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.
[That touch... At his neck, and across his cheek... It sends pleasant little shivers across his skin.]
You aren't the only one who's wanted to do this for a while.
[He indulges in one more kiss before pulling back again with a sigh. It's so difficult to be good. Muldoon's not sure either of them want to be. He fixes his ice-blue eyes on Casper and keeps his voice a low rumble. If being good has to be difficult for Muldoon, then it's only fair it's difficult for Casper too.]
One of two things are going to happen here. Either I sit back down and somehow we both behave, or I move you to the couch and we misbehave.
Move me to the couch? What, physically? [He straightens his glasses a little, looking a little flush but deeply amused. Reaching over to toy with his glass, turning it slowly on the table.
As though there's even a decision to make, here.]
I have the sneaking decision you're not too keen on behaving, right now. Which is just as well, since neither am I.
[Oh he hears the challenge in that question. It's only then that it occurs to him that Casper probably isn't too used to being manhandled. The doctor isn't exactly petite —gym-lover that he is— but Muldoon has had to haul men around before. Though not usually for fun, and this time he definitely intends to have fun.]
Good.
[That's all the warning Casper gets before Muldoon takes his glass and sets it out of the way. Then he takes Casper's arm and pulls him up into a fireman's carry. Sure he could try another lift, but it's harder for any potential panic from Casper to cause issues this way.
Once Casper is up, there's absolutely nothing stopping the warden from bringing him over to the couch whereupon he deposits his companion semi-gently onto the cushions. And yes, he will have a smug smile as he looks down at his handiwork. Whether the challenge was intended or not, he accomplished it nonetheless.]
[Casper cackles as he's carried, rather elegantly for what it is, over to the couch and set down. There's no protest, but Muldoon does get a playful swat to his hip before Casper is on the sofa, looking up at him with a bright grin.
He reaches up to hook his fingers into the beltloops of Muldoon's jeans, giving them a light tug.] You look awfully proud of yourself. But consider me impressed.
If I've impressed you then I've a right to be proud, [he teases in turn.]
[He's quickly distracted by the tugging, though. It's an invitation to get back to another kind of fun. One he'll take all too happily.
One knee settles alongside Casper so he can bend down and kiss him again. But as he sinks into the kiss, so he sinks lower into the couch. If Casper will let him, he'll nudge the other man to lay down along it as best they both can. But he'll take whatever he can get. No longer leaning means his hands can run through Casper's hair, and he can kiss him more greedily, hungrily.]
Very impressive... [But it's a distracted murmur as he leans back on the couch, moving happily where Muldoon wants him to go.
The hands in his hair get a low, pleased noise, and Casper, in turn, works on untucking Muldoon's shirt to slip his hand underneath, settling against his lower back. The other hand rests against the back of Muldoon's neck again, well-kept nails dragging over the sensitive skin there.
It's been far too long since he's been with someone like this. But the way he and Muldoon have been dancing around each other? This was absolutely the right decision to make.
Casper parts his lips eagerly for Muldoon, pressing up against him encouragingly.]
[Those nails, even light as they are, get a pleased rumble from the warden. In return he moves to give Casper's jaw a bit of attention, and then his neck, teeth lightly scraping skin before being replaced by gentler kisses. He takes advantage of the angle too, running one hand along Casper's body until he reaches Casper's thigh. Here he encourages it to move aside, tighter to Muldoon's hip so that the warden can get closer to him.
Now that they've thrown away all pretence Muldoon intends to make the most of it. With Casper closer, he returns his attention to that lovely mouth, kissing deeper than before. That hand along Casper's thigh shifts back upwards to return the favour of getting in under the scientist's polo. He should probably rein himself in, but he has no desire to.]
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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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You were the one who wanted dinner first!
[Playfulness helps hide his utter relief that he wasn't wrong either.]
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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.
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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.]
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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.]
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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.]
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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.
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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.
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You aren't the only one who's wanted to do this for a while.
[He indulges in one more kiss before pulling back again with a sigh. It's so difficult to be good. Muldoon's not sure either of them want to be. He fixes his ice-blue eyes on Casper and keeps his voice a low rumble. If being good has to be difficult for Muldoon, then it's only fair it's difficult for Casper too.]
One of two things are going to happen here. Either I sit back down and somehow we both behave, or I move you to the couch and we misbehave.
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As though there's even a decision to make, here.]
I have the sneaking decision you're not too keen on behaving, right now. Which is just as well, since neither am I.
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Good.
[That's all the warning Casper gets before Muldoon takes his glass and sets it out of the way. Then he takes Casper's arm and pulls him up into a fireman's carry. Sure he could try another lift, but it's harder for any potential panic from Casper to cause issues this way.
Once Casper is up, there's absolutely nothing stopping the warden from bringing him over to the couch whereupon he deposits his companion semi-gently onto the cushions. And yes, he will have a smug smile as he looks down at his handiwork. Whether the challenge was intended or not, he accomplished it nonetheless.]
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[Casper cackles as he's carried, rather elegantly for what it is, over to the couch and set down. There's no protest, but Muldoon does get a playful swat to his hip before Casper is on the sofa, looking up at him with a bright grin.
He reaches up to hook his fingers into the beltloops of Muldoon's jeans, giving them a light tug.] You look awfully proud of yourself. But consider me impressed.
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[He's quickly distracted by the tugging, though. It's an invitation to get back to another kind of fun. One he'll take all too happily.
One knee settles alongside Casper so he can bend down and kiss him again. But as he sinks into the kiss, so he sinks lower into the couch. If Casper will let him, he'll nudge the other man to lay down along it as best they both can. But he'll take whatever he can get. No longer leaning means his hands can run through Casper's hair, and he can kiss him more greedily, hungrily.]
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The hands in his hair get a low, pleased noise, and Casper, in turn, works on untucking Muldoon's shirt to slip his hand underneath, settling against his lower back. The other hand rests against the back of Muldoon's neck again, well-kept nails dragging over the sensitive skin there.
It's been far too long since he's been with someone like this. But the way he and Muldoon have been dancing around each other? This was absolutely the right decision to make.
Casper parts his lips eagerly for Muldoon, pressing up against him encouragingly.]
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Now that they've thrown away all pretence Muldoon intends to make the most of it. With Casper closer, he returns his attention to that lovely mouth, kissing deeper than before. That hand along Casper's thigh shifts back upwards to return the favour of getting in under the scientist's polo. He should probably rein himself in, but he has no desire to.]
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