Hanna let her thoughts flow through her mind silently as Ethan cuddled her on the large bed. Eventually, she gave into her curiosity and wiggled out of his grasp. She didn't miss the barely audible huff he made as she sat up and she resisted the urge to laugh.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0zeCmIwfx
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Hanna moved so she was lying partway on top of him, her breasts on his stomach, her head resting on her arms on top of his chest. Her brown eyes were alight with curiosity. Almost if she saw him as a puzzle that needed solving.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLZm1hb6m2
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Ethan twisted a lock of her hair in his fingers, trying to avoid meeting her piercing gaze. "What?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr1UmGh0NN
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"Can I ask you some questions?" Hanna asked gently.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh2CSGqP1e
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"What kind of questions?" Ethan asked back tentatively.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSy3G2liNx
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Hanna bit her bottom lip, as if she anticipated refusal. "Questions about you, about being Charax, about the heat."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U4fgC4tXD
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Ethan bit back a sigh. That was a list of most of the things he preferred not to talk about. On the other hand, there were probably things she ought to know. "Go ahead. I'll try my best."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWb6HOb3Ge
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Hanna smiled back at him eagerly. "What was in the pill bottle, the ones you took on the way here?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZkRlwFSUW
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Ethan relaxed a bit. This was a more straightforward question than he had been expecting. "Sleeping pills," he answered honestly.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8e66dlaTD
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"Special Charax sleeping pills?" Hanna asked.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LuddMphdj
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Ethan smiled at that, slightly amused. "No, normal ones. Terran drugs work the same on us. I haven't been sleeping well this week."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOzB1GZogX
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"Ever since the heat started?" Hanna suggested.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YKDeaOxzL
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Ethan's smile vanished. "Yeah, it's one of the symptoms."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR28brtvllk
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"So does that mean there are other symptoms besides...?" Hanna gestured downwards vaguely.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CDVuSPEg2
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"Besides the arousal?" Ethan sighed at the reminder. "Yes, and they get worse the longer it goes on."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEs0ikwzXx
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Hanna glanced down over his still nude body, brief but critically. "But it seems like you're doing better now than you were a couple days ago?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWP7ZHHaNw
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"I was talking about longer without sex," Ethan clarified.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9odCBvYCP
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Hanna nodded back. "Right, what are the other symptoms then?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzfSNFAm94
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The faint nagging sensation at the back of his mind returned. He'd known that the heat was supposed to push his sex drive to the maximum but that's all he'd been expecting. He didn't realize that it would make him sweat buckets or keep him from getting more than a couple hours of a sleep a night. The changes had caught him off guard and left him scrambling to get everything under control for the first few days.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8cRGqx0o5
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By now, he was well aware of the physical symptoms. The ones he'd experienced so far, that is. He didn't know if his body would keep changing, or it this was what he was going to have to deal with for the rest of his life. It was difficult to believe all the other Charax managed like this. Or maybe there was something wrong with him.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas64reYWWv
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He still had no clue if this was normal, other than that the kidnappers seemed to think it was normal. Not that they were a good source of information. He couldn’t believe anything they said, just because they'd said he'd lose himself didn't mean it would happen. There was no point in even mentioning anything about that, no need to frighten her with what was likely just another lie.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQroA7eOhgj
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"Insomnia, fever, mild tremors, restlessness." Ethan gave her the short list, the certain list.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBZ3S9LsCx
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"That doesn't sound fun," Hanna replied sympathetically.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwkDArvAUB
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"It isn't," Ethan mumbled in agreement, before realizing he'd spoken aloud. "But it's not that bad," he added quickly.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEQg2IUZO8
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Hanna nodded slowly. "So how do you usually deal with it?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkyqkUzgRY
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Ethan paused hesitantly. "I haven't had to before."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXowkxtYrAt
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"It's your first heat?" Hanna asked, surprised.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84mGDUOpQs
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"Yeah, it usually starts about my age," Ethan answered.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNidsoyZLcF
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Hanna took a second to process that, she hadn't expected him to be so inexperienced but that fact also answered a lot of other questions. "Okay, then how do other Charax usually deal with it?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtHvOgwpAC
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I'd love to know that too, Ethan thought wistfully. Except there's nobody I can ask. He only had one older brother, who'd never even had a heat before they all split up, and no way to contact him, or any of his family on Earth. Plus, it took months to get messages back from Manina so he hadn't bothered trying anyone over there.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aLGd7R1ah
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He'd never seen his father during one of his heats either. His parents had always been away... and it was suddenly apparent to him why he had so many siblings.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0sMMWjp7p
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"My parents always went on vacations together to isolated places," Ethan offered finally.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKBuCgTCAA
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Hanna glanced around the room, noticing how old the place looked. She suddenly had the disturbing idea that they might be lying in the room he was conceived in. "So, um, is this— Did they...?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwiNeE3XIf
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"No, not here, I set this place up a few years for an emergency," Ethan explained quickly. "But places like this, yes."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jqL2UDFUs
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"We've got that part sorted at least," Hanna said optimistically. "So how long have you been in heat and how long does it usually last?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2smhT6R4Ur
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Ethan's breath caught in his throat, he wasn't entirely sure how long it would take to end on it's own, or what would happen to him in the meantime. "About nine days and I don't know."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPsYqgiWFG
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Hanna looked at him curiously, wondering if he wasn't being honest with her, this seemed like very basic information. He didn't seem to know much about Charax biology at all. On the other hand, it wasn't uncommon for Terrans to get a poor sexual education either. "What about an estimate then? Two weeks? Three weeks?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6anhtLwsZ9
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"I really don't know. My parents' vacations always varied." Ethan's mouth felt dry. "If you need to go... I'll understand." He gripped her arm tight in contrast to his words.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GpERqPYyo
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Hanna glanced at his hand. "Let's not jump to any conclusions just yet. How long did your parents' trips last?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JehyUY9sM
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Ethan consciously released her arm, slightly embarrassed. "The memories aren't very clear. Maybe a week, maybe a month, but..."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1wDKHcRwb
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"But what?" Hanna prompted.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCcvKSf4hJ
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Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "Those trips they went on. My mom always came back pregnant."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhFVGcaQ42
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"Always?" Hanna raised a skeptical eyebrow.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kr5r1CZvw
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"Always," Ethan confirmed.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkeJGhb2eN
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Hanna tilted her head slightly. "That seems odd."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSXbYbgwb6
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"Not for us. The more a Charax woman is... stimulated, the more likely it is, and the men are more virile in heat," Ethan explained.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzjwQmDzF2
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Hanna wondered what he meant by 'stimulated' exactly, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know. "The time varied but there was always... so do you think that triggers the end of the cycle?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxbSCNwoUp
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Ethan looked at her skeptically. "What trigger?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJnCMgAIu7
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"Do you think pregnancy triggers the end to the heat?" Hanna clarified.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTVCzMoyNZ
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The pregnancy pheromones causing the heat to end early... Ethan didn't know if that was true, he didn't want to think about it. He'd realized it was likely inevitable considering what they'd been doing with zero protection. Or had already started.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTP7cnS9GD
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He mentally kicked himself for not thinking about it sooner. It wasn't only that he didn't feel like himself, he was missing things that should have been obvious. Not considering pregnancy when he didn't want a child, that was a significant lapse. Part of him wanted it, a very primal part, but he knew he shouldn't, for so many reasons. Even though he wanted the heat to end, he didn't want it to end that way.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FZcbQOc2K
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Which meant he needed to stop this, stop fucking her, but he wasn’t even sure that was possible. Even if he knew that was what he wanted now... in the moment he might completely change his mind. Her being here, so close to him, it was risky.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBDfGKNYp4
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That meant he'd have to ask her to leave. His stomach twisted at the idea. He'd tried isolating himself here at the start and it had been torturous, worse than struggling to hide the symptoms all day. Just a bit of human contact had been worth all the risk of going back to the city at the time. Now he regretted the decision, but he still didn’t want to do that ever again.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Yhp9xfrI
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He didn't know what staying here on his own for a prolonged period would do to him. Except that the dealers thought he'd go insane.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVYy21PPlJ
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He couldn't help thinking of the possibility. Without a partner, would he start to lose his mind? Was waiting it out on his own not an option? That didn't seem right... yet it was starting to make a twisted kind of sense.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF7uGoolFF
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He couldn't forget how the dealers had been completely right that he'd had sex with the first woman he could. She had appeared and... he'd done exactly what they said he would. All his earlier intentions had been utterly discarded, and he was still doing it.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLeBno6uts
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"So?" Hanna prompted abruptly. "Could it stop the heat?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXtcuOc1Qs
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Ethan saw her, lying on his chest, waiting patiently for his answer. "...it could," he answered reluctantly. "Charax release and react to pheromones. It's possible."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fe9O2rRT6
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Hanna shrugged slightly. "I guess it doesn't matter, that isn't going to happen anyways."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RarbARNZe
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"What?" Ethan lifted his head up to get a better look at her.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Vzn9ld3p
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"Let's just say it'll be a while before my birth control wears off," Hanna answered dismissively, distracted by her own thoughts.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL1EVJbNnx
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"Oh," Ethan uttered in a small voice, her answer driving home how idiotic he'd been.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI2smWTxRX
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Ethan realized just then that he'd never actually asked her about birth control. Another thing he missed. He threw his head back against the pillow. He should have asked. He looked up at the blank ceiling. How had this not been on his list of priorities?80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GDVzFmWfR
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Hanna noticed his troubled expression. "Ethan? Is that a problem?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKLic1dD2w
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"No. No, it's not. Sorry." Ethan tried to focus on the present. That was one thing he didn't have to worry about, he should be happy about that. "I should have asked about that sooner. Sorry."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE9BqeDy3P
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Hanna shook her head, concern on her face. "No need to apologize. I know the heat is messing with your head." She saw he was about to protest. "Listen, I knew this would likely happen. It's taken care of." She tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Believe me, I know how it easy it can be to forget things in the moment."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPhOF1aEHC
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Ethan still looked troubled. "You're sure?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WinR7lzVD
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"I'm certain," Hanna reassured him confidently.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WTsjp5m0Y
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"Okay," Ethan said quietly, his frown not leaving entirely. "It'll got away on it's own. We can wait it out." He paused, watching her uncertainly. "Is that alright?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSqkffN34T
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Hanna smiled suggestively. "I don't mind."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGswcEpviah
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At least one of us is enjoying this, Ethan thought tiredly, smiling inwardly. He was starting to feel the strain of everything their activity on his body, the soreness bleeding through his turbulent emotions. "Any more questions?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuBgK6cSJK
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Hanna thought for a moment. "Wait, what happened when your father went into heat and your mother was pregnant? Because don't Charax pregnancies last a long time? Years or something?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2g6l5yKRo
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"Twenty to twenty three months usually," Ethan corrected her.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZlOiooj7
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"And aren't the heat cycles a lot shorter?" Hanna asked.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjC9hcEKLs
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"Four to six months," Ethan added. He frowned as he understood Hanna's point. "I don't know. The timing of it doesn't make sense." He yawned. "Got your next question yet?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUBq7rxy0y
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Hanna wanted to ask him more but she was getting the feeling that she was pushing her luck. She needed to think about this for a while. "Just thinking. I'll let you know if I have any ideas."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4px9kZwiaN
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"Okay?" Ethan replied uncertainly.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cja1Sl5yw
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Hanna sat up and stretched out her arms. "I'm going to go clean up."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw2fJlv2yp
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"Okay," Ethan mumbled, pulling to blanket over himself.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtNbaQZH2d
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Hanna went to get her clothes from the bathroom. He'd given her a lot to think about, as even the basic information she had known about Charax heats was so wrong. That itself wasn't much of a revelation, he had been acting nothing like the sex monster she'd been prepared for.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBxRVST94o
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The whole conversation had left her feeling more worried than before. She thought the heats usually didn't last more than a week, but Ethan's had already been nine days and didn't show any sign of letting up. He already seemed drained, another two weeks in heat sounded incredibly taxing.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6UGe7PhRl
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He doesn't enjoy it, even now, she thought sadly. How's he going to be in a week?80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dcypIHXex
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She'd never heard the heats could be dangerous, for the Charax at least. She hoped she wasn't wrong about that.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh3wC4LK9k
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