The Blossoming Dawn

Spike went still as Buffy’s eyes remained on the scrap of lacy fabric that hung out of his pocket.

He knew if he’d had a heart beat it would be pounding in his ears.

He picked them up and held them up and her eyes remained on them.

“Um—Buffy—“

“Don’t. No it’s fine—great. I’m glad that you—found someone. Now maybe you can stop making moon eyes at me and---have a relationship with someone.”

Spike had to stop the look of pure joy and utter relief that crossed his face for a second.

“Um—yeah—yeah I hooked up with a bird and um—kept these as a—“

“You really don’t need to say anymore. I’m glad—maybe it will make things less awkward when you come over. You know—with time and—you know...”

“Oh—uh—yeah it probably will. Well—“

“Uh—yeah well I should be going. You can stop by after school and hang for a little while.”

Spike nodded briskly and Buffy walked to the door.

“Well—see you then.”

“Yeah.”

He waved awkwardly as she closed the door behind her and when he could hear that she was really gone. He jumped into the air a few times and let the relief wash over his face.

Then he couldn’t help but break into laughter as he held Dawn’s panties running the fabric through his fingers.

He had gotten so lucky! It was enough to dance on the ceiling. And now he was invited over to Buffy’s and he would see his Dawnie face to face since what seemed like an eternity.

He remembered the diary and slid it from its hiding place under the cushions and held it in his hand running his fingers over the smooth pink front of it, his head filled with thoughts of Dawn.

He couldn’t wait until school was out then he would see his Dawnie.

He couldn’t help but feel a little foolish at getting excited and jumpy like he himself were a lovesick teenager.

But he did love her so very much and he was going to see her.

The joy that filled him left his skin warm and his face seemed to glow with it, his eyes to sparkle—and his un-beating heart seemed to swell with it as visions of his snow angel danced through his head.

She would be his…one day.

He hoped beyond hope that one day he could hold her in his arms and pull his head in close to his chest, her head resting on his shoulder and him inhaling the sweet scent of her silken hair.

Time could not move fast enough! To wait was almost unbearable…almost.