|
|
|
|
|
|
Spander is the slash ship between Xander Harris and Spike from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fandom.
Canon[]
Spike and Xander have an antagonistic relationship but remain allies, and sometimes roommates, due to their companionship and loyalty to Buffy Summers.
They first meet when Spike comes to Sunnydale to kill the slayer, one of Xander's best friends. He spots Xander for the first time dancing with Buffy and Willow at the Bronze but mostly goes unnoticed. Later, Spike makes his move at Sunnydale High and Xander gets dragged along by Angel and offers Xander's neck to Spike. Spike realizes he's being fooled and doesn't take the bait.[1]
Spike remains an enemy of Xander and his friends, the Scoobies, until the "Initiative" implants Spike with a chip that prevents him from harming humans.[2] Spike shows up at Giles' apartment and attempts to ally himself with the Scoobies, offering himself as an informant so they'll help him. They tie a starving Spike to a chair and leave him near Xander, who is temporarily afflicted with syphilis. When the gang get ready to leave, Spike tells them to leave Xander since he may be dead soon and he could eat him. Later, the Scoobies' and a still tied up Spike casually enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together.[3]
Much to their dismay, Giles makes Spike stay with Xander in his mom's basement. Xander insists that Spike remain tied up while he sleeps for fear he'll bite him. Getting ready for bed, Spike assures him that he wouldn't bite Xander in his sleep and Xander disagrees, "I happen to be very biteable, Pal. I'm moist and delicious." Spike rolls his eyes and huffs, "Alright, fine. You're a nummy treat." Xander points his finger, "and don't you forget it." Spike continues to annoy Xander while he tries to sleep. They wake up the next morning with both their voices completely gone and Xander assumes it's Spike's doing. Later, Xander walks in on Spike drinking and he misconstrues that Spike was biting his girlfriend, Anya. Xander tackles Spike and punches his repeatedly while straddled on top of him. Xander shrugs a slight apology when he realizes Anya is alive and well.[4]
Moments[]
- LOVER'S WALK 3.08
- A heartbroken Spike, attacks Xander and Willow, putting Xander in a headlock and then knocking him out. Spike kidnaps them and forces Willow to do a love spell.
- SOMETHING BLUE 4.09
- Xander walks into Giles' apartment and yelps as he notices Spike is untied and Buffy exclaims that she and Spike are getting married (a spell) and Xander is horrified. Xander makes a snide remark and Spike tells him he's off the usher list.
Fanon[]
Spander is arguably the most popular slash ship in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fandom and truly only rivaled by Spangel. Though the ship had a small following after season 2, it gained popularity during season 4 when Spike officially joined the main cast.
On AO3, Spander is Xander's most written ship and Spike's second. It's the fourth most popular pairing in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) tag and the most popular slash. There are currently 1900+ works. However, during the height of the series, AO3 didn't exist and therefor it is unclear how many works truly have been written. A popular fansite from 2005, The Spander Files, is one of the few still active to date.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- The Spander Files — Spander fanfiction fansite since 2005
- Spike/Xander tag on AO3
- Spike/Xander on FanFiction.Net
- Blood Claim on LiveJournal
- WIKIS
- Spike/Xander on Fanlore
Trivia[]
- Buffy writer, Jane Espenson has admitted to writing Spike/Xander subtext in their interactions.[5]
References[]
[]
 | |||
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ships • Buffy the Vampire Slayer Characters | |||
| SHIPS | het | Bangel • Cangel • Fangel • Spuffy • Willoz | |
| femslash | Coffy • Frillow • Fuffy • Tillow • Wiffy | ||
| slash | Spander • Spangel | ||
| CHARACTERS | f/m | Angel • Buffy Summers | |