canon au } { post-s4, of shrinks and asking nicely

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

Peter: [finding Buffy as he was taking his walk after leaving Cora at the cafe. He sighs, not that he isn't happy to see her, but at the same time, come on, he needs alone time to de-anger himself]

Buffy: [was not trying to intrude on his Peter time. This is a purely coincidental meeting. Though she's not unhappy to see him, but she can sense his exasperation] It went that well?

Peter: [sighs] I'm apparently not cut out for being a good therapy patient.

Buffy: I don't think there is a set "good" therapy patient. Otherwise they wouldn't need therapy.

Peter: I owe him a new office chair. [his eyebrow was raised, but there was that tiny hint of a smirk that he really wasn't all that sorry either]

Buffy: [laughs a bit] I doubt you are the first. Or the last.

Peter: I at least didn't throw it at him. Or even in his office. It was a hallway chair.

Buffy: Then you are officially not the craziest patient he's seen all year.

Peter: [shakes his head] I just am not so sure this is going to be helpful as the rest of you do.

Buffy: Why's that?

Peter: Because I don't want to talk about most of it.

Buffy: No one wants to talk about this stuff. This isn't about wanting to. This is about needing to - they aren't always the same things.

Peter: [he's scowling a bit] Perhaps.

Buffy: [she sighs a bit, before moving closer] Everything being bottled up here - [she lets her hands rest over his heart, feeling the steady thump against her hands] - Is just going to get you back to the same place. All that resentment and all that anger - saving it doesn't do you any good. It hurts you more than it helps you.

Peter: [he looks at her hand] You do realize you also risk me going back there if I let myself go back into those places to think about it all.

Buffy: Yes. But it also means that you can either resolve some things, or learn coping mechanisms for when you feel yourself slipping. And you don't have to figure it out all on your own.

Peter: [nods slowly] I just don't... I don't want to talk about some of this. Not yet.

Buffy: So work your way up to it.

Peter: Until the boy brings it out on our first session and won't let it go.

Buffy: Did you tell him you didn't want to go there, or did you just shut down?

Peter: [and he's silent at that. You can guess his answer]

Buffy: In psychologist speak, that means "Ooooh I've hit a nerve, let's poke it some more and see what happens." In this case, needing to buy new office furniture.

Peter: You'd think he'd know that's not a good thing to do with a werewolf.

Buffy: It's not really a good thing to do with anyone, but that's what makes him so good at his job. He isn't afraid to push your buttons. Tip toeing around things isn't going to help you get better.

Peter: So what do you suggest? I create a list of things not to talk about if he values his furniture? [or life]

Buffy: Or simply say "I'm not ready to talk about that yet." if it comes up. Eventually, though, you're going to have to talk about those things.

Peter: Yes, but eventually is not today.

Buffy: No. So "not yet" is okay. He'll ... redirect.

Peter: [deep breath] I'll give the boy another chance.

Buffy: [smiles a bit as she pushes up on her toes to kiss him] That's all we ask.

Peter: [kisses her back, sliding his arms around her to keep her close, and then just presses his forehead to hers, keeping his eyes closed and just absorbing the affection]

Buffy: [she is all for closeness, sliding her arms around his neck to keep her balanced on her toes] Wanna skip dinner tonight?

Peter: Yes, please. [his eyes open, and there's a small smile]

Buffy: [smiles a bit at that] We could go see a movie?

Peter: Something light and entertaining.

Buffy: Yes. Nothing too thinky. With lots of popcorn.

Peter: I like this alternative plan of yours.

Buffy: Good. I think there's a theater not too far from here - we can go see what's playing.

Peter: Let's go. I will call Sweets in the morning and apologize at that point for my temper.

Buffy: Sounds like a solid plan. [she kisses him again before taking a step back and taking his hand to head towards the theater]