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storiesbyshadow · 14 hours ago

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Special Moments

Fandom: Jurassic World: Rebirth

Pairing: Dr. Henry Loomis x GN!Autistic!Reader

Rating: Mature

Tags: Slight Angst, Fluff, Autistic Representation, Reader is Gender Neutral, Henry is so sweet, Fossils, Dig Site, Large Crowds, Loud Kids, Being Overwhelmed, Nervousness.

Word Count: Around 1200

Dividers By: @/saradika-graphics

Requested By: @foxisscared from this ask.

A/N: I hope you all like this one. I spent a while on it, trying to decide how I wanted to represent the autistic nature of the reader. I am autistic myself and being in large crowds of people is very triggering for me...especially if they're brushing up against me and stuff. Add that with loud noises and screaming children and it's just...very overwhelming for me. So I wrote this with that in mind. For the lovely person who requested this, I hope I did it justice. If I didn't and you want something different and more specific to you, please let me know and I can write another one. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy ❤️

The museum was buzzing. The chatter of school groups bounced off the marble floors, the shuffle of sneakers and dress shoes alike blending into a steady hum.

Dr. Loomis stood just beyond the main fossil hall, offering quick explanations to a group of visiting researchers, though his brown eyes wandered now and again toward the entrance. He’d spent years curating this place, years ensuring that every fossil had its rightful story told, and on busy days like this, he felt the weight of it more than ever.

And that’s when he saw you.

You lingered near the main entrance, just past the ticket counter, where the light spilled in through the tall glass doors. He thought you looked a bit out of place, not because of how you dressed, but because you weren’t moving with the flow of people.

The way you stood still, hugging your arms loosely around yourself, gaze darting over the crowd as though each shifting body was another wall rising around you.

Henry excused himself from the researchers with a quick, polite nod and made his way toward the entrance, weaving with practiced ease through the bustle.

“Hello there,” he said gently when he approached, careful not to startle you. His voice was low, steady, and calm.. “You look a bit uncertain. First time visiting?”

You shifted on your feet, glancing down before offering a small nod. Your voice was soft when you spoke. “Yeah. I…I’ve wanted to come for a long time. I really love dinosaurs but…it’s…loud. Too many people.”

Your hands twisted together, your eyes flicking toward the noisy group of children rushing past before snapping back to the floor.

Henry’s heart softened instantly. He knew that look, the push and pull of wanting to be somewhere while also wishing desperately to retreat. “Crowds can be overwhelming,” he said, as though it were the most normal thing in the world. “I’ll be honest, even I have days where I’d rather not be in the thick of it.” His smile warmed, patient. “But you’ve come all this way. How about I give you a bit of a…private tour? Somewhere quieter.”

Your eyes lifted, surprised. “Really?”

“Really.” He extended a hand, but not too close, leaving space so they could choose whether to take it or not. “I’m Dr. Henry Loomis. And if you’re as interested in dinosaurs and fossils as you say, I’ve got a few things tucked away in the archives you might enjoy more than the main hall.”

The hesitation melted just a little. You didn’t take his hand, but still followed as he led you past the velvet ropes and toward a side hallway. The noise of the crowd dulled with every step until it faded into nothing but faint echoes.

Henry opened a door with his keycard and ushered you into a quieter, softly lit room lined with storage cases. Fossils lay cushioned inside drawers and glass displays, each labeled meticulously, some pieces far too fragile for the main floor.

“This,” Henry said, motioning toward a long slab of rock carefully mounted along the wall, “is a fossilized ichthyosaur skeleton. Beautiful creature that once lived in the oceans.”

You stepped closer, breath catching as you took in the details. The way your eyes lit up with pure fascination, your hands twitching like you wanted to reach out but weren’t sure if you could.

Henry noticed, and without hesitation, he pulled a pair of gloves from a drawer and held them out. “Would you like to touch? With these, of course. Gently.”

Your jaw dropped. “I-I can?”

“You can,” Henry said softly, a smile tugging at his lips. “Not many people get this chance. But I think someone who loves dinosaurs this much deserves it.”

You slowly slipped on the gloves, your movements careful and soft. Fingers brushed along the fossil’s surface, tracing the ancient lines, and for the first time since he’d seen you by the door, your entire face relaxed into awe.

Henry leaned against the edge of a desk, watching quietly, not interrupting. He let you linger, let you whisper questions at your own pace, and, he answered, always patient, always kind.

He showed you the rare fossils he usually kept hidden: delicate feather imprints, a tiny theropod claw, even a collection of amber pieces that shimmered like captured sunlight.

By the time you stepped back, your shoulders had uncurled, and your breathing was steadier. “Thank you,” you whispered, clutching the gloves to your chest like you were afraid the magic might vanish. “This…this was better than I ever dreamed.”

Henry’s smile softened into something earnest. “You’re very welcome. Dinosaurs are meant to be loved, to be understood. And sometimes, sharing them one-on-one like this feels far more special than any crowded exhibit.”

He tilted his head, meeting your eyes. “You’re welcome here any time. If the crowds are too much, you just come find me. I’ll make sure you have space to enjoy what you came for.”

Your throat bobbed, eyes shimmering as though words weren’t quite enough. Instead, you just nodded, your expression brighter now, calmer.

The museum slowly emptied as the afternoon wore on, the echoes of chatter fading until the grand fossil hall grew quiet once more. Henry finished his rounds, answering a few final questions from staff before glancing at the clock. He thought of the shy visitor he’d met earlier, the way your eyes had lit up in wonder when you touched the fossil, the quiet softness in your voice.

And for Henry, that was enough.

He couldn’t quite shake it.

So when he saw you again, lingering near the gift shop with that same hesitant look, Henry’s decision was instant. He walked over, his expression warm.

“Still here?” he asked gently. “I thought perhaps the noise might’ve chased you off for good.”

You gave a small shrug, eyes flicking up then down again. “I…didn’t want to leave yet. It’s quieter now, but still…” They trailed off, uncertain.

Henry tilted his head, considering. Then, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret, he said, “What would you say if I invited you back after closing? No crowds. No noise. Just you, me, and the fossils.”

Your eyes widened. “After hours?”

He smiled. “Yes. It happens now and again. Private viewings for special guests.” He let the words hang for a moment, watching you absorb it. “I think you qualify.”

A flush dusted your cheeks, but this time it wasn’t from nerves, it was something like excitement. You nodded, slowly at first, then with more certainty. “I’d like that.”

Finally, when the last lights dimmed and the museum locked for the night, Henry guided you through the echoing halls. Without the crowds, the exhibits seemed to breathe differently, more solemn, more alive in their silence. Skeletons of towering sauropods cast long shadows across the marble, and the air carried a reverence that only deepened the experience.

Henry stopped in the middle of the main fossil hall and gestured grandly. “Here they are. Yours tonight.”

You stood in awe, eyes darting from one ancient giant to the next. One of your hands brushed the railing of a display, as if to ground yourself in the quiet majesty of it all.

Henry walked beside you, pointing out details he rarely shared with visitors, the subtle curve of a rib that hinted at an injury healed millions of years ago, the preserved arrangement of teeth that suggested hunting patterns. He tailored each explanation to your pace, never rushing, always leaving space for your questions.

Eventually, he led you back to the archives. This time, he pulled open drawers he hadn’t touched earlier. Multiple rare specimens that were still being studied, pieces that even the staff hadn’t been permitted to see yet.

“This,” he said, carefully lifting a fragment from its case, “is from a juvenile Triceratops skull. Still in research, but look here, the bone texture tells us it was growing rapidly when it died.” He angled it toward you, his dark eyes sparkling with the same enthusiasm that had carried him through his entire career.

You leaned in, your voice a whisper. “It’s beautiful.”

Henry’s gaze softened. “You’re the first outside of the excavation team to see it.”

Their eyes flicked to his, searching. “Why me?”

He smiled, gentle and sure as he handed it to you. “Because you see them. Not just the bones, not just the science. You see the wonder. That matters more than you know.”

The silence that followed was comfortable, filled with quiet awe as you held the fossil. Henry didn’t hurry you. He simply stood close, a calm, steady presence, letting you experience this moment the way you needed.

By the time he walked you back to the entrance, it was nighttime, and your whole posture had relaxed.

“Thank you,” you whispered again, voice full of something Henry didn’t quite have a name for, gratitude, certainly, but something deeper too.

He gave a small bow of his head, lips curling in that soft, steady smile. “Anytime. And I mean that. You’re welcome here, whenever you’d like. Just come to me, and I’ll make sure you have space to fall in love with these creatures all over again.”

Your answering smile was small, shy, but radiant.

Henry watched you leave, and for once, the museum felt fuller even in its silence.

A week passed before Henry saw you again. The museum was quieter that morning, an overcast day keeping most visitors away. He was in his office, hunched over a stack of excavation reports, when a gentle knock sounded at his door.

“Dr. Loomis?” one of the interns asked, poking their head in. “Someone’s here to see you. They said you told them to come find you?”

Henry’s brows lifted. He already knew who it must be. A smile tugged at his lips as he stood, smoothing his sleeves. “Send them in.”

When you stepped inside, looking a little uncertain but hopeful, Henry felt a warmth stir in his chest. “Well now,” he said softly. “What a pleasant surprise. I was just thinking of you.”

They blinked, startled. “Really?”

“Really,” Henry assured, voice steady and true. He gestured to the chair across from his desk. “I’m glad you came. Because I was considering something…and I’d like to extend the offer to you.”

You sat, curiosity flickering in your eyes as he leaned forward, lowering his voice.

“I’m heading out to the field tomorrow. We’ve uncovered a promising site, a potential hadrosaur nesting ground. It’ll be messy, dusty, and there will be a lot of crouching over rocks, but…” He paused, watching their expression carefully. “Would you like to join me? To see the fossils before anyone else does, before they’re even cleaned? You’d be my guest. You’d stay in my tent, where it’s quiet. No crowds. Just the earth, the bones, and us.”

Your mouth parted slightly, eyes wide with shock and excitement. “Me? You’d really let me?”

Henry’s smile deepened, warm and unwavering. “Of course. You love these creatures. That matters more than any title or degree. Besides…” He hesitated, just for a moment, his tone softening. “I’d like your company.”

The desert stretched endlessly under a pale blue sky, the horizon shimmering with heat. The dig site sat like a cluster of pale sails against the ochre landscape, rows of canvas tents staked into the hard ground, the clatter of tools echoing in the dry air.

The excavation team moved between trenches and tables, brushing at bones with practiced hands, their chatter rising and falling like the hum of insects.

It was lively, but Henry kept his stride purposeful, cutting through the bustle with the quiet authority that came so naturally to him. He glanced back often, checking on you.

You walked a step behind, your gaze pulled toward every detail, the trenches, the rows of labeled bags, the half-exposed bones gleaming under the sun. Your shoulders were tense at first, but Henry noticed how your eyes lit with curiosity, and he couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips.

“Don’t let the noise worry you,” Henry murmured, his voice low enough that only you could hear. “This is the busiest part of the site. My tent is at the edge of camp, away from all this.”

And true enough, he soon guided you past the flurry of movement toward a solitary tent pitched on higher ground, its canvas walls gleaming in the sun. Unlike the communal tents cluttered with equipment, this one stood apart, tidy, spacious, and quietly commanding.

Henry reached the flap first, holding it open with a sweep of his arm. “After you.”

Inside, the air was cooler, shaded from the harsh sun. The tent smelled faintly of old paper and dust, with a hint of the leather-bound journals stacked neatly on a shelf. A cot rested against one side, its blanket folded with military precision.

Across from it, a desk bore the weight of rolled maps, excavation notes, and sketches, every sheet marked with Henry’s precise handwriting. Lanterns hung from hooks, their soft golden glow pooling over the workspace.

But it wasn’t the cot or the books that drew the eye, it was the table at the center. Spread across it on padded cloths lay fragments of fossil bone, fresh from the ground. Some were still streaked with the red earth, others cleaned just enough to reveal their ancient texture. Each piece was cradled like a treasure, labeled carefully in Henry’s steady hand.

You stopped in the middle of the tent, your breath catching as you took everything in.

Henry closed the flap, muffling the outside noise until the tent felt like its own little world. He stepped forward, his expression gentle. “Here we are. My sanctuary.” He gestured toward the table, eyes glinting with quiet pride. “These are the finds from this week alone. No one outside the team has seen them yet. You’ll be the first.”

Your fingers twitched at your sides, the urge to touch almost overwhelming. Henry noticed immediately. Without a word, he reached into a drawer, retrieving a pair of thin cotton gloves. He held them out, his voice soft but serious. “Would you like to hold one? With these, of course.”

Your throat bobbed as you slipped them on, hands trembling just slightly.

Henry selected a piece carefully from the table, a curved fragment of jawbone, its surface ridged and textured. He cradled it in both hands, as though holding something alive, before turning toward you. His voice dropped lower, gentle in the small space. “This was uncovered yesterday. A juvenile hadrosaur. You’ll be the very first outside my team to touch it.”

You held out your hands, breathless. Henry set the fossil into your palms with painstaking care, making sure your grip was steady. The weight of it settled into your hands, heavier than you expected, but cool against the gloves.

For a long moment, all you could do was stare, awestruck. “It’s…it’s surreal,” you whispered. “Like it’s still alive somehow.”

Henry’s gaze softened, and he folded his hands behind his back, watching you quietly. “Yes,” he murmured, his voice touched with admiration, not for the fossil, but for you. “That’s exactly what I’ve always thought. And most people never see it. They see a rock, or a relic. You see the creature it once was.”

Gently, you traced the ridges with careful fingertips, as you visibly relaxed. Henry didn’t interrupt. He let the silence linger, content to stand sentinel beside you, as though the quiet was part of the ritual.

When you finally looked up, eyes shining, Henry stepped closer, slowly, smiling tenderly. He rested one hand lightly on the table, his gaze serious. “You belong here,” he said simply. “Not because of any title or training, but because you feel it. That’s rarer than any fossil I’ll ever dig up.”

Your lips parted, but words seemed to fail you. Instead, you cradled the fossil tighter to your chest, like it was a secret only the two of you shared.

Henry tilted his head, watching the way you held it, and for a fleeting moment, his expression softened into something tender. “Take your time. This tent is yours tonight. No noise. No interruptions. Just you, me, and the fossils.”

Outside, the desert winds hummed against the canvas, a low lullaby that sealed both of you into this private world. Inside, under the lantern’s golden glow, the bond between the two of you grew, slowly becoming unshakable.

And Henry knew, as he watched you marvel, that he’d never stop wanting to give you moments like this.

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