"It was a very difficult world to live in," The voice says softly, almost as an afterthought, because for all the horror of the darkness and the monsters they're not the things she remembers most about that place anymore. If she ever had the chance Nill would go back in a heartbeat. But she'll never have that chance, because it doesn't exist anymore.

She tries not to dwell on it, and she doesn't need to try much, because she said something that meant a lot more to Karkat than she thought it would. Nill looks at his hand, as if not understanding entirely at first, before she reaches over and gently takes his hand.

It's always a little surprising when she manages to win the trust of others, but it leaves her with a quiet warmth in her chest, just about the best thing she's felt in weeks.

If she had it in her to be smarter, to be braver, she would pull her hand away. She would act like it bothered her, all the while reassuring him that nothing was wrong, that it was dangerous, that she didn't want the Capitol going after him because they were close. But Nill has been worn and beaten down horribly by this Arena, by the knowledge that she has ruined so much and everyone knew it, and this one little thing is something she needs. Just one good thing to hold on to so she can make it just a little longer.

She gives his hand a very gentle squeeze in return, and there's a small, soft smile on her face, the voice colored by warmth.

"Thank you. I trust you too."