Spuffy

Spuffy is the het ship between Buffy Summers and Spike from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fandom.

Canon
Spike is a vampire and as such an enemy of the Slayer. He was infamous for killing two slayers, so it was no surprise that he wanted to make Buffy his third victim. Their first encounter with each other is at the Bronze. Spike observes her from afar, watching her dance, and then outside he witnesses her defeating a vampire. Then, he walks out from the shadows, clapping, and making a declaration to kill her. Buffy learns more about Spike's history from Angel. Their next encounter occurred at Sunnydale High School. Spike interrupts Parents Night and tries to hunt for Buffy. They fight, but Spike runs away, and so his plans are thwarted. Spike finds it unusual for a Slayer to have family and friends dedicated to her well-being.

It is some time before their next encounter, on Halloween. Throughout the night, people start turning into their Halloween costumes. Buffy becomes an 18-century girl and loses her slayer ability. Spike approaches the transformed Buffy, who is terrified and crying and is close to biting her. But the spell breaks just in time, Buffy fights him, and Spike flees.

Spike makes a trade with Billy Fordham; turn him into a vampire and in exchange he will give Spike the Slayer. They agree, and at the Sunset Club, he meets Buffy. She puts up a fight, and threatens to stake Spike's girlfriend Drusilla. Though, she doesn't, and manages to escape, trapping them in a basement.

Spike sends out a bounty for the Slayer to be killed. He despises her, believing her to be a 'thorn in his side'. He captures Angel, and Buffy manages to save him, and fights Spike, alongside fellow Slayer Kendra.

Quotes
"You listen to me. I've been alive a bit longer than you, and dead a lot longer than that. I've seen things you couldn't imagine, and done things I'd prefer you didn't. Don't exactly have a reputation for being a thinker. I follow my blood, which doesn't exactly rush in the direction of my brain. I've made a lot of mistakes. A lot of wrong bloody calls. A hundred plus years, and there's only one thing I've ever been sure of: you. Here, look at me. I'm not asking you for anything. When I say "I love you", it's not because I want you, or because I can't have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are. What you do, how you try. I've seen your kindness and your strength. I've seen the best and the worst of you. And I understand, with perfect clarity, exactly what you are. You're a hell of a woman. You're the One, Buffy."

- Spike to Buffy

Fanon
Spuffy is one of the most popular ships from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and one of the central romances in the series.

People began shipping them almost immediately after Spike's introduction in the second season. Though for a a time this was an unpopular ship, with many preferring Bangel. However, it gained more popularity during Season 4 (1999-2000) when Spike's character was promoted to the main cast. Then even more so after Season 5 (2000-2001) where the characters develop a relationship. To this day it is still a popular ship.

This ship rivals the Bangel (Buffy/Angel) ship, and the ship wars between the two groups of fans were infamous. Within the show, the relationships both rival each other, and this translated to the fans as well. Many people would debate and argue which ship was better. Additionally, Bangel vs Spuffy debates in the early 2000s was one of the earliest usage of the word 'anti' in fandom, before it became a more mainstream word in shipping. People would often proclaim themselves as "Anti-Spuffy" or "Anti-Bangel".

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * The Bloodshedverse: A Spuffy Fanfic Community
 * The Spuffy Realm: Find-A-Fic Forum
 * The Spuffy Realm: Find-A-Fic Forum

Variations

 * Spuffel refers to the poly ship between Spike, Buffy and Angel