"Sorry," Gavin said, and even though it was a single word, it was still weighted with an honest apology. "I wasn't - I didn't really even think about it," he admitted, his ears still drooped. At least he was looking at Maxwell, now. "I just needed to not be there, and I knew we were coming here, and that there were already scouts here, so I thought--" He cut off with a sigh, before digging out another shovel load and throwing it behind him. His muscles were sore, everywhere, but that was part of the point of the punishment.

"It's been made very, very clear to me that I'm to actually talk to people, next time. And not just leave. Trust me. But for what it's worth, I... I'm specifically sorry, that I didn't say anything to you." His voice grew a little quiet as he looked up. "Considering."