We say sorry, but how much does that really help? (OxO) (Open)

Michael hummed lightly, fiddling with his sleeve for a moment. His eyes were still trained on the boy across from him. "I know you probably get asked this a lot, but can I get your name? I'd rather get it now rather than using a random nickname I come up with," he asked, a joking tone in his voice. He frowned lightly, noticing the shift in the other's eyes. Windows to the soul.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" the teen asked, tilting his head lightly. This resulted in a few strands of hair to move back into his face. His hazel eyes looked up at them and he moved a hand to push the hair away again as he waited.

(Ah shoot, I thought my reply sent, just a sec)

Michael gave a small wave, watching Hawthorne leave. Wasn't that like a plant or something? Shaking the thought away, he frowned lightly. Was he being too forward? Maybe he was making the other a bit uneasy. He sighed, standing up from his chair. Pusing it in behind him, he watched the other children. They all seemed to be younger than Thorne. Was… he the oldest here?
That was when Michael felt even worse. Perhaps all of this made it extra hard. Somehow that fact didn't turn him off from wanting to be nice to the other boy. He quite liked him and that they seemed to be close in age.
A small tug at his pant leg tore his attention away from where Hawthorne had left.
"You wanna play, mister?" a little girl asked, beaming up at him. Michael let out a small chuckle before crouching down. Now eye to eye he asked her what she wanted to do.
"Well, um we were gonna do tag, but you're too tall to make it fair!" she exclaimed. Michael grinned even wider. It was true. He could catch most of the young ones quite easily. He then allowed the little kid to lead him to what she wanted him to play.

Noticing a taller figure out the window, Michael noticed the familiar hair of Thorne as he rushed through the crowd of other kids. He cast a quick look to his mother, wondering if she knew or if it was okay for him to leave like that. Biting his lip, he called out to his mom that he was going out for a moment. Quickly, the other boy pulled on his coat and dashed out behind Hawthorne.
(I was thinking Thorne's a bit ahead of Michael by the time he leaves)

Michael stood still a moment, forgetting that the property was about an acre of land. And that included a bit of the forest around the area. His mother often took them on nature walks, but as long as they were all with an adult. This caused the boy to worry a bit. Sure, Hawthorne was older, but even he might get lost if he went too far. He also felt partially at fault. He made Thorne uneasy. He would make sure the other was okay, apologise, and then go back to the orphanage. Thorne probably would want some space from him.
Watching the other near the tree line, Michael continued walking. He didn't want to lose sight of him.

Michael bit his lip, knowing that this was farther than where they should be. He cast a quick glance at the building behind him before continuing. It was colder in the shade, but not extremely so. The trees were quite beautiful actually, a few still clinging onto their fall colored leaves. In a month they would likely all be bare. Looking up, Michael finally saw a form sitting on one of the branches above him.
"Um, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable! I came out here to make sure you were okay," he called up. The cool breeze made him shiver. "I'll… just leave you be since you're alright…" he added a bit more quietly.

"Don't say that because you feel like you have to. Your feelings matter just as much as mine do," Michael replied, a small smile forming on his features again. "I'll only stay if you want me to," he added, clarifying his first statement.

Michael nodded, starting to shimmy up the trunk of the tree. It was quite cold to him, but that didn't matter. If he could befriend Thorne and make him feel better, then he'd do it. It wasn't like a few minutes would give him frostbite or something. Plus, he had his coat and a small scarf on. After a moment, the boy pulled himself onto the branch beside Hawthorne. Michael swung his feet lightly, watching his shoe laces dangle.

Michael shrugged. "I'm alright. A bit chilly if anything," he replied, a small grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. Sure, he seemed happy, but inside he still felt that longing and greed for his mother to be just his mom. He didn't need to ve saying that though. Others had it worse and all that. Plus, he technically got to see her more often now. And he got to meet Thorne…

The thought was pushed to the back of his mind again, as he looked up at Thorne again. "So, anything you wanted to chat about, or do you just want the company?" Michael asked, tilting his head lightly. It was an innocent question, his tone kept light.

Michael let out a light chuckle, turning to look at Hawthorne. "Don't be upset for asking. I'm just happy I didn't do something dumb!" he said with a grin. The boy rested one of his hands a bit closer to the other's side as he got in a more comfortable position.

Michael did his best to hide his surprise. This was the most the orphan had ever said to him. Then again it had maybe been an hour since they met. Still!
"It's no problem. I wanted to," he replied simply. As he leaned back onto his palms a bit, his hand inched slightly closer so the boys were almost touching hands.

The other tilted his head once again. "Why are you sorry? It's only my hand," Michael asked curiously. His smile shrank slightly, noticing the stuttering return. Before Hawthorne could reply, the boy spoke up again. "I really like it when you smile too," he said. Michael had also assumed the reddened cheeks were from the cold air.

It took Michael a moment before his cheeks warmed a bit. Did… Did Hawthorne mean… like romantic hand holding? No, no, Thorne was quite shy and neither of them could be ready for that after just a few hours! Neither of them could get those feelings so soon right? At least he hadn't.
"Oh, thanks," he replied, keeping his hand still. Thorne could hold his hand if he wanted to. Friends could hold hands.

(Sorry)