The reassurance is what Nick needs to hear, as much as he feels bad for needing it at all. With all walls down and everything out in the open, he's more vulnerable than he has ever been in a long time. It's frightening, but he's slowly becoming accustomed to the idea that Sam is making the feeling less frightening and more welcoming. He offers the other man smile at that, blue brightening from the dull gray look it had earlier.

He gives Sam a nod. "I know other folks have it bad or even worse. Seein' them pull through..." He would think he's not like them at all. He's not. But he'll find his own way, if not for his own sake but for the others. Whatever sense of borrowed time he seems to have being here, he wants to put it to good use.

He picks up the bowl of the soup and drinks up the rest, finally taking in its warmth. He remembers to tab his mouth with a napkin rather than using his sleeve.

"Thanks for doin' this," he says with another smile. A rare, warm and sincere one this time. There's still things he needs to work out, but some knots have been undone that otherwise would've tightened if he hadn't spoken with someone. "I...don't know what to say besides thank you, but I mean it."