Written for Open on Sunday LJ community's challenge #113, "Moving."
by Zzilly14
Now that Peaches has Shanshued, he gets Buffy and I'm stuck trying to move on. Smoking a cigarette outside during their wedding rehearsal is the best I can do for now.
"Spike?" a familiar voice echoes from the doorway. I look up and see Nibblet. She's grown up a lot in two years: a cute short haircut as well as cleavage I shouldn't be looking at.
"Evening, love. Aren't you supposed to be inside?"
"Ugh... those two can't keep their hands off of each other. It makes me want to puke."
I smirk. "Now you know why I'm out here."
...
"You're still in love with Buffy," she suddenly says. I glare at her. "Don't get cranky. I've seen the way you look at her," she grins.
I sigh, dropping my cigarette and stomping on it bitterly. "You're right, Bit. I still love her... Is it really that obvious?"
"Only to me," she smiles with a wink.
"I gotta get over it though. She's moved on with the Angel Formerly Known as Broody Vampire. It's about time I get moving too. Away from here."
Dawn's expression changes instantly to one of sadness. "You don't have to leave... do you?" she asks.
...
"Nibblet... Dawn," I reply. "If I see those two lovebirds holding hands and giving each other smoochies all the time, I'd go crazy. To stay here, knowing she's never gonna love me like she loves him... too much for a bloke like me."
She sits down on the steps to the chapel and crosses her arms. I can tell she's upset.
"I'll come visit sometimes, if you'd like."
"But it's not the same," she says as tears fall down her cheeks. "Spike... please don't go."
"I have to move on, love. After they say their "I do's" tomorrow... I'm gone."
...
Dawn suddenly stands up and kisses me, right on the lips.
"What the bloody hell?" I yell as I push her off of me.
"I thought you wanted to move on," she states. "I was just trying to help."
"Big Sis would not..."
"She wouldn't give a rat's ass because she's already got someone," Dawn asserts. "And I'm eighteen years old, so I'm legal."
"But..." I reply, not fully comprehending what just happened. "You're Dawn. I can't..."
"Or won't?" she seethes. "Look, I know you still think of me as Buffy's kid sister. But I'm not that kid, not anymore."
...
I take out another cigarette, but before I can return the pack to my coat pocket Dawn grabs a cigarette of her own.
"I am not letting you smoke that," I insist. "They're not good for you."
"But you smoke them," she bats her blue eyes innocently.
"Nibblet, please. Hand it over."
"I'm eighteen. I can do whatever the hell I want. Give me your lighter."
"Dawn," I growl.
"Fine. I'll just go inside and use one of the candles. If Buffy asks, I'll tell her you insisted I try smoking."
"You wouldn't dare..."
"Then don't move away," she pleads.
...
"Dawn, I'm sorry. I can't get over Buffy if I see her all the time. I can't stay."
I can hear her breathe. The girl's nervous as hell. As much as I'd like to try dating Lil' Sis... being in the same town as Big Sis would make me nervous as hell.
"Spike, I have an idea," she squeals with delight. "I can come with."
"'Scuse me, love?"
"I'm not starting college until September. Why couldn't I... you know... stay with you for the summer?"
I begin to smile. Maybe moving on wasn't going to be so bad after all.