Wiles

All I can really say is that these two are perfect for each other. They have so much in common, great mutual respect and understanding, they get along extremely well even after spending so much time together, and genuinely love each other, though not romantically.

Now, I know the problem with Wiles – the freaking age difference. I personally don’t care, but I know that some people do. Here’s what I have to say to those people – shut the fuck up. That felt good and satisfying. Ahhh . . . Giles may indeed be a father figure to Willow, but that’s part of the fun. It taps into something sick and wrong, which is cool with me.

I can just imagine Wiles together, the innocent flirting, the shyness and blushes, each tripping over words and not making much sense, each hoping that the other will make the first move, the awkward initial moments of the first kiss followed by sweet passion and adoration.

No two characters on the show are more alike than Wiles. They both love to be where the books are and have a real passion for research. They are both shy but gaining some self-confidence and balls. They are both inherently good people who are faithfully devoted to the ones that they love and are willing to do anything for those few people. Also, both have had some major romance problems – Giles lost his love Jenny, then had a fling with Joyce, and Willow unrequitedly lusted after Xander for years, then finally got a boyfriend (Oz) only to have Xander reciprocate feelings of love which lead to the bad thing. Both are mature, well-educated, honest, strong, independent and attractive people.

The Wiles connection would be a strong one; the two would devote themselves wholly to each other. Giles would dote on Willow tremendously, and Willow would worship Giles. Giles would teach Willow the ars amoris, while Willow could help Giles "find the fun a little." A wonderful, complementary relationship is what could be expected. My basis for this assumption:

"Halloween:"

One short scene really made this ep for me, and you should be able to figure it out. Giles, sitting, looking through some cards when all of a sudden, Willow walks through a wall and scares the shit out of him. Of course, Giles looses his cards because Willow came out of nowhere, but let’s not forget Willow’s delectable, oh-so-delish outfit. Giles was shocked at seeing Willow like this, but what’s more, he seemed intrigued and curious. You know he liked the outfit – how could he not? And sometimes, it takes an outfit to open your eyes and see someone differently. (Does "Homecoming" ring a bell?)

"Faith, Hope & Trick:"

Raise your hand if ewww? Buffy is greatly disturbed with Faith’s flirtation with Giles, and her praise of his state of being "young and handsome." She says, "Raise your hand if ewww?" The camera quickly moves to Xander and Willow. Xander starts to raise his hand, then scratches his face. And Willow just sits there, smiling away. See, she wants HIM. And who can blame her? She doesn’t think ewww, she thinks yummy. Giles continues to show his concern for Willow’s growing interest in witchcraft, though not anger as she fears. (Confirmed by his lack of a "clucking" tongue.) Also, Giles confides in Willow something of a serious matter – that he lied to Buffy about the biding spell. Obviously he trust her a great deal. Why do I mention all this? Because all these facets of a friendship are what the basis of a good romantic relationship should be. Wiles wouldn’t go for some fling together, it’s really not in character for either one. (Giles only has a fling with Joyce in "Band Candy" because he’s acting like a rebellious kind again. From what we see of Giles’ personal adult relationships, he takes them quite seriously.)

"Doppelgangland:"

The hug. ‘Nuff said.

In Season three in general, we have seen a strengthening of the relationship between Wiles, which can be categorized as part friendship, part father/daughter dynamic, plus a bit of teacher/student, colleague and harmless flirtation elements. The beginning of "Anne" shows how the two mesh well together – his care for her, her teasing him, their mutual concern over the slaying matter, and how easy it is for them to talk without being weird. They continue, throughout the season, to grow more comfortable in each other’s presence.

Wiles would make a great couple, c couple that makes you go "aaawwwwhh," the ultimate cute couple. But they’d be even more than that – a mature loving pair that still manages to be completely adorable without even trying.

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