readytosee | OPEN RP POST

It sounds like Hammond made the right call in hiring you. Even when you're supposed to be taking a break you're figuring out problems.

[As Casper turns his hand, he catches sight of his watch and pulls his lips into a thin line.]

Speaking of breaks, I should get back to work.

Should you? [He tries not to look too disappointed, but he can't quite help the way his eyebrows pinch a little.

Still, he presses a kiss to the back of Muldoon's hand before releasing it.] No, you're right. You have your schedules you need to keep to. But thank you so much for lunch, and it's always nice to see you.

[Hand kissed and released, Muldoon takes that as his cue to stand before Casper changes his mind.]

We'll have to arrange another- [Catching himself, he glances around to make sure they're definitely alone, but still lowers his voice a notch.] Another date.

Soon, [he adds. Then just before he heads off he does one more triple check around the room and leans in to kiss Casper on the cheek. Then and only then does he finally leave.]

[Muldoon bought him a present. How delightful. How sweet, even if he denies it. At least he knows that the local grocer's does have a small selection of potted orchids and things, so that's easily done.

He tries very hard to be patient and wait, maybe, for the warden to text him. Or call, or stop by. He's distracted the whole rest of the day by their conversation and the prospect of soon.

Finally, a little before five, he takes up his phone again.]

So when you said "soon" how soon did you mean?

[Muldoon drops all his paperwork to look at that message and, after a bit of back and forth, settles on what he hopes is charming honesty.]

How soon is as soon as possible but not overeager?

[Ugh, this man. Casper is so smitten, and he can feel himself blushing fiercely at the reply]

That depends.
Is it too overeager if I say I happen to be free tonight at seven, as well?

[It's times like this that Muldoon is glad he has his own office, so no one can see him smiling as much as he is.]

As long as you're not eager for a fancy meal, then no. Not overeager at all.

I think the company is more important than the food, honestly.
But I could bring by a bottle of wine?
And you can give me my present :)

The company and the gifts.

I'll see you at seven, then.

[And he'll have something to look forward to for the rest of the day. Hell, with that timing he'll be able to grab a shower to ensure he's truly presentable.]

Done and done :)

[Casper showers as well, and carefully tidies up his hair. There's a bit of waffling over what to wear, given his limited wardrobe, but eventually he decides on khakis and a clean button down (though he does roll the sleeves up and leave the top few buttons undone).

After a stop at the store, he makes his way over to Muldoon's bungalow with a bottle of wine in one hand and pot of flowers in the other, arriving promptly at seven o'clock.]

[Muldoon is not making the same mistake as last time. There will be no jeans this time. He will have to look relaxed in generic tan trousers. Hopefully Casper won't mind him reusing his blue shirt, he only has a few Nice clothes with him.

It's impossible not to smile when he opens the door and sees Casper standing there looking all handsome.]

Evening.

[He steps aside to let Casper in before closing the door behind him.

Hello, handsome. [Once the door is closed, Casper leans in to give Muldoon a light, sweet kiss on the cheek. And then another, a little more lingering, on his lips.]

That shirt really does bring out your eyes. You have such stunning blue eyes. I worry about getting lost in them while we're talking.

I brought red wine, I thought that would go with whatever we have for dinner. And an orchid. In a pot, so you have a place to put it, but it doesn't need a lot of attention. I'll lecture you about upkeep later, if you'd like. [He stays close the whole time he's talking, nosing a little at Muldoon's cheek. Sharing his space.]

[The kisses are a pleasant surprise, and they entirely get Muldoon's attention. Though he starts to get a little distracted from what Casper is saying the longer the scientist stays close.

It's the plant which snaps him out of his very off-topic thoughts. For some reason he didn't actually think Casper would get him flowers and he's a little dumbstruck for a moment.]

Thank you. [He finally manages to get some words out and accepts the plant. It's so pretty and dainty looking and he is immediately convinced that he's going to kill it. But if he does that then Casper might be upset, so he can't let it die, and... He needs to get it somewhere safe right now.]

Come on in.

[A fairly normal invite except that now he can't stop staring at the plant in his hands as he very carefully walks it over to the sturdiest to cabinet he owns. Once placed, he steps back and stares at it for a second before looking at Casper.] I might need a book.

Oh dear, you look a bit bewildered. [The wine gets set on the table, and Casper slides his arm around Muldoon's waist, kissing his cheek again.] I promise that orchids are fairly hearty. A little water once or twice a week is just fine, no need to look so concerned.

[It's so sweet, so gentle the way Muldoon handles the pot. Like it might shatter if he holds it too long. This man who faces down dangerous predators, frightened of something delicate. How marvelous.]

[Delicate things are lot easier to harm accidentally, which is never Muldoon's aim.]

I've never had a plant before. I don't know what it needs. [Before Casper can poke fun, he elaborates.] I know it needs light and water and soil, but I don't know how much of each this one needs. And I've never grown a plant before. And this one looks so ornate. I wouldn't have guessed it would be tough in any way.

[This would actually be easier for Muldoon if Casper had handed him a lion cub.]

Robert. [It's firm, to get his attention, but his smile is gentle and fond, and he strokes the back of his knuckles over Muldoon's jaw affectionately.]

If they don't have a book, I'll write down instructions for you. With times and schedules and charts, if that's what you need. I didn't mean to give you a stressful present. We can help take care of it together, okay?

[The touch as much as the firm voice pulls him out of his own thoughts.]

Sorry. [He smiles apologetically.] It's lovely.

[It takes him a second to build himself up so he can kiss Casper on the cheek and not overthink it too much. Then he takes the hand that was around his waist and pulls it to the table.]

You get the drinks sorted and I'll get the dinner out.

[He needed something he could whip up quickly, so fajitas it is. It shouldn't be too spicy for Casper either, but it will take him a couple of runs to get all the bits to the table.]

I think you're lovely, for wanting to take care of it so well. [There's something deeper there. A thought about how if Muldoon is this careful with an orchid, how might he treat a heart, if it were given to him?

But then he's being pulled, and there's time for pondering later when he's by himself again and not being offered dinner and drinks.]

I can pour wine, at least, if you point me to the glasses. From past conversations, I assume they're not holding down any paperwork that I need to worry about?

Glasses are terrible paperweights.

[Muldoon adjusts to bring out two glasses instead. They're not wine glasses but they'll have to do. A second later and he brings the rest of the food out for them.

He raises an eyebrow at Casper for a second.]

Have you put everything back to the way it is?

Oh? [He pauses in uncorking the wine to look sheepish, focusing on the glasses rather than daring to meet Muldoon's rather piercing gaze.]

Not completely back. They're still in the folders you put them in. But they are more... out and about again, yes.

[He sighs and shakes his head dramatically.] I suppose staying in their folders is something.

[Once the wine is poured he gestures to Casper to sit down.] Come on, take as much as you like. I've a few years of malnutrition to remedy.

See? If you can take care of me so well, you can certainly take care of an orchid. [Casper nudges his foot against Muldoon's ankle with a smile, and starts assembling his dinner. Which smells delicious, honestly. He likes a bit of spice (just not too much), so this is nice.]

Peanut butter is protein, right? I've lived this long, anyway.

Your family must have wonderful genes to cope with that sort of feeding and still... [He pauses in his own assembly to look Casper up and down and shrug pointedly with a smile.

Then he goes back to sorting out his dinner. He's trying hard not to get distracted until after the food is eaten this time.]

But you're still part of the animal kingdom. You talk to me. You're predictable. I know about foraging, and what plants animals eat, but growing them? All I know is how much trouble it was for my mother to keep her garden. There were always complaints, and she knew what she was doing.

Predictable? Robert you wound me. [And he does look wounded, if only for a moment as he presses a hand to his chest before he laughs and shakes his head.]

You've studied me, then. My habits, my routines. I bet you have. I bet you could write a book on the care and feeding of Doctor Casper Darling. [Which he means, fully, as a compliment. It's touching, how much attention Muldoon has paid to him.] You should, and then pass it out to Wu and the rest of the staff. I think they're at their wit's ends with me.

[For a second Muldoon thinks he's accidentally offended Casper. He didn't know he could offend Casper. But then the man is laughing and Muldoon smiles, narrows his eyes and shakes his head in a silent scolding.]

They can figure you out themselves. [He takes a sip of wine.] As long as they don't interfere, or I'll have words with them.

[He pauses in his eating to tilt his head at Casper curiously.] What are they struggling with?

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