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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A6sXVt5DZ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvfTF3w11k
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRDlHQ7OrR
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr8FaEV9gm
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNedpVgnH8
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hupcDF9IG
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIbSHNe3ek
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4s2INicwF
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcorYiW4P9n
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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."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rMcSsvPe5
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm7Uq2yWVr
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4NiMMdvpD
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J95kuM3JG
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt4SEW1wUT
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFSqjbvxcj
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFqxOlS4px
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesfZZ1bU5q
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYShX32Slb
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlztELJOLYu
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIAxfPQvJ3
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ltfibE5D4
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNb7lSUIof
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVERJCOf63g
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRQ8YDy039
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTesLDexHf
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq01QItkd3
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceDwUxSF7L
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSWRnEek1I
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFGEQfRiqD
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjiL4IWyHT
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqnh5OcFdI
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgbPI4X7Qn
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XzdbAh2RA
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgZoAcd4kS
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUmHVVeyGU
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbBlXAulIj
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U6og7cJa4
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc4r7PwaKY
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf3cWOvCLV
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A8YhFmUi2
"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."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfgnO87VJg
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcScKCld8d
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX6W437FGS
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLQx86s0eD
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6OzpA7YIe
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZy5e8NiBM
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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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEJFcqWmR4
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN5afKoqQI
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv2AnFn3Ap
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFbwpORnqU
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOrBWrSMPK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbke47YHIH
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSidmVo6w3H
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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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uqOHIsZKZ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaTKRI0qBC
"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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QP1NsaO4j
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH1ZBlxX0v
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNYcI3gfHb
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wpgiDmq09
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1gEqzHMXj
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK6pSrsgLJ
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpvZvv3hyU
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm3nhGFlFQ
"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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRMXeFFrvU
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1DN4oA57q
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYS7FaYYMw
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVEufGSbmd
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWqDT4I0jN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtURRtr7BF
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkCKRF1rE
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcXbvkuwpY
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ673NQHuMj4
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRUl8C0MGj
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozbuuMe3XM
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx58eg4fia
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvq981uWY4
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6gNvVTHSP
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DI8GMiuYR
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47NGJAGUHW
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5esyBDhvB
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt07nDajeos
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3OWXRCAJY
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyrPnkeDUq
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcDLD5R1LJ
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoYJGlzpmw
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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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XJEdlGeQp
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Dalp1ZHDB
"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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1znuqYLq9K
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcebi6gSHxz
"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?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESigXtVbo2
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Xo7jXWMy
"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."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS8vkx5i2S
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUsBKaQCYX
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXOUVeOtlS
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoMiPbEFML
"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."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNKcVhiyqh
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBGjiMRv61
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPdCAm48ku
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0cjXDRbt1
"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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0SCAxx2S6
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmfsq7uQsu
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXqQcDQFxG
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9RbM82xKz
"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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsrduxzDhm
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ejjmiyCAl
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCHQEugQIC
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?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlPCoKGIgh
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lIvAxrSZ4
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFUbSLR0VI
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7HPO7EJMU
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn4lBnGYIf
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ90RhrCpq
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mPtxn3l24
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIds0wY86Wu
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCZP0FKuQM
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmZiIujEYz
"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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iQZFJG02E
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuumWwGPRE
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MEwqvHQWg
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Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxYYmvIryJ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpk8rlv5kE
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAxFk5EnDD
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkrS2qHhoX
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98R8HTZS5T
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQxrkI3lT2
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ozIV60RjB
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoowyp9TCjM
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwWghjX6v9
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDehAw52q3E
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9KpwpV131
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvRW7yoI5r
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y8YDgohPC
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElJoLyaEgP
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABI4GDZjKO
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVLA7tADts
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lbLj4E1m5
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9D6KFE6sL
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy8pTrTasY
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvPznO9cMS
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaHy3G5A1t
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrCWrb9fi1
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYlFbTynRW
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA6qj0ht1V
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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."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkA4pm7LJM
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4yXEjdaw8
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBitacE0Iwo
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNiZxfxbbF
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjxRuZplF5
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF6KOhIHLh
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ673DiiFS4p
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHIuNMKgRV
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSpMcCrOJ1
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNki6ZgI9Kd
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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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZfoxMLsXF
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2yqcrEYZN
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2hdhZZQGI
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzTKNusvw6
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwb5ztOhQL
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvWoFyYW5m
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezUmGbPMGJ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3FgFYfV7A
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IUu9f3yfu
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjXCLWFELf
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8f88FtOxX
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyMoSTW6T5
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbOLYF18gn
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B4FnDuTr6
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsYXsRLCVY
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm9RzU1NiG
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdAf3LEYvp
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOG1sMXnnk
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeMRwiGOwr
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuf88gV4F6
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1vx6vqzWP
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh7ZeDoarC
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNskeuQByR
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sDMhzXaGX
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCLUugzwDW
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnKQ7k3cNN
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOul6CjNf3l
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozVNGQ0ZGY
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eeKyEcn3S
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."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxwlXjp335
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpvYefP01P
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSxNilBni0
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6pQ9qaYWG
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAJqJlnEZs
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1SQJKvQf6
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpv8ictZDZ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdox60JWpp
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciwediZsgI
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mRbGGfqCT
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLcIEqki4k
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRItxYjakV2
"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."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCrwwApbR0
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy0YZZuNaN
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0tnnrXUn2
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyBMVRUoJI
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJpabO5K7h
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6fjTuU7qG
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEUgeezNwH
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvjkFwMG1d
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwQZdCDAxw
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXoXoFVDS4
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFE8uFqqPr
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.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbLM16QS8D
