I read the first one and like it immensely, though it took me several hours because I was trying to cook dinner and deal with insane children at the same time. I marked the sequel because the first was effective. I need a break in between.

I'm kind of just dipping my toe into the fan fic pool for the first time. I've seen an awful lot of S/B with child stuff or people getting married etc.. Not that I don't like romance, but I'm looking for something with less of a focus on the romance element. Also, like to stay away from the S/B romantic fic in general. Can anyone give me some recommendations for fics that are a little less romantic? Scary is fine, mature is fine, I have no limits on anything besides sap, really.

Winnow, you want s/b in particular? or does it matter what pairing?

Actually, probably anything but S/B pairing.

Campfire Tales, a darkfic archive.

Te's Buffy and Angel Recs This last update was mostly vids, so click on the Older Buffy and Angel recs links.

PolyRecs, use the pulldown menu to navigate.

These should get you started!

Winnow---if you find some really good, dark twisted S/B could you let me know, that's pretty much the only way I like Spike and Buffy together and it's hard to come by.

If it's non-romantic stuff you're after, Rheanna writes excellent Angel stories that read like episodes, and Yahtzee has some cracking stuff, some BtVS and some AtS. Phoenix Burning is a classic, written after the end of Season 5 and working on the supposition that Buffy doesn't get brought back to life until far into the future. (B/A, but it's far more plotty than shippy.)

Rhymes with Gleaming is a lovely take on Spike's siring (a little slashy) and After The Fall is a cracking series of stories set post -The Gift.

Min has a fondness for Buffy/Wesley and for less than cheerful takes on the Jossverse.

Ink is tiny, but it's one of my favourite pieces of Willowcentric fiction.

Winnow- het only, or will you read slash?

Edit: I ask, because I started to rec stuff, and then wondered if what I like to read would actually be to your taste.

And, if you're well-disposed to m/m, Herself's Manhattan Nocturne is very, very hard to beat. Spike and Dru in New York in the 1920s. NC17.

Actually what am I saying?

Go here for Buffista Recs.

for less than cheerful takes on the Jossverse.

Hey! I have some cheerful ones, missy! (And a vast assortment of pairings, het, slash, etc. And one songfic. Hee.)

[link] is the better link, though.