destruction makes way for rebirth

     “What--?” Dawn groaned a little while later, moving to rise up from the supine position she had been placed in. Hissing at the way her wrist bent unnaturally, Dawn cradled it against her chest and sat up fully with a frown on her face. Turning, she finally noticed Spike there and felt herself tilt towards him before she corrected and leaned back out of his personal space.       “Spike?”

                             “I’m… alright. But what about you; how’s college                               treating you? Found any cute boys yet– - or girls?”

     Ugh, the romantic conversation. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t get a date... it was just.... she was so picky. And potentially letting one of them in on the secret that she held? Hah! May as well commit social suicide by wearing Lady Gaga’s meat dress.            “College is good.” Nice, easy subject -- totally neutral. “Classical Studies. I’m lookin’ to be the next Giles.” Pulling a face, she furrowed her eyebrow and one side of her lip curled up, “Though not as dorky. Or as many wrinkles.”            Leaning forward, she rested her chin on the heel of her hand, eyebrows raising, “What about you? You always lead a more exciting life than us pions.” Yes -- deflection. Deflection was always good.

“What’s got you out so late then? Some bloody hormonal boy, I reckon. Shouldn’t you be at home studying?” He asked, clearly not so well suited to the greetings.

     He hadn’t changed a bit. Hair still so blond, it was almost white -- always reminded her of a ray of moonlight and seeing him after so many years of nothing, the old feelings were coming back. The easy way the weight left her shoulders and the way her walls immediately ceased to be there would always be indicative of just how comfortable, how safe she felt in the vampire’s presence.       Even the little routine of flicking his cigarette away and pulling at the lapels of his jacket made it seem as though the past five years hadn’t even passed.       She hadn’t even realized just how much she’d missed him until now.      “A boy?” scoffing, she rolled her eyes and gave him a smirk that was borne of watching him snark on her sister, and had twisted and turned it into her own over the years, “Yeah, right. I was at a study session. I have a midterm in a couple of days and I wanted to brush up and make sure that I do my best on it.” she explained and stepped closer to him, suddenly feeling shy.      Damn crush, the stupid hero worship, was still there, simmering.      “Do you mind if ‘Lil Bit asks for a hug?” 

After all, he doesn’t want to be a bad influence on her.

     She’d been busy with her phone, making sure that she had picked up the correct notes from the study session she’d just come from to pay much attention to her surroundings.      Not that a whole lot of supernatural big baddies were in her life since she’d been going to school. Buffy did what Buffy did best, and that was protecting Dawn.      Feet stuttering in their stride, she blinked, wondering if she had just missed the vampire too much and was starting to hallucinate his voice coming out of random strangers’ mouths. “Spike?” she couldn’t help but call out before turning back around to face him.

      “That was your window … I was aiming for Buffy’s. Well, for me .. it’s some of the last hours of nightime that I can move around for.” 

     “Of course you’re looking for Buffy. Can I just have one time when someone knocks on my window at the witching hour because they want to see me?” Huffing after her rant, she stared at the vampire, “She’s out of the house, anyway. Is there a message I should pass along to her?”

He smirked. “These blokes know I’ll drink enough to more than compensate.” He eyed the drink in front of Dawn. “You an’ your mates have a designated, right, kitten?” His voice was very soft, almost brotherly.

     “Oh yeah,” she flicked her hair over her shoulder, “I opted to stay,” shrugging, the joy in her smile turned bitter and she took a sip from her margarita. “I’ll call a cab, Spike. Stop worrying.”

“…does Buffy know about this?” She asked, already beginning to crack. 

    Scoffing at the witch, Dawn screwed up her face, “Buffy is busy with her beau of the month.” cue eye roll. Dawn’d had her crushes in the past, but nothing that ever reached Buffy’s levels of drama. “So, really, I doubt she’d care.” shrugging, she reached for a handful of popcorn that was nearby and crunched on it obnoxiously. Some old habits die hard.      “Besides, I’m 18 now. If she wants to throw a fit, all she can do is tell me she’s ‘disappointed in my decision-making skills’.” 

“You know, trouble doesn’t always follow me.”

     Shaking her head, she flopped herself down on the sofa and spread her hands out, “Happy to see I’m not rushing off to chase after  this week’s evil?”