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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAZS0LZASwez
105Please respect copyright.PENANAheUFyZXYCc
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAkftjWJVUBR
105Please respect copyright.PENANAGo4jIMHeTX
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAmbRcGbgD3O
105Please respect copyright.PENANAtFgzGe5HCm
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.105Please respect copyright.PENANAj3RYLb8aPk
105Please respect copyright.PENANAGRQJFcPop2
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.105Please respect copyright.PENANArjONGnwD7O
105Please respect copyright.PENANAc2yuO12jIi
Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.105Please respect copyright.PENANAdgxyniDS1M
105Please respect copyright.PENANAUkPiweHj6i
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."105Please respect copyright.PENANA7TJWyK9BrT
105Please respect copyright.PENANA8bjZNTqVQo
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."105Please respect copyright.PENANAxD2t4vkqmr
105Please respect copyright.PENANA6d5dgL6FzU
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.105Please respect copyright.PENANA13LlmW0VoL
105Please respect copyright.PENANAntFvHHOQjM
Ethan shrugged noncommittally.105Please respect copyright.PENANARifIMCCp0t
105Please respect copyright.PENANAtHr4H5cWb0
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.105Please respect copyright.PENANAKyviRtc7rB
105Please respect copyright.PENANAbDssurZ9ks
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."105Please respect copyright.PENANAr8W802Rxpx
105Please respect copyright.PENANA3sRUMvZ0sj
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAWR0xvpNmLc
105Please respect copyright.PENANANVz3MoBMU0
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANA4z8bP2lQMw
105Please respect copyright.PENANA0Nh52LmQG1
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAHVSDr2honf
105Please respect copyright.PENANAYAkzJYLiYM
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.105Please respect copyright.PENANAJjc0lWaBnG
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHJPemKMpt1
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAZOPYHCcISf
105Please respect copyright.PENANA48azv9jEE2
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAybzdIwCqd2
105Please respect copyright.PENANA2ckncz2cQC
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.105Please respect copyright.PENANAtlslRdJcgP
105Please respect copyright.PENANAGUDOguubhh
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.105Please respect copyright.PENANANfICzS0AJR
105Please respect copyright.PENANA6BBJ5I4oj5
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."105Please respect copyright.PENANAqFX0MhLKtL
105Please respect copyright.PENANAkJ9rCBnRkd
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.105Please respect copyright.PENANApPpkAvRpaf
105Please respect copyright.PENANAiNprnSSw2B
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.105Please respect copyright.PENANAvM8i8o8kC7
105Please respect copyright.PENANArYx99biYdj
"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."105Please respect copyright.PENANATCWwRKsiNV
105Please respect copyright.PENANAkue8cj93oC
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.105Please respect copyright.PENANAFzjKjdCqBF
105Please respect copyright.PENANAqGtcRTDH7A
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."105Please respect copyright.PENANAB7HFlWV4jA
105Please respect copyright.PENANARwqiVbMqdY
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.105Please respect copyright.PENANAaIKsHR4CMk
105Please respect copyright.PENANAPoHhrzw9tS
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAGK6F9lENaX
105Please respect copyright.PENANASln2YBBBdp
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAMTluxM7Rn5
105Please respect copyright.PENANAO0gE2BJodQ
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.105Please respect copyright.PENANANEcxmWlIW9
105Please respect copyright.PENANA70PRO6qBha
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAv5atVOepdG
105Please respect copyright.PENANA9sgXIZ5e2g
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANADYG89nw2sx
105Please respect copyright.PENANAtUrpMxclqk
Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.105Please respect copyright.PENANAFLh0RZysnX
105Please respect copyright.PENANAoV5c5Qe4lA
"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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAee1at57XPi
105Please respect copyright.PENANAOvJosd5yHo
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.105Please respect copyright.PENANALqhL1TrkBa
105Please respect copyright.PENANAXPIqMvaX8p
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"105Please respect copyright.PENANAr7gunbcnF2
105Please respect copyright.PENANAQJ3P1KSrxX
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.105Please respect copyright.PENANAfCS172LQpm
105Please respect copyright.PENANADOQvg2iu1g
"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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAxQS6BEEzft
105Please respect copyright.PENANAsARAoZ2QfS
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.105Please respect copyright.PENANAVBe37Rf6qD
105Please respect copyright.PENANAGLogciW3Z6
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.105Please respect copyright.PENANAUHI2QUF730
105Please respect copyright.PENANAQ212PeclXw
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAEZtrNk66jr
105Please respect copyright.PENANAXHjonAnAZ9
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANACa47AX0JWH
105Please respect copyright.PENANAv69iX0w71Y
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAc1BjPhR6e0
105Please respect copyright.PENANAumnTzgao7I
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAcuRqMvDoob
105Please respect copyright.PENANAJwfACsiwkA
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.105Please respect copyright.PENANA0C4xcktONz
105Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZP4yPhtdX
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.105Please respect copyright.PENANA4qJTmt30AX
105Please respect copyright.PENANAKnfsuMu6Lc
The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.105Please respect copyright.PENANA0l4UCAzkD2
105Please respect copyright.PENANAlHm0bCNN8K
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.105Please respect copyright.PENANAlCpCvH70bt
105Please respect copyright.PENANA4X9BvUR8v3
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAs45gsOHv9x
105Please respect copyright.PENANA6eplzk6cdx
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.105Please respect copyright.PENANALd6MrXwlzR
105Please respect copyright.PENANAOwOAAUue8o
Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAt4TODQCYve
105Please respect copyright.PENANAF9yD5vTIms
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANArGiyQ09tkB
105Please respect copyright.PENANAO3r88igNg4
"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.105Please respect copyright.PENANArU1zmU7HOk
105Please respect copyright.PENANAnQKnC52LxQ
"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?"105Please respect copyright.PENANATqZshn1HuT
105Please respect copyright.PENANA3qN4OOyMhq
"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."105Please respect copyright.PENANAlg3DGcwETT
105Please respect copyright.PENANAmxEwkrFJx3
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.105Please respect copyright.PENANA5v2e7kR6jQ
105Please respect copyright.PENANAL92ZuOfLxx
"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."105Please respect copyright.PENANAaABmrvqaXH
105Please respect copyright.PENANAFjG1p4L5H2
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.105Please respect copyright.PENANALojjEfYi8T
105Please respect copyright.PENANAfL7aJptIvb
"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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAoJ5TFPf62h
105Please respect copyright.PENANAESC0PgRORC
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAvJQvpsvp6X
105Please respect copyright.PENANArsXbckjczh
"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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAie6TeAK6Z4
105Please respect copyright.PENANAN53kXu4kF5
Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.105Please respect copyright.PENANAEJFJ8HAHvm
105Please respect copyright.PENANAOceJCndRpc
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?"105Please respect copyright.PENANAshv4oimfya
105Please respect copyright.PENANAnfUNrb3ewI
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAxMvT6criNS
105Please respect copyright.PENANAohabZF80kA
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAi4vtByoDQi
105Please respect copyright.PENANAhoT58KVa9M
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"105Please respect copyright.PENANAtoQoKm5W4C
105Please respect copyright.PENANARMPvNvjpAs
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."105Please respect copyright.PENANAtNhMBQMFjn
105Please respect copyright.PENANAebiDzYRMb0
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."105Please respect copyright.PENANArN1l0AnvK2
105Please respect copyright.PENANAQSurGqf8xB
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."105Please respect copyright.PENANAHv1wwjLJr6
105Please respect copyright.PENANAOnPPcsFN19
"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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAHzVg1kjdTh
105Please respect copyright.PENANAeJGPAnxfQC
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."105Please respect copyright.PENANAMM32bsbmWJ
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHvCCDBDrqe
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."105Please respect copyright.PENANAGFn2nymi9b
105Please respect copyright.PENANAgo53tnVUwW
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAeU7LmnpcmK
105Please respect copyright.PENANA4QuSs5aySn
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAt2zBWZ0m6G
105Please respect copyright.PENANAmxZbt410wH
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAvk2wcowxgq
105Please respect copyright.PENANAKhsV2QzbqM
"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.105Please respect copyright.PENANARZJOnkHwBs
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHaTS72iPeV
"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.105Please respect copyright.PENANAXjKLmEhQg1
105Please respect copyright.PENANAjGUEzk36cP
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"105Please respect copyright.PENANAVBJgXEaJJy
105Please respect copyright.PENANAu0svtfJzGc
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."105Please respect copyright.PENANAPw5IEXZIi4
105Please respect copyright.PENANA7dcXSDNQol
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."105Please respect copyright.PENANANpequxk32n
105Please respect copyright.PENANAb3sVIFhZZX
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAnRWWMlMrjm
105Please respect copyright.PENANA4CxV9AC8pC
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.105Please respect copyright.PENANAcKCbJrxHrr
105Please respect copyright.PENANAI6J9S435ef
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."105Please respect copyright.PENANAoHBZbyOVFM
105Please respect copyright.PENANAtry56dPx63
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.105Please respect copyright.PENANAKtbOJao7Vv
105Please respect copyright.PENANAxWzfYzB1Tz
Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."105Please respect copyright.PENANA2Tl5Tdyet8
105Please respect copyright.PENANAAhD9RSOVFF
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANABwoXra7YMo
105Please respect copyright.PENANANAilG6Y0w3
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."105Please respect copyright.PENANAwB5HzhAlys
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHxPbhg9Rh9
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.105Please respect copyright.PENANAbGvSjLzXis
105Please respect copyright.PENANAlevTSwhmHG
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."105Please respect copyright.PENANApTRStPz979
105Please respect copyright.PENANAsQy96lpgkm
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAG1E4nfd699
105Please respect copyright.PENANATJJUgLM3eq
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."105Please respect copyright.PENANANkc9yKstr6
105Please respect copyright.PENANAFiBxPkh3ZR
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"105Please respect copyright.PENANAb8Qg69KHTp
105Please respect copyright.PENANAiM9nQxNVTu
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.105Please respect copyright.PENANAUO1E2Jj7Wu
105Please respect copyright.PENANAn3vXP7T5yV
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.105Please respect copyright.PENANAv6VnpWzX83
105Please respect copyright.PENANAlnutDUIqrU
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAZFBPs2Qn9I
105Please respect copyright.PENANAqU6vV7d70m
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAVOEbKobiFW
105Please respect copyright.PENANACPefLFNNov
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANATsRVlkMTDT
105Please respect copyright.PENANA5MGTzr1NV9
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"105Please respect copyright.PENANAvlQDqKKRjm
105Please respect copyright.PENANAFW5ZAIXLnj
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.105Please respect copyright.PENANAzW7xIXcyk0
105Please respect copyright.PENANAOzlruw8BoO
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAwzZRxWAuOl
105Please respect copyright.PENANAFMbkojNYcU
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.105Please respect copyright.PENANAv6ZzuBOP4c
105Please respect copyright.PENANAeYv3xJbNxT
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAIzth6lYmvq
105Please respect copyright.PENANA0TR4wi0BFJ
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.105Please respect copyright.PENANA8EDwXdV79V
105Please respect copyright.PENANAcTuOOuUOZs
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."105Please respect copyright.PENANA8m635tMGDY
105Please respect copyright.PENANAHwvI0fXe9S
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.105Please respect copyright.PENANAwHgNRpckUm
105Please respect copyright.PENANACkVwVgEqtl
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.105Please respect copyright.PENANAtBsPJcoijJ
105Please respect copyright.PENANA36LKJuFm3k
Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.105Please respect copyright.PENANAiuZ14aps3U
105Please respect copyright.PENANAxi5ZakOg2E
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAHKngmN6HcS
105Please respect copyright.PENANAY0tOIZPuDW
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.105Please respect copyright.PENANA2KEgKehrIO
105Please respect copyright.PENANAxb5JFOVyWw
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.105Please respect copyright.PENANAi2ABStCyCV
105Please respect copyright.PENANA73T7cdlFS7
Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.105Please respect copyright.PENANAH8jeil4lVh
105Please respect copyright.PENANAbkKPKfPGU8
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."105Please respect copyright.PENANAaT4ppI9RS5
105Please respect copyright.PENANAifU6JrLbD6
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."105Please respect copyright.PENANA7eEUbAlzSE
105Please respect copyright.PENANA11Brd3UU6S
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."105Please respect copyright.PENANAH9XEXXBfOq
105Please respect copyright.PENANAqeLPz5qxik
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.105Please respect copyright.PENANAv2B94MGjQ1
105Please respect copyright.PENANAa3JnH6JEVm
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.105Please respect copyright.PENANAabdDhmswd2
105Please respect copyright.PENANAjNWFOhttFg
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.105Please respect copyright.PENANAZgmx1ctbD9
105Please respect copyright.PENANA2s707vW8JA
"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."105Please respect copyright.PENANALdVn0u3D9K
105Please respect copyright.PENANAFcPVrJsmEm
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.105Please respect copyright.PENANALcUaTNlVz6
105Please respect copyright.PENANAshdTBoMX11
"You're good at this," Hanna commented.105Please respect copyright.PENANAenN1ZfsI4l
105Please respect copyright.PENANA7vkwSL5MRG
Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.105Please respect copyright.PENANA0B9TeoZIdb
105Please respect copyright.PENANAxDqJClWL54
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."105Please respect copyright.PENANAU5wIbYCqlq
105Please respect copyright.PENANA8TnMfJLKVL
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.105Please respect copyright.PENANAqoCgMXhbkL
105Please respect copyright.PENANAYVFKfxXqFj
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAOLKJAbCKPc
105Please respect copyright.PENANAuxGc5gB2oa
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.105Please respect copyright.PENANAGnS9ich3V2