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

[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.