15 Minute Ficlets Challenge: Abandoned
Milkshakes
by Red Wolf
Tara met Dawn after school as she did a little grocery shopping — Weet-a-bix, milk and blood for Spike — and picked up her laundry. After getting the chores out of the way, they ended up at the café drinking enormous milkshakes.
"So, you and Spike are doing fine?"
Dawn prodded her shake with the straw, scraping bubbles off the side of the glass. "He's still a bit down, but we're getting there."
Tara could see that Dawn was happy and she was doing well at school, but she was still worried at living with Spike. "You'll be moving back home soon then?"
Dawn shook her head. "I don't think so." He'd never admit it, but over the years she'd learned that Spike wasn't really good at being on his own. The only other option was if they both lived at her house, but the prospect of Spike and Buffy living together under the same roof was just asking for trouble.
Tara sipped her milkshake, looking up at Dawn through a curtain of her hair. "Isn't it a little strange sharing his bed?"
Dawn snorted, managing to make milk come out her nose, which sent her into giggles. "We share the bed, we're rarely in it at the same time. Human, vampire, opposing sleeping schedules."
"Oh." Tara smiled shyly at Dawn's teasing. "But your relationship is going to get a little complicated?"
Dawn checked off points with her fingers. "Buffy managed to desoul Angel when she was younger than I am now. The choice between experienced older guy and groping, drooling high school boy is a no-brainer. Buffy is possibly the world's worst actor, so from what I've been unfortunate enough to overhear, Spike knows what he's doing. Plus there's the bonus that he can't knock me up." Dawn took the straw out of the glass and licked milk bubbles off its length.
"Dawn!" Tara choked on her milkshake.
Dawn was laughing so hard she nearly fell off her chair. "I'm sorry, Tara. I know that was mean, but you should have seen your face."
Tara threw a handful of sugar packets at her head and joined in the giggle fest. "Still, I do remember how awful high school boys were, so you might be onto something."
Dawn grinned in delight. "I'll bear it in mind."