OK so I went away and read all the comments, so now you've got a great galumping amount of waffle......which I feel really sheepish about.... Hmm, I though about approaching this from another angle. What was Angel's motivation to kiss Buffy like that? Did he know Spike was around the corner? Was it all about asserting his dominance? I don't want to think badly of Angel, but every time I contemplate this scene I end up feeling sorry for Spike and annoyed with Angel and Buffy. Angel goes up and kisses Buffy - is he merely trying to escape too? He's just given up Connor and nobody likes him anymore - maybe it's a huge ego boost to him, that there's still Buffy willing to kiss away the thought of all his problems. Maybe, therefore, escapism is a better word than nostalgia. And that ties well with the dreamlike quality that avrelia mentioned. Maybe it goes someway to what thedeadlyhook's trying to get at in The Center - that Spike discovers his maturity, but that Angel and Buffy aren't necessarily there yet. It's all very 17 to want to run up to your first love and give them a kiss like that. I was intrigued by what paratti said - and I still haven't found a satisfactory answer as to why Buffy's final word is "Spike" (ok apart from the really romantic one that she does love him). The more I think about that final scene in Chosen, the more unsatisfied I become with it - I suppose the lack of mourning for Spike and Anya is most poignant. molly_may wrote: Buffy can always be comfortable with the knowledge that Angel is going to leave her. He *always* leaves her. It's one of the defining traits of their relationship. Yes, that's true, but does that mean she can ride roughshod over Spike's feelings because she knows he won't leave? I think it's important, then, in fanfiction for Spike to define himself - away from both Buffy and Angel. They are powerful and dominant forces in his development - but he needs to find out himself as well. Part of the joy and disappointment maybe in AtS 5? And that maybe goes some way to describing the kiss - they are in control and selfish people. Spike would never do that to either Buffy or Angel - he knows what it's like to have your heart cut up into a thousand pieces. I'm not saying that any of this is "bad" - just that Angel and Buffy are alike in many ways, and Spike is different. Loads and loads of interesting thoughts in all the threads - definitely a keeper! :) And I definitely appreciate your positive outlook. Feel free to tell me if I'm getting too negative!
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Hmm, I though about approaching this from another angle. What was Angel's motivation to kiss Buffy like that? Did he know Spike was around the corner? Was it all about asserting his dominance? I don't want to think badly of Angel, but every time I contemplate this scene I end up feeling sorry for Spike and annoyed with Angel and Buffy. Angel goes up and kisses Buffy - is he merely trying to escape too? He's just given up Connor and nobody likes him anymore - maybe it's a huge ego boost to him, that there's still Buffy willing to kiss away the thought of all his problems. Maybe, therefore, escapism is a better word than nostalgia. And that ties well with the dreamlike quality that
Maybe it goes someway to what
I was intrigued by what
Yes, that's true, but does that mean she can ride roughshod over Spike's feelings because she knows he won't leave? I think it's important, then, in fanfiction for Spike to define himself - away from both Buffy and Angel. They are powerful and dominant forces in his development - but he needs to find out himself as well. Part of the joy and disappointment maybe in AtS 5?
And that maybe goes some way to describing the kiss - they are in control and selfish people. Spike would never do that to either Buffy or Angel - he knows what it's like to have your heart cut up into a thousand pieces. I'm not saying that any of this is "bad" - just that Angel and Buffy are alike in many ways, and Spike is different.
Loads and loads of interesting thoughts in all the threads - definitely a keeper! :) And I definitely appreciate your positive outlook. Feel free to tell me if I'm getting too negative!