Spike's eyes fluttered open almost as soon as the sun set.
Sitting up, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and pulled his jeans on. Pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, he lit one and took a drag just as he heard movement upstairs.
Quickly stubbing out his cigarette, the vampire moved silently up the ladder, pausing to listen for another indication of where the intruder was. Hearing another shuffle close to where he was he took a chance, shifting to game face and launching himself at the intruder, pinning them to the ground with a snarl until a familiar scent and a familiar voice squeaking his name broke through the haze. He pulled back slightly.
"Nibblet? Haven't I taught you better than to sneak up on sleeping vampires?"
"I wasn't sneaking!" Dawn protested with a pout. "I was going to wait for you to wake up but you decided it was a good idea to tackle me and nearly give me a damn heart attack!" Spike grinned, unrepentant.
"Well how was I supposed to know it was you, bit? You didn't announce yourself, ergo, sneaking," he reasoned but Dawn wasn't listening to him anymore. She was studying his face. Freeing her hand from his now loose grip, she reached up to gently trace the ridges on his forehead. Spike's eyes closed for a moment at the soft exploration, unable to remember the last time someone had given him a kind touch, before quickly shaking the form away. He'd forgotten he was in game face since Dawn didn't act any differently.
"Sorry," he apologized automatically, conditioned by Buffy to think that his demon was something that would frighten his bit which was the last thing he wanted to do. Dawn was probably the only person he didn't want to be afraid of him.
"It doesn't bother me. I never get to see you like that."
"You shouldn't have to." Dawn rolled her eyes at that.
"That sounds more like Buffy talking than you. You don't have to hide any part of yourself from me. I don't mind," she reassured, smiling at him. He gave her a strained smile in return. "Hey Spike?"
"Yeah, Nibblet?"
"Can you let me up now?"