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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jlo0pP3Xm
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVGtxyqWh7
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNIXx9F4IN
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"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYBJzSj76s
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPISd8lg5y4
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenjZllrvij
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRWikQlnxg
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"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0vYqJNdu4
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2NqzA8Vhf
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGbxzDivUN
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjiH1JgMMm
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"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriNvz6TiaC
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"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnJCeUpQ05
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgpydTxURE
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJsp5jp9it
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"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkamOoPjmg
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBFC8muhmh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqdb096abi
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE6uDvyUyo
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"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXaVETToYY
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"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1dFam7C1N
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4wuUtUaGj
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"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlErtAMsZgF
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"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmPRe0kOtj
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzKFPS9qgy
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Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneUT8YiyrS
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Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ21Uih0Xi
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z89B1UjVu
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5LG7LVx3p
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"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58RZAbZFy7
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"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVX6tjG3tA
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"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohtK4EMxVZ
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgDXnXuOZF
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9jyOHMsaf
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrCpZS6NeW
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"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJnyAbzRQW
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ew7XFizwq
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"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ArMJO9IiW
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6dwgOVfAL
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"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VmTMgMcVt
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"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWASv7HQXZi
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsVHBlxs1g
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlDAF3VRMa
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysOwxfTPCS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8aWy4g4HV
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuvIxWPTH7
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"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSai3lJHcS
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcchLizDnhC
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhkO83gOGS
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVZ4z1pKNB
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18OQ4YzXSr
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"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHeXQuj0cc
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH7VC4gt3D
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ27QeTLHlq
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLX6BgU8Pp
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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?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9LKQtq82H
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e7G42HI5T
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFWJKIF0ol
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1wWtrSbYa
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd7HLFExna
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vsAWkgHT0
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIv9MTMMZd
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHSNd66djP
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNLoLgAUcl
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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?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYPlTT4Odm
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcugXD6MfI9
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkwSBZ1fuF
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n4Dj9IUML
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"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMbOfqybbn
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo6HXynOsL
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfVnvI1wvt
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4MdMroUUu
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ViVXdEuKI
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs23uU5i9OZ
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJaWHli9Tq
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qp57X443w
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMel42BBu0
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA6MM4NNhM
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes3vnGY6Cp
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLW62SqGFb
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Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm7Xjg6AsQ
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNJASw35r2
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1z0hq1iUm
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtvvvFjmVl
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2cNG5Kpb6
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmFg3Q7yjS
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboD176Kzyd
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwvtbyoA6i
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"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseH7DwmzBi
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"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIozUpD6y57
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePf7rGyinu
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"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVyIyuQ8dH
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"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSs4tLMpPW
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"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kqzYQaTme
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"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l4ZCd7Tg1
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYebH4vdhTa
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR9ejNYP4u
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMfBgkkorL
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriIoAnuisD
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6guMGWIaT
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0H9lCfY1N
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LqAf6tWQW
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K7lc2hhOf
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4DKsa0IiE
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOTCcQApkd
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhUQoHcHPS
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9N2U0qlVX
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3AhOv0o6w
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyPL0L3GrR
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECicb9cMbG
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMCrPrDnnO
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sHekWT7YC
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDqPr9qgoz
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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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxGQAgcxLs
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwdH7COy1R
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcPMZHmWuG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ5VuVLWIJ
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG3kYCatC9
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMAelXAjlJ
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyu36NRvIv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzEcfW24MT
"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."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJHUbbeHBv
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYqJ5HSQSw
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0LTsedelf
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F8Uy2KfcW
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyOkHwftNF
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA0LmKSP7c
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE9gGZ9GEO
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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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJnqHMxz9b
