The late morning light filtered through the uncovered front window, almost blinding Hanna as she searched for Steve's car. She took another sip of her lukewarm black tea. It was only their second day here and she was already sick of the stuff. If there was anything to look forward to today, it would be a fresh cup of coffee. Plus the fresh clothes, she thought optimistically as she looked down at her dirty, ripe blouse and pants.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YMGsmVKgw
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslkeDcGyfa
As much as Hanna was looking forward to what he was bringing, she couldn't shake that nagging feeling that Steve might have told the dealers about Ethan originally. Ethan trusted him, but that didn’t mean much to her, so she decided to stay vigilante. If Steve was a greedy backstabber, then she knew how to deal with him, as she'd handled those kind of people her whole life. Keep your enemies close, Hanna thought coldly, and, preferably, within stabbing range.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJjR6GbL7L
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0QS0ZdEni
Hanna looked at her phone again, based on his last text, Steve should be arriving now. She checked the window for the umpteenth time but there was no sign of his car before she glanced back at Ethan, lying on the sofa, evidently still tired. Despite his closed eyes, she knew he was awake, the way his hands kept fidgeting was an obvious tell.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffnkH92uq2
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp9HMZ3q3I
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Vc1WK31i
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CqgFqtLpk
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"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAhBt8dvBF
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"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK7odSmLjr
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlynwFdKAP
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRVCvGqkZJ
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrMddCxDNW
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaioZyoFeYa
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"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6vLGovVlS
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"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL4XiX7Mna
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt4tZk45eZ
Ethan was very familiar with the Terran stereotypes about Charax heats. "No. That's not a symptom," he stated dryly. Maybe I'd feel more aggressive if every inch of me wasn't sore, he thought grumpily.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5WvX55VRx
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AUdPdYLXL
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a car outside. Hanna went to the front window to see Steve's silver car driving up in from of the building.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K74kATXtM
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnd3cx1TIM
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GCAkXI8DR
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHawtCiHzdB
Ethan got up off the sofa, stretching his stiff muscles, preparing himself. His body only wanted to do two things right now. Pretending to act like a Terran was not one of those things, but he’d been doing that his whole life, a few minutes was nothing in comparison.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ChsxXBkpa
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgwU32b4JH
Hanna opened the door for Steve, who had way too many grocery bags in his hands, as Ethan walked into the kitchen. "Let me take those," Hanna offered, taking the bags from him and carrying them over to the kitchen easily.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetoHiUzHwB
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9994k1R5q
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1hiuaBvok
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nR3S2c2oe
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEZLHvzCCi
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuq7LWKLko
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI3hTMzkY7
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihLTITbGLk
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNTDzyewFR
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"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkEIt3PDJF
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3bVZLQPVp
"That's what it seemed like, looks like they knew what they were doing," Hanna answered vaguely, adding false uncertainty in an attempt to cover up her own knowledge. She’d avoided giving Steve too many details, out of concern that he might not accept her lies as easily as Ethan did.
"That's crazy. Hard to believe the rumours are true, that people really do hunt Charax for a living," Steve commented grimly, then he turned to Ethan. "But, hey, you got out alright. Looks like they messed with the wrong Charax this time."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBYQlqnm9f
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv1BLpCNH2
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ytip0XogG
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVA8BZPKYQ
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLzYai2CXI
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWznW8GPSmL
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Hanna eyed him curiously. She'd seen every inch of him and knew he didn't have any bruises on the back of his shoulder. He’s probably just tired and irritable, she thought.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXAfD3y4dQ
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXSkD1fAi7
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorgvBhLQxG
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"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX7lHVVtjL
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Ethan nodded hesitantly, so Hanna went to join Steve. He used the opportunity to take a deep breath, trying to steady the slight tremor in his hand. He resolved to try to focus his complete attention on the task in front of him and try to forget about the returning heat symptoms.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xv93TjsF5
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Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP2E1L0yrE
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"What about the bag I asked you to pick up?" Hanna asked as she looked over the chaotic pile of bags spanning the kitchen and living room.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmpM52qdgm
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrFSaIuRmp
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZtyGEllxN
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"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2la6cizEVW
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"I packed it weeks ago for a trip that ended up cancelled and I never got around to unpacking it. Good thing I procrastinated," Hanna lied smoothly as she opened it up, checking the contents. She'd always had an emergency bag packed but she'd never needed to use it before, nor had she ever expected to use it for something like this.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTniTPWDojh
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoFYXIoLzM
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstgPu4wEP0
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Ethan was almost done with the bag in front of him, the last item was a bag of potatoes. As he went to put them away, he accidentally dropped them. The heavy bag hit the kitchen floor with a loud thud, drawing everyone's attention, and Steve went to pick it up.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunG4tKlshm
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Ethan snatched the vegetables up before Steve could reach them. "I have it," he mumbled, sticking them in a cabinet. He noticed the tremor in his hand worsening.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoschteEtLf
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlXOH7AIDp
Hanna shot a puzzled glance over at the two men in the kitchen. She couldn't put her finger on what was wrong with Ethan. She'd have guessed that he was frightened, except that he had no reason to be scared of Steve... unless he had the same gut feeling she did.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiKFKldu3e
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DHt5WdHXG
Ethan thought he was doing a better job of handling the tremors until he grabbed the jug of milk and it slipped out of his grasp onto the floor. "Damn," he swore at a low volume, reaching downwards towards the undamaged plastic container.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7j7gJfhSa
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"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrNwybpo3J
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCedykcfE9d
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUkMYKiJHK
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Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXkttf2vmn
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Steve didn't move other than frowning slightly, as if he didn't know what to make of the situation. Hanna stood on the other side of the room awkwardly, her forehead creasing. Despite his previous comment, Ethan didn't move from his position on the other side of the kitchen, rubbing his hand nervously.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdwh2xYZSg
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BsF6jhHRU
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqClqeihYA
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtfC9mV1Jx
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Hanna stopped to the side of the door, taking a deep breath of the crisp spring air. Sunlight was filtering through the evergreens, bathing their surroundings in a relaxing glow, in a way she would have usually enjoyed, but she was too preoccupied to appreciate. She heard the door shut and the crunch of footsteps behind her.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsoPKddAZr
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"So what's—" Steve was abruptly cut off by Hanna spinning around to push him harshly against the wooden wall of the cabin and putting a knife to his throat. His expression reflected his state of pure shock.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNv3sPT3HK
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZnM7E4PW7
"I'm going to make myself very clear. I won't turn you in. You can keep whatever fee you got.” Hanna pressed the blade into his skin without drawing blood. “But if you even think of selling Ethan out again, then there won't be anywhere on this planet where you'll be able to hide," she threatened lowly. "Don't get greedy or I will skin you alive, do you understand?"57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vfQc15NkB
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNszGIWoFr
"Whoa, hold on now," Steve replied, very still, very conscious of the knife pressed to his throat. "I did not tell anyone Ethan was Charax."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNej0Psnwr
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfEhsqLscT
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY9kXKbsMT
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"Then we aren't the only people who know," Steve reasoned in a rush. "But you figured it out without anyone telling you, someone else could too."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8KlEg53az
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSarstX3tso
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"I tried to tell him that he wasn't doing a good job of keeping the symptoms hidden but he didn't listen to me," Steve argued further, fear bleeding into his voice.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04q7ojC8ze
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Hanna pressed her lips together. She had to admit he had a point. Someone else must have given Ethan the Trazinol, she reasoned, and Steve looks like he’s telling the truth.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG8Z6cqHZ5
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2PcFa9D8q
"I've known him for years, don't you think I would have cashed in earlier if that's what I wanted?" Steve argued fearfully.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fOMmUdugM
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJdPTlwBuu
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM34Zxw1gnx
Steve rapidly backed away from her, along the wall and away from the door. "You really think I would have come up here on my own if I'd sold him out?"57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ17diEhfHx
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFukwUb8by
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGScdg1i0I
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzKUKp6saY
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVDPUL0EAh
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQS8q6P0h8
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OheEcP8ow
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlibg2rJik
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV55Udg7vM
"Yeah, we're both a little on edge. Whoever kidnapped him is still out there." Some of them, that is, Hanna thought smugly, keeping those details to herself.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7nvv7xxp3
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfcfnhoK1C
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO4xxqckA2
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvrescdzRC
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCLCLm2Eyi
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1PO7u9NfX
Hanna went back inside as Steve got back in his car. She entered the main room to find that Ethan had vanished, the remaining bags left unopened on the table. That might have sent off alarms in her mind, but there was only one door to the place and she'd been next to it the whole time. He must still be here and, thankfully, there wasn't much cabin to search.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZFFnR9RsX
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFqMOJKt35
Hanna hadn't expected to find Ethan sitting on the floor in the corner of the bedroom, of all places. In the bedroom itself, not strange. Sitting on the floor, a bit odd when there was a perfectly fine bed to sit on right next to him. In the corner, that just seemed uncomfortable.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWHgFAVPnP
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhV7yXVIUj
As Hanna entered, Ethan didn't move from his position, his right leg stretched out in front of him with his forehead resting against the wall. He'd wrapped his left arm around him, between him and the wall, keeping it out of sight. It might have been an effective strategy if Hanna hadn't already noticed that the tremors were back.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETiUR2ZHeP
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ536af85GZo
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQKBcOEGcX
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps8rF9doeR
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla1LAQaOG8
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Zm9ZBWbH
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ7Tr3dykx
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkBpBh7KcC
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfrMQyTM37
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2wCHKCjqp
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUWvPhlbrE
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjBSJV6iXX
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzofjziWG2
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVdCUYKWZS
Hanna didn't know what to make of that. He'd been going to work the whole week... she'd never imagined the extroverted salesman would prefer to be alone. Maybe this is a heat symptom, she wondered. "Um... hey, at least you didn't try to attack him or do something crazy," Hanna tried to reassure him jokingly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY6x4N5dWj
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"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYj8JddKlD
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6n0PfwUVt
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4up8pcbtG5
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Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6kWNYiEhX
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSdOt79rA2
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAkMaYKN9R
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsX9JOATvA
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRkcjV1iiF
57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZymoOpS5d8
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaScdpWfRgM
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpxP2GPghi
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Ethan watched her go regretfully. Having her walk away from him... hit something inside him. It left him feeling empty, with undertones of a different kind of pain. He was struck by the realization that he wanted her to stay with him. He decided to ask her to stay, before noticing she had already gone and he had been staring at an empty doorway.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyBcryXmPj
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Part of him was slightly unnerved by how dependent he'd become on her, and how rapidly. The heat was bad enough without his body punishing him for every moment they were apart. Irritation chased the thought, making him change his decision. He relaxed into the wall as he pressed his fingers into his injured ankle, letting one kind of pain wash away another. The emptiness inside him persisted, settling deeper as he continued to watch the open doorway.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlQW0CHqMV
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Ethan was surprised to see Hanna come back into the bedroom a few minutes later. She'd changed into a t-shirt and skirt, a more casual outfit than he'd ever seen her in. The light mix of pink and orange suited her well, and matched her new upbeat mood. Without saying a word, she sat down next to him on the floor and opened the book she'd brought in.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUcpk7oz8u
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspK50viJQF
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOgVGfolgw
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Ethan leaned his head on her shoulder, deciding to watch her solve it. He didn't want to admit to himself how much her simply being there made him feel better. The way she gnawed on the end of her pencil as she stared at the page intensely made him want to smile. He caught himself relaxing into her, pressing his body into hers, and consciously readjusted to not put too much weight on her. He hoped it hadn't been a noticeable mistake, given how Hanna was still engrossed in her puzzle.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVfHcDcOov
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6mD826qt7
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Ethan sat upright, stretching out his neck. He'd already solved most of the puzzle in his mind and didn't actually need to look at it anymore to solve the rest.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo3ESuH6Bg
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE7xTqoKho
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dLwX5bQz7
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrN3YITzFF
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWfIMjhw5E
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I4fUjEGM4
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Ethan silently watched her continue to struggle with the puzzle. Occasionally, she would glance up at him before returning her eyes to the page, the pencil still in her mouth. Minutes later, she still hadn't put a single word in.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaNtOuCQTA
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66aIoXPwLO
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q7Akmq39R
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKa2uikaPL
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Hanna struggled for a few more minutes. Nose still in the book, she suddenly spoke quietly. "Six letters. One of the five senses. Ends with N."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkZMuQk5Lz
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil82AN671m
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtYSE9Ie7h
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"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisUIGXNsPI
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRwLkUCT6w
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdwLPyrpDJ
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"I'm just checking." Hanna said with a huff. She paused, staring at the page. "Seven letters. A piece of furniture like a foot stool."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLWqAxflMi
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghxi0FISfg
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu6RteRL0d
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n6KA02TNv
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bkdX9ZTgj
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrotZIxJnwo
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Hanna laughed lightly. "You already solved half of it, I don't think it's mine anymore." She noticed the look on his face as she got up. "I'm not leaving the cabin, I just need a shower," she reassured him.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrI4MNhzsm
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Ethan quickly hid his expression and nodded slightly in response before turning his attention to the half-finished puzzle, aiming to complete it in the next couple minutes.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhALPPOM05a
