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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAXvp1p3oz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoYSFifYX1
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIqUwJ0juj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPpper3jF6
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9COPWKNhz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH5Dt2eEWM
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk6tyu8bwl
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGFK7PUJqP
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJqo3LJ5As
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt61KKeDjX
Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeChQ7Mt7k
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52slYa4xFH
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHNcZxKiId
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQsmqdLPSW
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONfZs7QSFo
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyYb5fv4sv
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeXVTwVr5d
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKikS6HuDwb
Ethan shrugged noncommittally.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6yC2TpKTJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIApHIkH04x
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8mAmGWAol
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnGPPoPA2B
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRjBoidmJw
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpbFQRNfLL
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmWb8EQsam
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNJoEZmWlk
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPt3XSOfit
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NlQH9L8Cq
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGOWv32U0z
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R2SIwXtms
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK25ooDp0ks
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAVZgtbTdk
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0uGRxIfGq
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8ek27Ifc8
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmeLSPHfFN
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJtJH18jjo
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUst6FM36I
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX5Tml2ten
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeTK4XbXlb
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IxeGcfwHM
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdurRMlQtL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsaIKaPZdJ
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRazwLQVpuW
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsMNHLNyBE
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStpOVEEGHL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU16Dek9u9
"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."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdrg17F2pa
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4j8Vs0HgQ
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZHmdgH1VK
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol7xsjNJlL
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzJ39XTxXT
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HGHoJNccR
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIQXPPjkOa
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRfYD943th
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqw7quPV5b
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTb3Z8wIzK
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdd1Y31ZHX
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx4x4KpQHV
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSII3oferqm
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6ALVUpG0h
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGmdKOuNtR
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qjugm5huC
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzlcSqThdW
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOaAEcbPQN
Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn04o8HUqME
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6MvBvw2ch
"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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdxnzO9oNo
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M8OUvSLtY
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9nCyyGfNh
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl42wtDsq48
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfjVBgsm4e
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UnbCnh1hN
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaRP8F29Nk
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSaYozUXSg
"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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeafFttM7iu
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02d6ZZwnwd
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVMEKM9mFq
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ36Y1hiuW
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ04FnRvgcj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRBrzQXXGL
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdczWFWySq
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfndAJ0wPA
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxpbAPZLHv
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo1U3L285U
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMVyCtwki1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGGLqhXtKa
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFsvo9T4Ir
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMjlgqCLCo
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaZyZBnxJP
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeVECKLEiW
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTmt2mBTLZ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9sJhmuM3E
The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENEyxFocT3
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFJTTF6kIT
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkFV5FIn4l
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXjFHlrjEh
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzKzvjAKdd
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwdGb9PcpH
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0XMBlqbja
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA0McXToi6
Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gGwfv8w7g
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4dw2rDVuV
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnogqmrz4Wy
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLLFMVrqUM
"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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo6LY7jHkO
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSMZbCDWEv
"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?"49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6WzA8uQQi
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVupenICNh
"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."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMWjSWLs8f
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5UXXVGVPZ
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MXBLx5Gzi
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaOcRoqHxz
"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."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0IquDv88J
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGpbV5afaq
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qe8fbIWRY
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eZqONd1jy
"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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnASYx5P6St
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHnQ8SOWJj
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELlVZ4h6dN
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbnfnupCzj
"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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OAiR9XSaF
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0ysFQHr8X
Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQRhreNCm3
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeLosAsmqX
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?"49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTx3l4zmWx
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEmBvRhAdN
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxtG4u0FSs
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhELRrZ08F
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWUSxvLPR8
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XHDlPYC9X
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupYRHx1opM
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHCitfSTSQ
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NkMnXxRYI
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8auEVvtSE
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH4zrWzWoR
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj4QtrIEr7
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiq6MMStPA
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpNRcuoZYJ
"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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY4DiW5FvY
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThp7SaDRT2
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6mIpSjow7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW3Ge0uicK
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C0Aswn4Ku
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRR9be8xcW
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYwXnkhFw7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODQ7IvJpTs
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn0vQDDpZN
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMxx7nBOjY
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKLYkIXi7G
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0RYwxIBeP
"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEWlSZ0CYL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZt7WsF1L2
"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSQbL4kWnR
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcFsupMxVm
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji6WP4eTrO
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRSdTbA31P
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9uF7H7OoC
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpIJTfxgEC
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrEfaQJgZ4
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3eW469JO4
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWU2MeEJXj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVLJHKfhpe
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sP1YhYxS7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgcmZGhnZG
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gWg3Se6Ia
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJxRfPWeOm
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtAmIcO8o3
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay8dUo7aE9
Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pgqbL66od
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPMXCMC60Z
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtquJYyLaCs
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzveorRXuGB
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBaJLvfZxE
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeccfl5Wlp
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC58UBwQoY
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl5P3KbTxf
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl7hjMeIzS
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJbLlV0VSR
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53QdND6Lqm
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObBeb5KjKJ
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm8S29uxjL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4YR70wCZ1
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J0tHfbLkD
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw4MMocUKA
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftaw72lB7K
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f6Ni8P4fN
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9TsHgw7X6
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxeInVzXdb
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69SeFppxqA
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHVcfTcWTt
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26rkwUl7Tz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LiNqJzOBJ
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sNkxfVpEt
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ910wq0Z69W
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMHM45zsEz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadTuWBqFxY
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUHI7fYoTJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8KahM3OHa
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hvW0rQGia
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs6DYVKJbU
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVg9F5Odj2
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXplyiKqFjA
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7IqKWZs0w
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlhbSZ4tvm
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYxAxV40Vx
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWq3cguZwD
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgJTPRs01N
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2D2VvElzS
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR0bcU2sP6
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYyBE9ySTz
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWjwbXqySK
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhViRnXMeA5
Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrohzV4qWs8
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakMbt4QZFt
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L7WZJhDol
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRy1qHASVr
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYG6aJB712
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUhODGV43f
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqTOi4OIxo
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelKyWicFWc
Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKGmAAR64Q
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHl474nkR8
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."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7yUMyJTxC
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eTvLQjKPi
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoJFKFcp3y
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsej5Ec9sM
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s5iMukhSt
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBo8S2CtBU
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFa7OFc2S7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8XDlfWvcp
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGYsi264sp
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoXycywvij
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bV2gjP9fJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaKvw5t0pY
"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."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzWWmZeTMC
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPIeXDZ3KB
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ancIMDYt
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylzoB6lBSw
"You're good at this," Hanna commented.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphURDjGm81
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuBvw8jhCl
Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwqKRpKYj1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRFqYYR964
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerUrkiyim6
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEo1tsUVTK
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZvEy3dfuN
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMtmCfx4BB
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUogXR0PEt
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYMqMIIKXp
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.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHCpiuJZ4j
