Title: "Only Here" and "Away From The Rain"
Author: Kat Lee
Rating: G
Summary: He pulls her away from the rain.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, names, codenames, places, items, fandoms, titles, and etc. are always © & TM their respective owners, not the author, and are used without permission. Any and all original characters and everything else is © & TM the author and may not be reproduced in any way without the author's express, written permission. The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.
She tries to act like the storm doesn't bother her. She puts on a strong face and a nonchalant attitude, but it's all a false facade. The rain truly doesn't bother her. Yet she jumps inside every time lightning hits the windows or thunder fills the air.
It's the wind that's the worst as it reminds her of the windy, sucking vacuum of any door leading to a parallel Earth of which she no longer wants any part. She might be the Key, but she belongs here. These people are her family, her friends, and she refuses to leave them.
Nobody else understands. Xander jokes away his fears of the dangers lurking in the wet, windy weather. Willow's blissfully cuddling with Tara while Buffy and Giles train. Dawn walks alone, fear grasping her heart with every thunderclap, until lights flash out. She almost screams.
It's only the hand sneaking around her waist and pulling her close that squelches her fear. She leans into his embrace. He's told her he smells of dead things, but she smells something sweeter. She smells him. She feels him and his unspoken love surrounding her; finally, Dawn forgets the rain. She forgets everything but Spike.
The End