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.
I did - I do! [But he's smiling, ear to ear, pressing soft little kisses to Robert's cheek and jaw in between quiet giggles. Absolutely giddy about the situation.]
I was going to be so polite and civilized about it. But truth be told I've wanted to kiss you for a while now.
[The little breaths of the kisses and brushing touch of Casper's moustache make it almost unbearably ticklish for the warden. It seems fitting, with Casper as giddy as he is.]
Well you'd better stop it else I'm going to come over there and kiss you properly!
[And dinner, along with everything else, will be well and truly forgotten then. Hopefully his tone shares that he wouldn't be upset about that either.]
Oh dear, what would I do then? With a handsome warden kissing me. And you did work very hard on this lovely dinner. [Though he's not moving away. Still in Muldoon's space, still with a hand against his chest. Smiling even as he brushes their noses together with something like fondness.]
[No, it's Muldoon who moves away, to avoid toppling the table over and causing a mess. He walks around to where Casper is sitting, and leans on the table, leans over the other man.]
Forget dinner.
[And then he kisses Casper. Properly this time. Cupping the scientist's head with a hand, as if that might steady them both for the hungry, deep kiss he gives. There's no hesitation this time. No uncertainty. Only want.]
[The noise Casper makes initially is a little surprised, but it soon melts into something much more pleased. Encouraging, and his hand at Robert's chest moves up to grip his shoulder.
He leans up into it, shifting slowly to slide his arms around Muldoon's shoulders. Like if he moves too quickly he might startle the warden and end the kiss.]
[Muldoon is far too engrossed in enjoying this to be startled. He hasn't kissed someone in a long, long time, let alone someone he genuinely likes. If anything, it's difficult not to be overenthusiastic. The more he kisses, the more he wants to kiss, to explore Casper with lips and tongue and teeth...
He can feel himself getting a little lost in it all and, somehow, reels himself back in. Though he pulls back slightly, he nips lightly at Casper's bottom lip as he does so. Finally he catches his breath while his eyes drink the other man in before settling to meet his gaze.]
[Casper fairly whines when Robert pulls back from the kiss. Breathless and a little dreamy as he smiles, his fingers toying with the hair at the nape of the warden's neck.
His arms stay around Robert's shoulders, to encourage him to stay close. Wanting to stay in this moment for at least a little while longer.]
I wouldn't complain if you did, honestly. You are... [Another one of those happy little sighs, one of his hands moving to stroke his fingers over Robert's cheek.] A very good kisser.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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 subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
What brought you in? How did Hammond sell it to you?
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
You were the one who wanted dinner first!
[Playfulness helps hide his utter relief that he wasn't wrong either.]
no subject
I was going to be so polite and civilized about it. But truth be told I've wanted to kiss you for a while now.
no subject
Well you'd better stop it else I'm going to come over there and kiss you properly!
[And dinner, along with everything else, will be well and truly forgotten then. Hopefully his tone shares that he wouldn't be upset about that either.]
no subject
no subject
Forget dinner.
[And then he kisses Casper. Properly this time. Cupping the scientist's head with a hand, as if that might steady them both for the hungry, deep kiss he gives. There's no hesitation this time. No uncertainty. Only want.]
no subject
He leans up into it, shifting slowly to slide his arms around Muldoon's shoulders. Like if he moves too quickly he might startle the warden and end the kiss.]
no subject
He can feel himself getting a little lost in it all and, somehow, reels himself back in. Though he pulls back slightly, he nips lightly at Casper's bottom lip as he does so. Finally he catches his breath while his eyes drink the other man in before settling to meet his gaze.]
I'm going to do that all night if you let me.
no subject
His arms stay around Robert's shoulders, to encourage him to stay close. Wanting to stay in this moment for at least a little while longer.]
I wouldn't complain if you did, honestly. You are... [Another one of those happy little sighs, one of his hands moving to stroke his fingers over Robert's cheek.] A very good kisser.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)