A black tie adventure with doesntsing

[allbedestroyed]

For a man whose perfect day involves hiking out into the wilderness alone to track a rare animal, an evening at a fancy party is not something to look forward to. The only consolation is in having good company to share it with. Making sure his friend has a good time is a much better goal than schmoozing the other guests.

After going through the ordeal of renting a tuxedo, and a car, he's around to pick Miriam up at the address she provided. Muldoon is uncomfortable in the unfamiliar clothing, and apprehensive about surviving an upper class dinner, but at least he knows he'll be in some good company. Worst comes to worst, Miriam will have some extra material to work with for her shows.

Ringing the doorbell, Muldoon tries not to look as awkward as he feels.

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[allbedestroyed]

When the phone rings he stirs to get up, but when she heads to it before him he opens his mouth to tell her not to but it's too late. He'd expected it to be from his work. The last thing he expects is for her to recognise the person on the other end. Not a name he knows, either.

Muldoon is left sitting on the bed with an utterly confused frown. Did he just sleep with New York royalty or something? Is that why everyone is keeping such close tabs on her?

[doesntsing]

Not everyone. Just her manager.

“Yeah, well, it’s been a good night… I’m fine… Yes, I know about tomorrow night. You didn’t have to call me… 8:00. Okay. See you then. Bye, Susie.”

Midge hangs up and turns back to Robert, looking incredulous. “My manager. She’s like a bloodhound. She went to the party and got the name of your hotel from the people at the party. Unbelievable.”

If that phone rings again, she’s not picking it up. The only person she hasn’t spoken to tonight is her ex-husband and Midge doesn’t even want to go there. She unties the robe and slips it off, then puts it over the chair next to her dress. Grabbing her glass of water, she returns to Robert’s bed.

“She wanted to remind me what time I needed to be at the club for my show tomorrow night… and probably also to make sure I was safe, though she’d never say that.” Susie tends keep her emotions close to the vest, like Robert does. She can’t stand the thought of anyone thinking that she’s not a cranky bitch.

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon's brows lift at the explanation. He won't pretend he's not impressed. Plus, it's good to know that there are determined people looking out for Midge, even if he's not around.

"I like her already." And he sympathises with keeping up a very particular reputation.

He reaches out to stroke her back, a thoughtful look taking over his features.

"Would you like it if I came to your show?"

[doesntsing]

Midge takes a long drink of her water. “I think she’ll like you begrudgingly,” she tells him. “After she sizes you up. Susie doesn’t want anything to distract me from my career, but I think you two will get along.” Neither of them take any shit and they both have a distaste for socializing.

Her face lights up at his question. “Yes, absolutely,” Midge says with a grin. “I was going to invite you anyway. I’ll write down the address of the club before we leave tomorrow morning.”

[allbedestroyed]

All of that seems fair. He's a stranger and it's clear she's protective. It wouldn't be the first time he's been treated suspiciously. "I'm not about to ask you to be a stay at home mother, so I've got an advantage."

It was a toss up whether Midge would be excited or uneasy about his going along. He's not sure which he would have preferred. It's a little intimidating knowing a performer. Especially when he doesn't know if she's good. He hopes she is. She should be. She's a fun lady, and she managed to get him to laugh.

"Sounds good." After a sip of water he asks, "Anything I should be warned about? Will I have to sit through a bunch of dry performers before you come on? I don't want to be too drunk."

[doesntsing]

“She’ll appreciate that.” Susie is one of the few people in Midge’s life who supports her and thinks that she can actually make it as a comic.

Midge is a little nervous at the idea of Robert seeing her perform, but mostly she’s excited. Hopefully he won’t think she’s too vulgar, though he doesn’t seem to mind her cursing. In her experience with him, not much shocks him — except maybe how attractive she finds him.

“If you come around 9 you won’t have to sit through them. I’ll see what I can do to get a slot as close to then as possible. If you have to sit through the other comedians, you’ll want to be drunk.”

[allbedestroyed]

The way she's so confident about her show in comparison to the others gets a large grin from him. It's as attractive as the rest of her. Maybe even more.

"For you, I'll wait." And given that he's definitely getting there a little bit early, he will have to wait.

[doesntsing]

Midge is normally pretty confident in herself and her abilities. She knows she’s good. Now she has to get others to see it.

She drinks more of her water, then puts the glass on the nightstand. Laying down, she cuddles up to Robert’s side, putting a hand on his chest.

“You lied to me,” she says, her fingers stroking through his chest hair. “You said you never smile and I don’t think you’ve stopped smiling since you left that party.”

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon isn't generally much of a cuddler, but this is comfortable. He's quite content to sit here, sipping his water, and lazily stroking up and down Midge's back.

"I really didn't like that party. I was more than happy to leave. And then I got to sleep with a beautiful woman. Twice. It's difficult not to smile when that's the case."

[doesntsing]

Midge nods. “Your night turned out pretty well, all things considered.” Robert might not be a cuddler, but that’s not going to stop Midge from trying. Surely he can’t say no to a beautiful woman pressing her body up to his?

Her fingers move from his chest hair to trace one of the many scars on his chest. There are a lot to pick from, but the one she lands on is rather faded. “How’d you get this one?” she asks.

[allbedestroyed]

"I'd hope yours didn't turn out too badly either."

He will not stop Midge from snuggling up against him. He'd never want her to be uncomfortable if he can help it. When she asks about the scar he frowns as he looks down to see which one she's talking about, but relaxes with a not when he recognises it.

"That was a tiger. I was lucky she wasn't fully grown or it would have been a much larger scar." The corner of his mouth twitches in a smile. "You probably don't have any scars. Your skin is flawless."

[doesntsing]

“I’ve had a wonderful night,” Midge confirms.

She won’t ask about any other scars tonight, saving them in the hope of future nights lying naked in his arms. “And what did you do to earn her displeasure?” she asks.

When Robert talks about her skin being flawless, there’s a notable hesitation in her, as if she’s making a decision. Finally, she speaks again. “The most prominent scars that I have are these.”

Midge pulls back from him so that he can see the stretch marks on her lower abdomen. They’ve faded over time and vigorously applying various creams, but Midge has never been able to get them to go away completely.

“Not quite the same as how you got yours,” she says.

[allbedestroyed]

"I stole her dinner." Tilting his head at her he elaborates, "My coworker. He'd make a stupid mistake and ended up in her pen when she wasn't sedated. I got him out, and ended up with a few marks for my trouble."

Muldoon leans to better see what she's showing him and smiles at the sight of the stretch marks before he settles back again. "Much more impressive, though. And you got them for a better reason."

[doesntsing]

“Seems rude to take her dinner, but I’m sure your co-worker was very appreciative. That was very brave of you to go in after him.” That must be what he means when he says that his job makes it difficult for relationships. It’s dangerous.

“Maybe. I think Esther might have clawed me on the way out though.” It would explain a lot. “You don’t mind scars on a woman.” It’s a statement, not a question. Midge takes a deep breath and keeps talking. They’ve shared a lot tonight. She might as well keep going.

“When I was married to Joel, I thought I had to look perfect all the time. It’s not anything that he said to make me feel that way, per se, but I could tell he was proud of his hot wife.” Until he wasn’t anymore.

“I felt like I couldn’t have any scars or blemishes or anything. I tried to get rid of the stretch marks, but you can still see them. That’s why I’ve been hesitant about you leaving marks on me. I don’t… want you to find me ugly.”

It’s irrational, especially if it’s something that Robert wants to do, but it’s something that Midge will try to get over. It’s that fear of wondering if she can still be loved, even if she doesn’t look like a pin-up model.

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon hums, a vague, noncommittal response. It doesn't feel brave. It's what he does. It's what he's always done, and maybe he's too quick to jump into those situations. But he's not going to mention that. He doesn't want Midge to worry.

As for scars? Of course he doesn't mind them on a woman. It seems bizarre to even think such a thing. The more she explains, however, the better he understands. Even if he doesn't understand fully. There is still a bit of confusion furrowing his brow, though.

"Everyone has scars," he points out. "They don't make you ugly. They're a part of you. A part of your life. And most of my life has been spent in places where looking 'perfect' wasn't an option."

"I'll admit, I haven't seen you when you haven't been pristine..." He tilts his head at her as best he can and smiles. "But I bet you're the cutest thing when you've got messy hair and comfortable clothes on."

[doesntsing]

She giggles when he says she’d be cute with messy hair and comfortable clothes. “Well, I’m about to go take my makeup off, so we’ll see if you feel the same way after that.” The fact that she feels comfortable enough to take her makeup off in front of him is actually a pretty big deal.

Leaning over, Midge kisses him softly. Hopefully he can feel her appreciation in the kiss. “I’m going to get ready for bed,” she tells him.

[allbedestroyed]

"I'll practice not looking shocked," he teases drily.

Midge gets full use of the bathroom for as long as she wants. In the meantime the warden finishes off the last dregs of the whiskey floating about before he stacks the glasses. Then he throws on a dressing gown and starts tidying up. Midge's clothes first, and everything that can be hung up, is, as neatly as possible. His own clothes follow after, since he will have to return the suit.

Only once everything is tidy, shoes tucked aside, clothes prepped for the following day, does Muldoon refresh his water and wait for Midge.

[doesntsing]

Midge foregoes taking a shower, but uses some soap and tissues to remove her makeup and clean her face. It’s not the same as her makeup remover at home, and she hates putting harsh soap on her face, but it will have to do. Sleeping in makeup is worse for her skin. She freshens herself up a bit, then returns to a changed bedroom.

“Oh,” she says, looking around. “You cleaned up.”

There’s that fastidiousness again. Even her bra and underwear are folded and tucked away.

“Were you in the military?”

[allbedestroyed]

Well he got caught pretty quickly. The accurate observation keeps his smile in place, though.

"For a few years. Every man on my father's side has served, so I was well prepared. If the war hadn't happened I think my mother might have managed to insist I avoid joining."

He pauses for a moment before adding, "You still look beautiful."

[doesntsing]

“You were in the war?” she asks. “Britain, I’m sure. Navy? Air Force?”

When he tells her that she looks beautiful, a grin slowly crosses her face. She ducks her head a little and blushes. “Thank you.” Midge reminds herself that he’s not the type to lie about something like that.

“Ah.. do you have a shirt that I could borrow to sleep in?” she asks. That way she hopefully won’t have to worry about getting cold in the night.


[ OOC: thank you for being willing to AU him to her time period. I know we never discussed that, but I appreciate it. I love historical AUs. ]

[allbedestroyed]

"British forces, part of the North African campaign. But I kept my feet firmly on the ground."

To her question he just nods and heads to his luggage to start looking for something suitable. Unfortunately he doesn't have much in the way of comfortable clothing. After a bit of looking he presents her with two options, one in either hand.

"A blue button-up or a plain t-shirt," he offers. "Which would you like?"

((No problem! The AU is just begging to be used! Just had to do some maths. Plus one of my favourite pics of his PB is 50s setting military, so living the dream!))

[doesntsing]

“No planes or boats for you?” Midge asks with a smile. “Thank you for your service.” The British stood alone against the Nazis for a year until the US joined the war. She can’t help but respect that.

“T-shirt,” she replies, taking it from him. It’s big enough on her that it hangs down to about her hips. Perfect.

While he finishes doing whatever else he needs to do, Midge gets back into the bed. It feels oddly domestic, getting ready for bed with him like this. Despite the fact that she and Robert are still getting to know each other, she’s very comfortable with him and with this whole situation.

[allbedestroyed]

"You're welcome. And no. I'm much better on land than anywhere else." He's gotten well versed at keeping talk of the war superficial. Although he had practice from a much younger age than most at filtering out less than acceptable topics.

With her out of the bathroom he takes the opportunity to clean himself up and get ready for bed. He'll even oblige any late night cuddling she might want to do. As if he would deny her anything.

[doesntsing]

She won’t ask questions, at least not tonight. Most people who were in the war don’t like talking about it. From what little she’s heard, she can’t blame them. She’s met Holocaust survivors and hearing about their experiences is hard enough.

When he returns to bed, Midge indeed cuddles up to his side, tentatively at first. “Thank you for showing a girl a good time tonight.”

[allbedestroyed]

He might not be cuddly, but he does enjoy knowing he's taken care of her tonight. Though his display of gratitude worked out rather nicely for him as well.

"Thank you for saving me from the bloodthirsty upper class."