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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmv9XAYtok
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoT64LC3zz
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfgWR1j9tu
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR684v6zhr
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBeXJi5gyq
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LmZLp6N2w
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"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrPwpdxaiR
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"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQtBR1Iw8N
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz4R1AplEY
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PJZIl5F8Y
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFznkPmU9c
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"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZDO9K2ZAD
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"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskgp9p52Rs
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ1HSUV2yf
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaF6tFexOD
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"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaMYfu3zND
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFG76gRW3f
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSJWgFG5E2
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb2aItwuGU
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"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTc8KB33PO
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Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkJlPGJzNb
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"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBH5mjaZjw
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"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIzCGAQskk
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiPG6EpxoC
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Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m84HU6SM2
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Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhBdsr6QP9
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGWYqpH1R4
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC2Q9D6VRQ
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFu8Tf49oZ
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLOofsFUVF
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"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawV8xxh74b
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvRSBUYvRk
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqxHZuYGC6
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEVvd1crrL
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpjwxCiCE5
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpXjuUjmAB
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"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVs6EANqvI
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybDExISqFF
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JlFWblSz0
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyKbTKDSMP
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTWzqRc1Rj
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvWwTtpbJE
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5TR5OrKOt
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlsFkiTKHU
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"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63MA12vlap
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dGgSfBOTl
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53DxgFWmU4
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1O3y6lzoT
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvJ6Xpsyjd
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"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkY0o9XKBw
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRuWYz9EVo
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Hanna stopped to the side of the door, taking a deep breath of the crisp spring air. Sunlight was filtering through the evergreens, bathing their surroundings in a relaxing glow, in a way she would have usually enjoyed, but she was too preoccupied to appreciate. She heard the door shut and the crunch of footsteps behind her.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgcRkx9Hdh
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufkoKP9xlj
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnoqZ3pKbE
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BnCu7MlUk
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ1BPVJAfS
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTT0cvZKnH
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKvh3naZzK
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCkYJ0DrpE
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdjnTlgZi0
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvm66UaQ9u
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJZxcdieDi
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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?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRRiST0Npy
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn1C4drsGn
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQg4QhFt9K
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdYYa8hH0b
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3GhoaTPUZ
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYmGZNKIDz
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICXSPXJ7xD
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXEnksxQ0j
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34DfqmKK3J
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUdChHBAGU
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvcjLCsHvl
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXS1YqYfY0
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQoKt41GuZ
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcScOWwCu9f
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHneQqEYW9g
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlTGwynpAM
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Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiOwizmDa2
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1wEnVvcZ1
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8NicOt6ks
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCEFFjjnnp
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDqQa01Zjs
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyRmeJwcFB
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlewfGw0BTu
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzUAeIsznu
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"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinRxUGfRJd
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"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqKlaZWnlh
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Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BDx5Lgeos
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl00x9ChzSx
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18kaRQ0E8M
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"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp6P6XH378
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"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rpDGrxVmB
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49QLAurb1O
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqiDp2dfHe
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFfqTojsBI
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB3QhNQEaJ
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n3bWp63Ct
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdhtBPHUVy
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8rOi3mk5k
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsLcoH20Mv
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dE1h1t6nu
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD1Q74wggP
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAICYotZZ3U
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cbVcmFSJK
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVvbNZxyC9
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJdIBZtqZv
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixBINOhdnR
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve8OPEh5la
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCyTyfLoY2
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf4usimmgr
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3Wq8omXNX
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPi13Ke2mb
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFKzN1QsVo
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"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW1YOCowz9
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS3sLpKlp5
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlHE80H5HZ
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEYkCCrBPO
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZBdjfKcES
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVEcPiYciM
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAQPuZePe9
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXM8ThsSNb
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I7sbQRXoK
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyr6FF3dNM
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgX4nI3kNu
