Summary: Updated! Being a stand-in moral compass for a soulless vampire isn't all it's cracked up to be. Especially when he's the only one who can see you...most of the time.
Beta and Sensitivity Readers: satinsafe
Artists: loveisntbrains_
Series: A Ghoul's Best Friend
Categories: Season 2, Season 3, Season 4, Episode Rewrite
Characters: Buffy, Spike, Giles, Willow, Xander, Angel, Angelus, Drusilla, Ensemble, Joyce, Original Characters, Tara
Genres: Fix-It, HEA/HFN, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Slow-Burn, Under Magical Influence
Warnings: Adult Language, Blood Play, Buffy/Other (Temp), Character Death, Dubious Consent, Rape (Implied), Sexual Situations, Sexual Violence, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, Torture (Emotional/Psychological), Torture (Implied), Torture (Physical)
Event: Truce Challenge 2023
Completed: No Chapters: 13
Word count: 120,005 Hit Count: 5,515 ePub Downloads: 85
Published: October 17, 2023 Updated: November 28, 2024


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Story Notes: 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.
Huge, huge shout out and thank you to my beta satinsafe for all your help with this! I never would've posted this on time without you! heart
Thank you to loveisntbrains_ for making the banner for my story! It's gorgeous and could not be a better fit for this fic! heart
 
YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED I changed some of the categories this story counts for. I took out some of the seasons I was supposed to cover. This is not because I plan to make it shorter in any way, but instead if/when I get to those seasons, I'll be making a series out of it and wrapping each season in a bow. I think for me personally, it's easier to read stories that present as chunks of 20-30 chapters and I would VASTLY overshoot that if I didn't separate the seasons. So like, if you saw it changed and were curious, that's the update. Please stick around, I have big big plans for this story, and hope you enjoy the ride as long as I'm here to write it!
New Update: Changed some Warnings for upcoming and much later chapters!

1. Lover's Walk by hydranjenna - Likes: 18 Comments: 11 Word Count: 4,558 Hit Count: 1,402 Published: October 17, 2023

 

Huge, huge shout out and thank you to my beta satinsafe for all your help with this! I never would've posted this on time without you! heart

2. Harsh Light of Day by hydranjenna - Likes: 17 Comments: 8 Word Count: 7,684 Hit Count: 493 Published: November 02, 2023

Thanks again to satinsafe for betaing this story!

To anyone who has left a comment--I read them all but I'm too shy to respond just yet lol. Thank you all, and I hope you all continue to enjoy!!

3. The Initiative by hydranjenna - Likes: 15 Comments: 8 Word Count: 6,264 Hit Count: 425 Published: November 16, 2023

A pit stop I forgot we needed to take before we sit down to dinner. My b lol.

In which Spike asks for help and we learn a bit more about those demon disappearances...thinking

Special thank you to satinsafe once again, these chapters would not be pretty without your help! heart

4. Pangs by hydranjenna - Likes: 19 Comments: 12 Word Count: 9,689 Hit Count: 445 Published: December 07, 2023

Finally, we get to have a nice Thanksgiving! Even if we do have a few unexpected--and unseen--guests.

 

Thank you to satinsafe for betaing! heart

5. Something Blue by hydranjenna - Likes: 19 Comments: 9 Word Count: 14,406 Hit Count: 491 Published: February 08, 2024

In which Willow gets a little reckless with her magic - but honestly, who's complaining? 

I'm back!! I've been working on this chapter for so long, but I think the end result is worth it! I've been dying to sink my teeth into this chapter since I started, and it ended up being the hardest one yet lol.

Updates will be a bit more sporadic from here on, but I'm still dedicated to continuing forward! Thank you all so much for your support, I appreciate all of you! hearts

Thanks to satinsafe for betaing! heart

6. Something Borrowed by hydranjenna - Likes: 13 Comments: 6 Word Count: 9,010 Hit Count: 284 Published: March 21, 2024

In which Buffy gets hurt, Spike steals some shit, and we learn a little more about our ghost friend!

Beta'd by satinsafe heart

Also big, BIG thank you to loveisntbrains_ for the new banner! It fits the vibe perfectly for this story!

7. Hush by hydranjenna - Likes: 15 Comments: 8 Word Count: 8,157 Hit Count: 261 Published: April 11, 2024

In which the town of Sunnydale loses its voices, an ex-demon helps with research, and we get a glimpse into someone's past...

Thank you again to satinsafe for betaing! These chapters are so much prettier with your input heart

8. Shout by hydranjenna - Likes: 13 Comments: 6 Word Count: 5,896 Hit Count: 270 Published: April 25, 2024

In which a scream marks the return of the town's voices, and Buffy gains some new insight on her allies and their honesty.

Thank you to satinsafe for being an amazing beta, as always!

9. Doomed by hydranjenna - Likes: 16 Comments: 10 Word Count: 9,849 Hit Count: 371 Published: May 23, 2024

In which an earthquake marks an attempt to open the Hellmouth in Sunnydale, and we learn a lot more about Spirit Companions.

Note: Riley is not here as much as you'd think.

PLEASE BE AWARE: This chapter briefly visits some dark places. While I tried to not go too in depth with it, if you'd like to avoid the section for peace of mind, the following sentences mark the beginning and end of the conversation. - "Buffy's heart dropped." // ""Buffy's stomach turned."

Thank you to satinsafe for betaing! This chapter would have taken infinitely longer to post without her help! heart

10. A New Man by hydranjenna - Likes: 16 Comments: 7 Word Count: 11,099 Hit Count: 308 Published: August 15, 2024

In which Buffy has a birthday, learns some new perspective, and Giles wakes up A New Man.

 

We're back! I participated in Mystery Month, co-authoring a story with VoronaFiernan, so I had less time to work on this chapter for a bit. I edited the tags to include Buffy/Other (Temp) for...obvious reasons, since we're so close to canon material, but I intend for the Other to show up as little as possible.

11. Two Old Demons by hydranjenna - Likes: 15 Comments: 7 Word Count: 4,587 Hit Count: 272 Published: August 29, 2024

In which Giles finds himself in some trouble and convinces Spike to lend a helping hand.

Thanks as always to my beta satinsafe! heart

12. The I in Team by hydranjenna - Likes: 18 Comments: 7 Word Count: 14,865 Hit Count: 279 Published: September 26, 2024

In which Serena gives Buffy a lesson in navigation, and Buffy gets a wake up call about who she’s teaming up with.

Thanks to satinsafe for her amazing work helping me make this fit into a single chapter instead of splitting it in two! I couldn't have done it without you! heart

This chapter contains the scene that started it all, y’all! The lesson delivered in this chapter is the first scene concept I had for the story–I’m excited for you to see it!

13. Goodbye Illusions by hydranjenna - Likes: 15 Comments: 6 Word Count: 13,941 Hit Count: 214 Published: November 28, 2024

In which some perspectives get shattered.

Thank you to my beta satinsafe, without whom some of this chapter might not make sense! heart