[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.]
[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?
[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.
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?
[Not unless he made a pointed comment about Casper's work, like as not. The scolding look just gets an even wider smile, and another nudge with his foot under the table.]
Oddly enough, most of the things you find endearing. My over the top enthusiasm, my tendency to treat the dinosaurs like children rather than an equation. To some of them, it's a successful experiment, but I can't see it like that. We're creating life, it's incredible.
[Muldoon hums his agreement.] You're in the wrong crowd. Everyone here, bar Hammond, is as cynical as they come. In my area that's no bad thing. People need to be respectful, not overawed. But I don't thing that's as easy to come by when you're not working with them out in the field day in and day out.
[The warden fails to smother a smile.] Maybe you should take them on a field trip.
Tempting though that is, I fear they would get mauled or devoured fairly quickly. To some of them, they're still numbers on a screen. DNA strands. Numbers can't eat you.
[After a few more bites of his fajita, he concedes --] I would also be in danger of a fatal nibble, but only because I think they're spectacular and want to hold them like I did when they were first hatched.
Warning? For me? Absolutely not. Though maybe a sign that I need to work on being faster.
[Ah, that question. A fair one, really, given his paternal feelings about all the creatures here at the park.] I do, dozens of them. We co-parent the park, remember?
But in all seriousness, um. I tried, one and maybe a half times, to be with a woman. It never felt right, and by the second attempt I felt like I had enough data to come to that conclusion. It wasn't for me. So alas, no little Darlings running around anywhere.
[Joking about co-parenting gets Muldoon to roll his eyes and shake his head some more as he smiles. It's so silly to him. Then again, sometimes it does feel like that.
He's focused on finishing up a fajita when Casper explains himself a little further. The warden blinks at him, a little surprised, a little confused.
After a second he asks,] You don't like being with women at all?
[It seems he'd just assumed Casper was like him; not fussy about which gender the other person is. Muldoon has no doubt that there are plenty of women who'd love to date the enthusiastic, paternal, genius doctor who's both more fit and handsome than he has a right to be.]
[There were plenty of women, especially when he was younger, who were interested. And he had a lot of female friends, of course. But he always politely declined and tried to introduce these lovely young ladies to his straight friends.
Casper shrugs a shoulder, looking almost embarrassed.] I think a part of me always knew I wasn't interested in women. I had a few casual girlfriends in highschool that never really went past hand holding, but there was no sexual attraction there. At least not on my end. But the scientist in me needed to know for sure, so I did try in earnest in college. A few semi-successful dates with one girl, and some absolutely disastrous ones with another, and that sort of sealed it.
Theory proven, women hold no interest for me. [He finishes off his dinner, carefully wiping his hands off on his napkin as he tries to read Muldoon's expression.] I assume they do for you, at least a little, from the way you're asking. Which isn't a problem for me, you don't need to worry about that.
[Food finished, Muldoon sips his wine as he listens to Casper explain some of his past. At least that's one less group of people to be jealous of.]
They do. A good thing too. The places I've lived and worked, with the mentality of many of the people in those places... [He tips his head in a shrug. He assumes Casper understands.] It was better not to risk anything. Being with women the few times I was able to have a personal life helped.
[Another sip of wine, another curious look.] Did you get to go on dates? Did you get to be open about that sort of thing?
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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.]
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[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.]
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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.
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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.]
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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.
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[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.]
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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.]
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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?
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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.]
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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?
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[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?
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Not completely back. They're still in the folders you put them in. But they are more... out and about again, yes.
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[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.
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Peanut butter is protein, right? I've lived this long, anyway.
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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.
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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.
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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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Oddly enough, most of the things you find endearing. My over the top enthusiasm, my tendency to treat the dinosaurs like children rather than an equation. To some of them, it's a successful experiment, but I can't see it like that. We're creating life, it's incredible.
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[The warden fails to smother a smile.] Maybe you should take them on a field trip.
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[After a few more bites of his fajita, he concedes --] I would also be in danger of a fatal nibble, but only because I think they're spectacular and want to hold them like I did when they were first hatched.
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[Still chuckling, he shakes his head in disbelief as he prods at his food.] How do you not have kids?
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[Ah, that question. A fair one, really, given his paternal feelings about all the creatures here at the park.] I do, dozens of them. We co-parent the park, remember?
But in all seriousness, um. I tried, one and maybe a half times, to be with a woman. It never felt right, and by the second attempt I felt like I had enough data to come to that conclusion. It wasn't for me. So alas, no little Darlings running around anywhere.
Apart from the dinos, of course.
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He's focused on finishing up a fajita when Casper explains himself a little further. The warden blinks at him, a little surprised, a little confused.
After a second he asks,] You don't like being with women at all?
[It seems he'd just assumed Casper was like him; not fussy about which gender the other person is. Muldoon has no doubt that there are plenty of women who'd love to date the enthusiastic, paternal, genius doctor who's both more fit and handsome than he has a right to be.]
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Casper shrugs a shoulder, looking almost embarrassed.] I think a part of me always knew I wasn't interested in women. I had a few casual girlfriends in highschool that never really went past hand holding, but there was no sexual attraction there. At least not on my end. But the scientist in me needed to know for sure, so I did try in earnest in college. A few semi-successful dates with one girl, and some absolutely disastrous ones with another, and that sort of sealed it.
Theory proven, women hold no interest for me. [He finishes off his dinner, carefully wiping his hands off on his napkin as he tries to read Muldoon's expression.] I assume they do for you, at least a little, from the way you're asking. Which isn't a problem for me, you don't need to worry about that.
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They do. A good thing too. The places I've lived and worked, with the mentality of many of the people in those places... [He tips his head in a shrug. He assumes Casper understands.] It was better not to risk anything. Being with women the few times I was able to have a personal life helped.
[Another sip of wine, another curious look.] Did you get to go on dates? Did you get to be open about that sort of thing?
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