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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhFmXLNQlW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tgXEBxBEf
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIRc7XjCU0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHazujiQucu
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnBkGr0yUv
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29Ws4QUR0y
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmwUDpc9Mz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXMoMzg2Y4
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuVs6Si7yI
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLy8CP6QER
Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTS5slGPnL
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYVK5qQlqt
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCc3dJ3Agq
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0pzoxg6k3
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdoomqWLT2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW6ouibIm6
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC3uc1hpq1
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuhjfzMQYv
Ethan shrugged noncommittally.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAsOdsQ8PM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lWGR7Sft9
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pbPbwq64k
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLaN8MqR72
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTFCpwolGC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlVXqBYAkt
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom3KPDLAvH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIG5vXgRcJ
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOo6WFW4ab
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsrmcFpI44
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N7G1CZM7b
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCz71WAGky
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ089Tmn00Sz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu4KjIgxp2
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2ynfxgdHU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLpVe9Vx0g
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELI8bYHVvi
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9YpMkoS0o
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJwyZ2RnPV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhvZb6AXuE
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGTrAtvzkM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TThhrO2uU
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9OQqefeEG
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSJjKlu3fW
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSbesKs0mf
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNO3sEw7p3
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqReSkrK4bx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6je253WcB5
"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."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvfNYIpFbM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsHgNQuMuM
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMbHRQS3co
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOYuCd62TH
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzrskNk8wc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQmH6UYNd2
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xo64OE6Gs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrCoit5eud
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqE29aPwy7
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyoSM2gkLa
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZOmJPuVz7
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjGyCCfp7P
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSXXlcoe0l
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HOr1oDLM9
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO1SGBIqVW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESbPVu9mdw
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H9vqYdZ39
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGM2ksQ0xH
Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFQQJGlrrq
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt8dmA8DwD
"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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapnI1mIIKq
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyr5YLLWRm
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM6FsO9TO8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S9GIqstPs
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYuPQpI4Fk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsYCmDd0bl
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYXw062Pmq
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr086wkis7
"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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIIbR5hqtW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHPIivuATT
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpzZVceNV0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXz00ok2Q5
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ugf2d2n5f
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqEiEwliw4
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdVKcLX98A
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGg61SrwbP
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr0JVzFCvs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax2mvp8CVK
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuS2cJViik
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK8ZbtsWOE
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz40tY3IbcS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkA27mPyQA
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1uZYie2Dq
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjNKJRNXi4
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjal65Kvwj7
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsLrysdK7Q
The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZy9KoBuw3
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcXfdJ5Tm1
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7j8IXvoyY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRetj1Bev6
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHZchRlmvB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrY5zjTRkw
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oAYvcgoj8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M4C4CReWg
Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfO63gfL8R
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wxUnsdvxq
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6Kw1EqW8q
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fa5DR6GWa
"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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U7eLQaPBm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGekHyYQ7Vi
"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?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7zq5Am5JK
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweVUGXrher
"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."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxryRKdfvGC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM8tLBC791
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwynCJmT0g
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjUC0H1G2l
"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."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp7mFCTBlE
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBZkSgqfa7
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHygIsZzZZ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY6ZFdp9kL
"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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHIVrzuSBz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WmTHJ6ZCt
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECSG99sdOa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tAHuTQfcE
"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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV97FZcJVhw
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJenaSnAbyj
Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVPCDMaxN5
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjSQ5InP35
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?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4wWxw7Ks4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQDL8V0aVR
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgV8v09Jd6
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjhDUBXwDm
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhpOCZPGmf
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEYeK8AwaK
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL0dKo13A9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVAAsG9ZXU
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0ghcPdLY1
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFLnZ503W5
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfN49NuGiH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFpCS31Rnh
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ33orHitxW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzSWpl1hP1
"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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC2AHyzyND
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4qWHjWfDR
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdx32GxV0e
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgKyl9YJdQ
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId99PXMedJ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2dJdxSonP
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy4QDu9k2r
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TzTIkHnVj
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTvH911xiy
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf9ozMSWBH
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAJC2EXJzj
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAREXhIyhk
"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fdSjJd1QG
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa0K2BPPSJ
"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HpdZwg1uI
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVTo0wrpL1
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUarbrkgmPh
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk7mnnG7qG
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u8pO3p7dc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbhRrfx3Sx
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGTWxfMe26
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxqWRN8x1W
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKGObT2LUd
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjBuYxcirg
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtDE1Apwze
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrDH4nGSb0
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGEhCo6N1K
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6M3getETu
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawr95kFABa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldzGZDGGor
Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D9bJW5S3N
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFo6ZHekUa
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVUMGCnynK
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60wlXoE5fl
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmGGsgb04S
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVpDRntjO4
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQehGxukGXU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKckCkymyk
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc9w0DgORY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLApevmeHW
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRIH6JJilH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO3Mfor3Yt
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz7124fUzN
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GHVpcy1Kf
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgqNIw2mZs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRraHGMmnqt
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW38gD8zNi
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tLFPd9Ywx
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0W2rxNJDk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXwbXdvMoT
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeejhxOZPa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgsYXnChgO
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1hsOmVOmx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d2pGu1Mex
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iYbZvtzss
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ykeXA2aly
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma3u30C61R
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKgPDQueRC
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS0cpB3vlv
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUaLEaiTbw
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJSlSXwKYo
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwijnFDexvw
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A0zX01EAV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BajkhoA8b
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUm61ZOw5O
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4SfrjTmu7
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh92Xz39wlT
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vYFSRhiSH
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeACLb7cZw
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfPtTzEgsa
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKsVYq2s5g
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX35Yk0QDw
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWb4dDQNea
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC55NOYMjx
Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQrta0Hxum
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyixs0tQbQ6
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1cqqjP8Ph
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFbjl9urv8
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwpTO7Gkhy
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZyZcoqPBQ
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMcgzzLUqx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL219T2O9D
Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm8jXUvZxf
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9NsveAKgC
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."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZV2YpNVJ2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbF2jSVZ7f
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxaoQ9h3OF
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaJ7PlsuaS
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2fAAm6vk4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoasbdf1dC
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1inPwxi12h
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmswpL35Anh
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXoEvtyrkY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3U8n86DqJ
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJA3aHOQKc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZduGbeXNBT
"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."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtdVCn1lb0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr2sVzWZbS
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iOek004Zg
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XNtFPjcg4
"You're good at this," Hanna commented.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlG0YnGEe2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsZjut3dYd
Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QVnUypm9d
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaatBdBTCX
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4x75PLiEs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ186YUmgRgN
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoazXb7hY9R
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ7yWcgDy7
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewCvtiL5Et
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fFFDwFg71
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.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeY8sZWUnE
