[The words bring a fresh wave of tears to his eyes, but he nods at her, trying to figure out what else he can do beyond nod. Maybe it was just another small reminder of what'd happened. Blood lust is a word that comes with so many connotations, but there's little room for interpretation in this context.]
[She holds out her hands, and there is a definite part of him that feels relief, because she wouldn't offer if it were dangerous to touch her. Still, it takes him a few long moments to unwind his hands, and another couple seconds to reach out for her. Every single survival instinct inside him warns against it, reminds him of how terrifying it was not so long ago. But it's Clarke. He refuses to give up on the idea that this isn't still her, because that means she really is dead. Clarke would never hurt him. He has to trust that, and he has to show her that, and he has to do this for his own sake, too.]
[His hands are shaking a little when he takes hers again, and his eyes flash to her face, hoping there isn't a repeat reaction. He blinks through more tears, stubbornly holding her hands and trying not to let his grip go too tight or desperate. He shifts from the wall, carefully, slowly, testing his ability to lessen more of the distance between them, despite how much his brain is screaming at him otherwise. But he's already done plenty of stupid things for Clarke Griffin.]
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[She holds out her hands, and there is a definite part of him that feels relief, because she wouldn't offer if it were dangerous to touch her. Still, it takes him a few long moments to unwind his hands, and another couple seconds to reach out for her. Every single survival instinct inside him warns against it, reminds him of how terrifying it was not so long ago. But it's Clarke. He refuses to give up on the idea that this isn't still her, because that means she really is dead. Clarke would never hurt him. He has to trust that, and he has to show her that, and he has to do this for his own sake, too.]
[His hands are shaking a little when he takes hers again, and his eyes flash to her face, hoping there isn't a repeat reaction. He blinks through more tears, stubbornly holding her hands and trying not to let his grip go too tight or desperate. He shifts from the wall, carefully, slowly, testing his ability to lessen more of the distance between them, despite how much his brain is screaming at him otherwise. But he's already done plenty of stupid things for Clarke Griffin.]