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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jrP8DQtuR
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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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc6MkpN2xB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGDWXZLtdP
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU0vbDhwCA
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSkz6kGI6b
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqW7s2pA18
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQpi17Yo57
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kudSX5D6U
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDdPi9dgjB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVRPUFaNti
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln8D8maZc7
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OOys6R2O0
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhGGVT546r
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3m3it3xfp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1umGrHY6I
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRC0lkq2Lt
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmIe2e3xDU
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg8MrWTTqm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI4a5HZjSO
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3OcrmI4Pz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFJTaOdapQ
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fVvgmOhQJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJejCLHm6n
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9wtlRusTe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BR7Pw2d9T
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumE8BLKxnH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOHkpe3Juu
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDJPcJdRv2
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeLEXf5mK6
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FeZSvCdDS
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweg78s2cKZ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHJgvRXGH1
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgbdWp0raS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiQY2m91g5
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhGvFdCaYv
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUr2rQjGQH
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcYHxSW2J3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmTem22YeZ
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtktuuf6gL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQuDt17vV0
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyBNBzNoNJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShkyFiGMK2
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOFqSbQfhe
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOu5CFIJTG
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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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQgmqvJCIS
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3CHGQ1Ots
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR9Kyyvgoi
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc5w1dOSTb
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwrzwwJ5NF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1nuouaFku
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyBOVxM7nZ
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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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUy3qajpJi
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID8SOQw7uo
"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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJhFZZTTLd
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuRPneGLXK
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCquA9hpMk
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHykI2XXM2v
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuLng3rgWP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx6pdBlaJk
"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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqzG4lJ3gP
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eoeFaJ31N
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzfdNaNGYR
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9XODY5gw9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JxiomAANK
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpgMa3hOsP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaY0tZ9QwU
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUIFdc0MpC
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANeR9y0ksZ
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygIwD2TwTR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wwkgX7WAA
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabmKCJn2Dl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc65CTS55D8
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0WKaDoaQs
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaZGLKcdKL
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9ytpJ61P8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzkxtP7ZnN
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjvq8bjI5q
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Steve didn't move other than frowning slightly, as if he didn't know what to make of the situation. Hanna stood on the other side of the room awkwardly, her forehead creasing. Despite his previous comment, Ethan didn't move from his position on the other side of the kitchen, rubbing his hand nervously.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PUb7c1z4T
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"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9Cooqfg2f
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwy3zalYfs
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmjqkaH7Ry
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V5ry2I22w
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"So what's—" Steve was abruptly cut off by Hanna spinning around to push him harshly against the wooden wall of the cabin and putting a knife to his throat. His expression reflected his state of pure shock.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Rrp7oTOn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQY58BVstx
"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?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEBxmYQyC5
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILWuhc3Amb
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJzSWcdFGA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiAGyjNG9s
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznfA0aOlKK
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"Then we aren't the only people who know," Steve reasoned in a rush. "But you figured it out without anyone telling you, someone else could too."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7qxrP3Wfa
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mPqo0KCLR
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"I tried to tell him that he wasn't doing a good job of keeping the symptoms hidden but he didn't listen to me," Steve argued further, fear bleeding into his voice.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv8KqJqkQ1
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Hanna pressed her lips together. She had to admit he had a point. Someone else must have given Ethan the Trazinol, she reasoned, and Steve looks like he’s telling the truth.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXyG0T0LMT
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"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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDUD3VutGl
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wx2XsxmSK
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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?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidbBGeiu8z
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy7diAz6Xo
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SCECCVOyj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uXkqjEz58
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYBAbyOhUy
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ52ApOsACJ
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG0t9yBoAD
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8OHm9KAt3
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKIHyJi4Mm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY8YXcxsbq
"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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVMPymN8ZT
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe5BHpsGd9
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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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR97xIIP7H
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHFDfNqZxF
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThDMEml04g
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtc7Qd5x1K
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyxHocUAPG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLt9xVgfoM
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjC6aeOh5m
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ860ntaHFUy
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf7ocybykc
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AGo3qnQXD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaEoAeT5Tj
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33jNqqRb5o
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzKU65xLD8
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bLmDe1hd0
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hfc3V0Fe0
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp35pFeiNS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM4bOk01Zj
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MoAQs93ks
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16mNWM8Vk8
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhpFoc3d8h
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4B1lTrQuA
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIXO8OBn9Y
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3CCydg7oL
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QqKhGZzvW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwUaZ8mUEG
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM0ptWbaYE
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91SByvUVAQ
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzNDFDBCoY
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUatr3l6Gbw
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNM0uKTnHa
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPJCPpkhVL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJH8aLGrfu
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE6Tw4kdYB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07SOt9OzQJ
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTKYWVt1Xg
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNKxIid7ej
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rraDdXH52
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec5wnAgRRB
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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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWSMsquGGW
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Ethan was surprised to see Hanna come back into the bedroom a few minutes later. She'd changed into a t-shirt and skirt, a more casual outfit than he'd ever seen her in. The light mix of pink and orange suited her well, and matched her new upbeat mood. Without saying a word, she sat down next to him on the floor and opened the book she'd brought in.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRlvR8xrtJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym5wP8b08k
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEavGPKcGpn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pGgBWwGVj
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU84WRlQx0
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Ethan leaned his head on her shoulder, deciding to watch her solve it. He didn't want to admit to himself how much her simply being there made him feel better. The way she gnawed on the end of her pencil as she stared at the page intensely made him want to smile. He caught himself relaxing into her, pressing his body into hers, and consciously readjusted to not put too much weight on her. He hoped it hadn't been a noticeable mistake, given how Hanna was still engrossed in her puzzle.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe6hwnPsxO
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDciHGktpm
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Ethan sat upright, stretching out his neck. He'd already solved most of the puzzle in his mind and didn't actually need to look at it anymore to solve the rest.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFsL3KAHMA
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt9DgT5zHX
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRasxPiefKQ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuAl0mSz83
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny6jYzNRqV
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6raVKwecqz
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dxk5C7Ly5
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Ethan silently watched her continue to struggle with the puzzle. Occasionally, she would glance up at him before returning her eyes to the page, the pencil still in her mouth. Minutes later, she still hadn't put a single word in.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU7VNTv4bb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhWhaoVjQC
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWirFClCms
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32pLvBSm3v
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB6MfQET1k
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Hanna struggled for a few more minutes. Nose still in the book, she suddenly spoke quietly. "Six letters. One of the five senses. Ends with N."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMHswGCPgA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu8eLc60pr
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGxvBUPmkK
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWcQVPqnc8
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2LzAwB952
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1GrrpRmvb
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcHc9BGao8
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvn2bfatzi
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeomlfOE9fb
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"I'm just checking." Hanna said with a huff. She paused, staring at the page. "Seven letters. A piece of furniture like a foot stool."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS13vY1Sn9
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPFj05j74F
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzZGu74YNE
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFINjX1yMFb
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nSm6WhpDh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2qk4YEgud
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cU6tg2Qd9
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Hanna laughed lightly. "You already solved half of it, I don't think it's mine anymore." She noticed the look on his face as she got up. "I'm not leaving the cabin, I just need a shower," she reassured him.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY66qaSpdCd
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Ethan quickly hid his expression and nodded slightly in response before turning his attention to the half-finished puzzle, aiming to complete it in the next couple minutes.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHMKWppUrE
