/who is multifaced and complex like a man and who is the center of the narrative./ - Well it's true that fanworks give you the fun option to explore the side characters for once, which is especially interesting to do in fandoms where there's a (white) male lead and a female and/or POC side character. If you're doing it by somehow diminishing Buffy's role you're doing it wrong... *shakes head*
/Spike is the hero and Buffy is a damsel./ - Urgh, that's one of the reason I don't read Spuffy actually... Though never fear, the "Spikeid" you recommended me is still very much on my to-read list (it looks so original and interesting), I've just been consumed by Marvel fandom lately! :D
/there is no way anyone can say Sarah Manning isn't the protagonist/ - Yay, Orphan Black is just awesome! ;)