Thorne blinked, obviously not expecting the compliment, “Oh uh, thank you!” He replied with a nervous tinge to his voice, “Yours are nice too.” He admitted, looking at the others hazel and gold eyes.
(It’s fine and oooooo lucky you with the snow day)
(during the week of finals though meaning I gotta study still lol)
(Lol)
"Thank you," Michael replied. A small chuckle followed, watching surprise form on the other's face. "Eyes are so beautiful and no pair are the same," he said, thinking out loud.
Thorne nodded slowly, “Uh yeah, that’s true, I think.” He answered. This is the longest conversation I’ve had in awhile, this guy is really nice…I can’t get attached though. I have to find a way to leave this conversation…without being rude. he thought to himself, his eyes unable to disguise his nervousness.
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.
Thorne was startled, he stood up and looked away, “Uh, my name is Hawthorne or Thorne…” he didn’t want to make Michael think he didn’t like him, he did but he couldn’t explain what happened to him to this boy he just met, could he? “I-I have to go.” He quickly walked out of the eating area, he felt bad.
(Bump)
(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.
Hawthorne headed back to his room and closed the door behind him, before sitting on his bed and sighing, “Damnit…” he said to himself, “Michael was really nice, but…I just can’t grow close to anyone…at all.” After about thirty minutes of staring into space, Thorne stood up and grabbed a jacket. He then went outside, dodging children who were running and playing wildly.
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)
(Sounds good)
Thorne walked slowly through the large expanse of land that the orphanage owned, heading straight to the forest. All he felt like doing this very moment in time was to climb a tree and sit, and think. His mind was still on Micheal, the nice boy he had met inside. He had liked Micheal, but he was still too scared to grow close with him and become friends. I'm such a goddamn idiot…I'm the worst. Micheal probably thinks that I'm a rude, stupid jerk. he thought with a sigh.
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.
Hawthorne walked deeper into the forest, crossing the property line. He had been out here hundreds of time. Eventually he came upon a thick and old tree, with large low branches. He paused a moment, thinking he heard footsteps behind him, but he shrugged and began climbing into the branches of the tree. It was probably just a rabbit or deer, no one besides him went this far into the forest. No one even knew he came out here. He leaned up against the side of the tree and stretched his legs out onto the branch.
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.
Thorne jumped slightly at the sudden sound of Micheal's voice. He looked down at the other boy and hesitated before speaking, "N-no, no…It's um, it's okay. You didn't make me uncomfortable…" Hearing the last part of what Micheal said made Thorne feel bad, Do something right for once, you jerk, and let him stay. the voice in his head told him. "Micheal…you can stay…I don't mind…" Fear was eating away at him but he couldn't just be mean like that, it wasn't in his nature.
"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.
"I mean it. You didn't make me uncomfortable." Thorne responded, I made myself uncomfortable…. He offered a light smile before responding once more, "Oh, and yes I want you to stay." He glanced at the other, "If, um, that's okay with you…"
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.
Thorne watched Micheal for a few seconds, Even the energy he gives off is super nice and happy. he thought to himself before speaking aloud, "So…how are you?" he asked, attempting to make conversation, though he wasn't very good at it.
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…
"Oh, okay…good." Hawthorne replied, a small sigh escaping him. There seemed to be something bothering Micheal but he didn't want to say anything. He was terrible with dealing with problems and people mainly just seemed to get hurt, especially himself.
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.
"Oh, uh…" Thorne lightly blushed, feeling awkward. He looked down, "I just wanted some company…" Why don't you tell him that you're lonely? Why don't you tell him everything since you're letting him get close, dumbass? The voice in his head yelled at him.