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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H3MYTou8j
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3CCaV82sE
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjy03bCc8d
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeMkUgWoMR
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS91zCxbyIx
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNbMH4LghF
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSBqiTUTWA
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprss0LzJ7l
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYlHD2MJF6
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaEfsurOH3
Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4teIQ2DzQ
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i0Ienc8i6
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpujMEtr9W
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkdio3Yuj7
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQqWzxPKTY
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu2oAwL4a2
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhpK1oxO8x
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kdrMU346e
Ethan shrugged noncommittally.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZGCQrsJfv
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0tlbAM6SO
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPcHZYmoiA
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56gOhD053o
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYUIjOm83S
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAC8a3crIG
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrY9muD6OB
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLv8JNPm8T
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UHUYbPd9d
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUkVwhOy0D
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLoxRGaxEc
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqMPAmSzZa
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5RstJ44dy
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxWUKRJbaZ
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4dZxzzDWl
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqWec08bLc
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYqnj8dDoA
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlw5etkLcI
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0wfTITBIU
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNeop4EdBi
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8J3ToIwBe
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdp4kpYhqD
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5YKS5rSRH
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnKSDMuTNs
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkySbpfS0I
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFKKmhrZPP
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdSyY2esTN
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iFYYWfCAF
"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."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1auTw0qmc
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXqjEf6Rgv
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zMi4azr26
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN44e2Z0fsN
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaeDIxdXys
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLNzgssEGJ
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPuZOQNzKy
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSa1AAUPyh
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe8UWG19OC
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnx3OzxZug
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE9Z9dVEAl
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPk4gl6sET
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzsT6K9dUc
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzPrJkXNh6
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLzoINXbPL
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jXprmci2B
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0dfIgO9Iv
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgRvc69jV0
Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67LG4daASA
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcys15h0s0
"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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxikQ4QiVI
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdolQkCjkgV
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b1Fn7cAMW
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6NiLejY1d
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIUoO8Yyoy
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglNA3yZtXC
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLXhBpMPEu
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabwT5HN7xc
"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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV5aedQtkC
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfg0Dbk4QU
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBTKA4EcFK
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWPFHFmc1P
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWHP3dydQO
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgg93A6xBU
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxN8OK6aJ6
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGkIstSbM1
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWgcZPDsQe
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzkJjRS0ZH
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFF6ZFsGLc
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXigpJ1bgFi
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6evUhjMFdw
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Womwk3lK
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzqLPzvdQN
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBUeKuuxR9
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA93veLFrxX
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn9DsoeY0O
The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqKEGvCCsF
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdFvPqn5lM
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96lrzcaqQu
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY3lQPYmXT
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLOAj1xJ49
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5aksYez6C
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRECwdjrr9J
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcJhCOocbF
Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hrq72s0l7
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oG54P8jra
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhy16Lnomv
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE9UOKQr3P
"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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajKNRq0h71
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cEADrGons
"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?"37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjKCTrZpgG
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvpoBKfahy
"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."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg07qWwVlhB
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvDES0bW0w
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOGaWR1WmO
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFxEX1J5il
"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."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iEv7wUDXg
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbUeAsGUr4
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUdTwvvCox
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2y5l91Rw7
"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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5coh8x46Wf
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hTEYHIrTQ
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmMCTd72Zy
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWEXhSTM50
"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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqmzOWrDBO
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1xpeUlMR1
Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW44UN1Tidb
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2gXM8Ps1U
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?"37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbIuzbCBIs
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6nyz0L329
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeQp5NlGBw
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmjjmvKK9i
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V5TNyaoWV
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9mXaiXMzG
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZCiTrkfIU
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IVzBKtSTu
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wyYglkXmt
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsphKSPaoq
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdooQCgZ5NI
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvUxAB2la5
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODoMp2A3n8
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9ki5noHwq
"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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDTylWrGA2
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK2LzwEbQW
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGuZv7m1oV
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIArU6U9D3
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT185oLksV
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqGwsSsztu
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XqwCfuX8Z
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEv6PUAIZK
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2woWIaWGk
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYwhb8HGE9
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrfdNtsdAi
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu6wQaTNdL
"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQxOuikEws
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0VPE8Z8vl
"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZb5skrxTV
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsOsrMmFBf
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZQwqCTePa
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayn3y5nxrC
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl8PoqDZHD
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRHPuqHSub
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJzoELXGym
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6hxDoFebM
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoX56HH9NA
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbVIc6pci5
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLObLCINvBS
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziEIPg1BDt
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF8KF8w29J
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8zpMEEQyF
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WFEoAtzJK
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWIl4GlSnT
Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiOL1yVZ82
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH43RSLl6K
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvmNBRIpxO
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrrWS33tmK
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MKAcJBWVx
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVDsrIZmTI
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zsBor3c5J
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx7eUVwCCs
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7eBCRXfMa
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX0sJwpVRE
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJWgKv28kL
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9kiEvuAT6
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPnTUdEVa2
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWKx8pgOl0
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M5HyYgSrc
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WtQ7pUlCW
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7g0gEigpk
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMZnjVxxbA
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR45a9PxaX
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrcc5vhvUf
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PY3ZSOPBa
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OG2vhGVrw
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnsImhN1ey
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPi5IEdKZ9
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW9Hs6YyA5
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMc2CQvAw6
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5h5AJmQKF
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGke5nB14L
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6M9jANhRt
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhqfP5Rpmc
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfONVysmMSy
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRVz0wSJiu
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcERTOEx2cm
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji3Sxniirl
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWiBL9OjOL
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXthvPlmfZ4
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi2p4EsB3w
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8wCk6eH8b
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUhDDbTrYx
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy1kqPMjkP
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnUVUHlwvP
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1xsRlw1JO
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq2fk0Kh0Z
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqRgKbCxYy
Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOSI1shBAU
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnMARooWQp
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWdMl1V4O7
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOR6xv55HT
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApclm8Es74
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhJs15r1eq
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD730NNvWy
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLla4rtmuaz
Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3S5ZmdWDx
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzLOMXtwEl
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."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7xw23uGgg
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcxLjjAwgV
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh0IK2xIA3
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMI6770aPx
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k7RjVZdr7
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqhtPH02TP
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqYQ2gjDK4
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gtnetvzNa
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkxnUrp4bh
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsCtuecnb9
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBNVha3fN2
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS30mF419bM
"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."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKnU01s8Mm
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtpk8lKvpk
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxsJpFo2V9
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQsXiYuO1n
"You're good at this," Hanna commented.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO3DTD7Bdx
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59gOAsvMxc
Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kicqibxvT
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGDRaRSEwA
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJpe2Nbdo3
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JCLpTpH0T
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenimBioiuu
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJV2EKuHVs
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBuqVqKVOE
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg1TbUPADM
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4is5FTIVMl
