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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWZ6XsqjOD
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvRtCDjrnb
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qtVPgLEHu
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbYUKEwbcX
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32NtVxtWUN
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7bho4SprN
"Steve should be here soon, you might want to wake up," Hanna teased.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpa9OX2u7R
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHUt8AqnFG
Ethan let out a quiet, irritated groan from the sofa.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBdIzWIOVT
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHvOvs36KM
Hanna wondered if this was going to be a bigger problem than she had thought, given his reaction.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vixpJq7EG
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gxA4THuXF
"He doesn't have to come in, I can meet him outside," Hanna suggested quickly. "You won't have to see him."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZDtArk3kS
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENHqP3tKsE
"I want to see him.” Ethan scowled slightly at the ceiling. "He's my friend too."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6SUCfHlB7
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuU2H6K0Iv
"Okay, but are you going to be okay with this?" Hanna asked bluntly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yQ8UoN1Zl
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNn6eOBTOF
Ethan shrugged noncommittally.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrAN7LHc1d
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8AQ2EcQ1B
"Then... me talking to him won't be a problem?" Hanna pressed.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMppa9Kg9Zg
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHXwhjbnTc
"You're not—" Ethan started to answer bitterly, then reconsidered. "You can talk to whoever you want to."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6empQ5wpq
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDd2BQL7tw
"So you're not going to get... territorial or possessive or anything right?" Hanna asked awkwardly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp2kbdaAoi
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp8WzgPbMD
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4FII6pkNT
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqMklNqlQX
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvaomwEeLw
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ9lLQ2C9T
"He's here," Hanna announced, heading towards the door.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsMmukneGg
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5GQejzfOc
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxGOtWgPPl
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQdkmqTq6h
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsnqG6y9LU
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf44CSfzWs
"Thanks for coming." Ethan's gratitude was sincere, even if his pleased tone was a little forced.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefu6Kul72m
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw6QdinMNc
"Yes, thank you for bringing these," Hanna added gratefully, setting the bags on the table.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKXWDNWy8I
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAj5TNvrbw
Steve joined the two of them in the kitchen. "You're welcome, it's good to see you're both alive."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gnb1RUSTS
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQuL4MAMqi
"Alive and kicking, that's us," Hanna joked back as Ethan started unpacking the bags silently.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxEcmh4G7d
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ejWPetPL
"So, it really was a gang? They were after Ethan specifically?" Steve asked curiously.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hj4T9tgd3
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOLSA05kkd
"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."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27iX0BOMOf
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqvrGbC8Ni
Ethan flinched as Steve gave him a friendly pat on the back.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLnypLpaKQ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozyi6xlgpL
Steve pulled his hand away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3fiRIVnkA
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT1U9PcIuO
"It's nothing, just bruises." Ethan shrugged dismissively.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpZwTAzT3C
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY2rI1OTyV
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIZeL789eC
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgI1fbPaFH
"Was this all you could get?" Hanna asked quickly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSpBRDMd2l
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmESyiQgOZc
"Nope, there's more where that came from," Steve announced as he headed back out to the car.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwjICRS59w
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNAAdl96c2
"Is it okay if I help carry stuff in?" Hanna asked Ethan quietly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRGDgUufHp
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VSnEndiVn
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQvZ6FngqI
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnuHEgwsXM
Steve and Hanna brought the rest of the bags in, and by the time they were done, Ethan had already unpacked half the groceries.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSWDYz48f5
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERf7vZSYWG
"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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFsi7kPeyV
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBk2IP5wo0
"Over there." Steve pointed to a black duffel across the room, near the hallway.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TbYsnbltw
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4PvaVVLvV
Hanna saw the bag from her apartment, that she'd given him the access code for. "Clothes, yes!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nifEYTmaa
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E4Y6Uv32l
"Exactly where you said, I was a bit surprised that you had a bag of clothes packed already," Steve commented.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg5O2DhUHM
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK1epXDGu0
"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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNpzPaSOqd
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0TpirNglX
"Let me help you with that," Steve said as he walked over to join Ethan.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFodQkTRoB
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjJW7qjdeO
"Sure," Ethan answered with false enthusiasm as he kept unpacking the bags, purposely avoiding Steve's gaze.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZhQu6gsIp
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y9QIQ8YmG
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7b57js8QR
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk6mtcIxJ3
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS2mlUjEy8
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncRNZcWfHY
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevi6EsEhk9
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGrpowKoV8
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs42QIzW2mr
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X3hNBTFXk
"I've got it." Steve went to pick up the jug and his hand barely brushed Ethan's.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ347ZbuPxY9
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFgksRZQbQ
Ethan jumped away from Steve, as if shocked.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLrfgJayPA
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82btMsd2Mo
The two Terrans stared at Ethan, suddenly very aware of his strange behaviour.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOIfYV9Z9g
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMLNSTGFIJ
Ethan realized everyone was looking at him. "There are more bags to unpack," he stated awkwardly, trying to shift their attention away.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VzKVk4o7f
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zqnkgdwkj
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9KPAyyJZT
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI7rCPmjms
"Let's talk outside," Hanna told Steve before exiting through the door.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7D7cQlEPv
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZngOedfaZ
Steve glanced back at Ethan hesitantly before following Hanna reluctantly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeYE7IJMCR
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZfLVTBvQx
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMZ3u5PqFa
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC4aekiapj
"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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhXhOwuywi
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvd2RmTgTp
"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?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVGVWZNy1H
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mzLf91pSs
"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."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOof5TMDP80
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimmnHfVgYg
"Me and you are the only people who know Ethan is Charax. I know I didn't tell anyone," Hanna accused angrily.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmoI81LJy7
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXXpQfHTEX
"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."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxo9Le6q3K
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeaYsxoDSu
Hanna considered that as she continued eyeing him suspiciously, holding her blade steady.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizK4oSksZ0
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxyVK8Ox9v
"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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuqMY1rfBZ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AAfKXM9Oa
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspWHkKOB9h
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfUtEt1UEs
"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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug3jSfWDOZ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfIH9FotPC
Hanna lowered her knife slowly, persuaded by his words. "Okay," she relented, taking a step back.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWoMzxkQnW
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIInND1gs8
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?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d0t87aQgm
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kjs7D3Q8G
"Everyone gets greedy sometimes, and that can make them do stupid things," Hanna answered coldly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmOmi3FECm
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszTHbrjKJj
"Yeah, well, not me. I'm not going to get my friend killed for some cash," Steve defended bitterly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6tFUooZis
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cqaH0Rsth
Hanna twirled her shiny knife. "Still, if you tell anyone about—"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCJoBDbqDP
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MAbkyHMG1
"You'll kill me. I get it," Steve interrupted. "But I wouldn't do that."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVYiY00JvM
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd54bOqOtPC
Hanna put the knife away. "Sorry, I needed to be sure. I hope you understand."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJNfivjNen
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hom9O2Ab2
Steve chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure this whole thing would make anyone paranoid."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELxFyd7zvq
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oy6hNWtLZ
"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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JJnJjeQri
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjp5lcDCwd
Steve nodded, accepting the excuse. "Um... I should go then."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UYVp1Aoyj
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetkQyGhZNp
Hanna glanced back at the door, thinking about Ethan's earlier reaction. "That's probably for the best. Thanks again for helping us."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswPGfamDiZ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO9BEjHygk
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizbOipxXyZ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKX2JieUSg
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDghHGFKOrY
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qt4HW8EJ5
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1D5l9ldqE
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbWBggPyUh
"There you are," Hanna remarked softly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksQgnaqmBo
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXvJ3ZCnUc
"Yeah," Ethan mumbled.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmxN8T71wu
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tDIUmsEIY
Hanna sat down on the end of the bed. "How are you?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4138tcO13u
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoET0fmOfD
Ethan tilted his head up to look at her. "A little stressed."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjU8erxkPX
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvvVfOZpU0
Hanna nodded understandingly. "You looked... a little uncomfortable out back there."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaQZwzTRQY
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj3rZSjZzI
"Yeah," Ethan agreed quietly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1fgExpCbm
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJhEAfQ9bl
"Why didn't you say anything?" Hanna had an exasperated edge to her voice.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDq7MJZ8MH
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YkJZoYHNE
Ethan sighed softly into the wall. "I thought I would be able to deal with it."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPKC8bgHJ9
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyczpCyZIAi
"With what exactly?" Hanna probed.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEVyWqsOvx
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFrqbMNGi1
Ethan paused briefly. "Someone coming into this space, being near me."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhUK56AHGP
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr12ub3mmKe
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnfIiQy9gM
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXbE87MkNj
"It's not—" Ethan scowled then took a long breath. "I just felt like I had to get away."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3zrVv2aVf
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE93Ckq2O4
"Was this just about Steve?" Hanna probed gently.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVE34TMAqJ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ157HotYBVI
Ethan nodded, adjusting his arm to press into his side. "I really don't want to be around people right now."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxto8LYZxAF
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLknvU8QtTS
"Am I okay?" Hanna asked hesitantly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW9fb6CWUE
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM663mtyXLC
"Yeah," Ethan answered softly, taking her hand gently and nuzzling it. "You're always okay."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCRIGJDWVd
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnccFkjYMfD
"Um... I'll keep that in mind," Hanna responded uncertainly, absolutely mystified by his behaviour. "You going to get up?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc65m7wkdf
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBid9DTdmRV
"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit." Ethan let go of her hand.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkLKoZnawp
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLruinjAX6
"Okay," Hanna responded, before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe78AIpBWB
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXlNJOv77x
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCByoK98f2K
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4mmCjd2pa
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlouI5L3Nr
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt42rl2Trk8
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEKNTP9gVf
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsXdaAAarv
Ethan subtlety moved his hand away from his ankle as he glanced over her shoulder. "Crosswords?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjMA8iqj49
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D9hQ5trMz
"Yup," Hanna answered happily, pulling out a pencil.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JyoADSdiE
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb67xApPx3
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVesxBE9gH
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsMfZawCWd
Five minutes later, Hanna had yet to put in a single answer.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGlBiKMW4O
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjIiMdbest
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt0w5uOTNQ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP9fe1PXg3
Hanna was now biting the end of the pencil, hard.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfUQWOYP3v
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61mVoGTQpy
Ethan decided she could use a hint. "Seventeen down is pineapple."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68waBt3EoJ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JnPUSdoR1
"Hey, this is my puzzle!" Hanna protested, angling the book so he couldn't see it anymore.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8kK1W75AX
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXDLPmxkPO
"So you don't want help?" Ethan asked, amused.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUmsiRmM3R
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfUOfwfyCT
Hanna muttered in annoyance as she wrote in the answer, pointedly not answering his question.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHxlSEpuAC
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr9sMs8myE
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtPyjMF2f8
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBCKlnBjo3
"Maybe you should start with an easier one?" Ethan suggested helpfully.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOejtE5fUe
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vQ8Wq67Gq
"No," Hanna answered stubbornly, without looking up.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLs7zJyOEV
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObHsxr7VOF
Ethan smiled, already feeling much better, and relishing her frustration a little too much.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGhkJ6uLMs
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul7swOSwpK
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."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYeXllg5X9
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryj9cE3ZAw
Ethan paused for a second to think. "Vision."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxPpym4p60
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Yd6W188P
"Okay." Hanna marked down his answer. "Seven letters. A light source. Second letter is A."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMriDB5x43N
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKJT1wupYS
"Lantern," Ethan replied quickly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kGI6kt2e6
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrufyRvBzom
Hanna gave him a skeptical look and stared at the puzzle.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XmpnAe9AG
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UyK1FmFBO
"That's the answer. Lantern," Ethan repeated.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEXa6S5cnB
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVDUIWnaxs
"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."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J9GW1AmvW
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCC219jtkb
"Ottoman." Ethan smirked slightly as Hanna filled in the sheet again.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KpWOYobGc
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJPolZHjFk
"You're good at this," Hanna commented.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQQXdOPn6P
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXeYhQo7HG
Ethan couldn't resist smiling openly now.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaJEO65MAP
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUVqPsO3D4
Hanna smiled back at him as she handed him the crosswords book and chewed up pencil. "You solve it then."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryEJWQKojB
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYUzADGi8O
"What happened to 'this is my puzzle'?" Ethan teased, smirking at her.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0fCb5UttW
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b7ypD6gKQ
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1gIu4gPYS
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzxURUAQXZ
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.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFUeLjIB6w
