I wanted to respond to something else you said about Spike here, because I've been thinking about it, and I think it's a very interesting point:
"I feel like I read a lot of stories that exist in a universe where Spike hasn't had any feelings/interaction with Buffy, yet he approaches any/all sexual relationships with the same insecurities/hangups that he develops from her."
I wasn't sure I fully agreed with this when I first read it, because I think so many of Spike's insecurities and self-loathing, especially in a sexual and romantic sense, pre-date Buffy. That they're rooted in his human-self, and stem from the rejection by Cecily that led him to semi-acquiescing to being turned. And I feel like those insecurities never disappear, because so much of what he does to develop his Spike-identity is in response to that insecurity, and in response to being with Dru, who always loves Daddy just a little more than she loves him, and he knows it.
But I think you're right, in that, just because the insecuritues remain, and because his sexually confident, gleeful persona is partially in response to that, this persona is no less real for having been formed in that way, and it's also part of his inherent vampire nature. And I think his relationship with Buffy really reawakens all those insecurities and brings them to the surface because he just can't keep them buried anymore.
So I do agree that pre-Buffy, he would approach sex in a very, very different way -- a more open, self-assured, fun-loving way -- than he does later on. Although being Spike, the insecure romantic is likely to emerge if the relationship lasts.
Anyway, sorry for the prolonged ramble, but as I say, you got me thinking about this. Thanks.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-09-15 02:47 pm (UTC)"I feel like I read a lot of stories that exist in a universe where Spike hasn't had any feelings/interaction with Buffy, yet he approaches any/all sexual relationships with the same insecurities/hangups that he develops from her."
I wasn't sure I fully agreed with this when I first read it, because I think so many of Spike's insecurities and self-loathing, especially in a sexual and romantic sense, pre-date Buffy. That they're rooted in his human-self, and stem from the rejection by Cecily that led him to semi-acquiescing to being turned. And I feel like those insecurities never disappear, because so much of what he does to develop his Spike-identity is in response to that insecurity, and in response to being with Dru, who always loves Daddy just a little more than she loves him, and he knows it.
But I think you're right, in that, just because the insecuritues remain, and because his sexually confident, gleeful persona is partially in response to that, this persona is no less real for having been formed in that way, and it's also part of his inherent vampire nature. And I think his relationship with Buffy really reawakens all those insecurities and brings them to the surface because he just can't keep them buried anymore.
So I do agree that pre-Buffy, he would approach sex in a very, very different way -- a more open, self-assured, fun-loving way -- than he does later on. Although being Spike, the insecure romantic is likely to emerge if the relationship lasts.
Anyway, sorry for the prolonged ramble, but as I say, you got me thinking about this. Thanks.