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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAMXepv4YEpZ
147Please respect copyright.PENANAW5bAgxNTqM
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA78ZW5JNju9
147Please respect copyright.PENANA2fUzVn7oCE
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAyyAn5lXQMW
147Please respect copyright.PENANAcGD1guX6Bz
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.147Please respect copyright.PENANA4karOZNxpS
147Please respect copyright.PENANAUGjBoRYtHi
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.147Please respect copyright.PENANA8R9l3zs5pR
147Please respect copyright.PENANAAZxdijpRB2
Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.147Please respect copyright.PENANAuh4CuX8Ali
147Please respect copyright.PENANAkWnBupxy4A
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."147Please respect copyright.PENANAqDbO4U1r7H
147Please respect copyright.PENANAmcCO58aktl
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."147Please respect copyright.PENANAj8zoz6Nu3q
147Please respect copyright.PENANACV29NBupzW
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.147Please respect copyright.PENANA8PdQlZA1yL
147Please respect copyright.PENANAiSLxSb6rTx
Ethan shrugged noncommittally.147Please respect copyright.PENANA4AEKacXAeR
147Please respect copyright.PENANAovotorQmsW
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.147Please respect copyright.PENANANBkDnsxBSS
147Please respect copyright.PENANA9enoPqPmM3
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."147Please respect copyright.PENANATENiqx3dWL
147Please respect copyright.PENANAfIaEQsWvEs
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAMn4VxTtYzu
147Please respect copyright.PENANAu9AvAydEO2
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAcb5e1jMcaf
147Please respect copyright.PENANAjZFSe9E08n
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA3EBBX0QvBW
147Please respect copyright.PENANA3It4IVeZRL
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.147Please respect copyright.PENANApKasoAOUWS
147Please respect copyright.PENANAVGzhVq3sAi
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAN1YjdcbkU4
147Please respect copyright.PENANAcaMHHBSbuu
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANASoOdOMjrBd
147Please respect copyright.PENANAbo3wBAhWbV
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.147Please respect copyright.PENANA6DQXRPPpYn
147Please respect copyright.PENANAe33w0TeOTM
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.147Please respect copyright.PENANAdp5Wk3IXRk
147Please respect copyright.PENANATy14EGM57p
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."147Please respect copyright.PENANAFk0GicGFIj
147Please respect copyright.PENANAd2Zdo0SLPn
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.147Please respect copyright.PENANAGQOl2NmyYo
147Please respect copyright.PENANAQJw3vqwMbu
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.147Please respect copyright.PENANAF2EYxCob4n
147Please respect copyright.PENANAvmVREqyVXI
"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."147Please respect copyright.PENANACqulOKPh30
147Please respect copyright.PENANAGHdRvK7Yj5
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.147Please respect copyright.PENANAuTZiBtf4lm
147Please respect copyright.PENANAPGRb4ulqA9
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."147Please respect copyright.PENANAM37M5tekaV
147Please respect copyright.PENANAxLC5JrZ3yx
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.147Please respect copyright.PENANA9AYFYp2WQ2
147Please respect copyright.PENANAxHUH0WvklP
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAlm9pNtyAJp
147Please respect copyright.PENANAjgrvOSepOz
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAJK4hMure5s
147Please respect copyright.PENANARklMnFKIXc
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.147Please respect copyright.PENANALPlLzffawm
147Please respect copyright.PENANAufHtUFmjBQ
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAYCvgoY8daT
147Please respect copyright.PENANAgYRpTEUnvh
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAgNouCdPAej
147Please respect copyright.PENANAgR65hIdLpg
Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.147Please respect copyright.PENANAXmFaxnO7Ja
147Please respect copyright.PENANAmQcSNaotno
"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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAVoPDXiE3jz
147Please respect copyright.PENANAb4NkpzOXul
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.147Please respect copyright.PENANAbgdZfEulcI
147Please respect copyright.PENANAsOUo3BHkP8
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"147Please respect copyright.PENANAuLa4D5kGfR
147Please respect copyright.PENANAjtJcnPJgGh
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.147Please respect copyright.PENANAySUODarKNH
147Please respect copyright.PENANAo5r7F3Gpvq
"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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAGLB2TRUP7w
147Please respect copyright.PENANAb8G0RarMOY
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.147Please respect copyright.PENANAz9xT1RuXYf
147Please respect copyright.PENANA7WbnaKk6dk
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.147Please respect copyright.PENANAI3w1FNox8W
147Please respect copyright.PENANAp4HBp6f41v
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANACBYs6TY4GC
147Please respect copyright.PENANAndApmjulQ8
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANANr3PWg2pin
147Please respect copyright.PENANA31W639tzFZ
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANACuQYVeU67L
147Please respect copyright.PENANAMZziSO9GPq
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAmjfkNWWUCy
147Please respect copyright.PENANAAvSBfYrlqy
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.147Please respect copyright.PENANAXHFUZs3mnl
147Please respect copyright.PENANAr3PQWIf7Ed
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.147Please respect copyright.PENANArPCZlC1iz0
147Please respect copyright.PENANA9QRQsl5y7U
The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.147Please respect copyright.PENANAdibgRXwthu
147Please respect copyright.PENANAMkGWlcRRFa
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.147Please respect copyright.PENANAgxiG9xTl9A
147Please respect copyright.PENANANmq5ZViuVF
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA31KXw7u3Ef
147Please respect copyright.PENANAflq8IMAOLB
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.147Please respect copyright.PENANAPnyFfstRfz
147Please respect copyright.PENANAfxzsv1JQg4
Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.147Please respect copyright.PENANARm9LicEwT1
147Please respect copyright.PENANAi7orzd36MT
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAhKCPdoRmAh
147Please respect copyright.PENANAG8lrYY149h
"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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAKRubMyxpTE
147Please respect copyright.PENANAvskC9Whzjn
"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?"147Please respect copyright.PENANAUYmn8OouGM
147Please respect copyright.PENANACfiqy8Au93
"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."147Please respect copyright.PENANAmxoNydxUlf
147Please respect copyright.PENANAwM3EymPgXR
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.147Please respect copyright.PENANA2rmPHCY7hD
147Please respect copyright.PENANAweztEO7N47
"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."147Please respect copyright.PENANAVJ5OEL1zFH
147Please respect copyright.PENANAu0h72K8ixM
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.147Please respect copyright.PENANABlT5GyFbOa
147Please respect copyright.PENANA7hS7fBflGy
"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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAjSlHKonOGi
147Please respect copyright.PENANAXW4fwwlDrT
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAsHla0oZvf9
147Please respect copyright.PENANA8edP1bqdMt
"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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAdTxQqvMfpJ
147Please respect copyright.PENANAWsyS5YeSM3
Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.147Please respect copyright.PENANAHurBbpxYvV
147Please respect copyright.PENANAn0WkbRhRYI
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?"147Please respect copyright.PENANAYgclUlahhu
147Please respect copyright.PENANAXuQvQJ2SYU
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAlA8HwzbCal
147Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0Lg4VrOSA
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAbTvyy1o7gl
147Please respect copyright.PENANAXt2JEIBgWa
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"147Please respect copyright.PENANAQTapVS6XA4
147Please respect copyright.PENANA30Yk2sVJqu
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."147Please respect copyright.PENANAiZRrg5D7Jz
147Please respect copyright.PENANAbxpABbUVd5
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."147Please respect copyright.PENANAKXuphKR9Fy
147Please respect copyright.PENANAoyNXRKJRNM
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."147Please respect copyright.PENANADMSGv1BoOC
147Please respect copyright.PENANAzhNLFy1dwB
"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.147Please respect copyright.PENANATtAhj9CRbm
147Please respect copyright.PENANAsSUhFyoNyz
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."147Please respect copyright.PENANA4TSY48AdLq
147Please respect copyright.PENANAtkdOsVDhJi
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."147Please respect copyright.PENANAb2fPMPFZbf
147Please respect copyright.PENANAV0M0pPwf3A
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAUfgf5z5alY
147Please respect copyright.PENANA4z4nv1oBzq
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA1May80PlRs
147Please respect copyright.PENANA7mHLSmigka
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA8rw8bN0XSA
147Please respect copyright.PENANAsQGy2uUmYh
"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAEtBnZ6lolQ
147Please respect copyright.PENANAgY064boRW8
"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.147Please respect copyright.PENANA5NNOy5kd5N
147Please respect copyright.PENANAtsDYINJsUk
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"147Please respect copyright.PENANATVoySNM8uN
147Please respect copyright.PENANAqbpHeOxbBt
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."147Please respect copyright.PENANAKNANj3wyZW
147Please respect copyright.PENANAJxyN03cDhA
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."147Please respect copyright.PENANAhspKXxlN5j
147Please respect copyright.PENANALDgy1Kzl4L
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAbq2EPD5dll
147Please respect copyright.PENANAFL43EUOzt0
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.147Please respect copyright.PENANAjbC0bNcEhS
147Please respect copyright.PENANAUvjBDhLC0I
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."147Please respect copyright.PENANAwJx2TgQjbq
147Please respect copyright.PENANAWJSlIiKKrE
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.147Please respect copyright.PENANAmB1AtWsk5T
147Please respect copyright.PENANAlwlK1VtE8Z
Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."147Please respect copyright.PENANAdBkS3F54x4
147Please respect copyright.PENANAndanmb9c4e
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA9oa53v98WT
147Please respect copyright.PENANAmHpHmyBjHj
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."147Please respect copyright.PENANAkGG55H64Qi
147Please respect copyright.PENANAMpOtDAZb3k
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.147Please respect copyright.PENANAxW2KA4heBy
147Please respect copyright.PENANAHKUcBeahXk
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."147Please respect copyright.PENANAQBqvkObRQP
147Please respect copyright.PENANA0qcfo0Jzl7
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAK2yjhLGKf1
147Please respect copyright.PENANAWhDbWZ1iBL
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."147Please respect copyright.PENANAh3amAVDrva
147Please respect copyright.PENANALGnhNg345r
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"147Please respect copyright.PENANAuS4CEgzDTM
147Please respect copyright.PENANAZwG8XNmF3f
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.147Please respect copyright.PENANAP4ZoTXJ6lk
147Please respect copyright.PENANA5RKIOM1yyH
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.147Please respect copyright.PENANAQXcyg4lDfZ
147Please respect copyright.PENANAHLU75QF35T
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAd4nZrt8rLR
147Please respect copyright.PENANAIibKtVELVw
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAqG5QsANfUU
147Please respect copyright.PENANA9qW9KVMi7H
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAQlR0fJ8K1S
147Please respect copyright.PENANAOsT0sgVyAt
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"147Please respect copyright.PENANAdyZU7A1u2e
147Please respect copyright.PENANAekj8Jg6Fr7
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.147Please respect copyright.PENANASdTM2F7wSS
147Please respect copyright.PENANACNX71oMuw2
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA47FDyOFWkW
147Please respect copyright.PENANA8fxkVIZRti
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.147Please respect copyright.PENANAwfIaV1lMDO
147Please respect copyright.PENANACbtUe8lUCk
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAfWEHUFVFUt
147Please respect copyright.PENANABwoqyxDWzs
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.147Please respect copyright.PENANAGUBuNiAGCY
147Please respect copyright.PENANA2vfAJZBycy
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."147Please respect copyright.PENANA8Bl9TlvbPE
147Please respect copyright.PENANAZPYNdlLyXd
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.147Please respect copyright.PENANAwBtA6mhfHA
147Please respect copyright.PENANAkPSMYEK2s3
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.147Please respect copyright.PENANAXyGCXURXlC
147Please respect copyright.PENANAhHPXcmnYlc
Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.147Please respect copyright.PENANAIjiloUrvG7
147Please respect copyright.PENANADO1IxldOvp
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANApe2XY4eTRq
147Please respect copyright.PENANA3BQztmx2m0
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.147Please respect copyright.PENANAUkbLNQV1pN
147Please respect copyright.PENANA9nAIdvwHmz
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.147Please respect copyright.PENANAETJ2LQzDCm
147Please respect copyright.PENANAixTFsHUDgV
Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.147Please respect copyright.PENANAyTDf6IU12D
147Please respect copyright.PENANAbZunT0BBKB
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."147Please respect copyright.PENANAkLyOcB64NP
147Please respect copyright.PENANAWrVvGcgSK1
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."147Please respect copyright.PENANA1BNqnEJw1m
147Please respect copyright.PENANAQc5HeCL6AK
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."147Please respect copyright.PENANAB7HrLUzYTe
147Please respect copyright.PENANAcDSkICO4T1
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.147Please respect copyright.PENANAVJUcct5kZT
147Please respect copyright.PENANAjxWemW3La2
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.147Please respect copyright.PENANA3x8Lz7ezL2
147Please respect copyright.PENANAyZArdrxCoC
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.147Please respect copyright.PENANAXrkxKqhuew
147Please respect copyright.PENANA1u1urRvL1E
"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."147Please respect copyright.PENANAICGCewSwZ9
147Please respect copyright.PENANAMrUbb3Fend
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.147Please respect copyright.PENANAuH4AkS14og
147Please respect copyright.PENANApg3JFbuPEm
"You're good at this," Hanna commented.147Please respect copyright.PENANAlLsO2diPXA
147Please respect copyright.PENANAjeHIE5Zgwy
Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.147Please respect copyright.PENANAc4t3TvzX9R
147Please respect copyright.PENANAjh8Z6wsrW8
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."147Please respect copyright.PENANA6lnWPgQjRN
147Please respect copyright.PENANApsCw40bYFw
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.147Please respect copyright.PENANAlZHFoV7kXv
147Please respect copyright.PENANA1touqarXAk
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANAPjvEzDdlrH
147Please respect copyright.PENANAH0Jq9J7D8i
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.147Please respect copyright.PENANA2eW0URdCn4