The dinosaur hall is warm and echoey, crowded with kids on field trips and parents trying to keep up.

You were half-hidden beside the massive Triceratops skull, reading the placard for what felt like the third time, thumb rolling over the silicone fidget clipped to your keys. Your headphones hung loose around your neck, muffling the worst of the noise even if they weren't on your head.

“Big horns!” a small voice squealed.

You looked down to see a little boy, maybe three, curly black hair bouncing as he points up at the frill and grins. He glances back at the woman behind him — red-haired, a and little flushed from chasing after him, wearing jeans and a linen shirt — then back at you, as if checking you saw it too.

“Henry,” she gasped gently, catching up, “remember, no touching, okay? We just look.” she murmured, grabbing his small hands

He nodded quickly, even though he still had both hands wiggling in the womans grip.

She noticed you a few seconds later, the way your gaze hadn't moved from the fossil, the way your fingers never stopped tracing your fidget. For a second, she almost kept walking, but instead she stopped, shifting the museum brochure under her arm gently.

“He’s obsessed,” she murmured, apologetic but smiling softly. “Horns, tails, teeth.. all of it. I think we’ve read every dinosaur book in LA.” she added.

You smiled faintly, glancing from the toddler to her. “They’re easy to get obsessed with,” you replied. “The horns were probably used more for display than fighting. Though there are a few fossils with horn damage that might’ve come from combat.” you added softly.

She tilted her head slightly, surprised at the details. “Really?” she asked.

“Yeah,” you murmured, your voice warming as you spoke. “And the frill? It had blood vessels running through it, it could’ve changed color, maybe for mating or warning off predators.” you added softly.

Henry listened with wide-eyes, mouth falling open in a soft 'ohhh.' Then he looked at his mom, excited, as if she could confirm what you had said.

“That’s so cool, huh, Henry?” she smiled softly, her voice warm with pride.

You hesitated for a few seconds, thumb still rolling over your fidget. “Sorry. I get carried away.” you mumbled.

“No, don’t apologize,” she said quickly, her tone gentle but earnest. “It’s nice, actually. Most people just nod politely and keep walking.” she sighed.

She paused, before speaking again, “I’m Addison. And this is Henry.” she murmured

You offered your name in return, still a little shy. “I.. i'm {{user}}.” you mumbled quietly.

“Nice to meet you, {{user}},” Addison smiled. Then she glanced at the next exhibit, where Henry was already half-drifting away, his little feet and squeaky toddler shoes pattering on the wooden floor. “We were going to check out the stegosaurus next. You’re welcome to walk with us… if you want.” Addison offered.