Title: Key Advantage
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Author: veronyxk84
Characters/Pairing: Buffy/Spike (Spuffy)
Rating: PG-13/Teen
Length: 200 (Google Docs)
Content notes: none
Spoilers/Setting: Set in S6, during ep. 6x14 “Older and Far Away”
Summary: Missing dialog in the morning of Buffy’s never-ending birthday party.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.
Author notes: the title refers to Dawn being formerly known as “the Key” (S5)

Challenge: #448 - Influences

—

Sitting on the floor next to Spike, Buffy stole a sideway glance at where Dawn was watching cartoons with Xander and Clem.
“I shouldn’t let Dawn hang out with demons so casually,” she mumbled, shuffling absently a deck of cards. “What if it has a bad influence on her upbringing?”
“Clem is harmless, luv,” Spike said, without even looking. “Only kittens have something to fear from him.”
“Still. She should hang out with people. Friends. Of her own age.”
Spike snickered. “Yeah, randy teenagers. I can see why they’re the obvious better choice.”
“I’m screwed either way, huh?” groaned Buffy.

“You can’t keep the supernatural from having some kind of influence on Dawn, pet. She’s been exposed to it her whole life,” Spike offered. “Hell, she was forged in it,” he added, lowering his voice.
Buffy sighed, still shuffling the cards. “Right. Because her ‘whole life’ actually started a couple of years ago. And she was formerly a ball of energy.”
“She’s a smart kid, she’ll be fine.”
“She’s been doomed with having the Slayer as her sister. She’ll always be in danger.”
“She’s privy to the supernatural dangers that other people ignore. It’s an advantage, Buffy.”
She smiled. “Perhaps.”