Hey there! [It's a little bit dreamy, almost a sigh, and Darling looks a little starstruck. His hands flutter for a moment, tempted to reach out and maybe touch Robert's arm? But he changes course at the last minute to tuck his hands into his pockets, instead.
Very smooth, not nervous at all.]
I'd like that very much, yes. Uh -- thank you. For having me over. Not that you haven't had me over before, but -- [He sighs and shakes his head, adjusting his glasses a little.] I'm awful at this. At its core, nothing's really changed. We're just having dinner, in addition.
[In fairness, Darling is almost always a bundle of energy as far as the warden is concerned. Fluttering hands are clearly just the Italian in him. Muldoon got the stiff British school instead, which has him at an advantage in this respect.
Getting them both a drink isn't a bad way to calm things down, though. It doesn't give him much of a chance to keep a smile from curling the corner of his mouth, however. He can only hope Casper will be distracted by the whiskey.
He didn't expect Casper to be this nervous! It's cute! Maybe if he pokes a bit of fun Casper will relax.]
I suppose saying you look nice would just make it worse, then.
Oh no! You'll get me going again. [But it's said with a laugh as he moves further into the bungalow. It's rather nice, actually. Bigger than his own housing, and kept much more tidy. Not that Darling is messy, exactly, he has a system. That system just happens to be in the form of piles of papers.
He does dare to brush his hand over Muldoon's back, his tone shifting to something a little softer. More genuine.] You look very nice, too. No major injuries, it looks like.
[Laughing is good. A good start. It isn't exactly calming, but that's hard with fingers brushing his back.
It's impossible not to feel that touch, however light. It's as clear and strong as a jolt of electricity that threatens something between nerves and jumping the gun.]
Nothing major, no.
[He manages that much before moving to his tried and true method of self distraction. It's going to be easier than self-restraint, he's realising.]
How do you like your steak cooked? I thought I'd keep it simple since I don't actually know what food you like.
Steak? You're spoiling me, my goodness. [Though he does take his drink and step back a little, so Muldoon has room to cook without being hovered over. Tempting though it is to stick close.]
I will defer to your expertise, though I usually order mine somewhere in the realm of medium-rare.
[It's a small enough kitchen area, which usually suits him fine. Work usually keeps him from cooking his own meals. Today, though, he's happy to move about the place, the kitchen towel going over his shoulder whenever he's not using it.]
That's a good answer.
I was going to make a stew, but I wasn't sure how well you handle your spices. [Besides, he likes having the chance to spoil Casper a little. He's not going to waste it.]
[It's sweet, honesty. Domestic in a way he hasn't had in a long time. In a way his last relationship certainly wasn't. So he sips at his drink, hoping the glass hides the rather fond smile that lingers as he watches Muldoon work.]
I would say medium-ish? I do like a bit of spice now and again, but more for flavour than for heat. Something with a kick, but I won't lose my eyebrows.
My grandmother did make a mean shrimp fra diavlo, though.
[He's about to say something about 'having something spicier next time' but bites his tongue instead. Best not get ahead of himself.]
I've never heard of that before, but it sounds nice.
[Things come together quickly, just as he'd planned. He rolls his sleeves up as he gets the meat on the pan, and the potatoes and veg off the heat. Medium-rare doesn't take long to cook at all, either.
Luckily Muldoon is too focused on trying not to fuck up their meal to notice any half-hidden smiles. He's used to cooking for himself only, and he is not a picky eater. Meat, at least, he knows how to cook. Which is part of his reason for picking a simple steak. The potatoes and veg don't have to be anything special as long as the steak is done right.
He's quick to plate up and invite Casper to the table.]
Don't judge me too harshly. I haven't had to cook in a while.
It's a pasta dish with a red sauce that has a significant amount of chili flake in it. And shrimp, as the name suggests.
[Honestly, it's better than Darling manages for himself most nights. Instant soup, cereal, whatever is quick and easy. But this is homey and domestic and nice.
He joins Muldoon at the table, reaching over to touch his friend's arm with a smile. Warm and maybe a little affectionate. Touched, that Robert would go through all this work for him.] I wouldn't dream of this. It looks fantastic, truly.
[Caspar isn't making this easy, is he? The warden is being so good, but every time Caspar touches him the temptation to forget dinner, forget casual, rises up again. He certainly doesn't pull away though. He smothers a smile, trying not to look too pleased by the compliment, trying to keep everything relaxed, easy going.]
Hopefully it tastes alright as well.
[He waits for Casper to sit before following suit. He'd chosen to cook out of practicality, but it really seems to have impressed his company, which gets him curious.]
How long has it been since you had a home cooked meal?
[Besides, diving into questions stops him from overthinking anything. And, more importantly, it means he gets to find out more about Casper.]
[They're both trying to be very good, and both more or less succeeding. More or less. But he does find Muldoon's dry humour genuinely charming, and he's quite a handsome man.
Still, he should at least let them get through the dinner that the warden so kindly prepared.]
Oh -- embarrassingly long. Unless you count a peanut butter and jelly sandwich home cooking. Do you enjoy cooking? I'd like to learn more, but I'm distractable. As you may have noticed.
[He shakes his head in disapproval, but can't help a smile. Of course Casper would neglect anything not work related.]
Assembling food isn't cooking it, no.
I don't mind cooking, but I do it more for survival than fun.
[Cutting the steak and seeing that he did in fact cook it correctly gets a small nod of approval to himself.]
I started learning to make use of what I hunted. And to have nicer meals when I was camping. [Casper gets a wry smile then.] To be honest, I'm more familiar cooking over a campfire than a stove.
[Casper starts in on his meal as well with a hum of approval and an enthusiastic thumbs up to Muldoon. Much better than cereal at midnight.]
I don't think I've ever been camping, actually. I mean actually camping, not just me in my sleeping bag in the back yard, trying to catch fireflies. I was a Boy Scout, but that was short lived. I kept wandering off to investigate my own thing and would get in trouble for straying too far from the designated paths.
I like that idea, though. You know, if you've hunted something, if you've killed it, you should be able to utilize it, that whole philosophy. [He gestures while he talks, as always, though perhaps this time a little more dangerously, given that there are a fork and knife involved.]
[Alright, he does have to work to smother yet another smile at the idea of kid-Casper being a boy scout. He can easily see it. Especially the part where he wanders off.]
It's disrespectful to be wasteful. [He echoes the value shared by so many of his mentors without a second thought. But the thought of Casper catching fireflies is still stuck with him and he tilts his head curiously at the other man.]
What were you like when you were younger? Did you have siblings?
No, just me and my parents. I didn't really mind, though. I made friends in school and that was fine, but I would usually rather run around the woods by my house, poking at things with sticks and skinning my knees.
[He had a nice childhood, and the memories put a fond sort of smile on his face. Not that he's changed much. Still a bit of a loner, still very curious about the world around him.]
What about you? Other than having lions in your backyard, which I still think is incredible.
Same as you. Only child. My father was often away for work. So until I was old enough to join him it was usually myself, my mother and her housekeeper. Usually I spent time with our housekeeper's children or else on my own. I always did better outside of school than in it, but I got along just fine.
And the lions didn't come close often. Usually we could just see them nearby. Same way we could see the elephants and rhinoceroses.
[As far as Muldoon's concerned, his own childhood was definitely a good one, unaware that anyone might disagree.]
Did you always know you were going to be a scientist? Sounds like you always had the mind for it.
Elephants! I can't even imagine, that sounds incredible.
I've always been interested in science, in nature. In why things work the way they work. I remember seeing these uh, these stop motion films that came out when I was a kid? There was one called The Terrible Lizards, in the seventies. And before that in the fifties there was on called The Animal World.
They were documentaries, essentially, on how dinosaurs might have lived. I was riveted. Imagine, all these incredible beasts that had roamed the earth.
Absolutely none. He said, "I need someone with a background in genetics who would want to shake hands with a T-Rex," and I was sold. [He does do his best impression of Hammond's accent and cadence, which isn't good, but he's clearly amused by it.]
What brought you in? How did Hammond sell it to you?
[That's alright. Bad impressions manage to make him more endearing.]
He told me it would be a challenge. [It didn't take much.] I'd worked for him before. I was his game warden for Animal Kingdom. He knew he wanted me for here, and he knew I liked a challenge.
[Casper fakes a scandalized gasp, pressing a hand to his chest in feigned offense.] I see how it all works now. You were already in at the ground level. Very sneaky.
No, in all honesty, I can't imagine anyone else for the job. Your expertise is unmatched, and more importantly, you care about the animals. You respect them. I think that's really what's needed, here.
[Muldoon snorts at that, before rapidly wishing he hadn't snorted in front of Casper. Hopefully if he focuses on talking he can move on from that.] What, you think Wu knew anything about enclosure creation? That was all me.
[Aaaand then Casper is being nice, and genuine, and Muldoon doesn't know what to do with that. Especially not coming from someone as handsome and stupidly pleasant to listen to as Casper. Muldoon wipes the back of his neck, and then his face, which he then half-hides behind his hand as he leans on in.]
Thanks.
[He shakes his head then, eager to get the topic onto something easier to deal with. Like Casper.] It's not like I'm alone in that. You're one of the rare ones who actually understands the animals are more than just experiments. While also being intelligent enough to create them in the first place. That's... exceptional.
Oh the experimenting and the gene recreation and combination and all that, that's fun, sure. Making the math work, all the fancy equations. But then--
[Casper leans in as he talks. He's always been a close talker, and an expressive one. Full of gestures and the occasional reach out to touch the arm or the shoulder of the person he's talking to, like he's doing now, with Muldoon. Reaching across the table to emphatically touch his fingertips to the back of the warden's hand, as though to underline his point.]
But then you get to see the end result. You get to hold an egg in your hand and watch it hatch, see those clever eyes blinking up at you as they emerge into the world. And that is undoubtedly the best part.
Muldoon loves his work, though he might not be as expressive as Casper. He does respect the animals, he cares for their welfare, and he is utterly drawn in when someone he likes is as enthusiastic about them as he is. Dinner just isn't important. He's done pretending it is.
It doesn't take too much to close the gap between them, though his chair is pushed back just a bit. Muldoon can't resist leaning in to kiss Casper. Though firm he also keeps it short and, well, sweet, before he pulls back just enough to gauge the other man's reaction.]
He's been dying to do this for ages, but he's more the sort to bottle the feelings up or ignore them, for fear they won't be returned. Better to be good friends indefinitely than to be nothing at all.
Casper hums into the kiss, settling his hand against Robert's chest and chasing the kiss a little when it ends. Exhaling a quiet laugh.] I will admit, I was sort of hoping for that.
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Very smooth, not nervous at all.]
I'd like that very much, yes. Uh -- thank you. For having me over. Not that you haven't had me over before, but -- [He sighs and shakes his head, adjusting his glasses a little.] I'm awful at this. At its core, nothing's really changed. We're just having dinner, in addition.
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Getting them both a drink isn't a bad way to calm things down, though. It doesn't give him much of a chance to keep a smile from curling the corner of his mouth, however. He can only hope Casper will be distracted by the whiskey.
He didn't expect Casper to be this nervous! It's cute! Maybe if he pokes a bit of fun Casper will relax.]
I suppose saying you look nice would just make it worse, then.
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He does dare to brush his hand over Muldoon's back, his tone shifting to something a little softer. More genuine.] You look very nice, too. No major injuries, it looks like.
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It's impossible not to feel that touch, however light. It's as clear and strong as a jolt of electricity that threatens something between nerves and jumping the gun.]
Nothing major, no.
[He manages that much before moving to his tried and true method of self distraction. It's going to be easier than self-restraint, he's realising.]
How do you like your steak cooked? I thought I'd keep it simple since I don't actually know what food you like.
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I will defer to your expertise, though I usually order mine somewhere in the realm of medium-rare.
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That's a good answer.
I was going to make a stew, but I wasn't sure how well you handle your spices. [Besides, he likes having the chance to spoil Casper a little. He's not going to waste it.]
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I would say medium-ish? I do like a bit of spice now and again, but more for flavour than for heat. Something with a kick, but I won't lose my eyebrows.
My grandmother did make a mean shrimp fra diavlo, though.
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I've never heard of that before, but it sounds nice.
[Things come together quickly, just as he'd planned. He rolls his sleeves up as he gets the meat on the pan, and the potatoes and veg off the heat. Medium-rare doesn't take long to cook at all, either.
Luckily Muldoon is too focused on trying not to fuck up their meal to notice any half-hidden smiles. He's used to cooking for himself only, and he is not a picky eater. Meat, at least, he knows how to cook. Which is part of his reason for picking a simple steak. The potatoes and veg don't have to be anything special as long as the steak is done right.
He's quick to plate up and invite Casper to the table.]
Don't judge me too harshly. I haven't had to cook in a while.
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[Honestly, it's better than Darling manages for himself most nights. Instant soup, cereal, whatever is quick and easy. But this is homey and domestic and nice.
He joins Muldoon at the table, reaching over to touch his friend's arm with a smile. Warm and maybe a little affectionate. Touched, that Robert would go through all this work for him.] I wouldn't dream of this. It looks fantastic, truly.
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Hopefully it tastes alright as well.
[He waits for Casper to sit before following suit. He'd chosen to cook out of practicality, but it really seems to have impressed his company, which gets him curious.]
How long has it been since you had a home cooked meal?
[Besides, diving into questions stops him from overthinking anything. And, more importantly, it means he gets to find out more about Casper.]
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Still, he should at least let them get through the dinner that the warden so kindly prepared.]
Oh -- embarrassingly long. Unless you count a peanut butter and jelly sandwich home cooking. Do you enjoy cooking? I'd like to learn more, but I'm distractable. As you may have noticed.
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Assembling food isn't cooking it, no.
I don't mind cooking, but I do it more for survival than fun.
[Cutting the steak and seeing that he did in fact cook it correctly gets a small nod of approval to himself.]
I started learning to make use of what I hunted. And to have nicer meals when I was camping. [Casper gets a wry smile then.] To be honest, I'm more familiar cooking over a campfire than a stove.
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I don't think I've ever been camping, actually. I mean actually camping, not just me in my sleeping bag in the back yard, trying to catch fireflies. I was a Boy Scout, but that was short lived. I kept wandering off to investigate my own thing and would get in trouble for straying too far from the designated paths.
I like that idea, though. You know, if you've hunted something, if you've killed it, you should be able to utilize it, that whole philosophy. [He gestures while he talks, as always, though perhaps this time a little more dangerously, given that there are a fork and knife involved.]
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It's disrespectful to be wasteful. [He echoes the value shared by so many of his mentors without a second thought. But the thought of Casper catching fireflies is still stuck with him and he tilts his head curiously at the other man.]
What were you like when you were younger? Did you have siblings?
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[He had a nice childhood, and the memories put a fond sort of smile on his face. Not that he's changed much. Still a bit of a loner, still very curious about the world around him.]
What about you? Other than having lions in your backyard, which I still think is incredible.
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And the lions didn't come close often. Usually we could just see them nearby. Same way we could see the elephants and rhinoceroses.
[As far as Muldoon's concerned, his own childhood was definitely a good one, unaware that anyone might disagree.]
Did you always know you were going to be a scientist? Sounds like you always had the mind for it.
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I've always been interested in science, in nature. In why things work the way they work. I remember seeing these uh, these stop motion films that came out when I was a kid? There was one called The Terrible Lizards, in the seventies. And before that in the fifties there was on called The Animal World.
They were documentaries, essentially, on how dinosaurs might have lived. I was riveted. Imagine, all these incredible beasts that had roamed the earth.
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[Ok, this time it's impossible not to smile properly. Not with how enthusiastic Casper is just describing his past excitement.]
I bet Hammond had absolutely no problem recruiting you.
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What brought you in? How did Hammond sell it to you?
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He told me it would be a challenge. [It didn't take much.] I'd worked for him before. I was his game warden for Animal Kingdom. He knew he wanted me for here, and he knew I liked a challenge.
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No, in all honesty, I can't imagine anyone else for the job. Your expertise is unmatched, and more importantly, you care about the animals. You respect them. I think that's really what's needed, here.
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[Aaaand then Casper is being nice, and genuine, and Muldoon doesn't know what to do with that. Especially not coming from someone as handsome and stupidly pleasant to listen to as Casper. Muldoon wipes the back of his neck, and then his face, which he then half-hides behind his hand as he leans on in.]
Thanks.
[He shakes his head then, eager to get the topic onto something easier to deal with. Like Casper.] It's not like I'm alone in that. You're one of the rare ones who actually understands the animals are more than just experiments. While also being intelligent enough to create them in the first place. That's... exceptional.
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[Casper leans in as he talks. He's always been a close talker, and an expressive one. Full of gestures and the occasional reach out to touch the arm or the shoulder of the person he's talking to, like he's doing now, with Muldoon. Reaching across the table to emphatically touch his fingertips to the back of the warden's hand, as though to underline his point.]
But then you get to see the end result. You get to hold an egg in your hand and watch it hatch, see those clever eyes blinking up at you as they emerge into the world. And that is undoubtedly the best part.
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Muldoon loves his work, though he might not be as expressive as Casper. He does respect the animals, he cares for their welfare, and he is utterly drawn in when someone he likes is as enthusiastic about them as he is. Dinner just isn't important. He's done pretending it is.
It doesn't take too much to close the gap between them, though his chair is pushed back just a bit. Muldoon can't resist leaning in to kiss Casper. Though firm he also keeps it short and, well, sweet, before he pulls back just enough to gauge the other man's reaction.]
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He's been dying to do this for ages, but he's more the sort to bottle the feelings up or ignore them, for fear they won't be returned. Better to be good friends indefinitely than to be nothing at all.
Casper hums into the kiss, settling his hand against Robert's chest and chasing the kiss a little when it ends. Exhaling a quiet laugh.] I will admit, I was sort of hoping for that.
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