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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ13P3xRLer
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoXAJql1O6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8OcQKv1vB
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZHTDaoeGY
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kiAGDkiQr
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWDACf4JtF
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Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGM2fBSolt
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Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoG27lQVW6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn57GmURNB
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT1TlETeej
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrJ6yoEP26
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzczObGUDU
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"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGagFF0k8p
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Ethan shrugged noncommittally.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxpB6atwsf
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"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2K48bUVcx
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx28fj85jW
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ACBUlG90A
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xVV3EAlaJ
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLo4qU9M8q
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XWnpyWmC5
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYV2yUXH3j
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwRad4gPUQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2czEFZcyd
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv0DrYyZxN
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfWRj4A32H
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx0QPgG0NQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BxxfaoNm2
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5EzR2xovE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59JE2i3IWg
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbaMs3NFdq
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLsMdmol0R
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uDnZL4LH4
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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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iqXhtRc4P
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMy7YddpED
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnCh0beWCR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg1MQy1nmt
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkelhP3AVb
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8TaeTZhvA
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzDWo3vKmi
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Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE40imNdKat
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Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS2p64ODhM
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"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NM4AkpOus
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5QYempjFk
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtRsh3BbjC
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xZwlKFawh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1qghtE0YX
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53fea1acHo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7p8YQdeZ4
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5X8GU5vmK
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj2YEfZYx7
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWcaXEVGU7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpofKa2JqMN
"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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG69LwLpbIm
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwIsajSqLs
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGf8a9IgQ8
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Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy6qfouCSF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dm7imcVZR
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAxy3sqGQ5
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX56EBqztio
"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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOQLWE1dkS
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rwca1NjCt
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnzZmQwAnS
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBvYionU2A
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtgkpT2C73
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfGMJTu0Sz
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD6lFoW4hd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImPdRm2b5A
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFJX7KmxO5
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaPwATQssU
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus1p1YQVk2
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8gliWe48u
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4oLVBCi6p
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNb6AjVTp3
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Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcpftjt00U
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The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9zQNDnCGz
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC6kayrg9g
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz66LawuMf
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AkyCYMm1k
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NGNF7rarU
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3WiOBf1FS
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Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwdCFCdIdl
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDbDI6H4jT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4aBY5Uemp
"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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlVMfkqE0m
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe472GbCNSD
"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?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx5uFaBq6o
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqKDHj4iao
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDSokWLhoU
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrgPr2WxUA
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69Z6Oosbwx
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nU2WwDOQi
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBbOrngU3U
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Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE80iIlx2b
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9rULZToQk
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHhIEgXhAb
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNsO46VvTb
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3BULv3VeK
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Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvlso7I9TJ
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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?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr2IL2qXXj
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"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI99fxDF6dc
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"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQQW5tJU1I
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Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtocE3VGqn
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi45oWCKPye
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakZs2dxFTn
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Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpErzGjykb3
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Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY703rcRPLL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3tl6EWwd1
"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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAOgL7hvwD
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Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mkbNhXghN
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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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZOqfQRMS6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXniTcoGdZS
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYlpQwhYFo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs3AW9We28
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiZ7ppE6ke
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzycNvsWJMp
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cEMSwuh6q
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"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6GBAMkLXx
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"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3H071OHfI
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Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6vUuXiyQF
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Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLQiMGUzoz
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Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCyEvfzRBx
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"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHVramGiyv
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"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66O2ORoV6I
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Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36WNuxtTWs
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"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7ATidUW5G
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Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp33ny7XP0l
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaOWNsHHuF
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBe908Fwv3
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjk3B2uouv
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB4kk8sL7u
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlnjuktxl2
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQSPPT3g12
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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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsbt7KWAZr
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68BmBdSfQD
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqumwDZSpT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrUFTscYLt
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSwO6OZHOX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk7liTgqwu
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU7a2Odmgb
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejmhGhZK1D
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELpLjbRhQZ
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"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZB8n7txUi
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX4ttAl0uZ
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFwEv7Fa9S
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvwRFbwCQb
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsg1FqEmid
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Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjGrNOgnwt
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"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEttifa4aX4
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB233bARW2
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Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e9gb8MRw5
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6aMeMSpii
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Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHVbSahXVi
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Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQXxqdZ3ug
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"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvoazDo5y0
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"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx7B9oKvVm
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Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW6lDeAK2p
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU2qzk1KNJ
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"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYQkLPkERV
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"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVq4aKPrQq
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Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYp9BKTiDE
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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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pF6Egax7f
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Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA4lAfDipm
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"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltvLbQH7XN
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"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T6sBDoa26
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Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVuEjcVtOB
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"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSnWkLlLzV
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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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL5e0oAyyY
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"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7c7gT3Lcc
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"You're good at this," Hanna commented.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOouFIgaWc
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Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIamT3QEfzl
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Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVT54czyk5
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"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vRdRO7dwy
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVDIV6vZMI
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRyX37zDox
