I'm not sure about the absolute best, but some popular ones might be those who have a deep understanding of the Buffy universe. They know all the characters well, especially Dawn, and can write her in - character. For example, an author who has been following the show since it started and has a passion for Dawn's character arc.
There could be some great up - and - coming authors as well. Maybe those who are fans of the show but also bring a fresh perspective. They might write Dawn in a more modern way, for example, exploring how she would deal with social media and modern technology while still being a key part of the supernatural world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
There's an author named Catherine White. Her fanfictions about Spike are known for their beautiful prose and in - depth character analysis. One of her works, 'Spike's True Self', really peels back the layers of Spike's character. Another great author is Paul Harris. He has a knack for writing Spike in different time periods and situations, like in his 'Spike Through the Ages' series. And don't forget about Anne Miller, who creates some really heart - warming and sometimes heart - breaking stories about Spike.
Then there's 'FanficWizardX'. This author likes to put Xander in unique situations. For instance, they might send him to an alternate dimension where he has to fight different versions of vampires and demons. Their creativity in plot - making makes their Xander fanfictions stand out.
One common theme is protection. Spike often ends up protecting Dawn from various threats, whether it be vampires or other supernatural beings. It shows his growth from a more self - centered character to someone who cares about Dawn's well - being.
There might be a fanfiction where Dawn travels back in time and meets a younger version of Buffy. This could lead to some really interesting interactions and changes in the timeline.
One common theme is protection. Since Spike is a powerful vampire, many fanfics have him protecting Dawn from various threats in Sunnydale. Another theme is friendship. They often form a unique bond that is different from their relationships with other characters in the show.
Well, I really liked 'Giles: The Early Years'. It gives a great backstory to Giles, showing how he got involved with the Council and his first encounters with the supernatural. 'A Day in the Life of Giles' is a charming short fanfic that just follows Giles through an ordinary day in Sunnydale, but with his unique perspective as a Watcher. There's also 'Giles and the Ancient Artifact' which has an exciting plot involving Giles and a mysterious magical item.
One great Buffy fanfiction is 'The Initiative Redux'. It takes the concept of the Initiative from the show and expands on it in a really interesting way. It delves deeper into the experiments and the characters involved in that aspect of the Buffyverse. Another one could be 'Slayer's Bond' which focuses on the relationships between the slayers and how they support each other beyond just fighting vampires and demons. And 'A Different Sunnydale' which reimagines the town and the events in a unique and engaging way.
Well, 'The Watcher's Guide' is often considered one of the best. It delves deep into the Buffyverse, providing detailed information about the characters, the mythology, and the overall world. It's like a comprehensive encyclopedia for fans.
A really good starting point could be 'Once More, with Feeling' by various authors. This fanfic collection is inspired by the musical episode of the show. It has a lot of creativity in terms of how the characters are developed further in the musical - themed stories. There are different takes on the relationships and the overall Buffy - verse, which makes it an interesting read.
One great fanfiction could be 'Dawn's Discovery'. In it, Dawn finds herself in a dangerous situation and Spike is the only one who can protect her. It delves into their unique relationship, with Dawn seeing Spike in a new light and Spike realizing his role as her protector.