Eternal Spuffy...

[elisi]

You know how you love something, but because life is busy and there are so many new shiny things you just kinda neglect it? And then something comes along and suddenly you get completely overwhelmed all over again? That just happened to me with Spuffy.

I followed a fic rec by wesleysgirl and just... drowned. A lot of you probably know this story already, but somehow I'd never read it - despite it being on All About Spike:

Super Food World by Valeri X.

It is such a simple premise - Spike & Buffy go shopping - and yet it has everything that made them, and their S6 relationship, great. It made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes, and also made me ache so, so badly.

And speaking of Spuffy, then in case there is someone out there who hasn't read the_royal_anna's post on S6 Buffy and Spike, then they should do so now. Because the complexity and depth of this relationship never stops taking my breath away. If could choose only one season of BtVS to keep, it'd probably be S6.

This also got me thinking about the comics, but I'll spare you all my thoughts. I'll only say this:

Spuffy is an ocean.

Butsu is a puddle.

Comparing the two is quite frankly insulting - they might both contain water, but that is as far as it goes.

(This is not an attack on anyone in particular, and I think s8 is finally beginning to be fun, but Buffy/Immortal has more depth. Or at least it will once I'm done writing them. ;) *pets new plotbunny*)

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Super Food World has consistently remained on my top 10 Spike/Buffy stories for years.

[elisi]

I'm not surprised. And I can't understand how I've never come across it before - I spent at least three years *inhaling* Spuffy fic...

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love that story so, so much! It's one of the ones that got me hooked on fanfiction in the first place. She really captures their relationship doesn't she?

Have you read her Spike & Dawn one? Fire & Stuff One of my all time favorites!

Spuffy is an ocean.

Butsu is a puddle.

Comparing the two is quite frankly insulting - they might both contain water, but that is as far as it goes.

Yup. Spuffy broke my heart over and over, but it made me care. And I'm really not a shipper at heart!

[elisi]

She really captures their relationship doesn't she?
Oh she does. I'm having to restrain myself from re-reading, because I really, *really* have to get stuff done!

Have you read her Spike & Dawn one? Fire & Stuff One of my all time favorites!
*bookmarks*

Yup. Spuffy broke my heart over and over, but it made me care. And I'm really not a shipper at heart!
Same here. Or rather - it takes something very special to make me ship, and Spike/Buffy are the template for that. *drowns again*

[mikeygs.livejournal.com]

Spuffy > Butsu. Even the name is cooler.

[elisi]

Even the name is cooler.
Immensely so.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

Spuffy is an ocean.
Butsu is a puddle.

Of course they don't compare. The emotional dept on screen was there. With the comics you have to invent most of it yourself so that the characters make any sense at all.
Dammit, want to write more but guests are flooding my flat.

[elisi]

With the comics you have to invent most of it yourself so that the characters make any sense at all.
Or just grab popcorn enjoy teh funneh. :)

Dammit, want to write more but guests are flooding my flat.
Enjoy your guests! Remember actual real people contact is important!

[1-mad-squirrel.livejournal.com]

Butsu is a puddle.

That phrase is rather ironic in a way, because "Butsu" is Japanese for "Buddha".

[elisi]

Really? Interesting. However I can't think of anything deep to say about it...

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

I can't remember that story too clearly anymore, but I seem to remember it being one of those I loved.

[elisi]

It is often worrying hard to recall specific stories... So you should re-read! :)

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

I probably will, I might even have a print of it somewhere.

[elisi]

I never got round to sprinting out all the stories I love... which is probably good, since it'd cost a fortune in ink and paper!

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

I used to print out everything to save my eyes, and it did cost a bomb, even printing in draft. I threw out an absolute ton of it over Christmas. But now I've started reading novel length SPN fics, I've starting printing again (but not on my own printer this time, shhh!).

[prophecygirrl.livejournal.com]

I just re-read this the other day, too, and fell in love with it all over again. And, just as you've said, with S/B. An ocean is a beautiful metaphor for them.

Not able to come up with anything more profound to say this morning, except to thank you for this lovely post.

[elisi]

it did cost a bomb, even printing in draft.
I can imagine!

I've starting printing again (but not on my own printer this time, shhh!).
Heh. My mouth is sealed! :)

[elisi]

I just re-read this the other day, too, and fell in love with it all over again. And, just as you've said, with S/B.
Incredible feeling. If I had time I'd re-visit a ton of my favourite stories and vids...

An ocean is a beautiful metaphor for them.
All the things going on under the surface - some just hinted at. :)

Not able to come up with anything more profound to say this morning, except to thank you for this lovely post.
Thank *you* for replying and sharing the love.

[louise39.livejournal.com]

Super Food World has remained one of my favorite spuffy story because it contains humor, romance and angst.
I'll never forget Spike trying to buy 'healthy' food for Buffy.

Bitsu is a puddle ::grins::

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

Hey, there, sweet :) Thanks for the link to the essay. It was a good read. Do you know good S7 Spuffy essays? Maybe even good essays on why Spike hadn't told Buffy he was alive in AtS S5. I'd be so grateful.

[shapinglight]

Spuffy is an ocean.

Butsu is a puddle.

Comparing the two is quite frankly insulting - they might both contain water, but that is as far as it goes.

As they say, word.

[elisi]

Super Food World has remained one of my favorite spuffy story because it contains humor, romance and angst.
Oh yes - I love fic that can do that!

I'll never forget Spike trying to buy 'healthy' food for Buffy.
The situation *in itself* is just so wonderful and bizarre. I love that!

Bitsu is a puddle ::grins::
Hey, puddles can be fun! But they don't have depth.

[elisi]

Hey, there, sweet :) Thanks for the link to the essay. It was a good read.
My pleasure. :)

Do you know good S7 Spuffy essays?
Hmmm... well there are my episode reviews (in my memories), and the_royal_anna has this post, although that deals with the relationship as a whole. Apart from that I am kinda drawing a blank, sorry. Although if I suddenly remember something I'll be back, don't worry!

Maybe even good essays on why Spike hadn't told Buffy he was alive in AtS S5. I'd be so grateful.
I have one here that deals with that (amongst other things), and also a fic that offers one explanation: Self Reflections. ETA: Realised just now that you've already read it! *facepalm* (Although mostly I think he was probably just scared.) (Sorry to be reccing so much of my own stuff, but I can't remember reading any others.)

I hope that's helpful!

[elisi]

As they say, word.
Thanks. :)

Thinking about it, it struck me that the problems with Butsu were a) should Buffy sleep with someone whose feelings she doesn't reciprocate and b) should she sleep with someone who is inferior to her (in rank, as it were - sorry, my head is refusing to work). That's pretty much it. Compared to Spuffy... well, you can't compare!

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the links! And it's okay, I don't mind re-reading great things :)

[elisi]

Aw, thank you! :)

[garfpooky.livejournal.com]

Oy...that was such a wooooonderful Spuffy fic. <3333 My heart definitely aches for that pair...

*melts into a pool of Spuffy love*

[elisi]

*melts into a pool of Spuffy love*
Wonderful state to be in, isn't it?

[1-mad-squirrel.livejournal.com]

Thanks for passing on the rec. I thought it was excellent.

[makd.livejournal.com]

Let me second that. I LOVE that fic! Have you read Redeeming Spike's Ass? In it's unfinished state, it still shines. (Same writer - Valerie X)

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

I have read her other works and they are good but Super Food World just seems head and shoulders above the rest IMO.

[scarlettgirl.livejournal.com]

but Buffy/Immortal has more depth. Or at least it will once I'm done writing them. ;) *pets new plotbunny*

Is it...you know...*that* immortal? Because, dude.....

[elisi]

Must check that out... *adds to list* Thank you. :)

[elisi]

My pleasure. I can't enjoy something without telling others about it! :)

[elisi]

Is it...you know...*that* immortal? Because, dude.....
Yes! Yes it is! (Nobody else commented on that. *is sad*) I've been thinking that someone ought to write that, and then began wondering how it'd work... and lo and behold I have pretty much a whole story worked out already. I'm currently working out timelines & stuff (they fit pretty well, to be honest), and as soon as I can find a spare moment I'll try to get part 1 down! *is excited*

(And I need a Jack icon... well, I need to work out what icon to delete to make room for a Jack icon. *sigh*)

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

Enjoy your guests! Remember actual real people contact is important!
I did, I did. We went to Italy for the evening to see a wonderful concert. Wasn't really complaining it's just that I wanted to write some more on the subject:
From my very Spuffy point of view, I'm happy that they did not actually make her fall in love. I kind of don't want her to be over Spike and here she isn't. It looks more like she's settled for making somebody else happy, since she's never going to get the real thing back. Of course my little fantasy house collapses id she knows, that Spike's alive. And like you, I'm not sure if I actually want comic Buffy to meet Spike.

[elisi]

I did, I did. We went to Italy for the evening to see a wonderful concert.
Sounds great! :)

From my very Spuffy point of view, I'm happy that they did not actually make her fall in love. I kind of don't want her to be over Spike and here she isn't.
There is that. Also Satsu is very much a blank still - I feel like the Scoobies did when Willow started dating Tara: She's nice. I wouldn't know what to buy her for her birthday, but she's nice!

It looks more like she's settled for making somebody else happy, since she's never going to get the real thing back.
Ooooh the angst! V. nice way of looking at it. (Definite shades of Willow/Kennedy)

Of course my little fantasy house collapses id she knows, that Spike's alive.
Not necessarily. She could be terribly torn because he never called, and then of course he (& Angel & LA) vanish off the face of the earth - cue more angst. (Presuming of course that that's how the timelines match up - it's all a mystery so far.)

And like you, I'm not sure if I actually want comic Buffy to meet Spike.
That is my only fear re. the comics.

[rahirah]

I'm surprised that no one went for Saffy...

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

There is that. Also Satsu is very much a blank still - I feel like the Scoobies did when Willow started dating Tara: She's nice. I wouldn't know what to buy her for her birthday, but she's nice!
*nods* That's the perfect description. I hope, we'll learn more about her, but so far the only original S8 character that had some dept was Gigi to me.

(Definite shades of Willow/Kennedy)
Oh yes! I didn't realize the parallels, but they are obviously there. So very you to recognize them immediately!

Not necessarily. She could be terribly torn because he never called, and then of course he (& Angel & LA) vanish off the face of the earth - cue more angst.
Yes but I really hope they won't go there. I just like my Buffy confident. Not that kind of girl that would wait for the guy to call. If she knows, I want her to try and get him. Be daring, make a fool for love out of herself for once if necessary. But then that's just a personal preference.

But again, with the current state of things. Let's just leave them apart (unless Joss wants to top Captain Buffy Harkness with actual Spuffel threesome-Buffy, then by all means fan-service me!)

[elisi]

Too many connotations...

[elisi]

I hope, we'll learn more about her, but so far the only original S8 character that had some dept was Gigi to me.
I'm afraid Gigi encompassed so many horrible stereotypes that I never could really see her as a character at all, really. But at least they tried...

Oh yes! I didn't realize the parallels, but they are obviously there. So very you to recognize them immediately!
Oh I'm sure I read it somewhere else. After all, people *have* been chatting! :)

If she knows, I want her to try and get him. Be daring, make a fool for love out of herself for once if necessary.
Yes, I agree. It really doesn't make sense for her to stay away if she knows.

unless Joss wants to top Captain Buffy Harkness with actual Spuffel threesome-Buffy, then by all means fan-service me
Heeee! Buffy Harkness! *giggles* And I doubt we'll ever get more than that one fantasy - but at least it was fun. :)

[rahirah]

But they're nice connotations! Sapphic and... and taffy! Who doesn't like taffy?

[elisi]

I meant Saffron from Firefly and Saffy from 'Ab Fab'. :)

[mikeygs.livejournal.com]

It really doesn't make sense for her to stay away if she knows.

Eh. It makes about as much sense as it did when Spike stayed away. I wouldn't hope for any kind of coherency when it comes character or prior ships. I mean, look at them so far!

Doubt it will go that far anyway. While it's still incredibly lame, having Satsu be the mole makes the most sense. At least it might explain why Amy told everyone how to solve the Kiss of True Love spell; to have an undeniable 'in'.

[elisi]

Eh. It makes about as much sense as it did when Spike stayed away.
Actually I could see Buffy being all 'fine, if that's how he wants to play it!' (I even turned it into fic once (the fifth once).

While it's still incredibly lame, having Satsu be the mole makes the most sense.
Well it would make sense of Buffy crying her eyes out over the 'most unexpected' betrayal. Ah well, we'll see what happens. I hope they keep bringing the funny!

[timeofchange.livejournal.com]

"Super Food World" is a classic, indeed. I find something new each time I read it.

This line, She was beautiful when she didn’t need him., coming as it does toward the end of the story, is so layered with meaning.

[elisi]

This line, She was beautiful when she didn’t need him., coming as it does toward the end of the story, is so layered with meaning.
Oh god yes. It's like several essays all wrapped up in one line. I can't find the words to describe how much I love it when fic does that.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid Gigi encompassed so many horrible stereotypes
True but I thought she made a nice villain nonetheless. could have grown into something interesting.

It really doesn't make sense for her to stay away if she knows.
At least, if he really was wrong with those last words of his. If they go there I'm sure I can somehow wrap my brain around it (like when Spike did not call)but I could live without it.
There are so many nice options on the other end of the dimensions, like Sponnor and Angel/Dragon.

Buffy Harkness!
I hope we get a scene were Satsu makes coffee, then it's officially an homage :)

[elisi]

could have grown into something interesting.
True. And I liked the symmetry of the two queens, each in their castle.

If they go there I'm sure I can somehow wrap my brain around it (like when Spike did not call)but I could live without it.
I sincerely doubt it - I think that threesome panel was the closest we'll get... (As for *her* not calling, if she knew, then it could be her being annoyed at *him* not calling - although she certainly doesn't come across as knowing that he's alive.)

There are so many nice options on the other end of the dimensions, like Sponnor and Angel/Dragon.
*nods a lot* SO much fun! :)

I hope we get a scene were Satsu makes coffee, then it's officially an homage :)
You know I have this tiny little plotbunny of Satsu talking Buffy into bed using a stopwatch... *g*