Fabricio sighed, clearly not wanting to talk about this. “There are very few things in this world that would make me happy. Your death really isn’t one of them. Would I be relieved if I never had to worry about you hurting me again? Sure. But would I be happy? Not particularly.” His lips pressed into a thin line, and it looked like he was debating saying more before he decided against it. He turned to Nita and asked, “Would you like some tea?”

“So you can poison me with chemicals you found in the bathroom cupboard?” Nita snorted. “No thanks.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not the one who uses poison here.”

“Nonetheless.”

He shrugged. “Would you like something, Kovit?”

Kovit quirked a smile. “Is it actually poisoned?”

Fabricio rolled his eyes. “No. I’ll drink out of it too to make you feel better, if you want.”

Kovit was silent for a long moment as he watched Fabricio before he said, “All right.”

Fabricio turned back and pulled two cups from the pantry. One was a regular mug, which he plopped a tea bag into, and the other was brown and looked more like a little gourd than a mug. He put a metal straw in the gourd with a filter on the bottom.

“What is that?” Kovit asked.

“Maté. I love it, but it’s an acquired taste,” he said, filling both cups with water. The maté cup looked to be ninety percent leaves, ten percent water. No wonder he needed a straw with a filter to drink it. “I figured you’d probably prefer the mint tea packet.” He tilted his head at Kovit. “You’re free to try the maté, though.”

“Is it bitter?” Kovit asked.

“Very. But I’m sure there’s sugar here somewhere.”

“That’s fine. I’ll stick with the mint.”

Fabricio held up the mug to show Kovit and then took a sip. “Good enough?”

Kovit smiled slightly. “I’m satisfied it’s not poisoned.”

Fabricio brought it over to Kovit, holding it carefully in his bandaged hands. Kovit took it and just held it. He looked down into the depths of the tea and finally cleared his throat. “Thank you.”

“You’re not supposed to say that until you’re done.” Fabricio’s voice was light. He seated himself across from them, bringing a thermos full of water with him to refill his maté cup.

Kovit finally looked up. “Why are you being nice to me?”

“I made you tea, that’s all.”

“But why?” Kovit put the cup down. “I’ve hurt you.”

“Yes.” Fabricio sipped his maté. “I recall, thanks.”

“So, why are you being nice to me?”

“Would you prefer I be mean to you, Kovit? Scream and run around the room flailing my arms?”

Kovit snorted softly. “No.”