“Quite Contrary” [Buffyverse drabble]

[aadler]

Quite Contrary
Copyright December 2025

Setting: Buffy, Season 4
Spoiler(s): “A New Man” (Buffy S4-12)

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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 –
 

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And there you are. Don’t hesitate to offer commentary.

Comments

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

Lovely to see one of these character sketches from you again. You always delve into the characters in such a perceptive way. Well done!

[aadler]

For some reason I keep coming back to Ethan. (I actually mentioned him in my very first fic, “Point of Focus”, though I didn’t feature him directly till my sixth, “Morning’s Echo”). He just always seems to have a little bit more to contribute, and I’m always happy to let him toss it in.

Thanks — as always — for noticing, enjoying, and saying so.