Wow this is incredible. Only reason I haven't reviewed before now is that I've been enraptured. This is hands down the best characterization of Spike I have ever seen. He comes of the page so realistically, and the emotions he feels are so real and natural. None of this feels forced and I think that is partly why this is so stunning. Who even are you? If you aren't already, you should be doing this professionally.

I wanted to review each chapter, but honestly, I got so engrossed in the story, and the emotional journey of Spike, that I couldn't slow down long enough to write them.

Originality, pacing, characterization all top-notch. But it was and remains the inner struggle between William and the demon and Spike's emotionally damaged responses that is constantly fracturing and reforming which captivated me so thoroughly.

Angelus was a vicious and cruel psychopath who viewed Spike and his emotional dependency on Dru as fodder for his entertainment as he tortured them in every way. But it is the inner fracturing of William who, after over a hundred years of hiding and only with Buffy's influence, finally finds the strength and reason to venture out of his mental prison and fight the demon control, as he tried to piece himself back together that is so enthralling and drags me so deeply in that I read the entire story to date straight through and only blinked when I ran out of chapters to read.

Buffy and Giles responses to the increasing view of the emotional person that exist beneath the deliberately constructed facade of Spike are slow and painful. Both are so inundated with the belief that vampires without souls only come in the one-size-fits-all mold. Yet, as each layer is stripped away, you give us new depth and breath to construct manufactured in the face of the pain and lies and depravity that Angelus enjoyed constructing for his pleasure.

As for Angelus, ugh! No matter what name he calls himself, he repeatedly proves that it is only the method and tools of madness that changes with the altering tags to his exterior personas, and not the evil that lays on his back like a cloak, nor the darkness that permeates his very essence. His inner belief in his own superiority and the casual, viscous cruelty that he uses to mold the world around him to suit those beliefs that go hand in glove with the truths that he is incapable of seeing in himself, keep him from seeing that it is he, and not Spike, who is evil incarnate.
For, even as Angelus careful and deliberately rewrites the facts of circumstances to shine the light just so, in order to construct a perfect portray for his chosen shell, the evil that it covers will eventually cast the dark shade that reveals him.

Very much looking forward to the telling of this tale, for I sense you have only scratched the surface and have so much more to say!

Hey there,
I juste dicovered your story and well let s say i didn't sleep much last night, i just finished all of the chapter as i start yesterday evening. I juste devour it couldn't stop, i admi bit frustrated that i dont have more to read. Its a really great story, i didn't think any of the chapter were not usefull i loved to read it, what if there much detail or filling its just all the more little things and i love it.
its a bit hard mostly for spike, i get himfeeling so broken would made you lose your mind and want to destroy everything. Its good he can see buffy out of her slayer personna to, as they said, kindred spirit those too.
I'm a bit curious about the wolf brothers, i hope it get back in angel face. it would give him a lesson.
Anyway i hope you rl is ok and that you wills oon find inspiration to keep going on this story.

Hey, it's been awhile since I looked into Buffy stories and I am so glad I did! Your story is amazing! It captures everything I love about Spike. I mean chip or no chip at the end of the day he was the one who decided to get his soul back.
Wonderful work and I am so happy I found it just when You decided to get back to writing. I can't wait for the next chapter :)

Yay! Another chapter of this story! Thank you! 3

Ooooo love it

I love this story! I hope you update soon!

You promised you wouldn't give up a story. Ever.

I hate to comment before I finish a story but I'm under the delusion that, just maybe, you might update the goddamn masterpiece right after I comment. You absolutely cannot abandon this. I won't allow it. I'm bored of saying the same old stuff all the time about why this is fantastic so i'mma just saythis is PERFECT. Gonna bring me bad luck for saying that before it's done, I know it. Please. PLEASE. Finish it. Update it. And don't worry about the angst, really, make it as angsty as you can, that's what we're here for. You can't leave me hanging, you can't leave allll the people worshipping this story as much as I do (even if they don't comment) hanging, waiting for two whole freaking parts, that could be nothing less than amazing. I'll be waiting. Not too long I hope.

This story is wonderful, it flows well, the dialogue is top notch, as well as the snark. And I enjoyed the character development in chapter 12.

I love this! I really love my hurt/comfort and I'm really enjoying this Spike. Can't wait to see what develops!

That's sad

thank you for the update.

"sucking fresh air?" :-D Wow Spike must be very upset to forget he doesn't need air. :-))
I must say I really love interactions between Spike and Buffy (especially the peeing on the carpet one).
It is however puzzling how schizophrenic he can appear switching from one personality to another. However you answered to one of my most wanted questions about Spike: his hair. Does he go to the barber's to have his hair done? Who's shaving him? :-))

Poor spike