Gentleness is something he actually does feel like he has a right to ask for, even expect. As a Victor, everyone knows he's been through hell, and the least they can do is be a little gentle. He doesn't feel even a little bit like he isn't due his bits of gentleness, but it's only from Nill that it feels like true kindness.

"I don't have a lot of friends. Before I met you I don't think I really knew what it meant. There's Stephen, the Escort in my District, but... part of his job is to be my friend, so it's not quite the same thing."

He feels a twinge of guilt as he says it; he knows damn well that Stephen has stuck his neck out for him unnecessarily, helped him out of tight places with bidders, and given him untold amounts of time and effort to prevent him from meeting an early end.