canon au } { post-3a finale, trip to scotland

[ooglyboogleys]

[And after things are wrapped up with the darach and the alpha pack, Buffy and Dawn take the friendly Hales back to Scotland with them to give them a break from Beacon Hills. Since they’re going to be sticking around for a while, Buffy’s trying to find ways to keep Derek busy. When she suggests patrolling, Derek is a little put off by the violence of it all, even when Buffy points out that they’re protecting people by killing killers.]

Derek: You saw what I did, Buffy. I won't.

Buffy: Even if they're vampires with no souls and no remorse?

Derek: it'll depend on the situation, alright?

Buffy: Fair enough. [a beat] What about slimey demon monsters from dimensions with no name?

Derek: [a look]

Buffy: I'm just sayin'. [a look right back before it softens into something appraising] Or I guess, you could ... go research.

Derek: We'll see.

Buffy: Okay. [then Buffy, being the least subtle person on that planet, tips her head towards the library just slightly before turning and walking the other way] You know where to find me if you change your mind.

Derek: [sighs and tries not to roll his eyes as he heads to the library]

Dawn: [is neck deep in research! All the research! And in the middle of a dissertation on something that she would be happy to ramble about, if he is actually interested. Also may have taken a slight segue to get more information on the spell that Julifer was using. Basically she's living on coffee, information and occasional forays into the kitchen for ice cream. This is how she copes.]

Derek: [sneaks up behind her silently, then carefully reaches over to massage her shoulders]

Dawn: [she jumps at first, surprised, but when she sees who it is, she relaxes a bit, leaning into his hands] You really shouldn't sneak up on people like that.

Derek: It's a habit.

Dawn: Uh-huh. [shoves a pencil into her page and closes the book on top of it] What's up?

Derek: Your sister is upset at me.

Dawn: ... Why is she upset with you?

Derek: Because I don't want to go out hunting and killing with her.

Dawn: Oh. [she shakes her head before turning in her chair to face him] It's not that. She just wants to make sure you have something to do. And you're a good fighter.

Derek: I'm a fighter, but I'm not a killer.

Dawn: Neither is Buffy.

Derek: Buffy would have killed Jennifer. I couldn't.

Dawn: [her brow furrows a bit, because yeah. Buffy would.] Self-defense is different. And maybe it's different for you, but there are some things that don't stop unless they're dead. [her hand slips over his and gives it a squeeze] But I'm not saying you have to. Just don't spend all day moping around the castle.

Derek: I wasn't going to. I was... actually thinking we could both use some air.

Dawn: .... Both?

Derek: You and me? I haven't been here before. I thought you could... show me around Scotland.

Dawn: Oh. [right. he's new.] Right. You're right. I should help you do the tourist-y thing. [... but the books ...]

Derek: But if you're busy...

Dawn: No! No, I've totally got time. I should ... probably take a break. [they just haven't really been alone together since ... things happened. There's always been a third party present, and this doesn't seem to be a third party kind of thing]

Derek: You should show me where the nearest coffee house is, for starters. Otherwise we will have a very long days here.

Dawn: [smirks a bit as she gets to her feet] That? I can definitely do.

Derek: Good. Should I get anything before we go?

Dawn: Unless you think you'll need a jacket?

Derek: I'll wear it anyway. [because he looks good in leather]

Dawn: Sounds good. Let me just put some of this away and I'll meet you downstairs.

Derek: [nods and goes off to let Cora know so she isn't worried about where her brother disappeared to]

Dawn: [cleans up, and cleans up enough that she feels a bit more like an actual human being than a research monkey, and eventually she reappears with her jacket down at the base of the stairs]

Derek: [is standing by the door, just looking out. He feels lost and useless, but he's trying to be himself and not let others be concerned about him.]

Dawn: [... reasons why Buffy wanted to give him something to do. But that doesn't matter right now. Dawn makes her way closer, nudging him once she's in touching distance.] Ready?

Derek: [he's also missing his pack, and dealing with his own inner demons] Sure. [and he's opening the door for her]

Dawn: [Plus the Slayers as a rule can be a bit overwhelming. Especially when for Cora it was like coming home.] Thanks. [she'll make her way through and pause as she waits for him to catch up] Figure we can walk. It's not too far.

Derek: Walking is good. I'm going to have to learn to drive on the wrong side of the road.

Dawn: It takes some doing. There were definitely a few touch and go moments with Xander when we first got here.

Derek: He actually passed the test?

Dawn: With practice. And Giles whiteknuckling it every step of the way.

Derek: Poor Giles.

Derek: Did you get a license yet?

Dawn: [shakes her head] I'm usually at Berkeley. Didn't see the point.

Derek: [he licks his lips, wondering if that was more of a not seeing a point, or no one wanting to teach her after Xander]

Dawn: [Derek, if you are mentally implying something about Dawn's driving, you are getting very stern looks from the narration (though really, she is just barely better than Buffy). It actually was that there was no point.] At least you've got the superhuman reflexes in your favor.

Derek: It helps. I'll probably just pay for driving school. Don't need Giles to get more white hair on my account.

Dawn: [smirks a bit] Probably for the best.

Derek: Find myself a nice Italian thing.

Dawn: If you're going for sticking out like a sore thumb, you're doing pretty well so far.

Derek: [confused]

Dawn: They don't really drive cars like that around here.

Derek: What do they drive?

Dawn: Sedans? Occasionally there's a minivan thrown in.

Derek: [wrinkles his nose]

Dawn: [smirks]

Derek: I'm not getting a sedan. Or a minivan.

Dawn: I'm not saying you have to.

Derek: I will get a sportscar and the people here can just be jealous.

Dawn: [holds up her hands] Whatever you want.

Derek: [shakes his head. Dawn doesn't get things like men and cars]

Dawn: [no she does not. And she is happy to. Thankfully the coffee shop isn't too far ahead]

Derek: [thank god for coffee. Since Derek screws everything up and can't even talk to his friend]

Dawn: [nonsense. They just probably need to talk about some other things first. Like Dawn being a self-sacrificing idiot.] I'm sure you'll be the envy of the neighborhood.

Derek: I'm sure I will. I can charge people and take them for drives through the farmlands

Dawn: [laughs] It'll be a total hit.

Derek: It'll pay for all the gas I'll need.

Dawn: That's true

Derek: Or lots of coffee.

Dawn: Coffee is better. Coffee can be shared.

Derek: But coffee only lasts so long.

Dawn: The memories, on the other hand, last forever.

Derek: Yes, memories of the cup that held my coffee, and the little stirring straw. Fond moments there.

Dawn: Not if you go with someone.

Derek: I think we both agree that I should probably not date. Ever.

Dawn: [her eyebrows go up a bit at that] Coffee isn't exclusively a date you know. We are getting coffee as we speak. Are we dating? [... welp.]

Derek: Well.... no. Not that I know of.

Dawn: [that could have been worse. she'll take it as a win] Not that I know of either. So ... coffee. With someone. Not a date. I think there's good potential for memories here.

Derek: True. [he had a few. Most of them were of Dawn. Or Laura. And that one time where Stiles spilled coffee all over himself in the jeep]

Dawn: ... So there you go. [they reach the front of the line, and she turns to place her order quickly before stepping to the side for him.]

Derek: [he places his as well, ignoring the adoring look of the woman taking the order]

Dawn: [yeah, there's a mild look at the barista from Dawn's direction, but not enough to be super noticable. grr. argh. feelings.]

Derek: [completely oblivious. And those little hearts on the cup at normal, right?]

Dawn: [uh-huh. Really normal. And once they both have their coffee, she'll give his arm a bit of a gentle tug] Want to sit or walk some more?

Derek: I'm good with walking. All I've been doing in the castle is sitting around.

Dawn: Sounds good. [and with that, she'll start to head back towards the door] How are you dealing with all of this anyway? I know it can be a lot.

Derek: It is a lot. Too much has happened and I still don't know how to deal with it. I'm just glad Cora is safe.

Dawn: She is. If there's anything we're really good at, it's keeping her safe. [she pauses, before glancing up at him with a smile] I knew you could do it. [that's why she told Scott before she let Julifer take her]

Derek: I'm glad you had all that confidence in me. [he hadn't had it]

Dawn: That's what friends are for. Plus, I'm really super smart, in case you haven't already noticed.

Derek: Too much for your own good [as he sips his coffee]

Dawn: Hey. I think I'm just enough smart for my own good.

Derek: [just keeps sipping. but he's smirking]

Dawn: [rolls her eyes before giving him a bit of a shove] Smartass.

Derek: I only speak the truth.

Dawn: The truth according to you.

Derek: Have I ever lied to you?

Dawn: Yes. [regarding werewolf shenanigans when they first met most likely. Not necessarily actively lying but lies of omission. Then again, she did the same.] but that's not what I mean. I mean that you see things differently than I see things.

Derek: It's called truth from a point of view.

Dawn: Still the truth according to you.

Derek: Your truths are according to you, so why should mine be different?

Dawn: They shouldn't. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with yours.

Derek: Didn't say you had to agree, just that it was the truth.

Dawn: Fine. Whatever you say.

Derek: [just sighs and drinks his coffee]

Dawn: [smirks a bit before nodding ahead of them] There's some really cool historical stuff not too far from here.

Derek: Oh? Like what?

Dawn: Another castle, a little historical village that's kind of cute. A bunch of places where famous people died, a really long time ago.

Derek: Can we storm the castle?

Dawn: [she snorts] Did you bring an army?

Derek: No, just you.

Dawn: I'm not sure I'm really built for a whole lot of storming. Plus I left my broadsword back at the castle.

Derek: Good thing you have me then. I don't need a broadsword.

Dawn: Oh really?

Derek: [look at his hand on the coffee, Dawn. There are five claws now]

Dawn: [she laughs] As fun as that may be, I don't think you want to be declaring war your first week here. Sends the wrong impression.

Derek: Fine. No storming castles.

Dawn: Maybe next time.

Derek: Which are your favorites to explore?

Dawn: Have you met me? What makes you think I can choose a favorite?

Derek: [he smiles behind the rim of his coffee] Fine, which one is closest?

Dawn: [and she'll perk up and start rambling about the history of the nearby castle while I go drive home. yay!]