[ He finishes spraying the pan down, deposits the spray elsewhere on the counter. (Surely someone else will use it later, and then they won't have to go searching for it — he's helping.) Mark eyes the steak Ninety-Nine is holding while they wait, and... who knows, it's not like it's going to be good, maybe that'll do it for him.

Back to Ninety-Nine, and he shakes his head. ]

It hasn't been that long. Or if it has, then I haven't noticed. [ Honest. He's got to be honest here or he might kill someone. And maybe it's not a bad thing if it has been a while? It means he's got willpower, he can keep this in check, he—

Chews on his lip, out of worry and nothing more. Is he prepared. ]

I can't let it overwhelm me. I've been thinking more about, [ why is this so tough to say. He knows why, ] dying. I don't want to, but if it's going to happen anyway...

[ Ninety-Nine is going to get it. Everything Hella has told him about her. For as devoted as Hella is, and kind, and sweet, and well-meaning, and maybe dangerously optimistic in a way he can no longer afford to be, ]

I can't hurt anyone else.

[ Pause. I'm sorry, he could say, but, ]

I don't think Hella is prepared.

[ Because if it comes to pass, then there's one person he could hope to make Hella understand, and Mark is looking right at her. ]