[ gene already knows something's wrong - it's apparent in the way he gets up, how he postures himself when he does, he tiny flex and release of his masseter as his face shifts into slight asymmetry with the movement of his jaw. very briefly, irwin holds the edge of his lower lip between his teeth as he searches for the the right verbiage. there's no combination of words that will make such a dramatic invasion of his privacy okay, but he'd like to at least break the news gently.

subtle, nauseating dread washes through his core as he arranges the apology in his mind. gene would be well within his rights to be upset - it's a violation, accidental or not. and—

while it's not as though irwin hasn't made any friends here... doc hicks would be the worst to lose. if he's to be honest with himself, doc hicks would the worst person to lose even if he wasn't another medic, even if he wasn't the only person here with a true frame of reference where his life is concerned. but he is, and that makes this even worse.

funny how abruptly a person can get attached in situations like these. irwin takes a slow breath against the tightness of his chest and silently exhales before speaking, keeping his voice quiet so it doesn't echo in the high rafters. ]

Gene, when I was... When I was walking over, I saw that your tags had fallen. Figured I'd put them back, but it turns out that qualifies as an offering. [ he pauses, collecting himself, sick with some ungodly combination of foreboding and guilt. ] I saw your death. I thought it was only right to let you know. ...I'm sorry.