Summary: Giles and Spike are flatmates, until Olivia comes for a visit in Hush. What if this never happened and the two Brits lived together a bit longer? How would a relationship of fellow countrymen have evolved. And what influence could that have on our beloved Spuffy?
Lets find out.
Beta and Sensitivity Readers: None
Artists: None
Categories: Season 4, Alternate Reality, Challenge Response
Characters: Buffy, Spike, Giles, Ensemble
Genres: Drama, Dramedy, Humor, Hurt/Comfort, POV, Slow-Burn
Warnings: Adult Language, Buffy/Other (Temp), Suicidal Ideation
Challenges: Odd Couple
Event: April Challenge 2023
Completed: Yes Chapters: 17
Word count: 57,498 Hit Count: 10,243 ePub Downloads: 97
Published: April 30, 2023 Updated: June 27, 2024


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Story Notes:

Sometimes a story prompts a picture, but it can also be the other way around. And this story only happened because I always liked the photo of JM and ASH with the teacups and wanted it on a banner.

Looking through the challenges for something to inspire a Spike-Giles-centered story, I found this little gem. 

As in the challenge specified it starts with Hush and there will be no Olivia. But all that in Chapter 1. This little prologue is set a little later in the story (not much). The first chapter is still with my beta flootzavut. I want to do this two Brits thing justice and asked for someone native to the UK to look over it. 

The banner is by me and the prologue is un-beta-ed. 

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

1. Prologue by Julikobold - Likes: 25 Comments: 14 Word Count: 379 Hit Count: 1,961 Published: April 30, 2023

2. Chapter 1 by Julikobold - Likes: 26 Comments: 11 Word Count: 2,528 Hit Count: 804 Published: May 26, 2023

Dialogue partly from the episode Hush.

3. Chapter 2 by Julikobold - Likes: 21 Comments: 10 Word Count: 5,996 Hit Count: 745 Published: September 14, 2023

Previously: Olivia cancelled her visit in Hush and Spike stayed with Giles. The vampire struggled with the inability to fight and losing his voice was the cherry on top. At least with Giles he had someone to talk football (don't you dare to call it soccer). 

Author note:

I'm sorry it took so long but the boys are back again. I had to finish another story first but now the grumpy old Brits are my priority and I plan to update more often. 

I'm so grateful that that SomeKindofADeviant agreed to beta and Brit-proof this little story and help me to sift through the chaos that are the English dialects in my mind. 

I hope you enjoy the adventures of this unlikely (or maybe not) pair of roommates. 

Dialogue borrowed from Doomed. 

4. Chapter 3 by Julikobold - Likes: 23 Comments: 14 Word Count: 5,601 Hit Count: 630 Published: October 21, 2023

Previously: Giles learnt that Buffy already knew someone in the Initiative and Spike learnt that he can hurt Demons. How will the boys go on from here?

I'm most grateful to SomeKindofADeviant for betaing and brit-picking. She is my saviour.

Dialouge borrowed from A New Man.

5. Chapter 4 by Julikobold - Likes: 21 Comments: 8 Word Count: 2,752 Hit Count: 589 Published: November 02, 2023

Previously: Ethan made Giles discover his inner demon and Spike was the only one he could talk to. Literally.

***

Again heaps of gratitude to SomeKindofADeviant for betaing, brit-picking and her patience with my lack of regard for the Oxford comma. I'm working on it.

Dialogue borrowed from The I in Team.

 

6. Chapter 5 by Julikobold - Likes: 18 Comments: 6 Word Count: 5,593 Hit Count: 607 Published: November 15, 2023

Previously: Giles had such high hopes for Spike's redemption but the vampire was not as easy to handle as he'd hoped. Until he needed someone to cut out a tracer.

Dialogue borrowed from Goodbye Iowa.

 

Betaed and brit-picked by the amazing SomeKindofADeviant who goes above and beyond.

7. Chapter 6 by Julikobold - Likes: 21 Comments: 7 Word Count: 4,960 Hit Count: 563 Published: November 27, 2023

Previously: After a cosy night in Xander's basement Buffy and Spike met Adam at the Initiative's compound. Vote's still out what was worse.

Dialogue borrowed from Last Year's Girl

Again all the glory to my amazing beta SomeKindOfADeviant.

8. Chapter 7 by Julikobold - Likes: 18 Comments: 9 Word Count: 3,640 Hit Count: 541 Published: December 14, 2023

Previously: Buffy isn't herself anymore. She is Faith now.

Again my biggest thanks goes to SomeKindOfADeviant for her immense help in betaing and brit-picking.

Dialogue borrowed from Who are you?

 

 

9. Chapter 8 by Julikobold - Likes: 22 Comments: 12 Word Count: 2,128 Hit Count: 520 Published: December 30, 2023

Previously: Faith left behind a beaten and broken Spike. But that is the least of his problems.

 

Again all my gratitude to SomeKindOfADeviant for her betaing and brit-picking.

10. Chapter 9 by Julikobold - Likes: 23 Comments: 11 Word Count: 4,882 Hit Count: 531 Published: January 13, 2024

Previously: Spike has trouble handling Willow's present. 

 

My gratitude to my awesome beta SomeKindOfADefiant.

11. Chapter 10 by Julikobold - Likes: 21 Comments: 12 Word Count: 5,001 Hit Count: 460 Published: March 02, 2024

I'm back. Sorry for the delay, I hope people are still interested in this little story.

Previously: The boys go on a road trip to meet a famous doctor. Who could that be?

 

As always my greatest gratitude goes to SomeKindOfADeviant for betaing and brit-picking.  

12. Chapter 11 by Julikobold - Likes: 19 Comments: 9 Word Count: 2,774 Hit Count: 391 Published: April 08, 2024

Previously: The boys met the charming Dr. House.

I couldn't write this story this without the invaluable input from SomeKindOfADeviant.

13. Chapter 12 by Julikobold - Likes: 16 Comments: 8 Word Count: 3,025 Hit Count: 414 Published: April 18, 2024

Previously: The boys were on a road trip and Jonathan on an ego trip. But all is back to normal in Sunnydale. As normal as Sunnydale can ever be.

Again all my gratitude to SomeKindOfADeviant. Also a shoutout to CosmicTuesday for a character inspiration. Credit where credit's due.

 

Lines borrowed from the episodes Where the Wild Things Are and AtS Five by Five.

14. Chapter 13 by Julikobold - Likes: 19 Comments: 7 Word Count: 2,337 Hit Count: 411 Published: May 06, 2024

Previously: The gang had a run-in with Poltergeists. 

 

Heaps of gratitude to my beta Some KindOfADeviant.

Dialogue borrowed from New Moon Rising.

15. Chapter 14 by Julikobold - Likes: 13 Comments: 6 Word Count: 3,277 Hit Count: 423 Published: May 27, 2024

Previously: Oz is back in town. 

My deepest gratitude goes to my beta SomeKindOfADefiant.

Dialogue borrowed from The Yoko Factor.

16. Chapter 15 by Julikobold - Likes: 18 Comments: 9 Word Count: 2,064 Hit Count: 371 Published: June 15, 2024

Previously: Angel came to Sunnydale (because that's what he did in canon) and found out about Spike. The Scoobies get ready for the final battle.

Again all my gratitude to SomeKindOfADeviant for beta-reading and brit-picking.

17. Epilogue by Julikobold - Likes: 26 Comments: 11 Word Count: 561 Hit Count: 282 Published: June 27, 2024

Previously: The battle is over and Spuffy agreed to go on a date. What does Buffy think about it?

 

Last time (for this story) all my gratitude goes to SomeKindOfADeviant for betaing.