Nick's been in some rather unpleasant scraps with Lacroix, and he's taken much harder hits, but it doesn't keep his vision from briefly exploding when it connects. While they've been playing rough, Nick was not expecting a hit like that, and the shocked look on his face shows it. He needs only a second to clear his head, but once he does, he forces more pressure on Connor's blade with his own, trying to force him backward.