Having survived the ST-TOS wars where slash was invented and Christian fans were horrified, I have great sympathy for you guys. At least we were spared the immediacy of the internet which must have magnified the flames exponentially.
I think he was all of those at different times, and I love to read different takes on various characters - mostly Spike. Here's my take - father was a wealthy American, mother was from a branch of dirt poor nobility - a youngest daughter, a niece. Victorian Americans always wanted the cache of nobility, while Brits wanted the cash infusion. Good breeding and a good name, but Spike was also the son of a tradesman in a time where work was still lower class. I also think his father is dead since there is no mention of him. That leaves Anne dependent on her child since her extended family would prefer to ignore the widow of an American.
I doubt he had siblings that were still alive, but I assume he had some that had died. We do know that Angel's mother existed and was alive. I kind of assume if they are not seen or spoken of then they are dead. Sibs are a total invention of mine but the birth and death rates happen to be high. Tuberculosis was rampant, and Mom did have it. William seemed pretty experienced in nursing.
Did her really kill everyone in the house? I assume that until he went to war with Angelus he kind of fed to eat. And after a good fight. But servants don't offer a good fight. Then again, anything is possible. This is the writer in me - I know I invented this out of bits and pieces and other historical knowledge, but it works for me. :D
As for lovers....in the years where they were the Fanged Four I can't imagine any reason for Angelus to not have sex with William, whether or not William was willing. This is what Angelus did - he played with your mind and your body. He might well want to drive the sniveling poet around the bend, but Spike survived by being unpredictable and eventually quite willing to take pain. Penn was a perfect little student and Spike was a challenge. I'd say they were victim/rapist at first and fuck buddies once they got past the early days.
Brother - hell yes. But incest was clearly not an issue for Angelus. Father and son - not often but I can see it in the past. Old marrieds - yeah. That's the joy of Spangel - these two are both so important to where each of them is now, and yet not important at all. Spike slept with two women that Angel had (three if he slept with Darla which is more than possible). And he actually, voluntarily, went off to get a soul. Much as he hates it, he revolves around Angel. He tries to be the exact opposite of Angel as well. Either way he does seem to do a lot in reaction to Angel.
When Spike came to W&H, as much as Angel bitched and moaned he also reflexively worried. There is no way Angel would have killed Spike. You don't set ground rules with someone you intend to kill the next day. And Angel trusted Spike with his life - yeah, they couldn't stand each other, they had some deep problems, and they knew each other, really knew each other.
Many levels to explore....
The joy of YMMV is that it provides grist for the mill. Ideas go in - stories come out. Even my own comments sometimes surprise me.
no subject
I think he was all of those at different times, and I love to read different takes on various characters - mostly Spike. Here's my take - father was a wealthy American, mother was from a branch of dirt poor nobility - a youngest daughter, a niece. Victorian Americans always wanted the cache of nobility, while Brits wanted the cash infusion. Good breeding and a good name, but Spike was also the son of a tradesman in a time where work was still lower class. I also think his father is dead since there is no mention of him. That leaves Anne dependent on her child since her extended family would prefer to ignore the widow of an American.
I doubt he had siblings that were still alive, but I assume he had some that had died. We do know that Angel's mother existed and was alive. I kind of assume if they are not seen or spoken of then they are dead. Sibs are a total invention of mine but the birth and death rates happen to be high. Tuberculosis was rampant, and Mom did have it. William seemed pretty experienced in nursing.
Did her really kill everyone in the house? I assume that until he went to war with Angelus he kind of fed to eat. And after a good fight. But servants don't offer a good fight. Then again, anything is possible. This is the writer in me - I know I invented this out of bits and pieces and other historical knowledge, but it works for me. :D
As for lovers....in the years where they were the Fanged Four I can't imagine any reason for Angelus to not have sex with William, whether or not William was willing. This is what Angelus did - he played with your mind and your body. He might well want to drive the sniveling poet around the bend, but Spike survived by being unpredictable and eventually quite willing to take pain. Penn was a perfect little student and Spike was a challenge. I'd say they were victim/rapist at first and fuck buddies once they got past the early days.
Brother - hell yes. But incest was clearly not an issue for Angelus. Father and son - not often but I can see it in the past. Old marrieds - yeah. That's the joy of Spangel - these two are both so important to where each of them is now, and yet not important at all. Spike slept with two women that Angel had (three if he slept with Darla which is more than possible). And he actually, voluntarily, went off to get a soul. Much as he hates it, he revolves around Angel. He tries to be the exact opposite of Angel as well. Either way he does seem to do a lot in reaction to Angel.
When Spike came to W&H, as much as Angel bitched and moaned he also reflexively worried. There is no way Angel would have killed Spike. You don't set ground rules with someone you intend to kill the next day. And Angel trusted Spike with his life - yeah, they couldn't stand each other, they had some deep problems, and they knew each other, really knew each other.
Many levels to explore....
The joy of YMMV is that it provides grist for the mill. Ideas go in - stories come out. Even my own comments sometimes surprise me.