weird, because someone out there is thinking, feeling and experiencing something that I recognize. It's always nice to hear that readers find that as satisfying as I do.
I truly appreciate the time and emotional energy my readers put into reading my stories and it's lovely to hear from you! I hope you enjoy my other stories as well!
Wow, I just have to say. Thank you for making this so real and relevant to NOW.
So much to relate to. The text message struggle all the space and reading between the lines. The social media struggle.
not sure I’ve ever read spuffy like this before and it’s so exciting!!
Thank you so much for letting me know you are enjoying the story. I feel very lucky that there are such great Spuffy lovers here that have an open mind and heart to all human, in the present stories. Great characters can be cast in many time periods and a wide variety of situations and still be awesome!
Ugh, Kay. She totally rubs me the wrong way. Her motives seem pretty transparent. And shaming Will about his relationship with Buffy? I guess there's no chance in hell now of them just being friends. She's too manipulative. Subtle, but manipulative. Wish he'd have thrown her a two fingered salute! She probably would have been puzzled by it. But yeah, I still see a Buffy/Kay confrontation in the near future. Hopefully Buffy will let her know what time it is and not back down or let Kay's comments get to her too much.
I also have communication issues with my mother. She still treats me like I'm a 6 yr old (and sometimes tells me that she wishes I still was!) and I'm in my mid-forties. She can be condescending and passive-aggressive so I keep phone calls and visits to an absolute minimum.
You are doing a great job with these characters and their complexities. I love Will and Ethan's relationship! Definitely the most likeable version of Ethan Rayne, ever.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying Ethan. He's a character that I felt was vastly undervalued. The actor was top notch and that character could have been developed into someone really fun and evil rather than the PITA troublemaker. Sigh...I've wanted to use him for a long time and finally found a good opportunity. One day I want to write a story where he and Spike team up and wreak delicious havoc together!
Seems we never outgrow mom issues. Hugs.
Will. Is. An idiot.
Truer words have never been spoken. Nothing like a little self sabotage on a Friday night, eh?
Love love Loved this fic! Very happy that you have a sequel planned!
Thank you for taking the time to read and let me know you enjoyed the story!
Anya is fucking hilarious in this chapter. I can see the scene playing out in my head. Had to lol several times!
Glad you enjoyed her. Anya is such fun to write because she will say what others wouldn't dare, yet there is always a logic to her ideas. She doesn't just say things to be mean or get a reaction, she has a fresh and funny perspective.
My first thought when Ethan was bringing up the blind date thing was, "Nooooo! What the fuck are you thinking, Will?!" I'm kinda hoping he'll back out last-minute. But he's a stand-up kinda guy and will see this brunch date through. Ugh.
Love their phone conversation. Thought there might be more awkward pauses but they kept the flow even when the topics got a little heavy.
Yeah, prepare for a wild ride. Will isn't sure where his head or heart are, or if he is, he isn't ready to admit it. He is still too keen on trying to keep everyone happy, but that never really works.
Loving this story so far. You've gotten into everyone's heads. Their idiosyncrasies and self-doubts. I totally get Buffy's need to not feel like a desperate stalker and wanting to be available (to shave my legs, or not to shave my legs?). When relationships are new and your insides are fluttering about it's hard to think logically. I'm so glad I kept this story on my bookshelf till it was complete! I'm wary of new reading new (to me) authors. Sometimes even if the plot is interesting the story itself isn't. This one tho... thumbs up! Thank you Cryptwarmer!
I'm so glad you are enjoying it and taking the time to comment! I really appreciate it. I love figuring out what makes people tick, it's one of the things I like best about writing. This story was interesting because it turned the familiar Spike stalks Buffy on its head and basically invited me to change up a lot of the roles the characters play.
That "The End" came like a slap to the face. Was not expecting that! I do hope you write the sequel. This is such a beautiful story.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. This ending was written about two years ago and it was either end it here as originally planned, or...basically include the sequel, so I went with the original plan. Extending it would have left things in an awkward place. Nanowrimo is coming up, considering starting to write the sequel this November, we'll see how life and my muse direct things! I've so enjoyed reading your comments!
Ack! Had NO idea that this was getting ready to end! SO NOT ready for it to end! Don't stop now! I'm very much wanting to know how things progress, and definitely what their wedding is like, plus Buffy's business, and even Spuffy babies!!!
I realize the end did catch a number of people off guard, but it was either go with the original end written two years ago or slightly extend it and leave it in an awkward spot. I went with the original end which leaves us in a good place, but still with opportunity to grow. I also want to know how things progress! I'm so glad you enjoyed the stories and took the characters into your heart!
Oh, I have missed so many chapters! I am excited, though, that now I can binge.
I always love how real and grounded your sex scenes are, and this is no exception.
It's been lovely to have you along for this story! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who loves realistic sex scenes. I'm always afraid I'll lose readers who are used to or prefer wild gorilla super hero sex, especially when it comes to Spuffy since they DO have supernatural stamina. Lol.
Will's talk with Tara went really well. They both managed to keep the calm. It wasn't just accusation from Tara, her questions held valid points. Will managed to answer them well and make Tara see that there isn't a finite amouth of love, it expands if needed. All this allowed Tara to express her worries and having them out in the open is good. She do want him to be happy.
Things are looking good on several fronts and we did get a nice proposal. Everything is looking good and hopeful, a good place to end it.
It's been great having you along for this story. I so enjoy your thoughtful commentary. I agree, this was a good/logical place to end it, though I do want to know what happens next...that's for another adventure! 
Wonderfully realistic, poignant journey for everyone. Enjoyed from beginning to end
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the story and letting me know you enjoyed it!