Random fanfic rec

While following something else entirely, I happened to run across an older story that I’d not only read before, but commented favorably upon; yet, for some reason, I didn’t pass on my good opinion at that time. So, ten years later:

“Lo, the Dawn” by Velvetwhip/Gabrielle (at LiveJournal, at Dreamwidth, and at Ao3), set — of course — in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s fairly short, less than 2,400 words, and with absolutely zero action. Nonetheless, we get to see two people — Xander and Dawn — in a quiet moment, and see inside Xander’s shaky self-image in a way that stays with a reader who has any knowledge of these people.

Just a glimpse. But it resonates.

(And, by the way, Dawn was even more right about Xander than he was right about her.)