Ethan woke up first from to the early morning light flooding the room, the openness of the curtains very apparent. He instantly tensed up, as if from a bad dream that he couldn't remember, then relaxed as he took in his surroundings.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpiCywldwf
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJAGP0eh7d
He was at the safe house. They'd made it out. Hanna was here, he felt her next to him. Her arm was draped across his chest and she was using his shoulder like a pillow. He could feel her breath gently rustling his chest hairs. She looked so peaceful and surreal. He'd half expected she would have been gone by the time he awoke.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn2kMYsrxc
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA9uxzIVZz
The hazy morning daze cracked away when he started to recall the events of the previous day. Ethan let out a soft sigh. There was so much he needed to sort out. His eyes drifted to the glass of water on the nightstand and wondered when she'd put it there. Then he remembered how thirsty he was and, after carefully extracting himself without waking her, downed the whole thing.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8OIsXIKXp
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mejx8w42F
For the first time in a couple days, he felt like he had actual energy, not just heat energy, and he wasn't going to waste it on worrying. First order of business, he had wiped a lot of the blood and dirt off, but it was still obvious that he needed a shower. After that, he changed the bandage around his ankle, which had finally stopped bleeding.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEi33b9Wy9
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMKTmoOUeq
Afterwards, he silently got some of the clean clothes out of the dresser, to avoid waking Hanna. He couldn't help looking at her with a touch of disbelief, still have a hard time believing she was here. It was no surprise that she was still asleep, no doubt that whole ordeal had been traumatic and exhausting for her. He resisted the urge to run his hand through her hair to wake her gently. He wanted to talk to her while his mind was clear, before the pressure of the heat returned.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRokOSRbxzK
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnvty6lCKL
Deciding her rest was more important, he took the time to call Steve and sort out some items concerning Midas Financial. Given he was going to disappear anyways, there was technically no need to quit his job. However, Hanna was not in the same position and he wanted to do what he could to smooth over her unexpected leave. His life was already screwed up, at least he could try not to take her down with him.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIDzgf1oSk
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9kP9C88oF
Ethan felt slightly relieved as Steve reassured him that Hanna likely wouldn't be fired, although Sarah wouldn't be happy with her. Steve was surprisingly understanding of the whole situation, and glad that were both safe, as Ethan explained what would happen next. Now that two people he trusted knew his secret, he wasn't looking forward to a new life without them.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbzqtyIyD7
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtRQGHJMxL
That sorted for the moment, he figured he should at least get somethings done before she got up, like breakfast. It had been so long since he'd been here, he'd forgotten what he'd stocked.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEdT77OMSw
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNsKepxU40
He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge first, out of habit and forgetting it had been unplugged, and thus completely empty. The pantry had lots of canned soups and other dry foods. He was satisfied there would be more than enough for food both of them for at least a week, even though he'd never planned on stocking this place for two. At the end of his search, he found he wasn't actually hungry and didn't end up eating anything.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax8Ivud7aD
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqxGwgzGul
He ended up on the sofa, waiting. The undeniable arousal sensation of the heat wasn't back yet but he had no clue how long that would last. He very much wished he had asked his father a lot more questions about this, like how long it would last or if there was a way to get rid of it. It was just another thing to add to the list of regrets he had about his teens.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwEMwZWceO
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6bLaSSLff
His gaze drifted to the number on the back on his left hand. The number eighteen in clear black ink. The sight of it made his stomach turn. He wanted to get rid of it desperately, erase anything he could about that day. He went to the kitchen sink and he scrubbed the area until his skin was pink but the number was still there, hardly even faded.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ203D8QqE
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tQApV6flG
Anger and frustration flared up within him as he scrubbed harder. Before long, without realizing, he'd left his hand painfully raw with the ink still shining boldly. He leaned against the sink, trying to calm himself down, this wasn't working. In the end, he threw a bandage over it to cover it up, resolving to figure out how to get rid of it later.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDkCFHyZfw
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeAEJIZZBq
Ethan checked in on Hanna again, this time, he noticed the mound on the bed moving and flicked on the lights. Irritated muttering emanated from the mound. He resisted the temptation to laugh at her childish behaviour as he sat down on the bed next to her.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EDKzWrRhj
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ03lo0PCI
Ethan stroked her hair until she cracked opened her deep brown eyes. "Thank you."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMRVQamD20
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVOEnyAa5n
Hanna peeked her head out, still blinking sleep out of her eyes. "What?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnyhDewljt
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5rP6KDopS
"Just thanks for coming to get me." Ethan cleared his throat. "And everything else."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqQYeVIczX
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTgwc7UqIG
Fleeting emotions ran through Hanna's foggy brain until her anger jerked her awake, the memories still fresh in her mind from the previous day. "I was never going to let them use you like that." Her temper flared up just thinking about it. The idea they'd wanted to use him like an animal disgusted her immeasurably. She shuddered at the memory of the corpse on the metal table and she silently wished that he never asked about what their plans for him had been.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA7RxCNtqQ
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TmTSYDNRA
Now we can make our own plans, Hanna thought victoriously. She subtly observed how much better he looked today. He wasn't sweaty, he looked like he'd actually slept and there wasn't a hint of any tremors. It was like he wasn't even in heat.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsS7IdKsT8
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ7NPKQgB5
"Is the heat over?" Hanna asked bluntly.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0RIR2OHfK
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezzB08rSXi
"Um, no," Ethan answered, confused.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdom4CepmM
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf1ru5z0mH
Hanna looked him over again. "But you seem- The symptoms went away?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ433IiKnU
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmB3ZCtBC9
"Um, they're only gone temporarily because..." Ethan left his explanation unfinished, beginning to dread where this conversation was going.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS2jaVdNps
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1OMTW41Xr
"Because of us?" Hanna suggested helpfully.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTZOJSDIWy
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtraZEbMbl2
"Yeah. They'll come back," Ethan answered dejectedly.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHbMAB94rc
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yr3CkMATr
"Do you know when the next time will be?" Hanna asked.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3GM23s5l0
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvkvKnkILl
She assumes there will be a next time, Ethan realized, tensing up. He had to ask the question he'd been avoiding. "Uh, no, but does that mean you're alright with staying here?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY029K0Rss
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSkHiIWKcp
"Yeah, it's fine. You can't go back to the city right now anyways, it wouldn't be safe," Hanna answered nonchalantly.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf9F6D2VH3
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGMAYoLlPt
"I mean, you're okay with staying with me?" Ethan clarified hesitantly.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPuc7RuQDl
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsHT3fujYY
Hanna looked at him curiously. "You're asking if I'm going to leave you here? On your own?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7lZJJVQOY
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1G5CRxQKG
Ethan nodded, his bright blue eyes searching her face for her reaction.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpJRI4LxnL
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yaChjVpRk
"I'm not going to do that to you." Hanna took his hand comfortingly. "I'm staying. Unless you want me to go."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTOoILNA7W
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUxA6aqZ1J
Ethan gripped her hand tighter. "You know what you're agreeing to?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvUaC9eL9v
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDNtminDlu
Hanna smirked playfully. "I think I got a proper introduction last night." She winked. "Just let me know if you're planning anything really out of the ordinary."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvYtuFxwfD
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zHavYUk4y
"Um... that's not... it's just..." Ethan stumbled over his words.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72rXhHqsS3
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQCmMi2kcZ
"Breathe," Hanna told him softly. "Think about what you're going to say."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNeXeMn63n
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYTQz6KWKm
Ethan took a deep breath. "With heat sex... I'm not all there sometimes. I might end up hurting you. And it might not always be... enjoyable."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xLlSGw9KC
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76agQvivip
Hanna shrugged. "I've had rougher and I've had worse. You're not going to scare me off."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkveoauB0ri
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ7llhfc96
For the first time, Ethan eyed her with suspicion. She was being a lot more eager and accepting than he'd expected, this was not how he'd thought this conversation was going to go. Maybe it was just recent events making him distrustful, but this whole thing seemed way too coincidental.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eNdiC98hZ
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLnOfyn19i
Her appearance, her willingness, her acceptance. This seemed too good to be true. His gut was telling him something was off, but it could very well be his own nerves, he still felt very on edge. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to shed the low level anxiety that had taken up residence at the back of his mind after this ordeal.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQLciOY0IS
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9WUnSHGbW
On the other hand, this week had been so hellish that maybe his luck had finally turned around. Maybe Hanna just had that attitude towards the Charax. It had been made clear to him yesterday that he didn't know his coworker that well.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqc78tK7s2
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qBUpBAJWa
Ethan stared at her uncertainly. "You're sure?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjTX8iUvav
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5T8ntptdW
Hanna smiled as she ran a hand down the side of his face. "I am. I meant what I said and I'm not going anywhere."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ4hppo4ot
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM6LWGc4Xn
He looked at her intently, suspicion hiding behind his eyes.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8C3fxvfXc
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtgFo67RfU
"You're wondering why," Hanna suspected.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19PFbKXh0L
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRExmOzG6Sa
"Yeah. I am," Ethan admitted. "Why would you do any of this?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcbCuV0OE7
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O0a7Z69Uy
"You're so blind. Because I like you, even when you're an idiot and refuse to listen to me," Hanna said as the corner of her lip twitched upwards, betraying the smile she was trying to hide.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwR9YP3G6U
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7yXuxPuRO
Ethan hadn't been expecting that answer. He recalled the warning she'd given him days ago. Pieces fell into place. She'd known what he was, what had been happening to him and tried to tell him that others were figuring it out too. All without him realizing it. Clearly, he hadn't been doing as good job of hiding the symptoms as he thought he had.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnO7ivRgTZ
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMGa0bhdxa
"You knew." Ethan rubbed his hands over his face.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLJjncbUrY
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgMQnO9uIR
Hanna laughed at his reaction. "Obviously." Then, her face fell. "I'm sorry."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRubmi7qS5V
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5hcxEVT4p
What does she have to apologize for? Ethan wondered, feeling his stomach twist at her reaction. "Why?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY2mfWFjgs
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH2Xvj2ne4
Hanna's gaze fell to her hands as she twisted the sheets in her hands. "I should have told you. Then you could have left before things got out of hand. None of this would have happened to you." She looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVrvDMv1jc
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CI0q5h2aS
Ethan felt the knot inside him untangle. "You don't need to apologize. This is my problem. I should have listened to your warning."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNGyarmXZZ
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYQUFpFwvW
Hanna hugged him, burying her face in his shirt. "None of them. You are such an idiot! You can't just walk right into traps."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE39CsRPTn
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp5tCEJn1r
Ethan wasn't sure how to react to that. He patted her shoulder cautiously. "Normally I do, I was just distracted this week."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUD4z0F0IK
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTHFPL2iN7
Hanna let go of him. "I got that, but it was still way too obvious. You never should have been working."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnDpOVO69y
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoN1A2VRnY
"Who else knows?" Ethan asked seriously. "Did you tell anyone?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaCkvctl9c
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlujqERDnW
"I didn't tell anyone. I know how to keep a secret," Hanna answered confidently, almost proudly. "The dealers wouldn't have shared that information either but Steve seemed suspicious," she added on. The Crimson Keys would have tried to avoid alerting their competition, wanting to get their prize as cleanly and quickly as possible, she thought.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqDxWExcNR
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KvOwSRRUC
"Steve already knows," Ethan revealed casually.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKVrJ62bwu
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLqqIrrqZj
Hanna was astonished he'd told anyone. He was going to get caught sooner or later with those kind of slip ups, she thought. "Oh, okay then," she said quietly.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpENUlAmZiU
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq09w5ztEja
Ethan nodded automatically. He was staring out the bedroom window, almost as if he was looking at the brightly lit pines, but his eyes were unfocused. His expression only got more troubled as the seconds ticked by.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO3iwHulHf
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqZnNgJyga
"What are you thinking about?" Hanna asked curiously.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibE17a56AE
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnso1ynR3SE
Ethan sighed heavily. "Just trying to figure out how my life got so messed up."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLiNLsd2y4
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64ioVkmU2V
"It's not messed up," Hanna protested quickly. He shot her a look. "Okay, it's not that messed up." The only loose end is whoever tipped off the dealers and I can take can of that, she thought, nothing a well aimed bullet can't fix. "We'll be able to deal with it."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLfXxDXdE
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdwHXZjxD0
Ethan recalled how she had set the place on fire, destroying any record they were there. "How can you be so certain?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81sUKWe40n
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qvJHCoL6H
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Hanna reassured him vaguely. "Don't worry about it."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKpyhdgirB
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBrx8oQTqA
Ethan was strongly tempted by the opportunity to procrastinate. After all, they weren't in danger right now. He didn't need a new identity this instant. He could wait out the heat here, with her, and deal with that all later. Things could be easy for once in his life.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ070iSWcnL6
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix7XRLoWvO
"You look much better than yesterday," Hanna remarked, breaking his train of thought.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvf6jsRjVZ
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgr89RmI7S
"Water and sleep helped a lot." Ethan smiled down at her. "You too." She flashed a smile back.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ07kdhCcAY
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesq63oMiGQ
"Does the Trazinol help?" Hanna asked curiously.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODouGRwNUT
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7v3XR9hnU
Ethan frowned slightly. "It does but I don't have it. It wasn't in my bag."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89NFAChxEj
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4Gs3fovhk
Hanna looked troubled. "It's going to be impossible to get without making people suspicious. Are you going to be okay without it?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLjjICIXAB
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI2M5iCqv3
"I think so. You work a lot better," Ethan answered confidently. As long as you decide to stay, he added on mentally.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaYLISmsQa
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsm6LEE6wr
Hanna blushed at the compliment. She sat up, her neck achingly from her previous position and she rubbed it lightly, recalling her missing injuries. "What do you think happened to the burns?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwQzEclw1J
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSAfr9unk6
Ethan pushed her hair aside, as if to confirm the injuries were still gone. Her skin was as smooth and unblemished as it was yesterday.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjFfbS0tvc
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BEV9YDOeZ
"None of my injuries are healed, so my thinking is you're the one with special healing powers," Ethan reasoned.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXdgdVQfYY
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszKqOMzkQj
Hanna looked him over, noticing he still had his assortment of bruises, some starting to turn an ugly colour. She didn't really buy his explanation. "I'm Terran, we don't get healing powers."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUY6vkJwfM
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tZvFAIsre
Ethan fell silent at that comment.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky2yMTaAx1
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhFlCJm5wQ
"Charax, on the other hand..." Hanna trailed off after noticing how he had stiffened.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGAKCQWs3k
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3io4mGqJOi
"Those are just rumours," Ethan tried to reply dismissively, attempting to cover up his underlying agitation.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeJ5xpqlDd
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ596LT9Jhw
"There's lots of rumours," Hanna argued.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gpPtiDaPo
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaOC4Pko9X
There were lots of myths that Charax body parts had mysterious healing capabilities, which fuelled the black market. Hanna felt her stomach start to twist at the thought. It was disturbing how many people were willing to commit cannibalism. Even more disturbing was how people tried to rationalize the Charax as non-human to argue it wasn't actually cannibalism.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TnRX0uAsl
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSXaAwLYxt
"There are lots of rumours. Rumours that have nearly gotten me killed," Ethan stated dryly.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQq3ls7UJP
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxs6btWV5A
Or kidnapped, Hanna mentally added as she shivered at the memory. "Obviously, we can't tell a single person or let anyone figure it out. If it is true... I don't want to think of the consequences." That thought scared her more than anything, he was in enough danger already.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHTL12FLfs
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqtCECbof7
Ethan nodded in grim agreement.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWAlhURFFZ
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpdNX1RTUJ
"We should know at least. We could test it with something small," Hanna suggested.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMdxgMYr9q
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPta9NZLjZm
"No," Ethan answered, extremely serious. "I'm not going to let you hurt yourself for an experiment on me."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXqXt1dk2z
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUEM41nrXI
Hanna couldn't think of a good rebuke for that. "I was thinking more along the lines of just waiting until I get a bruise or something."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYDRT7RDzG
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPym2YQ7B0G
Ethan eyed her suspiciously. "No, I don't..." He sighed, taking hold of her hand. "Just promise me you won't do this."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcljrIVYDkG
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJx54r3lSR
Hanna couldn't refuse a request like that. She was fairly certain she was right, but if he wanted to ignore it then there wasn't much she could do without pushing him away. Besides, pretending it didn't exist could be the safest course of action, for both of them.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vmvu1DIp0
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3Rzc4sLIK
"I promise," Hanna agreed softly. "But if I get a black eye and it mysteriously disappears, people are going to ask questions," she joked, trying to lighten the mood.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb80EeoDPP
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsXvZGMuqH
Ethan let his shoulders drop in relief. "You don't need to worry, that won't happen."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5w7lw9ISm
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zLJwm9dB8
"Okay," Hanna yielded. She pointed at his new bandage. "Speaking of injuries, what happened to your hand?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlG6PcFh2T
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq8110FVNy
Ethan pulled his hand in towards him, rubbing the white tape unconsciously. "Nothing... I was covering it up."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dboi7JoqD
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYIsA8hYvf
"Covering up what?" Hanna asked, confused. She couldn't remember him hurting his hand yesterday.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBSNWwXjk8
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRoNKtvBg3
Ethan pulled off the bandage and showed her the number underneath. If Hanna was surprised or alarmed by the raw skin, then she didn't show it. Her face only hardened.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eY7SiLjCd
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGhmO7UPpX
Hanna felt a surge of anger at the sight of the leftover marking. "One second," she said, getting up and throwing on her clothes from yesterday. "Let's get rid of that," she stated flatly.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ49zRF540d
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprf85hq3vw
Ethan stuck the bandage back on, feeling newly dispirited. "I tried that already."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWqYbIGNcG
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wWayh7vHD
"It won't wash off." Hanna pulled out a small bottle from the medical kit. "It'll come off with alcohol, come on."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEB3bUF44N
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQfmqRGvoe
Ethan followed her into the washroom halfheartedly, watching as she drenched a washcloth with the pungent liquid. He pulled the bandage off his hand, holding it palm up over the sink as he reached for the cloth in her hands.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W6WJjU9co
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm0IM985PU
"It's alright. I'll do it," Hanna soothed, stepping forward to take his marked hand delicately.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK3eNGht0h
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJK1F7u0pw
Ethan watched Hanna rub the raw, inked area gently with slow motions, until the dark numbers started to fade. The tinted liquid began to run off his hand, forming small droplets at the tips of his fingers. He watched the drops slowly fall and splatter on the white porcelain, leaving grey dots all over the surface. For some inexplicable reason, it mesmerized him.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4le5KliOF
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf8J7IYOWQ
Ethan's mind drifted away, the stinging sensation on his skin barely registering and irritating smell a distant memory. Eighteen. Seventeen before. That's almost more Charax than I've met, Ethan thought sadly, and how many were in heat? Probably most, if that's how they find us.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLsMCl8Kl8
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK787oYOpG
He couldn't stop thinking about what the dealers had been talking about. It was like they'd known more about heat than he did, an idea that unsettled him to no end. He actively tried to ignore what they'd said, but he couldn't forget it. Nor could he forget what he'd done.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt31cKyGsQ
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoH6bD4o2h
Hanna squeezed his hand, causing Ethan to jerk and look at her, before letting go. "Are you listening to me?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cIEoWrwJ0
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTpYQRbfgD
Ethan blinked at her. "What?"46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N7tXDDTVF
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4exdyHdI9u
Hanna wore an expression of mild concern. "I said it's gone, you can wash your hands now."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG0uuGOQaU
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwBqpL2INP
Ethan looked down at his hand, free of black ink. "Oh, thanks." He turned on the tap and began to rinse his hands rapidly. Hanna suddenly hugged him. She wrapped her arms around his waist carefully, mindful of his injuries, as she let her cheek rest lightly on his shoulder.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FluIWkBei
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVCXw8PtfG
To his surprise, Ethan relaxed at her unexpected soft touch. It was warm, genuine human contact and it put him at ease. The effect her simple action had on him was impressive.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSGYAICiQX
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNdiMsctNc
To his annoyance, her closeness was arousing him again, mixing with his lingering dread. He shifted more of his weight to his injured ankle, causing the pain there to build. He used it to push back against the pressure, unwilling to combine the two emotions, unwilling to taint the mood.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXByVxw7Mq
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWDxsL0Fgh
It was only lasted a few seconds before Hanna unwrapped her arms. She glanced at his reflection in the mirror. "I know that look," she teased.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu8PZIkhU5
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u51qh9UGB
"What?" Ethan asked innocently.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykfDUs30oI
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOofSqEQCby
Hanna winked at him. "That's your holding back face. You can be honest with me."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pDWm94V5n
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKaVyEvyVe
"Okay, I'm not there just yet but... soon. Don't go far," Ethan admitted, reluctantly giving her the half-truth.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMB5uVS1Wh
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ73PSfNiHK
Hanna chuckled and gestured out the window to the trees outside. "Not much place to go, out here." She paused, studying him. "And you don't have to wait until you feel like you're going to explode. Next time, we can be... preemptive."46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCraklRiV1u
46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnipqWwSpV
"I'll keep that in mind," Ethan replied noncommittally.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp0jBVZ23u
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
