The 2026 WIP Big Bang & WIP Reverse Bang Is Open For Sign-Ups!
Welcome to a new round! This is the thirteenth year we've hosted the WIP Big Bang, which is for finishing fic and getting art to go with it, and introducing the third year we've had the WIP Reverse Bang, which is for finishing artwork and getting fic to go with it. All fandoms/ratings/ships are welcome, including original works!
Please read our FAQ before signing up.
Schedule
All times are by 11:59pm PST. Convert time zones.
Big Bang/Reverse Bang Sign-ups- April 1st - May 21st
Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #1- May 22nd - May 29th
Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #2- June 15th - June 22nd
Big Bang/Reverse Bang Snippets Due- July 1st - July 11th
Big Bang Art Claims/Reverse Bang Fic Claims- July 17th - August 14th
Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #3- July 22nd - July 29th
Big Bang/Reverse Bang Posting Claims- August 23rd - September 1st
Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #4- August 31st - September 7th
Official Big Bang/Reverse Bang Postings- September 8th - November 30th
Emergency Big Bang/Reverse Bang Postings- December 1st - December 31st
And here we get to the real nitty gritty of what was on the news broadcast in the first chapter and how it affects the Scooby Gang.
A Picture Tells A Thousand Words - Everyone mourns their own way when Buffy and Willow are murdered, but photos help.
READ CHAPTER 1 | READ CHAPTER 2
"Xander! Xander, man, wake up!"
"What, Devon? I thought I didn't have to do any work until noon."
The band's singer stood over him. Xander had agreed to become a roadie for Dingoes Ate My Baby for the summer, so he could get some extra money. "Dude...take a look."
Xander looked at the paper in front of him and saw two very familiar faces.
Willow.
And Buffy.
"What?" he asked quietly, sitting up and taking the paper. Glancing at the headline, it read "College Students Murdered." He shook his head. "No..."
Devon stood there silently. After a few moments of awkward silence, he replied. "Oz knows, too." Xander just nodded, his brain too shocked to allow him to speak. "Maybe he should come in here, man. He's being more Zen-like than usual." Xander just nodded numbly. Devon headed out the door, and Xander stared at the short article.
"In yet another case of murders with seemingly no suspect, two college students, Buffy Anne Summers, 20, and Willow Sheila Rosenburg, also 20, were found dead last night at the 42nd cemetery. The causes of death appear to be a broken neck and blood loss, respectively."
Xander shook his head once more. It seemed to be the only thing his body would let him do. The door opened again, and in the back of his mind, he heard Devon try to say something to Oz and, having no success, leave the room and shut the door behind him. "Xander," Oz began, and finally Xander looked away from the paper.
"Who did it?" he asked in reply, his voice cracking slightly.
"I...I don't know. Maybe Giles does. Or Spike...one of them might now."
Xander nodded slowly. "Why them? Why'd she have to die now?"
"Honestly, Xander, nobody knows." Oz looked at his hands, then at Xander's room. It was a typical young person's room: memorabilia from past events, basic necessities...and pictures. Every time the gang had done something important, someone had a camera. There were pictures of everyone up there. Xander, Buffy, Willow, Giles, Cordelia, Anya, himself...even a few of Spike, with Buffy, mostly. "Wonder how he's going to take it," Oz muttered out loud.
"Who?"
"Spike."
Xander looked at him. "Not well, I think. Does he even know?"
---
As the two young men approached, the sound of shattering could be heard quite clearly from inside the small house. "I think he knows," Xander said, without a hint of humor.
Oz opened the door, knowing Spike probably wouldn't want to see them, but at this point not really caring. Both of them expected to find him vamped out and in a rage, or being quiet and numb like both of them. What they didn't expect was to find Spike sitting on the floor, holding a picture and sobbing. The broken glass from the picture was in a scattered pile next to him. It was only when Xander shut the door did Spike realize he wasn't alone. "Get the bloody fuck out of here and leave me alone."
Xander started to turn around, but Oz stopped him. "Spike...we just want to know what happened."
"I should have killed her. I should have killed the bloody wench when she was turned."
"Who, Spike?" Xander asked.
He took a long pause, trying to collect his emotions. He couldn't quite succeed and spat out the name. "Faith."
"I thought she was--" Xander began.
"Dead? Not bloody likely. She got turned, mate. About a year ago. But the Council had been using her for their 18 year test. I just found this out a few days back, when she escaped."
Oz shook his head. "They kept it that much of a secret?"
"This is the Council; they're a bunch of pillocks," Spike muttered. His sadness has slowly started to turn into a rage.
There was a knock on the door, and Anya walked in. "Spike, Giles wanted me to--" She stopped and looked around. "You guys know?" she asked, shutting the door behind her. Oz nodded, and Xander simply looked at her, pain shining through. She walked over to him and took his hand, a simple comforting gesture. They'd been like that for a long time, wordlessly speaking to each other.
"What did Giles want?" Spike asked, staring back down at the picture.
"He wanted to know if he could help you with anything."
Spike shook his head. "Right now...I really just want to be alone."
"What are you looking at?" Anya asked after a moment of silence.
"A picture of Buffy. One that Xander took." He held it up so the others could see.
"I remember. You told me you wanted a picture of Buffy in the sun, being happy," Xander said, taking the picture from Spike for a moment. Buffy was standing there in a short flowing blue dress, the ocean behind her and her hair framing her face.
"That was a good day," Oz said quietly, back to looking at his hands.
Anya shook her head. "No, it was a cold day."
Spike looked up at Anya and grinned a bit. "Thanks, love."
"No problem. Sarcasm and satire, free of charge." She took the picture from Xander and handed it back to Spike. "Maybe...we should get together later. Bring all our pictures of them and just...share them. And the memories behind them."
"Why?" Oz asked with a slight amount of bitterness in his voice.
"Well, we each know different things about them. Maybe...it'll help. It was a stupid idea."
"No," Spike said, standing up. "It really wasn't. Maybe...maybe we should. I just want to be alone, for now, though."
Xander nodded. "How about tonight? At the library. I don't think Giles will mind."
Oz looked away. "All right."
"Then it's settled," Anya said. "Let's go. Spike...you have my pager number. Call if you need anything." Spike nodded, standing in the same place and looking at the picture again. The other three filed out, walking back out into the morning, and shutting the door behind them.
Legal Drinking Age (An "Adventures In Long Distance Dating" Story)
So, as I said in the story before this, I'm not sure if I've already written more for the series, but I plan on developing the Devon & Cordelia friendship as well as the Spike/Cordelia relationship.
Legal Drinking Age - Devon spends part of his twenty-first birthday in Los Angeles with Cordelia.
READ @ AO3 | SERIES PAGE
"I hate gigs in LA," Brandon muttered, hauling out the band's equipment from the van.
"I still say we need a roadie," Oz said, helping Brandon out. Devon sat morosely in the front seat.
"Hey, Devon. What's wrong, man?" Jason asked.
"Does anyone realize what today is?" Devon said, looking out the front window of the van.
"No," came the group answer.
Devon shook his head. "Never mind." Standing up and going into the club, he hurriedly went to the bar. Flashing his ID, the barkeep handed him what he ordered. "My first beer. Legally, I mean," he muttered, turning around and slamming into a female, spilling the beer all over her.
"Hey! Watch it! That was a Gucci dre-- Devon?"
He looked up, and saw right into Cordelia's eyes. "Cordelia?"
"You're playing tonight?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah," he said, brightening up a bit.
"Cool. Good luck," she said before melting back into the crowd. Devon watched her and went back to his beer, a little more cheered up than he had been before.
---
After an uneventful set, Devon scanned the crowd for her. Unsuccessful in the attempt, he went back to the bar. "Hey, you," the barkeeper said, causing Devon to look up. "That brunette you ran into asked me to give you this." He handed him a small business card. On one side was the number for a private detective agency.
On the other was, scrawled in red ink, was a phone number.
Smiling slightly, Devon went to the pay phone and dialed. After two rings, someone picked up. "Hey, Cordelia?"
"Devon! Glad that damn barkeeper can do something right. What are you doing in Los Angeles, other than being with the band?"
"Celebrating my birthday."
"Really? Have any plans?"
"No, not really. Do you?"
"Is this you asking me out?"
"Yeah, Cordy, I think it is."
"Sure, then. Meet me outside in twenty minutes." Devon smiled, hanging up then, and went to the band. "Guys, go back to Sunnydale without me. I'll be along later. I promise."
Oz nodded. "Take it you saw Cordy, right?"
"Yeah. How'd you guess?"
"I knew she was here. Asked her to show up tonight."
Devon looked at him. "Why, man?"
"Thought it'd be a great birthday present for you."
Twenty minutes later, Cordelia walked around the corner. And Devon started to stare in appreciation. She'd changed her dress and pulled her hair up but she looked as beautiful as usual. "Hi," he said with a grin.
"Hi. Um, I got another call and I have to check into work real fast. Is that okay?"
Devon nodded. "Lead on."
They walked for a while and then got to a plaing building. "Amy! Angel! Doyle!" Cordelia yelled as the unlocked the door to the private detective agency.
"What, what, what?" came a slightly slurred voice. "Cordy?"
"Doyle. Are you drunk again?" she asked, then glanced around. "Don't even answer," she added as she caught a glimpse of empty 40's littered around his desk. "Where's Angel and Amy?"
"Amy's...at the library, and Angel's on assignment at the Viper Room. Watching out for...you know." Doyle said, looking up.
Cordy shook her head. "And you stayed here and got wasted. Typical."
"But you love me anyway, right?"
She smiled a little. "I tolerate you. Possibly like you. Definitely don't love you."
He pouted. "And I thought I meant something to you."
"That's just the alcohol talking, Doyle. When you sober up, you'll say you never liked me at all. At least not in that way. Need me to run any errands before I jet for the evening?"
He shook his head. "No, my pretty. And your little dog too," he added with a cackle. Cordelia rolled her eyes and took Devon by the arm.
"Come on. He's always that nutty when he's drunk."
Devon looked back at him and shrugged. "Okay, I'll trust you on that one."
---
"Home sweet home," she said, opening the door to her apartment.
Devon looked in. It was nothing like her place in Sunnydale. It was a good apartment, but it wasn't well furnished, and it looked a little on the cheap side. But it was obvious she did her best to make it seem otherwise. "It's...nice."
"You mean it's not what you expected, but I'll take it as a compliment." She grinned and tossed her keys on the table near the door.
"So," Devon asked, looking around. "Are you seeing anyone?"
"Not really, no," she said. "Well, I guess. I mean, he comes here to LA often, but he lives in Sunnydale."
Devon nodded. "It's not Oz, is it?"
Cordy laughed a little and shook her head. "No. And it's not Xander, either. I don't think you'd know him."
"So that means no fooling around tonight?"
She nodded. "None. Whatsoever. Doesn't mean we can't have a decent time, though. Who knows? Maybe you'll find someone while you're here."
Devon grinned. "Now that would be a good birthday present."
---
The Viper Room was as loud as usual. There wasn't a live band right now; Dogstar had just finished it's set, and there wasn't another band for the rest of the evening. Cordy stood and looked at the bouncer. "I need to see Angel. He's with me," she added, pointing to Devon. The bouncer nodded and let them in.
"I wish I had that kind of influence," Devon said, scanning the room and nodding appreciatively as David Bowie's "I'm Afraid Of Americans" blasted through the club. Devon was pulled onto the floor by a voluptuous blonde who just started dancing with him. He kept glancing around for Cordelia and finally saw her talk to a dark-haired guy he recognized from hanging around The Bronze a few years ago. He kept nodding as Cordelia talked to him, and Devon watched in amazement at her simple gestures and small smiles or frowns.
The blonde got bored and went off to find better, more attentive company. Devon started heading through the crowd to get towards Cordy and the dark-haired guy, who he thought was named Angel, if he remembered correctly. He watched Angel put his hand on her shoulder to keep her from falling over as someone bumped into her.
And he felt slightly jealous.
As he got closer, he picked up snippets of their conversation.
"...I mean, Doyle's all plastered. Again. It's not a good idea for him to be alone."
"That's a good point, Cordy, but I can't leave. Where's Amy?"
"Doyle said at the library. I'm here with Devon, but I guess I can help that dumbass demon sober up."
Devon moved closer, but still far enough away so they wouldn't think he was eavesdropping.
"Devon? That singer from Oz's band?"
"Yeah, Devon. Today's his birthday. Oz asked if I'd hang with him for the evening."
"So I take it Oz doesn't know about Spike."
"No, he doesn't. No one except you guys here and Buffy. We've been pretty quiet about it."
Devon looked at the ground. She really was taken. That thought was more depressing than anything else.
Angel nodded. "Does Devon know?"
"I told him I was sorta with someone."
"Oh. I wouldn't tell Spike you said you're 'sorta' with someone."
She smirked at him. "I wouldn't. But I mean, he's in Sunnydale, I'm here. If he comes here, I'm afraid I'll have to compete with Dru. And if I go there, that means no more school and I get to deal with Xander." Devon backed away and melted into the crowd again. Sitting down, he looked up and saw Cordy heading towards him. "Hey. Sorry I have to cut this short."
Devon nodded. "I eavesdropped, so I know. You happy?"
Cordy sat down. "Yeah, I guess I am. I mean, I'd be happier if I had a boyfriend who was actually here."
"But you like him a lot, don't you."
"Yeah, I do." She stood up again, and kissed Devon on the cheek. "I have to go. Look...I have to go down to Sunnydale in a few days. Want to hang a bit while I'm there?"
Devon thought about it. "Why not?"
Cordy smiled. "Well, happy birthday," she said as she turned to leave.
Watching her walk out the door, Devon went up to the bar and ordered a beer. "Yeah, happy birthday to me," he muttered.
A Song Just For Her (A "Musically Inclined" Story)
So I think this was the start of the series before I had a name for the series. Enjoy some first person POV from Devon, who's crushing hard on Buffy.
A Song Just For Her - Devon has some thoughts as he sings a song he picked just to impress Buffy.
READ @ AO3 | SERIES PAGE
I normally never let the band know the music I listen to when I get home. But just this once, I let them in on my secret taste in music. I wanted to do a specific cover song because I wanted that blonde girl, Buffy, to notice me. Someone, Oz I think, had mentioned she was an INXS fan. What a coincidence...so was I. Seriously,with a lot of chicks I pretend to be
something I'm not so I can either mack on them or get laid. I guess I'm a male slut. But lately...
[Look at all that shines
Baby's down on the world and she knows it
If your spirits running
Why don't we make it rain like we used to
We run
We hide]
College has changed me. I'm mostly in the music classes. And the beauty I'm trying to impress is in one of them, vocal fundamentals. Our teacher has us sing whatever we want as long as it's not original. So she got up and sang an INXS song, one that I love. One that I hope will eventually describe the two of us.
So here I am up on stage singing my absolute favorite INXS song. And I feel like a complete idiot.
[We wait and we want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted]
I watch her the entire time. She has her side towards me, and she's in hushed conversation with Willow, a brunette I vaguely recognize and a blonde in a leather duster. I wish she was looking at me. I mean, I want her to be looking at me. I couldn't care less at all the groupies gathering around, watching me act like I have every ounce of sex appeal that Michael Hutchence had when he was alive.
That man was a God.
I only wish I had half his charisma so maybe I would stand a chance with Buffy.
[Look at all the crimes
Baby's down on the world cause she owns it
Making up her life
Nothing more nothing less makes it voodoo]
She turned around.
She looks so beautiful...her hair's pulled up and she looks so different from they way she does in class. When she's in class...she always looks so rushed, so hurried about everything. And she's always so tired. I sometimes prod her awake when we're in class, when she's sleeping through our lectures in the class. She looks peaceful then. To steal a line from REM, at her most beautiful.
Except when she's here.
[We run
We hide
We wait and we want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted]
She looks full of life when she's here, bobbing her head to the music. And when she smiles at her friends...it makes me wish she was smiling at me. I don't want her to be a quick lay. Not at all. I'm feeling like I want to have a steady girlfriend, something I've never really had before. She'd be perfect, I think...she wouldn't put up with my shit, and she'd be
understanding.
And she's single so it's not like I have to be all devious to get together with her.
She's just staring at me, a small smile on her face. God...she looks beautiful. If I wasn't here, up on stage, I'd be down there dancing with her as closely as possible, making sure we were kissing and it was something that would make her smile. I can just imagine how she'd feel in my arms, all soft and perfect...
God, I'm already having fantasies about her. In public, no less.
[Well look at all that shines
Baby's down on the world and she knows it
If your spirits fine
Why don't we make it rain like we used to]
I want this song to finish up. Our set will be over and I can ask her what she thought. Maybe even ask her out on an actual date. I'm turning into something I swore I'd never be like: Oz. And I'm finding that it might not be as bad as I thought it would be.
If I could even have a chance with her, It'd make my life about complete, I think.
[We run
We hide
We want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life]
---
"Hey...that last song was great."
I hadn't even realized she was behind me, and I almost knocked her over. Reaching out to grasp her waist I get the strangest sense of déjà vu. "Sorry..."
"It's okay. Really. You have a great voice." She backed away from me. God, I was too fast...
"So do you. So, Buffy, would you like to go on a date?"
Talk about fast...
"Sure."
I don't think I'd ever looked so shocked in my life. "Tomorrow? I'll pick you up?"
She shook her head. "Uh...how about we go out during the day? It'd be easier."
I nod. "All right. Tomorrow then." As she walks away, I tell her, "Have a good patrol." She stops, but then starts walking away again. I'm a lot smarter than most people think I am. Hope she realizes that...
Some fluffiness between Devon and Buffy when he shares a memory of singing for her at The Bronze.
A Little Story - Devon had a memory of Buffy and the song he would always associate with her, and one night he shares this memory with her on a date.
READ @ AO3 | SERIES PAGE
Devon sat next to Buffy quietly. They'd been on a few dates, working around gigs and Slaying activities. It was tough but they were determined to get things to work. It was hard at times, it really was. Devon was trying to be faithful, and succeeding. Buffy was trying to stop comparing this relationship to hers with Riley and Angel.
That was harder said then done.
Devon finally stole a glance at her. They were at the beach; and the waves were crashing nearby but they were dry. He'd done the romantic thing for once, and was surprised at how great it felt to see Buffy smile. But right now she was frowning. And he didn't like it one bit. "Buffy...did I tell you about the first time I saw you?"
She shook her head, the frown still evident. "No, you haven't."
As he thought back, the song played in his head...
[Sixteen or seventeen that's all I think you were
Fly by me one more time, I wonder who you are
The most beautiful girl in the world
I will make promises I know I cannot keep]
"Well, I was up on stage, looking around, trying to find someone interesting to talk to. Most of the girls were wearing glitter and stuff, and one even had a feather boa. We were in a glam rock mood, so we decided to cover a Spacehog song." He looked at her and saw her staring at the water intently. It's not working, he thought to himself, but he decided to continue with the story. "We hadn't picked a song. Oz wanted to do 'The Horror', Matt and Brian and Taylor wanted to do other ones. It was a mess. And then, the door opened and
Willow walked in, followed by Harris. And then...you. My jaw dropped to the floor, almost. And then I knew the perfect song for me to sing."
[You'll be my sweet thing and I'll worship at your feet
The most beautiful girl in the world
So call me back one more time and nail me to your bed
I'll pull my weight and wear a Monet on my head]
"There was a blond there, too. It was Spike, actually. He was looking at you, eyeing you. And it was strange...I don't think he wanted to kill you or anything. I'd guessed he was a vampire, but I wasn't sure. Anyway, he looked like he wanted to get close to you, so I kicked into the song as fast as I could. You didn't notice either Spike or the song. You were too busy waiting for that dark-haired guy you always waited for. And he showed up at the beginning of the song. The blonde left, muttering something about a stupid sire. I know 'cause he walked in front of the stage. And...you started to dance with the dark haired guy."
[The most beautiful girl in the world
The most beautiful girl in the world]
"It's a slow song, so you got close to him. And I envied him. Yeah...I really did. I didn't even know who you were and already I wanted to be where he was. And I sang the song never taking my eyes off of you. I'll always think it it as, well, the perfect song for you."
She finally looked at him. "It was 'Beautiful Girl,' wasn't it?"
He looked shocked. "How did you..."
"I love that song. I have since it came out, actually. And I remember telling Angel, the dark haired guy, that I couldn't see him again to that song. I mean...I can still listen to it, but not in the same way."
He nodded. "If I were to sing it just to you, could you hear it again in the same way?"
"Maybe," she said, smiling at him. "I'd listen and maybe love the song again." She turned her impish grin on him and the way she looked right then...Devon found the urge to kiss her irresistible.
"This is turning out to be a very good night..." he muttered, leaning in for another kiss.
"Good," she said before their lips met. He'd gladly sing the song for her over and over again until she liked it again. It was the least he could do to make her happy.
