Hanna let her thoughts flow through her mind silently as Ethan cuddled her on the large bed. Eventually, she gave into her curiosity and wiggled out of his grasp. She didn't miss the barely audible huff he made as she sat up and she resisted the urge to laugh.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQZ0wiIViZ
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Hanna moved so she was lying partway on top of him, her breasts on his stomach, her head resting on her arms on top of his chest. Her brown eyes were alight with curiosity. Almost if she saw him as a puzzle that needed solving.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEa0Hj9FHY
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Ethan twisted a lock of her hair in his fingers, trying to avoid meeting her piercing gaze. "What?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjZDVg9kIY
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"Can I ask you some questions?" Hanna asked gently.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw0aDCejnh
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"What kind of questions?" Ethan asked back tentatively.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLDadV7OmM
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Hanna bit her bottom lip, as if she anticipated refusal. "Questions about you, about being Charax, about the heat."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjv7UIDtBZ
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Ethan bit back a sigh. That was a list of most of the things he preferred not to talk about. On the other hand, there were probably things she ought to know. "Go ahead. I'll try my best."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfyqet72Mj
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Hanna smiled back at him eagerly. "What was in the pill bottle, the ones you took on the way here?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSv7w4Ujaf
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Ethan relaxed a bit. This was a more straightforward question than he had been expecting. "Sleeping pills," he answered honestly.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5GxdCUggo
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"Special Charax sleeping pills?" Hanna asked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs7qcTGqa7
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Ethan smiled at that, slightly amused. "No, normal ones. Terran drugs work the same on us. I haven't been sleeping well this week."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTWqHXgI2n
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"Ever since the heat started?" Hanna suggested.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOGmj2XSOF
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Ethan's smile vanished. "Yeah, it's one of the symptoms."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtdJiScaVl
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"So does that mean there are other symptoms besides...?" Hanna gestured downwards vaguely.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOxSj4vVmX
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"Besides the arousal?" Ethan sighed at the reminder. "Yes, and they get worse the longer it goes on."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotLBrXjr6C
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Hanna glanced down over his still nude body, brief but critically. "But it seems like you're doing better now than you were a couple days ago?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LPb87uFcl
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"I was talking about longer without sex," Ethan clarified.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLfMOgLGMN
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Hanna nodded back. "Right, what are the other symptoms then?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdH6fV8YjA
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The faint nagging sensation at the back of his mind returned. He'd known that the heat was supposed to push his sex drive to the maximum but that's all he'd been expecting. He didn't realize that it would make him sweat buckets or keep him from getting more than a couple hours of a sleep a night. The changes had caught him off guard and left him scrambling to get everything under control for the first few days.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoxGN3zSeQ
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By now, he was well aware of the physical symptoms. The ones he'd experienced so far, that is. He didn't know if his body would keep changing, or it this was what he was going to have to deal with for the rest of his life. It was difficult to believe all the other Charax managed like this. Or maybe there was something wrong with him.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mOtq7LQkP
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He still had no clue if this was normal, other than that the kidnappers seemed to think it was normal. Not that they were a good source of information. He couldn’t believe anything they said, just because they'd said he'd lose himself didn't mean it would happen. There was no point in even mentioning anything about that, no need to frighten her with what was likely just another lie.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PAOhMEFpf
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"Insomnia, fever, mild tremors, restlessness." Ethan gave her the short list, the certain list.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusxngQa3CH
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"That doesn't sound fun," Hanna replied sympathetically.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm0DKrgTAn
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"It isn't," Ethan mumbled in agreement, before realizing he'd spoken aloud. "But it's not that bad," he added quickly.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSOTYLllbO
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Hanna nodded slowly. "So how do you usually deal with it?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorFfFPgRIn
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Ethan paused hesitantly. "I haven't had to before."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQrHiIWvcv
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"It's your first heat?" Hanna asked, surprised.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUjruhAK8e
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"Yeah, it usually starts about my age," Ethan answered.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0bO5VkLpx
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Hanna took a second to process that, she hadn't expected him to be so inexperienced but that fact also answered a lot of other questions. "Okay, then how do other Charax usually deal with it?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHv0D7shkE
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I'd love to know that too, Ethan thought wistfully. Except there's nobody I can ask. He only had one older brother, who'd never even had a heat before they all split up, and no way to contact him, or any of his family on Earth. Plus, it took months to get messages back from Manina so he hadn't bothered trying anyone over there.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLEfg25f7H
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He'd never seen his father during one of his heats either. His parents had always been away... and it was suddenly apparent to him why he had so many siblings.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXDg3QXTWD
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"My parents always went on vacations together to isolated places," Ethan offered finally.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz9nJ8bMIl
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Hanna glanced around the room, noticing how old the place looked. She suddenly had the disturbing idea that they might be lying in the room he was conceived in. "So, um, is this— Did they...?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXoSNaKBMk
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"No, not here, I set this place up a few years for an emergency," Ethan explained quickly. "But places like this, yes."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ33dsKeS9q
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"We've got that part sorted at least," Hanna said optimistically. "So how long have you been in heat and how long does it usually last?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgA4wA7S9Z
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Ethan's breath caught in his throat, he wasn't entirely sure how long it would take to end on it's own, or what would happen to him in the meantime. "About nine days and I don't know."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRdxxhklts
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Hanna looked at him curiously, wondering if he wasn't being honest with her, this seemed like very basic information. He didn't seem to know much about Charax biology at all. On the other hand, it wasn't uncommon for Terrans to get a poor sexual education either. "What about an estimate then? Two weeks? Three weeks?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nA0xx0Qoa
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"I really don't know. My parents' vacations always varied." Ethan's mouth felt dry. "If you need to go... I'll understand." He gripped her arm tight in contrast to his words.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kKMryO95p
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Hanna glanced at his hand. "Let's not jump to any conclusions just yet. How long did your parents' trips last?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ABW16WOIx
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Ethan consciously released her arm, slightly embarrassed. "The memories aren't very clear. Maybe a week, maybe a month, but..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8qgS1mFVS
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"But what?" Hanna prompted.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkChnQen31
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Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "Those trips they went on. My mom always came back pregnant."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAQ4sZPjWB
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"Always?" Hanna raised a skeptical eyebrow.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41vVChCCXZ
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"Always," Ethan confirmed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNzHG9wMxR
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Hanna tilted her head slightly. "That seems odd."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbrYNc3xVd
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"Not for us. The more a Charax woman is... stimulated, the more likely it is, and the men are more virile in heat," Ethan explained.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSXAnAHVL3
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Hanna wondered what he meant by 'stimulated' exactly, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know. "The time varied but there was always... so do you think that triggers the end of the cycle?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr7jJUZamF
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Ethan looked at her skeptically. "What trigger?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1FRj0I8e0
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"Do you think pregnancy triggers the end to the heat?" Hanna clarified.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zq5I0HeSN
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The pregnancy pheromones causing the heat to end early... Ethan didn't know if that was true, he didn't want to think about it. He'd realized it was likely inevitable considering what they'd been doing with zero protection. Or had already started.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmucGx7QvCt
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He mentally kicked himself for not thinking about it sooner. It wasn't only that he didn't feel like himself, he was missing things that should have been obvious. Not considering pregnancy when he didn't want a child, that was a significant lapse. Part of him wanted it, a very primal part, but he knew he shouldn't, for so many reasons. Even though he wanted the heat to end, he didn't want it to end that way.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pJIDcPaAp
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Which meant he needed to stop this, stop fucking her, but he wasn’t even sure that was possible. Even if he knew that was what he wanted now... in the moment he might completely change his mind. Her being here, so close to him, it was risky.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZciuCGF2m8
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That meant he'd have to ask her to leave. His stomach twisted at the idea. He'd tried isolating himself here at the start and it had been torturous, worse than struggling to hide the symptoms all day. Just a bit of human contact had been worth all the risk of going back to the city at the time. Now he regretted the decision, but he still didn’t want to do that ever again.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBOIE7dEjQ
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He didn't know what staying here on his own for a prolonged period would do to him. Except that the dealers thought he'd go insane.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx2dOO5Zfu
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He couldn't help thinking of the possibility. Without a partner, would he start to lose his mind? Was waiting it out on his own not an option? That didn't seem right... yet it was starting to make a twisted kind of sense.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmOzN5corE
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He couldn't forget how the dealers had been completely right that he'd had sex with the first woman he could. She had appeared and... he'd done exactly what they said he would. All his earlier intentions had been utterly discarded, and he was still doing it.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9bLDTCNwp
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"So?" Hanna prompted abruptly. "Could it stop the heat?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUyiPGKByq
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Ethan saw her, lying on his chest, waiting patiently for his answer. "...it could," he answered reluctantly. "Charax release and react to pheromones. It's possible."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdxVXorR6o
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Hanna shrugged slightly. "I guess it doesn't matter, that isn't going to happen anyways."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaIEMKOM1x
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"What?" Ethan lifted his head up to get a better look at her.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnhgST0dqZ
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"Let's just say it'll be a while before my birth control wears off," Hanna answered dismissively, distracted by her own thoughts.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2yhGmo5gs
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"Oh," Ethan uttered in a small voice, her answer driving home how idiotic he'd been.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPadJ3Tn6p
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Ethan realized just then that he'd never actually asked her about birth control. Another thing he missed. He threw his head back against the pillow. He should have asked. He looked up at the blank ceiling. How had this not been on his list of priorities?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UiEeOCr2V
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Hanna noticed his troubled expression. "Ethan? Is that a problem?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHiXdDLWSN
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"No. No, it's not. Sorry." Ethan tried to focus on the present. That was one thing he didn't have to worry about, he should be happy about that. "I should have asked about that sooner. Sorry."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCh3LH3PIJ
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Hanna shook her head, concern on her face. "No need to apologize. I know the heat is messing with your head." She saw he was about to protest. "Listen, I knew this would likely happen. It's taken care of." She tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Believe me, I know how it easy it can be to forget things in the moment."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TxmHZabDO
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Ethan still looked troubled. "You're sure?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6f6NSkKXl
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"I'm certain," Hanna reassured him confidently.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWUjr2Ma1F
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"Okay," Ethan said quietly, his frown not leaving entirely. "It'll got away on it's own. We can wait it out." He paused, watching her uncertainly. "Is that alright?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDUaHNsYuP
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Hanna smiled suggestively. "I don't mind."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrhNns4zCx
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At least one of us is enjoying this, Ethan thought tiredly, smiling inwardly. He was starting to feel the strain of everything their activity on his body, the soreness bleeding through his turbulent emotions. "Any more questions?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivUSz6wfW8
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Hanna thought for a moment. "Wait, what happened when your father went into heat and your mother was pregnant? Because don't Charax pregnancies last a long time? Years or something?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClVQ68SWH1
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"Twenty to twenty three months usually," Ethan corrected her.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSfsS2b9ss
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"And aren't the heat cycles a lot shorter?" Hanna asked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDHJDA7VDM
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"Four to six months," Ethan added. He frowned as he understood Hanna's point. "I don't know. The timing of it doesn't make sense." He yawned. "Got your next question yet?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqXm0RxlDi
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Hanna wanted to ask him more but she was getting the feeling that she was pushing her luck. She needed to think about this for a while. "Just thinking. I'll let you know if I have any ideas."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUn0xneY0K
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"Okay?" Ethan replied uncertainly.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5mwfT4uLT
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Hanna sat up and stretched out her arms. "I'm going to go clean up."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgffX7OOXS
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"Okay," Ethan mumbled, pulling to blanket over himself.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf7L84UXw7
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Hanna went to get her clothes from the bathroom. He'd given her a lot to think about, as even the basic information she had known about Charax heats was so wrong. That itself wasn't much of a revelation, he had been acting nothing like the sex monster she'd been prepared for.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQoaIz1MSW
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The whole conversation had left her feeling more worried than before. She thought the heats usually didn't last more than a week, but Ethan's had already been nine days and didn't show any sign of letting up. He already seemed drained, another two weeks in heat sounded incredibly taxing.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpui2tvdsVo
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He doesn't enjoy it, even now, she thought sadly. How's he going to be in a week?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRx8kxF0NW
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She'd never heard the heats could be dangerous, for the Charax at least. She hoped she wasn't wrong about that.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2vb1wLTlP
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