Quite Contrary
 by Aadler
Copyright December 2025

Disclaimer: Characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Kuzui Enterprises, Sandollar Television, the WB, and UPN.

Setting: Fuffy, Season 4
Spoilers: “A New Man” (Buffy S3-01)

 
It’s an old game between them: Ethan layering sly innuendoes into every conversation with Ripper, and the artificial persona of ‘Giles’ letting them pass without comment, while simultaneously making his distaste ostentatiously clear.

They’re playing roles, both of them. And, for both, the choice of artificiality is itself an insight into their character.

What they are to each other is much less — and more — than anything so banal as sexuality. Ethan may someday kill Giles in one of his games; Giles may kill Ethan in one of his fits of righteousness.

That’s intimacy … and Ethan prizes it with uninhibited glee.

 
– end –
 

Questions? Comments? Any feedback is welcome!

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