I see a lot of discussion about Buffy and Angel (Bangel) VS Buffy and Spike (Spuffy) and both relationships have been an element of the series that has been discussed ever since Spike's introduction. Personally, I can see how important all of Buffy's boyfriends were to her at various stages throughout her life and I think that the show is so much more than who she was sleeping with, hence why I rarely pay attention to such discussions.
That being said, I do enjoy looking at the romantic aspect of both series' because romance is often an integral part into the facets of each character. However, my top two favourite pairings aren't canon (as in, official) and they are Buffy and Faith (Fuffy) and Wesley and Illyria (they don't even have a pairing name to my knowledge, so my portmanteauname for them is Wesllyria) and I'll tell you why that is.
The sexual tension between Buffy and Faith is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Even the most prudent of individuals could observe it. Their feelings for one another are pure, undiluted passion, and they have seen the very worst of each other. Hell, these women have nearly killed each other. Both aren't even technically supposed to exist at the same time which is what makes their interactions particularly interesting as a viewer. Plus, look at the subtext in their exchanges; Faith saying, "Wanna see who lands on top?" as just one example. It couldn't be more blatant and I'm not the only fan who thinks so, as evidenced by the multitude of Fuffy pages, fan art, fan fic, and forums.
As for Wesley and Illyria, this is a more complicated one and whenever I say that I prefer them to Wesley and Fred (Fresley) I am often met with a sense of bewilderment, which I can understand. People think I must have a screw loose to ship Wesley with the thing that stole his girlfriend's body, but here's the thing... Illyria didn't set out to steal Fred's body. Yes, Illyria had planned her resurrection, but it was Knox who decided that Fred should be Illyria's vessel. Had Illyria been able to choose, I am certain that she would have selected somebody far more physically imposing. When Illyria was first resurrected, she planned to restore the world back to how it was in her time. Obviously that plan failed and she soon realised that she was going to have to integrate with lesser beings. To help her fit in, she enlisted the help of Wesley, who complied because she looks like Fred. It is patently obvious that Illyria did have some sort of love for Wesley, however odd that may sound. There's the fact that she had residual feelings leftover from Fred, but also because Wesley was her guide to this world. She respected him and grew fond of him. As he laid dying, she transformed into Fred to comfort him, telling him how much she loved him. If Illyria did not have those feelings for Wesley, she wouldn't have done that for him. Quite simply, she'd have no need to as it would offer her no benefit and she was keenly focused on what the world and its inhabitants could do for her. In the last few moments of "Not Fade Away", she declared that she was feeling grief for him and that she couldn't seem to control it. That's quite the development for the same character who just episodes ago had likened watching human grief to offal in her mouth. Regarding his feelings for her, -had the series continued and they hadn't made Fred and Illyria exist at the same time-, I do think that he would have grown even fonder of her. Imagine the possibilities between them with more time. If they were to ever have an official relationship, it would be one largely conceived out of need, seeing as both felt unceasingly isolated from the external world. I can imagine them sticking together and indulging in rich discussions. In any case, it would be fascinating to watch unfold.
I, of course am not saying that either of these pairings would get married and have a big family and live happily ever after. Of course not. But that's what I like about these two pairings. The parties involved are deeply complex characters with a plethora of issues. Love can and does manifest in many and often unlikely ways.
That being said, I do enjoy looking at the romantic aspect of both series' because romance is often an integral part into the facets of each character. However, my top two favourite pairings aren't canon (as in, official) and they are Buffy and Faith (Fuffy) and Wesley and Illyria (they don't even have a pairing name to my knowledge, so my portmanteauname for them is Wesllyria) and I'll tell you why that is.
The sexual tension between Buffy and Faith is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Even the most prudent of individuals could observe it. Their feelings for one another are pure, undiluted passion, and they have seen the very worst of each other. Hell, these women have nearly killed each other. Both aren't even technically supposed to exist at the same time which is what makes their interactions particularly interesting as a viewer. Plus, look at the subtext in their exchanges; Faith saying, "Wanna see who lands on top?" as just one example. It couldn't be more blatant and I'm not the only fan who thinks so, as evidenced by the multitude of Fuffy pages, fan art, fan fic, and forums.
As for Wesley and Illyria, this is a more complicated one and whenever I say that I prefer them to Wesley and Fred (Fresley) I am often met with a sense of bewilderment, which I can understand. People think I must have a screw loose to ship Wesley with the thing that stole his girlfriend's body, but here's the thing... Illyria didn't set out to steal Fred's body. Yes, Illyria had planned her resurrection, but it was Knox who decided that Fred should be Illyria's vessel. Had Illyria been able to choose, I am certain that she would have selected somebody far more physically imposing. When Illyria was first resurrected, she planned to restore the world back to how it was in her time. Obviously that plan failed and she soon realised that she was going to have to integrate with lesser beings. To help her fit in, she enlisted the help of Wesley, who complied because she looks like Fred. It is patently obvious that Illyria did have some sort of love for Wesley, however odd that may sound. There's the fact that she had residual feelings leftover from Fred, but also because Wesley was her guide to this world. She respected him and grew fond of him. As he laid dying, she transformed into Fred to comfort him, telling him how much she loved him. If Illyria did not have those feelings for Wesley, she wouldn't have done that for him. Quite simply, she'd have no need to as it would offer her no benefit and she was keenly focused on what the world and its inhabitants could do for her. In the last few moments of "Not Fade Away", she declared that she was feeling grief for him and that she couldn't seem to control it. That's quite the development for the same character who just episodes ago had likened watching human grief to offal in her mouth. Regarding his feelings for her, -had the series continued and they hadn't made Fred and Illyria exist at the same time-, I do think that he would have grown even fonder of her. Imagine the possibilities between them with more time. If they were to ever have an official relationship, it would be one largely conceived out of need, seeing as both felt unceasingly isolated from the external world. I can imagine them sticking together and indulging in rich discussions. In any case, it would be fascinating to watch unfold.
I, of course am not saying that either of these pairings would get married and have a big family and live happily ever after. Of course not. But that's what I like about these two pairings. The parties involved are deeply complex characters with a plethora of issues. Love can and does manifest in many and often unlikely ways.