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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAuCH3xAKiBx
163Please respect copyright.PENANAlMovE20qiJ
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAUFcOtpTfpS
163Please respect copyright.PENANAgol8jOYshk
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ksv31GKxf
163Please respect copyright.PENANApITwZC6O0m
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.163Please respect copyright.PENANALdJ8Ij7VCg
163Please respect copyright.PENANAEBEwrAyxi4
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.163Please respect copyright.PENANA7H9qQqdtMT
163Please respect copyright.PENANABlK82T53OG
Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.163Please respect copyright.PENANANOVIF4i16o
163Please respect copyright.PENANAY7w4KPj3FB
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."163Please respect copyright.PENANAuY1dxlBzmU
163Please respect copyright.PENANALcAlgeCTKH
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."163Please respect copyright.PENANAuwSwHwVngR
163Please respect copyright.PENANAEUIOMC6Gbd
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.163Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZBamCwYHf
163Please respect copyright.PENANAioyR9tOUlI
Ethan shrugged noncommittally.163Please respect copyright.PENANAcEJw2ABKtj
163Please respect copyright.PENANAgGIHtYuBCv
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.163Please respect copyright.PENANABTlyMUtGhE
163Please respect copyright.PENANA099igKdrMi
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."163Please respect copyright.PENANAugpMkp0zmQ
163Please respect copyright.PENANANuVUdlLrAK
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAxYFnB2yDt4
163Please respect copyright.PENANAjPkSGcqjcH
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAc8bV4kYIa7
163Please respect copyright.PENANAq0qFTJx2RE
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAlZx0hdkyTS
163Please respect copyright.PENANAltfghLiSoo
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.163Please respect copyright.PENANA8eGfXowxJy
163Please respect copyright.PENANA6qTyrRHiAa
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAVNfBLGszD0
163Please respect copyright.PENANAX4a2jM7HZz
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAL2rfbFHtWL
163Please respect copyright.PENANAbQi0DBqHVj
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.163Please respect copyright.PENANAhudKXvSP3g
163Please respect copyright.PENANAijaVTd01dK
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.163Please respect copyright.PENANA4qRaC0IJvp
163Please respect copyright.PENANABvSV8n7fv3
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."163Please respect copyright.PENANAVKoHnYdqTU
163Please respect copyright.PENANAOXyy3y84Qv
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.163Please respect copyright.PENANAsbpJaJ0klS
163Please respect copyright.PENANA24OC9ceTkN
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.163Please respect copyright.PENANAO5Ddldak7u
163Please respect copyright.PENANAey8JqOSYTK
"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."163Please respect copyright.PENANA7CIo7HBHqG
163Please respect copyright.PENANAFTueYdK0N8
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.163Please respect copyright.PENANAadYKy4uGfu
163Please respect copyright.PENANAxvN3wFowIF
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."163Please respect copyright.PENANAuNPRh0ck03
163Please respect copyright.PENANAkhyF1WunJN
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.163Please respect copyright.PENANA0T1vXs85Yt
163Please respect copyright.PENANAMjXLycKfPe
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zj8e4xtjP
163Please respect copyright.PENANArirJ8H39U4
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.163Please respect copyright.PENANA6yhESIDaPu
163Please respect copyright.PENANAh5a8eyCG4L
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.163Please respect copyright.PENANAqt26KMVnIH
163Please respect copyright.PENANArf7NDYMliF
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAORzCy6aQRJ
163Please respect copyright.PENANA6vtDtVWsSZ
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAWL2ndKMIVr
163Please respect copyright.PENANAaJMF4YzelJ
Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.163Please respect copyright.PENANAMiE850kcA2
163Please respect copyright.PENANAIHTilT1r4S
"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.163Please respect copyright.PENANARaLb5tcrPI
163Please respect copyright.PENANAZrpqawGvLP
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.163Please respect copyright.PENANAGW9WrIK4MO
163Please respect copyright.PENANAKcKzpM8BIp
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"163Please respect copyright.PENANAT5kils2srr
163Please respect copyright.PENANAslza0xfYcG
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.163Please respect copyright.PENANAdT7BeZjVMb
163Please respect copyright.PENANAh4iSUXEltZ
"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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAHLPldxEvZW
163Please respect copyright.PENANA0PqKEhWaU4
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.163Please respect copyright.PENANAO6rVcYSN4r
163Please respect copyright.PENANAqbxdAnGRYB
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.163Please respect copyright.PENANAGHBdNuLtvI
163Please respect copyright.PENANAhjyJkaU89G
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANArq25pxVnaO
163Please respect copyright.PENANAMJW4W7I0pq
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAHP8nEmt6Es
163Please respect copyright.PENANAxR53XK9GER
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA6ts7jY6to1
163Please respect copyright.PENANAVSu91O3zON
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAncROrNbmpu
163Please respect copyright.PENANAnz8zwlWaTd
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.163Please respect copyright.PENANA5fg9eKvfzH
163Please respect copyright.PENANAVSb3u5KRhH
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.163Please respect copyright.PENANA0q3mjCaVRb
163Please respect copyright.PENANANdDQLO89JY
The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.163Please respect copyright.PENANAtxwNO8lN4e
163Please respect copyright.PENANAWKrOWg18Rv
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.163Please respect copyright.PENANAbj2QbNUrvo
163Please respect copyright.PENANAIMPGB7y75z
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAQqtZ8kjJmp
163Please respect copyright.PENANAnuJxdCrRH2
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.163Please respect copyright.PENANAxyzuQnbgEs
163Please respect copyright.PENANAQxcmIvy4lb
Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAtxzmYwF5Pf
163Please respect copyright.PENANA5L1G4lc664
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAbgFHNk53Bk
163Please respect copyright.PENANAwcY4gtoi9c
"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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAHimm7lfK1c
163Please respect copyright.PENANAaOIhKYNyK6
"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?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAhOUZTXIzyI
163Please respect copyright.PENANAt6UFHKXUYS
"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."163Please respect copyright.PENANAKeR54RZbV7
163Please respect copyright.PENANAOdmfu3vPWA
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.163Please respect copyright.PENANAOExupcxXNZ
163Please respect copyright.PENANAzuVk19Xbyj
"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."163Please respect copyright.PENANAlgx9CWsWYk
163Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7TKtLATU9
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.163Please respect copyright.PENANA1vYosqlH2O
163Please respect copyright.PENANASEO9gsKxKL
"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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAgwrSVh2yEU
163Please respect copyright.PENANAnS4q4aV7Qc
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA9HtySlE5im
163Please respect copyright.PENANAYnkiFMhf3O
"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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAYvzoICmuvu
163Please respect copyright.PENANAtYPevvt0fy
Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.163Please respect copyright.PENANAlcpQtQ3Jcp
163Please respect copyright.PENANAc4YQzvIo46
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?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAxs6Wdc4dyN
163Please respect copyright.PENANAFj1KcvNjrO
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAwOnU9ZhiWO
163Please respect copyright.PENANAXXa0SAHfut
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAmXtKOb4VMB
163Please respect copyright.PENANAfBKRciy979
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"163Please respect copyright.PENANA7gDJ2zZuV4
163Please respect copyright.PENANAHUmFIqRPCR
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."163Please respect copyright.PENANAb990IWFHVn
163Please respect copyright.PENANABnyXaV6TAh
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."163Please respect copyright.PENANA1Khth66PyW
163Please respect copyright.PENANAFytxo8GyBB
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."163Please respect copyright.PENANArzrj0VRN3T
163Please respect copyright.PENANAwEgLqlsDDU
"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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAmxIUFjNcpg
163Please respect copyright.PENANA3ku6t2xUUX
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."163Please respect copyright.PENANAe79hi63qoX
163Please respect copyright.PENANAwZu09NPV9v
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."163Please respect copyright.PENANA4jZwL6U0Dk
163Please respect copyright.PENANAAUlcRv8dFu
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAzlozX9Ak7Q
163Please respect copyright.PENANAX8JX47M8x8
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAgivEOGRlbb
163Please respect copyright.PENANAhZRvVt4Rk8
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAKmC8OdR6sZ
163Please respect copyright.PENANAZLRfs178Rp
"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAVS0Cwx17eD
163Please respect copyright.PENANArovVGAZbOs
"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.163Please respect copyright.PENANAQN0xpsZBSd
163Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ryc9xXAQL
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAH8w3oC1obp
163Please respect copyright.PENANAvYxIZTDcdM
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."163Please respect copyright.PENANABU3Faf8DnU
163Please respect copyright.PENANAwUK5SFe6s7
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."163Please respect copyright.PENANAIeFjpyov14
163Please respect copyright.PENANAhejrPmAvkj
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAf6UVsMZEjg
163Please respect copyright.PENANA7NaDtLYkGz
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.163Please respect copyright.PENANAV7ufJp5fsM
163Please respect copyright.PENANAeSqNZVcr8L
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."163Please respect copyright.PENANANiktk8naKg
163Please respect copyright.PENANA3YbTXzaWMa
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.163Please respect copyright.PENANAnXnHvh8jks
163Please respect copyright.PENANAqLgBeGLgvH
Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."163Please respect copyright.PENANApdjFyYQbgj
163Please respect copyright.PENANAapzuEonAao
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANADTxXZ2wT5O
163Please respect copyright.PENANAu1p0eSfyrj
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."163Please respect copyright.PENANAIc8JQ1URHG
163Please respect copyright.PENANATBbupMJloa
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.163Please respect copyright.PENANA2zz8w5uNwH
163Please respect copyright.PENANAr83otqgiJe
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."163Please respect copyright.PENANA04imW9KLzM
163Please respect copyright.PENANAuMRcqo7K0Z
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAKnPjVkewHf
163Please respect copyright.PENANAW62jtVwJ8g
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."163Please respect copyright.PENANAGSLrBTyuDU
163Please respect copyright.PENANA4dmjb2Z3hM
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAiOQ30XNzoD
163Please respect copyright.PENANABaKjZ0q0Sq
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.163Please respect copyright.PENANAZP6g1GTq41
163Please respect copyright.PENANALv3SNuVUX4
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.163Please respect copyright.PENANA0mQCZ00xR3
163Please respect copyright.PENANAdxavTES9Or
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAUR6qLMztWU
163Please respect copyright.PENANAKg0rxqCckz
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANARfpitNJzVq
163Please respect copyright.PENANAGa4qwo6tEl
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANACd9SFO28xV
163Please respect copyright.PENANA782cE3FEWG
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"163Please respect copyright.PENANA3fhwFgrQtY
163Please respect copyright.PENANAYamMlaPaFG
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.163Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ogk5gCiee
163Please respect copyright.PENANADcglnahBXl
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAzMv9InIL0w
163Please respect copyright.PENANAp1nWv2HV4F
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.163Please respect copyright.PENANAZxcDfRTRGC
163Please respect copyright.PENANAZoBBm759d9
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAviwjlSrNwC
163Please respect copyright.PENANAlK59GYpBAw
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.163Please respect copyright.PENANAKZC7hJZcjh
163Please respect copyright.PENANAp36zHvG1GF
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."163Please respect copyright.PENANAOmBudrtkoo
163Please respect copyright.PENANAHlGtMvt406
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.163Please respect copyright.PENANA8yPXUFuzIj
163Please respect copyright.PENANAbqHE15c9tk
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.163Please respect copyright.PENANAOmVmkdQpPs
163Please respect copyright.PENANAGTiNXjn5nX
Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.163Please respect copyright.PENANAsmLTHDj9Nc
163Please respect copyright.PENANAUNs2qESM4s
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANABTyUGF6K4e
163Please respect copyright.PENANAJOPpG7clUb
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.163Please respect copyright.PENANAXIaDQpCHP2
163Please respect copyright.PENANABdXTrvfwit
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.163Please respect copyright.PENANAhHYtD8h41e
163Please respect copyright.PENANAQfotS9OqX8
Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.163Please respect copyright.PENANA9TylcOwgHX
163Please respect copyright.PENANAhaKMh4oPyv
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."163Please respect copyright.PENANAbL0oGovweL
163Please respect copyright.PENANAtvDpvym9ni
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."163Please respect copyright.PENANAjB6UyaIulJ
163Please respect copyright.PENANApTnyuKDO63
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."163Please respect copyright.PENANAO3c3mECGPT
163Please respect copyright.PENANAtNY4U1VGNM
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAb3IAcxuPoz
163Please respect copyright.PENANA0lAdrpbh4E
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.163Please respect copyright.PENANA4jrWkjNyFj
163Please respect copyright.PENANAPQxB0G1QW5
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.163Please respect copyright.PENANAmZdajDsPEr
163Please respect copyright.PENANAd4OWK3Ts1I
"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."163Please respect copyright.PENANA0vX6E4SKId
163Please respect copyright.PENANANbrsaXSSU9
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.163Please respect copyright.PENANAWebUEFar7D
163Please respect copyright.PENANAbHf3PESCWZ
"You're good at this," Hanna commented.163Please respect copyright.PENANAzElftGnsSG
163Please respect copyright.PENANAxZd9UnPROL
Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.163Please respect copyright.PENANAO37VPKniFU
163Please respect copyright.PENANA1kLUEnBqx5
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."163Please respect copyright.PENANAHLFPGVh6iY
163Please respect copyright.PENANAbLV8A6Coho
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.163Please respect copyright.PENANAO4qKYXQ4wG
163Please respect copyright.PENANAmczRtUHVxO
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAo3je7Tucnh
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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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAqi4UdSVQPJ