Airport goodbyes with doesntsing

[allbedestroyed]

There wasn't really much to pack. Muldoon is an efficient traveller, and an even more efficient packer. Everything was already pretty much tidied away before he'd turned his attention to it, and that was even after he'd spent 'too long' at work, and then spent another while focusing intently on paperwork.

It was all an attempt at distraction, of course. A futile attempt, at that. He'd enjoyed his time with Midge while he was here. Far more than he'd ever expected. Too much, really. It makes going back to Kenya difficult. Even though he longs for the barest hint of wilderness, he also wants to go to her next show, he wants to surprise her with a late night date, he wants to be able to call and check on her the next day. All in all, it's much, much easier to focus his attention on work.

He is so deep in his own head that it takes him a moment to acknowledge the knock on his door. When he swings it open both happiness and surprise flash across his features, though he's quicker to hide the first. 

"Midge! What are you doing here? It's two in the morning!"

Comments

[doesntsing]

Midge has been absolutely dreading this day and has gotten through by not thinking about it. Now it’s here, and she has no choice. Robert will be on a plane flying halfway across the world in just a few hours.

The thought of him gone makes her ache inside. Their two weeks together have been some of the happiest times she’s had in a long while. She knows why he has to leave, and she won’t beg him to stay. She can’t go with him. Not yet at least. A trip like that requires planning. Plus, Midge will need to convince Susie that it’s worth it for her to take a few weeks off to go to Kenya. Midge has her work cut out for her.

She grins at him when he opens the door. After her gig earlier in the evening, Midge didn’t bother to change, nor bother to go home. She nursed a whiskey at the bar, mulling things over, until she decided to meet Robert at his hotel room.

“Did you think I wasn’t going to accompany you to the airport?” She asks cheekily. Once he lets her in, Midge wraps her arms around him and gives his lips a tender kiss.

[allbedestroyed]

"Not at this hour, no," he admits before being thoroughly distracted. His hands slide around her hips, pulling her close and giving a rougher kiss of his own. When he pulls away, however, he's comparatively gentle as he brushes her cheek with a hand. "You should be in bed."

That's not to say he'll let go of her in a hurry. He quite enjoys getting to hold her while he has the chance.

[doesntsing]

“Only if you join me.”

It’s a cheeky quip and she accompanies it with another kiss, one less rough than the one that he gave her. She’s joking, though if he pushed her up against the wall right now, she wouldn’t protest. It would be a nice distraction from thinking about him leaving.

“All packed?” she asks with a sigh and looks around his hotel room. It’s always been clean, but now it looks stark without the few personal items that Robert kept out.

[allbedestroyed]

"I wish I could." It's an honest admission. Of all the ways to travel, plane has never been his favourite. Between flying and staying with Midge? There's a clear favourite.

He follows her gaze around the room, checking for the hundredth time that he hasn't missed anything before he confirms, "All packed."

His eyes settle back on her, then, and a small, charmed little smile tugs at his lips. "Did you really come to see me off?"

[doesntsing]

She turns back to Robert, her look incredulous. “Of course. Did you think I wouldn’t want to?” Thankfully, he seems happy about the idea, otherwise Midge would have gotten a bit worried.

She leans her head against his shoulder, her arms still wrapped around his waist. “I’m going to miss you,” she tells him. That goes without saying. It’s so good to feel him holding her, and she wants to experience it up until the moment he gets on the plane.

[allbedestroyed]

"I thought you'd be too tired to want anything other than your bed," he explains gently, lest he offend her.

It's odd, how warmly she holds onto him. He's not used to this. Not used to growing so attached so quickly. He's usually much better at keeping a distance, which helps with the final parting.

"I'm going to miss you too," he echoes. In an attempt to console and cheer her he continues, "But you'll be alright. You live in New York. You'll have plenty to distract you here. Soon enough you won't have time to miss me. Susie will make sure of that."

[doesntsing]

“I can’t sleep right now,” she murmurs. Midge won’t sleep until he’s on the plane. She won’t actually rest until he calls to tell that that he’s safe in Nairobi.

Leaning back, she looks up at him. He’s not wrong, but she can tell that he’s trying to cheer her up. She can put on a brave face. “And you’ll be back with your animals and work and surviving in the wilderness with nothing but a spoon.”

[allbedestroyed]

Midge actually gets a laugh out of him for that. Well. It's more of a snort, but it does tickle him. "I'm flattered you're so confident in my abilities that you think I only need a spoon."

"But there are plenty of quiet moments out in the wild." He cups her face, gazing at her more fondly than he realises, brushing her cheek with his thumb. "And I'll be thinking of you every time."

[doesntsing]

Her heart skips a beat looking at him. In a very short amount of time, she’s become very fond of him.

“Oh, I bet you’ll think of me a lot when you’re out there all alone at night in your tent,” she teases. Robert is being sweet and she’s being raunchy. His thumb is so tender against her cheek though that if she doesn’t make jokes, she might start to cry. Midge can’t cry yet. They’re not even at the airport.

“When I’m not onstage, when the city gets quiet, as it sometimes does, I’ll be thinking of you too.”

[allbedestroyed]

The deflection works well enough. He rolls his eyes, but the smile is wide, because she isn't wrong. Memories of their time together will undoubtedly return in full force whenever the loneliness starts to creep in.

But then she relents, a little sweetness returning in her admission. He smiles all the wider and kisses her. He's sticking with gentle, because goodbyes should be gentle, and if they get heated he might miss his flight.

[doesntsing]

After the kiss, Midge rests her forehead against his. Being in his arms feels so good, and it’s one of the things that she’s going to miss the most about him.

“I’m already planning to come visit,” she says, “in a few months or so. I’ll have to arrange some things first.”

She’ll need to check on what gigs she has scheduled and make sure that Joel can take care of the kids.

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon pulls his head back enough to blink at her, and see that she's being serious. This is not a joke. And if Midge puts her mind to something, it's surely going to be done.

"You are?" He doesn't mean to sound so surprised, but... it's a very long way.

[doesntsing]

His surprise at that makes her doubt herself for just a moment. What if he doesn’t want her to visit him? What if he doesn’t feel as strongly about her as she does about him? Maybe he was only interested in a fling while he was in New York.

“Yes,” she replies. “Unless… you don’t want me to?”

[allbedestroyed]

Seeing the uncertainty play across her face makes him scramble internally for a second.

"No!" He's quick to try and correct that assumption. "That would be wonderful! I just... I just didn't expect you to, that's all. It's not a small trip."

Here he hesitates, looking her over, trying to gauge her reaction as he talks. "We didn't exactly make any decisions about the future, either."

[doesntsing]

A wave of relief rushes over her. Thank goodness he wants to see her again. “That’s why I’d like to stay for about a month, if you’ll have me.”

She nods, conceding that they probably do need to talk about that. “It’s hard to make plans right now, considering that we live such different lives,” Midge says. “All I can say is that I feel very strongly about you, Robert. I don’t want to just let you go.”

Midge searches his face, trying to tell if he feels the same way.

[allbedestroyed]

A month with Midge? In Kenya? Surprise tilts his brow up again, but he nods. "You might as well explore while you're over."

But then she's talking about them. About a relationship. It feels like his heart is about to thump through his chest. How is this scarier than facing off a lion?

The idea of being with Midge, long term, is an exciting prospect. The practicalities... not so much. Although it's not as if, given the choice between Midge and anyone else, he would choose anyone else right now. That's not really what he's worried about. It's a comparatively glamorous life in New York. In the weeks between now and her visit, Midge could well be dazzled by a young man, and he'd be too far away to remind her of them.

"Alright," he says after a swallow. The shifting of his eyes betrays his overthinking, until they settle on Midge again. "If we do this, we're being sensible about it. No messing each other over. If you find someone else, or if I do," he adds as if an afterthought, "Then we tell each other. No stringing each other along."

[doesntsing]

Midge nods. “I agree. I promise.” Him finding someone else would probably break her heart, but she understands the challenges that their relationship faces. Similarly, he’s trying to protect his own heart, and she can’t blame him for that.

“I know it’s not easy. Long-distance never is. But I can’t throw away what you’ve meant to me over the past two weeks. This is the happiest I’ve been in years. Even if it ultimately doesn’t work out… I can’t not try, Robert.”

[allbedestroyed]

As much as he's trying to be pragmatic about this, there's also a part of him keeping these thoughts strictly hypothetical. The idea of Midge with someone else is enough to make his blood boil, and though he has exceptional self-discipline, every man has his limits.

"This is the happiest I've been in years, too," he echoes, and finds himself surprised at his own admission. He hadn't really realised it until she'd said that. Hopefully she'll excuse his slightly bewildered expression. He's not used to confronting intense, intimate emotions like this.

He blinks at refocuses on her. "I suppose we'd better try, then."

[doesntsing]

Fortunately, Midge isn’t the type to pit men against each other, even if the idea of Robert fighting for her is a hot one. He can be very passionate when stirred to be.

She smiles at his response, as well as the look on his face. “I suppose we should,” Midge says. “You seem surprised that you might actually be happy.” Leaning in, she gives him a gentle kiss. “Don’t you deserve to be happy?”

[allbedestroyed]

It's a good thing indeed. He's likely to get jealous without any intention from Midge. Less so with their newly decided commitment.

"Sure." Though it's a somewhat dismissive 'sure'. Somewhat distracted, too, with that kiss. "I'm just more used to being content than happy."

[doesntsing]

“Being content is fine, but being happy is wonderful,” Midge says, her blue eyes looking up into his. “You deserve that. You’re a good man. A hardworking one. And not bad looking.”

She doesn’t want to get ahead of herself, but he deserves a wife to come home to. Midge might not win housewife of the year, but she can take care of him and still have her career.

He doesn’t just deserve any wife either. He deserves her. Young and beautiful and full of energy. Midge truly believes that.

[allbedestroyed]

"I only look this good because I've got you on my arm making me look better," he quips back.

Neither of them are the type to stick around a house for too long. It could work out nicely, the two of them off on their own adventures, returning to each other to rest. If they could stick on the same continent for a bit, anyway.

"I want you to be happy where ever you are," he tells her. "But I'd be lying if I didn't hope you were a bit happier with me."

[doesntsing]

“You look good to me,” she replies. It’s the whole package for her when it comes to him. Midge thinks he’s handsome, but his confidence, kindness, intelligence and dry sense of humor all combine to make him irresistible to her.

Midge sighs, feeling some relief. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried that you might just want to consider this a fling…”

That would be the most convenient thing to do, but her heart won’t allow it. Thankfully, it seems like he feels the same way.

[allbedestroyed]

"Of course I look good, but you look fabulous. I look even better by association." He has no qualms about looking decent, but Midge could model and he's not about to pretend that's the same level. He's a lucky, lucky man.

The mention of a fling makes him look ever so slightly guilty. "I thought that's what this was, at first. It's what usually happens when someone travels so much. But then we met again, and again. I was hoping that it wasn't a passing thing when you were happy to meet up so much."

It would be easier, much easier, if this were just a fling. But Midge is an extremely rare woman. She's beautiful, sharp, curious, and funny. Most of all, she's not put off by work dragging him to another continent. That's an impressive kind of resolve.

[doesntsing]

She could model, if she thought she could keep a straight face during it. If they let her keep the clothes, she’d be willing to give it a shot.

Midge grins up at him. “I’m not saying that being together will be easy, but I want to try.”

As much as she loves New York and it will always be home to her, there’s a whole world out there to see. She hopes that one day, she’ll be traveling the world for work as well.

[allbedestroyed]

It's impossible not to smile at that.

"I do too, I'm just still a little surprised by it. I've never believed someone when they've said that before," he explains. "But you? I would never bet against you in anything."

[doesntsing]

Midge loves his smile, and loves how much she’s able to make him smile. He was so serious the first night that they went out. She knows it was partially due to being unhappy to be at that gala, but Robert comes off as being an incredibly serious man in general. Seeing him smile so much around her warms her heart. It makes her feel like she’s getting to see something rare that not many other people get to see.

“What was it you called me?” she asks, her face screwed up in thought. “Delightfully stubborn?”

[allbedestroyed]

Usually he is serious. At work he's deadly serious. Midge has the rare honour of dealing with him both off-duty and while he's around her. She helps him loosen up, which is a rare thing. She's right to think it's something not many get to see.

"That sounds about right on all accounts."

He glances at his watch and sighs. "I should start moving. I don't trust the traffic."

[doesntsing]

Midge still has yet to see him in full work mode. That’s something to save for Nairobi. She’ll try not to be too silly at his work. Or too turned on by his stoic manner. She’s not too sure why that turns her own so much. Maybe it’s because she knows how passionate he can be when his mind is set on something.

She echoes his sigh, but nods. “Can I help you carry anything down?”

[allbedestroyed]

"No, you're alright."

He steps away and sets his hat on his head before hefting his bag over his shoulder. He travels rather lightly, aside from his weapons which he picks up in a heavier case.

"You could get the door, though," he suggests. It's one small way for her to help, and he knows she wants to help.

[doesntsing]

She follows his suggestion and holds the door as she says a silent goodbye to the room that has become their love nest over the past week. It’s strange sometimes how such significant things can happen in seemingly insignificant places.

When Midge sees Robert carrying his gun case, the corner of her mouth curves up in a smile. “You gonna leave that rifle with me?” she asks jokingly.

[allbedestroyed]

There will be other places. Hopefully with Midge. Other nests and nooks and places for them to have moments and fun and meaningful conversations. Muldoon isn't thinking that far ahead, though. Or too far back.

"You're dangerous enough without it," he jokes back. She does have a gift for putting him in a good mood. Already he's back to smothering his smile as he heads out of the room and down the corrido. "Are things going to be busy for you?"

[doesntsing]

“Oh am I?” she asks with a cheeky grin. Midge can’t help flirting with him. It’s like asking a fish not to swim.

They get into the elevator. “Actually, they will be,” she says. “I’m going on tour with Shy Baldwin as his opening act.”

Having a lady comedian as an opening act for a rhythm and blues singer is kind of a strange choice, but Midge can’t say no to the exposure she’ll get out of it.

[allbedestroyed]

"You are," he confirms easily with a smile of his own. He likes reminding her that she's formidable. He wouldn't want her to forget it.

It takes Muldoon a moment to remember who that is before his brow shoots up. "That's a big name. Congratulations! You're going to be very busy, then!"

Good. Good, she needs to be busy. It will make them being apart easier for her. It definitely won't be tempting as she travels around with a famous singer, and tours around cities with their pick of handsome men. Well. At least they'll find out how long their relationship lasts this way.

[doesntsing]

Robert knows how to make feel like a sexy, mysterious woman. He celebrates her boldness, and she loves that.

“Thanks!” Midge grins at him. “I’m very excited. It’s going to be a short tour though, so I should be able to come visit you by spring.”

No, she’s not going to forget about that. Midge is already looking forward to it.

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon would never be truly happy with someone who didn't have a wild streak in them. It's all the better that Midge is so proud of hers. He loves it.

He also loves that she's already planning her visit into her timeline.

"As long as it doesn't interrupt your work. It's as important to you as mine is to me. I won't have you choosing me over it, alright?"

[doesntsing]

Of course she is. Midge is a planner. That doesn’t mean she can’t be spontaneous from time to time, but she likes to know what she’s doing.

They exit the elevator in the lobby of the hotel. “Alright,” she replies. “You’re one of the only people who realizes that my work is important to me.”

[allbedestroyed]

"You're too good for it not to be."

He has to swing by the desk to check out, but that's quickly done, and he heads off to the car that has been instrumental in their outings. It doesn't take long to load up and get on the road one more time.

Muldoon does hesitate before they take off. "Are you sure you want to come out to the airport? It's so late. Will you be able to get back alright?"

[doesntsing]

“Yes,” she replies firmly. “I’ll be fine. There are taxis at all hours.” Worse comes to worst, she’ll stay at the airport until morning, when she knows there will be a lot of taxis available.

Midge looks at him with determination. “I want to see you to the gate.”

She probably won’t leave until the plane takes off.

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon nods and sets the car in motion. There's no point arguing with her. No matter how much he might worry about her getting home safely, he won't win that fight. It's irrational anyway. She travels late at night all the time. She's in her element here.

"I'm going to miss you, you know. I'll end up going to comedy clubs in Nairobi just to feel a little closer to you. Except that they probably won't make me laugh."

[doesntsing]

“You’re going to cheat on me with other comedians?” Midge teases. “How dare you. I’ll be very upset if they make you laugh. I wonder what kind of comedy scene Nairobi has.”

It’s something she plans to investigate when she visits. Midge knows nothing about Kenya. It’s a completely exotic place to her and she has no expectations about it.

[allbedestroyed]

"No one can make me laugh like you do," he assures her. "I'll only be going to remind myself of how good I've got it with you."

As for the comedy scene... "I've never really looked into it before, but I thought I'd do some investigating for you before you come. If that's alright."

[doesntsing]

“Of course,” she tells him. “You scope it out and report back to me.”

Reaching over, Midge runs her fingers through Robert’s hair. She’s going to miss doing that. If she allows herself to think too much about missing him, she starts to ache.

“I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you back at the park.”

[allbedestroyed]

Try as he might to hide it, Muldoon's contentedness at that touch slips out in an all too quiet sigh. He doesn't remember the last time someone touched him like that. He doesn't want to think about how long it will be before he's touched like that again after this. Hopefully by Midge. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

"They'll have left all the paperwork and decisions for my return," he tells her. "That's always the way."

All the more reason not to be happy about returning. Even if it does also mean freedom.

[doesntsing]

She too will miss his small touches to her waist or arm. Little intimacies. To be fair, she’ll miss the big intimacies too. The sex will be sorely missed. Most other men treat her like porcelain. Robert’s not afraid to go a little harder, something that she greatly enjoyed.

“That’s what the boss does,” Midge says. “I’m sure you hate paperwork.”

Robert’s an active man and probably likes to be out around the animals, not stuck in an office running figures.

[allbedestroyed]

"I do," he confirms. Maybe a bit more vehemently than he strictly needs to. "We've got people for admin, but there's always something I need to read over and sign. Always some report which needs to be written up."

With a glance to her he adds, "I don't imagine you're much for desk work, either. You light up around people too much."

[doesntsing]

“That’s why I’m not a secretary,” Midge replies. “I’d hate it. You, however, are a very important man, which is why you get stuck with all the paperwork. I have no doubt that you’re very good at your job.”

In Midge’s experience, Robert is thorough about everything. That kind of attention to detail is necessary in his job, and very much enjoyed in his romantic life.

[allbedestroyed]

"It's the one problem with being good at what you do. Eventually they think you're too important to put out in the field." He shakes his head at the very idea of anyone keeping him from involving himself in the animals' lives. The only thing that might come close is Midge, if she were to visit. He might actually force himself to stay in civilisation for a decent stretch.

"What about you? Is there anything you don't love about your work?"

[doesntsing]

Forcing him to stay in civilization? Midge didn’t know she was capable of performing miracles.

She leans back against the car seat, thinking about Robert’s question for a moment. “The traveling takes me away from my kids… and I don’t like having to sleep in hotels.”

The hotels she can get over. Missing her kids, less so. Sometimes she feels like an absent mother, and that people are judging her for it.

[allbedestroyed]

He hums and nods. It's not quite a sound of understanding. He doesn't have kids himself, and even if he did, he's not sure he'd be the same. His own father made leaving them look pretty easy, after all. But he knows Midge would do anything for them. That he does understand.

"You're doing right by them, you know," he says after a moment. "It's better for them to be at home, with family."

[doesntsing]

“It is,” she agrees. “I just wish I didn’t have to travel so much. But I know I have to do more than just play clubs here in New York if I want to further my career.”

New York’s a big city, but Midge still has to get her name out there. The only way she does that is by having as wide an audience as possible.

“Sometimes I worry that I’m still hurting my kids by not being there.”

[allbedestroyed]

At this Muldoon scoffs playfully. "They're certainly not the first kids who've had to stay with their grandparents or nannies while their parents worked."

"I think it's better you follow your passion," he adds more seriously. "It sets a good example of dedication and hard work."

[doesntsing]

He’s right about that, of course. It doesn’t necessarily alleviate all of her worries, but it feels good to be supported.

“That’s what I hope,” she says. “Do you think I really can make it?”

Robert doesn’t work in the entertainment industry, so he probably doesn’t know, but Midge just wants some reassurance that she’s not doing all of this for nothing.