Templum Bellonae

After Not Fade Away, Xander is house-sitting in Rome when Spike shows up looking for Buffy. This story is Spike/Xander, but mostly it’s about Xander’s eye, and what having lost it means to him.

Beholder by Kimberly

Spike goes looking for Xander in Africa, hoping to get something he can’t get from anyone else. Xander can’t give him what he wants, but he has a counteroffer.

Aside from being a good read, this story makes some excellent points about Spike and Xander’s canon relationship.

Choices by Crazydiamondsue

I think I’ll just quote from the author’s summary, which pretty much says it all:

So, you wanted more details on what Xander did on his summer vacation … Think Catcher in the Rye meets gay vampire porn.

No Power on Earth by Circe

When he hears that Spike is still alive, Xander comes back from Africa to see him. The fact that they have their reunion in Angel’s office is what really makes this story.

Reunion by Flaming Muse

Xander needs a date for a company party. The only one available is…Spike.

“And you care about my professional endeavors?” Xander snapped. “Please. Look, Spike, I don’t know what the scam is, but—”

“No scam.” Spike’s eyes were eerily direct as they bored into Xander’s, his hand again a vise on Xander’s arm. “Bit of free food and tormenting rich old biddies who need some young blood—”

“You’re old enough to be their grandfather! Probably their great-grandfather!”

“—young blood to spice things up. Don’t make this a big deal, Harris, and no, you aren’t getting rid of me so you might as well just deal with it.”

Half-Windsor by Ladycat

This is a Spike/Xander story, continuing in Blue-Eyed Boy, with a Spike/Buffy epilogue, Some Scenes from the Later Life of Two Heroes (which continues in the in-progress Waiting Around.) I was just looking for some light, snarky, S/X fun when I stumbled across this, like fishing for trout and catching a shark instead.

After Not Fade Away, Spike is living with Illyria, mourning Angel and the rest of the gang, and isn’t really prepared when Xander, back from Africa and profoundly damaged, shows up in LA.

Over and above some really great writing, there are a few things I think this story does really well. Most S/X stories, profoundly as I love them, tend to gloss over Xander’s attitude toward demons in general and Spike in particular. This one doesn’t, while offering a plausible reason why Xander would get involved with him. I like that the story doesn’t take the easy way out, making Spike the answer to all of Xander’s problems. There’s also a certain amount of humour, even absurdity, which helps to lighten some of the darker moments.

The best thing about The Approved Mode of Payback and Blue-Eyed Boy is that they take a hard look at what the outcome of Chosen might have been, and sadly, their predictions seem all too plausible.

The Approved Mode of Payback by Herself

A fairly short, slightly angsty, delightfully romantic piece of fluff. In an attempt to put a halt to a demonic investment scheme, Spike takes part in a plan Xander hates.

Lt. Uhura and the Change of Life by Witling

Years after Chosen, Spike and Xander are both helping Buffy to train a houseful of slayers, when a somewhat traumatic event causes Xander to reevaluate his life. And Spike to come up with a cunning plan.

This story is nice and light, without too much angst. Season 2 Spike is the most fun to watch on TV, but in print, I like Spike the way he is here—snarky but mostly the fool for love.

The story continues in Parts 4-7 and Parts 8-12.

My Funny Valentine by Witling

A strange but interesting story. Xander disappears, and when the gang finds him, he’s several years older and has been heavily abused. Although Spike hasn’t the slightest interest in him, he ends up being stuck looking after Xander during the day.

This is one of those stories that’s more about the journey than the destination. I wasn’t overwhelmingly impressed by any one thing, but I enjoyed it immensely from start to finish. I particularly loved Spike’s after-school snacks for Dawn.

The Magic Number by Witling

So very AU—crackfic at its best. There isn’t really any BDSM or non-con, but there are flavours of both.

My lame summary-writing skills aren’t up to tackling this story; you’ll just have to read it for yourself.

Protocol by The Brat Queen

Xander comes back to help with an apocalypse, even though it means seeing Spike again.

Can we just… not talk about him?” Xander looked at Willow pleadingly, because on an airplane was so where he didn’t want to get into this.

Willow was silent for a second, then began twisting her hands in a way that clearly telegraphed her intent to meddle. “Xander, he really misses…”

“Can. we. just. not?”

Coming Around Again by WesleysGirl and SecondVerse

AU. In Rome during the time of the Borgias: a young priest, a band of mercenaries, vampires, and the Holy Inquisition.

Nessuno by Two Ladies of Quality

Spike doesn’t return to Sunnydale in Season 7. Xander meets him years later in Seattle.

Under the Mountain by Tabaqui

Seven years after Sunnydale, Xander runs into Spike. Kind of a Season 7 AU.

Survival Instincts by Savoy Truffle

A late-night encounter in the hair dye aisle. Silly.

Dyeing Young by Mad Poetess

Xander has a secret.

The Secret by Laikokae

I honestly thought I’d read everything at Cici’s site long ago, but I would have remembered this story. Very nice Spike narration. Very mild Dom/sub; fisting.

Love’s Bitch by Cicirossi

The notion of comfort and family is pretty damn tricky. Damned if you do…

Two decades on. Not that dark, but there’s no happy ending.

Last Men Standing by Kita and Mayaan

AU. Xander and his family move to L.A. after his freshman year of high school, but you know Xander is a demon magnet in every world.

There are a few things that really bother me about this story, but there are also a lot of things it does right, and make it a very worthwhile read. I’m really not a fan of any mystical plotlines that use words like ‘childer’, and the abusive aspect of Spike and Xander’s relationship turns me off. On the other hand, I loved the scenes at the club, and Spike’s initial interrogation of Xander was great.

There’s a sequel, Musical Wars, but it doesn’t live up to Second Verse. There’s less plot, and more mystical mumbo-jumbo, which interests me not at all. Still, it does sort of tie up some loose ends. I wouldn’t recommend it for it’s own sake, though. Although I liked some of the scenes with Angel.

Second Verse by Lit Gal

Xander eats some chocolate he receives in the mail. ‘Cause there’s no such thing as evil chocolate, right?

Chocolate Hurricane by Cicirossi