[ he takes the handkerchief with a small nod, even though what he really needs is a shower, preferably several hours long and hot enough that he can't feel his skin anymore, but he recognises the gesture for what it is at least. he's careful in the way that he wipes the worst of the blood off of his hands, gentle reverence in all his movements even now. the work might be done, at least as much of it as nick can be responsible for, but there's still a dead woman at his side and grieving sons with him.
it's horrific, frankly, what happened here, but it isn't the time for questions. aemond is pragmatic enough that nick feels safe in assuming he would have been alerted to an imminent threat — anything else can wait, for now. rising back to his feet, nick hesitates for just a moment before he reaches out to squeeze aemond's arm, a gentle pressure just above the elbow, a quick little comfort before he lets go again. ]
I'm really sorry this happened to her.
[ the words are offered as gently as the contact, quiet enough that they don't demand a response. nick doesn't wait for one anyway, this next part isn't for him. he just lingers long enough to offer the words, and the touch, and then he leaves, to let her sons tend to the process of cleaning alicent up. ]
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[ he takes the handkerchief with a small nod, even though what he really needs is a shower, preferably several hours long and hot enough that he can't feel his skin anymore, but he recognises the gesture for what it is at least. he's careful in the way that he wipes the worst of the blood off of his hands, gentle reverence in all his movements even now. the work might be done, at least as much of it as nick can be responsible for, but there's still a dead woman at his side and grieving sons with him.
it's horrific, frankly, what happened here, but it isn't the time for questions. aemond is pragmatic enough that nick feels safe in assuming he would have been alerted to an imminent threat — anything else can wait, for now. rising back to his feet, nick hesitates for just a moment before he reaches out to squeeze aemond's arm, a gentle pressure just above the elbow, a quick little comfort before he lets go again. ]
I'm really sorry this happened to her.
[ the words are offered as gently as the contact, quiet enough that they don't demand a response. nick doesn't wait for one anyway, this next part isn't for him. he just lingers long enough to offer the words, and the touch, and then he leaves, to let her sons tend to the process of cleaning alicent up. ]
🎀 done.