Trusting someone and relying on them are related, but not identical. Linden's had a lot of time to think about it. He will never consciously betray Nill's trust, but in moments where he needs to come through for her, he's well aware of the fact that he may simply not be strong enough, in body or will, and that is what he hates.

"I live my life as a slave," he says, speaking softly, scarcely moving his lips to better get away with it. "And not just to the Capitol. I wake up every morning wanting it to be different, and sometimes I genuinely mean that. I did this morning."

And he almost got kicked out of the lounge's bar, despite that determination; he thinks that the context of his statement is plenty to make his point.