Title: Babysitting Duties 8/?
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: S/X
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: Spike and Xander babysit Dawn for the weekend.
Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5.
Beta'd by: Unbeta'd
Prompt #505 from tamingthemuse- Nuance
Note: From now on most of my tamingthemuse stories will be named as the challenge.
It was eleven the next morning and Spike and Xander were already up and had eaten breakfast and shared three pots of coffee between them. For the last two hours they'd been waiting for Dawn to come downstairs. Spike told Xander that she was awake before they were. It was clear that she was avoiding Spike even sacrificing a warm breakfast to do so.
"She hates me," Spike said as he took a sip of his cooling coffee.
"She doesn't hate you, Spike. She's a hormonal teenage girl. Have some patience she'll come down when she's ready." Xander squeezed Spike's hand. He hoped Dawn came down soon because he could see that it was eating Spike up inside. "Trust me."
Spike sighed. "I do but she's my nibblet. I hate her being mad at me."
Xander stood to place a kiss on Spike's head. "She'll forgive you."
It was another forty-five minutes before Dawn came into the living room where the boys were watching some documentary. "Hey," she said standing near the entrance.
"Morning, Dawnie," Xander replied with a smile. "There's bacon in the kitchen for you."
"Thanks." she turned and went into the kitchen. Her stomach was demanding a bacon sandwich.
After a few minutes and absolutely no movement from Spike, Xander poked him in the ribs hard. "Go," he ordered. Xander continued to poke Spike until he finally stood. He ignored the growl directed at him. When Spike left for the kitchen Xander grabbed the controller and changed it to the cartoon network.
When he was in the kitchen Spike just stood there awkwardly. He wasn't used to apologizing, no matter how many times he had done it with Xander. "Bacon's good, eh?" Spike said lamely when he watched Dawn take a bite.
"I guess, Dawn replied, refusing to look at him.
"You know I was with Dru for a long time," Spike started. "When it came to her she was my life, I would have gladly died for her at one point. But that was a different life, wasn't it? You move on and your priorities change. Now I have Xander who I'd gladly give my life for, though unlike Drusilla he'd prefer me not to do that. He liked having me around.
There was a slight nuance in Dawn's features. "He's not the only one. Even when you're being a jerk," she added.
Spike smiled softly. "And Xan's not the only one I'd give my life for. I know we're not family but you're like the sister I always wanted when I was human. I know I was a prat last night but that's just because I don't ever want you hurt, not when I could have stopped it from ever happening." He knew he sounded like a right pounce. "And while I'm sorry for embarrassing you last night I can't promise that it won't happen again."
Abandoning her sandwich Dawn launched herself into Spike's arms. "We are family, Spike. Only family can make each other that mad." She squeezed him tight. "And I forgive you. I'll always forgive you."