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Post by Kiersten on May 19, 2024 17:46:40 GMT -6
Gwen looked down at her phone, feeling a little guilty that she took it without his permission, but she shut off the screen before he could turn around, and stuck it into her pocket again. When he turned around to smile at her, she couldn't stop herself from smiling in return, feeling the flutter in her chest and the warmth flow through her. "Awww, how could any turtle not love her." She said walking up to the glass next to Markus and Lottie, brushing her arm against his.
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Post by Bri on May 19, 2024 18:28:21 GMT -6
Markus leaned towards Gwen a little, a big smile on his face. "Good point." He chuckled softly and looked up at Lottie, "having a good time up there?" He teased slightly, not minding holding her, especially as one of the turtles came up to her eye level, looking at her curiously.
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Post by Kiersten on May 19, 2024 19:13:53 GMT -6
Lottie continued to laugh and giggle, watching the turtles swim around, and come up to the glass to meet her.
Gwen felt her heart skip a beat when he leaned towards her, but she forced herself to stay calm, not wanting to get her hopes up. The tank started to become crowded with a bunch of other families with kids who wanted to see, "I think we should move on Lottie, anything else you want to see?" she asked, hoping to get the little girls attention away from the turtle and to something else before they became swallowed by the incoming crowd.
Lottie nodded her head "Jellyfish!" she cried out, many people around them chuckling.
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Post by Bri on May 19, 2024 20:35:47 GMT -6
Markus looked from Gwen to Lottie and laughed, "jellyfish it is." He told her, keeping Lottie in one arm so she was sitting in the crook of his elbow while he reached out with his other hand, resting her on Gwen's back between her shoulder blades and gently nudged her towards the exit of the area to move onto the next space. "You know, I think on the map it says that have seals we can look at too, maybe we can catch them at feeding time."
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Post by Kiersten on May 19, 2024 21:20:00 GMT -6
A shiver when down Gwen's spine as his touch, and the words of the two women went through her mind, wondering if he was feeling the same way she was. She didn't want to press her luck, but leaned into his hand, feeling the warmth at her back as his fingers brushed against her. "That would be fun, wouldn't it be Lottie?" Even if Lottie wasn't with them, she'd be excited to see the seals.
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Post by Bri on May 19, 2024 22:10:46 GMT -6
Markus could feel the corner of his mouth curling up into a smile at the feel of her leaning back against his touch and he hoped that this relationship would continue to move forward. He kept his hand on her as they got into the next section where different types of jellyfish drifted in their own tanks. Marcus looked around then leaned down to Gwen and whispered, "kind of morbid that they keep the jellyfish next to the animals that eat them." He joked.
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Post by Kiersten on May 20, 2024 16:25:04 GMT -6
Gwen wasn't sure if the tingling sensation she felt vibrating through her body was because of Markus, or the fact that she was staring at Jellyfish that could sting, but she didn't move from his touch as they walked around. She could see why Lottie liked watching the jellyfish float around, smiling as she watched one tank where they flowed with a current inside it. When Markus leaned down to whisper, she leaned in a little closer, giggling at what he said. "At least it's not the same tank I guess." Though it was kind of a funny transition to go from turtles to their dinner.
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Post by Bri on May 20, 2024 21:58:39 GMT -6
"You have a good point there." Markus chuckled, wondering if they ever fed the dead jellyfish to the turtles but that thought felt a bit too morbid to voice, besides there was probably some health reason that kept them from doing that kind of recycling. As they walked around to look at the different jellyfish his arm slipped around Gwen's shoulders without him noticing, the movement feeling natural.
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Post by Kiersten on May 21, 2024 18:51:16 GMT -6
"I love all the different types of Jellyfish." Gwen admitted, eyeing Lottie and seeing how entranced she was with them too. "Very pretty." She said quietly to herself as another tank full of Jellyfish floated around with the current. She felt Markus move his arm around her shoulders and turned her face to look at him, a small smile slowly growing on her face as she leaned into him.
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Post by Bri on May 21, 2024 20:20:09 GMT -6
"I like the little ones, they're kind of funny." Markus chuckled, pointing to a tank that had Jellyfish that were about the size of golf balls drifting through the water but his attention was quickly snatched by the feeling of Gwen leaning into him. He smiled to himself, giving her a gentle squeeze. "How would you feel about getting lunch after this?" He asked, "I think there's a cafe here or we can go somewhere else?"
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Post by Kiersten on May 21, 2024 21:09:01 GMT -6
Gwen giggled when he pointed out the little jellyfish, hearing Lottie laughing about them too, "I can't believe how small they can be. Or how large." Her eyes went wide for a second when she remembered seeing an image of a jellyfish next to a human in the ocean, and how small the human was. The fluttering in her chest increased when he squeezed her closer to him, hearing him say something, but her heart was beating in her ears. It took her a second to realize he asked about lunch, "Oh. Sure. Anywhere." She said, not caring where they went as long as they were all together.
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Post by Bri on May 21, 2024 22:30:07 GMT -6
"Oh yeah, especially those deep sea ones," he shuddered, thinking of the other giant animals that lived in deep waters. "It blows my mind that they're still discovering new animals in the ocean." He wondered what that would be like, discovering a whole new animal but alas his life was spent teaching wood shop and making sure teenagers didn't cut off their fingers. He looked down at Gwen, offering a smile, "how about we stick around here then? It'll probably be easier."
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Post by Kiersten on May 22, 2024 13:05:41 GMT -6
“I feel like there are things in the woods we haven’t even found yet either,” Gwen also thought about all the cave systems that went on and on for what seemed like forever, how could anyone figure out everything in one lifetime? “Sure, why not try the little café here then.” She wasn’t too hungry, and Lottie wasn’t a big eater either, often running around and snacking more than actually eating a meal.
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Post by Bri on May 22, 2024 16:29:27 GMT -6
"Yeah, like Big Foot," Markus joked but he figured anything could be possible, even an animal that could look like big foot but was maybe something else. "Sounds like a good idea, I feel like I could wander this place forever." He smiled as he looked in the tanks and their constant movement.
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Post by Kiersten on May 22, 2024 19:40:37 GMT -6
Gwen gave him a puzzled smile, wondering if he was a believer. She wasn't sure if there was enough evidence to believe, but it was something that could be plausible she guessed. "What about Yeti's?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, wondering if there was a creature that could actually survive out in that kind of wilderness. "I think, we go this way?" She said, pulling away slightly out of his arms and reaching for his hand, not even giving it a second thought.
"Are we seeing the Sea lions next?" Lottie asked, peaking from around Markus's face with a giant smile on her face, being the princess Gwen always knew she was. Instantly winning over anyone with her charm.
Gwen didn't hesitate to lace her fingers with Markus, feeling the need to take the advice she'd gotten, and if Markus wasn't pulling away, she figured he didn't want to let go either. "And then we'll have a quick lunch." She'd seen on the map there was a jungle junglegym right next to the café, and figured why not let Lottie have some fun playing.
(I'd write lottie better in a book LMAO. I'm just so terrible with children and don't want to try XD)
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Post by Bri on May 22, 2024 23:00:07 GMT -6
"If Big Foots-Feet? Can exist then why not Yeti's?" Markus asked back with a grin, anything was possible to him. He tried to keep the disappointment off his face when she stepped out of his arm and he worried that he might have gone too far but then she took his hand and couldn't stop his smile from coming back. "I think we do go that way," he agreed, squeezing her hand then looked at Lottie, "and the seals," he added, "can't forget the seals." He looked back to Gwen, hoping their lunch wasn't too quick because so far he was enjoying being with Gwen and Lottie, glad that Lottie seemed to still like him without Bucky around.
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Post by Kiersten on May 22, 2024 23:38:28 GMT -6
When Markus didn't pull away, Gwen slowed down, matching with Markus and Lottie in his arms as they walked through the exit of the jellyfish, "Do you think they'll be swimming around?" She asked, wondering if they performed any tricks, though knew this wasn't like SeaWorld.
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Post by Bri on May 22, 2024 23:59:59 GMT -6
"They'll either be sleeping or swimming I think, there are some feeding times on the map I got so maybe if we're lucky will be able to catch it. I'd check but the maps in my back pocket." And both of his hands were full and he didn't want to let go. He could probably check once they got to the cafe, which was coming into view.
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Post by Kiersten on May 23, 2024 12:03:57 GMT -6
"Sounds like a good plan," Gwen said, finally feeling some pressure from her shoulders lift at the fact she didn't have to plan everything, check everything, that she and Lottie could just have fun. They rounded the corner and the little café and the playground came into view, causing Lottie to gasp.
"I want to play on the playground!" Lottie cried out, squirming to get out of Markus's hold.
Gwen knew Lottie would say that, knew she'd want to go play, "Go on and play, just promise you'll come over when I call you." She gave Lottie a stern look, waiting for the little girl to nod and promise she'd come running when called.
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Post by Bri on May 23, 2024 22:26:41 GMT -6
"Whoa," Markus laughed, shifting Lottie in his arms so she wouldn't fall, "careful there, you're slippery like a fish." He teased as he set her down so she could run off to play with Gwen's permission. When Lottie was off playing Markus stepped into line with Gwen, still holding her hand, "any idea what you want?" He asked as he looked up at the menu.
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Post by Kiersten on May 24, 2024 10:49:32 GMT -6
Gwen watched Lottie run off to play, smiling as she instantly made friends with a little girl who was already climbing up to the slide. She was glad this playground was enclosed, no where for Lottie to run off to that she couldn’t see and no one could enter except through one door. Her attention was pulled away when Markus asked about what she wanted to eat, her eyes roaming over the options, “Umm, I think I can pick out a few things.” She turned to smile at him, her eyes suddenly drifting down to his hand in hers. She felt her stomach flip, worry seeping in that she should pull her hand out of his since it was mostly to lead them to the café, but the thumping of her heart didn’t want her to. She looked back up at him looking at the menu and figured if he wanted to let go, he would have, the thought sending butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
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Post by Bri on May 24, 2024 22:46:23 GMT -6
Markus was content to hold Gwen's hand, the feeling of their fingers intertwined so natural that he hardy noticed it. When it was their turn Markus told the worker what he wanted then looked to Gwen to she could order. He did, however, reach into his wallet with his free hand and pulled it out, resting it on the counter and flipping it open. He wiggled out his card and gave it to the worker to pay for them.
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Post by Kiersten on May 25, 2024 11:48:28 GMT -6
Gwen went back to looking at the menu as Markus put his order in, then she quickly added something for herself and Lottie, "Hey, you got the tickets. I can cover lunch." She said, using her free hand to open her purse to search for her wallet, unwilling to let go of his hand. She wasn't sure how long they'd hold hands, but she'd take however long it was. She wasn't fast enough grabbing her card though, seeing the work take Markus's, "Thank you." She said, giving his hand a squeeze, risking the chance he'd let go just to show him she appreciated him, even though this was only their third time together.
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Post by Bri on May 25, 2024 16:07:29 GMT -6
"Don't worry about it," Markus said, playfully knocking his shoulder against his, "you can cover next time." He told her though he had no plans of letting such a thing happen. Once everything was paid Markus slipped his wallet back into his pocket and the worker told them they'd bring their food out to their table when it was ready. He squeezed Gwen's hand back and gently tugged her out of line. "Where do you want to sit?"
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Post by Kiersten on May 25, 2024 16:40:46 GMT -6
Gwen felt her heart soar at the idea of a next time, but wanted to tease him about that. "Hmm, a next time huh?" She said, moving out of line with him, looking around the seating area and finding one three seater by the window to the jungle gym. She didn't hesitate to grab the table, pulling Markus along with him by the hand. "So… Is next time the Zoo?" She asked, taking a seat at the table, placing their intwined hands on the table between them, and leaned her elbow on the table, putting her head on her hand as she looked at him, hoping she wasn't coming on too strong.
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Post by Bri on May 25, 2024 22:04:28 GMT -6
"Yeah, next time." Markus chuckled but it was a bit nervous. He hoped there was going to be a next time, he hadn't found any reasons why they wouldn't spend time together again. He was also hoping that after another hang out with Lottie Gwen might be open to going out on an actual date. He followed Gwen to the table, his heart speeding up when he saw their hands still linked together, even after sitting at their table. He looked at Gwen, his gaze turning soft, "either the zoo or museum but I have a feeling the zoo will be the more popular choice." He chuckled, leaning into her a little as his thumb brushed up and down the side of her finger.
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Post by Kiersten on May 25, 2024 23:25:49 GMT -6
Gwen giggled, knowing he meant Lottie, "Yeah, she'd want to see more animals." Though wondered if the museum could be their own little date, without Lottie. She shivered at his touch, feeling every inch where his finger touched her fingers. She eyed the jungle gym through the glass, spotting Lottie headed for the slide. "I also wouldn't mind walking around again…" She added, looking down at their hands, hoping he'd understand she liked what was happening.
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Post by Bri on May 25, 2024 23:59:55 GMT -6
"I bet." Markus chuckled, gaze flickering to Lottie, not surprised to see her running around. He looked back to Gwen, gaze traveling and admiring the curve of her profile. "Well, I'm free all day." He told her, giving her hand another squeeze, if it meant spending time with her he'd stay here all day and night if necessary.
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Post by Kiersten on May 26, 2024 11:38:45 GMT -6
Gwen laughed when he said he was free all day, wondering if that meant he'd want to try the zoo next, though she'd like to save that for another day. Another chance to see him, more hours to hold hands with him. She eye Lottie from the side again, hoping her daughter wouldn't take note of the hand holding between her and Markus, hoping she wouldn't get attached if nothing came out of it. "You didn't keep your entire day open for me and Lottie did you?" She asked jokingly, though she felt her heart skip a beat at the thought he had.
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Post by Bri on May 26, 2024 13:56:21 GMT -6
Markus looked over at Gwen, taking a moment before answering her question but then smiled with a noncommittal shrug. "Well...I didn't know how long it would take us to go through the aquarium so....I'm in no rush to get home." He said, hoping he wasn't coming off too strong and scare her off.
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