Buffy fanfiction

Here's a woefully inadequate list of Buffy fanfiction I've read and liked. Note that some of this is slash (same-sex non-canon relationships) or shipping (opposite-sex non-canon relationships). I have a major bias for Giles-related fiction, so there isn't much else on this list. Trust my judgment, here, when I say that these stories are worth reading. If fanfic scares you, start with the non-smut individual stories. If you need an introduction to the jargon, read this Buffy fanon glossary.

Authors

Some authors worth reading:

Kris Wahlberg
Long series fiction. Interesting Giles backstory, and a good take on an evil Council. See this story about Giles post-Angelus to get the flavor. Or her take on Helpless. The longer story series is slow to develop, but becomes a solid horror tale. Highly recommended.

Pythia
Try Ontogenesis; beginning of season 5; G/B; Giles takes a crossbow bolt in the leg on patrol. This author knows how to write fiction, and is perhaps my favorite Buffy fic writer. Seeking sanctuary is also good. I recommend her Practically perfect series. Dear lord, that story cheered me up when I needed it. Spit-spot! Off you go to read it! More here.

A. Manley Haight
Hard smut, with a take on Watcher psychology that I liked. Lots of ritual magic. Mostly G/B, but same-sex stuff makes an appearance. Autumnal equinox is a standout, but I like them all.

Gail Christison
Fluffy G/B, to satisfy your need for romance. I can only take this in small doses, because I am inherently cynical.

Beadtific
Long series G/B fic, fluffy and often silly, but gets Giles dialog right. Read that first chapter for a great Giles-goes-shopping sequence. More stuff on her LiveJournal, like this magnificently silly HappyDrunk!Giles.

Jacqui
I liked most of her stories. The longer pieces tend to be angstier. Try 24.

J K Philips
Long series fiction, G/B.

Gileswench
Lots of stories, often funny ones.

Not smut

Huntress and Rayne of Chaos / Jaydn Michelle
The Ethan Rayne story is slash.

Scars / Head Rush
Genfic. Giles in England after the season 5 closer.

Sew the chicken (G/B) and The bitter thing (genfic) / K.V. Wylie
I cannot possibly excuse the Giles/Ira Rosenberg slash committed by this author, but aside from that dreadful lapse in judgment Wylie is producing real fiction. Especially with "The bitter thing". The (loose) sequel Essential fragility is also worth reading.

No dominion (genfic) / tkw97
Just a story about what Giles gives Buffy that Riley never can. A bit fluffy, despite the nasty demon attempting to eat Buffy's soul.

Not even the rain / Denorios
Hopelessly sentimental, but I don't care. Shut up.

The Watcher series Giles/OC / Vatwoman
Giles, back in England in season 6. A wonderful take on the character, but alas, unfinished.

December 1998 G/B / Glimmer
Because I do so love the high school seasons of Buffy. "Schmoopy".

Smut

Don't read these and then come back here complaining that your eyes are burning. You have been warned.

Poof / Manic
I'm not sure I can justify this one. David cheerfully points out all the ways it's deficient as fiction. I think I love the way it gets Ponghead!Buffy just right. G/B. Smutty in places. And very funny.

Watcher / Karen Jephson
Give me smut, and nothing but. Please to enjoy the other fine smut purveyed by this author.

Last Resort / Neena
Giles has, well, group sex with all the of-age Scoobies and hangers on. Plausibly. No, really.

Let us never speak of this again / Trekker
More with the group sex! This one is strictly the core four Scoobies. Many other fine things by this author, such as Untouchable (Ripper/Joyce watched by Ethan, Band Candy-riffic). Or this interesting essay on why Giles/Ethan is entirely canon. With which conclusion I seriously agree.

Simplicity / Saint Buffy
See also Talking Head, which gets an element of Giles' psychology right, as well as the Scooby interaction.

Into the dark age Giles/Ethan/Buffy / Sadbhyl
Buffy makes a wish, and finds herself back in London with Ripper!Giles and Ethan. The summoning of Eyghon looms. In progress.

Being Bad / Holly
Rocky technically, but I like the premise. Smut.

Gifted G/E / Adrienne
Ethan Rayne sends Giles a few Valentine's Day presents. See also Revealing Pictures for a more bleak look at Ethan and Giles, season 3 era, dealing with the aftermath of Angelus.

More recommendations

Trekker's recommendations cover a broader range than this rather G/B-centric list.

I'd Like to Test That Theory (the Giles Writers Zone) has a great set of recommendations in several genres, all Giles-centric.

Tweedy Book Guy's award fic lists excellent fic in a range of Giles- and ASH-related genres.

giles_fic_recs is an LJ community entirely devoted to Giles fanfiction. The quality of the stories recommended varies, and the taste of the contributors might vary from yours greatly, but generally this is the good stuff. Extensive tagging helps you find exactly what you want in the heap of a decade of fan writing about our favorite Watcher.