Summary: When Spike is resurrected at Wolfram & Hart by an unknown force, he’s far from happy about it.
However, when a mysterious stranger propositions him to be the new champion of the people…Spike sees it as the perfect opportunity; to die doing a bit of good in the world.
He’s already died twice and now he’s determined to make the third one stick. How hard could it be? Dying is an art he does exceptionally well, after all.
Or does he? And how will a certain Slayer react when she finds out?
A story told in fragments.
Banner by the fabulous cd85
Categories: Post-Series,
Crossover (AtS),
Drabbles
Characters: Buffy,
Spike,
Ensemble - AtS,
Fred,
Lindsey McDonald
Genres: Angst, Drama, HEA/HFN, Hurt/Comfort, Reunion Warnings: (Click Here To Reveal) Blood Play, Sexual Situations, Suicidal Ideation/Thoughts, Violence
Completed: Yes
Chapters: 31
Word count: 21,117
Hit Count: 3,671
ePub Downloads: 38
Published: 09/07/23
Updated: 09/21/23
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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.
I just want to give a huge round of applause to cd85 for this amazing banner that literally moved me to tears. It’s amazing. I’m obsessed with it. It belongs in the Louvre
“Dying
Is an art, like everything else.
I do it exceptionally well. I do it so it feels like hell. I do it so it feels real.”~ Sylvia Plath
1. Buffy by disco-tea - Likes: 6 
Comments: 3 Word Count: 141 Hit Count: 160 Published: 09/07/23
Prompt: lost heirloom
2. Ephemeral, Effulgent, Elysian by disco-tea - Likes: 6 Comments: 4 Word Count: 175 Hit Count: 109 Published: 09/07/23
Prompt: ephemeral
Definition: lasting for a very short time.
“I turn and burn.
Do not think I underestimate your great concern. Ash, ash—
You poke and stir.
Flesh, bone, there is nothing there—“
~ Sylvia Plath
3. After-Unlife by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 5 Word Count: 299 Hit Count: 104 Published: 09/08/23
Prompt: foul-mouthed parrot
4. Take Care by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 4 Word Count: 440 Hit Count: 105 Published: 09/08/23
Prompt: diary
5. All Routes Lead to Hell by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 4 Word Count: 658 Hit Count: 95 Published: 09/09/23
Prompt: it must be Tuesday
6. Click by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 519 Hit Count: 100 Published: 09/09/23
Prompt: locks and keys
7. Bruises by disco-tea - Likes: 6 Comments: 4 Word Count: 667 Hit Count: 98 Published: 09/10/23
Prompt: pinch
8. Hurting the Girl by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 503 Hit Count: 106 Published: 09/10/23
Prompt: In N’ Out
9. 3 Times a Charm by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 3 Word Count: 609 Hit Count: 97 Published: 09/11/23
Prompt: captain on the deck
“Everyday you wake up, it's the same bloody question that haunts you. Is today the day I die...? Death is on your heels, baby, and sooner or later, it's gonna catch you. And part of you wants it...not only to stop the fear and uncertainty, but because you're just a little bit in love with it. Death is your art. You make it with your hands day after day; that final gasp, that look of peace. A part of you is desperate to know...what's it like? Where does it lead you? …sooner or later, you’re gonna want it.”
10. Wonderless by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 5 Word Count: 566 Hit Count: 98 Published: 09/11/23
Prompt: 1969
11. If You’re Lost in the Dark by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 5 Word Count: 601 Hit Count: 103 Published: 09/12/23
Prompt: kittens for sale
12. Misery, Misery is the Venom in my Veins by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 5 Word Count: 765 Hit Count: 111 Published: 09/12/23
Prompt: carpe demon
13. I Had Strings by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 922 Hit Count: 103 Published: 09/13/23
Prompt: Puppet Spike, Board 2
(because you know I couldn’t pass this one up)
14. But Now I’m Free by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 3 Word Count: 966 Hit Count: 105 Published: 09/13/23
Prompt: Lorne, board 2
15. There Are No Strings on Me by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 946 Hit Count: 110 Published: 09/13/23
Prompt: illusion of control
16. Heart of Hearts by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 354 Hit Count: 106 Published: 09/14/23
Prompt: the goose is loose
17. Alive by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 5 Word Count: 849 Hit Count: 121 Published: 09/14/23
Prompt: pocket size
18. Dead Weight by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 3 Word Count: 729 Hit Count: 122 Published: 09/15/23
Prompt: out for a walk (bitch)
19. Unattainable by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 5 Word Count: 840 Hit Count: 122 Published: 09/15/23
Prompt: photo booth
20. Broken by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 1 Word Count: 869 Hit Count: 116 Published: 09/16/23
Prompt: kill it with fire
21. And You Are? by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 3 Word Count: 953 Hit Count: 129 Published: 09/16/23
Prompt: tunnel of love
22. Look for the Light by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 7 Word Count: 881 Hit Count: 127 Published: 09/17/23
Prompt: Buffy’s big bloody debut
23. Porcelain by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 6 Word Count: 738 Hit Count: 144 Published: 09/17/23
Prompt: fool for love
24. What Lay Beneath by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 1 Word Count: 874 Hit Count: 135 Published: 09/18/23
Prompt: honeymoon
“There is a charge
For the eyeing of my scars, there is a charge
For the hearing of my heart——
It really goes.
And there is a charge, a very large charge
For a word or a touch
Or a bit of blood” ~ Sylvia Plath
25. Millimeter by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 3 Word Count: 914 Hit Count: 142 Published: 09/18/23
Prompt: pillow fight
26. My Champion by disco-tea - Likes: 5 Comments: 6 Word Count: 867 Hit Count: 127 Published: 09/19/23
Prompt: Spuffy undercover
27. Only Good Memories by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 5 Word Count: 860 Hit Count: 127 Published: 09/19/23
Prompt: wild card, board 1 — showering
Warning for vague mentions of Seeing Red
28. Spartan Existence by disco-tea - Likes: 6 Comments: 3 Word Count: 527 Hit Count: 132 Published: 09/19/23
Prompt: wild card, board 2 — home
29. Kiss by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 816 Hit Count: 130 Published: 09/20/23
Prompt: biting, board 2
30. Everything by disco-tea - Likes: 4 Comments: 3 Word Count: 429 Hit Count: 132 Published: 09/20/23
Prompt: wild card, board 3 — love
31. Epilogue by disco-tea - Likes: 9 Comments: 8 Word Count: 840 Hit Count: 155 Published: 09/21/23
Prompt: jealous Buffy, board 3
Once more, with feeling, everybody.
