we believe in the sum of ourselves

[lunabee34]

It's becoming the trend in this journal, the extended rec of a single work, but I can't help it. I have a dissertation to avoid.

allyndra wrote Speak Comfort for me in the Xander round of maleslashminis, and I am completely taken with this fic.

Although I can get behind the AU or fics that controvert or ignore parts of canon, my absolute favorite approach as a fic reader and writer is to embrace canonicity. Almost everything I write could exist behind the scenes of canon. This story is completely canon-compliant which sweetens the deal for me as fic recipient. The dialogue was obviously snatched straight from the brain of Joss Whedon, as is the wonderful mix of subtle humor and pathos.

BUT THAT'S NOT EVEN WHY I LOVE THIS STORY, Y'ALL.

Because how's this

He’d always admired Riley to an extreme degree. He couldn’t aspire to Giles’ knowledge and experience, couldn’t hope for Oz’s wit and cool. Hell, he’d never wanted Angel’s mystique, and he’d known the bitterness under Spike’s snark too well to want that. Of all of the guys (few though they were) who had really touched their little group, Riley was the only one Xander had wanted to be.

for a ship manifesto? Couple that with some really insightful commentary on Riley's relationship to the Scoobies, to Buffy, and to the Army and add in a dash of Riley and Xander both struggling to figure out their respective places in the good fight and what you end up with is some massive Lorraine!love.

Instant classic, yo.

Comments

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec! Riley Finn was the only BtVS character I ever felt fannish love for; I look forward to reading this!

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad. If you're interested in other Riley stories, I can rustle you some up. I can think of a Spike/Riley and a Riley/Dawn off the top of my head that are just phenomenal.

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

This made my day. *twirls*

I'm not tin-hatty, but I think one could build a very strong case for Xander having a crush on Riley. I mean, he never would have given Buffy the "Go get him," speech for any of the other guys in her life, no matter how she felt about them. Because he didn't feel that way about them.

I am thrilled you enjoyed the story. Thank you for saying such nice things about it! :DDD

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

Heeee.

I think you could build that case as well. I mean, Riley seems to be the one guy that's ever a part of the group that he feels truly at ease with. I think if Xander and Willow had never "fluked" then he and Oz could have grown closer, but that kept them at a distance IMHO.

Thank *you* for the awesome fic!!!

[jjjean65.livejournal.com]

I do like Riley even as a friend cos Xander really needed men friends.

Will mooch over and have a read. Ta for teh rec. :)

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

Of course darling! Enjoy.