One common theme is protection. Since Spike is a powerful vampire, many fanfics have him protecting Dawn from various threats in Sunnydale. Another theme is friendship. They often form a unique bond that is different from their relationships with other characters in the show.
There's also the theme of family. Given their somewhat dysfunctional 'family' situation in the show, fanfics often explore how they can create a new kind of family unit together. This could involve Spike taking on a more father - like or brother - like role towards Dawn, and Dawn providing Spike with a sense of purpose and connection that he lacks.
The theme of growth is also prevalent. Both Spike and Dawn are characters that have a lot of room to grow. In fanfiction, they might grow in their understanding of each other, like Dawn learning about Spike's past and Spike coming to terms with his newfound feelings towards Dawn. It could be feelings of friendship or something more complex.
One common theme is protection. Spike often ends up protecting Dawn from various threats, whether it be vampires or other supernatural beings. It shows his growth from a more self - centered character to someone who cares about Dawn's well - being.
Love and relationships are also prevalent. Whether it's a romantic relationship between Spike and the OC or a platonic bond that changes him, these relationships are often central to the story. For example, in some fanfics, the OC is the one who finally makes Spike believe in true love again.
One great fanfiction could be 'Dawn's Discovery'. In it, Dawn finds herself in a dangerous situation and Spike is the only one who can protect her. It delves into their unique relationship, with Dawn seeing Spike in a new light and Spike realizing his role as her protector.
One great place to start looking for Buffy the Vampire Slayer Spike and Dawn fanfiction is Archive of Our Own (AO3). There are numerous stories there. For example, 'The Unlikely Bond' is a fanfic that delves into how Spike and Dawn form an unexpected friendship after a series of supernatural events in Sunnydale. It's really interesting as it shows their characters evolving in new ways outside of the main show plot.
Love and relationships are common themes. Many fanfictions explore Buffy's love for Angel or Spike further. Another theme is the struggle between good and evil. Since the show is about slaying vampires, this is often explored in new ways in fanfiction. And there's also the theme of self - discovery as the characters, especially Buffy, are constantly evolving.
One common theme is identity. Since Dawn becomes a vampire, she has to re - evaluate who she is. Another theme is family. Buffy's reaction to Dawn's new state and how they interact as sisters in this new situation is often explored.
One common theme is identity. Dawn has to figure out who she is as a vampire, different from her human self. Another theme is family. Buffy and the rest of the gang have to deal with Dawn in this new state, which tests their family bonds.
One common theme is the struggle between good and evil. Since it involves vampires, there's often a battle between the forces of darkness (the vampires) and the forces of good, with Dawn sometimes caught in the middle.
In this type of fanfiction, a frequent theme is the re - evaluation of the vampire slayer mythology. Maybe the slayer line is seen as something that is more of a curse than a gift. Also, relationships might be re - imagined. For instance, Buffy's relationships with her friends or lovers could be presented in a much darker or more complex way than in the original series. It's all about taking the established Buffy world and turning it on its head to explore different ideas.
There's an author named Catherine White. Her fanfictions about Spike are known for their beautiful prose and in - depth character analysis. One of her works, 'Spike's True Self', really peels back the layers of Spike's character. Another great author is Paul Harris. He has a knack for writing Spike in different time periods and situations, like in his 'Spike Through the Ages' series. And don't forget about Anne Miller, who creates some really heart - warming and sometimes heart - breaking stories about Spike.