This fic was written for a challenge posted to the fic-on-demand LiveJournal community. It was a general request for a fic with hot chocolate...this story is what my brained churned out. Enjoy!
Dawn crept into Spike's crypt slowly, trying to make sure that the last fading rays of the sun didn't inadvertently singe her friend. Given that the sun was still up, he was probably still in bed, but it always paid to be careful. When she heard no screams of pain, she felt it was safe to open the door all the way and enter Spike's makeshift home.
Dawn was actually supposed to meet him here in about an hour for an all night zombie movie marathon, but she couldn't resist the temptation to show up early. Yesterday, she had heard her sister complaining loudly about the fact that Spike slept in the nude (and how that would be the last time she ever barged in on Spike in the middle of the day looking for information). Dawn couldn't understand why Buffy was so upset…she would love to get a glimpse at what was under all that black leather he wore. Of course, she did have a crush on him, so that probably made her a bit biased.
However, after taking a glimpse around the crypt, Dawn's spirits fell. There was already a big bag of popcorn and a stack of movies sitting near his TV, as well as a pot of something simmering on his hot plate, which indicated that he was already awake. Although, once she got a glimpse of what he was heating up, she couldn't stay upset for long.
'Mmmm…hot chocolate,' she thought to herself.
There were two cups sitting next to the hot plate. One was empty, and the other had already been filled with the steaming liquid. Deciding to take the lazy way out, Dawn picked up the cup that had already been filled and took a large sip.
The taste that filled her mouth was like nothing she had ever had before. It was such an odd combination of flavors that it took her a second to realize what Spike had done, but once it hit her, her reaction was violent.
"Oh my God!" she screamed, hastily spitting the liquid out of her mouth.
At her yell, Spike came flying up the stairs from the lower level of the crypt, but when he saw what she held in her hand, he couldn't help but laugh at her predicament.
"Nibblet, didn't anyone ever teach you that it's not polite to drink out of other people's cups?"
"I can't believe you, Spike! What an awful thing to do to chocolate," Dawn grimaced, still trying to spit the taste out of her mouth.
And then she looked up…and saw Spike standing in front of her clad in nothing but a pair of black jeans. In his haste to reach her, he hadn't even bothered to button them at the top, causing them to ride dangerously low on his hips. Her jaw dropped as she ogled his half-naked form, the horrible taste in her mouth all but forgotten.
Spike took the cup of offending liquid from her hand before she could drop it and chucked her under the chin with a wink. He poured her her own mug of hot chocolate and led her over to the couch, not bothering to finish getting dressed. He was all but preening under her appreciative stare, but she wasn't going to complain.
With a sight like that as her reward, perhaps she could forgive him for putting blood in his hot chocolate after all.
