allyndra

Riley, Riley, Riley. He got treated so badly on the show (and continues to be bashed in fic, poor thing!). He had a life and a mission before he got involved with Buffy, and by the end of season four his military career was shot, his grad program was derailed, his mission was revealed to be a sham, and when he went off the Initiative's drugs, he lost the strength and endurance he thought were his own. All he got to replace these things was Buffy. I believe she really loved Riley and didn't realize what she was doing to him. But the fact is, she distanced herself from him emotionally and treated him as though he was weak physically (which, compared to her, he was). I hate that the writers turned Riley into a vamp junkie, but plenty of people have turned to drugs for less reason. And that's my rant about why I like to write a strong, intelligent Riley. *bows*

Their familiarity in the dreams plays out like snapshots from an alternate universe, moments of what might have been Woohoo! That's how I saw them in my head. I wanted it all to feel comfortable and right for Riley while he was in the dreams, regardless of what was going on in his waking life.

I read articles about the process men go through in coming out of the closet, and it takes most men an average of (if I remember correctly) eight years from the time they first realize they might be gay to the time they actually accept it. So even though I was rushing Riley rapidly, I still wanted him to struggle some.

I have a major thing for swimsuit!Xander. Can't be helped. *shrugs*

Thanks so much for your comments!! Totally made my day.